Thyene aperta (Peckham & Peckham, 1903)

Fig. 70

Modunda aperta Peckham & Peckham, 1903: 210, pl. 26 fig. 9, 9a.

Thyene aperta – Wesołowska 2012a: 336, figs 40–44.

non Paramodunda thyenioides – Clark 1974: 21, figs 25–26.

non Thyene semiargentea – Wesołowska & Russell-Smith 2000: 108, figs 300–306.

Diagnosis

This species may be distinguished by the abdominal pattern. The posterior half of the abdomen is occupied by a large black area divided into three parts. A small round white spot is located in the center of this black area in both sexes (Fig. 70A, D). This white spot is reduced to dot in the male. The male palp has a soft flap oriented transverse to the prolateral edge of the bulb (Fig. 70B).

Material examined

IVORY COAST • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 imm.; Lamto; 13 Aug. 1975; “savane, haut des herbes”; MNHN • 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 14 Aug. 1975; MNHN • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 3 imm.; same collection data as for preceding; 13 Oct. 1975; MNHN • 1 ♂, 2 imm.; same collection data as for preceding; 6 Sep. 1975; MNHN • 2 ♀♀, 1 imm.; same collection data as for preceding; 24 Sep. 1975; “savane du rocher, haut des herbes”; MNHN • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 22 Aug. 1975; “savane arborée, haut des herbes”; MNHN .

Description

For both species see Wesołowska & Russell-Smith (2000) sub Thyene semiargentea . General appearance of male as in Fig. 70A, female in Fig. 70D, palpal organ as in Fig. 70B–C.

Remarks

The species was first reported by Clark (1974), who drew a female from Simon’s collection (locality unknown). He mistakenly identified the spider as Paramodunda thyenioides Lessert, 1925 . However, the type of the latter species has a different colouration and palpal structure (see figs in Prószyński 1984: 168). Wesołowska & Russell-Smith (2000) provided a detailed description of both sexes of Thyene aperta based on extensive material from Tanzania but wrongly determined it as Thyene semiargentea (Simon, 1884) . Prószyński (1987) studied the type of Mithion semiargenteus and his drawings clearly showed a different pattern of the abdomen and the vertical position of the flap on the bulb (see figs in Prószyński 1987: 111). Only the redescription of the types of Thyene aperta by Wesołowska (2012a) allowed for its recognition.

Distribution

A species previously known from Zimbabwe and Tanzania .