The lace web spiders (Araneae, Phyxelididae) of Madagascar: phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomy Author Griswold, Charles E. Author Wood, Hannah Marie Author Carmichael, Anthea D. text Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 2012 2012-03-20 164 4 728 810 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00779.x journal article 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00779.x 0024-4082 5407022 AMBOHIMA ZANDRY SP. NOV. ( FIGS 7F , 15A–E , 24A–E , 34E–I , 38E, F , 43J–L , 59 ) Types: Holotype male and paratype female ( CASENT9003543 ) collected by beating low vegetation in montane rainforest in Parc National Montagne d’Ambre , Antsiranana Province , Madagascar , 2–7 February 2001 by J. J. Rafanomezantsoa , deposited in CASC . Etymology: The specific name is from the Malagasy word for a little one; a noun in apposition. Diagnosis: Male with palp as in Figures 15A–C and 24A–E , embolic base convex, reservoir course across embolic base nearly straight. Female vulva as in Figures 15E , 34G, H , and 38E, F , spermathecal ducts spiralling around a central, longitudinal spiral chamber, ducts make three or fewer spiral turns. Male ( Holotype ): Total length 3.80. Markings similar to Figure 7F , carapace pale yellow-brown, markings faint, legs unmarked; abdomen grey-brown, dorsum with obscure paired light markings. Carapace 1.85 long, 1.50 wide; thoracic fovea 0.22 long, length 0.12 times that of carapace; clypeus 0.10 high; ocular area 0.26 long, 0.56 wide; ratio of eyes AM/AL/PM/PL, 1.30:2.40:1.00:1.10, diameter of PM 0.10. Chelicerae 0.74 long, slender, smooth, pro- and retromargins of fang furrow with six teeth. Sternum 1.06 long, 0.90 wide; labium 0.30 long, 0.34 wide; palpal coxa 0.56 long, 0.30 wide. Legs long, femur I length 1.56 times carapace length; metatarsi I and II prolateral concavity and clasping spines as in Figure 43J–L , segment cylindrical at base of concavity. Leg measurements (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = [total]: I: 2.90 + 0.70 + 2.85 + 2.55 + 1.30 = [10.30]; II: 2.30 + 0.75 + 2.20 + 1.90 + 1.05 = [8.20]; III: 1.90 + 0.65 + 1.55 + 1.70 + 0.90 = [6.70]; IV: 2.60 + 0.70 + 2.35 + 2.50 + 1.05 = [9.20]; palp: 0.75 + 0.35 + 0.25 + (absent) + 0.75 = [2.10]. Palpus as in Figures 15A–C and 24A–E ; femur with basal triangular group of eight thorn-like setae; tibia with dorsal blade (DTA) broadened distally, prolateral hook (PTA) short; cymbium length 1.60 times width, 0.40 times carapace length; palpal bulb length 1.50 width, embolic base convex, reservoir course across embolic base nearly straight. Variation (N = 2): Carapace length 1.23–1.27 times width, height 0.30–0.40 times width; PER width 2.15–2.48 times OAL; OQP 1.21–1.30 times OQA; cheliceral length 5.50–7.40 times clypeal height; sternum length 1.13–1.18 times width. Female ( Paratype ): Total length 3.70. Markings similar to Figure 7F . Carapace 1.70 long, 1.25 wide; thoracic fovea short, broad, length 0.08 that of carapace; clypeus 0.10 high; ocular area 0.20 long, 0.56 wide; ratio of eyes AM/AL/PM/PL, 1.37:2.62:1.00:1.12, diameter of PM 0.08. Chelicerae 0.72 long, robust, smooth, pro- and retromargins of fang furrow with five teeth. Sternum 0.90 long, 0.82 wide; labium 0.30 long and wide; palpal coxa 0.52 long, 0.24 wide. Femur I length 1.17 times carapace length. Palpal femur with row of five anterobasal thorns. Calamistrum origin at about 0.35 from metatarsus base, length 0.40 that of segment. Leg measurements (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = [total]): I: 2.00 + 0.65 + 1.80 + 1.55 + 0.95 = [6.95]; II: 1.55 + 0.55 + 1.20 + 1.20 + 0.80 = [5.30]; III: 1.30 + 0.40 + 1.00 + 1.00 + 0.70 = [4.40]; IV: 1.80 + 0.55 + 1.40 + 1.40 + 0.80 = [5.95]; palp: 0.70 + 0.30 + 0.40 + (absent) + 0.70 = [2.10]. Epigynum similar to Figure 15D ; spermathecal ducts spiralling around a central, longitudinal spiral chamber, outer ducts make two spiral turns ( Fig. 38F ). Variation (N = 5): Total length 3.70–4.10; carapace length 1.33–1.38 times width, height 0.37–0.44 times width; PER width 2.41–2.90 times OAL; OQP 1.23– 1.36 times OQA; cheliceral length 5.50–7.20 times clypeal height; promargin of fang furrow with 5–7 teeth, retromargin of fang furrow with 5–6 teeth; sternum length 1.10–1.16 times width; femur I length 1.18–1.34 times carapace length; metatarsus I 1.08– 1.11 times carapace length; median lobe of epigynum triangular to nearly trapezoidal, outer vulval ducts make 2–3 spiral turns ( Figs 15E , 34G, H , 38E, F ). Natural history: Found on or near the ground in montane rainforest. Distribution: Known only from Montagne d’Ambre in far northern Madagascar ( Fig. 59 ). Material examined: MADAGASCAR : Antsiranana Prov. P. N. Montagne d’Ambre , 2.79 air km NE of park entrance, 12°32′S , 49°10′E , elev. c . 1000 m , forest, 21–30 November 1993 , C. Griswold , S. Larcher , R . Andriamasamanana, N . Scharff and J. Coddington , 2 ♀ , CASC ( CASENT9017021 , 9017022 ), 1 ♀ , ZMUC ( CASENT9017019 ), 1 ♀ , USNM ( CASENT9017020 ); Parc Nationale Montagne d’Ambre , 12.2 km 211° SSW Joffreville , 12°35′47″S , 49°9′34″E , elev. 1300 m , pitfall trap in montane rainforest, 2–7 February 2001 , Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team, 1 ♂ , CASC ( CASENT9006874 ); Montagne d’Ambre, 12°30′57″S , 49°11′04″E , 12 August 1992 , V and B. Roth , 1 ♀ , CASC ( CASENT9017023 ), beating low vegetation in montane rainforest, 2–7 February 2001 , J. J. Rafanomezantsoa , holotype ♂ , paratype ♀ , CASC ( CASENT9003543 ) .