Ovia procurva ( Yu & Song, 1988 ) Yu & Song, 1988

Sankaran, Pradeep M., Malamel, Jobi J. & Sebastian, Pothalil A., 2017, On the new monotypic wolf spider genus Ovia gen. nov. (Araneae: Lycosidae, Lycosinae), Zootaxa 4221 (3), pp. 366-376 : 369-374

Ovia procurva ( Yu & Song, 1988) comb. nov.

( Figs 1 –7)

Pardosa procurva Yu & Song, 1988: 30 , figs 14–19 (description and illustration of male & female). Chen & Zhang 1991: 205, figs 208.1–6 (description and illustration of male and female). Yin et al. 1997: 276, fig. 131a–f (description and illustration of male and female). Song et al. 1999: 333, fig. 197E, K (illustration of male and female). Wei & Chen 2003: 93, figs 4A– D, 5A–E (description and illustration of male and female). Tso & Chen 2004: 405 , figs 25–28 (description and illustration of male and female). Yin et al. 2012: 850, fig. 426a–f (description and illustration of male and female). Dhali et al. 2012: 1206, figs 12–17, 20 (description, illustration and colour photograph of female).

Type material. Female holotype and one male and two female paratypes from CHINA: Yunnan Province; collector’s name unspecified; 6 & 12 July 1983; deposited in Bethune Medical University Department of Biology. Additional paratype material (one male and three females) collected at different dates from various collecting sites in China were deposited in Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica (Beijing). Not examined as the types are not available to us.

Other material examined. INDIA, Kerala: Ernakulam, Cherukadu (10o08'22''N, 76o40'02''E), Bhoothathankettu Forest Reserve, 37 m . alt., 9 November 2013, M.S. Pradeep leg., from forest litter, by hand: 4 females (1 with egg sac) ( ADSH 5208 A). Ernakulam, Illithodu , 10o11'55.94''N, 76o33'00.57''E, 24 m alt . , 25 February 2014, M.S. Pradeep leg., from forest litter, by hand: 4 males, 2 females (1 with egg sac) ( ADSH 5208 B). Ernakulam, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary , 9o59'18.00''N, 76o16'27.63''E, 7 m . alt., 12 April 2014, Sr. Joicy leg., by hand: 1 male ( ADSH 5208 C). Ernakulam, Kothamangalam, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary), 10o07'48.3''N, 76o41'43.24''E, 96 m alt . , 8 March 2016, M.S. Pradeep leg., from forest litter, by hand: 2 males, 2 females ( ADSH 5208 D). Kottayam, Edappady in Palai , 9o42'35.62''N, 76o42'48.42''E, 27 m alt ., 15 April 2016, M.S. Pradeep leg., from ground, by hand: 2 males (ADSH5208E).

Diagnosis. As in the genus diagnosis.

