Illustrated key and survey of the
Corythalia
species
Habitus
Chelicera
Palp
RTA
Epigyne
Vulva
leg
Illustration
Foto
MALES
Body
+
Markings
Opistosoma with dark or bright spots
basic colouring dark
Carapace
+
Colouration
Laterally with light bands
Laterally without light bands
Chelicera
+
Base furrow teeth number retromarginal
2 teeth
Base furrow teeth number promarginal
2 teeth
Eyes
+
AER
dorsal edge recurve
Labium
+
Length
longer than wide
Palp
+
Gnathocoxa
Corner present
Tibia - retrolateral tibial apophysis - characteristics
dorsal serration distinct
dorsal serration indistinct but present
dorsal serration absent
base of RTA not or not distinctly wider than distal section
base of RTA distinctly wider than distal section (consider also retrolateral view)
RTA in ventral view very slim
RTA in ventral view slim
RTA in ventral view medium-sized in width (between 3x longer than broad and 4.5x)
RTA in ventral view stout (less than 3x longer than broad)
RTA very long (longer than width of tegulum)
RTA long
RTA medium-sized in length
RTA short (length between 0.3x and 0.5x the width of tegulum)
RTA in retrolateral view more or less parallel with longitudinal axis of palp
RTA in retrolateral view with slight ventral orientation (less than 10° angle)
RTA in retrolateral view with clear ventral orientation (at least 10° angle)
RTA in retrolateral view without bent (or just indistinct bent)
RTA in retrolateral view with bent (distal section at least with 70° bent from longitudinal axis of proximal section)
Tibia - ventral bump - size
absent or at least not recognisable as such
very short and indistinct
short (between 0.5x and 0.8x the width of sperm duct)
medium-sized (as long or about as long as width of sperm duct)
long (at least 1.5x as long as width of sperm duct, sometimes extending beyond lateral margin of tibia in ventral view)
Tibia - ventral bump - characteristics
inconspicuous
moderately conspicuous
conspicuous
very large (extending prolateral margin of tbia in ventral view)
Cymbium
+
Presence of prominent ridges or extensions ventrally
present
absent
Tegulum
+
Width
tegulum narrower than cymbium
tegulum as broad as cymbium
tegulum broader than cymbium (even though minimally broader)
Shape of proximal half
proximal tegulum lobe present
proximal tegulum lobe as such absent
proximal tegulum lobe absent
Proximal lobe - position
at retrolateral half of tegulum
still retrolaterally, but slightly shifted centrally
distinctly shifted centrally
Proximal lobe - size rel.
relatively narrow
medium-sized
broad
Proximal lobe - shape
regularly rounded
prolaterally with very flat extension
Special structures
with (fine) transversal ridge (often at distal half at the area of the border between embolic division and tegulum)
with flat triangular lobe directed distally
without special structures
Sperm duct - location
occupying retrolateral half of tegulum or slightly more
occupying clearly more than retrolateral half and at most 3/4
occupying more than retrolateral 3/4 of tegulum
Sperm duct - shape
double-stacked S-shaped, (very depressed)
double-stacked S-shaped, with proximal loop larger than others
double-stacked S-shaped, with proximal and distal loop equal in size
double-stacked S-shaped, with proximal loop smaller than distal
shape not recognisable, as only parts of sperm duct visible through tegulum surface
Embolus
+
Base position
centro-distally (or even retrolatero-distally)
in prolateral half (or, depending on the size, prolateral 2/3, 3/4, etc.) of tegulum, but not reaching the prolateral margin; at distal section
in prolateral half (or, depending on the size, prolateral 2/3, 3/4, etc.) of tegulum, in line with (or even extending) the prolateral margin; at distal section
in prolateral half of tegulum, but not reaching prolateral margin, between central and distal section of tegulum
in prolateral half (or, depending on size, prolateral 2/3, 3/4, etc.) of tegulum but not reaching prolateral margin, at subdistal section (almost distally)
Base circle size
extremely small (width less than 1/4 the width of tegulum)
very small (width between 1/4 and 1/3 the width of tegulum)
small (width between 1/3 and 1/2 the width of tegulum)
medium-sized
large (width between 2/3 and 3/4 the width of tegulum)
very large
Base - special structures
Special structures at/ on embolus base absent (except for indistinct ridges or flat bulges that are often recognisable)
with prolateral extension in form of an elongated bulge
with some thorn- or tooth-like extensions prolatero-distally (sometimes not distinctly extending but always recognisable as such)
with longitudinal division (ridge) dividing embolus base in a basal and a prolatero-distal part (prolatero-distal part in retrolateral view distinctly protruding from distal part of tegulum)
with longitudinal ridge (division) leaving a basal part prolaterally (but sometimes not clearly recognisable!)
