Naatlo fauna (Simon 1897)

Naatlo fauna (Simon)

Theridiosoma fauna Simon, 1897a:483, figs. 1, 2, 7, 8 [webs and eggsacs].—Bonnet, 1959:4433.—Roewer, 1942:970. [A syntype series of 1 male and 19 females from San Esteban, CARABOBO, Venezuela, in MNHN, Paris, examined. Female lectotype here designated.]

DIAGNOSIS.—Males and females of fauna may be distinguished from other Naatlo species by the abdominal color pattern (Figures 91, 92). Naatlo splendida has a lateral silver stripe on the abdomen, and no paired spots on the dorsum. The epigynal flap of sutila is narrower than the sternum, whereas in fauna it is subequal or wider. The lateral lobes in the copulatory bursa are pointed, not blunt (Figure 94).

DESCRIPTION.—Female: From Colombia, VALLE. Total length 2.2 mm. Cephalothorax 0.89 mm long, 0.77 mm wide, 0.77 mm high, head region not markedly elevated, carapace opposite fovea higher, forming “shoulders” (Figure 92). Sternum 0.50 mm long, 0.45 mm wide. AME slightly less than PME diameter, separated by their diameter. PME separation their diameter. ALE, PLE slightly larger than AME, separated from AME, PME by their diameter. Clypeus height 2 times AME diameter. Abdomen 1.3 mm long, 1.2 mm wide, 1.1 mm high. Dorsum of abdomen dusky with distinct large marginal light blotches, blotches paired or forming transverse bands posteriorly (Figure 91); sides dark, venter dark laterally, dark patch between spinnerets and epigynum. Abdomen rounded above, longer than high, extending posteriorly far beyond spinnerets (Figure 92). Epigynal flap with posterior transverse groove (Figure 93), flap 2.6 times wider than long, subequal to sternal width. Bursae rounded (Figure 95).

Scale lines: 0.1 mm, except 91, 92, 0.5 mm.

Leg lengths of female described above (±0.02 mm).

Male: From Colombia, VALLE. Total length 2.2 mm. Cephalothorax 0.91 mm long, 0.72 mm wide, 0.74 mm high, head region not markedly elevated, carapace lateral to fovea higher, forming “shoulders.” Sternum 0.44 mm long, 0.41 mm wide. Eye group as in female, clypeus height AME diameter. Abdomen 1.3 mm long, 1.1 mm wide, 1.2 mm high. Color of carapace, sternum, abdomen and legs as in female. Abdomen more ovoid in lateral view than in female. Unexpanded palp as in other members of the genus, expanded as in Figures 96–98.

Leg lengths of male described above (±0.02 mm).

VARIATION.—Females range in length from 2.3 to 2.9 mm, males from 1.7 to 2.2 mm. The color pattern varies in intensity of pigmentation, and in lighter specimens the diagnostic light blotches may be open laterally. Females from Panama are very light, and the abdomen dorsum is almost a uniform dusky color. Naatlo splendida and N. fauna overlap in many characters, but splendida always has silvery stripes on the sides of the abdomen.

NATURAL HISTORY.—The species occurs over a wide altitudinal range (50–1800 m), apparently in wet forest or cloud forest. Web (Figure 69) with numerous radii, hub loops, no radial anastomosis, and a tension line.

RANGE.—Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Ecuador, and Brazil (Map 3).

RECORDS.—COSTA RICA. SAN JOSÉ: Quizarrá, 9 km SW San Isidro del General, 2500 m (, MCZ). PANAMA. PANAMÁ: Lake Gatún, Barro Colorado Island (, MCZ). COLOMBIA. VALLE: 28 km E of Buenaventura, nr Saladito, 1800 m (, , numerous records, MCZ); Río San Juan, tributary of Río Dagua nr Queremal, 1300 m (, MCZ); above Atuncela, 1800 m (, MCZ); Central Hidalgo Anchicayá, 400 m (, MCZ). VENEZUELA. ARAGUA: Choroní (, AMNH). CARABOBO: San Esteban (, , MNHN). TRINIDAD. ST. GEORGE: Arima Rd., gap to Blanchisseuse (, AMNH). ECUADOR. PICHINCHA: Río Palenque, 47 km SW Santo Domingo, on road to Queredo (, MCZ). BRAZIL. RIO DE JANEIRO: Teresópolis, (, MCZ).

Naatlo fauna est une espèce d'araignées aranéomorphes de la famille des Theridiosomatidae.