Kiskalla is an adjective in Quechua language that means “spiny” and refers to the large number of spines on all legs, particularly in males. The genus gender is feminine.

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov.

The new genus differs from all remaining Theraphosinae genera by the following combination of characters: the presence of lateral abdominal stripes (Figs 2F, 4C, 9), a small dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch of type III urticating setae (Figs 8C, 9D, 10B, 12G), presence of short, stout setae on the dorsal metatarsi encircling the filiform trichobothria (Fig. 4H), an apical crown of long spines on ventral metatarsi of all legs in both sexes (Figs 4G, 10G) and tarsi IV with slightly-developed scopula restricted to the margins due to the presence of long ventral setae (Fig. 4G). In addition, males and females share a general similarity in the shape of the palpal bulb and spermathecae with those of Hapalotremus. However, males are readily distinguished by the presence of a very large and serrated SA keel on the palpal bulb, combined with a well-developed PI keel on embolus and a barely perceptible PS keel (Figs 3A–D, 7), a projection on the retrolateral face of the cymbium (Fig. 6A), tibiae of legs I about 1:3 longer (Fig. 5A), and a tibial apophysis not arising from a large common base (Fig. 5). Females are distinguished from Hapalotremus by having a single dome-shaped receptacle lacking both apical and basal lateral projections (Figs 8E, 10H, 12F, 13H).

Figure 2. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., A–D holotype male (MUSA-AR 317). A Carapace, dorsal view; B sternum, ventral view; C labium and maxillae, ventral view (green arrow indicates setae); D abdomen, dorsal view; E habitat at type locality in Corani, Carabaya, Puno; F holotype male in natural habitat, habitus. Scale bars = 1 mm. Photos: O. Quispe-Colca.

Figure 3. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., holotype male (MUSA-AR 317). A Palpal bulb in prolateral view.; B palpal bulb in retrolateral view; C palpal bulb in ventral view; D palpal bulb in dorsal view; E tibial apophysis in ventral view. PB = prolateral branch, PI = prolateral inferior keel, RB = retrolateral branch, SA = subapical keel, TP = tegular projection. Scale bars = 1 mm. Photos: O. Quispe-Colca.

Figure 4. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., paratype male (MUBI 313). A Carapace, dorsal view; B abdomen, dorsal view; C abdomen, lateral view; D sternum, ventral view; E labium and maxillae, ventral view; F eyes, dorsal view; G tarsus of leg IV, ventral view (green arrow indicates the crown of ventral spines); H metatarsus of leg IV, dorsal view (green arrow indicates the short setae around the trichobothria). Scale bars = 1 mm. Photos: N. Ferretti.

Figure 5. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., paratype male (MUBI 313), tibial apophysis. A Retrolateral view; B ventral view; C prolateral view. Mt = metatarsus, PB = prolateral branch, RB = retrolateral branch, Ti = tibia. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photos: N. Ferretti.

Figure 6. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., paratype male (MUBI 313), palp. A Retrolateral view; B prolateral view; Cy = cymbium, Ti = tibia. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photos: N. Ferretti.

Figure 7. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., paratype male (MUBI 313), right palpal bulb. A Prolateral view; B retrolateral view; C dorsal view; D ventral view. Abbreviations: A = apical keel, PI = prolateral inferior keel, PS = prolateral superior keel, SA = subapical keel, TP = tegular protuberance. Scale bar = 1 mm. Photos: N. Ferretti.

Figure 8. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., paratype female (MUSA-AR 318). A Carapace, dorsal view; B sternum, ventral view; C abdomen, dorsal view; D labium and maxillae, ventral view; E spermathecae, dorsal view. Scale bars = 1 mm. Photos: O. Quispe-Colca.

Figure 9. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., paratype females (MUBI 313, 314), habitus. A dorsal view; B dorsolateral view; C recently molted female, dorsolateral view; D posterodorsal view. Scale bars = 1 cm. Photos: J.C. Chaparro.

Figure 10. 

