Corresponding author: Jason E. Bond (
Academic editor: I. Agnarsson
The mygalomorph spider genus
The trapdoor spider
Distribution of known
Phylogenetic placement of the genus has been historically problematic. Until recently,
Like other euctenizid genera, the taxonomic history of
We present here the first species level taxonomic revision of the genus
The following institutional and quantitative morphological abbreviations used in this paper are defined as follows:
(American Museum of Natural History; New York, New York) (Auburn University Museum of Natural History; Auburn, Alabama) (British Museum of Natural History; London) (California Academy of Sciences; San Francisco, California)
These features are explicitly defined and illustrated in
number of teeth on the anterior margin of the female cheliceral fang furrow
carapace length and width. Carapace length taken along the midline dorsal most posterior position to the anterior front edge of the carapace (chelicerae are not included in length). Carapace width taken at the widest point
labium length and width taken from the longest and widest points, respectively
male palpal tibia length and width
palpal bulb length from embolus tip to the bulb base, taken in the ventral plane at its longest point
number of female prolateral patella and tibial spines leg III
sternum length and width. Sternum length from the base of the labium to its most posterior point. Width taken across the widest point, usually between legs II and III
number of tibia I spines on the distal most retrolateral, prolateral, and midline retrolateral positions
Unique voucher numbers were assigned to all specimens (alphanumeric designations beginning with EU, MY, or UMM); these data were added to each vial and can be used to cross-reference all images, measurements, and locality data. All measurements are given in millimeters and were made with a Leica M165c dissecting microscope equipped with the Leica Analysis Suite Software. Lengths of leg articles were taken from the mid – proximal point of articulation to the mid – distal point of the article (
Mating clasper line drawings were first recorded as digital images and then traced as vector drawing objects using Adobe Illustrator (Adobe Systems Inc.). Digital images of specimens were made using a Visionary Digital Imaging System (Visionary DigitalTM, Richmond, VA) where images were recorded at multiple focal planes and then assembled into a single focused image using the computer program Helicon Focus (Helicon Soft, Ltd., Ukraine). The female genital region was removed from the abdominal wall and tissues dissolved using trypsin; spermathecae were examined and photographed in the manner described above. Following
Latitude and longitude for all collecting localities were recorded in the field using a Garmin® Global Positioning System receiver (Garmin International Ltd., Olathe, KS) using WGS84 map datum. For previously collected specimens (e.g., loaned museum specimens) locality data were georeferenced by hand by finding the approximate locality using Google Earth (WGS84 datum). A distribution map was constructed using ArcGIS using NAD83 map datum. Specimens without latitude and longitude data were georeferenced as described by
The data underpinning the analysis reported in this paper (see below) were deposited on 18 November 2013 in the Dryad Data Repository at doi:
Small to large sized trapdoor spiders. Cephalothorax longer than wide, sloping posteriorly, lacking pubescence in most species (
Standard light microscopy views of female
Sternum wider posteriorly, tapering anteriorly (
Apical PLS article short, digitiform. Spinnerets mostly with pumpkiniform spigots with several articulated spigots interspersed on apical and median articles of PLS and the PMS (
Anterior leg articles slender relative to posterior. Tarsi short and robust (
Male mating clasper morphology is distinctive. Tibia legs I & II swollen mid-ventrally in most species, bearing 1-2 large spines; prolateral aspect with a small to large patch of smaller, thickened, short spines. Metatarsus of leg I lacks excavation and spur. Palpal bulb simple, with spherical base, planar distally near origin of embolus. Palpal cymbium lacks dorsal spines (
Distributed primarily throughout central Mexico and Baja California (
1 | Tarsus swollen mid-ventrally, width wider than metatarsus ( |
|
– | Tarsus width subequal to metatarsus width | 2 |
2 | Tibia I swollen dorsally, behind tibia I metatarsus junction ( |
|
– | Tibia I not swollen dorsally behind tibia I metatarsus junction | 3 |
3 | Ventral tibial megaspines borne on distinct apophysis ( |
4 |
– | Ventral tibial megaspines not borne on a distinct apophysis | 5 |
4 | Tarsus I with short dorsal spines, tarsus III curved ( |
|
– | Tarsus I lacks short spines, palpal tibia retrolateral surface with extensive spine patch ( |
|
5 | Metatarsus I with ventral microspines and subdorsal row of spines on prolateral surface tibia II ( |
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– | Metatarsus I lacking ventral microspines, and leg II prolateral spines on tibia | 6 |
6 | Palpal tibia with row of retrolateral spines at distal edge and metatarsus I with patch of distal ventral spines ( |
|
– | Palpal tibia without row of retrolateral spines at distal edge; metatarsus lacks distinct ventral spines (numerous) | 7 |
7 | Very small (Cl < 3.5mm); very pale in coloration |
|
– | Typically larger in size (Cl > 4.00mm); darker in color | 8 |
8 | Leg I metatarsus as long as or subequal in length to tibia; tibia slender with thin ventral megaspines ( |
|
– | Leg I tibia shorter than metatarsus, ventral megaspines typically thicker and tibia not slender (usually swollen mid-ventrally) | 9 |
9 | Leg I prolateral tibial spines are longer in length | 10 |
– | Leg I prolateral tibial spines are shorter in length | 11 |
10 | Leg I prolateral tibial spines fewer (10), longer in length, and thinner; spider paler in color ( |
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– | Leg I with more prolateral tibial spines (14) which are relatively shorter in length and stouter ( |
|
11 | Tibia I with very few prolateral spines (< 4) with few (1) spines situated distally ( |
|
– | Tibia I with larger number of prolateral spines (>3) with spines more evenly distributed distally to proximally ( |
|
Male exemplar (EU008) from Mexico Distrito Federal, Mexico,
Known only from the exemplar specimen and juvenile holotype
Highly imprecise, Mexico; exemplar specimen from Mexico Distrito Federal (
Male holotype (EU106) from Tamaulipas, Mexico,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the humanoid cylon model Caprica 6, portrayed by Tricia Helfer in the remake of the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica.
