Aptostichus fornax Bond 2012

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected from pitfall trap, preserved in 70% EtOH. Coloration faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, legs dark red 2.5YR 3/6. Abdomen uniform very pale brown 10YR 7/4, lacks distinct markings (Fig. 298). Cephalothorax. Carapace 4.8 long, 3.96 wide, glabrous, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, strongly recurved. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME’s much smaller in size than AME’s. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 2.75, STRw 2.23. Posterior sternal sigilla medium in size, elongate, positioned centrally, not contiguous, anterior sigilla pairs small, sub-oval to elongate, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 4 teeth, posterior margin with single row of small denticles. Palpal endites, labium, lacks cuspules, LBw 0.77, LBl 0.37. Rastellum consists of 8 stout spines arranged in continuous row. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 4.50, 3.64, 2.82, 1.83, 1.50; leg IV: 4.2, 2.36. Light tarsal scopulae on legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 12 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 299, 300, 302; TSp 17, TSr 12, TSrd 0. Pedipalp. Articles stout, palpal tibia width greater than ½ length, with one large spine situated among distinct patch of smaller spines (Figs 301, 302). Palpal bulb short, broad with slight curvature at tip, lacks serrations. PTw 0.92, PTl 1.70, Bl 0.62. Variation.Known only from the type specimen.

Known only from the type locality in Inyo County, characterized as Mojave Desert habitat.