Syspira longipes Simon, 1895

Syspira longipes Simon, 1895 View in CoL

Figs 1‒30 View FIGURES 1‒4 View FIGURES 5‒8 View FIGURES 9‒14 View FIGURES 15‒20 View FIGURES 21‒24 View FIGURES 25‒30 , 65, 66 View FIGURES 65–68 , 75 View FIGURE 75

Syspira longipes Simon, 1895: 136 View in CoL (Description of the female, holotype presumed lost). Simon 1897: 127, figs 125–126. Syspira eclectica Chamberlin, 1924: 664 View in CoL , fig. 108 (Description of the female) syn. nov. Olmstead 1975: 16. Ramírez 2014: 217,

figs 145C, E–F, 175B.

Type material. MEXICO: Baja California Peninsula: Female holotype presumed lost .

Material examined. MEXICO: Baja California Sur, La Paz, Rancho Ancón ( 24.0080 -110.0980, 667 m), 28.IX.2023, transition from thorny scrub to low deciduous forest, C. Palacios, A. Valdez & J. Rojas, leg. 1♀ (CARCIB-Ar-5634). Rancho Ancón ( 24.0065 -110.0999, 659 m), 31.III.2023, transition from thorny scrub to low deciduous forest, C. Palacios, D. Chamé & J. Rojas, leg. 1♂. (CARCIB-Ar-5635). Comondú, Carambuche-San Isidro ( 26.237, -112.0022, 146 m), 30 V.2010, xeric vegetation, C. Palacios, leg. 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5636). Las Playitas ( 23.9855, -110.1872, 399 m), 18.VI.2010, xeric shrub, C. Palacios leg s 1♀ (CARCIB-Ar-5637). El Comitán, Reserva Laura Arriaga ( 24.13335, -110.4296, 8 m), 24.VI.2006, sarcocaule shrub, pitfall traps, G. Nieto-Castañeda leg. 1♀ (CARCIB-Ar-5638). El Comitán, same data, 14.IV.2005, pitfall traps, G. Nieto-Castañeda leg. 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5641). La Presa Buena Mujer ( 24.0806, -110.1905, 335 m), 15.IV.2005, sarcocaule shrub, pitfall traps, G. Nieto & C. Palacios, leg., 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5639). Santa Rita, 20 km to the west ( 24.6574, -111.6746, 3 m), 30.I.2013, sarcocaule scrub, pitfall traps, I. Camargo leg., 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5640). Mulegé, Rancho El Sauzal, km14 a San Ignacio ( 27.1745 -112.8689, 148 m), 21.VII.2023, sarcocaule scrub, hand collection, A, Valdez, C. Palacios & J. Rojas, leg., 1♂, 1♀, 3 imm. (CARCIB-Ar-5642). Santuario de los Cactus, 50 km al Sur ( 23.7457, - 110.11208, 435 m), 11.IV.2024, transition from scrubland to lowland forest, A. Valdez, M.L. Jiménez & C. Palacios, leg., 1♂ (CARCIB-Ar-5643) GoogleMaps .

