Proshapalopus marimbai, a new tarantula species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) and first genus record from Colombia
10.1080/03946975.2018.1493181
A new species of Proshapalopus Mello-Leit~ao, 1923, distributed in the Southwest
Colombia in the Choco Region, is described. A morphological cladistic analysis
based on the previous matrix of a Theraphosinae group confirmed the inclusion of
this species within Proshapalopus. The new species, Proshapalopus marimbai n.
sp., can be distinguished from other species of the genus mainly by the reduced
number of labial cuspules, around 40; in contrast the other species having over 100.
Males can be distinguished by the thickened femur III, presence of intermediate urticating
setae type I-III only, palpal bulb with a considerably long prolateral inferior
keel (from ventral median depression to embolus apex) and the accessory keel pronounced
distally. Females can be distinguished for lacking urticating setae type III
and the non-incrassated tibia IV. This discovery constitutes the fourth species
described for Proshapalopus and the first record for Colombia, expanding the geographical
distribution of the genus, until now known for Brazil only. Other aspects
of distribution and the phylogenetic relationship of the new species are also discussed
here.
Tropical Zoology