Sparianthis Simon 1880
Creators: name: Rheims, Cristina A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Sparassidae
Sparianthis

description: Sparianthis Simon, 1880
Themeropis L. Koch, 1875 [preoccupied]. Keyserling 1880: 225 (in part)
Sparianthis Simon, 1880: 229. Simon 1887: 472; 1898: 28, 70, 71, 73; Mello-Leit ã o 1918: 60; Petrunkevitch 1928: 157.
Pseudosparianthis Simon, 1887: 472. Type species: Pseudosparianthis fusca Simon (original designation). Simon 1898: 69–72; Mello-Leit ã o 1918: 60, 63; Petrunkevitch, 1928: 156. New synonymy
Sampaiosia Mello-Leit ã o, 1930: 65. Type species: Sampaiosia crulsi Mello-Leit ã o (monotypy). New synonymy
Type species Themeropis granadensis Keyserling (original designation).
Emended diagnosis. Species of the genus Sparianthis resemble those of the genera Diminutella, Extraordinarius and Neostasina in having chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth (Fig. 1) and three pairs of ventral spines on leg tibiae I–II. They are distinguished from the latter genera in having two pairs of ventral spines on leg metatarsi I–II (one pair in the other genera). Additionally, they are distinguished from all Neotropical Sparianthinae genera by the male palp with three prolateral spines on tibia (one in other genera) (Figs 11, 26, 48) and female epigyne with median septum extending posteriorly beyond the epigastric furrow (not extending beyond the epigastric furrow in other genera) (Figs 14, 36, 66).
Note. In the original description of the genus, Simon (1800) stated that teeth were absent in the retromargin of the chelicerae. Examination of the type specimens of both species included at the time (S. granadensis and S. amazonica), show that the retromargin is actually armed with two small teeth, which were overlooked by Simon.
Description. Coloration pattern generally similar in all species. Prosoma, chelicerae, legs and pedipalps varying from lighter, yellowish brown to dark brown. Opisthosoma pale to dark grayish-brown with dorsal dark gray ish-brown pattern and ventral V-shaped lines of muscle sigilla, pronounced in males, indistinct or barely distinct in females (e.g. Figs 17, 20, 54, 57, 128, 131). Total length of males 5.5–12.5, of females 6.1–16.0. Prosoma longer than wide; cephalic region as high as thoracic region; fovea conspicuous on posterior third of prosoma. Eight eyes arranged in two rows, both straight or slightly procurved; AME larger than ALE and farther apart from each other than from ALE; PME smaller than PLE and farther apart from each other than from PLE (e.g. Figs 17, 39, 54, 71). Clypeus low, less than AME diameter. Chelicerae longer than wide with three prolateral teeth, proximal one smallest, and two retrolateral denticles; intermarginal denticles absent; one escort seta (Fig. 1). Labium slightly longer than wide. Endites converging anteriorly, with dense scopulae on internal margin. Serrula with single row of denticles (Fig. 2). Sternum longer than wide, very slightly projected between coxae IV (e.g. Figs 18, 40, 87). Legs laterigrade; leg formula variable, mostly 2143. Trochanter with distal ventral margin straight. Metatarsi I–IV distally with trilobate membrane with median hook much smaller than lateral projections (Fig. 3). Metatarsi III–IV with distal ventral preening comb (Fig. 4) or single median spine. Tarsi and anterior half of metatarsi scopulate. Trichobothria present on dorsal tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi, arranged in several rows that converge to single row at proximal end of tarsi and metatarsi. Bothrium with proximal plate (PP), with several transverse ridges, projected over distal plate (DP) with single transverse ridge; setae base thickened in basal bulb (Fig. 5). Tarsal organ capsulate with keyhole opening, located at distal end of tarsi (Fig. 6). Tarsi with pair of pectinate claws with 7–9 small, slightly curved teeth and claw tufts (Fig. 7). Leg spination pattern in males: femora I–III: p1-1-1, d0-1-1, r1-0-1; femur IV: p1-1-1, d0-1-1; r0-0-1; tibiae I–II: p1-0-1, r1-0-1, v2-2-2; tibiae III–IV: p1-0-1, d1-0-1, r1-0-1, v2-2-2; metatarsi I–III: p1-1-0, r1-1-0, v2-2-0; metatarsus IV: p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2-0; in females: femora I–III p1-1-1, d0- 0-1, r1-0-0; femur IV: p1-1-1, d0-1-1, r0-0-1; tibiae I–II v2-2-2; tibia III p1-0-1, v2-2-2; tibia IV p1-0-1, r1-0-1, v 2-2-2; metatarsi I–II v2-2-0; metatarsus III p1-1-0, v2-2-0; metatarsus IV p1-1-1, r1-1-1, v2-2-0. Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide. Male epiandrous spigots absent (Fig. 8). Six spinnerets: ALS contiguous, conical and bisegmented. Proximal segment elongate and cylindrical, distal segment short and truncated. PMS conical and short. PLS conical and bi-segmented. Proximal segment elongate and cylindrical, distal segment short and truncated. Female palp spination: femur: p0-0-1; d0-1-2; tibia p2-1-0; d0-1-0; r1-1-0; tarsus with single, pectinate claw, with 4–5 short, slightly curved teeth (Fig. 9). Male palp spination: femur: p0-0-1; d0-1-2; tibia p2-1-0; tibia short, as long as or slightly longer than half cymbium length, prolateral spines long, 10–15 times longer than wide (Figs 11, 63, 114) or short, up to 8 times longer than wide (Figs 26, 48, 80); retrolateral spine strong, wider than prolaterals (Figs 99, 104, 121, 124) or absent (e.g. Figs 13, 34, 82); RTA complex with three branches; dRTA triangular and concave in ventral view (mostly obscured by cymbium margin in ventral view), arising from distal retrolateral margin of tibia; vRTA slightly displaced, arising medial-ventrally from tibia; mRTA of variable shape arising retrolaterally from tibia, close to dRTA (e.g. Figs 13, 65), close to vRTA (e.g. Figs 28, 34, 104) or absent (e.g. Fig. 82); cymbium with bulged retro-proximal margin, large oval alveolus and rounded dorsal scopulae with distally curved sensory setae, at least ½ times longer than other cymbium setae, with tapering barbules along entire setae, and with distal region bearing large pore and single filiform projection, extending beyond tip of setae (Fig. 10); subtegulum cup-shaped, visible retrolaterally in ventral view in unexpanded palp; tegulum distally plate-like, with (e.g. Figs 12, 27, 49) or without (Figs 115, 123) retro-basal protrusion; TBE with large squared base (reduced in S. juruti sp. nov., Fig 105) and apical projection of variable shapes (e.g. Figs 64, 115, 138); TBC keel-like (e.g. Figs 12, 64, 138), protruding at retrolateral end in some species (Figs 115, 123); conductor 2–3 times longer than wide, hyaline, laminar, holding the tip of the embolus, arising from tegulum at 1 o’clock position; median apophysis cup-shaped, with distal margin medially indented, arising from tegulum at 2–3 o’clock position; embolus arising from tegulum at 9 o’clock position, simple and slender (e.g. Figs 12, 27, 49, 138), widened (e.g. Figs 33, 81), or with projections (Figs. 35, 105). Female epigyne: divided into lateral lobes and median septum by lateral furrows; epigynal field bearing transversal furrow on anterior part, with lateral tips gently curved (e.g. Figs 14, 51, 66) or extending posteriorly, forming anterior atrium of variable shape (e.g. Figs 29, 36, 83); lateral lobes ventrally smooth or with secondary furrow that extends towards anterior furrow (in S. chickeringi, Fig. 51), posterior margin bearing triangular projections; median septum of variable shape, extending posteriorly beyond epigastric furrow. Vulva: internal ducts variable, with first turn anteriad (e.g. Figs 15, 30, 52), mediad (e.g. Figs 37, 84, 91), posteriad (Fig. 107) or laterad (Fig. 126); glandular projection small, arising from duct at first turn (e.g. Figs 15, 52, 141) or closer to copulatory openings (e.g. Figs 107, 126); spermathecae of variable shape; fertilization ducts short and hook-shaped.
