Sicarius rupestris, (HOLMBERG, 1881)

SICARIUS RUPESTRIS ( HOLMBERG, 1881) View in CoL

Figures 15H, 26C, 50 View Figure 50 , 51 View Figure 51 , 52 View Figure 52

Thomisoides View in CoL rupestris Holmberg, 1881: 153 View in CoL , plate 4, fig. 9; Mello-Leit ao ~, 1940: 8, figs 6, 7. Syntypes from Sierra Pichy-Mahuida, Argentina, lost (see Gerschman & Pikelin, 1979).

Sicarius rupestris View in CoL : Tullgren, 1901: 187; Gerschman de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1979: 88, fig. 1c; Labarque & Ram � ırez, 2012: 3, figs 2F, 5C – D, 8C – D, 9F, 10F, 11F, 12F, 13F, 14F, 15F, 16F, 17F, 18F, 19F, 20F, 26A – F, 27A, B, 30E.

Thomisoides patagonicus Simon, in Mello Leit ao ~, 1919: 475, fig. 1. Syntypes from Patagonia , Argentina, allegedly in MZSP (Mello Leit ao ~, 1919), not found, lost ( R. Pinto da Rocha, pers. comm.); Mello-Leit ao ~, 1940: 8, fig. 8; Gerschman de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1979: 88, fig. 1a. SYN. NOV .

Thomisoides irregularis Mello-Leit ao ~, 1940: 9, fig. 9. Female holotype from Arroyito , Neuquen, Argentina, deposited in MLP 14270 View Materials , examined. Synonymized under S. patagonicus by Gerschman de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1979. SYN. NOV.

Sicarius patagonicus View in CoL : Gerschman de Pikelin & Schiapelli, 1979: 88, fig. 1a.

Synonymy: The types of S. patagonicus View in CoL could not be found and the type locality is unspecific (‘Patagonia’). Mello-Leit ao’s ~ illustrations of a male with a long, thin, curved embolus ( Fig. 50H View Figure 50 ) do not really fit any of the specimens we examined, except perhaps a deviant male from Mendoza ( Fig. 50G View Figure 50 ), but some of his illustrations are known to be innacurate. Regardless, his illustration is certainly more similar to males of S. rupestris View in CoL than to any of the other two Argentinean species. Gerschman de Pikelin & Schiapelli (1979) had placed S. irregularis View in CoL as a synonym of S. patagonicus View in CoL . We have examined its holotype ( Fig. 51C, D View Figure 51 ) and it falls within the variation we recognize for S. rupestris View in CoL . However, S. irregularis View in CoL may eventualy be considered valid when the limits of S. rupestris View in CoL are re-evaluated (see variation below); we refrain from revalidating it at this time as we presently cannot diagnose it from S. rupestris View in CoL . One male ( Fig. 50E View Figure 50 ) and one female we illustrated ( Fig. 51A, B View Figure 51 ) come from the type locality of S. rupestris View in CoL .

Diagnosis: Males differ from other Argentinean species, especially the similar S. mapuche sp. nov. by the curved and thin embolus (robust and shorter in S. mapuche ) and by the body of the bulb not so strongly curved. Females can be distinguished from other Argentinean species by the strongly coiled branches of the spermathecae with a small reservatory at the apex (straight branches, large reservatory in S. mapuche sp. nov.).

Description: Male (Caleta Olivia, Santa Cruz , Argentina, UCCC 362). Coloration: carapace chelicerae, labium and endites reddish brown, sternum and legs orange, abdomen brownish grey. Total length 8.5. Carapace length 5.11, anterior width 1.93, thoracic region width 5.07. Eye diameters and interdistances: PME 0.18, ALE 0.2, PLE 0.2, PME – PLE 0.43, ALE – PLE 0.15. Clypeus height 0.69. Eye tubercles absent. Macrosetae in lateral border of the carapace in a single row. Femora without prolateral black setae. Sternum length 2.47, width 2.21, cordiform. Femoral thorns: 4. Leg I: femur 6.2 long, patella 2.21, tibia 5.93, metatarsus 5.02, tarsus 3.39. II: fe 6.82, ti 6.07. III: fe 6.41, ti 5.52. IV: fe 6.34, pa 1.71, ti 5.59, mt 4.91, ta 3.3. Abdomen: length 4.57, width 4.11. Palp as in Figure 50A and B View Figure 50 .

Female (Arroyito, Neuquen, Argentina, MLP 14270, holotype of Thomisoides irregularis ). As in male, except for the following. Abdomen light brown. Total length 8.25. Carapace length 4.16, anterior width 1.58, thoracic region width 3.92. Eye diameters and interdistances: PME 0.18, ALE 0.18, PLE 0.18, PME – PLE 0.33, ALE – PLE 0.15. Clypeus height 0.69. Sternum length 2.01, width 2.11, cordiform. Femoral thorns: 3. Leg I: femur 4.16 long, patella 1.75, tibia 4.04, metatarsus 2.92, tarsus 2.32. II: fe 4.46, ti 3.91. III: fe 4.36, ti 3.59. IV: fe 4.7, pa 1.58, ti 3.71, mt 2.26, ta 2.29. Abdomen: length 4.36, width 4.06. Spermathecae branches: 16. Ventral branches absent. Spermathecae as in Figure 51C and D View Figure 51 .

