Atomosphyrus wandae explained

Atomosphyrus wandae is a species of jumping spider in the genus Atomosphyrus that lives in Brazil. The spider was first described in 2020 by Abel Bustamante and Gustavo Ruiz. Only the male has been identified. It is a small spider with an orange carapace 1.07mm iong and a cream-colored abdomen 1.44mm long. The carapace has a pattern of stripes and the abdomen has a pattern of spots. It can be distinguished from other spiders in the genus, particularly the similar Atomosphyrus breyeri, by the length of the embolus and its triangular retrolateral tibial apophysis.

Taxonomy

Atomosphyrus wandae was first described by Abel Bustamante and Gustavo Ruiz in 2020.[1] The species was named after the Polish arachnologist Wanda Wesołowska. It was placed in the genus Atomosphyrus, first described by Eugène Simon in 1902. It was placed in the tribe Thiodinini in the clade Amycoida by Wayne Maddison in 2015 on the basis of its ant-like body. In 2017, the genus was grouped with 30 other genera of jumping spiders under the name of Amycines, itself derived from the genus name Amycus.

Description

The spider is small, with a length of typically 2.51mm. Only the male has been described.[1] It has an orange carapace that is 1.07mm in length and 0.63mm in width. It has dark stripes on the thorax. The abdomen is 1.44mm long, cream-colored and has dark spots on its back. The chelicerae are brown with one tooth at the front and another to the back. The legs are orange and brown. The clypeus is brown, The palpal bulb is elongated and has a triangular retrolateral tibial apophysis. The embolus is attached to the tegulum and is simple. It points out from the side of the left palp and ends in a coil.

It is similar to the related Atomosphyrus breyeri. The spider can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the longer embolus and the shape of the retrolateral tibial apophysis.

Distribution and habitat

The spider is endemic to Brazil.[1] The holotype was found in Sete Cidades National Park in Brasileira, Piauí in 2007. The species distribution is limited to the National Park. It prefers to live in gallery forest, shrubland and open fields, including both evergreen and deciduous shrubland.

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: World Spider Catalog. 2023. Atomosphyrus wandae Bustamante & Ruiz, 2020. World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum. Bern. 24.0. 24 April 2023.