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Myrmecotypus haddadi Perger & Rubio 2021, sp. nov.
No full textMyrmecotypus haddadi sp. nov. ( LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 16B033D9-2AC3-415D-8741-B32C349CF7F0) Figs 2, 3, 4. Type material. Holotype ♂ from BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz department, Santa Cruz de la Colina, Urubo (-17.760833°; -63.24°), 432 m a.s.l., 21 Dec 2019, leg. R. Perger, Cerrado-like grassland adjacent to fragment of Chiquitano forest (ZMH-A0015356). Paratypes: 1 ♂, same data as holotype (ZMH-A0015357). 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Santa Maria la Antigua (- 17.3719°; -63.6563°), Cerradao, ~ 30 m away from Cerrado savanna, 13 Apr 2018, leg. R. Perger (IBSI-Ara1463). Etymology. The specific epithet, haddadi, is a patronym in honour of Charles R. Haddad in recognition of his contributions to the taxonomy of Castianeirinae. Diagnosis. Judging from the light coxa II and the remainder of coxae dark (Figs 2; 4B), the tibia I ventral spination 3-3 and the male genital bulb with two loops lateral to main sperm duct (Fig. 3 A-C), the species is most closely related to M. iguazu Rubio & Arbino, 2009, M. rubrofemoratus Perger & Rubio, 2021 and M. tahyinandu Perger & Rubio, 2020 (this combination of characters is not found in other congeners). Myrmecotypus haddadi sp. nov. can be separated from these species by a broader carapace in relation to the carapace length (carapace index of 57 in male and 54 in female) and the cephalic width (cephalic index of 67 in male and 70 in female) (Figs 2A, 4A, C); embolus of male palp cat claw-shaped, forming beak-like structure with a spatula-shaped tegular projection (coupling piece) (Fig. 3A, B), epigyne with two widely separated, rounded genital openings mediolateral to spermathecae (Fig. 3D, E) (see Tab. 1 for comparisons). Remarks. Rubio & Arbino (2009) and Perger & Rubio (2020a) hypothesized that some Neotropical species of Apochinomma Pavesi, 1881 may belong to Myrmecotypus. Amongst those species, A. formicoides Mello-Leitão, 1939, is the only with a sub-globose abdomen and light coxa II (the remainder of coxae dark) (Mello-Leitão 1939). This species can be distinguished from M. haddadi sp. nov. by a carapace index of 41 and the distance between the inner margins of the PLE being as wide as the maximum width of the AER (Mello-Leitão 1939) (wider in the new species). Description of male holotype. Body length 5.23; carapace length 2.79, width 1.58, carapace index 57; cephalic width 1.09, cephalic index 67; sternum length 1.28, width 0.93, sternum index 72; abdomen length 2.21, width 1.62, abdominal index 73; petiole length 0.09, width 0.38; dorsal sclerite length 2.21, width 1.62; epigastric sclerite length 0.63, width 1.07; ventral sclerite length 0.95, width 0.73; inframamillary sclerite length 0.23, width 0.56. AER 0.64; AME–AME 0.09; AME–ALE 0.04; PER 0.91; PME–PME 0.24; PME–PLE 0.17. Carapace (Fig. 2A, C). Obovate, squarely truncated anteriorly, front slightly convex, cephalic region narrowed, laterally slightly concave, thoracic region distinctly broadening in middle, evenly narrowing in posterior direction, posterior margin straight; slight constriction between cephalic and thoracic regions and posterior region strongly convex when viewed laterally. Dorsum weakly shiny, smooth, dark brown; setae short, appressed, white, simple, relatively dense laterally between cephalic and thoracic regions but not obscuring integument (setae mostly abraded after storage in ethanol). Eyes. Eight eyes in two rows; both slightly recurved, diameter of AME about 30% larger than that of other eyes. Chelicerae. Orange brown, shiny, glabrous, area between retro- and promarginal rows of cheliceral teeth orange white with dense white hairs, 2 retro- and 2 promarginal teeth. Abdomen. Short oval; anterior margin of petiole straight; dorsal sclerite completely covering abdomen dorsally and laterally; ventral sclerite fully developed, covering area between ventro-lateral margins of dorsal scutum