Two new sympatric species of the pirate spider genus Ero C. L. Koch, 1836 from the cloud forest of Saint Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean (Araneae: Mimetidae) Author Sherwood, Danniella 0E91B200-D748-4EF3-A93D-68880F2D5CC6 Arachnology Research Association, 124 City Road, London, EC 1 V 2 NX, UK & Fundación Ariguanabo, 4111, Calle 58, e / ave. 41 y ave. 43, San Antonio de los Baños, Provincia Artemisa c. p. 18100, Cuba & IUCN Species Survival Commission, Mid-Atlantic Islands Invertebrate Specialist Group, c / o Species Recovery Trust, 37 Albany Road, Salisbury SP 1 3 YQ, UK. danni.sherwood@hotmail.com Author Henrard, Arnaud E1B02E6E-D91C-43FE-8D8C-CD102EFEE3B4 Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium. arnaud.henrard@africamuseum.be Author Peters, Martina 91A3FE30-DD41-43EF-947F-FD0F8BB87127 Saint Helena National Trust, Broadway House, Jamestown, STHL 1 ZZ, Saint Helena. martina.peters@trust.org.sh Author Price, Benjamin W. AD44475A-AEAB-4659-A70F-6C5E90DD9056 Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW 7 5 BD, UK. b.price@nhm.ac.uk Author Hall, Andie C. 81DAE41E-0005-4295-B92D-BA093F240229 Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW 7 5 BD, UK. a.hall@nhm.ac.uk Author White, Oliver W. 3B206AC7-1981-469E-80C7-520B35DB806C Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW 7 5 BD, UK. o.white@nhm.ac.uk Author Grignet, Virginie A2D14150-D0FF-49A4-8133-A8FA8769BBB0 Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium. virginie.grignet@africamuseum.be Author Wilkins, Vicky A1CF0CC3-A933-403E-B433-B0D5F853E5D6 IUCN Species Survival Commission, Mid-Atlantic Islands Invertebrate Specialist Group, c / o Species Recovery Trust, 37 Albany Road, Salisbury SP 1 3 YQ, UK. & Species Recovery Trust, 37 Albany Road, Salisbury SP 1 3 YQ, UK. vicky.wilkins@speciesrecoverytrust.org.uk text European Journal of Taxonomy 2024 2024-02-02 921 76 97 https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/2417/10681 journal article 10.5852/ejt.2024.921.2417 2118-9773 10613408 B2675040-8D9E-4B6C-8616-3EA095550C88 Ero lizae sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 8AF98DA2-DF2C-4C55-9823-294E4A99EFAB Figs 1–9 Ero aphana – Unzicker 1977: 127–129 (misidentification). Diagnosis Ero lizae sp. nov. can be distinguished from all presently known congeners based on the presence of two large spike-like protuberances on the dorso-posterior opisthosoma ( Figs 2 , 4A–D , 6A ) (dorso-posterior opisthosoma without two large spike-like protuberances in all other known congeners). Further distinguished from the male of E. aphana by palp morphology, with the ventral blade twice the length of the dorsal extensions and lower dorsal extension little more than half the length of upper dorsal extension ( Figs 3 , 5A–B , 6F , 7 ) (ventral blade less than twice the length of the dorsal extensions and lower dorsal extension more than half the length of upper dorsal extension in E. aphana ). Also distinguished further from males of E. natashae sp. nov. by non-hooked retrolateral cymbial process and the wider and less developed conductor (retrolateral cymbial process hooked and conductor thinner and more developed in E. natashae ). The female can be distinguished from that of E. aphana by the presence of spike-like protuberances (see above) and further by epigynal morphology, with a smaller atrium and the scape ending beyond the anterior atrium ( Figs 4E–F , 5C–D , 6C–E , 7 ) (atrium larger and scape ending before the anterior atrium in E. aphana ). Further distinguished from those of E. natashae by the wider copulatory openings and anteromedian plate slightly protruding, not medially crossed by a thin septum (copulatory openings narrower and anteromedian plate strongly protruding, medially crossed with a thin septum in E. natashae ). Additionally, Ero lizae is genetically distinct from those taxa for which COI barcodes exist on BOLD by a genetic difference of 11.7% ( Fig. 1 ). Etymology The specific epithet is a matronym honouring Saint Helenian conservationist Liza Fowler ( Saint Helena National Trust) in recognition of her more than ten years of service to the protection of endemic invertebrates on the island. The senior author’s expedition to Saint Helena would not have been nearly as successful without her hard work, knowledge, and encouragement. Fig. 1. Neighbour