Variation: Males (N = 7): carapace length 4.46 – 6.14 (5.12), femur II length 5.59 – 8.5 (6.81). Females (N = 5): carapace length 4.16 – 6.14 (5.47), femoral thorns 3 – 4, femur II length 4.46 – 6.75 (5.96), spermathecae branches 8 – 16. Genital morphology and total length are painfully variable ( Figs 50 View Figure 50 , 51 View Figure 51 ), suggesting this species might possibly be a complex of 2 – 3 independent lineages. This is a problem we cannot resolve with the material at hand, and that will be probably be better addressed using an integrative approach in the future. Specimens marked with an asterisk (*) in the list of material examined are some of those found by us to be the most similar to the population from the type locality.

Natural history: Specimens have been collected from monte (a xeric scrubland typical of Argentina) and grasslands, usually under rocks. We have observed courtship and mating behaviour of a pair from Sierra del Tontal, Argentina ( Fig. 52 View Figure 52 ). It is quite simple, with the male approaching the female, touching her with the first two pairs of legs; the female responds by bending her abdomen upwards. The male then embraces her and inserts both pedipalps simultaneously, as described by Levi & Levi (1969) for Sicarius levii sp. nov. and by Magalh aes ~ et al. (2013) for S. saci sp. nov. (misidentified in the latter work as S. cariri ). This mating was apparently not successful, however, as the female did not produced an eggcase even several months after mating.

Distribution: Argentinean arid lands from Catamarca to Chubut ( Fig. 26C).

Additional material examined: ARGENTINA. Catamarca: Andalgal a �, Cuesta Minas, 5 km S Capillitas [66.37802, 27.37044, 2337 m], E. Maury, 1/I/1981, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 32324). C ordoba �: no further data [64.18248, 31.40337, 415 m], J. Bretes, 1924, 1 # (MACN-Ar 6791); Pocho , El Potrero , 35 km W Salsacate [65.31479, 31.31492, 1184 m], Maury , 5/II/1981, 1 $ 3 imm. (MACN-Ar 32325*); Punilla , Observatorio Astronomico Bosque Alegre [64.56893, 31.60613, 1043 m], P.A. Goloboff, IX/1987, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 32322); Tanti , Los Gigantes (64.59257, 31.37536, 899 m), A. V. Peretti, VI/2013, 1 # 4 imm. ( UFMG 15823 View Materials ), 1 # ( UFMG 15824 View Materials ); VIII/2013, 1 # 3 imm. ( IBSP 166389 View Materials ), 2 $ ( IBSP 166390 View Materials ); VII – VIII/2013, 2 $ ( UFMG 15822 View Materials ); R � ıo Primero, Camino del Cuadrado , La Falda (63.57367, 30.8765, 1295 m), G.D. Rubio et al., 17/II/2013, 1 # 4 imm. (MACN-Ar 30187*), 1 $ (MACN-Ar 30207*), 1 # (MACN-Ar 30208*); San Alberto, Pampa de Achala (64.86667, 31.6, 2184 m), C.A.Rheims, A.J.Santos & M.O.Gonzaga, 2/ III/2002, 1 # ( IBSP 36168 View Materials *), 1 # 1 $ ( IBSP 36170 View Materials *); Santa Mar � ıa, Villa Carlos Paz , 2 km NE Villa Carlos Paz [64.43333, 31.38333, 810 m], F.A. Coyle et al., 15/III/1988, 1 $ ( AMNH); P.A. Goloboff, 16/VII/ 1979, 1 # (MACN-Ar 30230), 1 # (MACN-Ar 32321*). San Juan : Calingasta, 8 km S Tocota [69.41667, GoogleMaps

30.66667, 2490 m], 1 $ 2 imm. ( CAI 3132-4 ); Sierra del Tontal , Camino a la antena, 16.91 km E de Barreal (69.27496, 31.62592, 2686 m), C. Grismado et al., 4 – 6/XI/2013, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 30214), 1 # (MACN-Ar 30215), 1 # 2 $ 2 imm. (MACN-Ar 30955), 1 # 5 $ 3 imm. (MACN-Ar 31010). Mendoza: Las Heras, Quebrada del Toro (69.064, 32.48381, 2735 m), C.J. Grismado et al., 30/VIII/2008, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 30232); Uspallata, 14 km NW Tambillos [68.86667, 32.86667, 760 m], S. Roig & S. Lagos, 13/I/1999, 1 $ ( CAI 3154 ); Puma - Proy. Potrerillos [69.33333, 32.58333, 2087 m], S. Lagos, 20/VI/ 2001, 1 # 1 $ ( CAI 3047-8 *); Luj an �, Las Heras, Punta de Vacas [69.75, 32.85, 2408 m], G. Flores & A. Scollo, 13 – 23/II/2006, 1 # ( CAI 3091 ); same locality (69.7663, 32.85588, 2452 m), S. Claver & A. Scollo, 4 – 14/XII/2004, 1 # ( CAI 3065 ), 1 $ ( CAI 3129 ); Malarq ue €, Agua Escondida [68.30307, GoogleMaps