and between epigastric and inframamillary sclerites; inframamillary sclerite narrow, subrectangular. Dorsum weakly shiny, smooth, dark brown; abdominal setae long, simple, not sclerotized to spines, dark; simple, short, white setae on abdomen; transverse band of feathery setae in middle; separate, long, erected white setae on posterior part (most setae strongly abraded). Legs. Coxa II translucent white, remainder of coxae dark brown, trochanters I-IV whitish-yellow; femora I and II translucent white, broad black bands along edges, remainder of leg I and II yellow; femora and tibiae III and IV dark brown, edges lined with bands of short, appressed, white feathery setae, base patella IV translucent white ventrally, metatarsi and tarsi III and IV light brown. Palp. Margin of pedipalp tibia continuous; tarsus with relatively broad genital bulb drawn out into broad neck, embolus cat claw-shaped, not twisted, forming beak-like structure with spatula-shaped tegular projection (coupling projection) (Fig. 3A, B); sperm ducts with two loops, both lateral and basal to embolus tube (Fig. 3A, B). Female paratype. Body length 4.4; carapace length 2.16, width 1.16; carapace index 53.7; cephalic width 0.81, cephalic index 70; sternum length 0.87, width 0.62, sternum index 71.3; abdomen length 2.12, width 1.59, abdominal index 75; petiole length 0.2; dorsal sclerite length 1.5, width 1.52; epigastric sclerite length 0.55, width 0.9; inframamillary sclerite length 0.2; width 0.4. AER 0.48; AME–AME 0.06; AME–ALE 0.02. PER 0.7; PME– PME 0.2; PME–PLE 0.12. Posterior part of carapace slightly convex when seen in lateral view (Fig. 4B), dorsal sclerite shorter than in male (Fig. 4B), 70% of abdomen length, posterior border slightly convex, ventral sclerite absent; remaining somatic characters as in male. Epigyne. With two widely separated, rounded genital openings mediolateral to spermathecae; two slight pouches (or furrows) posterior to each opening (maybe for fitting of male palpal projection) (Fig. 3D); separation between primary and secondary spermathecae slightly visible, primary and secondary spermathecae forming eggplantshaped spermathecae (Fig. 3E), copulatory ducts short, at level of copulatory openings, entering the spermathecae posteriorly. Variation. There was no visible intra-specific variation, except for that inherent in the gender dimorphism. Geographical and ecological distribution. This species is only known from the localities in Urubo and Santa Maria la Antigua, Santa Cruz department, Bolivia. In both localities, specimens were collected from low herbaceous plants in Cerrado-like vegetation along edges of Chiquitano and Cerradao forest (Fig. 1). In Urubo, M. haddadi sp. nov. was observed co-occurring with the Castianeirinae species Mazax cf. ramirezi Rubio & Danişman, 2014. Despite high sampling effort in several Bolivian forest ecoregions (Perger & Perger 2017; Perger & Rubio 2018, 2020a, b, 2021), the new species was not observed in forest habitats. Ant mimicry. In the other Bolivian species of Myrmecotypus, the color of body parts and the color and distribution of setae increases the resemblance to specific ant models of the tribes Camponotini or Dolichoderini (Perger & Rubio 2020a, 2021). Unfortunately, the life habitus of the new species was not documented and the loss of setae due to the storage in ethanol hampered the assessment of mimetic relationships. However, as in the other congeners, the body size, obovate carapace and short oval abdomen mostly resemble ants of Camponotini or Dolichoderini. Additional field observations are needed to identify potential ant models.Published as part of Perger, Robert & Rubio, Gonzalo D., 2021, Myrmecotypus haddadi sp. nov. - a new species of ant resembling sac spider from the Bolivian orocline (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae), pp. 54-60 in Zootaxa 4969 (1) on pages 56-59, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4969.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/474585
Mazax akephaloi Perger & Pett 2022, sp. nov.
