Retiro sabatoi, Rodríguez-Castro & Rodríguez, 2025

Retiro sabatoi sp. nov.

Figs 1–5 View FIGURE 1 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5

Type material: Holotype: 1♂ (CIUQ-026034) from COLOMBIA: Quindío department, Armenia municipality, San Juan village ( 4°35'55.2"N 75°37'33"W), 1700m elev., August 10, 2024, collected by: G. Rodriguez-Castro & E. Rodríguez. GoogleMaps Paratypes: has the same data as the holotype, 1♂ (CIUQ-026035), 1♀ (CIUQ-026036), 1♀ (CIUQ-026037), 1♀ (CIUQ-026039) GoogleMaps .

Other material examined. COLOMBIA: Quindío department, Calarcá municipality, La Virginia village, Peñas Blancas Ecopark ( 4°28'52.5"N 75°38'01.9"W), 1932m elev., August 20, 2024, collected by: Leonardo Delgado- Santa. 1♂ (CIUQ-026040), 1♀ (CIUQ-026041), 1♀ (CIUQ-026042), 1♀ (CIUQ-026043) GoogleMaps .

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of the Argentinian writer Ernesto Sábato for his most famous work of 1948 entitled “El Túnel”, since individuals of this species were found inside a tunnel ( Fig 5A View FIGURE 5 ).

Diagnosis. The male can be differentiated from R. plagiatus ( Simon, 1893) and R. procerulus ( Simon, 1906) by the shape of the tegular apophysis, which is short and straight ( Fig. 4A–D View FIGURE 4 ), while in R. plagiatus it is longer and more sinuous (see Caporiacco 1955: fig. 2) and that of R. procerulus is also short but curved in a C shape (see Dupérré 2023: fig. 5B). Females resemble R. quitensis ( Simon, 1906) and R. fulvipes ( Simon, 1906) by the lip of the epigynum, and are distinguished by the spermathecae, which are oval with a slight outward inclination ( Fig. 4E, F View FIGURE 4 ). While in R. quitensis the spermathecae are sinuous and without inclinations (see Dupérré 2023: fig. 6C, D); in R. fulvipes the spermathecae are more sinuous and larger, with a slight inward inclination (see Dupérré 2023: fig. 2F).

Description. Male ( Holotype). Coloration in ethanol ( Fig. 2A–D View FIGURE 2 ): Carapace brownish yellow dorsally, with scattered dark spots, and lighter yellow ventrally. chelicerae brownish yellow with erect setae ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Labium rectangular dark brown, endites brownish yellow. Sternum heart-shaped pale yellow with brownish margins and scattered setae ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ). Abdomen whitish with a dorsal pattern composed of black spots interconnected below, more abundant laterally and absent ventrally, with scattered setae ( Fig. 2B, D View FIGURE 2 ). Measurements: Total length: 4.88. Carapace length 3.30, width 2.53. Fovea 0.37. Eyes: eight, arranged in two rows, eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.13, PME 0.13, PLE 0.14, AME–AME 0.07, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.19, PME–PLE 0.13, AME–PME 0.16, ALE–PLE 0.09. Clypeus not prominent: 0.05 ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Sternum length 1.61, width 1.24. Abdomen length 2.50, width 1. 60. Palpus: 1.90 (0.85, 0.42, 0.63); Leg I 9.44 (2.37, 1.30, 2.64, 1.90, 1.23); II 7.48 (1.85, 0.96, 1.95, 1.80, 0.92); III 7 (1.72, 0.89, 1.91, 1.63, 0.85); IV 7.88 (1.65, 1.10, 2.03, 2.14, 0.96). Leg formula. I–II–IV–III.

Palp ( Figs 2E–H View FIGURE 2 , 4A–D View FIGURE 4 ). Tibia short, as long as patella with prominent thumb-like retrolateral apophysis arising from the middle of tibia. Prominent ventral apophysis. Small dorsal apophysis. Cymbium is slightly longer than wide. Bulb as long as wide, almost circular. Tegulum wider than long. Sclerotized tegular apophysis elongated outwards with pointed apex. Small median apophysis located on the right half of the bulb. Spermatic duct visible retrolaterally. Embolus originating retrolaterally.

Female ( Paratype CIUQ-026036) Coloration in ethanol: As in the male ( Fig. 3A–D View FIGURE 3 ), except the carapace is slightly darker ( Fig. 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Measurements: Total length: 7.22. Carapace, length 2.44, width 1.80. Fovea 0.24. Eyes: eight arranged in two rows, eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.13, PME 0.17, PLE 0.15, AME– ALE 0.09, PME–PME 0.18, PME–PLE 0.12, AME–PME 0.17, ALE–PLE 0.07. Clypeus not prominent 0.05 ( Fig. 4A View FIGURE 4 ). Sternum length 1.37, width 1.04. Abdomen long 3.51, width 2. 30. Palp: 2.15(0.70; 0.38; 0.58; 0.49); Leg I 9.00 (2.36, 0.99, 2.54, 1.95, 1.16); II 7.93 (2.25, 0.90, 2.19, 1.59, 1); III 6.53 (1.87, 0.98, 1.58, 1.29, 0.81); IV 8.33 (2.41, 1.10, 1.98, 1.84, 1). Leg formula I–IV–II–III.

Genitalia. ( Figs 3E–F View FIGURE 3 , 4E–F View FIGURE 4 ). Epigynum lip sclerotized and straight, with a vertically directed lateral fold. Spermathecae oval, narrower apically, slightly directed outwards.

Natural history. Individuals of R. sabatoi sp. nov. were found in a large group of cobwebs that occupied the walls of a short tunnel ( Fig. 5A View FIGURE 5 ). These individuals construct a circular web that adheres to the wall surface, taking on the same color as the dust that adheres to it. This web consists of three equidistant exits forming a triangle ( Fig. 5B View FIGURE 5 ), possibly to capture prey in all directions. Inside the web, right in the center, the spider remains covered with a different fabric than the one that makes up the web, as confirmed by opening it ( Fig. 5D View FIGURE 5 ). Remains of potential prey were found in the vicinity of the web, mainly flying insects, such as Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), a variety of Diptera (mosquitoes and flies) and Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps), and curiously, the presence of harvestmen, suggesting a possible varied diet.

Distribution. This species is distributed only in the municipalities of Calarcá and Armenia in the department of Quindío.