Scytodes cubensis Alayón, 1977

Scytodes cubensis Alayón, 1977 View in CoL

Figs 14–30 View FIGURES 14–22 View FIGURES 23–30 , 61–70 View FIGURES 61–70 , 135 View FIGURES 135–138 .

Scytodes cubensis Alayón, 1977: 2 View in CoL , figs 1A, B ( Holotype ♀, CUBA: Matanzas Province: Limonar, Colorado, Loma Montecristi ( 22.9793ºN, 80.7796ºW), March 1976, L. R. Hernandez leg., ACC/ IZ, not examined. Paratypes GoogleMaps : CUBA: Pinar del Río Province: 1 ♀, Cajálbana ( 22.7902ºN, 83.4455ºW), 7 August 1974, L.F. Armas leg., ACC/ IZ, not examined; 1 ♀, Viñales, Arroyo Peñate, Granja Moneada ( 22.6170ºN, 83.7170ºW), 15 March 1976, R. R. Soberón leg., ACC/ IZ, not examined GoogleMaps ; La Habana: 1 ♀, Finca San Miguel , El Cangre (no specific coordinates), March 1976, L. R. Hernández leg., not examined ; Villa Clara Province: 3 ♀, Caibarién, Punta Brava ( 22.5325ºN, 79.4444ºW), March 1976, L.F. Armas & J. Espinosa leg., not examined GoogleMaps ; Sancti Spiritus Province: 1 ♀, Entronque Topes de Collantes, Las Villas ( 21.9120ºN, 80.0520ºW), 15 December 1973, L.F. Armas & L. R. Hernández leg., ACC/ IZ, not examined GoogleMaps ; Matanzas Province: 1 ♀, Cuabales de Canasí ( 22.4833ºN, 80.8833ºW), 23 March 1972, L.F. Armas & L. R. Hernández leg., ACC/ IZ, not examined; Limonar, Colorado , Loma Montecristi ( 22.9793ºN, 80.7796ºW), March 1976, L. R. Hernández leg., MCZ-IZ 24725 , examined; 1 ♀, 5 km al S de Jovellanos ( 22.7530ºN, 81.1913ºW), 21 February 1976, L.F. Armas leg., AMNH, not examined GoogleMaps ; Santiago de Cuba Province: 1 ♀, Oriente , Siboney-Juticí Ecological Reserve, Cueva de Los Majáes ( 19.9602ºN, 75.7073ºW), December 1966, C. Fundara leg., ACC/ IZ, not examined GoogleMaps ).

Note. The female of this species was identified by comparison with the examined paratype ( MCZ-IZ 24725).Among our examined CarBio material, we found identical females from other localities, but associated with a different male. Thus, we consider the single male paratype from CUBA ( Las Tunas Province, Oriente, Guayabal,Amando Rodríguez 20.6955ºN, 77.6092ºW, 1 October 1976, L. R. Hernández leg., deposited in ACC/ IZ) to be a misidentification and newly describe what we believe to be the true male of S. cubensis . Similarly, the specimen from Mexico that was recorded and redescribed by Brescovit & Rheims (2001) was identified based on the original illustration of the Cuban male paratype and is also considered a misidentification. Although we were not able to examine the Cuban paratype, its illustrated palp appears very similar to that of S. noeli . Nevertheless, the correct identification of these specimens will require further study, including examination of the type material for confirmation.