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., paratype female (MUBI 314). A Carapace, dorsal view; B abdomen, dorsal view; C sternum, ventral view; D abdomen, ventral view; E labium and maxillae, ventral view; F eyes, dorsal view; G tarsus IV, ventral view (green arrow indicates the crown of ventral spines); H spermathecae, dorsal view. Scale bars = 1 mm. Photos: N. Ferretti.

Kiskalla shares with other Peruvian Theraphosidae inhabiting high montane regions the presence of only type III urticating setae, as in Anqasha Sherwood and Gabriel, 2022; Antikuna; Bistriopelma; Chinchaysuyu Ferretti et al., 2023; and Hapalotremus. Females of Kiskalla differ from all the above genera (except Hapalotremus) by the presence of a single spermathecal receptacle. Kiskalla further differs from Anqasha by the general morphology of the male palpal bulb: the embolus of Kiskalla lacks the R keel, which is present and well-developed in Anqasha (Sherwood and Gabriel 2022a; Kaderka 2023). Males of Kiskalla also differ from those of Antikuna by possessing a well-developed, serrated SA keel and only a slightly-developed PS keel, whereas Antikuna species show a small SA keel and a well-developed PS keel (Kaderka et al. 2021). Kiskalla is easily distinguished from Bistriopelma by having a single dorsal patch of urticating setae on the abdomen instead of the two patches characteristic of Bistriopelma and by the morphology of male palpal bulb (Kaderka 2015). In addition, Kiskalla differs from Chinchaysuyu in the morphology of the male palpal bulb, which in Kiskalla bears PS and PI keels, whereas Chinchaysuyu shows a multiple rolateral accessory keels extending across the tegulum, along with the presence of an R keel (Ferretti et al. 2023; Kaderka 2024). Males of Kiskalla are further distinguished from those of Hapalotremus by the presence of a cymbial retrolateral projection, a well-developed serrated SA keel, and a weakly-developed PS keel on the prolateral face of embolus but highly distinct in ventral view; females differ by lacking apical and lateral projections on the spermathecae, which are variable developed in Hapalotremus (Ferretti et al. 2025). Finally, Kiskalla differs from some representatives of Thrixopelma that bear only type III urticating setae, by the non-spatulate embolus of the male palpal bulb, the PI keel lacking crests, and the absence of an R keel on the embolus (Sherwood et al. 2021).

Kiskalla comprises small-sized brown to grey tarantulas, with total body length ranging from 11.8 to 19.1 mm (excluding chelicerae and spinnerets). Carapace oval, uniformly colored; caput highly elevated in Kiskalla zukuapasanka sp. nov. Ocular tubercle oval, slightly to high elevated, wider than long, bearing eight eyes, anterior eye row slightly procurved to procurved, posterior row recurved in dorsal view. Clypeus narrow. Fovea transverse, deep and wide, procurved. Chelicerae lacking rastellum and stridulatory bristles; promargin with 10–12 teeth. Labium wider than long, with 4–24 cuspules restricted to the anterior third. Maxillae with 66–170 cuspules on the basal half of the ventral side. Ventral surface of maxillae with apical half to nearly the entire surface covered by short spiniform setae. Sternum rounded with long soft setae on margins, three pairs of oval sigillae. Abdomen with lateral black stripes along the margins (more conspicuous in Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov.) and with a single dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch of type III urticating setae. Legs very spinose; tarsi IV lacking scopulae or with scopulae poorly developed and restricted to the margins by long setae. Leg formula: I>IV>II>III in males, IV>I>II>III in females. Femur III incrassate in males. Palpal bulb of males with globose tegulum and a tegular projection, embolus wide, retrolaterally curved with four keels: A, PI, PS and SA serrated. Spermathecae of females consists in a single subquadrate dome-shaped receptacle with large granules.

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov., K. yeisoni sp. nov. and K. zukuapasanka sp. nov.

Holotype: PERU • 1♂; Puno, Carabaya, Corani; 4360 m a.s.l.; 19.IV.2022; Y. A. Calizaya Melo col.; MUSA-AR 317. Paratypes: PERU • 1♀; same locality and data as holotype; MUSA-AR 318 • 1♂; Puno, Carabaya, Corani, close to Chacomiza community; 4570 m a.s.l.; 18.I.2024; A. Quiroz col.; MUBI 313 • 2♀♀; same data as preceding male; MUBI 314.