No full textMazax akephaloi sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 3EEEAAC0-7000-4A34-BBD7-CA2D4E2609DE Figs 2–5 Type material. Holotype ♂: BOLIVIA: Santa Cruz department, Santa Cruz de la Colina, Urubo, 17.760833°S, 63.24°W, 432 m a.s.l., 21–28.XII.2019, leg. R. Perger, edge of Chiquitano forest (ZMH-A0015362). Allotype ♀: same data as for preceding (CBF). Paratypes: 1♂, same data as for preceding (ZMH-A0015360); 6♂ 10♀, same data as for preceding (CBF); 3♂ 4♀, Santa Cruz department, La Guardia, 17.8830°S, 63.3177°W, 480 m a.s.l., 9.IX.2015, leg. R. Perger, edge of Chiquitano forest (CBF). PARAGUAY : 1♂, Alto Paraguay department, Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco, Misión Cué, Tribu Nueva, 20.1227°S, 60.3246°W, 6.IX.1982, leg. J.A. Kochalka (MNHNP: IBNP-JAK-CR 000.00.2.717); 1♂; Presidente Hayes department, 25 Laguas, 22.924°S, 59.486°W, 11–12.XII.1983, leg. J.A. Kochalka (MNHNP: IBNP-JAK-CR 000.00.2.719). Other material examined. 1 subadult ♂: PARAGUAY: Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco, Misión Cué, Tribu Nueva, 20.1227°S, 60.3246°W, 1–6.IX.1982, leg. J.A. Kochalka (MNHNP: IBNP-JAK-CR 000.00.2.718). Diagnosis. Mazax akephaloi sp. nov. can be separated from all known congeners by a combination of the following characters: tibia I ventral spination 5– 4 in males (5 at prolateral margin) and 5– 5 in females, feathery setae on carapace, and embolus sub-apical with spatulate extension (males of all known congeners have the embolus tapering evenly, either twisted or straight, see Reiskind (1969)). Females can be diagnosed by a combination of lung-shaped ST II and slightly undulating CDs. White feathery setae on the carapace are only shared with M. pax (tibia I spination 3–3) and M. ramirezi (tibia I spination 4–4) (Reiskind 1969). Mazax spinosa (Simon, 1898) and M. xerxes Reiskind, 1969 have a tibia I ventral spination of 5–5, but no feathery setae on the carapace (Reiskind 1969).The lung-shaped ST II of females of M.akephaloi sp. nov. are only shared with M. ramirezi (CDs more twisted) and the nearly straight CDs with M. chickeringi Reiskind, 1969 (ST II globose), but neither have both characters combined (Reiskind 1969; Rubio & Danişman 2014). Remarks. Apochinomma acanthaspis and A. armatum possibly belong to Mazax but were not included in the most recent taxonomic works on this genus (Reiskind 1969; Rubio & Danişman 2014). The types of both species were not available for study. The type of A. armatum was likely destroyed in a recent fire (A. Kury, unpublished data) and the type of A. acanthaspis is likely lost (C. Rollard, personal communication). According to the original descriptions and illustration by Simon (1896), the holotype female of A. acanthaspis has a considerably less pronounced abdominal constriction and flatter ventral sclerite, lacks the first pair of abdominal setae (present in M. akephaloi sp. nov.), and has the metatarsus I with spine formula 3–3 (2– 2 in M. akephaloi sp. nov.). The female holotype of A. armatum has a tibia I spine formula of 2–2 and whitish coxae II–III (Mello-Leitão 1922) (M. akephaloi sp. nov. with tibia I with spine formula of 5– 5 in females and brownish coxae). Etymology. The specific epithet, akephaloi, means "headless ones" (ἀκέφαλοι) in Greek, mythical headless men who were rumored, in antiquity and later, to inhabit remote parts of the world (Syropoulos 2018). One hypothesis for the origin of the myth of the akephaloi is the observation of the combat tactic of the North African Blemmyae tribe in which they keep their heads pressed close to the chest (Dijkstra 2013). The epithet refers to the observation that M. akephaloi sp. nov. lack a structure resembling the head of their ant model E. permagnum and have a skull-shaped sternum. Male holotype. Body length 6.79; carapace length 2.96, width 1.5, carapace index 50.6; cephalic width 0.84, cephalic index 55.85; abdomen length 3.32, maximum width anterior part 1.21, maximum width posterior part 1.39, abdominal index 41.8; dorsal sclerite length 2.66, maximum width same as maximum abdomen width. Eyes: AER 0.55; AME–AME 0.09; AME–ALE 0.02; PER 0.64; PME–PME 0.14; PME–PLE 0.07. Color and microsculpture. Dorsum dark blackish-brown in life, with purplish tinge when seen in sunlight (color faded to reddish-brown in ethanol; Figs 2A, 3A); carapace and posterior part of sclerite posterior of constriction weakly shiny, smooth, microsculpture finely reticulate, with evenly distributed, fine pits; petiole and anterior part of sclerite heavily wrinkled and shiny, wrinkles on petiole transverse and on anterior sclerite