The South African genus Lepthercus Purcell, 1902 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) phylogeny and taxonomy Author Ríos-Tamayo, Duniesky Author Lyle, Robin text Zootaxa 2020 2020-04-20 4766 2 261 305 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.4766.2.2 fe76f860-39b1-4520-a13c-d01a47dfc130 1175-5334 3765467 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BA570D47-FE77-446C-B000-9208C9A6E957 Lepthercus kwazuluensis sp. nov. ( Figs. 2C , 9 A–J, 10A–D, 24) http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 9465C34C-22D2-4A26-8356-A245F6C97412 Material examined. Type material : Holotype ♂ . SOUTH AFRICA : KwaZulu-Natal Province , Sani Pass ( 29°36′S 29°17′E , 3000m ), 24.vi.2006 , UP students leg. , ( NCA 2010 /3732) . – Paratype . SOUTH AFRICA : KwaZulu-Natal Province , Pietermaritzburg, Town Bush [ 29°34’S 30°19’E ], 16.x.1969 , Lamoral, B.H. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM 9807). Other material examined : SOUTH AFRICA : Free State Province : Golden gate, 16.viii.1985 , Mus. Staff leg. , 1 ♂ ( NMBA 00917). Same data, 4.vii.1985 , 1 ♂ ( NMBA 00775). Harrismith, S of Mt. Pierre ( 28°32′S 28°39′E ), 12.i.1992 , Lotz, L. N. leg. , 1 imm ( NMBA 05550). KwaZulu-Natal Province : Sani Pass ( 29°35′S 29°17′E , 2700m ), 22.i.2010 , UP students leg. , 1 ♂ ( NCA 2011/376). Same data, 1 ♂ ( NCA 2011/376). Same data, 1♂ ( NCA 2011/377). Same data, 24.i.2006 , 2 ♂♂ ( NCA 2010/3733). Same data, 1 ♂ ( NCA 2010/3734). No specific locality, ( 29°39′2.73”S 29°58’33.88”E ), v.2014 , Yekwayo, I. leg. , 1 ♀ ( NCA 2015/1542). La Mercy [ 29°38’S 31°7’E ], viii.1996 , Beje, S. leg. , 1 ♀ ( NCA 97/182). Umzinto, Vernon Crookes Nat. Res ( 30°16’S 30°35’E ), 28.ix.1995 , Lotz, L. legs. , 1 ♀ ( NMBA 07771). Pietermaritzburg, Town Bush [ 29°34’S 30°19’E ], xi.1936 , Lawrence, R .F & Rump, W.G. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM1321). Same data, x.1960 , Lawrence, R .F. leg. , 2 ♀♀ (NM8057). Same data, ( 29°37’S 30°22’E , 2400ft ), 23.viii.1983 , Croeser, P.M.C & C.E. Griswold. leg. , 2 ♀♀ , 1imm (NM16636). Same data, vii.1968 , Lamoral, B.H. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM12465). Pietermaritzburg, Bisley [ 29°42’S 30°17’E ], vi.1951 , Lawrence, R .F. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM5452). Durban [ 29°51’S 31°1’E ], 1925, Akerman, C. leg. , 1 ♀ , 1 imm (NM16643). Cathkin Peak [ 29°4’S 29°21’E ], i.1938 , Lawrence, R .F. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM2171). Champagne Castle Hostel [ 29°2’S 29°25’E ], i.1958 , Lawrence, R .F. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM6976). Same data, i.1957 , Lawrence, A.Y, R .F. Lawrence & J.Y. Lawrence. leg. , 2 ♀♀ (NM6424). Dargle [ 29°28’S 30°6’E ], 12.xi.1942 , Lawrence, R .F & W.G. Rump. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM3836). Same data, Lawrence, R .F. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM3849). Pietermaritzburg, Worlds view, Waltle Forest ( 29°36’S 30°23’E ), 7.i.1970 , Lamoral, B. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM12507). Same data, vi.1942 , Lawrence, R .F. & C. Holliday. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM3808). Natal (no locality or collector), 1905, 2 ♀♀ (NM1355). Umhlali, Sheffield Beach [ 29°29’S 31°15’E ], vii.1937 , Lawrence, R .F. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM1552). Umhlali, Chakas Rock [ 29°31’S 31°13’E ], vii.1951 , Lawrence, R .F. & A.Y. Lawrence. leg. , 1 ♀ (NM5618). Mar- gate [ 30°50’S 30°22’2E ], Rump, W.G. leg. , 2 ♀♀ (NM2913). Port Shepstone ( 30°42’S 30°27’E ), x.1936 , Lawrence, R .F. leg. , 1 ♀ , 2 imm (NM1139). Eastern Cape Province : Komga, Kei Mouth ( 32°40’S 28°22’E ), 12.ii.2006 , Lotz, L. leg. , 1 ♀ ( NMBA 10084). Eagles Grag ( 30°48’S 27°45’E ), 17.viii.1985 , Mus. Staff leg. , 1 ♂ ( NMBA 00974). Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition referring to Kwazulu-Natal province , where the species is most abundant. FIGURE. 9. Lepthercus kwazuluensis sp. nov. (male holotype , NCA 2010/3732). A cephalothorax, dorsal view; B sternum, ventral view; C chelicerae, prolateral view, arrow indicates the intercheliceral tumesence; D right pedipalp, arrow indicates the small dorsal setae, and a normal anterior part of the retrolateral side of ventral excavation, retrolateral view; E right pedipalp, arrow indicates the abundant proventral rigid setae, prolateral view; F–H copulatory bulb, F retrolateral view, G ventral view, H prolateral view, arrow indicates the lateral keel; I, J tibia–metatarsus I, arrow indicates the metatarsus swollen in the middprolateral part, with small setae. Diagnosis. Males of L. kwazuluensis sp. nov. , can be distinguished by the presence of a tapering embolus with a long lateral keel ( Fig. 9G, H ), similar to L. mandelai sp. nov. , but differs in the low number of chelicerae denticles (5 vs 30) and low number of prolateral spiniform setae on the pedipalp tibiae ( Fig. 9E ). Females can be differentiated for others species in “Group dregei” by the presence of a spermathecae with a base with an abrupt transition to the stalk, and the base with an apical projection ( Fig. 10D ), stalks curved outward with oval receptacles. Description. Male holotype (NCA 2010/3732, Fig. 9 A–J). Total length 9.16. Carapace ( Fig. 9A ): length 3.72, width 3.38, rounded, with lateral marginal bristles, with a little pubescence. Cephalic region : length 2.35; clypeus short with 4 bristles on the edge, numerous long bristles in front of the OQ and between the PME. Fovea : width 0.39, short and straight. Ocular measurements : AME 0.10, ALE 0.17, PME 0.14, PLE 0.12, OQ length 0.39, 0.62 width; AME–ALE 0.05, PME–PLE 0.03, AME–PME 0.07, ALE–PLE 0.10, AME–AME 0.09, OM–OMP 0.25. Chelicerae : length 2.11, width 1.15, with dorsal-anterior bristles, intercheliceral tumescence small, well–marked and with setae ( Fig. 9C ). Fang groove with 6 promarginal teeth and 5 basomedial denticles. Labium : length 0.26, width 0.70, with one cuspule. Maxillae : length 1.26, width 0.64, with about 68 minuscule cuspules on inner corner ( Fig. 2C ), prolateral face slightly curved, soft area small, with long uniformly distributed hairs. Sternum ( Fig. 9B ): rounded, length 2.12, maximum width 1.19. Abdomen : length 4.11, covered by dense brown hair and bristles. PMS: length 0.53; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.70:0.45:0.60; total length 1.75. Lengths of legs and palp : I: 3.29, 1.67, 1.77, 2.25, 1.51, 10.49. II: 3.11, 1.58, 1.86, 2.00, 1.47, 10.02. III: 2.71, 1.44, 1.64, 2.35, 1.25, 9.39. IV: 3.24, 1.62, 2.33, 3.20,1.63, 12.02. Palp: 1.95, 1.03, 1.39, —, 0.74, 5.11. Chaetotaxy : Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d (centrals), 1 P A; patella, 1 P A; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-3-2 V, a cuticular spur, with an apical long and curved spine (longer than the spur) ( Fig. 9I, J ); metatarsus, 1-1 V POST, slightly curved, swollen in the midd-prolateral part of the segment, with small setae ( Fig. 9F, G ); tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 1-1-1 P SUP; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-2 V (1:2B), 2 V A ANT; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 2-1-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-3-1-2 d, 1-2-2-2 D; patella, 1-1-1 P (shorts), 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 D, 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 2-2-1-2 D, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 