Taxonomic notes on the spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae, Corinnidae), with the description of the new genera Copuetta and Wasaka and the first cladistic analysis of Afrotropical Castianeirinae Author Haddad, Charles R. text Zootaxa 2013 3688 1 1 79 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.3688.1.1 151481a0-71e1-4402-ab7e-8262caddf539 1175-5326 284201 DB84C679-C2AA-41CC-816E-83E2F6DCA391 Copuetta lacustris ( Strand, 1916 ) comb. nov. Figs 9 , 48, 49 , 62–66 , 68–85 , 93 , 102 , 124 –127 Copa lacustris Strand, 1916 : 94 (Ƥ Holotype : D.R. CONGO : Lake Albert, Kassenge [Kasenye, 01°23'N , 30°26'E ], Expedition Adolf Friedrichs, Herzogs & Mecklenberg, III.1908 , ZMB 28200—examined).

Castianeira kibonotensis	Lessert, 1921: 426, figs	62–65 (3 Holotype: TANZANIA: Kilimanjaro Region :	Kibonoto
[Kibongoto, 03°11'S,	37°06'E], zone cultura, III,	left and right palps only, MNHG—examined); Lessert 1936:	276. syn.
nov.

Diagnosis: Males are closely related to C. lesnei sp. nov. but can be recognised by the small embolus with two narrow compressed coils and a blunt tip ( Figs 93 , 102 ), with the embolus projecting only slightly beyond the retrolateral margin of the embolus base; in C. lesnei sp. nov. the embolus has a sharp tip and projects considerably beyond the retrolateral margin of the embolus base (compare Figs 102 and 103 ). Females differ from C. kakamega sp. nov. by the large comma-shaped epigynal ridges ( Fig. 126 ), which are round in C. kakamega sp. nov. ( Fig. 118 ). Remarks: The material of Castianeira kibonotensis Lessert, 1921 requested from the MNHG comprised only of the two palps of the male type specimen (from Kibonoto, Tanzania ), as well as a non-type male specimen from Vila Pery ( Mozambique ) and a male palp of a non-type specimen from Faradje (D.R. Congo ). The Faradje specimen from which the palp originates was presumably deposited in the American Museum of Natural History as the label stated “American Museum Congo Expedition” but it could not be traced in that collection. Unfortunately, the female of C. kibonotensis described by Lessert (1921) could also not be traced. The male from Vila Pery was misidentified by Lessert (1936) as C. kibonotensis , and is a new species, described below as C. lesnei sp. nov. Since the whereabouts of the syntype specimens of C. kibonotensis are unknown, and although only male palps from the male syntype could be located, the male is designated here as the lectotype and the female as the paralectotype . The palps that were studied, as well as Lessert’s (1921) illustrations of the male and female genitalia, provide adequate detail to indicate that this is the male of the widespread Copa lacustris , which is transferred to Copuetta here. Both sexes have been collected together at many localities in southern and eastern Africa. As a result, Castianeira kibonotensis syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of Copuetta lacustris comb. nov. The male palp from Faradje is confirmed as conspecific to C. lacustris comb. nov. Male (Hopefield, NCA 2002/493). Measurements: CL 3.98, CW 3.03, AL 4.23, AW 2.60, TL 8.10 (6.10– 10.60), FL 0.43, SL 1.72, SW 1.67, AME–AME 0.07, AME–ALE 0.01, ALE–ALE 0.60, PME–PME 0.20, PME– PLE 0.10, PLE–PLE 0.70, PERW 1.03, MOQAW 0.62, MOQPW 0.59, MOQL 0.68. Length of leg segments: I 3.08 + 1.45 + 2.45 + 2.50 + 1.45 = 10.93; II 3.10 + 1.40 + 2.38 + 2.58 + 1.35 = 10.81; III 3.05 + 1.32 + 2.30 + 2.85 + 1.25 = 10.77; IV 3.55 + 1.43 + 2.90 + 4.00 + 1.40 = 13.28. General appearance as in Fig. 48 . Carapace bright yellow-orange, eye region mottled black; paired mottled black mediolateral markings from palpal coxae to posterior slope; faint black mottling between mediolateral markings from PER to midpoint; pale along midline from midpoint to posterior of carapace, with small mottled black marking in front of fovea; striae distinct, radiating from fovea, directed between coxae, covered in dense black mottling within mediolateral markings; lateral margins with black fringe, forming large black spot between leg coxae; clypeus black between ALE; markings covered with black feathery setae, areas between them covered in white feathery and short straight setae. AME separated by distance equal to ¼ their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance less than 1⁄10 AME diameter; clypeus height slightly more than 4⁄5 AME diameter; PLE slightly larger than PME; PME separated by distance equal to their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance equal to ½ PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.94:1. Chelicerae dark orange-brown with black mottling on anterior surface; promargin with two teeth separated by ½ the basal width of proximal tooth, distal tooth much larger; retromargin with two teeth separated by ½ their basal width, distal tooth slightly smaller than proximal tooth, close to fang base. Endites deep yellow-brown with faint black mottling, cream prolaterally distally; labium orange-brown with faint black mottling, creamy-yellow distally; sternum yellow, darker around borders, edge brown. Legs yellow-brown with faint black mottling and black spots at spine bases; markings densely covered in black feathery setae, with yellowish feathery setae between them; femora I–IV with mottled black distal band, ventrally with many small black spots at bases of erect setae; patellae I–IV with black mottling laterally and ventrally, dorsal distal end fringed with black; tibiae I and II with faint mottled black proximal and distal bands, III and IV with broad median orange-brown bands with black mottling; metatarsi I–IV orange-brown, paler at proximal and distal ends, with black mottling dorsally; tarsi yellow. Leg spination: femora: I pl 3 do 3 rl 1, II pl 2 do 3 rl 1, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 2; all femora with scattered erect ventral setae; patellae: I and II with fine proximal and distal do setae, III and IV with proximal seta and distal spine dorsally; tibiae: I plv 2 rlv 2, II pl 2 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 1, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2, II plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 3 rl 3 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3, IV pl 3 rl 3 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2, with rlv 5 erect setae; patellae: pl 1 do 2; tibiae: pl 1 do 2 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 plv 3 rlv 1. Abdomen with bright orange anterior dorsal scutum extending just past ½ abdomen length, cream medially behind scutum; dorsum with oval marking anteriorly, laterally and posteriorly, comprising black feathery and short straight setae; dorsum pale along midline, covered in white feathery setae and scattered short straight setae, with faint mottled black