Arising point
1 o´clock-position
2 o´clock-position
3 o´clock-position
4 o´clock-position
5 o´clock-position
6 o´clock-position
7 o´clock-position
8 o´clock-position
9 o´clock-position
10 o´clock-position
11 o´clock-position
12 o´clock-position
Direction of distalmost section
distally to minimally prolatero-distally (not more than 10° angle from longitudinal axis of cymbium)
prolatero-distally (with between 11° and 50° angle from longitudinal axis of cymbium)
disto-prolaterally to prolaterally (with at least 51° angle from longitudinal axis of cymbium)
width relation - at arising point - subdistally
at most 2x broader
from 2.1x to 2.5x broader
from 2.6x to 4x broader
from 4.1x to 7.5x broader
width relation - subdistally - centrally
at most 1/4 the width of central section
from > 1/4 to < 1/2 the width of central section
from > 1/2 to < 3/4 the width of central section
from > 3/4 to < 1x the width of central section
even > than the width of central section
Shape
circular curved
bent counterclockwise
General structure
with more than 3 longitudinal ridges
without or with 1-3 (at most) longitudinal ridges
very short, shorter than 1/3 width of tegulum
short, between 1/3 and 1/2 the width of tegulum
medium-sized, between 1/2 and 1x the width of tegulum
long
very long, more than 1.5x the width of tegulum
with less than 1/2 winding
with more than 1/2 winding but less than 3/4 winding
with more than 3/4 winding but less than 1 winding
with more than 1 1/2 windings
with distinct embolic lamella (longitudinally associated hyaline membrane (homologous to conductor?), over entire embolus length)
without distinct embolic lamella over entire embolus length
with apophysis
without apophysis
in ventral view subdistally distinctly narrower than proximally
in ventral view subdistally not narrower or narrower, but not distinctly narrower than proximally (more than 1/7 as broad
narrow (centrally between 1/4 and 1/3 the width of sperm duct)
narrow to medium-sized and hose shaped
quite broad and hose-shaped
massive (centrally almost as broad or broader than width of sperm duct)
filiform (very narrow: centrally with less than 1/4 the width of sperm duct)
differently shaped (not hose-shaped, not filiform, not massive) (e.g. irregular shape or...)
elongated lobe-like
Special structure
distally regularly bifurcated
distally irregularly bifurcated
subdistally broadened
S-shaped
sickle-shaped
distally prolaterally with very fine candle-flame-like protrusion
distally pointed
distally distinctly bent retrolaterally
distally rounded
distally truncated
tip bent proximo-ventrally
tip bent retrolaterally (tip may be very fine and light)
without apohysis (apophyses)
with one apohysis
with two apohysis
with more than two apohyses
with membranous lamella subdistally or distally
Legs
+
Leg formula
1-2-3-4
1-3-4-2
3-4-1-2
3-4-2-1
4-3-1-2
4-3-2-1
Colouration
moderately dark or light (red-)brown with many lighter annulations
dark red-brown or brown with several lighter annulations, mainly at proximal articles and tarsi, but also at distal sections of tibiae and/or metatarsi
dark red-brown or brown with few lighter annulations, mainly at proximal articles and tarsi
completely or mainly with dark colour (e.g. dark red-brown) ((hardly with lighter sections, e.g. only tarsi lighter)
Opisthosoma
+
Colouration
three bands; AM broadest; C second broadest, with dark chevron; PM narrowest
three bands; AM broadest; C second broadest (but only slightly narrower than AM), without dark chevron; PM narrowest
three bands; AM broadest; AM & C narrower (C < 1/6 OL), with light small stacked chevrons betw. C & PM
three bands; AM broadest; AM & C narrower (C < 1/6 OL), without light small stacked chevrons betw. C & PM
three bands; AM broadest; C & PM longitudinally connected by large and broad light patch
three bands; C & PM medially interrupted or at least less distinct; C broadest, but still narrow (< 1/6 OL), without d. chevron; PM very narrow, but still slightly broader than AM, hence, O with large dark field occupying large part of anterior half of O
two bands (AM missing or at most minimally indicated); C < 1/6 OL, but anyway slightly broader than PM and with dark chevron in centre; in the section between C and PM with several light, stacked chevrons
Distribution
+
Geographical Distribution
South America
North America
FEMALES
Body
+
Markings
Opistosoma with dark or bright spots
basic colouring dark
Carapace
+
Colouration
Laterally with light bands
