Uaica Rheims, 2025, gen. nov.
Creators: name: Rheims, Cristina A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Sparassidae
Uaica

description: Genus Uaica gen. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 46A8FACE-B1DF-43B6-BC45-92D4B431F12B
Type species
Uaica uatuma gen. et sp. nov. by original designation.
Diagnosis
Species of Uaica gen. nov. resemble those of the genera Caayguara Rheims, 2010, Nungara Pinto & Rheims, 2016, Sadala Simon, 1880 and Meri Rheims & Jäger, 2022 in having the combination of intermarginal denticles in the chelicerae (Fig. 1 A−B) and short-toothed female palpal claws (Fig. 2E). They resemble species of Caayguara in having only two pairs of ventral spines on tibiae I−II but are distinguished in having 3−5 escort setae on the chelicerae (Fig. 1A) (only one in Caayguara), a single, distal RTA in the male palps (Figs 5C, 9C, 11C, 14C) and an epigynal pocket in the female epigyne (Figs 5D, 7A, 14D) (RTA medial, complex, with projections and epigynal pocket absent in Caayguara). They resemble species of Nungara, Sadala and Meri by the number of escort setae in the chelicerae (between 3−10) (Fig. 1A), the male palps with a single, distal RTA (Figs 5C, 9C, 11C, 14C) and the female epigyne with a median septum bearing an epigynal pocket or a triangular projection (Figs 5D, 7A, 14D). They are distinguished from the latter genera by the presence of only two pairs of ventral spines on tibiae I−II. Additionally, they are distinguished from Sadala by the female epigyne with a median septum bearing a triangular epigynal pocket (Figs 5D, 7A, 14D) (triangular projection in Sadala), from Nungara by the long and median conductor in the male palp (Figs 5B, 9B, 11B, 14B) (apical and guttershaped in Nungara) and from Meri by the embolus smooth and slender, without projections (Figs 5B, 9B, 11B, 14B) (with projections and membranous areas bearing needle-like extensions in Meri).
Etymology
The generic epithet refers to a character in a folk tale of the Karajá and Apinaye peoples from central and northern Amazonia. According to the story, Uaica was a bullied boy who sought refuge in the forest and, because of the kindness in his heart, received the gift of healing from Sinaa, the Jaguar Man; gender is masculine; noun in apposition.
Description
Total length of males 5.4−7.6, of females 5.9−10.8. Prosoma slightly longer than wide; cephalic region slightly higher than thoracic region, gradually flattening posteriorly; fovea conspicuous on posterior third of prosoma. Eight eyes arranged in two straight rows; AME larger than ALE and more distant from each other than from ALE; PME smaller than PLE and slightly more distant from each other than from laterals (e.g., Figs 3A, 4A, 10A, 11A). Clypeus low, less than AME diameter. Chelicerae longer than wide with three promarginal teeth, median one largest, and 4−5 retromarginal teeth, three similar sized, the rest smaller; intermarginal denticles present mostly at base of furrow. Between 3−5 escort setae at base of fang (Fig. 1A–B). Labium slightly longer than wide. Endites slightly convergent, with dense scopulae on internal margin. Serrula with single row of denticles (Fig. 1C). Sternum as long as wide, very slightly projected between coxae IV. Legs laterigrade (2143). Spination in males: femora I−III: p1-1-1; d0-1-1; r1-1-1; femur IV: p1-1-1; d0-1-1; r0-0-1; patellae I−II: p1; r1; tibiae I−II: p1-0- 1; d1-0-1; r1-0-1; v2-2-0; tibiae III−IV: p1-0-1; r1-0-1; v2-2-0; metatarsi I−III: p1-1-0; r1-1-0; v2-2- 0; metatarsus IV: p1-1-1; r1-1-0; v2-2-0; palp: femur: p0-0-1; d0-1-2; r0-0-1; patellae: p1; r1; tibiae: p2-1-0; d1-0-0; r1-0-0. Spination in females as in males except tibiae I–II: d0; metatarsi IV r1-1-1. Trochanter I–IV with distal ventral margin deeply notched (Fig. 1D). Metatarsi I–IV distally with dorsal trilobate membrane with median hook slightly larger than lateral projections (Fig. 1E). Tarsi and anterior half of metatarsi scopulate. Trichobothria present on dorsal side of tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi, arranged in two or more rows on tarsi and one on metatarsi. Bothrium with dorsal plate with one distal grove, projected over smooth basal plate (Fig. 1F). Tarsal organ capsulate with slightly oval opening (Fig. 2A), located dorsally on distal third of leg metatarsi. Leg tarsi with pair of pectinate claws with 12–15 very slightly curved teeth and claw tufts (Fig. 2B–D). Female palpal claw with 4–5 short, slightly curved teeth (Fig. 2E). Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide. Male epiandrium bearing epiandrous spigots in small, scattered bunches (Fig. 2F). Six spinnerets: anterior lateral spinnerets contiguous, conical and bi-segmented. Anterior median spinnerets short and truncated. Posterior lateral spinnerets conical and bi-segmented. Male palp: tibia elongate, slightly shorter than cymbium with three prolateral spines, one dorsal spine and one retrolateral spine; ventral tibial apophysis absent; RTA single, inserted distally on tibia (e.g., Figs 3C, 3E, 12C, 12E); cymbium elongate with large oval alveolus and elongate dorsal scopula; subtegulum smooth, slightly prolateral; tegulum oval, smooth or indented at base of E; C hyaline, same width throughout, inserted medially on tegulum; E without projections, slender, tapering towards tip or filiform, arising from tegulum between 8−9 o’clock or between 5−6 o’clock (e.g., Figs 3D, 8D, 10D, 12D). Female epigyne: EF as long as wide or slightly longer than wide; muscle attachment bands absent; LL smooth, with no projections, partially covering MS; MS bearing triangular EP and lateral sclerotized rims (Figs 4C, 6C, 13C). Vulva: IDS running anteriorly as double helix; GP arising from anterior most turn; spermathecae not differentiated; FD short and hook-shaped (Figs 4D, 6D, 13D).
Included species
Uaica carapiranga gen. et sp. nov., U. juruena gen. et sp. nov., U. karipuna gen. et sp. nov., U. mapia gen. et sp. nov., U. uatuma gen. et sp. nov.
Distribution
Northern Brazil, Amazonian region, states of Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia and Mato Grosso (Fig. 15).
description: Published as part of Rheims, Cristina A., 2025, Uaica gen. nov., a new genus of huntsman spiders from the Brazilian Amazonia (Araneae: Sparassidae), pp. 24-49 in European Journal of Taxonomy 989 on pages 26-27, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.989.2879, http://zenodo.org/record/15323017