A Taxonomic Revision Of The Spider Genus Meriola Banks (Araneae: Trachelidae) Author González, María E. 0000-0003-1609-0314 mariaegm86@gmail.com Author Grismado, Cristian J. 0000-0002-1260-7964 grismado@macn.gov.ar Author Ramírez, Martín J. 0000-0002-0358-0130 ramirez@macn.gov.ar text Zootaxa 2021 2021-02-24 4936 1 1 113 journal article 7437 10.11646/zootaxa.4936.1.1 5404afb9-168e-4d0f-b386-da1c314df1d9 1175-5326 4559165 DAC2F49B-EE13-4827-B549-C59B9C43550B Meriola quilicura Platnick & Ewing Figs 67–69 , 93 Meriola quilicura Platnick & Ewing, 1995: 29 , figs 69–71 (male holotype from Quilicura , Santiago , Región Metropolitana , Chile , in AMNH, examined). Diagnosis. Males ( Figs 68–69 ) can be distinguished by the distally expanded palpal tibia, the short RTA, and the short, prolaterally directed embolus. Females ( Fig. 67 ) can by distinguished by the curved lateral ridges and small, oval, medially situated CDR ( Fig. 69b ). Note. The female newly described here was not collected together with the known males of M. quilicura ; it is tentatively associated to the male by the leg spination pattern. The male has thick, elongate scopular setae, although not as long as those in the female ( Figs 69a, c ). Description. Female (MACN-Ar 36314): Carapace length 1.47, width 1.18, narrowed in eye region. Carapace with few setae and low tubercles. Palpal tarsus length 0.33. Sternum length 0.91, width 0.77. Length of tibia/metatarsus: I, 1.10/0.83; II, 0.87/0.70; III, 0.67/0.63; IV, 1.17/1.17. Spines: Leg I, femur p 1ap. II, femur d 1ba, p 1-0-1. III, femur d 1ba; tibia p 1ap, v 1p-0-1p; metatarsus p 0-1-0, v lp-lp-0, r 0-1-0. IV, femur d 1 ba; tibia v 1p-1p-0, r 1ap; metatarsus p 0-1-1, v 1p-1p-0, r 1ba. Leg cuspules absent. Tibia and metatarsus of legs I and II with dense rows of long setae, probably modified scopular setae ( Fig. 69a ), metatarsi of legs III and IV with distinct preening comb. Opisthosoma length 2.40. Color in ethanol: Prosoma brownish, with dark reticulations and dark border. Chelicerae dark brown. Legs pale orange, with vague traces of dark markings. Sternum brownish, with dark reticulations. Opisthosoma grayish-brown dorsally, with reticulations and posterior chevrons. Venter grayish, with reticulations and longitudinal dark stripes. Epigyne ( Fig. 67h ): median field wide, curved lateral ridges, hood absent. Copulatory openings in posterior position; copulatory ducts short, connecting longitudinally with small and oval CDR, S2 large and weakly sclerotized, S1 small ( Fig. 69b ). FIGURE 69. Meriola quilicura Platnick & Ewing. a , female right legs I and II, ventral view (MACN-Ar 36314); b , epigyne cleared, dorsal view. c , male right legs I and II, ventral view (MACN-Ar 20430); d , same, carapace, anterior view; e , left palp, ventral view; f , same, prolateral view; g , same, retrolateral view. FIGURE 70. Meriola rahue Platnick & Ewing , female (MACN-Ar 33092). a , habitus, dorsal view; b , same, ventral view; c , same, lateral view; d, prosoma, dorsal view; e , same, ventral view; f , same, lateral view; g , habitus, anterior view; h , epigyne, ventral view. FIGURE 71. Meriola rahue Platnick & Ewing , male (MACN-Ar 20251). a , habitus, dorsal view; b , same, ventral view; c , same, lateral view; d , prosoma, dorsal view; e , same, ventral view; f , same, lateral view. Male described by Platnick & Ewing (1995) . Natural history and habitat. Unknown. Distribution: Known from central Chile in Regions Coquimbo , Valparaiso and Metropolitana, and Río Negro province in Argentina ( Fig. 93 ). New records: CHILE : Región IV de Coquimbo : Provincia de Elqui : Totoralillo Norte , S 29.559194° , W 71.316056° , 12.VII.2009 , under stones, M. Izquierdo , A. Ojanguren , J. Pizarro & F. Alfaro , 1 female , temporary preparations MGM-00466, MGM-00467 ( MACN-Ar 36314 ) . ARGENTINA : Río Negro : Bariloche : Cerro Challhuaco , S 41.2152° , W 71.30527° , elev. 1006 m , III.2006 , pitfall traps , V. Werenkraut , 1 male , temporary preparations MGM-00220–00221 ( MACN-Ar 20430 ) .