diff --git a/data/4B/C5/A9/4BC5A9E2D5FF5C1896752225F75A4240.xml b/data/4B/C5/A9/4BC5A9E2D5FF5C1896752225F75A4240.xml new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..a112bad14db --- /dev/null +++ b/data/4B/C5/A9/4BC5A9E2D5FF5C1896752225F75A4240.xml @@ -0,0 +1,1800 @@ + + + +Discovery of a new tarantula species from the Madrean Sky Islands and the first documented instance of syntopy between two montane endemics (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aphonopelma): a case of prior mistaken identity + + + +Author + +Hamilton, Chris A. +0000-0001-7263-0755 +Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA + + + +Author + +Hendrixson, Brent E. +0000-0003-1759-6405 +Department of Biology, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS 39210, USA + + + +Author + +Silvestre Bringas, Karina +https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3485-2279 +Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA + +text + + +ZooKeys + + +2024 + +2024-08-16 + + +1210 + + +61 +98 + + + +journal article +10.3897/zookeys.1210.125318 +C68C3512-3AAC-4121-B133-0822499395B9 + + + + + +Aphonopelma jacobii +Hamilton & Hendrixson, 2024 + +sp. nov. + + + + +Figs 3 +, +4 +, +5 +, +6 +, +7 +, +11 + + + + + + + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +, in part: +Hamilton et al. 2016: 90 + +, 91, 93–95, fig. 38 ( +APH- +2097, misidentification); 95 ( +APH- +2101, +APH- +2102, +APH- +2105, +APH- +2480 - A, +APH- +2480 - B, +APH- +2548, misidentifications). + + + + + +Type material. + + + + + +Holotype + +. + +United States +• +♂ +; +Arizona +, +Cochise County +, +Chiricahua Mountains, along Forest Road 42 D above Onion Saddle +; + +31.92838 ° N +, +109.26311 ° W + +1 +; + +2364 m + +; + +31 Oct. 2018 + +; + +Brent +E. Hendrixson + +& +Michael A. Jacobi +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5002 + +. + + + + + +Paratype + +. + +United States +• +1 ♀ +; same data as for holotype; + +UIM + +; +APH-5001 + +• + +1 ♂ +; same data as for holotype; + +AMNH + +; +APH-5003 + +. + + + + +Etymology. + + +The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of our friend, +Michael A. Jacobi +, who facilitated many of our field trips into the Chiricahua Mountains in 2018 and 2019. In addition, he generously carried out field work in the MSI on our behalf and discovered many important specimens, including the first female burrows of + +A. chiricahua + +and this remarkable new species. His tireless work in the field and passion for natural history have immensely helped improve our knowledge of tarantula biology and biodiversity in the Chiricahua Mountains and surrounding areas. + + + + +Diagnosis. + + + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +is a member of the + +Marxi + +species group and can be distinguished by a combination of morphological, genomic, behavioral, and distributional features. This species is a mid- to late-fall breeder endemic to the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern +Arizona +. Nuclear DNA identifies + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +as a monophyletic lineage (Fig. +2 +) that is sister to + +A. marxi + +(distributed along the +Colorado +Plateau) and phylogenetically distinct from the other tarantula species endemic to the Chiricahua Mountains (i. e., + +A. chiricahua + +). + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +is probably the only tarantula species encountered in the high-elevation mixed conifer forests of the Chiricahua Mountains, but its distribution overlaps with + +A. chalcodes +Chamberlin, 1940 + +, + +A. chiricahua + +, + +A. gabeli +Smith, 1995 + +, and + +A. vorhiesi + +at lower elevations in the oak and pine-oak woodlands. + + + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +is readily distinguished from adult + +A. chalcodes + +and + +A. gabeli + +by coloration and size (Fig. +3 +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: figs 30, 45). Males of the new species are similar in appearance to + +A. vorhiesi + +due to their shared coloration (i. e., general black body with bright orange or red setae on the abdomen, Fig. +3 a +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 142), but are noticeably smaller ( +Cl +6.708 +–8.955 +vs +10.018 +–13.980 +), possess a larger +A 3 +/ +M 4 +ratio ( +0.659 +–0.790 +vs +0.469 +–0.566 +), and breed later in the fall (October – November vs July – October) (note: males of + +A. vorhiesi + +found in October are generally worn and faded whereas males of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +are lively and vibrant). Males of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +and + +A. chiricahua + +are very similar morphologically and behaviorally. They possess similar coloration (Figs +3 a +, +8 d +) and share a common breeding period, but the new species does separate slightly from + +A. chiricahua + +in +PCA +morphospace (S 4 A), is statistically smaller ( +Cl +7.679 ± 0.71 vs 9.864 ± 2.00, +t +(18) = 3.6964, +P += 0.0017), possesses a slightly smaller +T 1 +/ +P 4 +ratio ( +2.175 +–2.545 +vs +2.576 +–2.991 +), and has a proportionally shorter embolus relative to the palpal bulb (Fig. + +4 g +, h + +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. +37 g +, h). Males of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +can be further distinguished from other members of the + +Marxi + +species group by the following important ratios and measurements: +T 1 +/ +P 4 +( +2.175 +–2.545 +) is smaller than + +A. catalina + +( +2.814 +–3.033 +); +A 3 +/ +M 4 +( +0.659 +–0.790 +) is larger than + +A. bacadehuachi + +(0.495), + +A. catalina + +( +0.477 +–0.520 +), + +A. madera + +( +0.540 +–0.602 +), and + +A. peloncillo + +( +0.457 +–0.581 +); and Bl _ r ( +2.505 +–3.061 +) is smaller than + +A. marxi + +( +3.194 +–3.781 +). Additional ratios that might be useful for separating males of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +from various other members of the + +Marxi + +species group include +Cl +/ +A 3 +, +Cl +/ +M 3 +, +PTl +/ +M 3 +, +PTl +/ +M 4 +, and +T 1 +/ +F 3 +(see Suppl. material 5). + + + + + + +Live habitus of + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +a +male holotype (APH- 5002) +b +female paratype (APH- 5001). + + + + + + + +Morphology of + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +(male holotype, APH- 5002) +a +carapace, dorsal view +b +coxa of leg I, prolateral view +c +femur of leg III, dorsal view +d +metatarsus and tarsus of leg III, ventral view +e +metatarsus and tarsus of leg IV, ventral view +f +pedipalp, prolateral view +g +palpal bulb, dorsal view +h +palpal bulb, retrolateral view +i +tibia of leg I showing mating clasper, prolateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm. + + + +Females of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +are noticeably smaller than + +A. chiricahua + +and + +A. vorhiesi + +( +Cl +7.621 +–9.018 +v. +14.230 +–15.530 +and +11.230 +–16.380 +, respectively), separate in +PCA +morphospace (S 4 B), and possess slightly different coloration (Figs +3 b +, +8 a – c +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 142). Furthermore, females of the new species can be distinguished from other members of the + +Marxi + +species group by the following important ratio: +M 3 +/ +F 4 +( +0.509 +–0.534 +) is smaller than + +A. bacadehuachi + +(0.613), + +A. catalina + +( +0.582 +–0.604 +), + +A. madera + +( +0.550 +–0.616 +), + +A. marxi + +( +0.550 +–0.598 +), + +A. peloncillo + +( +0.598 +–0.655 +), and + +A. vorhie + +s +i +( +0.587 +–0.657 +). Additional ratios that might be useful for separating females of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +from various other members of the + +Marxi + +species group include +F 1 +/ +T 4 +, +M 1 +/ +A 3 +, +SC 4 +, and +T 1 +/ +T 4 +(see Suppl. material 5). + + + + + +Description of male +holotype + + + + +( +APH- +5002: Figs +3 a +, +4 +). + +Specimen collected alive wandering on road, preserved in 80 % ethanol; original coloration faded due to preservation (Fig. +3 a +). Left legs I, III, IV, and left pedipalp removed for measurements and photographs; stored in vial with specimen. Right leg III removed for DNA and stored at - 80 ° C at + +UIM + +. General coloration: black or faded black. Cephalothorax: +Cl +6.708, +Cw +6.509; densely clothed with black / faded black pubescence, appressed to surface; fringe covered in long setae not closely appressed to surface; foveal groove medium deep and slightly procurved; pars cephalica region rises gradually from foveal groove, gently arching anteriorly toward ocular area; AER procurved, PER slightly recurved; normal sized chelicerae; clypeus generally straight but extends forward on a slight curve near the eyes; +LBl +0.942, +LBw +1.596; sternum hirsute, clothed with short black / brown, densely packed setae. Abdomen: densely clothed in short black / brown pubescence with numerous longer, paler setae interspersed (generally red or orange in vita, Fig. +3 a +); dense dorsal patch of black Type I urticating setae ( +Cooke et al. 1972 +); ventral setae same as dorsal. Legs: Hirsute; densely clothed with short, similar length black / brown setae, and longer setae dorsally. Metatarsus I slightly curved. +F 1 +7.478; +F 1 w +1.836; +P 1 +2.780; +T 1 +6.482; +M 1 +4.543; +A 1 +4.251; L 1 length 25.534; +F 3 +5.765; +F 3 w +1.823; +P 3 +2.438; +T 3 +4.445; +M 3 +4.559; +A 3 +4.475; L 3 length 21.682; +F 4 +7.082; +F 4 w +1.554; +P 4 +2.573; +T 4 +6.199; +M 4 +6.068; +A 4 +4.980; L 4 length 26.902; femur III is normal, not noticeably swollen or wider than other legs (Fig. +4 c +). All tarsi fully scopulate. Extent of metatarsal scopulation: leg III ( +SC 3 +) = 48.8 %, leg IV ( +SC 4 +) = 29.3 % (Fig. +4 d, e +). Six ventral spinose setae (megaspines), one prolateral spinose seta, and four ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus III; nine ventral spinose setae (megaspines), two prolateral and one retrolateral spinose setae, and eight ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus IV; one prolateral megaspine and two ventral megaspines are present on the prolateral tibia of the mating clasper (tibia I); two megaspines, that project anteriorly, can be found at the apex of each tibial apophyses (Fig. +4 i +). Coxa I: prolateral surface a mix of fine hair-like and very thin tapered setae (Fig. +4 b +). Pedipalps: hirsute; densely clothed in the same setal color as the other legs, with numerous longer ventral setae; one spinose seta at the apical, prolateral femur and two spinose setae on the prolateral tibia (Fig. +4 f +); +PTl +4.627, +PTw +1.763. When extended, embolus tapers with a gentle curve to the retrolateral side near apex, embolus slender, no keels (Fig. + +4 g +, h + +). + + +Male variation +( +n += 14). +Cl +6.708 +–8.955 +(7.679 ± 0.71), +Cw +6.254 +–8.654 +(7.467 ± 0.23), +LBl +0.684 +–1.340 +(0.930 ± 0.05), +LBw +0.985 +–1.971 +(1.513 ± 0.09), +F 1 +7.145 +–9.585 +(8.220 ± 0.19), +F 1 w +1.821 +–2.596 +(2.124 ± 0.06), +P 1 +2.780 +–3.825 +(3.225 ± 0.08), +T 1 +5.851 +–7.851 +(6.863 ± 0.54), +M 1 +4.090 +–5.524 +(4.807 ± 0.11), +A 1 +3.572 +–4.975 +(4.307 ± 0.10), L 1 length +23.568 +–31.239 +(27.422 ± 0.59), +F 3 +5.591 +–7.285 +(6.396 ± 0.14), +F 3 w +1.688 +–2.478 +(2.012 ± 0.06), +P 3 +2.304 +–3.177 +(2.620 ± 0.07), +T 3 +4.162 +–5.726 +(4.812 ± 0.12), +M 3 +4.379 +–5.807 +(4.916 ± 0.11), +A 3 +3.955 +–5.389 +(4.724 ± 0.09), L 3 length +20.391 +–27.358 +(23.468 ± 0.50), +F 4 +6.648 +–9.006 +(7.728 ± 0.18), +F 4 w +1.554 +–2.349 +(1.90 ± 0.06), +P 4 +2.524 +–3.516 +(2.861 ± 0.08), +T 4 +5.784 +–7.380 +(6.647 ± 0.13), +M 4 +5.772 +–8.177 +(6.762 ± 0.16), +A 4 +4.944 +–6.379 +(5.464 ± 0.11), L 4 length +25.672 +–34.458 +(29.463 ± 0.62), +PTl +4.420 +–5.822 +(5.113 ± 0.11), +PTw +1.763 +–2.419 +(2.041 ± 0.05), +SC 3 +ratio +0.414 +–0.609 +(0.533 ± 0.01), +SC 4 +ratio +0.283 +–0.404 +(0.351 ± 0.01), coxa I setae = fine / very thin and tapered, femur III condition = normal, not noticeably swollen or wider than other legs. + + + + + +Description of female +paratype + + + + +( +APH- +5001: Figs +3 b +, +5 +). + +Specimen collected alive from burrow, preserved in 80 % ethanol; original coloration faded due to preservation (Fig. +5 a +). Left legs I, III, IV, and