longitudinal, abdomen posterior of dorsal sclerite glabrous, shiny; legs glabrous, shiny, with regularly arranged narrow, transverse ridges from which emerge setae, dark brown; femora I–II translucent, yellowish to white prolateral to ventrally; tarsi I–IV cream with dark brown tips. Setation. Dorsum with separate white feathery setae, forming dense transverse band in abdominal constriction; separate, erect, simple, moderately long yellowish-brassy setae all over dorsum, denser and longer on posterior part of abdomen, similar simple and feathery setae on legs. First pair of abdominal setae simple, indistinct, second pair of abdominal spines heavily sclerotized, emerging from two distinct tubercles (Fig. 4A). Carapace. Long pyriform, front slightly convex, cephalic area laterally somewhat narrowed, broadening towards middle, widest in middle, narrowing posteriorly, posterior margin truncate (Figs 2A, 3A). Eyes. Both eye rows slightly recurved, eyes approximately equal, with narrow, slightly darker rings, remaining characters as in genus diagnosis. Chelicerae. Two teeth on both the pro- and retromargins. Promargin with distal tooth about twice the size of basal tooth. Retromargin with two subequal teeth, slightly smaller than largest promarginal tooth. Sternum. Skull-shaped, narrowing posteriorly with conspicuous indentation just anterior to coxa III. Abdomen. Petiole conspicuous, elongated, with anterior margin concave; abdomen roughly obovate, distinctly constricted dorsally and laterally at about middle, anterior part dorsally bulged out to transverse elliptic bead, posterior part orbicular, broader than anterior part; dorsal sclerite completely covering abdomen laterally, sclerite length 80% of abdomen length, slightly convex posteriorly; ventral sclerite not reaching to level of inframamillary sclerite, latter narrow, subrectangular, broader than long (Figs 2A, 3A). Palp. Tibia with two distinct, long setae and several shorter setae, margin distinctly edged, RTA absent; maximum width of tibia 58% of maximum width of bulb when viewed retrolaterally; tarsus with globose genital bulb drawn out into moderately long, broad neck, with short, sclerotized embolus, sub-apical with spatulate extension, embolus ending in pointed tip with apical twist; sperm ducts with two loops, one retrolateral and one median to embolus tube (Fig. 4). Female allotype. Body length 6.23; carapace length 3.05, width 1.59, carapace index 52.13; cephalic width 0.89, cephalic index 56; abdomen length 2.58, width 1.58, abdominal index 61.24; dorsal sclerite length (width agrees with abdominal width) 1.26; Eyes: AER 0.58, AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.04, PER 0.69, PME–PME 0.13, PME–PLE 0.14. Color, microsculpture, setation, carapace shape and eye characteristics as in male. Abdomen larger, lateral constriction of abdomen much less pronounced as in male (cf. Figs 2, 3), dorsal sclerite suboval, only extending to abdominal constriction, ventral sclerite absent. Epigyne. ST II large, lung-shaped, about four to five times the diameter of very small circular ST I. CD joins posterior end of ST II, almost straight and projected laterally leading to small oval CO that are posterolateral to ST II. FD arises at anterior margin of ST I (Fig. 5). Variation. While the abdominal constriction of the male is determined by the shape of the large dorsal sclerite, it varied in females according to the nutritional or reproductive state. Geographical and ecological distribution. Mazax akephaloi sp. nov. is known from the Bolivian locations of La Guardia and Santa Cruz de la Colina in the Santa Cruz Department and the Paraguayan locations of Misión Cué, Tribu Nueva (Alto Paraguay Department) and 25 Laguas (Presidente Hayes Department). According to the ecoregion delineation by Olson et al. (2001), the locations are situated in the Chiquitano dry forest (Santa Cruz de la Colina), the Chaco dry forest (La Guardia, Misión Cué, Tribu Nueva) and the Humid Chaco (25 Laguas) (Fig. 1). In Bolivia, individuals of M. akephaloi sp. nov. were observed foraging diurnally on the ground and leaf litter along the edges of Chiquitano forest fragments that were surrounded by Cerrado-like forests and savanna grass (Fig. 6A). Despite several surveys employing beating tray sampling and manual search (Perger & Perger 2017; Perger & Rubio 2018, 2020a, b), the species was not observed in arboreal habitats or in other Bolivian forest ecoregions. Considering the distribution (Fig. 1) and observations in open habitats, this species is likely typical for Chaco dry forests. Mazax akephaloi sp. nov. is the