Chilelopsis minima explained

Chilelopsis minima is a species of mygalomorph spiders found in Chile. It formerly belonged in the genus Flamencopsis. The specific name was given because it is the smallest member of the tribe Diplothelopsini.^[1]

Description

• Female: total length 10.7mm; cephalothorax length 3.77mm, width 2.9mm; cephalic region length 2.4mm, width 2.21mm; fovea width 0.5mm; medial ocular quadrangle (OQ) length 0.36mm, width 0.62mm; labium length 0.36mm, width 0.71mm; sternum length 2.11mm, width 1.61mm. Its cephalic region is wide, short and strongly convex, with its fovea procurved. Its labium possesses no cuspules. A serrula is not visible. Chelicerae: rastellum is formed by short blunt cusps, and it has a fang furrow with 8 large denticles. Its cephalothorax, legs and palpi are a grayish-brownish yellow colour, while its abdomen has a dorsal blackish-brownish chevron.
• Male: total length 7.25mm; cephalothorax length 3.2mm, width 2.48mm; cephalic region length 1.65mm, width 1.5mm; OQ length 0.3mm, width 0.54mm; labium length 0.29mm, width 0.6mm; sternum length 1.84mm, width 1.37mm. Its labium possesses no cuspules, its maxillae having 8 thick but attenuate cuspules. A serrula is absent. Its sternal sigilla is small and shallow, and its sternum is rebordered. Chelicerae: rastellum has thick attenuate setae and a fang furrow with large denticles. Cheliceral tumescence is large and rounded. Color as in female.

Distribution and behaviour

Only known from the provinces of Chafiaral Province and Copiapo, Region III (Atacama). The type locality is situated near the sea. It is known to habitate thin sand, particularly in narrow Y-shaped burrows. The burrows are usually between 5mm6mm wide, and up to 30cm (10inches) deep. During the day, the sand covers the flap-door completely. At night, the burrows are opened (its flap-door turned completely backwards). Spiders stay at the door awaiting prey.

See also

• Spider anatomy
• List of Nemesiidae species
• Regions of Chile

Further reading

• Arthropods in arid South America: Roig-Juñent. S.. Domínguez. M.C.. Flores. G.E.. Mattoni. C.. Biogeographic history of South American arid lands: A view from its arthropods using TASS analysis. Journal of Arid Environments. 66. 3. 2006. 404–420. 0140-1963. 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.01.005. 2006JArEn..66..404R. 11336/92925. free.

External links

• • ADW entry

Notes and References

1. Goloboff, Pablo A. "A revision of the South American spiders of the family Nemesiidae (Araneae, Mygalomorphae). Part 1, Species from Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. Bulletin of the AMNH; no. 224." (1995).