PERU • 1♀; Puno, Carabaya, Juro Juro, road to Ollachea; 4115 m a.s.l.; 24.XI.2019; Chaparro and Richards cols.; MUBI 104 • 1♀; Puno, Huiquisa; 30.IX.2023; N. Ferretti, R. West and J. Chaparro cols.; MUBI 229.

This species is named in honor and in loving memory of Ignacio Enrique Quispe-Escobedo, father of Oscar M. Quispe-Colca, with whom Oscar spoke a lot about the discovery of this species.

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov. differs from K. yeisoni sp. nov. and K. zukuapasanka sp. nov. by its distinctive coloration: carapace, legs and palps blackish-brown with whitish pubescence; abdomen dorsally black with short lateral bands contrasting with a whitish ventral surface (Figs 2D, 2F, 4C, 9B). Females of K. ignacioi sp. nov. also differ from congeners by the shape of the spermathecae, which consists in a single sub-quadrate seminal receptacle (Figs 8E, 10H).

Male holotype (MUSA-AR 317). Total length: 11.8. Carapace: length 5.77, width 5.45. Chelicerae with 11–12 teeth on promargin; cheliceral teeth pattern from the basal end: right side: V-V-V-VVVVVV-V-v, left side: V-V-V-vvVVVV-V-V-v. Anterior eye row slightly procurved, posterior recurved (Fig. 2A). Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.21, ALE 0.24, PME 0.18, PLE 0.27, AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.39, PME–PLE 0.07, ALE–PLE 0.16, AME–PME 0.09, OQ length 0.43, width 0.63. Ocular tubercle oval and slightly elevated, length 0.62, width 1.01, clypeus narrow, length 0.22. Fovea transverse, deep, procurved, width 0.78 (Fig. 2A). Labium length 0.61, width 1.26, anterior third with 6 cuspules (Fig. 2B, C), maxillae right/left with 91/97 cuspules, ventral maxillae covered with short spiniform setae located on apical half (Fig. 2C). Sternum: length 3.12, width 2.05, with three pairs of oval sigillae (Fig. 2B). Abdomen: length 6.04, width 4.24. PLS three-segmented, length 1.93, basal segment 0.69, middle segment 0.41, apical segment 0.83, all digitiform. PMS (one segment), length 0.34. Abdomen with type III urticating setae located in a medial dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch (Fig. 2D), length 1.77, width 0.83. Leg pattern: I>IV>II>III (Table 1) with incrassate femora III. — Scopulae: All tarsi fully scopulated, tarsi I–II with scopula divided by one row of short setae, tarsi III–IV with scopula slightly developed, restricted to margins. Metatarsi I 1/3 scopulated, metatarsi II 1/3 scopulated, metatarsi III 1/6 scopulated and metatarsi IV without scopula. — Spination: Femora I–IV and femora of palps 0. Patellae I–IV and patellae of palps 0. Tibiae I v (1-2)-2-2 (apical), p 0-1-1, r 1-(1-0)-1; II right v 2-2-3 (apical), p 1-0-1, r 1-1-1; III v 2-3-2 (apical), p 0-1-1, r 1-1-0; IV v (0-1)-2-2 (apical), r 0-1-(0-1) and tibiae of palps left 0. Metatarsi I v 2-(1-0)-2 (apical), p 1-1-0, r (0-1)-1-0; II right v 3-2-4 (apical), p 1-1-1, r 0-1-0; III v 3-(3-2)-6 (5-6 apical), p 1-1-1, r (1-0)-1-2; IV v (2-3)-3-(5-6) (5 apical), p 0-(0-1)-1, r 1-2-1. Tarsi I–IV and tarsi of palps 0. Metatarsi of legs I–IV with short and strong dorsal spines interspersed with the trichobothria and a crown of apical ventral spines. — Tibial apophysis with two unequal branches, retrolateral branch longer than prolateral (Fig. 3E). Prolateral branch with a single inner spine of similar length and retrolateral branch with one apical short spine and two basal spines retrolaterally positioned (Fig. 3E). Metatarsus I slightly curved. Flexion of metatarsus I retrolateral to the tibial apophysis. — Cymbium with lobes unequal in sizes and a with retrolateral triangular projection; retrolateral lobe distinctly larger than the prolateral. Palpal bulb with developed tegular projection; embolus thick, relatively short, curved retrolaterally. PS keel weakly-developed, nearly imperceptible; PI keel well-developed with a crest above the embolus tip, SA well developed, apically pointed and serrated, A keel present, small (Fig. 3A–D).— Coloration (in life). Carapace blackish-brown with dense whitish pubescence and long whitish setae on margins, chelicerae dorsally covered with whitish setae (Fig. 2F). Legs and palps blackish-brown; femora with faint whitish pubescence; patellae, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi with whitish pubescence (Fig. 2F). Femora of legs and palps with three parallel longitudinal stripes (two dorsal, one retrolateral); patellae I–II and palps with two nearly equal parallel longitudinal stripes; patellae III–IV with two unequal diagonal stripes; tibiae and palpal tibiae with two parallel longitudinal stripes; one longitudinal stripe reaching close to the third part of the metatarsi I–II. Abdomen black, with whitish lateral bands with wavy edges and narrow arrowhead-shaped patch of golden-brown urticating setae (Fig. 2F).

