Onomastus jamestaylori, Benjamin, Suresh P. & Kanesharatnam, Nilani, 2016

Benjamin, Suresh P. & Kanesharatnam, Nilani, 2016, Description of three new species of the tropical Asian jumping spider genus Onomastus Simon, 1900 from high altitude cloud forests of Sri Lanka (Araneae: Salticidae), Zootaxa 4205 (5), pp. 431-453 : 433-436

Onomastus jamestaylori sp. nov.

( Figs 1 A–D, 2A–D, 3A–F)

Type material. Holotype: Male (IFS_ SAL 552 ), Sri Lanka, Central Province, Kandy District, Deltota , Loolecondera , 1480 m, 0 7°08’45’’N, 80°41’53’’E, hand collection, 23 Mar. 2010, S. Batuwita & P.M.H. Sandamali . Paratype: Female (IFS_ SAL 553 ), same locality and collection data, 25 Jan. 2011, S.P. Benjamin & S. Batuwita.

Other material examined. 1 male (IFS_ SAL 554 ), same locality and collection data, 25 Jan. 2011, S.P. Benjamin & S. Batuwita ; 1 male, 3 females (IFS_ SAL 555–558 ), same locality and collection data, 30 Jun. 2011, S.P. Benjamin.

Etymology. This species is named after James Taylor (1835–1892), who introduced large scale tea cultivation to Sri Lanka. This species is restricted to a small forest patch in a section of his former estate.

Diagnosis. Males are distinguished by the shape of MA: broad, weakly bifurcated tip, oval spur with flaps ( Figs 2 A, 3A, C, D). Females are distinguished by the external appearance of the epigyne: large, broad, atrial rim present, large bean-shaped spermathecae ( Figs 2 C–D). This species is closely related to O. nigricaudus by the presence of partially bifurcated distal end of MA. However, it differs by the presence of equal sized prolateral and retrolateral arms of MA in males and absence of atrial rim, shape of spermathecae and absence of inverted ushaped epigynal bars in females.

Description. Male holotype: yellowish green in life ( Figs 1 A–B). Lateral sides of prosoma bordered in dark green ( Figs 1 A–B). Specimens preserved in ethanol, light yellow. Chelicerae yellowish green with 3 promarginal and 7 retromarginal teeth. Labium yellowish green, as wide as long. Scutiform sternum with vague margins. Ocular region densely clothed with glossy white hairs ( Figs 1 A–B). All eyes black, except for the greenish yellow anterior medians, placed on low, black tubercles. Eye field broader anteriorly than posteriorly, occupying nearly half of the prosoma. PMEs much smaller, positioned on black tubercles. Median ocular quadrangle wider than long. Prosoma moderately high, rounded, slightly longer than wide. Posterior prosoma slopes gradually, rounded, without any truncation. Abdomen: oval, longer and narrower than prosoma, tapering toward posterior end. Dorsum yellowish green with pairs of dark green spots on the lateral sides ( Figs 1 A–B). Venter yellowish green without any markings. Spinnerets yellowish green. Legs: front legs greenish brown, somewhat darker than others, femur I and patella I with dark black markings ( Fig. 1 A), other legs yellowish green. Male palp: greenish brown with reddish brown palpal tibia; cymbium and bulbus large. Cymbium with distal finger-like extension. Highly sclerotized median apophysis, curved to a semi-circular arch, ending in broad, weakly bifurcated terminal structure with serrated tips ( Figs 2 A–B, Figs 3 A–E). Retrolateral patellar apophysis broad, tip blunt ( Figs 2 A–B, 3B). Embolus originates from alveolar cavity, moderately long, thread-like. Conductor tapering ( Figs 2 A–B, 3A, B, D), lying between median apophysis and tegulum, with heavily sclerotized embolic guide, terminates in a broad, oval, spur, armed with two hooks ( Figs 2 A, 3A, C, D). Mesal branch of MA supports spur and embolic guide. TA1 long and fingerlike, TA3 prominent, broad, short, clearly visible. Measurements: TL 2.85, PL 1.30, PW at PLEs 1.05, AL 1.60, AW 0.75. Eye field: Diameter of AME 0.34, PLE 0.12, ALE 0.20, PME 0.01, PME–PME 0.62, PLE–PLE 0.46, ALE–PME 0.09, ALE–PLE 0.31. Leg I: Tr 0.10, Fm 1.36, Pt 0.37, Tb 1.24, Mt 0.84, Ta 0.40; Leg II: Tr 0.10, Fm 1.24, Pt 0.31, Tb 1.24, Mt 0.96, Ta 0.37; Leg III: Tr 0.10, Fm 1.30, Pt 0.34, Tb 1.18, Mt 1.27, Ta 0.34; Leg IV: Tr 0.10, Fm 1.33, Pt 0.31, Tb 1.27, Mt 1.40, Ta 0.34.

Female paratype: As in males, except: eye field occupying nearly one third of prosoma, lateral sides of prosoma without dark green markings, abdomen broader, prominent pairs of dark green spots in the anterior, tibiae of all legs with black patches and tibia I with larger, prominent patches ( Figs 1 C–D). Epigyne: relatively less sclerotized. Large atrial rim present ( Figs 2 C–D). Copulatory openings clearly visible, situated anterolaterally to the bean-shaped spermathecae. Spermathecae appear to be fused. Fertilization ducts lanceolate, long, slender, originating from middle of postero-dorsal wall of receptacles. Measurements: TL 3.75, PL 1.75, PW at PLEs 0.95, AL 1.85, AW 0.95. Eye field: Diameter of AME 0.34, PLE 0.09, ALE 0.22, PME 0.02, PME–PME 0.59, PLE–PLE 0.47, ALE–PME 0.12, ALE–PLE 0.34. Leg I: Tr 0.12, Fm 1.24, Pt 0.40, Tb 1.18, Mt 0.76, Ta 0.43; Leg II: Tr 0.09, Fm 1.27, Pt 0.34, Tb 1.05, Mt 0.84, Ta 0.34; Leg III: Tr 0.16, Fm 1.27, Pt 0.31, Tb 1.09, Mt 0.81, Ta 0.34; Leg IV: Tr 0.12, Fm 1.36, Pt 0.34, Tb 1.27, Mt 1.36, Ta 0.56.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Onomastus jamestaylori sp. nov. from Loolecondera, Deltota. A – B. Male in life. C – D. Female in life.

FIGURE 2. Onomastus jamestaylori sp. nov. A. Left palp, ventral view. B. Same, retrolateral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. D. Vulva, dorsal view. Abbreviations: AR. Atrial rim; C = conductor; CY = cymbium; E = embolus; EG = embolic guide; FD = fertilization duct; MA = median apophysis; MAP = mesal branch of MA; PA = patellar apophysis; S = spermatheca; SP = spur mesal branch of conductor; T = tegulum; TA 1 = tegular apophysis 1; TA 3 = tegular apophysis 3. Scale bars: A – B = 0.2 mm, C – D = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 3. Scanning electron micrographs of Onomastus jamestaylori sp. nov. A, C, D. Left male palp, ventral view. B. Same, retrolateral view. E. Distal end of MA, ventral view. F. Mesal spur, ventral view. Abbreviations: C = conductor; CY = cymbium; E = embolus; EG = embolic guide; MA = median apophysis; MAP = mesal branch of MA; PA = patellar apophysis; SP = spur mesal branch of C; T = tegulum; TA 1 = tegular apophysis 1; TA 3 = tegular apophysis 3. Scale bars: A – B = 200 µm, C = 60 µm, D = 80 µm, E = 30 µm, F = 40 µm.