Additional material examined. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. La Altagracia Province: 1 ♀, Occidental, San Rafael, El morro E Ranger Station Monte Cristi, 19.8934ºN, 71.6534ºW, 178 mts., 23 June 2012, Team CarBio leg., USNM785349 About USNM , DR19 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, Pedernales Province, Valle Nuevo, Villa Elisa , 19.68333ºN, 71.26667ºW, 210 mts. 23 June 2012, Team CarBio leg., USNM784846 About USNM , DR20 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM784761 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM784548 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♂, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM 784798 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; La Vega Province: Valle Nuevo, Villa Pajon , 18.8221ºN, 70.6830ºW, 2136 mts., 25 June 2012, Team CarBio leg., USNM786974 About USNM , DR21 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps . JAMAICA. Cornwall County: 1♀ , Trelawney Parish, Dramalie Cave , 18.3801ºN, 77.7189ºW,133mts., 12November 2013, Team CarBio leg., CarBio 00002339A, JA06 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 5 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00006106A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00002531A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00002531A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, Trelawney Parish, Harvey Cave 1, 18.30404ºN, 77.57111, 509 mts., 13 November 2013, Team CarBio leg., CarBio 00003404A, JA08-1 ( NMNH) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003394A ( NMNH) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen ( NMNH) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003416A ( NMNH) ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00002924A ( NMNH) ; 4 ♀, 6 juvs., Trelawney Parish, Harvey Cave 2, 18.30451ºN, 77.57054ºW, 506 mts., 13 November 2013, Team CarBio leg., CarBio 00006229A, JA08-2 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003533A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♂, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003425A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; Middlesex County: 1 ♀ , Clarendon Parish, Jackson’s Bay-1 st Cave , 17.73761ºN. 77.22472ºW, 29 mts., 26 November 2013, Team carBio leg., CarBio 00003522A, JA20 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003818A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 3 ♀, 4 juvs., same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00006209A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003835A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003984A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, Saint Catherine Parish, Windsor Cave , 18.35130ºN, 77.64752ºW, 170 mts., 11 November 2013, Team CarBio leg., CarBio 00003781A, JA03 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003444A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00003803A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 2 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, CarBio 00006253A ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; Surrey County: 5 ♀, Saint Thomas Parish, Blue Mountains- Whitefield Hall , 18.04833ºN, 76.61813ºW, 1266 mts., 14 November 2013, Team CarBio leg., CarBio 00006197A, JA10-1 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps . PUERTO RICO. Río Grande Municipality: 1 ♀, El Yunque National Forest, El Verde , 18.32168ºN, 65.81990ºW, 323 mts., 21–25 May 2012, Team CarBio leg. USNM782666 About USNM , PR001 ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM786627 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM785229 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM784618 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM783145 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM786859 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM784369 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♂, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM 782692 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; Mayagüez Municipality: 1 ♀, Isla de Mona and Islote Monito Barrio , Mona Nature Reserve , Bajura de Cerezal , 18.08917ºN, 67.90091ºW, 53 mts., 21–25 May 2012, Team CarBio leg., USNM783110 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM783136 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps ; 1 ♀, same collection data as for previous specimen, USNM783120 About USNM ( NMNH) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. Males of S. cubensis resemble those of S. joniae sp. nov. ( Figs 71–74 View FIGURES 71–78 , 97–98 View FIGURES 95–105 ), S. mingusi sp. nov. ( Figs 87–90 View FIGURES 87–94 , 100–101 View FIGURES 95–105 ), S. noeli (Alayón, 1992: fig. 3), S. reinhardti sp. nov. (110–113, 128–129) and S. robertoi ( Alayón, 1977: fig. 2C) by the palp with a pirifom bulb and a slender, tapering embolus. They are distinguished from the latter species by the embolus being one third the length of the bulb and slightly curved prodorsally ( Figs 16–18 View FIGURES 14–22 , 61–62 View FIGURES 61–70 ) (vs. half the length in the other species). Females resemble those of S. coltrainei ( Figs 12, 13 View FIGURES 10–13 , 36 View FIGURES 31–41 ), S. jimmorrisoni sp. nov. ( Figs 59, 60 View FIGURES 53–60 , 99 View FIGURES 95–105 ), and S. joniae sp. nov. ( Figs 77, 78 View FIGURES 71–78 , 95, 96 View FIGURES 95–105 ) by the vulva with S-shaped IS. They are distinguished from those of the S. coltrainei sp. nov. and S. joniae sp. nov. by the PS being twisted and coiled ( Figs 22 View FIGURES 14–22 , 26, 30 View FIGURES 23–30 , 63–70 View FIGURES 61–70 ) (vs. simple and untwisted PS in the later species) and from S. jimmorrisoni sp. nov. by the IS and OS being the same width throughout ( Figs 22 View FIGURES 14–22 , 26, 30 View FIGURES 23–30 , 63–70 View FIGURES 61–70 ) (vs. IS widened at the base and OS distally rounded in S. jimmorrisoni sp. nov.).

