Abstract
A new species of Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892 is described and illustrated, based on eight male specimens collected at the Una Biological Reserve, southern state of Bahia, Brazil. It is distinguished by the morphology of male palpal bulb and tibial apophysis. The new species is very small and is the smallest theraphosid described to date (body length 5.5 mm). It is distinguished from congeners by the size, which vary from 12 mm (T. riopretano) to 23.8 mm (T. nubilus) in other species of the genus, aspect of palpal bulb, sternal posterior sigillae close to sternal margin and by the aspect of tibial apophysis which lacks the prolateral branch. Tmesiphantes presently comprises nine species. Sixth have been described for the southern region of Bahia, a well known area of endemism in the Atlantic Forest. Identification keys for Tmesiphantes males and females are presented.
Highlights
Tmesiphantes comprises small to medium sized tarantula spiders, with labium and maxillae with few cuspules, rounded sternum, urticating setae type III and IV, femur III incrassate, male palpal bulb with curved embolus bearing two keels, and spermathecal receptacles with subapical constriction
Tmesiphantes was originally described by SIMON (1892) for T. nubilus, based on a male and a female from the state of Bahia
RAVEN (1985) considered Tmesiphantes as junior synonym of Dryptopelma Simon, 1889 and confirmed the taxonomic changes made by GERSCHMANN DE PIKELIN & SCHIAPELLI (1972)
Summary
Paratypes of T. bethaniae: two males from Uruçuca, Bahia, Brazil, March 2002, J.P.L. Guadanucci leg. Four males of T. nubilus from Uruçuca, Bahia, Brazil, March 2002, J.P.L. Guadanucci leg. Male holotype of T. perp from Parque Estadual do Rio Preto, São Gonçalo do Rio Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 19 January 2010, J.P.L. Guadanucci, W.F. Silva, D. Holotype male of Melolleitaoina uru from Salta, Argentina, undated collection, Goloboff, Coyle & Bennet leg. The apical end of embolus is as wide as the mid portion, resembling representatives of T. bethaniae and T. aridai It differs from those species by the sternal posterior sigillae close to sternal margin and by the produced prolateral inferior keel. Male holotype (IBSP 9954): (1) dorsal habitus; (2-4) male palpal bulb: (2) prolateral view; (3) retrolateral view; (4) dorsal view; (5) cephalotorax, vental view; (6-7) tibial apophysis; (6) lateral view; (7) ventral view.
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