Kankuamo, a new theraphosid genus from Colombia (Araneae, Mygalomorphae), with a new type of urticating setae and divergent male genitalia

Abstract

A new monotypic Theraphosidae genus, Kankuamo Perafán, Galvis & Pérez-Miles, gen. n., is described from Colombia, with a new type of urticating setae. These setae differ from others principally by having a small distal oval patch of lanceolate reversed barbs. Males of Kankuamo gen. n. additionally differ by having a palpal bulb organ very divergent from all known species, with many conspicuous keels dispersed across the median tegulum to the tip, mostly with serrated edges. Females differ by having spermathecae with a single notched receptacle, with two granulated lobes and several irregular sclerotized longitudinal striations. The new urticating setae, type VII, is characterized, illustrated and its releasing mechanism is discussed. It is hypothesized that these setae are the first in Theraphosinae subfamily whose release mechanism is by direct contact. Kankuamo gen. n. is described and illustrated on the basis of the type species Kankuamo marquezi Perafán, Galvis & Gutiérrez, sp. n., and their remarkable characteristics, morphological affinities and cladistic relationship are analyzed.

Tarantula phylogenomics: A robust phylogeny of multiple tarantula lineages inferred from transcriptome data sheds light on the prickly issue of urticating setae evolution

“…None of the previously described types displayed much morphological similarity with type II beyond the position criterion (Bertani and Guadanucci, 2013). However, type VII shares several characteristics with type II setae (Perafán et al, 2016). It has even been suggested that urticating setae in Kankuamo and Type II share a similar "direct contact" method -i.e.…”

“…In a long-range defense mechanism loosely known as "hair flicking" or "bombardment" (Fig 1a), many Neotropical species will use their legs to slough off these setae from their opisthosoma and actively disperse them into the air when a threat is perceived (Cooke 1972;Bertani and Guadanucci, 2013). Other species opt for an active "direct contact" approach against potential threats, in which they seek to press them onto the target (after Cooke 1972;Bertani and Guadanucci, 2013;Perafán et al, 2016). Consequently, urticating setae have been known to induce painful symptoms in humans (Zilkens et al, 2012;McAnena et al, 2013).…”

“…Certain types are even genus-specific, such as type V for Ephebopus ( Fig. 1d-e), type VI for Hemirrhagus and type VII for Kankuamo (Bertani and Guadanucci, 2013;Foelix, Bastian and Erb 2009;Marshall and Uetz, 1990b;Mendoza & Francke 2018;Perafán et al, 2016). This conservation and specificity to certain groups of tarantulas has led to their widespread use as diagnostic taxonomic characters (e.g.…”

First record of Theraphosa apophysis (Tinter, 1991) (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) in Brazil

“…The Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869 are composed by 974 species and 144 genera (World Spider Catalog 2018) and can be found on all continents, except in Antarctica (Bertani 2001, West et al 2008, Perafán et al 2016. The genus Theraphosa Thorell, 1870, is represented by only 3 species: Theraphosa apophysis (Tinter ,1991), Theraphosa blondi (Latreille, 1804), and Theraphosa stirmi Rudloff & Weinmann, 2010.…”

Description of the male of Bistriopelma matuskai Kaderka 2015 and a new species of Bistriopelma from Peru (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)

“…Approximately 60% of the genera are described from Latin America and the phylogeny of this group, especially the subfamily Theraphosinae, is still a subject of research because of their high biogeographical diversity and morphological variability (Pérez-Miles et al 1996;West et al 2008;Bertani 2012;Guadanucci 2014;Perafán et al 2016;Turner et al 2017). …”