only species of Mazax that is currently known from Bolivia and Paraguay. This species is possibly replaced by M. ramirezi south of the Chaco area in Argentina (Buenos Aires province), making it unlikely that the latter species occurs in Bolivia (as reported by Perger & Perger 2017). Ant mimicry. Seven ant species - Ectatomma permagnum Forel, 1908, Acromyrmex sp., Odontomachus sp., Camponotus crassus Mayr, 1862, C. sericeiventris (Guérin-Méneville, 1838), Neoponera apicalis (Latreille, 1802) and N. villosa (Fabricius, 1804) - with a similar or larger body length than adults of M. akephaloi sp. nov. (body length 6.23–7.24) were found in the investigated ground habitats in the two Bolivian locations. Among the grounddwelling ants, only the two Neoponera spp., Odontomachus sp. and E. permagnum had an elongated metasoma. Characters that increased the ant resemblance in M. akephaloi sp. nov., but were not specific for this mimetic species pair (e.g., also found in the mimetic pair N. villosa and Sphecotypus niger (Perger 2021)), included long, erected yellowish-brassy setae on the abdomen, a horizontal band of hairs increasing the illusion of an abdominal segmentation between the ant post-petiole and tergite IV, and several transversal bulges posterior to the dorsal sclerite resembling the ant tergites (Fig. 7). Ethological similarities between E. permagnum and M. akephaloi sp. nov., such as relatively slow foraging speed, with frequent stops in which the ants lifted their heads and conspicuously moved their antennae (imitated by the spiders by moving the prolegs in a similar fashion), were also observed in the mimetic pair N. villosa / S. niger (Perger 2021) and appear to be typical for poneromorph ants and their mimetic spiders.Published as part of Perger, Robert & Pett, Brogan L., 2022, Mazax akephaloi sp. nov. - a new Neotropical spider species resembling ' headless' Ectatomma ants (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae), pp. 579-590 in Zootaxa 5150 (4) on pages 582-586, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5150.4.6, http://zenodo.org/record/662688
A true long horn-a new species of Macronemus Dejean, 1835 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Acanthoderini) from the Bolivian Andes
No full textPerger, Robert, Santos-Silva, Antonio (2018): A true long horn-a new species of Macronemus Dejean, 1835 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Acanthoderini) from the Bolivian Andes. Zootaxa 4471 (2): 375-380, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.2.1
Addition to the known long-horned beetle fauna of the Bolivian Andes: A new lycid-like species of Mimolaia Bates, 1885 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Caliini)
No full textPerger, Robert, Santos-Silva, Antonio (2019): Addition to the known long-horned beetle fauna of the Bolivian Andes: A new lycid-like species of Mimolaia Bates, 1885 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Caliini). Zootaxa 4550 (2): 295-300, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4550.2.1
Fluda thuruampara Perger & Rubio 2023, sp. nov.
No full textFluda thuruampara sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: F8D73C27-4CDA-4B78-9D6A-AF98F2948831 Figs 3B–C, 6, 7, 8A–D Type material. Holotype: ♁, Bolivia: La Paz Department, Nor Yungas Province, Villa Teresa, 16.2019°S, 67.8294°W, 1340 m a.s.l., beating tray sampling, 17 Jan. 2017, R. Perger leg., IBSI-Ar0958. Paratypes: 1♁ 4♀, same data as for preceding, IBSI-Ar 956; 1 ♁ 1♀, same data as for preceding, IBSI-Ar0957; 5 ♁ 1♀, same data as for preceding, 6 Apr. 2016, IBSI-Ar0747; 2 ♁ 2♀, same data as for preceding (CBF). Remarks. Among the previously described species of Fluda, three (F. princeps, F. inpae Galiano, 1971, and F. perdita) have a short, broad epigyne with lateral openings and relatively short CDs with few loops (female group “B”; Galiano 1971), and three (F. dauca sp. nov., F. princeps and F. rufipes) have a short, robust embolus without complete circular revolution around the bulb (male group “A”; Galiano 1971). Diagnosis. Fluda princeps and F. thuruampara sp. nov. are the only species with males in group “A” and females in group “B”. Fluda thuruampara sp. nov. can be separated from F. princeps by having a male palp with evenly tapering RTA, pointing towards bulb when seen in ventral view (vs. with obtuse edge, pointing in opposite direction), embolus simple, pointed (Fig. 7B) (vs. lanceolate and twisted), and the female with only slightly undulating CDs (Fig. 7H) (vs. one distinct loop), anterior carina or margin with a posterior tip (vs. no tip). Etymology. The