males. The paratype male from a locality near that to the holotype presents eight labial cuspules and a more rounded sternum (Fig. 4D, E). The carapace shares the wittish setae on margins but it is covered by iridescent purple setae (Fig. 4A, F); lateral abdominal stripes and pale margins are so more conspicuous (Fig. 4B, C) and the urticating patch is slightly displaced towards the central portion of the dorsal abdomen (Fig. 4B). Both the holotype and paratype males share ventral maxillae with the apical half covered by short spiniform setae (Fig. 4E) as well as short, stout setae on the dorsal metatarsi encircling the trichobothria (Fig. 4H). The tibial apophyses have some differences, the male paratype has a more curved RB along with a stout spine on the apical portion (Fig. 5). In relation to the palp configuration, the male paratype has a more developed cymbial projection on the retrolateral face (Fig. 6A) and the palpal bulb has a PS slightly more distinct than in the holotype male and a well-developed tegular projection along with a more serrated SA keel (Fig. 7A–D).

Female paratype (MUSA-AR 318). Total length: 19.10. Carapace: length 7.40, width 6.34. Chelicerae with 11–12 teeth on promargin; cheliceral teeth pattern from the basal end: right side: V-V-VvvvvVVV-V, left side: v-V-VVvvvvvVV-V. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved (Fig. 8A). Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.23, ALE 0.26, PME 0.20, PLE 0.27, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.09, PME–PME 0.55, PME–PLE 0.08, ALE–PLE 0.19, AME–PME 0.10, OQ length 0.46, width 0.76. Ocular tubercle oval and slightly elevated (Fig. 8A), length 0.89, width 1.12, clypeus narrow, length 0.22. Fovea transverse, deep, procurved (Fig. 8A), width 1.16. Labium length 0.89, width 1.60, anterior third with 4 cuspules (Fig. 8D), maxillae right/left with 66/71 cuspules, ventral maxillae covered with short spiniform setae located on apical half (Fig. 8B, D). Sternum: length 4.01, width 3.32, with three pairs of oval sigillae (Fig. 8B). Abdomen (Fig. 8C): length 11.7, width 8.84. PLS three-segmented, length 3.34, basal segment 1.27, middle segment 0.92, apical segment 1.15, all digitiform. PMS (one segment), length 0.79. Abdomen with type III urticating setae located in a narrow arrowhead-shaped patch (Fig. 8C), length 3.79, width 2.66. Leg pattern: IV>I>II>III (Table 2). — Scopulae: Tarsi I–II fully scopulated and entire with a row of thin setae, tarsi III–IV without scopula. Metatarsi I 1/3 scopulated, metatarsi II 1/5 scopulated, metatarsi III–IV without scopula. — Spination: Femora I–IV and femora of palps 0. Patellae and patellae of palps 0. Tibiae I 0; II 0; III v 0-0-(0-1) (apical); IV 0. Metatarsi I v 0-0-1 (apical); II v 0-0-4 (apical), p 0-0-(1-0) (apical); III v 0-(3-1)-(6-5) (apical), p 0-(0-1)-2 (apical), r 0-1-(1-2); IV v (1-0)-(1-3)-4 (3-4 apical), p 0-0-2 (1 apical), r 0-(0-1)-1. Tarsi I–IV and tarsi of palps 0. — Spermathecae: with a single subquadrate dome-shaped receptacle with large granules (Fig. 8E) — Coloration (in life): Carapace blackish-brown, with whitish pubescence extending from the anterior margin of the ocular tubercle to the fovea, and long whitish setae along the margins; chelicerae dorsally covered with whitish setae (Fig. 9). Legs and palps blackish-brown; femora with faint whitish