Chumma foliata sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 09349F06-E7C8-42C2-B073-54F7340B1331

Figs 2 B–D, 3A–F, 12

Diagnosis

Males of C. foliata sp. nov. are recognized by the palpal tibia with a small pointed dorsal tooth and the large foliate dorsal part of the RTA and the long, slender, anterior projection of the tegulum; the female is recognized by the epigyne with two large copulatory openings in the centre.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the foliate upper RTA.

Material examined

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: ♂, Eastern Cape Province, Amatola Mts, Hogsback, 32°33.727′ S, 26°54.924′ E, 1460 m a.s.l., grass tussocks, alpine grassland, 28 Nov. 2013, C. Haddad and J. Neethling leg. (NCA 2015/4654).

Other material

SOUTH AFRICA: 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, same data as for holotype (NCA 2015/4655); 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 3 juveniles, South Africa, Eastern Cape Province, Amatola mountains, Hogsback, Amatola Forestry Company, 32°37.671′ S, 26°58.311′ E, 1210 m a.s.l., grass tussocks in Fynbos, 28 Nov. 2013, C. Haddad leg. (NCA 2015/4656); 1 ♂, collecting data as for preceding (NCA 2013/4652).

Description

Male

BODY MEASUREMENTS. TL 2.33, CL 1.00, CW 0.83, CH 0.57.

CARAPACE. Pale yellow with some faint darker patches. Chelicerae, sternum and legs uniform yellow (Fig. 3A).

ABDOMEN. Dorsum with poorly sclerotized marbled scutum with few long supple setae in front, sockets on pale circles, apodemes slightly impressed; sides and venter pale with few apodemes in two rows; transverse group of setae in front of spinnerets.

EYES. AME: 0.17; ALE: 0.20; AME–AME: 0.07; AME–ALE: 0.03; PME: 0.20: PLE: 0.20; PME–PME: 0.17; PME–PLE: 0.10. Clypeus 0.20 or 1.00 times width of ALE.

STERNUM. Length 1.63, width 1.57, almost as wide as long.

LEGS. Anterior pairs of tarsi slightly curved, not fusiform. All Fe with one dorsal spine, Fe I with one prolateral spine.

LEG MEASUREMENTS.

PALP (Figs 2 B–D, 3C–D). Tibia with large RTA, dorsal one with large rounded flap and short curved tip, ventral one short, massive, truncated at tip, with concave ventral sides; cymbium with triangular extension at retrolateral base, fitting in concavity between RTA; tegulum with slender, sharp ventral prong; embolus short, broad, strongly curved and truncated.

Female

BODY MEASUREMENTS. TL 2.83, CL 1.07, CW 0.97, CH 0.50.

COLOUR AND PATTERNS. Very similar to male (Fig. 3B).

EYES. AME: 0.17; ALE: 0.23; AME–AME: 0.07; AME–ALE: 0.07; PME: 0.20; PLE: 0.23; PME–PME: 0.23; PME–PLE: 0.13. Clypeus 0.27 or 1.17 times width of ALE.

STERNUM. Length 1.90, width 1.80, almost as wide as long.

LEG MEASUREMENTS:

EPIGYNE (Fig. 3 E–F). With two large, rounded copulatory openings leading directly into the spermathecae, separated by broad scape, delimiting a membranous area in front of the epigastric fold.

Distribution

Known from the Amatola Mts in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa (Fig. 12).