specific epithet is a compound word composed of thuru, meaning “strong” and ampara, meaning “arm” in the Aymara language, spoken by the Aymara people living in the Bolivian Yungas area. Description of male holotype (Figs 3A–B, 6A–B). Body length 3.90; carapace length 1.71; width 1.01; carapace index 59.06; cephalic width 1.01; cephalic width index 100; sternum length 0.8; width 0.41; sternum index 51.25; abdomen length 2.10; maximum width AAP 0.55; maximum width PAP 0.95; abdominal index 45.24; pedicel length 0.12; width 0.23; dorsal sclerite length 2.10; epigastric sclerite length 0.48; width 0.60; ventral sclerite length 1.10; width 0.60; inframamillary sclerite length 0.075; width 0.35; AER 1.05; AME-AME 0.05; AME-ALE 0.05; PER 0.95; PME-PME 0.87; PME-PE 0.17. All somatic characters as in holotype of F. dauca sp. nov. except the following: color integument dark brown blackish; posterior margin of AAP concave (Figs 3B, 6A), carapace width index and abdominal index narrower; chelicerae with two promarginal (the distal much smaller) and four retromarginal teeth; macrosetae tibia II v2-2-2-1 (p1-1-1-1). Palp (Figs 7A–D). RTA relatively short, triangular, length about 23% of tarsus length, proximal three quarters directed towards inner tarsus margin in retrolateral view, apically slightly curved, tip pointing dorsally; bulb simple, oval, with stiff, robust, prolateral embolus without complete circular revolution around the bulb, tips of RTA sclerotized; tegulum ventrally projected. Description of female paratype IBSI-Ar0956 (Figs 6C–D, 7F–H). Body length 4.15; carapace length 1.70; width 1.08; carapace index 63.53; cephalic width 1.08; cephalic width index 100; sternum length 0.77; width 0.40; sternum index 51.95; abdomen length 2.46; maximum width AAP 0.90; maximum width PAP 1.33; abdominal index 54.06; pedicel length 0.10; width 0.26; dorsal sclerite length 2.41; epigastric sclerite length 0.49; width 0.80; ventral and inframamillary sclerite absent; AER 1.10; AME-AME 0.025; AME-ALE 0.05; PER 1.15; PME-PME 0.85; PME-PE 0.22. Integument (color, microsculpture and setae) as in male except femora I with setae at ventral margin sparser. Carapace shape as in male. Femora I less broadened and dorsal margin less strongly carinated than in male. Macrosetae on leg as in male except tibia I v2-2-2-2-1 (r1-1-1-1-1); tibia II v2-2-2-2, metatarsus II v2-2-2-1 (p1- 1-1-1). Abdomen broader than in male with posterior margin of AAP straight and anterior margin of PAP median strongly convex. Epigyne (Figs 7F–H). Short and broad (narrow space between anterior carina or margin and epigastric furrow, narrower than the separation between the COs), with round lateral openings and relatively short CDs with few loops; carina with a tip posteriorly directed. Variation. Sexual-dimorphism in femora I and abdomen width; depth of abdominal constriction varied in both sexes according to the nutritional status (in females likely also to the reproductive status); width of light transverse band in abdominal constriction slightly varying in both sexes; ontogenetic shifts remain to be investigated as no juveniles were collected. Behavior. Erratic foraging with frequent stops and waiving of first pair of legs. When disturbed, the males exhibited an agonistic display by orientating their face towards the thread with the first pair of legs widely extended in an angle of about 45° (Figs 8A, 8C). Geographical and ecological distribution. Fluda thuruampara sp. nov. is exclusively known from the type locality in Bolivian Yungas forest in the Northern Bolivian Andes (Fig. 2). According to Navarro & Ferreira (2007), the ecosystem in this area is considered Submontane evergreen Yungas forest (Fig. 2). Bolivian Yungas forest is part of the Tropical South Andean Superregion (Rivas-Martínez et al. 2011). Despite high sampling effort in several Bolivian forest ecoregions, the new species was not observed in other forest habitats. Individuals of F. thuruampara sp. nov. were collected from branches of trees in primary forest, co-occurring with the Simonellini species S. myrmeciaformis and Flurica sikimira Perger & Rubio, 2022. On isolated trees in adjacent tree falls gaps, Sympolymnia cutleri Perger & Rubio, 2020 was observed.Published as part of Perger, Robert & Rubio, Gonzalo D., 2023, Two new species of the ant-like spider genus Fluda Peckham & Peckham, 1892 from Bolivia with first reports of potential ant models for the genus and a novel ant-resembling behavior (Araneae: Salticidae, Simonellini), pp. 63-76 in Zootaxa 5256 (1) on pages 70-72, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5256.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/774533