pubescence; patellae, tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi with whitish pubescence (Fig. 9). Femora of legs and palps with three parallel longitudinal stripes (two dorsal, one retrolateral); patellae I–II and palpal patella with two nearly equal parallel longitudinal stripes, patellae III–IV with two unequal diagonal stripes; tibiae with two parallel longitudinal stripes; metatarsi I–II with a longitudinal stripe extending to midlength, metatarsi III–IV with a stripe extending to about one third of their length; palpal tarsi with a stripe reaching about one fourth of the segment (Fig. 9). Abdomen dark brown, with whitish lateral bands with wavy edges, and a blackish-brown longitudinal band similar running along the midline, adjacent to a golden brown arrowhead-shaped patch of urticating setae, near the posterior end (Fig. 9). Urticating patch small, lanceolate, composed of golden-brown setae (Fig. 9).

One of the paratype female (Fig. 10) from a locality near the type site presents five to seven labial cuspules (Fig. 10E), a more strongly procurved fovea (Fig. 10A) and more conspicuous lateral abdominal stripes (Fig. 10B, D). Possibly due to preservation conditions, the females from the Chacaconiza community (MUBI 313, 314) have the entire abdomen covered by short plumose setae, given a “fluffy” appearance (Figs 10B, 10D, 11), a feature not evident in one of the other female paratype (Fig. 8C). Aside from these specific differences, all examined females share the same general morphology; ventral maxillae covered with short spiniform setae restricted to the apical half (Fig. 10E), tarsi IV with only slightly developed scopulae (Fig. 10G) and the spermathecae with a single subquadrate seminal receptacle (Fig. 10H).

Figure 11. 

Detail of plumose setae covering ventral abdomen of Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov. Photos: N. Ferretti.

Kiskalla ignacioi sp. nov. is known from Corani locality at Puno department, Peru (Fig. 16), found at elevations of 4360–4570 m a.s.l. The habitat is characterized by a cold and mountainous environment, with a mean annual temperature of –6°C to 12°C. The vegetation comprises mainly grasslands near to wetlands known as “bofedales” (Fig. 2E). The male holotype was found under a stone without any apparent retreat, the female paratype was found under a stone inside a burrow without discernible webbing and ranged in length between 18–20 cm. Male and female paratypes were found in the field between 2014 and 2024 in areas near the community of Chacaconiza, Corani District, Carabaya Province, Puno Department, Peru. The species inhabited puna grassland formations including tussock grass (pajonal), puna turf, and cryoturbated zones, always associated with rocky outcrops or scattered medium to large-sized stones. Individuals were found beneath stones, usually in small burrows excavated under them, at depths ranging from 20 to 80 mm. During field observations, wasps of the family Pompilidae (known as tarantula hunters) were also recorded in the vicinity of the species’ habitat. It is worth noting that in the area of occurrence, there are plans for the development of two medium-scale open-pit mining projects, which may pose a potential threat to populations of this species.

Holotype: PERU • 1♀; Puno, San Antonio de Putina, Putina; 4000 m a.s.l.; 07.V.2022; O. M. Quispe-Colca col.; MUSA-AR 319.