Redescription. Male (ADSH5208D, Figs 1 A, 2A–C, G, I, 6A). Prosoma orange-brown with diffused black shades on cephalic part, densely covered with iridescent setae; thoracic part with indistinct dark radial pattern and closely packed irregular blotches. Fovea longitudinal, reddish-brown. Clypeus black. Chelicerae, fangs, endites and labium brownish with diffused black shades. Chelicerae pro- and retromargins with three teeth each; the 3rd promarginal the smallest ( Fig. 2 I). Sternum yellowish-brown with diffused black shades, provided with scattered long black setae. Opisthosoma oval; dorsum brownish-black, without cardiac spot; sides orange-brown with narrow, longitudinal black striations; dorsum and sides clothed with numerous iridescent setae intermixed with black setae; venter beige. Leg segments except tibia I, metatarsus I and tarsus I orange-brown with diffused black shades and white patches; distal 2/3rd of tibia I, metatarsus I and tarsus I white, basal 1/3rd of tibia I black; leg I beautifully ornamented with iridescent scales on distal half of femur, on patella and on proximal part of tibia ( Fig. 6 A). Spinnerets orange-brown. Body length 4.55. Prosoma length 2.59, width 1.82, height 1.35. Opisthosoma length 1.96, width 1.30, height 1.30. Eye diameter: ALE 0.06, AME 0.09, PLE 0.27, PME 0.30. Eye interdistances: AME–ALE 0.08. AME–AME 0.06. PLE–PLE 0.79. PME–PLE 0.32. PME–PME 0.34. Clypeus height at ALE 0.08, at AME 0.15. Chelicerae length 0.82. Measurements of pedipalp and legs: Pedipalp 2.61 [0.90, 0.35, 0.39, 0.97], I 6.79 [1.89, 0.75, 1.55, 1.58, 1.02], II 6.19 [1.73, 0.77, 1.31, 1.48, 0.90], III 6.16 [1.67, 0.69, 1.23, 1.74, 0.83], IV 9.01 [2.39, 0.85, 1.96, 2.77, 1.04]. Leg formula: 4123. Spination of pedipalp: femur 1p, 6d, 1r; patella 1p; tibia 3p, 1d; cymbium/tarsus 3d. Spination of legs: leg I femur 7d; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 2p, 2r, 2-2- 2v; metatarsus 3p, 3r, 2-2- 1v. Leg II femur 7d; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 1p, 2r, 1-2- 2v; metatarsus 4p, 4r, 2-2- 1v. Leg III femur 7d; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 2p, 2r, 1-2- 2v; metatarsus 4p, 4r, 2-2- 1v. Leg IV femur 6d; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 2p, 2r, 1-2- 2v; metatarsus 4p, 4r, 2-2- 1v. All tarsi spineless. Pedipalp ( Figs 3 , 5 A–I). Palpal segments orange-brown with black shades prominent on patella and tibia; cymbium apically with single, stout, black claw-like macroseta ( Figs 3 A–C, 5A–D).Tegulum large, occupying half of the ventral side of bulb; subtegulum small, concealed under large tegulum, visible only in oblique ventral view ( Figs 3 E, 5E). Palea broad, triangular, slightly bulged in front, dorsoventrally flattened, tongue-shaped ( Figs 3 B, I, 5B, F). Terminal apophysis large, hook-like, originating apicoretrolaterally to palea, grooved along its entire length, with a curved tip lying in close contact with conductor ( Figs 3 B, G, J, M, 5B, H). Median apophysis broad, transverse, roughly rectangular in shape, with apical and basal processes (spurs); apical process flat, ventrally directed, with dorsal ridges; basal process broad, angular, ventrally directed ( Figs 3 D–H, K–M, 5B–C, E, G). Conductor prominent, broad, lying between the distal halves of terminal and median apophyses, constricted distally to form a narrow, pointed tip directed ventrally ( Figs 3 G–H, K, M, 5B– C, I). Embolus long, filiform, C-shaped, with highly reduced semi-transparent laminar extension restricted near the short embolic base, arising on apico-prolateral margin of palea, concealed medially by median apophysis, slightly curved apically, facing the tip of terminal apophysis ( Figs 3 D–F, I–J, 5E–F).

