Abstract
A new monotypic Theraphosidae genus, Kankuamo Perafán, Galvis & Pérez-Miles, gen. n., is described from Colombia, with a new type of urticating setae. These setae differ from others principally by having a small distal oval patch of lanceolate reversed barbs. Males of Kankuamo gen. n. additionally differ by having a palpal bulb organ very divergent from all known species, with many conspicuous keels dispersed across the median tegulum to the tip, mostly with serrated edges. Females differ by having spermathecae with a single notched receptacle, with two granulated lobes and several irregular sclerotized longitudinal striations. The new urticating setae, type VII, is characterized, illustrated and its releasing mechanism is discussed. It is hypothesized that these setae are the first in Theraphosinae subfamily whose release mechanism is by direct contact. Kankuamo gen. n. is described and illustrated on the basis of the type species Kankuamo marquezi Perafán, Galvis & Gutiérrez, sp. n., and their remarkable characteristics, morphological affinities and cladistic relationship are analyzed.
Highlights
Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869 is the most speciose of the Mygalomorphae with more than 130 genera and 980 species (World Spider Catalogue 2015), mainly distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions, and currently divided into 11 subfamilies (Guadanucci 2014)
Considering the size and morphology of the urticating setae in Kankuamo gen. n., we propose them as a novel type, here naming them as type VII urticating setae
Male differs from other genera by having a curved sub-conical palpal bulb with many conspicuous keels distributed throughout the majority of the subtegulum and embolus, especially developed on the dorsal and prolateral faces, most of them with serrated edges (Fig. 3E–3I)
Summary
Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869 is the most speciose of the Mygalomorphae with more than 130 genera and 980 species (World Spider Catalogue 2015), mainly distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions, and currently divided into 11 subfamilies (Guadanucci 2014). This family comprises large sized and setose spiders commonly known as tarantulas in the New World. A unique morphological characteristic of most New World theraphosids is the presence of defensive urticating setae (Cooke et al 1972) This defense mechanism is found in roughly 540 of the 600 theraphosid Neotropical species (Bertani and Guadanucci 2013). The arboreal tarantulas Tapinauchenius Ausserer, 1871 and Psalmopoeus Pocock, 1895, and several ‘Ischnocolinae’ genera are the only New World theraphosids that lack any urticating setae (Bertani and Guadanucci 2013)
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