Cybaeus irreverens Bennett & Copley & Copley 2022, spec. nov.

Cybaeus irreverens Bennett spec. nov.

Figs 69–71, 78–84, 87

Type material. U.S.A.: Oregon: Holotype male. Lincoln County, Cape Perpetua, 1 mile up a creek from coast, circa 1 mile south of Yachats, 5.viii.1988, R. G. Bennett (CAS). Paratypes. Benton. 3♂, county line, Hwy 20, 7 mi. W of Blodgett, 8.vi.1968, F. Beer (CAS); 1♂, Mary's Peak, 11.viii.1953, V. D. Roth (CAS); 1♀, McDonald Forest 2.x.1952, V. D. Roth (CAS). Lincoln. 1♂, 11 mi. E of Tidewater Store, 8.vi.1968, F. Beer (CAS).

Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Latin adjective for "disrespectful" or "irreverent" and refers to the resemblance in retrolateral view of the proximal arm of the tegular apophysis to the contemptuous phallic gesture (or digitus impudicus of ancient Rome) involving the middle finger of one hand (Figs 70, 81).

Diagnosis. As with many species of Californian clade Cybaeus, specimens of C. irreverens spec. nov. are pale spiders with unbanded leg segments and a lightly patterned abdomen.

The male of C. irreverens spec. nov. is distinguished from other pale species of Californian clade Cybaeus with unbanded leg segments and a lightly patterned abdomen by a combination of characters of the palpal patella, tibia, and genital bulb. The patellar apophysis (Figs 69, 78–79) is bluntly triangular and basally very broad (the base of the apophysis occupies most of the retrolateral surface of the patella) with about 15–30 peg setae on its posterior dorsal surface. The carinate retrolateral tibial apophysis is about as long as the tibia (Figs 69, 78). The elongate, slender embolus (Figs 69, 80) is smoothly curved. The tegular apophysis (Figs 69, 80–81) is slender basally; the distal arm of the tegular apophysis is elongate and narrow (length about twice width), curved in a prolateral direction, and rounded apically; in retrolateral view (Figs 70, 81) the proximal arm of the tegular apophysis is slightly enlarged basally and narrows abruptly to a simple, elongate, bluntly pointed, ventroprolaterally directed tip.

The female of C. irreverens spec. nov. is distinguished from other pale species of Californian clade Cybaeus with unbanded leg segments and a lightly patterned abdomen by a combination of characters of the atrium, copulatory ducts, and spermathecal stalks. The atrium is characterized by a single, small, transverse atrial opening located posteriorly on the epigynum (Figs 82–83). The elongate copulatory ducts (Figs 83–84) are very broad at their connection with the atrial opening but gradually become narrower as they proceed anteriorly, and in close proximity to each other, from the atrial opening to near the anterior end of the vulva where they diverge and turn posteriorly to connect with the spermathecal heads medially in the vulva. The spermathecal stalks (Figs 83–84) also are elongate but are of narrow diameter throughout their length; they follow a convoluted path from the spermathecal heads anteriorly to the anterior margin of the vulva then turn posteriorly to connect with the spermathecal bases dorsal to the broad portion of the copulatory ducts.

Description. As in diagnosis. Other descriptive characters are presented here. Three complete pairs of ventral tibia I macrosetae, pattern 2(+1p)–1p–2–1p–2.

Male (n=6). The morphology of the tip of the proximal arm of the tegular apophysis shows some variation: in coastal specimens (e.g., Fig. 80) the tip is more ventrally directed and straight while in inland specimens (e.g., Fig. 69) it is more prolaterally directed and slightly curved.

Measurements (n=6). CL 3.0–4.2 (3.7), CW 2.05–2.9 (2.4), SL 1.35–1.88 (1.64), SW 1.25–1.75 (1.51). Holotype smallest specimen.

Female (n=1). Heads of spermathecae (Fig. 84) small dorsolateral lobes medially located in the vulva. Bennett’s glands (Fig. 84) located at junction of spermathecal stalks with large, rounded spermathecal bases. Short fertilization ducts exit bases near junction with stalks.

Measurements (n=1). CL 2.7, CW 1.68, SL 1.33, SW 1.17.

Note: The sexes of C. irreverens spec. nov. were collected separately. Although the single known female specimen is considerably smaller than the males, the sexes are paired here on the basis of geographic locality and the lack of other species of Cybaeus in the vicinity known from only a single sex.

Distribution and natural history. Central Oregon coast in Benton and Lincoln Counties (Fig. 87). Males have been collected in June and August. The holotype was found underneath rotting wood in a spruce forest.