Are goldish spiders able to teach naïve predators to avoid bullet ants? A possible case of Müllerian mimicry in spiders and ants
No full textPerger, Robert (2021): Are goldish spiders able to teach naïve predators to avoid bullet ants? A possible case of Müllerian mimicry in spiders and ants. Journal of Natural History 55 (9-10): 625-627, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2021.1914450, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2021.191445
A new species of Myrmecotypus Pickard-Cambridge spider (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae) from the Bolivian orocline, imitating one of the world’s most aggressive ants
No full textA new species of ant-mimicking spider of the subfamily Castianeirinae, Myrmecotypus rubrofemoratus Perger and Rubio, new species (Araneae: Corinnidae), is described from the Pre-Andean area of the Bolivian orocline. Adults of M. rubrofemoratus new species resemble the carpenter ant Camponotus femoratus Forel, 1907, which is considered one of the most aggressive ants in the world.EEA Cerro AzulFil: Perger, Robert. Colección Boliviana de Fauna; BoliviaFil: Rubio, Gonzalo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rubio, Gonzalo Daniel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cerro Azul; Argentin
Cylindera (Plectographa) yaguaree Perger & Guerra, n.sp.
No full textCylindera (Plectographa) yaguaree Perger & Guerra n.sp. (Figs. 1 G; 2; 3 A, B) Type material. Bolivia, Tarija, O`Connor province, Tariquia: 1 male, holotype, CBF, 1.4 km south west of Salinas, 0.66 km east of Salinas River, S 21 ° 49 ' 20, W 64 ° 14 ' 45, 1093 m a.s.l., Tucuman-Bolivian subhumid forest, bank of small mountain river, November 2011, F. Guerra and R. Perger; 1 female, allotype, same data; 2 males, 3 females, paratypes, CBF, 3.2 km east of Salinas River, 2.5 km east of road to Salinas, S 21 ° 45 ' 18, W 64 ° 12 ' 32, 1200 m a.s.l., Tucuman-Bolivian subhumid forest, bank of small mountain river, December 2011, F. Guerra. Derivation of specific epithet. The epithet “ yaguaree ” (pronounced a-wa-ree) is derived from “yaguarete”, which is the original name of the jaguar and means “true beast” in Tupi-Guaraní, a language spoken by the local indigenous Guaraní. Diagnosis. Cylindera (Plectographa) yaguaree n.sp. is separated from other Neotropical congeners by a combination of the following characters: 1) setose genae and head; 2) posteriorly tapering pronotum, pronotal disc laterally convex; 3) elytral surface completely covered with stiff, appressed setae; 4) three complete narrow elytral maculations; 5) sutural spines reduced. Three complete narrow elytral maculations and setose gena are also typical of C. (P.) mixtula Horn 1915, but it lacks the elytral setae and the pronotum tapers in the opposite direction. In C. (P.) sinuosa and C. (P.) suturalis the elytra have three complete maculations, but these are wider and the genae are bare. Cylindera (Plectographa) yaguaree n.sp. shares the posteriorly tapering pronotum and setose elytra with the Argentinean species C. (P.) eugeni Castelnau 1835; however, this latter species is distinguished by glabrous head, large subsutural foveae, wide elytral maculations and elytra glabrous in apical half. Description. General. Relatively large (10.15–10.95 mm), dorsum matte to slightly shining cupreous-dark olive green, elytra with distinct, separate appressed setae covering most of the surface and three complete, narrow pale maculations. Setation. Dense appressed or suberect setae on body laterally (except area behind genae and on mesepisternum), on pronotal dorsum, on femora and laterally on meso- and metacoxa. Labial palpi and proepisternum with suberect to erect setae. Frons, vertex and elytra with separate, distinct setae. Distal 7 antennomeres, tibia and tarsi longitudinally lined with very fine and short setae. Labrum with 9 to 12 submarginal setae. Antennal scape with 1 erect subapical seta distal, antennomere 4 with three or more setae, apex of front trochanters with a single sensory seta. Apical setae on eighth abdominal sternum short. Head slightly shining cupreous, vertex rugose, frons and gena striate. Labrum narrower or as wide as clypeus, subrectangular, straight, short, uni- or obtuse tridentate, ferrugineo-testaceous to dark brown. Eyes prominent, not bulging laterally. Mentum tooth well developed. Mandibular base ferrugineo-testaceous, third terebral tooth shiny green with black tip, incisor tooth black. Antennal socket and antennomeres 1-4 shiny cupreous, with green reflections or completely