Drassodella septemmaculata ( Strand, 1909 )

Mbo, Zingisile & Haddad, Charles R., 2019, A revision of the endemic South African long-jawed ground spider genus Drassodella Hewitt, 1916 (Araneae: Gallieniellidae), Zootaxa 4582 (1), pp. 1-62 : 50-53

Drassodella septemmaculata ( Strand, 1909)

Figs 3 , 12, 16 , 75 , 91 , 167, 168 , 193–196

Prosthesima 7- maculata Strand, 1909: 554 (Holotype ♀: SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: Signal Hill, Cape Town, 33°55'S, 18°24'E, IV.1900, leg. W.F. Purcell, SAM-ENW-X008521—examined).

Drassodella 7- maculata: Tucker, 1923: 314 , fig. 41A, B (♂).

Drassodella septemmaculata: Platnick 1990b: 4 , figs 164–166 (♀ spinnerets).

Diagnosis. Females of D. septemmaculata are similar to those of D. trilineata sp. nov., but can be recognised by the shape of the anterior hood, which takes the form of an equilateral triangle, and the heart-shaped posterior half of the median septum ( Figs 75 , 193 ), while in D. trilineata sp. nov. the anterior apex of the anterior hood is broadly rounded and the posterior half of the median septum is almost parallel-sided ( Figs 76 , 197 ). Males share with D. vasivulva the large median apophysis with a retrolaterally-directed basal process, but differ in the shape of the distal end: in D. septemmaculata it is rounded ( Figs 91 , 195 ) and in D. vasivulva it has an almost perpendicular bend distally ( Figs 92 , 201 ).

Description. Female (Signal Hill, NCA 2004/357). Measurements: CL 2.72, CW 2.10, AL 3.56, AW 2.00, TL 6.36 (5.98–6.40), FL 0.38, SL 1.48, SW 1.28, CH 0.10, AME-AME 0.07, AME-ALE 0.02, ALE-ALE 0.27, PME-PME 0.10, PME-PLE 0.13, PLE-PLE 0.48, PERW 0.56, MOQAW 0.21, MOQPW 0.24, MOQL 0.30.

Length of leg segments: I 1.78 + 0.92 + 1.44 + 1.40 + 1.00 = 6.54, II 1.50 + 0.82 + 1.24 + 1.36 + 1.04 = 5.96, III 1.52 + 0.76 + 0.92 + 1.52 + 1.04 = 5.76, IV 2.20 + 1.00 + 1.66 + 2.42 + 1.12 = 8.40.

General appearance as in Fig. 167 . Carapace dark brown, with dense white feathery setae on eye region, lateral sides of cephalic region and towards posterior margin. Clypeus height equal to 1.44 AME diameter; AME smaller than ALE; AME separated by distance slightly less than their diameter, AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 0.25 AME diameter; PME smaller than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to 1.11 their diameter, PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 1.11 PME diameter. Chelicerae dark brown; promargin with three teeth, proximal and median teeth almost touching, median clearly separated from distal tooth; retromargin with two widely spaced subequal teeth. Endites dark brown, pale-yellow at maxillar hair tuft. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown, with black mottling, setae more concentrated around margins. Legs dark orange-brown, proximal segments with dense black mottling, faint on metatarsi, absent on tarsi. Leg spination: femora: I do 1 rl 1, II do 2 rl 1, III do 5, IV do 3; patellae: spineless; tibiae: I & II spineless, III pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I pl 1, II plv 1 rlv 1, III pl 4 do 1 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 4 do 2 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; palpal spination: femora do 3; patellae do 1; tibiae do 3 rl 3; tarsi pl 1 do 3 rl 2. Abdomen black; dorsum with white feathery setae forming three pairs of white markings dorsolaterally, single spot above spinnerets ( Fig. 167 ); anterior markings an elongate stripe, second and third pairs of markings spots; oval lateral sclerite above booklungs; venter black, with sparse setae; two paired rows of tiny sclerites, inner rows slightly closer to each other to outer rows. Spinnerets dark brown. Epigyne with shallow anterior hood, forming equilateral triangle, lateral ends terminating abruptly; lateral margins of median septum initially directed mesally, curving in sharp C-shape, posterior two-thirds heart-shaped, converging at epigastric furrow; ST II yellow, connecting ducts and ST I pale yellow-brown; ST II elongate, parallel-sided with rounded head, separated by nearly double their width, nearly twice as large as spherical ST I ( Figs 75 , 193, 194 ).