PERU • 1♀; same data as for holotype; MUSA-AR 321.

This species is named in honor of Yeison A. Calizaya Melo, a close friend of Oscar M. Quispe-Colca, who regards him as a younger brother.

Females of Kiskalla yeisoni sp. nov. differ from congeners by the distribution of short spiniform setae covering most of the surface of maxillae (Fig. 12E), whereas in K. ignacioi sp. nov. and K. zukuapasanka sp. nov., these setae are restricted to the apical half. Kiskalla yeisoni sp. nov. also differs from K. ignacioi sp. nov. by its coloration: carapace, legs, and palps dark-brown; abdomen pale brown, lacking lateral bands (Fig. 12G); and spermathecae consisting of a single dome-shaped receptacle with small granules (Fig. 12F), instead of a sub-quadrate receptacle with large granules. Females of K. yeisoni sp. nov. resemble those of K. zukuapasanka sp. nov. in the general aspect of the spermathecae, but can be easily distinguished by the lower number of labial and maxillary cuspules (Fig. 12E), a shorter fovea (Fig. 12A), and a slightly elevated caput (Fig. 12A).

Figure 12. 

Kiskalla yeisoni sp. nov., A–G holotype female (MUSA-AR 319). A Carapace, dorsal view; B sternum, ventral view; C abdomen, dorsal view; D eyes, dorsal view; E labium and maxillae, ventral view; F spermathecae, dorsal view; G habitus; H habitat at type locality in San Antonio de Putina, Puno. Scale bars = 1 mm. Photos: O. Quispe-Colca.

Female holotype (MUSA-AR 319): Total length: 15.78. Carapace (Fig. 12A): length 6.17, width 5.28. Chelicerae with 10–11 teeth on promargin; cheliceral teeth pattern from the basal end: right side: V-V-VvvvVVV-V, left side: V-V-VvvvVVVV-V. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.26, ALE 0.23, PME 0.14, PLE 0.22, AME-AME 0.12, AME-ALE 0.10, PME-PME 0.47, PME-PLE 0.07, ALE-PLE 0.21, AME-PME 0.10, OQ length 0.48, width 0.64. Ocular tubercle oval and slightly elevated (Fig. 12D), length 0.76, width 0.97. Clypeus narrow, length 0.08. Fovea transverse, deep, procurved (Fig. 12A), width 0.88. Labium length 0.82, width 1.43, anterior third with 4 cuspules (Fig. 12E), maxillae right/left with 99/97 cuspules, ventral maxillae widely covered with short spiniform setae (Fig. 12E). Sternum (Fig. 12B): length 3.11, width 2.87, with three pairs of oval sigillae. Abdomen (Fig. 12C): length 9.61, width 7.38. PLS three-segmented, length 2.95, basal segment 1.14, middle segment 0.85, apical segment 0.96, all digitiform. PMS (one segment), length 0.72. Abdomen with type III urticating setae located in a medial dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch (Fig. 12C), length 2.27, width 1.36. Leg pattern: IV>I>II>III (Table 3). — Scopulae: Tarsi I–II fully scopulated with a row of thin setae, tarsi III 2/3 scopulated, tarsi IV 1/3 scopulated located on margins. Metatarsi I 1/3 scopulated, metatarsi II 2/3 scopulated, metatarsi III–IV without scopula. — Spination: Femora I–IV and femora of palps 0. Patellae and patellae of palps 0. Tibiae I 0; II 0; III v 0-0-(1-0) (apical), p 0-(1-0)-0, r 0-(1-0)-0; IV p 0-1-0. Metatarsi I v 0-0-2 (apical); II v (0-1)-0-(3-4) (apical); III v 0-(3-2)-4 (apical), p 0-1-1, r (1-0)-(1-0)-(0-1); IV v 1-(3-2)-(5-3) (4-2 apical), p 0-0-(1-0), r 0-1-(0-1). Tarsi I–IV and tarsi of palps 0. — Spermathecae: a single lowered rectangular receptacle with small granules (Fig. 12F). — Coloration (in life): Carapace dark brown with long pale brown setae along the margins; chelicerae dorsally covered with pale brown setae (Fig. 12G). Legs and palps dark brown with long pale brown setae, especially on femora. Femora of legs and palps with three parallel longitudinal stripes (two dorsal and one retrolateral); patellae I–II and palpal patella with two nearly equal parallel longitudinal stripes, patellae III–IV with two unequal diagonal stripes; tibiae of legs and palps with two parallel longitudinal stripes; one longitudinal stripe reaching about one third of the metatarsi I–II length, and about one third of the metatarsi III–IV length; and one longitudinal stripe on palpal tarsi reaching about one third of the segment (Fig. 12G). Abdomen pale brown with a dark brown band running along the midline, adjacent to a light brown arrowhead-shaped patch of urticating setae (Fig. 12G).