markings; spinnerets surrounded by narrow black ring dorsally and laterally, absent ventrally; venter cream, mottled grey in front of spinnerets, densely covered in white feathery setae; epigastric scutum yellow; ventral sclerite absent, paired median row of tiny yellow sclerites between epigastric furrow and spinnerets; inframamillary sclerite yellow-orange. Male palp with yellow femora, yellow-brown patellae and tibiae and orange-brown cymbium; tegulum dark orange, with dark red-brown ducts; embolus small with narrow base, two narrow compressed coils and a blunt tip ( Figs 93 , 102 , 124, 125 ). Female (Erfenis Dam, NCA 2008/553). Measurements: CL 4.30, CW 3.28, AL 5.20, AW 3.65, TL 9.65 (6.95–10.40), FL 0.43, SL 1.97, SW 1.79, AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.01, ALE–ALE 0.66, PME–PME 0.17, PME–PLE 0.08, PLE–PLE 0.67, PERW 1.07, MOQAW 0.64, MOQPW 0.61, MOQL 0.68. Length of leg segments: I 3.20 + 1.54 + 2.50 + 2.72 + 1.50 = 11.46; II 3.17 + 1.50 + 2.42 + 2.65 + 1.45 = 11.19; III 2.90 + 1.45 + 2.43 + 2.90 + 1.30 = 10.98; IV 3.58 + 1.60 + 3.17 + 4.15 + 1.50 = 14.00. General appearance as in Figs 9 and 49 , female more robustly built than male. Carapace bright yellow medially, creamy-yellow laterally, markings and setae as for male. AME separated by distance slightly less than 2⁄5 their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance less than 1⁄10 AME diameter; clypeus height slightly larger than 4⁄5 AME diameter; PLE very slightly larger than PME; PME separated by distance slightly less than 4⁄5 their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance slightly larger than ½ PME diameter; CW: PERW = 3.07:1. Chelicerae brown, yellow prolaterally distally; promargin with two teeth separated by the basal width of proximal tooth, distal tooth much larger; retromargin with two subequal teeth separated by ¼ their basal width, distal tooth close to fang base. Endites yellow-brown with faint black mottling, white prolaterally distally; labium yellowbrown with faint black mottling, white distally; sternum creamy-yellow, yellow-brown around borders. Legs with colour, markings and setae as for male. Leg spination: femora: I pl 2 do 3 rl 1, II pl 2 do 3 rl 1, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 1; all femora with scattered erect ventral setae; patellae: I and II with fine proximal and distal do setae, III and IV with proximal seta and distal spine dorsally; tibiae: I plv 2 rlv 2, II pl 2 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2, II plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 3 rl 3 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3, IV pl 3 rl 3 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2, with rlv 5 erect setae; patellae: pl 1 do 2; tibiae: pl 1 do 1 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 rl 1 plv 3 rlv 1. Abdomen with creamy-yellow dorsal scutum slightly less than 1⁄5 abdomen length; markings and setae as for male but mottling less dense; venter cream, densely covered in white feathery setae; epigastric scutum and inframamillary sclerite yellow-orange; ventral sclerite absent, paired row of indistinct sclerites medially between epigastric furrow and spinnerets. Epigyne with large comma-shaped ridges anteriorly, with copulatory openings situated laterally in depressions, entering directly into ST II ( Fig. 126 ), ridges and openings often plugged ( Fig. 97 ); ST II