Rhene timidus, Wesołowska & Haddad, 2013

Wesołowska, Wanda & Haddad, Charles R., 2013, New data on the jumping spiders of South Africa (Araneae: Salticidae), African Invertebrates 54 (1), pp. 177-177 : 226-227

Rhene timidus sp. n.

Figs 98, 149, 150

Etymology: From Latin timidus (cautious), in reference to the very delicate sclerotization of the epigyne.

Diagnosis: The species may by recognized by the structure of the epigyne, with characteristic spiralling ridges around the copulatory openings and the seminal ducts broader than in other African congeners. Male unknown.

Description:

Female.

Measurements. Cephalothorax: length 2.4, width 2.5, height 0.9. Abdomen: length 3.5, width 2.8. Eye field: length 1.5, anterior width 1.4, posterior width 2.5.

General appearance as in Fig. 98. Larger than female of R. facilis ; shape of body typical for members of the genus, flat and robust. Carapace greatly broadened, with large trapezoid eye field; dorsum of carapace brown, eyes with black rings, dense whitish hairs cover whole surface. Clypeus very low, dark. Chelicerae unidentate; labium, endites and sternum brown. Abdomen slightly lighter than carapace, brownish fawn, unicoloured, with three pairs of sigilla. Venter brown. Spinnerets dark. Legs brown, first pair stouter than others, with blackish metatarsi and tarsi; long dense black hairs cover ventral surface of tibiae; tibiae I short, with single short prolateral spine; metatarsi I very short, with two pairs of ventral spines; legs with scattered whitish hairs. Epigyne weakly sclerotized, with notch at posterior edge ( Fig. 149); copulatory openings surrounded by spiralling ridges; seminal ducts broad, similarly broad along their length, with accessory glands present ( Fig. 150).

Holotype: ♀ SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: Amatola Mtns, Hogsback, Never Daunted Guest House , 32°35.702'S 26°55.815'E, 1250 m, canopy fogging, mixed garden shrubs, 7.i.2010, C. Haddad, C. Griswold & H. Wood (NCA, 2012/1101).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 155).

Habitat and biology: Collected by fogging mixed broadleaved shrubs in a garden.