Wasaka, Haddad, Charles R., 2013

Haddad, Charles R., 2013, Taxonomic notes on the spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae, Corinnidae), with the description of the new genera Copuetta and Wasaka and the first cladistic analysis of Afrotropical Castianeirinae, Zootaxa 3688 (1), pp. 1-79 : 62

Key to the species of the genus Wasaka gen. nov.

1 Males ............................................................................................... 2

– Females............................................................................................. 5

2 Embolus with broad base, longitudinally compressed, with retrolaterally directed tip ( Figs 162, 164 ).................... 3

– Embolus with narrow base and fine distal section, tip directed towards distal end of cymbium ( Figs 163, 165 )............ 4

3 Base of embolus nearly transverse, distal margin of embolus tip at 30° to longitudinal axis of palp ( Fig. 162 )................................................................................................... W. imitatrix sp. nov.

– Base of embolus oblique, distal margin of embolus tip at 45° to longitudinal axis of palp ( Fig. 164 )....... W. occulta sp. nov.

4 Distal section of embolus coil transverse, with nearly 90° bend; tip long, directed distally and slightly retrolaterally ( Fig. 163 ).................................................................................... W. montana sp. nov.

– Distal section of embolus oblique, with slight distal curve; tip short, directed distally and slightly prolaterally ( Fig. 165 )......................................................................................... W. ventralis sp. nov.

5 Epigyne with large, strongly sclerotised 6-shaped ridges; copulatory ducts very short, directed anteriorly ( Figs 168 , 176 )... 6

– Female with weakly sclerotised coiled or round ridges; copulatory ducts long, directed transversely towards ST II ( Figs 172 , 180 )................................................................................................ 7

6 Epigynal ridges nearly meeting medially; copulatory openings slightly curved ( Fig. 168 ).............. W. imitatrix sp. nov.

– Epigynal ridges clearly separated medially; copulatory openings strongly curved ( Fig. 176 )............. W. occulta sp. nov.

7 Copulatory openings curved towards posterior; copulatory ducts broad, initially directed towards midline of epigyne ( Fig. 172 ).................................................................................... W. montana sp. nov.

– Copulatory openings curved towards anterior; copulatory ducts narrow, initially directed laterally and posteriorly before bend- ing towards midline of epigyne ( Fig. 180 ).................................................. W. ventralis sp. nov.

Figures

FIGURES 162 – 165. Digital microscope photographs of emboli of Wasaka gen. nov. species in ventral view: 162. W. imitatrix sp. nov.. 163. W. montana sp. nov.. 164. W. occulta sp. nov.. 165. W. ventralis sp. nov.. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 166 – 169. Genitalic morphology of Wasaka imitatrix sp. nov.: 166. Male palp, ventral view. 167. Same, retrolateral view. 168. Female epigyne, ventral view. 169. Same, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 174 – 177. Genitalic morphology of Wasaka occulta sp. nov.: 174. Male palp, ventral view. 175. Same, retrolateral view. 176. Female epigyne, ventral view. 177. Same, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 170 – 173. Genitalic morphology of Wasaka montana sp. nov.: 170. Male palp, ventral view. 171. Same, retrolateral view. 172. Female epigyne, ventral view. 173. Same, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 178 – 181. Genitalic morphology of Wasaka ventralis sp. nov.: 178. Male palp, ventral view. 179. Same, retrolateral view. 180. Female epigyne, ventral view. 181. Same, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.25 mm.