large, elongate oval and oblique, with posterior “nipple” and sharp anterior bend, broadly connected to kidney-shaped posterior ST I; ST I much narrower than ST II ( Fig. 127 ). Additional material examined: BOTSWANA : Okavango Delta, Near Shakawe, Lesideng Research Camp, 18°25.822'S , 21°53.771'E , leg. C. Haddad, 26–29.XI.2006 (night collecting), 1Ƥ (NCA 2007/976); Okavango Delta, Samochima lagoon, Shakawe Fishing Camp, 18°25.749'S , 21°54.035'E , leg. C. Haddad, 29.XI.2006 (under tree bark), 1Ƥ (NCA 2007/1022). D.R. CONGO : Rwindi, Southern shore of Lake Edward [ 00°47'S , 29°17'E ], leg. E.S. Ross & R.E. Leech, 21.IX.1937 , 1Ƥ ( CAS , CASENT 9033111); Faradje [ 03°44'N , 29°43'E ], leg. American Museum Congo Expedition, 13 palp ( MNHG ). KENYA : Homa Bay Farmers Training Centre, 00°27'S , 34°24'E , leg. C. Midega, 5.III.2003 (pitfalls, maize), 13 (NCA 2005/2014); Kajiado District, Amboseli National Park, Masai Campground [ 02°44'S , 37°22'E ], 14.VII.1982 , leg. R.C. Drewes & J.V. Vindum, 13 ( CAS , CASENT 9033121); Rift Valley Province: Mpala Research Station, 00°17.635'S , 36°53.947'E , 1792m a.s.l., leg. A.H. & M.K. Kirk-Spriggs, 17–18.IV.2011 (Malaise traps, dry Acacia savanna), 13 ( NMBA 16169). LESOTHO : Roma Valley [ 29°27'S , 27°43'E ], leg. G. Kopij, date unknown, 1Ƥ (NCA 2007/3828). MALAWI : Chintheche, 11°50'S , 33°13'E , leg. R. Jocqué, 3.XI.1977 (wasp nest), 1imm. 2Ƥ ( MRAC 153558). MOZAMBIQUE : Pungwe River, 50 miles E of Umtali (Mutare) [ 19°05'S , 33°20'E ], leg. D.L. Patrick, 1903, 1Ƥ ( SAMC 13638). RWANDA : Butare, 02°36'S , 29°44'E , leg. P. Nyalugaka, 10.XI.1970 , 1Ƥ ( MRAC 137770); Butare, Nyakizu, 02°36'S , 29°44'E , leg. P. Nyalugaka, 10.VII.1977 , 1Ƥ ( MRAC 155482); Nyanga, pos Ashida, 02°21'S , 29°45'E , leg. Leshadi, 1939, 6Ƥ ( MRAC 23099). SOUTH AFRICA : Free State : Bloemfontein, 29°08'S , 26°10'E , leg. D. de Swart, 8.X.1992 (in house), 13 ( NMBA 5758); same locality, leg. C. Dreyer, 2.XII.1996 (in house), 2Ƥ ( NMBA 7974); same data, 22.X.1996 , 1Ƥ ( NMBA 8005); same data, 8.X.1996 , 13 ( NMBA 7939); same data, 14.XI.1996 , 13 1Ƥ ( NMBA 7957); same locality, leg. J.J.B. Dreyer, 28.VIII.1992 (in house), 13 ( NMBA 5749); same locality, leg. L. Lotz, 20.IX.1994 (in house), 1Ƥ ( NMBA 8010); same data, 16.X.1996 , 13 ( NMBA 7916); same data, 26.VIII.1994 , 13 ( NMBA 8043); same data, 11.X.1993 , 13 ( NMBA 7988); same data, 30.X.1995 , 13 ( NMBA 7938); same data, X.1994, 13 ( NMBA 7993); same data, 17.IX.1993 , 13 ( NMBA 8028); same data, 4.X.1993 , 1Ƥ ( NMBA 8045); same data, 14.XI.1994 , 13 ( NMBA 8001); same data, 22.X.1989 , 1Ƥ ( NMBA 2961); same locality, leg. E. Lotz, 6.XI.1989 (in house), 13 ( NMBA 2963); same data, 1.X.1990 , 1Ƥ ( NMBA 5325); same data, 11.X.1990 , 13 ( NMBA 5332); same locality, leg. S. Louw, 4.X.1990 (in house), 13 ( NMBA 5326); same data, 13.XII.1990 , 1Ƥ ( NMBA 5345); same data, 1993, 13 ( NMBA 8025); same locality, leg. E. Louw, 12.IX.1990 (in house), 13 ( NMBA 5320); Bloemfontein, Brandwag [ 29°06'S , 26°11'E ], leg. S. van As, 18.III.2002 (in house on wall), 13 (NCA 2002/496); Bloemfontein, Fichardt Park [ 29°08'S , 26°11'E ], leg. S. Lotz & L. Lotz, 28.X.2004 (in house, with termite prey), 1Ƥ ( NMBA 9590); Bloemfontein, Hillsborough [ 29°04'S , 26°12'E ], leg. T. Murray, 10.X.2001 (in house on floor), 13 (NCA 2002/491); Bloemfontein, Langenhoven Park, 29°05.719'S , 26°09.427'E , leg. C. Haddad, 24.IX.2005 (in