joining tree formed from COI barcode data on BOLD, showing relationship of E. aphana s.s. and E. lizae sp. nov. Material examined Holotype UNITED KINGDOM – Saint Helena , Ascencion and Tristan da Cunha • ♂ ; Actaeon Peak [= Mt Actaeon] , Saint Helena; 16 Dec. 2005 – 9 Mar. 2006 ; P. Ashmole and M. Ashmole leg.; B3; 6312/C; [ NHMUK AQ ZOO-2022-84]; NNHMUK 015134292 . Paratypes UNITED KINGDOM – Saint Helena , Ascencion and Tristan da Cunha • 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for holotype; [ NHMUK AQ ZOO-2022-84]; NNHMUK 015134292 • 1 ♀ ; Cuckhold’s Point , Saint Helena ; 15°58′15.5″ S , 5°42′11.6″ W ; alt. 221 m ; 9 Feb. 2006 ; P. Ashmole and M. Ashmole leg.; P. Ashmole and M. Ashmole coll.; night visit; 6298; NHMUK AQ ZOO 2022-84 • 1 imm. ♂ ; Deep Valley Head , Saint Helena ; off Black Scale Fern ; 12 Jan. 2006 ; H. Mendel , P. Ashmole and M. Ashmole leg.; P. Ashmole and M.Ashmole coll.; 6285/C; NHMUK AQ ZOO 2022-84 • 1 ♀ ; High Central Ridge , Cabbage Tree Road , Saint Helena ; alt. 701–792 m ; 6 Feb. 1967 ; J. Decelle and N. Leleup leg.; BE_RMCA_ARA. Ara.133384 • 1 ♂ , 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding; Mar. 1967 ; BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133283 • 1 ♀ ; same collection data as for preceding; 22 Jan. 1967 ; BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133370 • 1 ♂ ; New Restoration , Diana′s Peak , Saint Helena ; 15°58′13.2″ S 5°42′11.5″ W ; Malaise trap ; SHNT . Fig. 2. Ero lizae sp. nov. , holotype, ♂ (NHMUK 015134292), habitus. A . Dorsal view. B . Lateral view. C . Ventral view. D . Posterior view. Scale bars = 1 mm. Other material UNITED KINGDOM – Saint Helena ,Ascencion and Tristan da Cunha • 1 imm. ; High Central Ridge , Cabbage Tree Road , Saint Helena; alt. 701–792 m ; Mar. 1967 ; BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133286 • 1 imm. Diana’s Peak , Saint Helena ; 15°58′ S , 5°42′ W ; 9 Feb. 1967 ; J. Decelle and N. Leleup leg.; Cuvette ; BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133448 . Description Male holotype MEASUREMENTS . Total length including chelicerae: 4.01. Carapace: 2.06 long, 1.56 wide. Ocular tubercle: 0.23 long, 0.78 wide. PLE distinctly projecting over outer edge of carapace, ALE distinctly projecting over front of ocular tubercle. Chelicerae with 8 peg teeth. Stridulatory ridges absent. Opisthosoma: 1.91 long, 1.78 wide. Fig. 3. Ero lizae sp. nov. , holotype, ♂ (NHMUK 015134292), palp. A . Prolateral view. B . Dorsal view. C . Retrolateral view, slightly ventral. D . Ventral view. Abbreviations: see Material and methods. Scale bars = 0.2 mm. LEGS (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus). I 14.49 (4.13 + 1.05 + 4.31 + 3.37 + 1.63), II 8.51 (2.56 + 0.57 + 2.00 + 2.75 + 0.63), III 5.05 (1.97 + 0.43 + 1.00 + 0.85 + 0.80), IV 6.39 (2.29 + 0.64 + 1.74 + 0.93 + 0.79). Metatarsus I with 5 strong spines. OPISTHOSOMA . With two pairs of spike-like protuberances, anterior pair smaller than posterior pair, which are profoundly enlarged ( Fig. 2A–D ). PALP ( Figs 3 , 5A–B , 6F , 7 ). Tibia distally with retrolateral circular depression, cymbium medially with blunt retrolateral process (RP), paracymbium with two dorsal extensions and one ventral blade (VB), upper dorsal extension conical, tip rounded (UE), lower dorsal extension triangular (LE), ventral blade elongate (twice the length of dorsal extensions), rounded, embolus emergent proximally, twisted distally, conductor distally rounded ( Figs 3 , 5A–B ). Fig. 4. Ero lizae sp. nov. , paratype, ♀ (NHMUK 015134292). A–D . Habitus. A . Dorsal view. B . Lateral view. C . Ventral view. D . Posterior view. E . Epigyne, cleared, ventral view. F . Vulva, cleared, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–D = 1 mm; E–F = 0.5 mm. COLOUR (in alcohol; Fig. 2 ). Carapace brown, with brown markings on lateral and posterior edges, brown blotches forming broken line medially behind ocular tubercle, and single, broken longitudinal brown line extending entire length of carapace medially; legs annulated; opisthosoma brown with black and cream blotches in posterior half; opisthosomal spike-like protuberances black on anterior faces and cream on posterior faces. Fig. 5. Ero lizae sp. nov. , genitalia illustrations. A . Holotype, ♂ (NHMUK 015134292), palp, retrolateral view. B . Idem, ventral view. C . Paratype, ♀ (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133384), epigyne, ventral view. D . Vulva, dorsal view. Abbreviations: see Material and methods. Scale bars: A–B = 0.2 mm; C–D = 0.1 mm. Female paratype (specimen from same tube as holotype ) MEASUREMENTS . Total length including chelicerae: 5.68. Carapace: 2.44 long, 1.77 wide. Ocular tubercle: 0.40 long, 1.04 wide. PLE projecting over outer edge of carapace, ALE slightly projecting over front of ocular tubercle. Chelicerae with 8 peg teeth. Stridulatory ridges absent. Opisthosoma: 2.78 long, 2.63 wide. Fig. 6. Ero lizae sp. nov. , additional illustrations. A . Paratype, ♀ (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133283), habitus, dorsal view. B . Paratype,♂ (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133283), habitus, lateral view. C . Paratype, ♀ (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133283), epigyne, ventral view. D . Idem, dorsal view. E . Idem, anterior view. F . Paratype, ♂ (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133283), palp, anterior view. Abbreviations: see Material and methods. Scale bars: A–B = 1 mm; C–F = 0.1 mm. LEGS . I 14.75 (4.47 + 1.14 + 4.10 + 4.16 + 0.88), II 11.67 (3.00 + 0.92 + 2.63 + 3.41 + 1.71), III 6.55 (2.29 + 0.37 + 1.83 + 1.48 + 0.58), IV 7.78 (2.63 + 0.82 + 2.13 + 1.37 + 0.83). Metatarsus I with 5 strong spines. OPISTHOSOMA . With two pairs of spike-like protuberances, anterior pair smaller than posterior pair ( Fig. 4A–D ). Fig. 7. Ero lizae sp. nov. , additional illustrations of male palp, paratype (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.133283). A . Prolateral view. B . Idem, slightly dorsal. C . Dorsal view. D . Retrolateral view. E . Idem, slightly ventral. F . Ventral view. Scale bars = 0.2 mm. EPIGYNE AND VULVA ( Figs 4E–F , 5C–D , 6C–E , 8 ). Epigyne with thin median septum, outer edges of septum sclerotised, longitudinally concave, anteriorly outstripping copulatory openings, copulatory openings circular, with thick and strongly sclerotized anterior margins; vulva with two globular spermathecal receptacles (SR), each dorsally with antero-medial groove ( Fig. 4E–F ). Fig. 8. Ero lizae sp. nov. , additional illustrations of female genitalia. A, E, G . Paratype (BE_RMCA_ ARA.Ara.133370). B–D, F, H . Paratype (BE_RMCA_ARA-Ara.133384). A . Epigyne, ventral view, slightly posterior. B . Idem, ventral view. C . Idem, slightly anterior. D . Idem, anterior view. E . Vulva, ventral view. F . Idem. G . Idem, slightly lateral. H . Idem, slightly anterior. Scale bars = 0.1 mm. Fig. 9. A–C . Ero lizae sp. nov. , non-type, ♀ in vivo. D . Panorama of Peaks showing cloud forest habitat. E . Ground-view from type locality. COLOUR (in alcohol; Fig. 4A–D ). Carapace brown, with brown markings on lateral and posterior edges, brown blotches forming broken line medially behind ocular tubercle, and single, broken longitudinal brown line extending entire length of carapace medially; legs annulated; opisthosoma brown with black and cream blotches in posterior half; opisthosomal spike-like protuberances black on anterior faces and cream on posterior faces. COLOUR IN VIVO ( Fig. 9A–C ). Carapace olive yellow, with black markings on lateral and posterior edges, two black blotches forming broken line medially behind ocular tubercle, and single, broken longitudinal black line extending entire length of carapace medially; legs annulated; opisthosoma olive yellow with black and white blotches in posterior half; opisthosomal spike-like protuberances black on anterior faces and white on posterior faces. Distribution Known only from the Peaks National Park, Saint Helena ( Fig. 9D–E ). Remarks Ero lizae sp. nov. has been found only in the cloud forest ( Fig. 9D–E ) and is presently only recorded from one specific plant, the endemic Black Scale Fern ( Diplazium filamentosum ). It is, however, likely to occur on other ferns, but this will require confirmation through future fieldwork. Diet, behaviour, and other aspects of its ecology are largely unknown presently and need to be studied in the future. Initial fieldwork efforts by DS have failed to find this species in non-cloud forest habitat, but future research is needed. Since we have multiple samples, we present additional plates of paratypes in RMCA, which show low intraspecific genitalic variation ( Figs 5C–D , 6–8 ).