Unknown.

Kiskalla yeisoni sp. nov. is known only from Putina locality at Puno department, Peru (Fig. 16), found at elevation of 4000 m a.s.l. The habitat is characterized by a cold and mountainous environment, with a mean annual temperature of –5°C to 17°C. The vegetation comprises mainly scrubs and grasslands near to relict “queñua” forest (Polylepis incarum Bitter and P. triacontandra Bitter) (Fig. 12H), however, there are also nearby crop areas as well as grazing of cattle, sheep and camelids. The entrance to the burrow of the female holotype was found under a rock without any discernible webbing, at a depth between 15 and 20 cm below the ground.

Holotype: PERU • 1♀; Puno, Abra Sallaco; 4000 m a.s.l.; 10.X.2023; N. Ferretti, J. Chaparro and R. West cols.; MUBI 226.

PERU • 3♀♀; Puno, Cuyo Cuyo, Quiscupunco; 4211 m a.s.l.; 25.XI.2019; J. Chaparro and J. Richards cols.; MUBI 103 • 3♀♀; Puno, Sandia, Abra Sallaco; 11.X.2023; N. Ferretti, J. Chaparro and R. West cols.; MUBI 211 • 2♀♀; Puno, Abra Sallaco; 4000 m a.s.l.; 10.X.2023; N. Ferretti, J. Chaparro and R. West cols.; MUBI 226.

The specific name zukuapasanka is derived from the Quechua words zuku, meaning “grey-haired,” and apasanka, a local name for tarantulas. The epithet refers both to the general appearance of the species, characterized by its greyish setae, and to the common name used by local communities for these spiders.

Females of Kiskalla zukuapasanka sp. nov. resemble those of K. yeisoni sp. nov. in the general aspect of the spermathecae (Fig. 13H) and those of K. ignacioi sp. nov. in having the ventral maxillae with short spiniform setae restricted to the apical half (Fig. 13F). However, K. zukuapasanka sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the higher number of labial cuspules (8–24 in K. zukuapasanka sp. nov. versus 4–7 in K. ignacioi sp. nov. and K. yeisoni sp. nov.), a broader fovea (Fig. 13A), a highly elevated caput (Fig. 13A, C) and booklung openings bordered by short, stout setae (Fig. 13D).

Figure 13. 

Kiskalla zukuapasanka sp. nov., holotype female (MUBI 226). A Carapace, dorsal view; B abdomen, dorsal view; C carapace, lateral view; D abdomen, ventral view, green square shows detail of the stout setae around the booklung opening (green arrows indicate the setae); E sternum, ventral view; F labium and maxillae, ventral view; G eyes, dorsal view; H spermathecae, dorsal view. Scale bars = 1 mm. Photos: N. Ferretti.