pedipalp removed for photographs and measurements; stored in vial with specimen. Right leg III removed for DNA and stored at - 80 ° C at + +UIM + +. Genital plate with spermathecae removed and cleared, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration: black or faded black and brown. Cephalothorax: +Cl +9.018, +Cw +8.908; hirsute, densely clothed with black / faded black, pubescence closely appressed to surface; fringe densely covered in longer setae; foveal groove medium deep and slightly procurved; pars cephalica region gently rises from thoracic furrow, arching anteriorly towards ocular area; AER procurved, PER slightly recurved; robust chelicerae, clypeus extends forward on a slight curve; +LBl +1.403, +LBw +2.110; sternum hirsute, clothed with shorter black / faded black setae. Abdomen: densely clothed dorsally in short black setae with numerous longer, paler setae interspersed (generally red or orange in vita, Fig. +3 b +); dense dorsal patch of black Type I urticating setae ( +Cooke et al. 1972 +); ventral setae same as dorsal. Spermathecae (Fig. +5 f +): paired and separated, tapering from wide bases (not fused) and slightly curving medially towards capitate bulbs. Legs: very hirsute, particularly ventrally; densely clothed in short and medium black / brown pubescence, with longer setae colored similarly as the long abdominal setae; +F 1 +7.661; +F 1 w +2.481; +P 1 +3.568; +T 1 +5.864; +M 1 +3.553; +A 1 +3.854; L 1 length 24.500; +F 3 +6.206; +F 3 w +2.032; +P 3 +2.628; +T 3 +4.230; +M 3 +4.191; +A 3 +4.340; L 3 length 21.595; +F 4 +7.885; +F 4 w +2.122; +P 4 +2.969; +T 4 +6.156; +M 4 +6.079; +A 4 +4.845; L 4 length 27.904. All tarsi fully scopulate. Extent of metatarsal scopulation: leg III ( +SC 3 +) = 50.4 %, leg IV ( +SC 4 +) = 27.3 % (Fig. +5 d +). Two ventral spinose setae (megaspines) and six ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus III; eight ventral spinose setae (megaspines), one prolateral spinose setae, and six ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus IV. Coxa I: prolateral surface a mix of fine hair-like and very thin tapered setae (Fig. +5 b +). Pedipalps (Fig. +5 e +): Densely clothed in the same setal color as the other legs; two prolateral megaspines (one of these apical) and two apical ventral megaspines are present on the palpal tibia. + + + + + + +Morphology of + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +(female paratype, APH- 5001) +a +carapace, dorsal view +b +coxa of leg I, prolateral view +c +metatarsus and tarsus of leg III, ventral view +d +metatarsus and tarsus of leg IV, ventral view +e +pedipalp, prolateral view +f +spermathecae. Scale bars: 2 mm. + + + +Female variation +( +n += 6). +Cl +7.621 +–9.018 +(8.320 ± 0.44), +Cw +7.433 +–8.908 +(8.171 ± 0.47), +LBl +1.261 +–1.403 +(1.332 ± 0.04), +LBw +1.978 +–2.110 +(2.044 ± 0.04), +F 1 +6.692 +–7.661 +(7.177 ± 0.31), +F 1 w +2.131 +–2.481 +(2.306 ± 0.11), +P 1 +2.885 +–3.568 +(3.227 ± 0.22), +T 1 +4.952 +–5.864 +(5.399 ± 0.32), +M 1 +3.230 +–3.553 +(3.392 ± 0.10), +A 1 +3.530 +–3.854 +(3.692 ± 0.10), L 1 length +21.659 +–24.500 +(23.080 ± 0.90), +F 3 +5.383 +–6.206 +(5.795 ± 0.26), +F 3 w +1.808 +–2.032 +(1.920 ± 0.07), +P 3 +2.408 +–2.628 +(2.518 ± 0.07), +T 3 +3.847 +–4.230 +(4.039 ± 0.12), +M 3 +3.608 +–4.191 +(3.900 ± 0.18), +A 3 +4.104 +–4.340 +(4.222 ± 0.07), L 3 length +19.350 +–21.595 +(20.473 ± 0.71), +F 4 +6.867 +–7.855 +(7.361 ± 0.31), +F 4 w +1.968 +–2.122 +(2.045 ± 0.05), +P 4 +2.596 +–2.969 +(2.783 ± 0.12), +T 4 +5.630 +–6.156 +(5.893 ± 0.17), +M 4 +5.309 +–6.079 +(5.694 ± 0.24), +A 4 +4.741 +–4.845 +(4.793 ± 0.03), L 4 length +25.143 +–27.904 +(26.524 ± 0.87), +SC 3 +ratio +0.505 +–0.571 +(0.538 ± 0.02), +SC 4 +ratio +0.273 +–0.275 +(0.274 ± 0.01), coxa I setae = fine / very thin and tapered. Spermathecae variation as in Fig. +5 f +, Suppl. material 6 (and +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 38 for +APH- +2097). + + + + +Other material. + + + +United States +– +Arizona +• +Cochise County +• +1 ♀ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Southwest Research Station +; + +30 Nov. 1965 + +; +Jon Jenson +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-2097 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Canyon +; + +30 Nov. 1963 + +; +V. Roth +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-2101 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Upper Cave Creek Canyon +; 1966; +Marlene Posedly +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-2102 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Southwest Research Station +; + +31 Oct. 1956 + +; +E. Ordway +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-2105 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Sunny Flat +; + +30 Oct. 1971 + +; +V. Roth +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-2480-A + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Southwest Research Station +; + +20 Nov. 1971 + +; +V. Roth +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-2480-B + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Rustler and Long Park +; + +4 Nov. 1970 + +; +Joan Harper +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-2548 + +• + +1 imm. +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Barfoot Park Helispot +; + +31.91516 ° N +, +109.28504 ° W + +1 +; + +2493 m + +; + +27 Oct. 2019 + +; +Tom Patterson +, +Brent E. Hendrixson +, +Chris A. Hamilton +, +Michael A. Jacobi +, +Chad Campbell +& +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4005 + +• + +1 imm. +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +along Forest Road 42 D above Onion Saddle +; + +31.92838 ° N +, +109.26311 ° W + +1 +; + +2364 m + +; + +20 Oct. 2019 + +; +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4024 + +• + +1 ♀ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +on hillside along Forest Road 42 A +; + +31.88062 ° N +, +109.22087 ° W + +1 +; + +1717 m + +; + +27 Oct. 2019 + +; +Chris A. Hamilton +, +Brent E. Hendrixson +, +Michael A. Jacobi +, +Wyatt Mendez +, +Chad Campbell +& +Tom Patterson +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4006 + +• + +2 ♀ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Barfoot Park Helispot +; + +31.91516 ° N +, +109.28504 ° W + +1 +; + +2493 m + +; + +27 Oct. 2019 + +; +Wyatt Mendez +, +Brent E. Hendrixson +, +Chris A. Hamilton +, +Michael A. Jacobi +, +Chad Campbell +& +Tom Patterson +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4018 +; + +AMNH + +; +APH-4019 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +along Forest Road 42 +; + +31.88139 ° N +, +109.18732 ° W + +1 +; + +1593 m + +; + +26 Oct. 2019 + +; +Chris A. Hamilton +& +Brent E. Hendrixson +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4020 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, 1 +Pogo Hill +; + +31.88061 ° N +, +109.20386 ° W + +1 +; + +1662 m + +; + +27 Oct. 2019 + +; +Chris A. Hamilton +, +Brent E. Hendrixson +& +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4022 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Barfoot Park Helispot +; + +31.91516 ° N +, +109.28504 ° W + +1 +; + +2493 m + +; + +26 Oct. 2019 + +; +Chad Campbell +, +Michael A. Jacobi +& +Tom Patterson +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4029 + +• + +1 ♀ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, 1 +Pogo Hill +; + +31.88061 ° N +, +109.20386 ° W + +1 +; + +1662 m + +; + +9 Sept. 2019 + +; +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5079 + +• + +2 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Barfoot Park Helispot +; + +31.91516 ° N +, +109.28504 ° W + +1 +; + +2493 m + +; + +3 Nov. 2019 + +; +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5080 +, +APH-5081 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +along Forest Road 42 D above Onion Saddle +; + +31.92838 ° N +, +109.26311 ° W + +1 +; + +2364 m + +; + +8 Nov. 2019 + +, +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5082 + +. + + + + +Distribution and natural history. + + + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +is endemic to the Chiricahua Mountains (Figs +7 +, +11 +) in southeastern +Arizona +where it has been encountered in plant communities ranging from mid-elevation Madrean evergreen oak woodlands in Cave Creek Canyon (Fig. +7 e +) to high-elevation mixed conifer forests near Onion Saddle (Fig. +7 a, b +) and Barfoot Park (Fig. +7 c, d +). To our knowledge, it is the only tarantula in the Chiricahua Mountains encountered above the pine-oak woodland zone. The highest confirmed elevation record for this species — as observed by us — is just below +2500 m +at Barfoot Park, but other sightings suggest it is found perhaps as high as +2700 m +near Rustler and Long Parks (see +APH- +2548, misidentified as + +A. chiricahua + +in +Hamilton et al. 2016 +). In the +United States +, only + +A. marxi + +has been reported from higher elevations (~ +2830 m +in the Chuska Mountains of northeastern +New Mexico +, +APH- +0452 in +Hamilton et al. 2016 +), but still far below the elevation records for the remarkable neotropical tarantula genera + +Antikuna +Kaderka, Ferretti, West, Lüddecke & Hüsser, 2021 + +( + +4689 +m, Kaderka et al. 2021 + +), + +Hapalotremus +Simon, 1903 + +( +4524 m +, +Ferretti et al. 2018 +), + +Bistriopelma +Kaderka, 2015 + +( +4398 m +, +Kaderka 2015 +), and + +Euathlus +Ausserer, 1875 + +( + +4153 +m, Quispe-Colca and Ferretti 2021 + +) from the South American Andes. + + + + + + +Dorsal habitus of + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +a +male (APH- 4022) +b +female (APH- 4018). Scale bar: 25 mm. + + + + + + + +Habitat images of + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +from the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona +a, b +type locality along Forest Road 42 D above Onion Saddle +c, d +Barfoot Park +e +along Forest Road 42 A +f +open burrow at the type locality. Photographs of images +d +and +e +provided by +Michael A. Jacobi +. + + + +Mature female and immature individuals of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +have only been extracted from burrows (i. e., specimens have not been observed beneath rocks or other surface debris). Burrows are generally located in meadows or exposed patches of soil with limited overstory structure. This perhaps allows their burrows to receive more direct sunlight to maintain higher temperatures in these otherwise cool habitats. Burrow entrances of mature females measure c. +15 mm +in diameter and have been observed with (Fig. +7 f +) and without traces of silk along the perimeter. The breeding period for this species appears to be limited. Mature males are active during October and November, similar to other fall-breeding members of the + +Marxi + +species group in southeastern +Arizona +, including + +A. chiricahua + +( +Hendrixson et al. 2015 +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +). In fact, males of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +and + +A. chiricahua + +( +APH- +4020 and +APH- +4023, respectively) were observed within +250 m +of each other on consecutive days in late +October 2019 +. Males are most frequently encountered during daylight hours, but one individual ( +APH- +4022) was observed wandering on a mild evening (c. 20 ° C) during early twilight. Two other males ( +APH- +5002, +APH- +5003) were observed at the type locality on a breezy and cool morning (~ 5–10 ° C, ~ 1030 hrs). + + +The discovery of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +documents the first known case of syntopy between five species of + +Aphonopelma + +(i. e., the distributions of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +, + +A. chalcodes + +, + +A. chiricahua + +, + +A. gabeli + +, and + +A. vorhiesi + +overlap in Cave Creek Canyon). As noted above, the breeding periods of + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +and + +A. chiricahua + +— but not + +A. chalcodes + +, + +A. gabeli + +, or + +A. vorhiesi + +— coincide with each other. It is unknown how these two species maintain cohesion and reproductive isolation in the face of significant overlap between their distributions and breeding periods. Future studies should investigate the various factors that promote selection for