house), 13 1Ƥ (NCA 2005/2031); same locality, leg. R. Oliver, 23.XII.2002 (in house on curtains), 1Ƥ (NCA 2002/497); Bloemfontein, National Botanical Gardens, 29°08'S , 26°10'E , leg. L. Lotz, XII.2006 – I.2007 (pitfall traps, top of koppie next to stone), 1Ƥ ( NMBA 10850); same locality, leg. L. Lotz, X.2006 (pitfall traps, next to spruit underneath trees), 13 ( NMBA 10906); Bloemfontein district, Deelhoek Farm, 28°51'S , 26°07'E , leg. C. Haddad, 1.IX.2001 (under rocks in grassland), 13 (NCA 2002/492); Bloemfontein district, 52km W of Bloemfontein, Driekoppies Farm [ 29°08'S , 25°36'E ], leg. C. Haddad, 29.XII.2002 ( Eucalyptus leaf litter), 23 1Ƥ (NCA 2002/499); Bloemfontein district, Hopefield Farm, 28°54'S , 26°14'E , leg. C. Haddad, 14.X.2001 (bluegum leaf debris), 13 (NCA 2002/493); same locality, leg. C. Haddad, 18.XI.2001 (bluegum leaf debris), 1imm. 13 1Ƥ (NCA 2002/494); same locality, leg. C. Haddad, 11.XI.2001 (under Eucalyptus bark), 23 (NCA 2008/269); same locality, leg. C. Haddad, 22.XII.2001 (in house on wall), 13 (NCA 2002/495); Bloemfontein district, Maselspoort resort, 29°01.683'S , 26°24.317'E , leg. C. Haddad, 26.XII.2002 (under bluegum bark), 13 1Ƥ (NCA 2002/498); Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve, 28°30.238'S , 26°47.505'E , leg. C. Haddad, 26.X.2006 ( Eucalyptus leaf litter), 13 (NCA 2008/553); Harrismith, 28°17.081'S , 29°06.474'E , leg. C. Haddad, 13.XII.2005 (in house at night), 1Ƥ (NCA 2008/265); Kroonstad district, Koffielaagte Farm, 27°29'S , 27°28'E , leg. C. Haddad, 4.I.2002 (under Eucalyptus bark), 1Ƥ (NCA 2002/504); Sandveld Nature Reserve, 27°41'S , 25°43'E , leg. C. Haddad, 25.X.2003 (in chimney of Odontotermes mound), 1Ƥ (NCA 2002/521); same locality, leg. C. Haddad, 25.XI.2003 ( Acacia erioloba litter), 1Ƥ (NCA 2005/78); Smithfield, 30º12'S , 26º32'E , leg. C. Haddad, 6.VI.2003 (under Eucalyptus bark), 1imm. 13 (NCA 2008/268); Virginia, 28°07'S , 26°45'E , leg. L.N. Lotz, 25.X.1999 (in house), 1Ƥ ( NMBA 9226); Winburg, Allemanskraal Dam, 28°17'S , 27°10'E , leg. L. Lotz, 2.VI.1994 (under stones in grass), 13 ( NMBA 8094). Gauteng : Johannesburg, Sandton [ 26°03'S , 28°03'E ], leg. N. Buckley, VIII.1997, 1 Ƥ (NCA 97/1030); Kempton Park, Esther Park, Otter street [ 26°05'S , 28°12'E ], leg. W. Schmidt, 27.XI.2006 (in house), 2Ƥ (NCA 2008/2778); Pretoria, 25°45'S , 28°12'E , leg. Mrs Thomas, 22.X.1957 , 13 (NCA 76/892); same locality, leg. J. Keytel, 15.XII.1993 (in house), 1Ƥ (NCA 93/1098); same locality, C.E. Griswold, 2.XII.1985 , 1Ƥ ( NMSA ); Pretoria, Monument Park [ 25°48'S , 28°13'E ], leg. Mrs. Bieurenga, 20.II.1993 (in house), 1Ƥ (NCA 94/ 7); Pretoria, Roodeplaat Research Station [ 25°36'S , 28°21'E ], leg. A.S. Dippenaar, 8.II.1973 (on strawberries), 13 (NCA 2001/172); Pretoria, Winternest [ 25°39'S , 28°07'E ], leg. J. van Niekerk, 1993 (on carpet), 1Ƥ (NCA 94/19). KwaZulu-Natal : Empangeni, University of Zululand, 28°45'S , 31°45'E , leg. P. Reavell, 1.X.1981 (on path), 13 ( NMSA 14035); same locality, leg. P.E. Reavell, 1.IX.1983 (running on path), 13 ( NMSA 18486); Illovo Beach, Mount Edgecombe [ 30°07'S , 30°51'E ], leg. C. Cilliers, 7.I.1977 , 1Ƥ (NCA 2007/1136); Pietermaritzburg, Town Bush [ 29°36'S , 30°23'E ], leg. R.F. Lawrence & W.G. Rump, XII.1936, 1 Ƥ ( NMSA 1470). Limpopo : Warmbaths, Klein Kariba, 24°50'S , 28°19'E , leg. R. Jocqué, 27.XI.1996 (bushveld, leaf litter), 1Ƥ ( MRAC 