0; tibia, 1-1 R, 1-2-2 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1-1-1 P, 1-2-1-1-1-2 D, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp ( Fig. 9D, E ): femur, 1-1-1-3 d; patella, 1 d; tibia, 1 P, 1 R A, (width/length: 0.45); tarsus, 0. Scopulae : Metatarsi: I–II, sparse, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse (1:3A), divided by narrow band of setae; IV, sparse (1:2A), divided by a wide band of setae. Tarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. Trichobothria : Tibiae: I 6-7; II 8-7; III 6-7; IV 8-8. Metatarsi: I (2)1(1)1(3)1; II (3)1(2)1(4)1; III (3)1(2)1(4)1; IV (3)1(3)1(5)1. Tarsi: I 12; II 9; III-IV 12. No preening combs. Copulatory bulb : small, with an embolus slightly acuminate and curved, with a long lateral keel ( Fig. 9G, H ), spermatic duct almost straight. Color : Carapace and legs orange–yellow. Abdomen dorsally dark; Sternum and center of abdomen lighter; spinnerets ventrally dark. Female paratype (NM9807, Fig. 10 A–D). Total length 17.88. Carapace ( Fig. 10A ): length 5.88, width 3.79. Cephalic region : length 3.79, clypeus small, with 5 marginal bristles; 5 bristles in front of the OQ and 3 between the PME, line of dorsal setae until the fovea. Fovea : width 0.50. Ocular measurements : AME 0.16, ALE 0.31, PME 0.22, PLE 0.32, OQ length 0.65, width 1.10; AME–ALE 0.09, PME–PLE 0.03, AME–PME 0.10, ALE–PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.15, PME–PME 0.43. Chelicerae ( Fig. 10C ): length 4.27, width 2.56; with dorsal–retrolateral bristles. Fang groove with 9 promarginal teeth and 35 mesobasal denticles. Labium : length 0.71, width 0.94, with 3 cuspules. Maxillae : length 2.34, width 1.07, with 100 cuspules on posterior inner corner, prolateral face curved, soft area small, with long uniformly distributed hairs, serrula present. Sternum ( Fig. 10B ): length 3.38, maximum width 2.90. Abdomen : length 8.23, with small bristles in the dorsum. PMS: length 0.94; PLS: length of basal:medial: apical segments 1.56:0.59:1.28; total length 3.43. Lengths of legs and palp : I: 4.60, 2.91, 2.96, 2.65, 1.77, 14.89. II: 4.07, 2.63, 2.40, 2.24, 1.70, 13.04. III: 3.56, 2.08, 1.80, 2.45, 1.44, 11.33. IV: 4.66, 2.43, 3.12, 3.70, 1.65, 15.56. Palp: 3.13, 1.86, 1.75, —, 1.93, 8.67. Chaetotaxy : Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 0; tibia, 2 P (thins), 1-1-3 V (thins); metatarsus, 1-1-1 V; tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 1 pa; tibia, 1-1 P, 2-3 V (thins); metatarsus, 1-2-2 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1 d, 1 pa, 1 ra; patella, 1-1-1 P, 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 D, 1-1 R, 2-1-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1 D–R, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 0; patella, 1-1 R; tibia, 1-1-2-1-1 R, 2-2-2 V; metatarsus, 2-1-1 P (3:4 A), 1-1-1 D–P (3:4 A), 1-1-2-1-1-1 D–R, 2-2-2-4 V; tarsus, 0. Palp: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 0; tibia, 1-2-1 P, 2-2-4 V; tarsus, 1 V B, 1 P INF (1:3 B). Scopulae : Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed; III, sparse (A), divided by a wide band of setae; IV, 0. Tarsi: I–II dense, uniformly distributed; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae (more than tarsi III). Trichobothria : Tibiae: palp 9-10; I 10- 10; II 10-11; III 9-10; IV 12-11. Metatarsi: I (4)1(1)1(2)1(4)1; II (3)1(2)1(3)1(5)1; III (4)1(2)1(5)1; IV (6)1(2)1(3)1(6)1. Tarsi: palp 12; I 13; II-III 12; IV 16. Preening combs : metatarsus: II 4 P V; III 4 P V–3 R V. Spermathecae : as in Fig. 10D . Color : Overall brown-reddish, sternum reddish. Abdomen and spinnerets light brown, spotted. Distribution. Free State ; KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa ( Fig. 24 ).