Almafuerte giaii (Gerschman & Schiapelli 1948) comB. nov.

(Figs. 12–13, 22a)

Echemus giaii Gerschman & Schiapelli 1948: 19, figs. 28−29. Male holotype from Argentina: Santa Fe Province: Departamento Nueve de Julio: Tostado, A. Giai mission, 1944 (MACN-Ar 1608, prep. CJG 1516). Examined.

Diagnosis. The palp of the only known male resembles those of A. peripampasica (see above) by the general size and position of the embolus and conductor and by the basal part of the ventral branch of the RTA curved ventrally, but differs by the more elongated general aspect, with cymbium and embolus proportionately longer, the latter surpassing the conductor’s tip, and by the less ventrally protruding central part of the tegulum (Figs. 12 d, e; 13 a, b). The only known female assigned to this species is similar to those of A. goloboffi in having the copulatory openings laterally directed, but the openings are more anterior, and lack the anterior recurved atria; the anterior epigynal hood is more protruding, nearly rectangular, and closer to the spermathecae (Figs. 12 h, 13 c).

Remarks. The female here described was collected in a different locality from that of the male holotype; it is matched mainly by geographical proximity (about 139 km to the east). We consider the possibility that this female could belong to a different species (even could be the female of A. vigorosa sp. nov.), but we choose a more conservative option, i.e., assigning tentatively to A. giaii, especially by the relatively elongated copulatory ducts, probably correlated with the thinner and longer palp of the male holotype. Two expeditions to Northern Santa Fe (including the localities Las Gamas and Tostado) unfortunately were not successful in providing new specimens.

Description. Male holotype: See Gerschman & Schiapelli (1948). The specimen is in poor condition, with the ocular area damaged and lacking all legs. Additional data provided below. Measurementes: Total length 5.92, carapace 3.11 long, 2.39 wide; sternum 1.66 long, 1.29 wide. Palp (Figs. 12 d, e; 13 a, b): Similar to that of A. peripampasica, but more elongated in general shape (cymbium, embolus, conductor), and less massive at the central part of the tegulum (only a smaller area ventrally protruding). All other characters are common for the genus.

Female (MACN-Ar 18283): Measurements: Total length 6.18, carapace 2.76 long, 2.08 wide; sternum 1.51 long, 1.24 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.128, ALE 0.134, PME 0.148, PLE 0.126; AME-AME 0.114, AME-ALE 0.0474, PME-PME 0.0554, PME-PLE 0.109, ALE-PLE 0.148. Legs (femur/patella/tibia/metatarsus/ tarsus); I 1.81/1.23/1.51/1.13/0.874, II 1.69/1.05/1.26/0.985/0.789, III 1.53/0.846/1.02/1.07/0.762, IV missing. Leg spination (leg IV missing): femora: I d1-1, p0-0-1; II d1-1-0, p 0-1/0-1; III d1-2-1-2; patellae: III r1; tibiae: II v1 ap, III d1-0-0, p1-1-1, v2-2 -0-2ap, r1-1; metatarsi I v2 -0-0, II v2 -0/2-0, III d1, p1-1-2, v2-2 -0-2ap, r0-1-0-2. Epigynum (Fig. 12 h, 13 c): anterior hood nearly squared, protruding, very close to the copulatory area, copulatory openings in anterolateral position; copulatory ducts relatively elongated. All other characters are common for the genus.

Natural history and habitat preferences. Unknown. Tostado city belongs to the southern part of the Dry Chaco, while Estancia Las Gamas belongs to the Wet Chaco. No data about microhabitats were obtained from the labels.

Other material examined. Santa Fe: Departamento Vera: Las Gamas, 20 km W Vera. 27–30.X.1994 M. Ramirez & J. Faivovich coll., 1 female (MACN-Ar 18283, prep. CJG-3356).

Distribution. Northern Santa Fe, Argentina.