Known only from the male holotype specimen.
Known only from the type locality, Tamaulipas, Mexico (
Male holotype (EU009), from Morelos, Mexico, 0.8km W Tepozitlán, Rt 1150 on rd to Ocotepec,
The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of arachnologist Fred Coyle who collected the type specimen.
Known only from the type specimen.
Known only from the male holotype specimen.
Known from the type locality in Morelos, Mexico (
Widely distributed throughout Texas and northern/central Mexico (
Without doubt this species, as circumscribed herein, represents multiple species, likely cryptic. Until additional data are available (e.g., molecules) we have chosen to be conservative and strictly apply a morphological species concept as described above.
Male holotype (EU081), from Mexico, Baja California Sur, 3.2km S of La Paz,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the highest peak on the Baja Peninsula, “Picacho del Diablo”.
Male
Known only from the type specimens.
Known from the La Paz municipality of Baja California Sur, Mexico (
Male holotype and female paratype (EU096), from Baja California Sur, Mexico, 8mi SE of La Paz,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition inspired by Sammy Hagar’s club and restaurant, Cabo Wabo, in Cabo San Lucas.
Male
Known only from the type specimens and one other male.
Known only from the female paratype specimen.
Known from La Paz and Los Cabos municipalities of Baja California Sur, Mexico (
Male holotype (EU052), from Nuevo Leon, Mexico, at La Huasteca Canyon, 3mi SW of Santa Catarina,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the type locality.
Male
Known only from the type specimen.
Known only from the male holotype specimen.
Known from Nueva Leon, Mexico, at La Huasteca Canyon (
Male holotype (EU012), from Paso de Cortes, Puebla, Mexico,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the common name used for the Mexican Liberation Army of the South (Ejército Libertador del Sur) led by Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919).
Male
Known only from the single type specimen.
Known only from the male holotype specimen.
Known only from the type locality, municipality of Puebla, Mexico (
Male holotype (EU010), from Querétaro, Mexico, 20km N Pinal de Amoles,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and refers to one of the groups of people that are indigenous to the area around the type locality, the Chichimeca Jonaz.
Male
Known only from the type specimen.
Known only from the male holotype specimen.
Known from the type locality, Querretara, Mexico (
Male holotype (EU015), from Val Verde County, Texas, on rocks at bridge on Pecos River,
The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Dr. Ronald Newton, biologist and Texas native.
Male
Known only from the type specimens.
Known only from the male type specimens.
Known from the type locality, Pecos River, Val Verde Co., Texas (
Male holotype (EU047), from Hidalgo, Mexico.
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the type locality in the state of Hidalgo, also used in reference to a person of noble or generous spirit.
The male
Known only from the type specimen.
Known only from the male holotype specimen.
Known only from the type locality, Hidalgo, Mexico.
Male holotype (UMM117) from Sótano de las Golondrinas, Aquismón, San Luis Potosí, Mexico,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the type locality Sótano de las Golondrinas (= Cave of Swallows).
The male
Known only from the type specimen.
Known only from the male holotype specimen.
Known only from the type locality, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
Female holotype (EU060) and paratype (EU068), from San Juan del Rio, Durango, Mexico,
The specific epithet is a patronym named for Mexican historical figure Pancho Villa.
Female specimens of
Known only from the female type specimens.
Known only from the type locality, Durango, Mexico.
Female holotype (EU101), Mulegé, Baja California Sur, Mexico,
The specific epithet is a noun taken in apposition and is in reference to the Río de Santa Rosalía near the type locality.
Known only from type specimen.
Known only from the female type specimens.
Known only from the type locality, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
This work was supported by National Sciences Foundation grant DEB 0315160. We are grateful to the following individuals and institutions for specimen loans: Charles Griswold (CAS), Norman Platnick (AMNH), The British Museum of Natural History, and Wendell Icenogle. This manuscript was improved by comments provided by Marshal Hedin and an anonymous reviewer. This is contribution number 693 of the Auburn University Museum of Natural History.
Locality data for