Taxonomical revision and cladistic analysis of Avicularia Lamark 1818 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae)

Author(s)

Caroline Sayuri Fukushima

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2011-03-24

Examining board members

Paulo Nogueira Neto; Rogério Bertani; Abel Pérez González; Fernando Pérez Miles; Paulo Cesar Motta

• Advisor: Paulo Nogueira Neto; Rogério Bertani

Abstract

The genus Avicularia Lamarck 1818 contains the oldest mygalomorph species described. Its taxonomical history is very complex and for the first time it has been revised. A cladistic analysis with 70 characters and 43 taxa were done. The preferred cladogram was obtained using the computer program Pee Wee and concavity 6. The subfamily Aviculariinae contains the genus Stromatopelma, Heteroscodra, Psalmopoeus, Tapinauchenius, Ephebopus, Pachistopelma, Iridopelma, Avicularia, Genus 1 and Gen. nov. 1, Gen. nov. 2, Gen. nov. 3 and Gen. nov. 4. Aviculariinae is monophyletic, sharing the presence of spatulated scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi, juveniles with a central longitudinal stripe connected with lateral stripes on dorsal abdomen and arboreal habit. The synapomorphy of Avicularia is the presence of a moderately developed protuberance on tegulum. The genus is constituted by 14 species: A. Avicularia (type species), A. juruensis, A. purpurea, A. taunayi, A. variegata status nov., A. velutina, A. rufa, A. aymara, Avicularia sp. nov. 1, Avicularia sp. nov. 2, Avicularia sp. nov. 3, Avicularia sp. nov. 4, Avicularia sp. nov. 5 e Avicularia sp. nov. 6. They are found from Caribbean island through Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and Brazil. Four new genera are proposed: Gen. nov. 1, with 3 species: Gen. nov. 1 hirschii comb. nov. (type species), Gen. nov. 1 minatrix comb. nov. e Gen. nov. 1 sp. nov. 1. Gen.nov. 2 and Gen. nov. 3 are monotypics: Gen. nov. 2 versicolor comb. nov. and Gen. nov. 3 laeta comb. nov. Gen. nov. 4 has 3 species, Gen. nov. 4 sooretama comb. nov. (type species), Gen. nov. 4 diversipes comb. nov. and Gen. nov. 4 gamba comb. nov. Other taxonomical changes are proposed: Catumiri parvum (Keyserling 1878) comb. nov., Grammostola anthracina (C.L. Koch 1842) comb. nov., Euathlus affinis (Nicolet 1849) comb. nov. The following species are considered as nomina dubia: Ischnocolus hirsutum (Ausserer 1875) nomen dubium, Ischnocolus alticeps Keyserling 1878 nomen dubium, Pterinopelma tigrinum Pocock 1903 nomen dubium, Mygale detrita Koch 1842 nomen dubium, Ischnocolus doleschalli (Ausserer 1871) nomen dubium, A. geroldi Tesmoingt 1999 nomen dubium, Avicularia holmbergi Thorell 1890 nomen dubium, Avicularia metallica Ausserer 1875 nomen dubium, Mygale ochraceae (Perty 1833) nomen dubium, Eurypelma rapax Ausserer 1875 nomen dubium, Avicularia ulrichea Tesmoingt 1996 nomen dubium, Mygale walckenaeri Perty 1833 nomen dubium, Avicularia exilis Strand 1907 nomen dubium, Avicularia fasciculata Strand 1907 nomem dubium, Avicularia fasciculata clara Strand 1907 nomen dubium, Avicularia soratae Strand 1907 nomen dubium, Avicularia subvulpina Strand 1906 nomen dubium, Avicularia surinamensis Strand 1907 nomen dubium. The folowing species were considered as species inquirendae: Avicuscodra arabica Strand 1908 species inquirenda, Avicularia ancylochyra Mello-Leitão 1923 species inquirenda, Avicularia cuminami Mello- Leitão 1930 species inquirenda, Avicularia glauca Simon 1891 species inquirenda, Avicularia gracilis (Keyserling 1891) species inquirenda, Mygale leporina Koch 1842 species inquirenda, Avicularia nigrotaeniata Mello-Leitão 1940 species inquirenda, Mygale plantaris Koch 1842 species inquirenda. (AU)