Aptostichus sarlacc Bond 2012

Specimen preparation and condition. Specimen collected dead from pitfall trap, preserved 70% EtOH. Coloration likely faded. Pedipalp, leg I left side removed, stored in vial with specimen. General coloration. Carapace, chelicerae, legs strong brown 7.5YR 4/6. Abdomen uniform very pale brown, lacking distinct dorsal markings (e.g., paratype coloration pattern, Fig. 236). Cephalothorax. Carapace 3.41 long, 2.95 wide, glabrous with only sparse thin black setae, stout black bristles along fringe; surface smooth, pars cephalica elevated. Fringe, posterior margin with black bristles. Foveal groove deep, moderately procurved. Eyes on low mound. AER slightly procurved, PER slightly recurved. PME, AME subequal diameter. Sternum moderately setose, STRl 1.90, STRw 1.62. Posterior sternal sigilla small, positioned towards lateral margin, anterior sigilla pairs small, oval, marginal. Chelicerae with distinct anterior tooth row comprising 5 teeth, posterior margin with patch of very small denticles. Palpal endites with patch of small cuspules on proximal, inner margin, labium with 3 small cuspules, LBw 0.60, LBl 0.29. Rastellum consists of 6 stout spines, 2 offset prolaterally. Abdomen. Setose, heavy black setae intermingled with fine black setae. Legs. Leg I: 3.60, 2.40, 2.14, 1.67, 1.12; leg IV: 3.44, 2.16. Light tarsal scopulae on tarsi legs I, II. Tarsus I with single, slightly staggered row of 13 trichobothria. Leg I spination pattern illustrated in Figures 239, 240; TSp 4, TSr 4, TSrd 3. Pedipalp. Articles slender, lacking distinct spines (Figs 241, 242). PTw 0.48, PTl 1.40, Bl 0.70. Embolus slender, curved at midpoint, with slight curve distally, lacking serrations (Figs 241, 242). Variation (2). Cl 3.41-4.85, Cw 2.95-4.28, STRl 1.9-2.45, STRw 1.62-2.19, LBw 0.60-0.85, LBl 0.29-0.46, leg I: 3.60-5.00, 2.40-3.19, 2.14-2.97, 1.67-2.25, 1.12-1.53; leg IV: 3.44-4.75, 2.16-2.88; PTl 1.40-1.98, PTw 0.48-0.63, Bl 0.70-1.01, TSp 4-4, TSr 3-4, TSrd 3-3.

Little is known about this species; it is very rare in collections and is only known from two specimens collected in the Mojave Desert in Inyo, Kern and San Bernardino Counties (Map 29).