Other material. Records by Olmstead (1975) (not examined): UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Arizona, Maricopa County, Phoenix 10 specimens ( 33.4195, -112.0931) GoogleMaps , Pima County, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument 2 specimens ( 32.0274, -112.8312) GoogleMaps , Pima County, Tucson 11 specimens ( 32.21838, -110.9987) GoogleMaps , Yuma County, Ligurta 1 specimen ( 32.6740, -114.2949) GoogleMaps , California, Imperial County, Ogilby 3 specimens ( 32.8172, -114.8386) GoogleMaps , Imperial County, Winterhaven 1 specimen ( 32.7370, -114.6374) GoogleMaps , Imperial County, Winterhaven , 13 mi. S. 3 specimens ( 32.5616, -114.6506) GoogleMaps , Riverside County, Indian Wells 7 specimens ( 33.7009, -116.3556) GoogleMaps , Riverside County, Squaw Tank, Joshua Tree National Monument 1 specimen ( 33.9288, -116.0757) GoogleMaps , San Bernardino County, Morongo Valley 1 specimen ( 34.0427, -116.5828) GoogleMaps , San Bernardino County, Pisgah Lava Flow 46 specimens ( 34.7572 -116.3571) GoogleMaps , San Bernardino County, Twenty-nine Palms, 15 specimens ( 34.1352 -116.0522) GoogleMaps , San Bernardino County, Yermo 4 specimens ( 34.9073, -116.8233) GoogleMaps , San Diego County, Anza Borrego Desert State Park 1 specimen ( 33.2581, - 116.4060) GoogleMaps , San Diego County, Borrego Springs, Coyote Canyon 1 specimen ( 33.35786, -116.3985) GoogleMaps , Nevada, Nye Country , Mercury 11 specimens ( 36.6593, -115.9993) GoogleMaps , New Mexico, Hidalgo County , Lordsburg 3 specimens ( 32.3496, -108.7049) GoogleMaps , Texas, El Paso County, El Paso 1 specimen ( 31.7616, -106.4722) GoogleMaps , Presidio County, La Mota Mountain 1 specimen ( 29.5278, -103.9823) GoogleMaps . MEXICO: Baja California, Bahía de los Ángeles 20 specimens ( 28.9510, -113.5667) GoogleMaps , Persebu 1 specimen ( 30.8169, -114.7031) GoogleMaps , Puertecitos 4 specimen ( 30.3527, -114.6399) GoogleMaps , 12.5 mi. NE Rancho laguna Chapala 4 ( 29.5602, -114.3516) GoogleMaps , Dunas Sierra Pinta 1 specimen ( 31.8619 -115.1634) GoogleMaps , 5 mi N San Felipe 1 specimen ( 31.0869, -114.8866) GoogleMaps , 6 mi N San Felipe 9 specimens ( 31.1046 -114.8947) GoogleMaps , Colonia Progreso 1 specimen, Las Arrastas de Arreola 1 specimen. Baja California Sur, 24 mi S. de Santa Rosalía 1 specimen ( 27.1406, -112.1575) GoogleMaps , Bahía Concepción 1 specimen ( 26.5873, -111.7886) GoogleMaps , Isla Natividad 3 specimens ( 27.8643, - 115.1707) GoogleMaps , Isla Partida 1 specimen ( 24.5630, -110.3836) GoogleMaps , Isla San José 3 specimens ( 24.9790, -110.6176) GoogleMaps , Isla Santa Inés 4 specimens ( 27.0379, -111.9121) GoogleMaps , La Huerta 4 specimens ( 24.0572, -110.1674) GoogleMaps , La Paz 3 specimens ( 24.1438, -110.3125) GoogleMaps , Cabo Pulmo ( 23.4395, -109.4322) GoogleMaps , Punta Pulmo , N la Ribera 3 specimens ( 23.5546, -109.4835) GoogleMaps , San José del Cabo 7 specimens ( 23.0875, -109.7256) GoogleMaps , Santuario de los Cactus ( 23.7458 -110.1121) GoogleMaps , Pulpito Anchorage 1 specimen. Chihuahua, Samalayuca 2 specimens ( 31.3643, -106.5098) GoogleMaps . Sonora , 10 mi. W de Alamos 21 specimens ( 27.0883, -109.0927) GoogleMaps , Desemboque 20 specimens ( 30.5729, -113.0041) GoogleMaps , Guaymas 1 specimen ( 27.9113 -110.9160) GoogleMaps , 40 mi N Hermosillo 4 specimens ( 29.6590, -111.0386) GoogleMaps , Isla Tiburon 3 specimens ( 29.0535, -112.3722) GoogleMaps , Bahía San Carlos 2 specimens ( 27.9513, -111.0613) GoogleMaps , 30 mi S de Sonoyta 1 specimen ( 31.4539, -112.6698) GoogleMaps , Tastiota 1 specimen ( 28.3521, -111.4533) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. Syspira . longipes has reticulated markings on the dorsal pattern of the carapace ( Figs 1, 3 View FIGURES 1‒4 , 65, 66 View FIGURES 65–68 ). Living specimens of S. longipes are light grey ( Figs 65, 66 View FIGURES 65–68 ). In addition, the color pattern of the body of each species is conspicuous and different, which helps to identify them in the field; living specimens of S. longipes are light grey ( Figs 65, 66 View FIGURES 65–68 ). Syspira longipes has embolar base wide ( Figs 5, 7 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 11 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ), the embolus in S. longipes is long ( Figs 5, 7 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9, 12 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ). Median apophysis is absent in S. longipes ( Figs 5 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9, 12 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ), subtegulum (St) long ( Figs 5 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9, 12 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ), tegulum in S. longipes is strongly sclerotized ( Figs 5 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9, 12 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ). The process on embolar base (pEB) is present ( Fig. 5 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ), the cymbium is long ( Figs 5‒8 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9‒12 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ). The cymbial groove (CbGv) is visible ( Figs 7 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 11 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 17 View FIGURES 15‒20 ). RTA in ventral view is cylindrical-shaped with small distal tip ( Figs 5‒7 View FIGURES 5‒8 , asterisk 19, 21‒24). Female epigynum is slightly longer than wide ( Figs 25, 28 View FIGURES 25‒30 ), posterior plates (PP) long ( Figs 25, 28 View FIGURES 25‒30 ), and atrial hood (H) triangular-shaped ( Fig 25, 28 View FIGURES 25‒30 ).

