New Zodariidae (Araneae) from Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania
Author
Russell-Smith, Anthony
Author
Jocqué, Rudy
text
African Invertebrates
2015
2015-08-12
56
2
455
455
http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.5733/afin.056.0215
journal article
10.5733/afin.056.0215
2305-2562
7914245
Diores murphyorum
Jocqué, 1990
Figs 13
,
18–22
Diagnosis: The female epigyne is closest to that of
Diores triarmatus
Lessert, 1929
but the posterior margin is shorter than in
D. triarmatus
and reflexed inwards laterallY. The spermathecae (seen through the cuticle) extend laterally rather than anteriorly, as in
D. triarmatus
.
Description:
Female.
Total length: 5.50. Carapace: length 2.37, width 1.66. Colour (
Figs 18, 19
): Carapace orange anteriorly, fading to yellow posteriorly. Eye region and central area of clypeus black. Chelicerae orange, sternum pale yellow. Legs yellowish orange. Abdomen deep purple dorsally and laterally with 3–4 white chevrons in the posterior half. Tracheal spiracle straight, rather wide (0.30) at 0.80. Venter and spinnerets creamy white. Eyes: a) 1.00 (0.17); b) 0.71; c) 0.57; d) 0.43; e) 0.43; f) 0.14; g) 1.00; h) 0.57.
Leg measurements:
F P T Mt t Total
I 2.03 0.56 1.81 2.16 1.38 7.94
II 2.02 0.59 1.54 2.12 1.12 7.39
III 2.12 0.65 1.52 2.44 1.08 7.81
IV 2.17 0.59 2.10 2.66 1.07 8.59 Legs: With three tarsal claws, the unpaired claw tiny.
Epigyne (
Figs 13
,
20–22
): In ventral view, similar to that of
D. triarmatus
but the posterior margin of the epigynal plate is shorter and reflexed inwards laterally. Spermathecae (as seen through the cuticle) extend laterally rather than anteriorly, as in
D. triarmatus
Lessert, 1929
. Epigyne in methyl salicylate as in
Figs 20, 21
.
Material examined:
TANZANIA:Mkomazi G.R.
, between Ndeya & Mbula, pitfall traps in
Senegalia senegal
wOOdland,
21–23.xi.1994
,
2♂
2♀
;
MkOmazi G.
R
.,
Kisima
plOt, in grass tussOck,
25.i.1996
,
1♂
;
MkOmazi G.
R
., below
Kisima
plot, in litter beneath
Newtonia
tree,
25.i.1996
,
1♀
;
MkOmazi G.
R
.,
Ubani
plOt, in open
S. senegal
/
Vachellia nilotica
wOOdland,
pitfall traps
,
11–13.i.1997
,
11♂
6♀
9 imm.
(
MRAC 215734
)
.
Remark
:
This
species was OriginallY described frOm a single male frOm
Kilifi
,
KenYa
, located approximately
200km
northwest of
Mkomazi G.
R
. (
Jocqué 1990
).
The
female is described here fOr the first time
.
Figs 18–22.
Diores murphyorum
Jocqué, 1991
, female, Mkomazi (MRAC 215734): (18) habitus, dorsal view; (19) idem, ventral view; (20) epigyne, cleared, ventral view; (21) idem, dorsal view; (22) epigYne, ventral view. Scale bars: (18, 19) = 1 mm, (20–22) = 200 μm.
Distribution: Southern
Kenya
and northern
Tanzania
.
Natural history: The majority of specimens were collected from pitfall traps in open
Acacia
woodlands in the eastern part of the reserve. A single female was taken from a more open grassy habitat at Kisima.All specimens were collected during the main early rains between November and January.