Female holotype (MUBI 226): Total length: 10.49. Carapace (Fig. 13A, C): length 5.74, width 5.42. Chelicerae with 10 teeth on promargin and 14 small denticles; cheliceral teeth pattern from the basal end: right side: VvvV-VVVVVV, left side: V-VVvvvVVV-V. Anterior eye row procurved, posterior recurved (Fig. 13G). Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.18, ALE 0.19, PME 0.18, PLE 0.27, AME-AME 0.15, AME-ALE 0.14, PME-PME 0.5, PME-PLE 0.11, ALE-PLE 0.17, AME-PME 0.95. Ocular tubercle oval and slightly elevated (Fig. 13G), length 1.05, width 1.32. Clypeus wide, length 0.58. Fovea transverse, wide, deep, procurved and displaced to proximal carapace making cephalic region highly elevated (Fig. 13A, C), width 2.19. Labium length 0.91, width 1.56, anterior third with 20 cuspules (Fig. 13F), maxillae right/left with 168/170 cuspules on basal proximal margin, ventral maxillae covered with short spiniform setae on apical half (Fig. 13F). Sternum (Fig. 13E): length 3.52, width 3.22, with three pairs of sigillae, first and second pairs circular, third pair oval. Abdomen (Fig. 13B, D): length 4.75, width 3.8. PLS three-segmented, length 2.42, basal segment 0.76, middle segment 0.74, apical segment 0.92, all digitiform. PMS (one segment), length 0.77. Abdomen with type III urticating setae located in a medial dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch (Fig. 13B), length 1.44, width 1.07. Leg pattern: IV>I>II>III (Table 4). — Scopulae: Tarsi I–IV fully scopulated, tarsi I with scopulae divided by a row of about 5 long setae, tarsi II with scopulae divided by a row of about 5/6 long setae, tarsi III–IV with scopulae divided by a row of about 9 long setae. Metatarsi I 1/2 scopulated divided by a row of about 3 long setae, metatarsi II 1/3 scopulated divided by a row of about 3 long setae, metatarsi III 1/4 scopulated, divided by a row of about 6 long setae, metatarsi IV without scopula. — Spination: Femora I d 1-0-0; II–IV 0, palp 0. Patellae of legs and patellae of palps 0. Tibiae I v 1-0-0; II 0; III p 0-0-1; IV v 1-0-1, r 0-0-1. Metatarsi I v 0-0-2; II v 0-2-0 (4 apical); III v 0-1-1-0 (5 apical); IV v 1-2-1 (4 apical), r 0-0-1. Tarsi I–IV and tarsi of palps 0. — Spermathecae: a single lowered rectangular and wide receptacle with large granules (Fig. 13H). — Coloration (in life): Carapace dark brown with long light brown setae along the margins; chelicerae dorsally covered with grey setae (Fig. 14). Legs and palps dark brown with short pale brown setae (Fig. 14). Femora of legs and palps with two nearly equal parallel longitudinal stripes; patellae I–IV with two unequal diagonal stripes; tibiae of legs and palps with two parallel longitudinal stripes (Fig. 14). Abdomen dark greyish brown, with a black longitudinal band extending along midline, adjacent to a grey arrowhead-shaped patch of urticating setae, and with three short lateral bands that do not extent to the margins (Fig. 14).

Figure 14. 

Kiskalla zukuapasanka sp. nov., holotype female (MUBI 226), habitus. A, B Lateral views; C frontal view; D dorsolateral view. Scale bars = 1 cm. Photos: J.C. Chaparro.

Unknown.

Kiskalla zukuapasanka sp. nov. is known only from Abra Sallaco and Cuyo Cuyo localities at Puno department, Peru (Fig. 16), found at elevations of 4000–4220 m a.s.l. The habitat is damp and mountainous featuring steep valleys with rocky talus slopes (Fig. 15A) with seasonal temperatures ranging from a low of –4°C to a high of 17°C. Vegetation is sparse and consists of patches of mosses and low grasses. Females and subadults were found in ground retreats under large angular rocks laying on the ground surface. These retreats lacked any discernible webbing at the entrance and appeared to be self-excavated. The retreats under the rock ranged in length from 20 to 40 cm with the end angling deeper into the ground (Fig. 15B).

Figure 15. 

Kiskalla zukuapasanka sp. nov., holotype female (MUBI 226). A Habitat at type locality in Abra Sallaco, Puno; B burrow under a stone from an adult female at type locality; C holotype female in natural environment, habitus. Scale bar = 1 cm. Photos: R.C. West.

Figure 16. 

Distribution map of the known species of Kiskalla gen. nov.