Trite SImon, 1885

Patoleta, Barbara M., 2014, The species of Trite Simon, 1885 (Araneae: Salticidae) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 3827 (3), pp. 355-365 : 359

Genus Trite SImon, 1885

Trite Simon, 1885: 91 ; Simon 1903: 829 –830; Berry et al. 1997: 132.

Type species. T. pennata Simon, 1885 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. According to Berry et al. (1997: 132), "Medium-to-large fissident or plurident salticids with fourth leg longer than third, cephalic portion of the cephalothorax flat, second row of eyes closer to anterior than posterior row, anterior eyes nearly contiguous and ocular area wider behind than in front."

Description. Spiders 4.5–10 mm long. Sexes similar in appearance, although males often with frontal spur on chelicerae and protrusions on fangs ( Figs 6 , 16 ). Cephalothorax longer than wide in both sexes, cephalic part flat, posterior slope gentle. Eye field long (50–60% of CL). PME closer to ALE than PLE. Fovea visible, located behind PLE. Abdomen oval, longer than wide. Clypeus narrow (4–26% of AME diameter). Cheliceral promargin with one or two teeth ( Fig. 16 ), retromargin with one tooth (usually multicuspidate: 2–5 cusps, Fig. 16 ). Endites slightly divergent, lateral outgrowth possible ( Fig. 16 ). Labium longer than wide. Sternum oval. Legs I the longest, and more robust than others. Legs formula: I–IV–II–III. Palpal organ simple: cymbium unmodified, tegulum longer than wide (rhomboid, ovoid, or irregular in shape, Figs 8 , 12, 17, 19 ), posterior retrolateral lobe possible ( Fig. 17 ). Embolus usually sabre-like, of different length. Tibial apophysis single ( Figs 8–9 , 13, 18, 20 ). Epigyne with copulatory openings located anteriorly and accessory glands visible ( Figs 10–11 ). Some species have epigynes with anterior shallow depressions around copulatory openings and secondary spermathecae ( Figs. 4–5 ).

Phylogenetic relationships. The relationships of the genus have been discussed by Simon (1903). On the basis of cheliceral dentition, position of PME to the PLE, and numerous spines on legs, Simon proposed the Triteae group, comprising Trite itself, and the genus Opisthoncus L. Koch, 1880 . According to recent molecular studies ( Maddison et al. 2008), Trite is placed within the Australasian Astioida clade, with Opisthoncus confirmed as a close relative.

Remarks on distribution. Although the genus Trite has been described from New Caledonia, its distribution is much wider and includes New Zealand and other SW Pacific islands. The diversity in New Zealand is definitely the highest, with as many as 20 expected species ( Żabka et al. 2002, Żabka pers. comm.). Theoretically, the relationships of New Zealand and New Caledonian Trite could be the result of Gondwanan vicariance. However, the close relationship between both groups of species suggests dispersal and modern speciation in situ ( Grandcolas et al. 2008). Judging from the geological history of New Zealand ( Trewick et al. 2007), intense speciation within last few million years seems very likely.

Biological notes. The species occur in humid habitats mostly on tree branches; two species, T. guilberti and T. ignipilosa , seem to be active at night (label information).

Current list of New Caledonian species and their distribution: T. pennata Simon, 1885 : New Caledonia

T. lineata Simon, 1885 : New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands (Maré Is.) T. ignipilosa Berland, 1924 : New Caledonia

T. gracilipalpis Berland, 1929 : Loyalty Islands (Lifou) T. caledoniensis sp. nov.: New Caledonia, Isle of Pines T. guilberti sp. nov.: New Caledonia

T. simoni sp. nov.: New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands (Maré Is.)

Figures

FIGURES 6 – 11. Trite lineata 6 male holotype, frontal view (cl: clypeus, chp: cheliceral protrusion, fs: frontal spur); 7 same, cephalothorax, lateral view; 8 same, palp, ventral view (e: embolus, t: tegulum); 9 same, retrolateral view; 10 female, vulva (ag: accessory glands, cd: copulatory ducts, co: copulatory openings, p: posterior pocket, s: spermathecae, w: wing-shaped margins). Trite simoni sp. nov. 11 female, vulva. Scales as in figures.

FIGURES 12 – 20. Trite caledoniensis sp. nov., male holotype 12 palp, ventral view; 13 same, retrolateral view. T. guilberti sp. nov., male holotype 14 dorsal view; 15 same, cephalothorax, lateral view; 16 same, chelicerae, endites and labium, ventral view (chp: cheliceral protrusion, eo: endites outgrowth, fs: frontal spur, pd: prolateral dentition, rd: retrolateral dentition). 17 same, palp, ventral view; 18 same, retrolateral view (e: embolus, t: tegulum, tl: tegular lobe). T. simoni sp. nov., male holotype 19 palp, ventral view; 20 same, retrolateral view. Scales as in figures.

FIGURES 1 – 5. Trite lineata 1 male holotype, dorsal view; 2 same, lateral view and leg I spination; 3 female, dorsolateral view; 4 same, epigyne, ventral view. Trite simoni sp. nov. 5 female, epigyne, ventral view. Scale 1 mm.