Paratropis cf. elicioi - a photo on Flickriver

Bald-legged Spider (Paratropis cf. elicioi). These burrowing spiders are constantly wet and are frequently coated with concealing dirt. Mindo, Ecuador.

I have, with some regularity, been finding and photographing a species of Paratropis at Mindo, on the Andean west slope, since 2008. My own investigations suggested to me that this spider was of an undescribed type. Although I occasionally attempted to interest members of the scientific community in the presence of this apparently undescribed Paratropis, none were able to able to make the leap from passing interest to serious scientific inquiry. Thus, 'my' Paratropis remained nameless until 2015, having been found at a locality some distance to the south of Mindo. What follows is an extract from the paper that gave this spider its name.

2015. Journal of Arachnology 43:327–330

Description of the first visually cryptic species of Paratropis (Araneae: Paratropididae) from Ecuador

Nadine Dupérré: Fundación OTONGA, Calle Rither y Bolivia, Quito, Ecuador; Research Associate, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA. E-mail: nadineduperre@gmail.com

Abstract. A new species of Paratropididae is described, Paratropis elicioi n. sp., representing the first record of the family Paratropididae from Ecuador. A key to the genera of the subfamily Paratropidinae is provided.

Keywords: Spider, Mygalomorphae, taxonomy, new species

In May 2014, the spider biodiversity project of the cloud forest in the Choco ́ region of Ecuador was launched; its goal, to uncover the spider diversity hidden among the clouds. I present here our first discovery, the occurrence of the family Paratropididae in Ecuador with the description of a new species Paratropis elicioi n. sp. The family Paratropididae is composed of 10 species distributed in four genera, occurring in Mexico, Central America and South America (World Spider Catalogue 2014). Paratropididae are visually cryptic (camouflaged) spiders that live hidden in the dirt and can be recognized by their elevated eye tubercle, their weakly or ascopulate tarsi and a body encrusted with soil and dirt (Raven 1985:121).

All images © James A. Christensen/PrimevalNature.com

Please read my profile before making any request for use.

Taken on: January 3, 2019

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Mindo

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Paratropis elicioi

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Camera: Nikon D7100, f/14.0, 1/200 sec, 200mm (=300mm), ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D7100
Lens:	AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF-ED
Aperture:	f/14.0
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	200mm (35mm equivalent: 300mm)
ISO:	125
Exposure Bias:	+7/3 EV
Flash:	On, Return not detected
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Aperture 3.6
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