prezygotic or postzygotic reproductive barriers and reduce potential hybridization between these synchronously breeding populations (see also +Prentice 1997 +). + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/data/61/41/01/61410173E9BC5E7CA68EDDC18A668919.xml b/data/61/41/01/61410173E9BC5E7CA68EDDC18A668919.xml new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..d9450173190 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/61/41/01/61410173E9BC5E7CA68EDDC18A668919.xml @@ -0,0 +1,235 @@ + + + +Discovery of a new tarantula species from the Madrean Sky Islands and the first documented instance of syntopy between two montane endemics (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aphonopelma): a case of prior mistaken identity + + + +Author + +Hamilton, Chris A. +0000-0001-7263-0755 +Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA + + + +Author + +Hendrixson, Brent E. +0000-0003-1759-6405 +Department of Biology, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS 39210, USA + + + +Author + +Silvestre Bringas, Karina +https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3485-2279 +Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA + +text + + +ZooKeys + + +2024 + +2024-08-16 + + +1210 + + +61 +98 + + + +journal article +10.3897/zookeys.1210.125318 +C68C3512-3AAC-4121-B133-0822499395B9 + + + + +Genus + +Aphonopelma +Pocock, 1901 + + + + + + + + +Aphonopelma + +Pocock, 1901: 553 +(type species by original designation + +Eurypelma seemanni +Pickard-Cambridge, 1897 + +). First synonymized with + +Rhechostica + +by + +Raven (1985: 149) + +. + + + + + + + + + +Rhechostica + +Simon, 1892: 162 +(type species by original designation + +Homoeomma texense +Simon, 1891 + +). Suppressed as a senior synonym of + +Aphonopelma + +by + +ICZN (1991 +: 166–167) + +. + + + + + + + + + +Delopelma + +Petrunkevitch, 1939: 567 +(type species by original designation + +Eurypelma marxi +Simon, 1891 + +) (considered a subgenus of + +Aphonopelma + +by + +Chamberlin, 1940: 26 + +). First synonymized with + +Rhechostica + +by + +Raven (1985: 151) + +. + + + + + + + + + +Gosipelma + +Chamberlin, 1940: 4 +(type species by original designation + +Gosipelma angusi +Chamberlin, 1940 + +). Originally described as a subgenus of + +Aphonopelma + +, but never elevated to full generic status. First synonymized with + +Rhechostica + +by + +Raven (1985: 153) + +. + + + + + + + + + +Chaunopelma + +Chamberlin, 1940: 30 +(type species by original designation + +Delopelma radinum +Chamberlin & Ivie, 1939 + +). First synonymized with + +Rhechostica + +by + +Raven (1985: 151) + +. + + + + + + + + + +Apachepelma + +Smith, 1995: 45 +(type species by original designation + +Aphonopelma paloma +Prentice, 1992 + +). First synonymized with + +Aphonopelma + +by + +Prentice (1997: 147) + +. + + + + + + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/data/F2/32/64/F232641538F053638D9711DB8F14709F.xml b/data/F2/32/64/F232641538F053638D9711DB8F14709F.xml new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..0b4196cb9b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/data/F2/32/64/F232641538F053638D9711DB8F14709F.xml @@ -0,0 +1,1463 @@ + + + +Discovery of a new tarantula species from the Madrean Sky Islands and the first documented instance of syntopy between two montane endemics (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aphonopelma): a case of prior mistaken identity + + + +Author + +Hamilton, Chris A. +0000-0001-7263-0755 +Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA + + + +Author + +Hendrixson, Brent E. +0000-0003-1759-6405 +Department of Biology, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS 39210, USA + + + +Author + +Silvestre Bringas, Karina +https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3485-2279 +Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology & Nematology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA + +text + + +ZooKeys + + +2024 + +2024-08-16 + + +1210 + + +61 +98 + + + +journal article +10.3897/zookeys.1210.125318 +C68C3512-3AAC-4121-B133-0822499395B9 + + + + + +Aphonopelma chiricahua +Hamilton, Hendrixson & Bond, 2016 + + + + + +Figs 8 +, +9 +, +10 +, +11 + + + + + + + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +Hamilton et al. 2016: 90–93 +, 95–98, figs 37, 39. + + + + + + + + +Type material. + + + + + +Holotype + +. + +United States +• +♂ +; +Arizona +, +Cochise County +, +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Canyon +, + +1.6 km +past the Cathedral Vista Trailhead along Forest Road 42 (toward the Southwest Research Station) + +; + +31.88133 ° N +, +109.18797 ° W + +4 +; + +1600 m + +; + +14 Nov. 2013 + +; +Helen Snyder +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-3191 +. + + + + + +Remarks. + + +In the original description of + +A. chiricahua +, +Hamilton et al. (2016: 98) + +stated: “ Of particular note is the size of the +holotype +male and +paratype +female; the +two specimens +probably represent opposite extremes on the size spectrum for what is possible in this species. The rather large +holotype +male was chosen because it was a fresh specimen and could be associated with molecular data that was unique from all other samples in the area, at the time. The female, though small, is sexually mature (based on spermathecal development). ” Based on the body size, morphology, and collection data for the female +paratype +of + +A. chiricahua + +( +APH- +2097), we have determined that the specimen was misidentified and should now be considered + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +Similarly, except for the male +holotype +( +APH- +3191), we have determined that the male specimens of + +A. chiricahua + +reported in +Hamilton et al. (2016) +were misidentified and should be considered + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +too. Consequently, a redescription and emended diagnosis for + +A. chiricahua + +are necessary to reassess limits of morphological variation in the species. The following redescription of + +A. chiricahua + +is based on several newly acquired individuals (mature males and females) whose identities have been confirmed by comparing their COX 1 and UCE sequence data to the male +holotype +(Figs +1 +, +2 +; unpublished data). + + + + +Emended diagnosis. + + + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +is a member of the + +Marxi + +species group and can be distinguished by a combination of morphological, genomic, behavioral, and distributional features. This species is a mid- to late-fall breeder endemic to the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern +Arizona +. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA identifies + +A. chiricahua + +as a monophyletic lineage (Figs +1 +, +2 +) that is sister to + +A. catalina + +(and an undetermined species) and phylogenetically distinct from the other tarantula species endemic to the Chiricahua Mountains (i. e., + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +). + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +is found in oak and pine-oak woodlands where its distribution overlaps with + +A. chalcodes + +, + +A. gabeli + +, + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +, and + +A. vorhiesi + +. + + +For features that can be used to distinguish + +A. chiricahua + +from + +A. jacobii + +sp. nov. +, refer to the diagnosis of the latter species provided above. When in doubt, the identity of both species (including immature specimens) can be readily confirmed with COX 1 barcoding. + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +is readily distinguished from + +A. chalcodes + +and + +A. gabeli + +by coloration (Fig. +8 +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: figs 30, 45). Males of + +A. chiricahua + +are similar in appearance to + +A. vorhiesi + +due to their shared coloration (i. e., general black body with bright orange or red setae on the abdomen, Fig. +8 d +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 142), but possess a larger +A 3 +/ +M 4 +ratio ( +0.643 +–0.697 +vs +0.469 +–0.566 +), and breed later in the fall (October – December vs July – October) (note: males of + +A. vorhiesi + +found in October are generally worn and faded whereas males of + +A. chiricahua + +are lively and vibrant). Males of + +A. chiricahua + +can be further distinguished from other members of the + +Marxi + +species group by the following important ratios: +A 3 +/ +M 4 +( +0.643 +–0.697 +) is larger than + +A. bacadehuachi + +(0.495), + +A. catalina + +( +0.477 +–0.520 +), + +A. madera + +( +0.540 +–0.602 +), and + +A. peloncillo + +( +0.457 +–0.581 +); and +F 1 +/ +T 1 +( +1.118 +–1.196 +) is slightly smaller than + +A. marxi + +( +1.199 +–1.297 +). Additional ratios that might be useful for separating males of + +A. chiricahua + +from various other members of the + +Marxi + +species group include +Cl +/ +A 3 +, +Cl +/ +M 3 +, +F 3 +/ +M 4 +, +PTl +/ +M 3 +, +PTl +/ +M 4 +, +PTl +/ w, and +T 1 +/ +F 3 +(see Suppl. material 5). + + + + + + +Live habitus of + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +a, b +in situ female (APH- 5400) +c +female (APH- 5050) +d +male (APH- 5144). Photographs of images +a +and +b +provided by Leonardo Chávez; photograph of image +c +provided by +Michael A. Jacobi +. + + + +Females of + +A. chiricahua + +are similar in appearance to + +A. vorhiesi + +due to their overlapping body sizes ( +Cl +14.230 +–15.530 +v. +11.230 +–16.380 +) but possess slightly different coloration (Fig. +8 a – c +; +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 142) and a larger +T 1 +/ +P 4 +ratio ( +2.217 +–2.311 +vs +1.774 +–2.091 +). Furthermore, females of + +A. chiricahua + +can be distinguished from other members of the + +Marxi + +species group by the following important ratio: +T 1 +/ +P 4 +( +2.217 +–2.311 +) is larger than + +A. bacadehuachi + +(0.781), + +A. catalina + +( +1.985 +–2.045 +), + +A. madera + +( +1.854 +–2.097 +), + +A. marxi + +( +1.909 +–2.108 +), and + +A. peloncillo + +( +1.704 +–2.013 +). Additional ratios that might be useful for separating females of + +A. chiricahua + +from various other members of the + +Marxi + +species group include +SC 4 +and +M 1 +/ +M 4 +(see Suppl. material 5). + + + + + +Redescription of male +holotype + + + + +( +APH- +3191 +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: figs 36, 37). + +Specimen collected alive wandering on road, preserved in 80 % ethanol; original coloration faded due to preservation ( +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 37 a). Left legs I, III, IV, and left pedipalp removed for measurements and photographs; stored in vial with specimen. Right legs III and IV removed for DNA and stored at - 80 ° C at + +UIM + +. General coloration: black or faded black. Cephalothorax: +Cl +11.420, +Cw +11.220; densely clothed with black / faded black pubescence, slightly appressed to surface and longer than lower elevation species, slight iridescence; fringe covered in long setae not closely appressed to surface; foveal groove medium deep and straight; pars cephalica region rises gradually from foveal groove, gently arching anteriorly toward ocular area; AER slightly procurved, PER very slightly recurved; normal sized chelicerae; clypeus slightly extends forward on a curve; +LBl +1.37, +LBw +1.61; sternum hirsute, clothed with medium black, densely packed setae. Abdomen: densely clothed in short black / brown pubescence with numerous longer, paler setae interspersed (generally red or orange in vita, +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 36), longer with a more hirsute appearance than lower elevation species; dense dorsal patch of black Type I urticating setae ( +Cooke et al. 1972 +); ventral setae same as dorsal. Legs: hirsute; densely clothed with medium length black / brown setae, and longer setae ventrally. Metatarsus I slightly curved. +F 1 +12.72; +F 1 w +3.28; +P 1 +4.95; +T 1 +11.37; +M 1 +7.61; +A 1 +6.16; L 1 length 42.812; +F 3 +9.53; +F 3 w +2.98; +P 3 +4.11; +T 3 +7.60; +M 3 +7.79; +A 3 +6.84; L 3 length 35.878; +F 4 +11.41; +F 4 w +3.20; +P 4 +4.41; +T 4 +9.67; +M 4 +10.28; +A 4 +7.78; L 4 length 43.559; femur III is normal, not noticeably swollen or wider than other legs ( +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 