green, distal 7 antennomeres testaceous, densely pubescent. Pronotum slightly shining cupreous, broad, widest in the middle, anterior margin noticably wider than posterior, posterior constricted, both margins with deep transverse sulci that are shiny cupreous; pronotal disc laterally convex, rugose, median groove distinct; proepisternum wrinkled, shiny cupreous, coupling sulcus with distinct groove. Scutellum triangular. Elytra gradually widened to apical 1 / 4, then narrow until just before apex, sutural spine reduced; color matt brown cupreous with small shallow, weakly reflective green punctures, giving an overall olive impression; subsutural row of large foveae absent, three narrow, pale maculations, laterally connected, anterior G-shaped, median sharply elbowed, bend without additional bracket, not connected to posthumeral spot, sometimes slightly lacerated, mostly continuous, apical maculation U-shaped, apical-sutural arm reduced. Abdominal sternites dark brown with cupreous-green reflections. Ventral sclerite with two elongate posterior projections. Coxae shiny cupreous with green reflections; trochanters testaceous, femora cupreous, tibia and tarsomeres cupreous with or without green reflections. Aedeagus strongly bent in basal quarter, in distal moderately bent; slightly widening distally in basal third, then considerably thickened median to shortly to the base of the apex and finally strongly narrowing on one side to a pointing apex. Laterally longitudinal concavity in distal third. Geographic distribution. This species is currently known only from the two locations where types and paratypes were collected, in Tariquia, close to its North-western limit. Several collections (see Pearson et al. 1999) in the adjacent Chaco Serrano, the elbow of the Andes and the Bolivian Yungas failed to find this species; therefore we consider it endemic to Tucuman-Bolivian forest. Ecology. Cylindera (Plectographa) yaguaree n.sp. was observed during November and December on two narrow sand stone banks of a medium forest stream. The activity of adults was apparently triggered by initial rainfalls of the rainy season, as we observed no individuals at the same sites earlier in the drier season of October. At midday on sunny days, individuals perched on stones close to a moist, relatively steep sloping wall of sandstone. This microhabitat was temporarily insolated, and shaded, with conspicuous and highly localized patches of liverworts and mosses growing on the sand stonewall. This tiger beetle was absent from shady banks of smaller forest rivers and on sunny banks of larger rivers. We assume that humid sand stone microhabitats lined with trees and with sunny patches are the preferred microhabitat. Such habitats are apparently the result of a specific tectonical setting and were only observed twice in the study area. We collected the specimens of C. (P.) yaguaree n.sp. together with Pentacomia (Mesacanthina) cribrata in the same microhabitat. As we approached individuals of C. (P.) yaguaree n.sp. and Pentacomia (M.) cribrata, they quickly flew away from us. Several times we observed C. (P.) yaguaree n.sp. flying to land on stones lying in the river or to the opposite river bank. Also observed in this habitat of C. (P.) yaguaree n.sp. was Pseudoxycheila tucumana n.sp. between stones and Oxycheila germaini Fleutiaux hiding between and under stones close to the water’s edge.Published as part of Perger, Robert & Guerra, Fernando, 2012, Two new tiger beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Cicindelitae) species from the Tucuman-Bolivian forest in the National Tariquia Reserve, Bolivia, pp. 49-58 in Zootaxa 3434 on pages 52-54, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20872
Mazax akephaloi sp. nov.-a new Neotropical spider species resembling 'headless' Ectatomma ants (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae)
No full textPerger, Robert, Pett, Brogan L. (2022): Mazax akephaloi sp. nov.-a new Neotropical spider species resembling 'headless' Ectatomma ants (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae). Zootaxa 5150 (4): 579-590, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5150.4.
Author Tom Keneally back stage at the Nimrod Theatre, Sydney, 1980 /
No full textTitle from acquisitions documentation.; Part of the collection: Robert McFarlane collection of photographs.; Inscriptions: "Author Tom Keneally back stage Nimrod Theatre 1980 Robert McFarlane"--In pencil on reverse.; Also available online at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn6615438
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