Laterally without light bands
Chelicera
+
Base furrow teeth number promarginal
2 teeth
Eyes
+
AER
dorsal edge recurve
Labium
+
Length
longer than wide
Palp
+
Gnathocoxa
Corner present
Corner absent
Legs
+
Leg formula
3-4-1-2
3-4-2-1
4-3-1-2
4-3-2-1
Colouration
moderately dark or light (red-)brown with many lighter annulations
dark red-brown or brown with several lighter annulations, mainly at proximal articles and tarsi, but also at distal sections of tibiae and/or metatarsi
dark red-brown or brown with few lighter annulations, mainly at proximal articles and tarsi
completely or mainly with dark colour (e.g. dark red-brown) ((hardly with lighter sections, e.g. only tarsi lighter)
Opisthosoma
+
Colouration
three bands; AM broadest; C second broadest, with dark chevron; PM narrowest
three bands; AM broadest; C second broadest (but only slightly narrower than AM), without dark chevron; PM narrowest
three bands; AM broadest; AM & C narrower (C < 1/6 OL), without light small stacked chevrons betw. C & PM
three bands; AM broadest; C & PM longitudinally connected by large and broad light patch
three bands; C broadest, with d. chevron; PM very narrow, but 2nd broadest; AM even narrower than PM and only at anterior margin of O, leaving a large dark field occupying almost complete anterior half of O
three bands; C & PM medially interrupted or at least less distinct; C broadest, but still narrow (< 1/6 OL), without d. chevron; PM very narrow, but still slightly broader than AM, hence, O with large dark field occupying large part of anterior half of O
two bands (AM missing or at most minimally indicated); C < 1/6 OL, but anyway slightly broader than PM and with dark chevron in centre; in the section between C and PM with several light, stacked chevrons
Epigyne
+
Field - presence
present
absent
Field - width
(slightly) longer than broad
broader than long
clearly broader than long
Window - shape
(approximately) round (length / width < 1.1)
oval
with transversal division (part of this devision might be indicated by colour difference or fine gradation)
without transversal division
anterior 1/3 of epigynal window broader than posterior 1/3
anterior 1/3 of epigynal window narrower than posterior 1/3
anterior 1/3 of epigynal window more or less as broad as posterior 1/3
Windows - septum - state
continuous
uncontinuous
very narrow
narrow (> 1/8, < 1/6 the width of epigynal window)
medium-sized (> 1/6, < 1/3 the width of epigynal window)
broad (> 1/3, < 2/3 the width of epigynal window)
very broad (> 2/3 the width of epigynal window)
separating more than only the posterior sections of epigynal windows
at anteriormost section rather converging than diverging
at anteriormost section clearly diverging
Window - posterior margin - distance to EpGF
very short (< 1/10 the length of epigynal window)
short
medium-sized (> 1/3 the length of epigynal window; < 1/2)
long (> 1/2 the length of epigynal window; < 1)
very long (at least as long as epigynal window)
Window - posterior margin - position
not reaching the epigastric furrow
reaching (or almost reaching or minimally extending) the epigastric furrow
distinctly extending beyond epigastric furrow
Window - lateral margin - condition
continuous
with gap (might be very conspicuous!)
Window - anterior margin - condition
margins of both epigynal windows anterio-medially regularly connected
margins of both epigynal windows anterio-medially not connected
Window - posterior half - shape
regularly rounded
medially with relatively steep and long increase (medio-)anteriorly, leaving a distinctly large, approximately triangular field between them and the epigastric furrow
Copulatory opening - location
located in anterior half of epigyne
located centrally or more or less centrally in epigyne
located in posterior half of epigyne
Vulva
+
blind sac - length
at least 3x longer than broad
less than 3x longer than broad
blind sac absent
fertilization duct - arising point
centro-anteriorly
medio-anteriorly
medially
anterio-medially
centro-subanteriorly
fertilization duct - width
initial section of fertilisation duct narrow
initial section of fertilisation duct medium-sized (not narrower or at most 3/4 as narrow as connective duct)
initial section of fertilisation duct comparatively broad ([slightly] broader than connective duct)
primary spermatheca - shape
round
slightly elongated, anteriorly converging (drop-shaped)
elongated sac-like
transversal oval
diagonal oval
primary spermatheca - size rel.