37 c). All tarsi fully scopulate. Extent of metatarsal scopulation: leg III ( +SC 3 +) = 65.5 %, leg IV ( +SC 4 +) = 37.9 % ( +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 37 d, e). Three ventral spinose setae (megaspines), one retrolateral spinose seta, and five ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus III; nine ventral spinose setae (megaspines), one prolateral spinose setae, and three ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus IV; two ventral megaspines are present on mating clasper (tibia I); three megaspines, that project anteriorly, can be found on the ventral tibial apophysis ( +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 37 i). Coxa I: prolateral surface a mix of fine hair-like and thin / very thin tapered setae ( +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 37 b). Pedipalps: hirsute; densely clothed in the same setal color as the other legs, with numerous longer ventral setae; one spinose seta at the apical, prolateral femur and four spinose setae on the prolateral tibia ( +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. 37 f); +PTl +7.34, +PTw +2.82. When extended, embolus tapers with a gentle curve to the retrolateral side near apex, embolus slender, no keels ( +Hamilton et al. 2016 +: fig. +37 g +, h). + + +Male variation +( +n += 6). +Cl +7.673 +–12.230 +(9.864 ± 2.00), +Cw +6.968 +–11.620 +(9.295 ± 0.87), +LBl +0.886 +–1.368 +(1.147 ± 0.08), +LBw +1.609 +–2.019 +(1.773 ± 0.07), +F 1 +8.560 +–13.229 +(10.767 ± 0.86), +F 1 w +1.892 +–3.281 +(2.465 ± 0.22), +P 1 +3.180 +–4.947 +(3.965 ± 0.31), +T 1 +7.529 +–11.372 +(9.396 ± 0.72), +M 1 +4.452 +–7.911 +(6.307 ± 0.61), +A 1 +3.911 +–6.605 +(5.279 ± 0.49), L 1 length +27.681 +–43.106 +(35.713 ± 2.96), +F 3 +6.325 +–9.882 +(8.167 ± 0.70), +F 3 w +1.673 +–3.038 +(2.499 ± 0.25), +P 3 +2.397 +–4.112 +(3.180 ± 0.29), +T 3 +4.605 +–7.673 +(6.275 ± 0.55), +M 3 +4.603 +–7.919 +(6.414 ± 0.62), +A 3 +4.452 +–6.952 +(5.702 ± 0.49), L 3 length +22.517 +–35.878 +(29.738 ± 2.61), +F 4 +7.650 +–12.048 +(9.817 ± 0.83), +F 4 w +1.638 +–3.205 +(2.348 ± 0.24), +P 4 +2.593 +–4.414 +(3.368 ± 0.29), +T 4 +6.314 +–10.272 +(8.129 ± 0.66), +M 4 +6.384 +–10.378 +(8.616 ± 0.76), +A 4 +4.967 +–7.880 +(6.415 ± 0.51), L 4 length +28.192 +–43.726 +(36.345 ± 2.98), +PTl +4.885 +–7.529 +(6.375 ± 0.50), +PTw +1.933 +–3.171 +(2.536 ± 0.20), +SC 3 +ratio +0.542 +–0.656 +(0.59 ± 0.02), +SC 4 +ratio +0.220 +–0.416 +(0.324 ± 0.03), coxa I setae = fine / very thin and tapered, femur III condition = normal, not noticeably swollen or wider than other legs. + + + + +Description of new female exemplar + + + +( +APH- +5400: Figs +8 a, b +, +9 +). + +Specimen collected live from burrow, preserved in 80 % ethanol; original coloration faded due to preservation (Fig. +9 a +). Left legs I, III, IV, and pedipalp removed for photographs and measurements; stored in vial with specimen. Genital plate with spermathecae removed and cleared, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration: dark brown and faded black. Cephalothorax: +Cl +15.530, +Cw +14.350; hirsute, densely clothed with brown / black pubescence closely appressed to surface; fringe densely covered in longer setae; foveal groove medium deep and slightly procurved; pars cephalica region gently rises from thoracic furrow, arching anteriorly toward ocular area; carapace was cracked during specimen measurements; AER slightly procurved, PER recurved; robust chelicerae, clypeus is generally straight but extends forward on a slight curve in front of the eyes; +LBl +1.65, +LBw +2.69; sternum hirsute, clothed with medium short brown setae. Abdomen: densely clothed dorsally in black / brown setae with numerous longer, paler setae interspersed (generally red or orange in vita, Fig. +8 a, b +); dense dorsal patch of black Type I urticating setae ( +Cooke et al. 1972 +); ventral setae shorter than dorsal. Spermathecae (Fig. +9 f +): paired and separated, tapering from wide bases (not fused) and slightly curving medially towards capitate bulbs. Legs: hirsute; densely clothed in short and medium black / brown pubescence; +F 1 +12.486, +F 1 w +4.127, +P 1 +5.202, +T 1 +9.772, +M 1 +6.865, +A 1 +6.037, L 1 length 40.362, +F 3 +10.323, +F 3 w +3.768, +P 3 +4.409, +T 3 +6.94, +M 3 +6.828, +A 3 +7.108, L 3 length 35.608, +F 4 +11.915, +F 4 w +3.634, +P 4 +4.228, +T 4 +9.58, +M 4 +9.569, +A 4 +6.976, L 4 length 42.268. All tarsi fully scopulate. Extent of metatarsal scopulation: leg III ( +SC 3 +) = 41.6 %, leg IV ( +SC 4 +) = 43.3 % (Fig. +9 c, d +). Three ventral spinose setae (megaspines), one retrolateral spinose seta, and two ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus III; four ventral spinose setae (megaspines), one prolateral spinose setae, and three ventral spinose setae at the apical edge on metatarsus IV. Coxa I: prolateral surface a mix of fine hair-like and thin tapered setae (Fig. +9 b +). Pedipalps (Fig. +9 e +): densely clothed in the same setal color as the other legs; one megaspine at the apical edge of the prolateral femur, five prolateral megaspines on the tibia (two on the apical edge), one ventral megaspine on the tibia. + + + + + + +Morphology of + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +(female, APH- 5400) +a +carapace, dorsal view +b +coxa of leg I, prolateral view +c +metatarsus and tarsus of leg III, ventral view +d +metatarsus and tarsus of leg IV, ventral view +e +pedipalp, prolateral view +f +spermathecae. Scale bars: 2 mm. + + + +Female variation +( +n += 2). +Cl +14.230 +–15.530 +(14.880 ± 0.65), +Cw +12.960 +–14.350 +(13.655 ± 0.69), +LBl +1.62–1.65 (1.635 ± 0.01), +LBw +2.690 +–2.874 +(2.782 ± 0.09), +F 1 +11.362 +–12.486 +(11.924 ± 0.56), +F 1 w +4.058 +–4.127 +(4.093 ± 0.03), +P 1 +5.121 +–5.202 +(5.162 ± 0.04), +T 1 +9.599 +–9.772 +(9.686 ± 0.09), +M 1 +6.151 +–6.865 +(6.508 ± 0.36), +A 1 +5.838 +–6.037 +(5.938 ± 0.10), L 1 length +38.071 +–40.362 +(39.217 ± 1.15), +F 3 +8.980 +–10.323 +(9.652 ± 0.67), +F 3 w +3.190 +–3.768 +(3.479 ± 0.29), +P 3 +3.737 +–4.409 +(4.073 ± 0.34), +T 3 +6.319 +–6.940 +(6.630 ± 0.31), +M 3 +6.761 +–6.828 +(6.795 ± 0.03), +A 3 +5.657 +–7.108 +(6.383 ± 0.73), L 3 length +31.454 +–35.608 +(33.531 ± 2.08), +F 4 +11.749 +–11.915 +(11.832 ± 0.08), +F 4 w +3.418 +–3.634 +(3.526 ± 0.11), +P 4 +4.228 +–4.329 +(4.279 ± 0.05), +T 4 +9.439 +–9.580 +(9.510 ± 0.07), +M 4 +9.162 +–9.569 +(9.366 ± 0.20), +A 4 +6.697 +–6.976 +(6.837 ± 0.14), L 4 length +41.376 +–42.268 +(41.822 ± 0.45), +SC 3 +ratio +0.417 +–0.524 +(0.47 ± 0.05), +SC 4 +ratio +0.408 +–0.434 +(0.421 ± 0.01), coxa I setae = fine / thin and tapered. Spermathecae variation as in Fig. +9 f +, Suppl. material 7. + + + + +Other material. + + + +United States +– +Arizona +• +Cochise County +• +1 imm. +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +along Forest Road 42 +; + +31.89129 ° N +, +109.21079 ° W + +1 +; + +1693 m + +; + +26 Oct. 2019 + +; +Brent E. Hendrixson +, +Chris A. Hamilton +, +Michael A. Jacobi +, +Chad Campbell +& +Tom Patterson +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4021 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +along Forest Road 42 +; + +31.88151 ° N +, +109.18972 ° W + +1 +; + +1608 m + +; + +27 Oct. 2019 + +; +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-4023 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Canyon +, +along Forest Road 42 +; + +31.90136 ° N +, +109.15945 ° W + +1 +; + +1501 m + +; + +31 Oct. 2018 + +; +Brent E. Hendrixson +& +Michael A. Jacobi +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5004 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Canyon +, +along Forest Road 42 +; + +31.90152 ° N +, +109.15932 ° W + +1 +; + +1501 m + +; + +11 Oct. 2018 + +; +Michael A. Jacobi +leg., + +UIM + +; +APH-5005 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, + +1 km +from entrance to + +Chiricahua National Monument +; + +32.00918 ° N +, +109.38123 ° W + +1 +; + +1574 m + +; + +30 Oct. 2018 + +; +Brent E. Hendrixson +& +Michael A. Jacobi +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5006 + +• + +1 imm. +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Visitor Information Center restroom +; + +31.89902 ° N +, +109.16243 ° W + +1 +; + +1512 m + +; + +17 Oct. 2018 + +; +Michael A. Jacobi +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5010 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Canyon +, +along Forest Road 42 at horse corral +; + +31.89820 ° N +, +109.16286 ° W + +1 +; + +1515 m + +; + +16 Nov. 2018 + +; +Michael A. Jacobi +leg.; + +AMNH + +; +APH-5049 + +• + +1 ♀ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +on hillside along Forest Road 42 +; + +31.89057 ° N +, +109.21072 ° W + +1 +; + +1720 m + +; + +21 June 2018 + +; +Michael A. Jacobi +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5050 + +• + +1 imm. +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Canyon +, +Cathedral Vista Point Trail +; + +31.88529 ° N +, +109.17266 ° W + +1 +; + +1567 m + +; + +11 Nov. 2019 + +; +Wyatt Mendez +& +Walter Schoepfle +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5078 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Visitor Information Center +; + +31.89916 ° N +, +109.16204 ° W + +4 +; + +1506 m + +; + +9 Nov. 2021 + +; +David Jasper +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5126 + +• + +1 ♂ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +along Forest Road 42 +; + +31.88151 ° N +, +109.19304 ° W + +4 +; + +1618 m + +; + +12 Oct. 2021 + +; +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5144 + +• + +1 ♀ +; +Chiricahua Mountains +, +Cave Creek Canyon +, +Cathedral Vista Point area +; + +31.88434 ° N +, +109.17143 ° W + +1 +; + +1634 m + +; + +30 Aug. 2023 + +; +Chris A. Hamilton +, +Leonardo Chávez +& +Wyatt Mendez +leg.; + +UIM + +; +APH-5400 + +. + + + + +Distribution and natural history. + + + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +is endemic to the Chiricahua Mountains (Figs +10 +, +11 +) in southeastern +Arizona +where it has been encountered in mid-elevation Madrean evergreen oak woodlands and pine-oak woodlands (Fig. +10 a – c +; ~ +1500–1720 m +). +Hamilton et al. (2016) +noted that very little was known about the natural history of + +A. chiricahua + +. At the time, we had never observed this species in the field despite having spent hundreds of person-hours searching for it during the preceding decade. The lack of observations prompted us to hypothesize that “ these spiders probably seek refuge under rocks and rarely place silk around their burrow entrances ” ( +Hamilton et al. 2016: 95 +, 97). We now know that this is not entirely the case. The burrows of two mature females, one found in +June 2018 +( +APH- +5050) as reported by +Jacobi (2018) +and the other found in +August 2023 +( +APH- +5400; Fig. +10 d +), were indeed covered by a dense mat of silk. Both burrows were found in exposed grassy areas among scattered woodland vegetation. Nevertheless, mature females remain incredibly difficult to find. We are unsure whether this is because females are rare, if they are simply exceptionally good at concealing their burrow entrances, or both. Immature specimens have been found under rocks ( +APH- +4021), inside small burrows located along vertical banks ( +APH- +5078), and inside human-made structures ( +APH- +5010). Mature males are diurnally active in October, November, and perhaps early December (see +https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=785835144804065 +for an observation tentatively attributed to this species that was shared by the staff at Chiricahua National Monument). + + + + + + +Habitat images of + +Aphonopelma chiricahua + +from the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona +a, b +Madrean pine-oak woodland near the Cathedral Vista Trail off Forest Road 42 +c +rocky and grassy microhabitat near the Cathedral Vista Trail +d +silk-covered burrow of a mature female (APH- 5400). Photographs of images +b +and +d +provided by Leonardo Chávez. + + + + + + + +Map showing the known distribution of + +Aphonopelma jacobii + +sp. nov. +(red circles) and + +A. chiricahua + +(yellow circles) in the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona. + + + + + \ No newline at end of file