Male (Cederberg Wilderness Area, NCA 2012/961). Measurements: CL 2.52, CW 1.96, AL 2.32, AW 1.36, TL 4.80 (4.76–7.12), FL 0.32, SL 1.32, SW 1.18, CH 0.13, AME-AME 0.07, AME-ALE 0.02, ALE-ALE 0.25, PME-PME 0.11, PME-PLE 0.11, PLE-PLE 0.44, PERW 0.54, MOQAW 0.21, MOQPW 0.23, MOQL 0.30.

Length of leg segments: I 1.78 + 0.98 + 1.32 + 1.28 + 0.84 = 6.20, II 1.70 + 0.84 + 1.24 + 1.30 + 0.98 = 6.06, III 1.56 + 0.72 + 1.10 + 1.44 + 1.12 = 5.94, IV 2.24 + 1.04 + 1.64 + 2.32 + 1.28 = 8.52.

General appearance as in Figs 3 and 168 . Carapace red-brown, with radiating black mottling; upsilon marking formed by white feathery setae, originating medially from anterior margin, diverging behind fovea towards posterolateral margin. Clypeus height equal to 2.17 AME diameter; AME smaller than ALE; AME separated by distance slightly less than their diameter, AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 0.25 AME diameter; PME smaller than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to 1.33 their diameter, PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 1.33 PME diameter. Chelicerae red-brown anteriorly, reddish posteriorly; promargin with three teeth, proximal and median teeth nearly touching, large space between median and distal teeth; retromargin with two widely separated subequal teeth. Endites brown medially, black along lateral margins, creamy-white around maxillar hair tuft. Labium dark brown medially and posteriorly, light brown anteriorly. Sternum brown. Legs with brown proximal segments, distal segments orange. Leg spination: femora: I do 2, II do 2, III do 5, IV do 3; patellae: spineless; tibiae: I & II spineless, III pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I & II spineless, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 4 do 2 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; palpal spination: femora do 1; patellae do 1 rl 1; tibiae do 3 rl 3 rlv 1; tarsi pl 1 do 1 rl 1 plv 1. Abdomen black dorsally, with small orange-brown scutum extending quarter abdomen length ( Fig. 168 ); dorsum with white feathery setae forming three pairs of white markings dorsolaterally, single spot above spinnerets; anterior markings an elongate stripe, contiguous with second spotted markings, third pair isolated spots; elongate lateral sclerite above booklungs; venter creamy-yellow; one pair of tiny sclerites medially, running from booklungs to midpoint of abdomen; small post-epigastric sclerites present, ante-epigastric sclerites absent. Spinnerets cream. Palp deep orange-brown; RTA long, entirely obscured in ventral view by retrolateral heel of cymbium; in retrolateral view triangular, elongate, with narrow base, gradually tapering to rounded tip; cymbium narrow, 2.11 times longer than wide, narrowed to rounded point distally; embolus originating prolaterally, narrow, with undulating curves and sharp tip, directed retrodistally; median apophysis massive, generally Y-shaped, with prominent rounded retrolateral lobe, longer prolaterally-directed finger-shaped tip partly obscuring embolus ( Figs 91 , 195, 196 ).