203573); Springbokvlakte, Tuinplaas, 24°54'S , 28°44'E , leg. M. van Jaarsveld, 20.XII.2002 (pitfalls), 13 (NCA 2003/1327); same locality, leg. M. van Jaarsveld, 29.I.2003 (pitfalls, grassland), 1Ƥ (NCA 2003/1326). Mpumulanga : Kruger National Park, Skukuza [ 24°59'S , 31°35'E ], leg. S. & J. Peck, 12–15.XII.1985 (Malaise traps, thornscrub forest), 13 ( AMNH ); Nelspruit, Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Waaierproef, 25°21'S , 31°46'E , leg. M. van den Berg, 20.I.1998 (fogging, macadamia orchards), 1Ƥ (NCA 98/531). Northern Cape : Red Sands Country Lodge, 14km SW Kuruman, 27°30'30''S , 23°17'09''E , leg. M. Burger, F. Endeman & T. Olivier, 26.II–7.III.2006 (pitfall traps, SARCA survey), 1Ƥ (NCA 2007/1299), 1Ƥ (NCA 2007/1302), 1Ƥ (NCA 2007/1311). North West : Bloemhof, 27°39'S , 25°36'E , leg. C. Haddad, 24.IX.2003 ( Eucalyptus leaf litter), 13 1Ƥ (NCA 2003/522); Potchefstroom district, Thabela Thabeng Mountain Retreat, 26°51.828'S , 28°17.805'E , leg. R. Fourie & A. Grobler, 1–29.X.2009 (pitfalls, Vaal River bank), 13 (NCA 2009/3562); same locality, 26°51.825'S , 28°17.819'E , leg. R. Fourie & A. Grobler, 1–29.X.2009 (pitfall traps, woodland grassland), 13 (NCA 2009/3551). Western Cape : Karoo National Park, Beaufort West [ 32°20'S , 22°10'E ], leg. M. de Jager, 9.IX.1994 , 13 (NCA 94/868); Knysna, Uitzicht Annex, 34°00'S , 23°20'E , leg. L.N. Lotz, 4–19.XII.1989 (pres. trap), 1Ƥ ( NMBA 3351); Oudtshoorn, 33.59°S , 22.21°E , leg. Z. van der Walt, 15.XI.2008 (by hand), 1imm. 1Ƥ (NCA 2010/247); same locality, at campground, leg. D. Ubick & S. Prinsloo, 5.X.1999 , 1Ƥ ( CAS , CASENT 9033168); Worcester, 33.64°S , 19.47°E , leg. H. van der Walt, V.2004 (by hand), 1imm. 1Ƥ (NCA 2010/248); same data, 15.XI.2008 , 1Ƥ (NCA 2010/249). SWAZILAND : Manzini, Lugaganeni, 24°24'S , 31°34'E , collector unknown, 24.XII.1998 , 1Ƥ (NCA 2005/2028). TANZANIA : Iringa Region : Mufindi district, Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve, 08°31.58'S , 35°54'E , 750m a.s.l., leg. S. McKamey et al. , 7.III.1996 (canopy fog 36), 13 ( ZMUC ); W of Matema, 09°30'S , 34°03'E , leg. R. Jocqué, 23.XI.1991 (behind trees on beach of Lake Malawi , webs of Thelechoris karschi ), 3imm. 13 2Ƥ ( MRAC 173581). ZAMBIA : Chingola, 12°32'S , 27°52'E , leg. L. Magic, no date, 13 ( NMSA 12247). ZIMBABWE : Bulawayo, Hillside, 20°10'S , 28°35'E , leg. M. FitzPatrick, III.1999 (pitfall traps), 1Ƥ ( NMZA 13905); Bulawayo, Matsheumhlope [ 20°12'S , 28°37'E ], leg. C.A. Car, 15.IX.1979 , 13 ( NMZA 696). FIGURES 124–127. Genitalic morphology of Copuetta lacustris (Strand, 1916) : 124. Male palp, ventral view. 125. Same, retrolateral view. 126. Female epigyne, ventral view. 127. Same, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.25 mm. Distribution: Widespread throughout southern Africa, with isolated records from Central and East Africa ( Fig. 132 ). Biology: This species was collected using a wide range of sampling methods and occupies all strata of the habitats it occupies, from the ground to canopy level. A considerable proportion of the records from South Africa , especially deposited in NMBA and NCA, were sampled in and around human habitation, and this species can be considered to be synanthropic. Egg sacs are large ( 8–10mm in diameter), yellow-brown in colour, have a covering of papery silk, and are constructed on walls, under window sills or in the folds of curtains.