Edwardsya simoni (Taczanowski, 1871) comb. nov.

Figs 1–38

Attus simoni Taczanowski, 1871: 63.

Salticus simoni: considered a nomen dubium by Roewer 1955; followed by WSC 2016. non Salticus simonii Kulczyński, 1907 [synonymized with Salticus unciger (Simon, 1868) by Prószyński 1984].

Types: lectotype (here designated): male from Uaçá River, Amapá, Brazil, M. Jelski, deposited in PAN, examined (and two mismatched female paralectotypes).

Additional material examined. BRAZIL: Pará: Belém, 2 ♂ and 3 ♀, Ilha Grande (1.49°S 48.4°W), 2013, A. Sobrinho & G.R.S. Ruiz leg. (MPEG 31790–31794); 1 ♂, Campus of the Universidade Federal do Pará, 2014, G.R.S. Ruiz et al. (specimen # BRA 14-2939).

Diagnosis. Males of this species can be recognized by having the embolus extending straight distally and then forming an angle at its middle (Fig. 11) (no abrupt angle in E. igapo sp. nov.; see Fig. 44). Also, males of E. simoni have smaller terminal apophysis and stronger RTA (Fig. 11). Females of E. simoni have their copulatory openings fused with anterior guides, the spermathecae are smaller and the dorsal coupling pocket is centralized (Figs 9, 15– 16).

Description. Male (fresh specimen from Belém, MPEG 31790): Total length: 5.68. Color pattern as described for the genus (Fig. 5). Carapace 2.84 long, 2.00 wide, 1.46 high. Ocular quadrangle 1.46 long. Anterior eye row 1.92 wide and posterior 1.77 wide. Palp as described for the genus (Figs 6–7, 10–14, 17–24). Leg formula: 4312. Length of femur: I 1.46, II 1.39, III 1.70, IV 1.61; patella + tibia: I 1.92, II 1.70, III 1.78, IV 1.75; metatarsus + tarsus: I 1.34, II 1.32, III 1.80, IV 1.94. Leg macrosetae: femur I=II d1-1-1, p2di, r0; III d1-1-1, p0-1-2, r1di; IV d1- 1-1, p1di, r1di; patella I=II p1, r0; III=IV p1, r1; tibia I=II p1-1-1, r0, v2-1 r-2; III p1-1-1, r2-1-1, v1 p-0-2; IV p1-1- 1, r1-1-1, v1 p-0-2; metatarsus I=II v2-2; III p1-0-2, r1-1-2, v1 p-1r-2; IV p1-1-2, r2-1-2, v1 p-1r-2.

Female (fresh specimen from Belém, MPEG 31792): Total length: 6.14. Color pattern as described for the genus (Fig. 8). Carapace 2.92 long, 1.92 wide, 1.46 high. Ocular quadrangle 1.38 long. Anterior eye row 1.92 wide and posterior 1.84 wide. Leg formula: 4312. Length of femur: I 1.46, II 1.39, III 1.82, IV 1.73; patella + tibia: I 1.94, II 1.73, III 1.97, IV 2.02; metatarsus + tarsus: I 1.25, II 1.18, III 1.80, IV 1.99. Leg macrosetae: femur I d1-1- 1, p1di, r0; II=III d1-1-1, p2di, r0; IV d1-1-1, p0, r1di; patella I=II 0; III=IV p1, r1; tibia I p0-1-1, r0, v2-1 r-2; II p1- 1-1, r0, v2-1 r-2; III=IV p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v1 p-0-2; metatarsus I=II v2-2; III=IV p1-0-2, r1-1-2, v1 p-1r-2. Epigyne as described for the genus (Figs 9, 15–16).

Biology. Fresh specimens were found hunting on the ground near the water on an island that is flooded from time to time when the higher tides meet the rainy season in Northern Brazil. The ground is rich in fine sediments and is normally constantly wet. Specimens used in the descriptions were collected from among wandering juvenile crabs (Armases sp.). The species was not found in nearby drier areas, rendering obvious its preference for wet habitats, where it is the dominant species of jumping spider on the ground. This species seems to be associated to the “várzea”, the white water flooded areas in the Amazon.

Distribution. Known only from the states of Amapá and Pará, Brazil.