Ctenus igatu sp. nov. (Araneae: Ctenidae): a new subterranean spider from Brazil with an analysis of troglomorphic traits

In this work we describe Ctenus igatu sp. nov., the first ctenid spider from South America with conspicuous troglomorphic traits, including elongated appendages, reduction of eyes, and body depigmentation. The new species is only known to occur in a unique sandstone cave from the state of Bahia, north-eastern Brazil. The morphology of the genitalia suggests that Ctenus igatu sp. nov. is closely related to Ctenus fasciatus Mello-Leitao, 1943, a facultative subterranean species from caves in the state of Sao Paulo, south-eastern Brazil. In addition, we compared morphological traits possibly related to the isolation in subterranean habitats, such as ratios between carapace length vs. leg IV length and eye diameters vs. carapace length, of 19 species of Ctenus (17 epigean species, C. fasciatus and the new troglobitic species described herein). Our analysis showed that both C. fasciatus as C. igatu sp. nov. have morphological troglomorphisms, with C. igatu sp. nov. showing marked specializations to subterranean life.

Automated summary

This study describes a new troglomorphic spider species, Ctenus igatu, found in a unique sandstone cave in northeastern Brazil. Comparison with other Ctenus species revealed that both C. igatu and C. fasciatus show morphological adaptations related to subterranean habitats.