Composition. Twelve species: Sparianthis beebei sp. nov.; S. boraris sp. nov.; S. caracarai sp. nov.; S. chickeringi (Gertsch, 1941) comb. nov.; S. crulsi (Mello-Leit ã o, 1930) comb. nov.; S. granadensis (Keyserling, 1880); S. humaita sp. nov.; S. juazeiro sp. nov.; S. juruti sp. nov.; S. megalopalpa (Caporiacco, 1954) comb. nov.; S. picta (Simon, 1887) comb. nov.; and S. ravida (Simon, 1898) comb. nov..
Distribution. Neotropical region, northern South America, Panama and the isles of St. Vincent and Trinidad (Figs 143–144).
Monophyly and relationships. In the absence of a phylogenetic analysis, not much can be said about the relationships between Sparianthis and the remaining Sparianthinae genera. The presence of two pairs of ventral spines on metatarsi I–II and three spines on prolateral male palpal tibia suggest a close relationship with the non-Neotropical genera Pleorotus, Rhacocnemis and Stipax. Nevertheless, cheliceral dentition (three prolateral and two retrolateral teeth), three pairs of ventral spines on tibiae I–II, as well as a hyaline conductor in the male palp suggests it is most likely closer to the Neotropical Neostasina and Diminutella. Even more so, the similarities between the male palps of species of Sparianthis and Neostasina (with the presence of a bulged retro-proximal margin of the cymbium and a retro-proximal protrusion in the tegulum) suggest they might be closely related genera genera. Nevertheless, further phylogenetic studies will be needed to clarify the position of the genus within the subfamily and corroborate these suggestions.
The monophyly of Sparianthis, on the other hand, seems to be well substantiated. As pointed out in previous taxonomical papers dealing with Sparianthinae genera (e.g. Rheims & Alayón 2016; Rheims 2019), species tend to be conservative and rarely deviate from the generic bauplan. In the case of Sparianthis, both male and female genitalia show characters that are not found in other Sparianthinae genera, such as the TBE with large squared base and apical projection, TBC keel-like, vRTA arising medial-ventrally from the palpal tibia and the presence of an anterior atrium in the female epigyne. Based on these characters, I am convinced that this is a distinct lineage within Sparianthinae and that future phylogenetic studies will corroborate its generic status.
Identification key for all known species of Sparianthis
1 Males .............................................................................................. 2
- Females........................................................................................... 11
2(1) Palpal tibia with medial-retrolateral, strong spine (Figs 104, 124)............................................... 3
- Palpal tibia without medial-retrolateral, strong spine (Figs 13, 23, 50)............................................ 4
3(2) Medial-retrolateral spine two times longer than wide; TBE small, triangular, with apical projection (ap) short and laminar; embolus with subdistal pointed projection (Figs. 102–105)....................................... S. juruti sp. nov.
- Medial-retrolateral spine at least three times longer than wide; TBE squared, with apical projection widened and twisted; embolus short, with wide ventral hyaline membrane (Figs 123–124)................................ S. picta comb. nov.
4(2) mRTA present; embolus slender, not abruptly narrowed medially (e.g. Figs 28, 50)................................. 5
- mRTA absent; embolus wider at base and abruptly narrowed medially (Fig. 82)..................... S. humaita sp. nov.
5(4) mRTA larger than dRTA (Figs 28, 116).................................................................... 6
- mRTA smaller than dRTA (e.g. Figs 13, 34, 50)............................................................. 7
6(5) vRTA single branched; mRTA bifid (best seen in retrolateral view); TBC with retrolateral part protruding distally; TBE with apical projection long, cylindrical, widened at tip and with subapical prong (Figs 115–116).... S. megalopalpa comb. nov.
- vRTA bifid (best seen in retrolateral view); mRTA single branched; TBC keel-like, not protruding; TBE simple, with apical projection short and laminar (Figs 27–28)................................................... S. boraris sp. nov.
