Afroneta sarahae sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:ACC8A04A-41EE-489B-B929-3912135333E2

Figs 11D–F, 12–13

Diagnosis

The presence of serrations on the ventral margin of the paracymbium is seen in only one more species, Afroneta serrata sp. nov. The shape of the serrations is variable (see Fig. 13B–E), ranging from many shallow fine denticles to a few deep strong teeth. The tegular mynoglenine process is roundish and smaller compared to what is seen in Afroneta serrata sp. nov. The radix is situated in the distal half of the cymbium (Fig. 13F) and is shorter than in Afroneta serrata sp. nov. (Fig. 9C). The copulatory duct in females is correspondingly shorter (Fig. 12G–H) than in Afroneta serrata sp. nov. (Fig. 10G–H) and the dorsal plate with the dorsal plate scape is also narrower in its longitudinal dimension (Fig. 9D vs Fig. 13G).

Etymology

The species epithet sarahae is a name in apposition. It refers to Holger Frick’s partner, Sarah Küffer, who has supported Holger Frick’s passion for spiders for more than a decade.

Type material

Holotype

KENYA: ♂, Rift Valley Prov., Trans-Nzoia Distr., Mount Elgon National Park, upper course of Kimothon Riv., 1°5 ′ 53.1 ″ N, 34°37 ′ 13.7 ″ E [WGS84], 3645 m a.s.l., 19 Jan. 2009, N. Yunakov leg., H. Frick det., collection Natural History Museum of Oslo (sample KE005, ZMUN 24056 ).

Allotype

KENYA: ♀, same data as for holotype (ZMUN 24056).

Other material examined (1 ♂, 7 ♀♀)

KENYA: 1 ♂, 7 ♀♀, together with holotype, collection Natural History Museum of Oslo (sample KE005, ZMUN 24056).

Description

Male (holotype, ZMUN 24056)

SIZE. Total length 1.88. Cephalothorax 1.06 long, 0.76 wide. Sternum 0.59 long (0.54 without labium), 0.53 wide. Abdomen 0.91 long, 0.72 wide. AME diameter 0.04. Femur I 0.79 long, 0.75 times as long as cephalothorax.

COLOUR (preserved specimens, Fig. 11D, F). Cephalothorax and chelicerae brownish, sternum darker and with blackish-grey margin. Legs and pedipalps yellowish white, without annulations. Black rings around eyes. Abdomen dark grey, with white markings. Figure 11D–F illustrates recently collected material (2009), stored in 96% ethanol. The colour is probably close to the colour of the live animals.

BODY. Cephalothorax with short pale setae in the midline. No fovea (Fig. 11F). Ocular area without setae between eyes. Clypeus height 4 times AME diameter. Subocular sulci present below ALE, clearly demarcated, longer than wide and narrow (Fig. 11D). Cephalothorax more elongated and narrower (Fig. 11E–F) as compared to Afroneta serrata sp. nov. (Fig. 11B–C).

CHELICERAE. With 3 large widely spaced prolateral teeth (Fig. 11D). Without stridulating file. Three small closely spaced retrolateral denticles, positioned between the two first prolateral teeth.

LEGS. All femora with short thin setae dorsally and ventrally. Ventral setae shorter than diameter of femora. Leg formula 1243. Trichobothrium metatarsus I = 0.37 (0.41 on other male specimen in vial). No tibial spines.

PEDIPALP (Figs 12A–D, 13A–F). Patella with long strong macrosetae (Fig. 12A). Tibia with two retrolateral and one prolateral trichobothrium (Fig. 12D). Cymbium with two prolateral macrosetae (Fig. 13A). Paracymbium J-shaped, with unusual distal serrations on ventral margin (Fig. 13A–F). It holds two basal setae (Fig. 13A) and its distal part is well set off from the cymbium in dorsal view (Fig. 12D). Suprategulum narrow and triangular. Tegular mynoglenine process short and roundish (Figs 12A, 13A), smaller than in Afroneta serrata sp. nov. (Figs 9A, 10A). Radical division small restricted to distal half of alveolus (Fig. 13F). Radix drop-like. Embolus with broad base, robust and almost straight and tapering towards the tip (Figs 12C, 13C). Embolic membrane exceeding the embolus and the alveolus only slightly (Fig. 13F), less than in Afroneta serrata sp. nov.

Female (allotype, ZMUN 24056)

SIZE. Total length 2.41 (abdomen strongly bent downwards so total length difficult to measure). Cephalothorax 1.44 long, 0.96 wide. Sternum 0.79 long (0.71 without labium), 0.63 wide. Abdomen 1.32 long, 0.91 wide. AME diameter 0.06. Femur I 1.00 long, 0.71 times as long as cephalothorax.

COLOUR (preserved specimen, Fig. 11E). As holotype.

BODY. Sternum shield–shaped. Clypeus height 3.5 times AME diameter.

CHELICERAE. With 3 large widely spaced prolateral teeth. Retrolateral denticles not visible. Chelicerae without stridulating file.

LEGS. Spination of legs like male. Leg formula 1243. Trichobothrium metatarsus I = 0.47.

EPIGYNUM AND VULVA (Figs 12E–H, 13G–H). The epigyne has a dorsal plate scape that is moderately developed and neither extends much ventrally nor posteriorly (Fig. 12E–F). The copulatory ducts expand anteriorly as far as the receptacula and are separated from each other by less than their diameter (Fig. 12G–H). The receptacula are round.

Distribution

Only know from Mount Elgon, Kenya, at altitudes of 3700 m a.s.l.

Life history

Little is known about the biology of this species. Specimens have been collected in the alpine belt above the forest zone.