Description. Male (USNM782692): prosoma pale yellow with dark brown longitudinal markings and gray markings along the edges; chelicerae pale yellow with golden outlines; pedipalps pale golden yellow with brown markings; legs pale yellow with a golden patella and abundant brown markings; labium grayish brown; endites pale yellow with gray outlines and spots; sternum pale yellow covered with gray markings; opisthosoma pale yellow with longitudinal brown markings and sparse gray dots on the dorsal habitus ( Figs 14, 15 View FIGURES 14–22 ). Measurements: total length 5.5; prosoma: 2.7 long, 2.0 wide; sternum: 1.4 long, 0.9 wide; labium: 0.5 long, 0.4 wide; opisthosoma: 2.7 long, 1.7 wide; eye diameters: PME 0.16, ALE 0.175, PLE 0.13; legs: I: 17.95 (4.7, 0.7, 5.25, 6.25, 1.05); II: 13.05 (3.3, 0.7, 3.75, 4.5, 0.9); III: 8.75 (2.6, 0.6, 2.0, 2.8, 0.75); IV: − (2.5, 0.7, 3.8, 4.0, absent). Palp: cymbium stout, shorter than the length of the bulb and embolus, with two strong, distal spines ( Figs 16–18 View FIGURES 14–22 , 61, 62 View FIGURES 61–70 ). Palp measurements: tibia 0.56; cymbium 0.57; bulb 0.65.

Redescription. Female (USNM786974): prosoma pale brown with dark brown markings; chelicerae gray with brown margins; legs pale yellow; labium dark brown; endites dark brown with lighter base; sternum dark brown with golden markings; opisthosoma gray with scattered brown markings ( Figs 19, 20 View FIGURES 14–22 ). Measurements: total length 5.9; prosoma: 2.8 long, 2.3 wide; sternum: 1.4 long, 1.0 wide; labium: 0.35 long, 0.4 wide; opisthosoma: 3.1 long, 2.4 wide; eye diameters: PME 0.15, ALE 0.15, PLE 0.15; legs: I: 13.45 (3.0, 0.7, 4.0, 4.75, 1.0); II: − (3.0, 0.7, 3.1, 2.9, absent); III: − (2.6, 0.5, 1.8, 2.5, absent); IV: 10.3 (2.75, 0.6, 3.1, 3.1, 0.75). Female genitalia: positioning ridges hood-shaped, posteriad, separated from each other by three times their width; fovea short, below positioning ridges ( Fig. 21 View FIGURES 14–22 ). Vulva: IS slightly longer than OS; OS roughly straight, two times longer than wide, covered with large pores; PS convoluted ( Fig. 22 View FIGURES 14–22 ).

Variation. Males (n=3): total length 5.2–5.3; prosoma length 2.5–2.7; femur I length 4.7–7.0. Females (n=10): total length 4.6–5.5; prosoma length 2.3–2.7; femur I length 2.7–3.9. Females may also have golden coloration with abundant brown markings ( Figs 23, 24 View FIGURES 23–30 ) or yellowish-gray coloration with dark brown markings ( Figs 27, 28 View FIGURES 23–30 ). Female genitalia can have protruded rounded positioning ridges, separated from each other by approximately three times their width ( Figs 25, 26 View FIGURES 23–30 ), or positioning ridges boomerang-shaped, postero-laterad and separated from each other by about 1.3 times their length ( Figs 29, 30 View FIGURES 23–30 ). Vulva shows very little variation ( Figs 63–70 View FIGURES 61–70 ).

Distribution. Previously know from Cuba ( Alayón 1977), newly recorded here from Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico ( Fig. 135 View FIGURES 135–138 ).