Thalassarachna aculeata

Overview & Synopsis

Thalassarachna aculeata (Makarova, 1978) (Figs. 3–7) Type series.ɹHolotype: ˁ NSMT-Ac 14695 (2/8110) and paratypes: 1 ˂ NSMT-Ac 14696 (3/8110), 2 deutonymphs NSMT-Ac 14697– 14698 (4/8110 and 5/8110). Condition.ɹThe body of the female is barely held in the mounting medium. The other specimens (male and two deutonymphs) are preserved in reasonably good condition. Each body part is visible, and the chaetotaxies of idiosoma, gnathosoma, palps, and legs are almost recognizable in all specimens. Holotype ˁ: Idiosoma length 860, width 660; gnathosoma length 320, width 180; the right first leg is missing. Paratype ˂: Idiosoma length 750, width 500; gnathosoma length 280, width 160. Paratype deutonymphs: NSMT-Ac 14697 (4/8110): Idiosoma length 880, width 640; gnathosoma length 250, width 150; NSMT-Ac 14698 (5/8110): Idiosoma length 650, width 480; gnathosoma length 250, width 150. Remarks. ɹThe specimen number of the holotype given on the glass slide corresponds completely to that in the original description of Makarova (1978). On the other hand, the sex and specimen number of the paratypes given on the slide do not match those in the original description (ˁ, ˂, deutonymph: 3–22/8111–8118). Judging from the general features of the specimens on the slide, it is probable that the female and deutonymph specimens on the slides are the paratype of Thalassarachna aculeata. The species name on the glass slide is given as Halacarus aculeatus. Bartsch (1997) moved this species to the genus Thalassarachna. Bartsch (2009) commented that this species might be a synonym of T. princeps (Trouessart, 1902).