Additional material examined. SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape Province: Bergvliet, Diep River , Cape Flats, 34°03'S, 18°27'E, VII .1905, leg. W.F. Purcell, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-B003343 ) ; Cape Town, Constantia, 34°02'S, 18°23'E, 16. II .1992, leg. B. Heydenrych (pitfall, fynbos near summit), 1♂ ( MRAC 173621 ) ; Cape Town, Gardens, 33°56'S, 18°24'E, VII .1898, leg. E.A. Morris, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-X004330 ) ; Cape Town, Muizenberg, 34°06'S, 18°27'E, 1989, leg. R. Legg (pitfalls), 11♂ ( MRAC 169869 ) , 3♂ 7♀ ( MRAC 169870 ) , 11♀ ( MRAC 169871 ) ; Same locality, 5.V.1991, leg. R. Legg (dunes to the north), 8♀ ( MRAC 173713 ) ; Same data as previous but 19.V.1991, 11♀ ( MRAC 173722 ); Same data as previous but 2. VI .1991, 3♀ ( MRAC 173738 ); Same data as previous but 16. VI .1991, 5♀ ( MRAC 173768 ) ; Cape Town, Newlands, 33°58'S, 18°29'E, V.1899, leg. W.F. Purcell, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-X006000 ) ; Cape Town, Newlands Forest , Paradijs Stream, 33°57'S, 18°27'E, 7. III .1992, leg. N. Larsen (leaf litter), 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-C002494 ) ; Cape Town, Signal Hill, 33°56'S, 18°24'E, IV–V . 1899, leg. W.F. Purcell, 4♀ ( SAMC ENW-X005978 ); Same locality, VII .1901, leg. W.F. Purcell, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW- X008974 ) ; Same locality, V.1902, leg. W.F. Purcell, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-X 012082 ) ; Cape Town, Table Mountain , Maclears Beacon, 33°58'S, 18°25'E, VI .1904, leg. R.M. Lightfoot, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-X013593 ) ; Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park , Signal Hill, 33°54'S, 18°22'E, 13. VII .1978, leg. N. Larsen (hand, under stones in grass tussocks), 2♀ ( NCA 2004 /357) ; Cape Town, Table Mountain , ravine below Platteklip, 33°57'S, 18°25'E, IV .1900, leg. W.F. Purcell, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-X008563 ) ; Cape Town, Table Mountain woods, 28. VIII .1915, leg. R.W. Tucker, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-B001340 ); Cederberg Wilderness Area, Wupperthal, Crystal Pools , 32°27.540'S, 19°08.334'E, 1285 m a.s.l. , X.2009, leg. E. Nortje & S. Kritzinger-Klopper (pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2012 /961); Cederberg Wilderness Area , Wupperthal, Crystal Pools, 32°19.932'S, 19°08.460'E, 1135 m a.s.l., III .2009, leg. E. Nortje & S. Kritzinger-Klopper (pitfall traps), 1 subadult ♀ ( NCA 2012 /3776); Cederberg Wilderness Area , Sneeukop, 32°21.216'S, 19°09.174'E, 1615 m a.s.l., III .2009, leg. E. Nortje & S. Kritzinger-Klopper (pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2011 /2712); Cederberg Wilderness Area , Sneeukop, 32°21.324'S, 19°09.150'E, 1605 m a.s.l., III .2010, leg. E. Nortje & S. Kritzinger-Klopper (pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2011 /2736); Same data as previous but III .2005, 1♂ ( NCA 2012 /2204); Cederberg Wilderness Area , Sneeukop, 32°21.330'S, 19°09.150'E, 1845 m a.s.l., III .2008, leg. E. Nortje & S. Kritzinger-Klopper (pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2012 /3537); Same data as previous but III .2007, 1♂ ( NCA 2012 /3774); Cederberg Wilderness Area , Sneeukop, 32°21.330'S, 19°09.924'E, 1880 m a.s.l., III .2007, leg. E. Nortje & S. Kritzinger-Klopper (pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2012 /3775); False Bay , St James, 34°07'S, 18°27'E, IV .1899, leg. W.F. Purcell, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-X005968 ); Same locality, IV .1901, leg. Dr Purcell, 3♀ ( SAMC ENW-X009195 ) ; Fisherhaven, 34°21.430'S, 19°07.557'E, 12.I.2008, leg. C. Haddad (leaf litter), 1♂ ( NCA 2008 / 452); Great Winterhoek Mountains , 33°08'S, 19°10'E, 4000–5000 ft a.s.l., 4–14. IV .1916, leg. R.W. Tucker, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-B002550 ); Hout Bay , 34°02'S, 18°21'E, III .1898, W.F. Purcell, 1♂ ( SAMC ENW-X004344 ); Side of Kalk Bay and St James Mountain , 34°08'S, 18°27'E, 27. II .1902, leg. W.F. Purcell, 2♂ 3 imm. ( SAMC ENW- X 012311 ); Tulbagh, Piquetberg Road Station , 33°22'S, 19°07'E, 9. VIII .1898, leg. R.M. Lightfoot, 1♀ ( SAMC ENW-X003998 ) . Northern Cape Province: Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve , Nieuwoudtville, 31°31'S, 19°26'E, 29. IV .2006, leg. J. Leroy (renosterveld area), 1♀ ( NCA 2007 /1305) .

Distribution. Known from various localities in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces, South Africa ( Fig. 203 ).

Figures

FIGURE 203. Distribution of Drassodella salisburyi Hewitt, 1916 (circles), D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909) (stars), D. trilineata sp. nov. (square) and D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923 (triangles) in southern Africa. Insert shows the distribution of D. septemmaculata and D. vasivulva on the Cape Peninsula.