36.15024, 1129 m], A. Roig, 29/I/1979, 1 $ (MACNAr 32323); Nevado Medio (68.51308, 35.13562, 2940 m), G. Debandi & E. Ruiz, 8 – 17/II/2005, 1 $ ( CAI 3045 ); Santa Rosa, Nacu ~ n ~ an � [67.96667, GoogleMaps

34.03333, 589 m], S. Lagos, 7/II/1998, 1 # ( CAI 3062 ). San Luis : Jun � ın, Merlo, Mirador del Sol [65.03112, 32.3494, 839 m], A. Porta, 1 $ 1 imm. (MACN-Ar 30211*); M.E. Galiano, 22/XI/1983, 1 $ 3 imm. (MACN-Ar 30229); Libertador General San Mart � ın, San Felipe [65.46328, 32.80287, 844 m], Luchini, 9/X/1960, 1 $ 1 imm. (MACN-Ar 30223); 23/ X/1960, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 30224); 28/X/1960, 1 $ 1 imm. (MACN-Ar 30222); 1 $ (MACN-Ar 30225). La Pampa: Curac o �, RN 152 (66.48925, 38.14441, 283 m), A.D. Brescovit et al., 11/X/2014, 1 # 1 imm. (MACN-Ar 34247); Lihuel Calel, Estacion de servicio sobre la ruta 152, cercana al PN Lihue Calel (65.58408, 38.01265, 346 m), 1 $ 1 imm. (MACNAr 34092), 1 $ 1 imm. ( IBSP 167028 View Materials *), 1 $ 1 imm. ( UFMG 19265 View Materials *); Parque Nacional Lihue Calel , cerro Fortaleza (65.59225, 38.02075, 384 m), 1 # (MACN-Ar 35932*), 1 $ (MACN-Ar 35933*), 1 $ (MACN-Ar 35934*), 1 $ (MACN-Ar 35935*), 1 # ( IBSP 167029 View Materials *), 1 $ ( IBSP 167030 View Materials *), 1 # ( UFMG 19266 View Materials *), 1 $ 1 imm. ( UFMG 19267 View Materials *), 1 # (MACN-Ar 34248*); RN 152 km 30 (65.45084, 37.86591, 238 m), 1 # 1 imm. ( IBSP 167031 View Materials *), 1 # 1 imm. ( UFMG 19268 View Materials *); Lihuel Calel , 1 # 1 imm. (MACN-Ar 34246*). Buenos Aires: Patagones , Carmen de Patagones (63.02, 40.78, 37 m), H.A. Iuri, 1 $ (no voucher); Puan, Arroyo Chasico [63.04635, GoogleMaps

38.56103, 5 m], Spivak & Goloboff, 13/VI/1980, 1 # (MACN-Ar 30217*), 1 # (MACN-Ar 30218*), 1 # (MACN-Ar 30220*), 1 # (MACN-Ar 30221*); 14/VI/ 1980, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 30219*); Tornquist, Sierra de la Ventana [61.79403, 38.13943, 279 m], A. Ruggiaro, 22 – 27/X/1981, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 32320). Neuqu � en: Confluencia, Arroyito [68.58278,

39.07889, 302 m], M. Biraben, 1 $ ( MLP 14270 View Materials ). R � ıo Negro: El Cuy , Paso Cordoba [67.62524,

39.12836, 403 m], E. Maury, I/1974, 1 # (MACN-Ar 6914); Pichi Mahuida, Pichi Mahuida, RP 57 (64.95407, 38.8408, 158 m), A.D. Brescovit et al., 15/X/2014, 1 # (MACN-Ar 33863), 1 $ 1 imm. (IBSP 167033*), 1 $ (MACN-Ar 33864*); San Antonio, Playas Doradas (65.02467, 41.64305, 16 m), 14/X/ 2014, 1 # (MACN-Ar 35929); Valcheta, RP 58 (65.81116, 40.92843, 258 m), 13/X/2014, 1 # (MACN-Ar 35930), 1 # (IBSP 167032), 1 # (UFMG 19269); same locality (65.79502, 40.88402, 239 m), 1 $ (MACN-Ar 34093); same locality (65.81116, 40.92843, 258 m), 1 $ (MACN-Ar 34244); Valcheta (66.1457, 40.6884, 183 m), H.A. Iuri, 2013, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 30186). Chubut: Languineo, E. Manantiales [70.13333, 43.4, 1118 m], L.E. Pe na ~, 6 – 10/XI/1985, 1 # 3 $ (AMNH). Santa Cruz : Deseado, Caleta Olivia , 20 km N Caleta Olivia [67.60583, 46.26306, 22 m], T. Cekalovic, 13/II/1962, 1 # 1 imm. (UCCC); Cerro Pico Truncado (68.13733, 46.84568, 163 m), A. Porta, 3/XI/2014, 1 $ (MACN-Ar 34250).