Description (male) (CARCIB-Ar-5635). Measurements: Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 10.3. Carapace 4.60 long, 3.75 wide. Clypeus length 0.20. Diameter of ALE 0.20, AME 0.23, PLE 0.19, PME 0.25. Sternum 2.60 long, 2.30 wide. Leg femur length: I—5.40; II—5.30; III—5.35; IV—6.50. Leg spination: I—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d1-2-0; metatarsus v2-2-0, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d0; II—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d1-2-0, metatarsus v2-2-0, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d0; III—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-1, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-2-2; IV—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-2, p1-1-1, r1-1-1, d2-2-2.

Prosoma. Carapace pale orange, dorsally with dark reticulated pattern from ocular region to posterior part, leaving a space in marginal regions of carapace ( Fig. 1 View FIGURES 1‒4 ). Longitudinal fovea. Ocular region dark, eight eyes, with two eye rows slightly procurved in dorsal view ( Fig. 1 View FIGURES 1‒4 ). Clypeus short, same length as ALE diameter. Sternum pale orange, circular, longer than wide ( Fig. 2 View FIGURES 1‒4 ). Labium orange, longer than wide, becoming paler distally, not fused to the sternum. Endites orange, longer than wide, rhomboid-shaped, becoming paler in prolateral part ( Fig. 2 View FIGURES 1‒4 ).

Chelicerae. Dark orange, with long setae frontally close to clypeus. Fangs reddish ( Fig. 2 View FIGURES 1‒4 ), prolateral margin of chelicerae with three equal teeth, retrolateral margin with two equal teeth.

Legs. Coxae, trochanters, and femora pale orange ventrally, femora dorsally darker orange and with dark spots. Patellae dark orange with dark spots dorsally. Tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi dark orange, setose, tibiae with inconspicuous dark spots dorsally.

Ophistosoma. Longer than wide, pale grey dorsally, setose in anterior part, with dark grey spots dorsally; pale yellow ventrally, with dark grey region around spinnerets ( Figs 1, 2 View FIGURES 1‒4 ).

Palps. Tibia cylindrical, pale orange ( Figs 5‒8 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ), with three macrosetae in prolateral view ( Fig. 8 View FIGURES 5‒8 ). RTA poorly sclerotized on median part ( Figs 5–7 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ). Embolus long, embolar base wide and thinner distally, embolus forming a complete loop ( Figs 5 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9, 12 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 17 View FIGURES 15‒20 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ). Conductor (C) translucent ( Figs 5 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ), with small spines ( Figs 13 View FIGURES 9‒14 , arrow 14, 15). Apical projection on embolar base (EBp) long and curved ( Figs 5, 7‒9, 13 View FIGURES 5‒8 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 16 View FIGURES 15‒20 ). Cymbium with long and numerous setae distally ( Figs 5‒8 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 9‒12 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 21‒24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ). Cymbial groove (CbGv) conspicuous ( Figs 7 View FIGURES 5‒8 , 11 View FIGURES 9‒14 , 17 View FIGURES 15‒20 ). CbGv with barbed setae ( Fig. 18 View FIGURES 15‒20 ). Palp tibia with barbed, long setae and thin acuminate setae ( Figs 19, 20 View FIGURES 15‒20 ).