FIGURES 1–4. General habitus photographs of live Drassodella spiders: 1 D. amatola sp. nov. female from Hogsback, Eastern Cape; 2 D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923 female from Aardvark Nature Reserve, Western Cape; 3 D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909) male from Fisherhaven, Western Cape; 4 D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923 male from De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape. Photographs 1, 3, 4 by C. Haddad, 2 by P. Webb.

FIGURES 5–17. Digital microscope photographs of Drassodella somatic morphology: 5–8 dorsal view of carapace and chelicerae of D. flava sp. nov. female (5), D. guttata sp. nov. male (6), D. transversa sp. nov. male (7) and D. purcelli Tucker, 1923 female (8); 9 D. tenebrosa Lawrence, 1938 female, carapace, lateral view; 10 D. purcelli female, posterodorsal view of carapace, showing pedicel and sclerites; 11 same, ventral pedicel sclerite, ventral view; 12–14 dorsal view of abdomens of D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909) male (12), D. aurostriata sp. nov. male (13) and D. amatola sp. nov. female (14); 15 D. tenebrosa female, abdomen, anterodorsal view; 16 D. septemmaculata male, abdomen, showing sclerites on venter; 17 D. tenebrosa female, spinnerets, posteroventral view. Abbreviations: AAS—anterior abdominal sclerite; CGS—cylindrical gland spigots; CON—condyle; DPS—dorsal pedicel sclerite; IS—inframamillary sclerite; PB—pleural bars; PES—post-epigastric sclerite; PPS—posterior pleural sclerite; PT—petiole; SC—dorsal scutum; SI—sigillum; VPS—ventral pedicel sclerite.

FIGURES 60–77. Female epigynes of Drassodella species in the D. melana species group (60–68) and D. salisburyi species group (69–77) in dorsal view: 60 D. flava sp. nov.; 61 D. guttata sp. nov.; 62 D. lotzi sp. nov.; 63 D. maculata sp. nov.; 64 D. melana Tucker, 1923; 65 D. montana sp. nov.; 66 D. tenebrosa Lawrence, 1938; 67 D. tolkieni sp. nov.; 68 D. transversa sp. nov.; 69 D. venda sp. nov.; 70 D. amatola sp. nov.; 71 D. aurostriata sp. nov.; 72 D. purcelli Tucker, 1923; 73 D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923; 74 D. salisburyi Hewitt, 1916; 75 D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909); 76 D. trilineata sp. nov.; 77 D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923. Abbreviations: AH—anterior hood; FD—fertilisation duct; MS—median septum; STspermatheca(e). Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 78–92. Male palps of Drassodella species of the D. melana species group (78–85) and D. salisburyi species group (86–92) in ventral view: 78 D. flava sp. nov.; 79 D. guttata sp. nov.; 80 D. melana Tucker, 1923; 81 D. montana sp. nov.; 82 D. tenebrosa Lawrence, 1923; 83 D. tolkieni sp. nov.; 84 D. transversa sp. nov.; 85 D. venda sp. nov.; 86 D. amatola sp. nov.; 87 D. aurostriata sp. nov.; 88 D. baviaans sp. nov.; 89 D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923; 90 D. salisburyi Hewitt, 1916; 91 D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909); 92 D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923. Abbreviations as follows: DP—dorsal embolic prong; EMembolus; MA—median apophysis; RTA—retrolateral tibial apophysis; VP—ventral embolic prong. Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 157–171. Dorsal habitus photographs of Drassodella species in the salisburyi species group: 157, 158 female and male of D. amatola sp. nov.; 159, 160 female and male of D. aurostriata sp. nov.; 161 male of D. baviaans sp. nov.; 162 female of D. purcelli Tucker, 1923; 163, 164 female and male of D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923; 165, 166 female and male of D. salisburyi Hewitt, 1916; 167, 168 female and male of D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909); 169 female of D. trilineata sp. nov.; 170, 171 female and male of D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURES 193–196. Genitalic morphology of Drassodella septemmaculata (Strand, 1909): 193 female epigyne, ventral view; 194 same, dorsal view; 195 male palp, ventral view; 196 same, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.25mm.

FIGURES 197–202. Genitalic morphology of Drassodella trilineata sp. nov. (197, 198) and D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923 (199– 202): 197, 199 female epigyne, ventral view; 198, 200 same, dorsal view; 201 male palp, ventral view; 202 same, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.25mm.