Wadicosa cognata sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:18D4AAA2-7861-4AE8-A820-482BB97CB3B1

Figs 1 E–F, 3 B, E, 4 B, E, 5 A, 6 A–B, 7 B, 8 B, E, 9; Table 1

Diagnosis

The male is characterized by an embolus bent over the upper branch of the tegular apophysis (Fig. 3 B), similar to that in W. Fdelis but differing from the latter by the apicalmost part of the embolus being considerably narrower (cf. Fig. 5 A–B). The female has an epigyne with a configuration resembling that in W. Fdelis, but differing from the latter by its proportions (cf. Fig. 3 E–F).

Etymology

The specific epithet means ‘having affinity with’, referring to the similarity of this species with W. Fdelis.

Material examined

Holotype

KENYA: ♂, Kajiado, Lake Magadi, station 3, 600 m asl, 1.850° S, 36.217° E, 31 Jan. 1999, station 3, S.E. Miller & T.M. Kuklenski (NMKE) .

Paratypes

KENYA: Kajiado, same data as for holotype, 1 ♀ (allotype, NMKE); Lake Magadi, running over surface of hypersaline pool, 1°52.7’ S, 36°15.7’ E, 4 Oct. 1998, G.M. Nishida, 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀ (MRAC 208378, except 1 ♀ in BPBM); station 4, 600 m asl, 1.866° S, 36.266° E, 31 Jan. 1999, S.E. Miller & T.M. Kuklenski, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (USNM); station 3, 600 m asl, 1.850° S, 36.217° E, 31 Jan. 1999, S.E. Miller & T.M. Kuklenski, 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀ (BMNH, except 1 ♀ in NHRS) .

Description

Male (holotype)

Total length 5.8. Carapace 3.15 long, 2.30 wide.

CEPHALOTHORAX. Carapace greyish brown. Median field in thoracic part sometimes lighter to yellowish grey, wide around fovea, edges of light field jagged but indistinct. Lateral bands absent or present as separate, indistinct, slightly lighter spots. An elongate lighter spot may be visible on each side at level of coxae III–IV; this spot as well as adjacent part of carapace margin densely furnished with whitish hairs. Thoracic part furnished with short dark hairs and recumbent light hairs, latter numerous in median field (though often worn off). Clypeus dark greyish brown with dark hairs. Chelicerae greyish brown with dark hairs. Sternum greyish yellow with erect dark hairs.

EYES. Width of row I 53 (slightly procurved as seen from front), row II 76, row III 94, row II–III 76. Diameter of AME 13, ALE 10, PME 30, PLE 24. Distance between AME 8, between AME and ALE 2.

ABDOMEN. Dorsally dark brownish grey with indistinct, somewhat lighter brownish grey lanceolate stripe. Dorsum covered with numerous long erect dark hairs, short dark hairs, and recumbent light hairs. No distinct pattern. Venter greyish yellow to light greyish with dense light pubescence and scattered erect dark hairs. Spinnerets greyish yellow.

LEGS (Table 1). Greyish yellow with moderately darker annulation throughout.

PALP (Figs 3 B, 4 B, E, 5 A, 6 A–B). Pt 0.55, Ti 0.55, Cy 1.35. Fe greyish brown, apically light yellow. Pt and Ti light yellow dorsally. Cy light yellowish basally, otherwise greyish brown, lighter distally. Palp with dark hairs, light yellowish parts with dense white pubescence.Tegular apophysis with comparatively long upper branch (Fig. 6 A), directed retrolaterad and slightly bent posteriad. Shorter lower branch weakly sclerotized, outer portion partly covered with numerous minute spinulae and underlying portion with verrucose outgrowths (Fig. 6 A), the latter (Fig. 6 B) of varying density and length (cf. Figs 4 B, 6A). For differences between W. cognata and W. Fdelis in shape of verrucose outgrowths cf. Fig. 6 B, D. Tegulum proximally with heavily sclerotized, low cristate posterior retrolateral process, and distally with long anterior retrolateral process directed ventrad; in between a shallow depression, here called scutra (Latin sing.: flat dish; termed ‘pyriform depression’ in Kronestedt & Zyuzin 2009; ventral view: Fig. 4 B; retrolateral view: Fig. 4 E). Embolus long, forming conspicuous bend over upper branch of tegular apophysis, apical part only slightly widened (Fig. 5 A, cf. W. Fdelis: Fig. 5 B).

Female (Kenya: Lake Magadi)

Total length 7.1. Carapace 3.60 long, 2.80 wide.

CEPHALOTHORAX AND ABDOMEN. As in male though median field of carapace hardly discernible. Abdomen patterned, when visible, similar to W. benadira (vide supra).

EYES. Width of row I 61 (slightly procurved as seen from front), row II 83, row III 107, row II–III 80. Diameter of AME 14, ALE 10, PME 30, PLE 27. Distance between AME 10, between AME and ALE 2.

LEGS (Table 1). As in male.

EPIGYNE (Figs 3 E, 7B, 8B, E). Epigynal cavity much wider than long, bottom corrugated. Median septum short, wrinkled. Median depression in front of septum distinct, bordered by lateral elevations. Foveolae of varying width, rounded to narrow, partly confluent, sometimes in part hidden by protruding rims of lateral elevations (Fig. 8 B, arrow). Spermathecae large, somewhat spherical, directed towards mid-line of venter (Fig. 8 E).

Size variation

Carapace lengths of material measured: males 3.15–3.40 (N = 4), females 3.50–4.00 (N = 8).

Habitat

The type locality is a hypersaline (sodium carbonate) lake.

Distribution

Only known from Kenya. Most probably occurring also in the Tanzanian part of the Magadi-Natron Basin.