Female (CARCIB-Ar-5634). Measurements: Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 12.7. Carapace 6.40 long, 4.80 wide. Clypeus length 0.30. Diameter of ALE 0.25, AME 0.28, PLE 0.30, PME 0.23. Sternum 2.80 long, 2.60 wide. Leg femur length: I—5.80; II—5.60; III—5.60; IV—7.00. Leg spination: I—tibia v2-2-2, p0, r0, d0; metatarsus v2-0-0, p0, r0, d0; II—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r0, d0, metatarsus v2-0-0, p0, r0, d0; III—tibia v2-2-2, p1- 1-0, r1-1-0, d2-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-2-2; IV—tibia v2-2-2, p1-1-0, r1-1-0, d2-1-0, metatarsus v2-2-2, p1-1-1, r1-1-1, d2-2-2.

Similar to the male, except for the following:

Prosoma. Darker orange than male, dark reticulated pattern from ocular region to posterior part less marked ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 1‒4 ). Ocular region paler than male. Clypeus longer than ALE diameter. Sternum, labium, and endites darker orange than male ( Fig. 4 View FIGURES 1‒4 ).

Chelicerae. Darker reddish than male, without long setae frontally, with protruding condyles more visible than male. Chelicerae with same dentation as male.

Legs. Coxae and trochanters orange ventrally. Femora ventrally paler orange than male; dorsally darker orange than male, with dark spots less visible. Patellae paler orange than male, with dorsal dark spots less visible. Tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi paler orange than male, setose, tibiae without dark spots.

Ophistosoma. Longer and wider than male, dorsally paler grey than male. Anterior part with less setae than male. Dorsally, with paler grey spots than male. Ventrally, paler yellow than male, grey region around spinnerets paler than male ( Figs 3, 4 View FIGURES 1‒4 ).

Epigynum. Atrial hood (H) visible, slightly sclerotizated, anterior to posterior plates (PP) ( Figs 25‒29 View FIGURES 25‒30 ). Primary spermathecae (S1) coiled, kidney-shaped, located close to each other, close to epigastric furrow, wider than secondary spermathecae (S2) ( Figs 26‒30 View FIGURES 25‒30 ); S2 coiled, closer to anterior part of epigynum ( Figs 26‒30 View FIGURES 25‒30 ). C-shaped copulatory ducts, fertilization ducts small, next to epigastric furrow ( Figs 25‒29 View FIGURES 25‒30 ).

Variation. Males (N=5). Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 8.50‒10.3 (mean= 9.48). Carapace 4.50‒5.7 (mean= 4.86) long, 3.60‒4.50 (mean = 3.89) wide. Sternum 2.30‒2.70 (mean = 2.44) long, 2.00‒2.40 (mean = 2.22) wide. Leg femur length I: 4.80‒6.10 (mean= 5.5). Males with low morphological variation in palp shape ( Figs 21‒ 24 View FIGURES 21‒24 ). Females (N=4). Total length (prosoma+opisthosoma) 12.70‒13.70 (mean= 13.40). Carapace 5.5‒6.80 (mean= 6.20) long, 4.10‒5.30 (mean= 4.68) wide. Sternum 2.4‒3.10 (mean= 2.78) long, 2.3‒2.9 (mean= 2.58) wide. Leg femur length I: 5.40‒5.80 (mean= 5.58). Females with high variation in internal structures of the genitalia. Some females with S1 longer than others, some females with S2 coiled or compacted in others ( Figs 27, 30 View FIGURES 25‒30 ).

Remarks. Regarding the type locality, Simon (1895) published descriptions of some arachnids from Baja California in the collections of Dr. George Marx from Washington. However, no specific data is provided for the type locality of S. longipes , just the brief mention of: “ Arachnides observés en basse Californie ( Mexique) ” (Arachnids observed in Baja California ( Mexico). The specific state where the type locality is found (i.e., Baja California or Baja California Sur) is not clear.

Natural history. The species inhabits xeric areas in the desert of the Baja California Peninsula and can be found in different micro habits such as bare soil, under fallen logs and branches, leaf litter, gravel and pebbles, under cobblestones, above ground vegetation, beach areas, and even close to humid regions such as oases ( Nieto-Castañeda 2004; Nieto-Castañeda & Jiménez 2009; Nieto-Castañeda et al. 2012). Also, the species can be found in disturbed areas in xeric environments ( pers. obs.). This ground-dwelling spider is sympatric with S. tigrina , although less abundant ( Nieto-Castañeda & Jiménez 2009).

Distribution. MEXICO: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, and Sonora. USA: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas ( Fig. 75 View FIGURE 75 ).