7(5) mRTA arising at base of dRTA (Figs 13, 65)................................................................ 8 mRTA arising medially from retrolateral tibia, closer to vRTA (e.g. Figs 50, 104, 139).............................. 9
8(7) TBE with apical projection short and laminar (Fig. 64)........................................ S. crulsi comb. nov.
- TBE with apical projection resembling a fishtail (Figs 12–13)................................... S. beebei sp. nov.
9(7) Embolus simple, slender, with no projections or small sub-apical tooth-like projection (Figs 49, 138)................. 10
- Embolus wide, with subapical keel-like projection (Figs 33, 35)................................ S. caracarai sp. nov.
10(9) TBE with apical projection short and laminar; TBC wide, keel-like, embolus with small sub-apical tooth-like projection (Figs 138–139)........................................................................... S. ravida comb. nov.
- TBE with apical projection gutter-shaped; TBC reduced to small keel, embolus with no projections (Figs 49–50)......................................................................................... S. chickeringi comb. nov.
11(1) Anterior furrow with lateral tips extending posteriorly, forming anterior atrium (e.g. Figs 29, 70, 83).................. 12
- Anterior furrow with lateral tips gently curved or straight, not extending posteriorly (e.g. Figs 14, 51, 66).............. 18
12(11) Anterior atrium with transversal grooves (Figs 83, 106)..................................................... 13
- Anterior atrium smooth (e.g. Figs 29, 125, 140)............................................................ 14
13(12) Anterior atrium anteriorly rounded (Fig. 106); vulva with internal ducts slender, half the width of spermathecae; first turn posteriad (Figs. 107–108).................................................................... S. juruti sp. nov.
- Anterior atrium pentagonal (Fig. 83); internal ducts thick, as wide as spermathecae; first turn laterad (Figs 84–85)............................................................................................. S. humaita sp. nov.
14(12) Anterior atrium wider than long; median septum light bulb-shaped (Figs 70, 125)................................. 15
- Anterior atrium as wide as long or slightly longer than wide, median septum not light bulb-shaped (Figs 29, 36, 140).... 16
15(14) Anterior atrium oval; leg metatarsi I–II with three pairs of ventral spines (Fig. 125)................. S. picta comb. nov.
- Anterior atrium sub-rectangular (Figs 69–70); leg metatarsi I–II with two pairs of ventral spines.......... S. granadensis
16(14) Anterior atrium as large as or slightly larger than median septum (Figs 29, 140); internal ducts slender, half spermathecae width; first turn anteriad (Figs 30, 141)........................................................................ 17
- Anterior atrium smaller than median septum (Fig. 36); ducts as wide as spermathecae; first turn mediad (Figs 37–38).......................................................................................... S. caracarai sp. nov.
17(16) Median septum anteriorly narrowed, with posterior margin straight or slightly sinuous (Fig. 140); spermathecae rounded (Fig. 141)............................................................................... S. ravida comb. nov.
- Median septum widest anteriorly, with posterior margin rounded (Fig. 29); spermathecae elongate (Fig. 30)... S. boraris sp. nov.
18(11) Lateral furrows reaching anterior furrow (Figs 14, 51, 90).................................................... 19
- Lateral furrows distinctly separated from anterior furrow (Fig. 66).............................. S. crulsi comb. nov.
19(18) Anterior furrow straight or with gently bent lateral tips; lateral lobes smooth (Figs 14, 90).......................... 20
- Anterior furrow medially indented; lateral lobes bearing secondary furrows (Fig. 51).......... S. chickeringi comb. nov.
20(19) Median septum cup-shaped, constricted at posterior fourth (Fig. 14); internal ducts with first turn anteriad; spermathecae rounded (Fig. 15)........................................................................ S. beebei sp. nov.
- Median septum hour glass-shaped, medially constricted (Fig. 90); internal ducts with first turn mediad; spermathecae oval (Fig. 91)..................................................................................................................................................................................... S. juazeiro sp. nov.
description: Published as part of Rheims, Cristina A., 2020, Revision of the spider genus Sparianthis Simon, 1880 (Araneae, Sparassidae Sparianthinae), pp. 151-191 in Zootaxa 4890 (2) on pages 153-157, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4890.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4301730