small (diameter of primary spermatheca less than 1/2 the length of epigynal window)
medium-sized (diameter of primary spermatheca more than 1/2 the length of epigynal window, but less than 2/3)
large (diameter of primary spermatheca more than 2/3 the length of epigynal window, but less than 3/4)
very large (diameter of primary spermatheca more than 3/4 the length of epigynal window)
no statement possible, as primary spermatheca is not visible through epigynal cuticle or epigynal window(s) is/are absent
primary spermatheca - position
(all parts) clearly anterior of secondary spermatheca (in dorsal view with gap between the two)
anteriorly in line with secondary spermatheca (may reaching further posteriorly than secondary spermatheca)
(all parts) clearly posterior of secondary spermatheca (in dorsal view with [clearly recognisable] gap between the two)
(main parts) posterior of secondary spermatheca (in dorsal view without gap between the two; may touching each other)
no statement possible (e.g. because secondary spermatheca missing)
secondary spermatheca - presence
present
absent (at least not recognisable as such; spermathecal heads may be located on a slightly widened section of the copulatory duct)
secondary spermatheca - shape
(approximately) round
kidney-shaped
"volumnious crescent"-shaped
drop-shaped
longitudinally oval
transversally oval
different
secondary spermatheca - visibility
visible through cuticle of the epigyne
secondary spermatheca - size rel.
very small (ratio "diameter primary spermatheca / diameter secondary spermatheca" > 2.5)
small (ratio "diameter primary spermatheca / diameter secondary spermatheca" < 2.5 but > 1.5)
medium-sized
with the same size (at least approximately) as primary spermatheca
larger than primary spermatheca
secondary spermatheca - span
span over both secondary spermathecae longer than span over both primary spermathecae
span over both secondary spermathecae as long as span over both primary spermathecae
span over both secondary spermathecae shorter than span over both primary spermathecae
no statement possible as secondary spermathecae absent
secondary spermatheca - orientation
diagonal (latero-anteriorly; with spermathecal head orientated antereo-laterally)
diagonal (latero-anteriorly; with spermathecal head orientated latero-posteriorly)
diagonal (medio-anteriorly; with spermathecal head orientated posteriorly)
longitudinal (posterio-anteriorly; with spermathecal head orientated posteriorly)
longitudinal (posterio-anteriorly; with spermathecal head orientated latero-posteriorly)
transversally (medio-laterally; with spermathecal head orientated latero-posteriorly)
transversally (medio-laterally; with spermathecal head orientated medio-posteriorly)
being round and thus orientation not recognisable; with spermathecal head orientated laterally)
being round and thus orientation not recognisable; with spermathecal head orientated posteriorly)
being round and thus orientation not recognisable; with spermathecal head orientated ventro-laterally)
no statement possible as secondary spermathecae are absent
connective duct - initial position
posterio-medially
anterio-medially
centro-medially
ventro-medially
dorso-medially
(ventro)-anterio-laterally
ventro-anteriorly
centro-anteriorly
no statement possible, as secondary spermathecae absent
connective duct - width
very narrow
narrow (width of secondary spermatheca / width of connective duct < 4, but > 3)
medium-sized (width of secondary spermatheca / width of connective duct < 3, but > 2.5)
broad (width of secondary spermatheca / width of connective duct < 2.5, but > 2)
very broad (width of secondary spermatheca / width of connective duct < 2)
no statement possible, as secondary spermathecae and connective duct absent
connective duct - final position
medially
posterio-medially
anterio-medially
ventro-medially
posterio-ventrally
connective duct - shape
straight (or at least approximately straight) longitudinally
straight (or at least approximately straight) diagonally converging
mainly straight longitudinally, but initially curved
mainly straight (or at least approximately straight) longitudinally, but at initial half with 180° (re-)curve medially
slightly curved and converging
slightly curved and strongly diagonally converging
convoluted (with at least 5 curves)
connective duct - length rel.
short
medium-sized (length of connective duct / width of primary spermatheca > or equal 1.25, but < 1.5)
long (length of connective duct / width of primary spermatheca > or equal 1.5, but < 2)
very long (length of connective duct / width of primary spermatheca > or equal 2)
head of spermatheca - shape
very flat (length < or equal 1/2 x width)
flat
round (or at least spherical) (length > or equal 1 x width, but < 1.25x)
elongated (length > or equal 1.25x the width, but < 1.75x)
no statement possible, because heads of spermathecae absent
head of spermatheca - orientation
straight posterior
latero-posteriorly
posterio-laterally
latero-ventrally
anterio-laterally
latero-anteriorly
Distribution
+
Geographical Distribution
South America
North America
Anatomical/Morphological characters are used conforming to the Spider Anatomy Ontology whenever possible (Ramírez & Michalik 2019 – Diversity 11: 1–9.)
accessible through
ONTOBEE