Female (ADSH5208D, Figs 1 B, 2D–F, H, J, 5M, 6B). Like the male, except by the following. Prosoma black with a broad, median longitudinal creamy-white band; thoracic part lacks indistinct dark radial pattern and closely packed irregular blotches. Dorsum of opisthosoma with paired, median longitudinal creamy-white bands suffused with indistinct pale brown blotches; anteriorly enclosing a pale brown, elongate-oval cardiac spot; sides black; venter greyish with a few black and silvery white spots. Leg segments blackish with creamy-white patches restricted to patellae, tibiae and metatarsi. Spinnerets greyish. Palpal segments blackish. Body length 4.99. Prosoma length 2.55, width 1.90, height 0.93. Opisthosoma length 2.44, width 1.50, height 1.37. Eye diameter: ALE 0.06, AME 0.08, PLE 0.26, PME 0.34. Eye interdistances: AME–ALE 0.09. AME–AME 0.06. PLE–PLE 0.81. PME–PLE 0.34. PME–PME 0.32. Clypeus height at ALE 0.12, at AME 0.17. Chelicerae length 0.94. Measurements of palp and legs: Palp 2.42 [0.85, 0.38, 0.47, 0.72], I 6.49 [1.83, 0.77, 1.52, 1.41, 0.96], II 6.12 [1.76, 0.73, 1.30, 1.46, 0.87], III 6.2 [1.73, 0.72, 1.23, 1.69, 0.83], IV 8.49 [2.19, 0.80, 1.91, 2.54, 1.05]. Leg formula: 4132. Spination of palp: femur 6d; patella 1p; tibia 1p, 2d; tarsus 2p, 3d, 1r. Spination of legs: leg I femur 2p, 6d; patella spineless; tibia 2p, 1r, 2-2- 2v; metatarsus 2p, 2r, 2-2- 1v. Leg II: femur 7d; patella 1p; tibia 2p, 2r, 1- 2- 2v; metatarsus 3p, 3r, 2-2- 1v. Leg III: femur 7d; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 2p, 2r, 1-1- 2v; metatarsus 4p, 4r, 2-2- 1v. Leg IV: femur 5d; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 2p, 2r, 1-2- 2v; metatarsus 4p, 4r, 2-2- 2v. Epigynum ( Figs 4 A–D, 5J–L). Circular in outline, hirsute. Median septum represented only by a narrow longitudinal piece, i.e., median septum not inverted ‘T’ shaped, not set in a median atrium, rather it forms the retrolateral margin of paired, large lateral atria ( Figs 4 A–B, 5J). Atria roughly oval in outline, with conspicuous anterior and retrolateral margins; each atrium provided with deep, subtriangular anterior pockets, which are long, reaching up to the anterior borderline of epigynum ( Figs 4 A–C, 5J–K). Copulatory openings located at the lateral margins of posterior borderline of the epigynum. Spermathecae highly sclerotised, long, reaching up to the tip of anterior pockets, lying parallel to each other and to anterior pockets; proximal 2/3rd of spermathecal stalks broad, sac like, distal 1/3rd narrow, tubular, with a single turn ( Figs 4 C, 5K). Head of spermathecae bulbous ( Figs 4 C, 5K).

Variation. Male (n=9): body length 4.32–4.55. Female (n=8): body length 4.68–4.99.

Sexual dimorphism and mating plug: Ovia procurva comb. nov. is remarkable for its sexual dimorphism. Males are ornamented beautifully with more pigmentation than in females, particularly on its first pair of legs ( Fig. 6 A–B). Such modification of male foreleg could be attributed to visual courtship display before mating to induce receptivity from potential mates (see Framenau & Hebets 2007). The presence of iridescent scales on male leg I, which would be visible during courtship only under day light, indicates that O. procurva comb. nov. is a diurnal species.

Though mating plugs are commonly found among spiders, only a few lycosid genera, viz. Alopecosa , Hogna Simon, 1885 , Pardosa , Trochosa C. L. Koch, 1847 and Wadicosa Zyuzin, 1985 are currently known to have such paternity protection devices in the female genitalia ( Uhl et al. 2010). A mating plug was observed in the epigyne of two females of O. procurva comb. nov. collected from Bhoothathankettu Forest Reserve ( Fig. 4 D). The plug was made up of an amorphous secretion (secretory mating plug), whether it is of male or female origin is unknown, and it appeared extremely hard. The plug is not restricted to the copulatory openings, but the entire epigynal region including the atria and the anterior pockets were sealed, making the plug so large that it has to be removed to facilitate species identification.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Field photographs of Ovia procurva (Yu & Song, 1988) comb. nov. A Male; B female. Both from Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary). Photo credit A & B Jimmy Paul.

FIGURE 2. Ovia procurva (Yu & Song, 1988) comb. nov.. A – C Male habitus: A dorsal; B ventral; C retrolateral; D – F female habitus: D dorsal; E ventral; F retrolateral; G – H habitus frontal: G male; H female; I – J left chelicerae, ventral view: I male; J female. Scale bars A – F, 2 mm; G – H, 1 mm; I – J, 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 3. Ovia procurva (Yu & Song, 1988) comb. nov. A – C Male Left pedipalp: A prolateral; B ventral; C retrolateral; D – H left bulb: D oblique ventro-retrolateral; E oblique ventro-prolateral; F prolateral; G retrolateral; H apical; I – J palea with embolus: I ventral; J dorsal; K median apophysis and conductor, retrolateral; L median apophysis, prolatero-ventral; M terminal and median apophyses and conductor, oblique retrolateral. Abbreviations: C conductor, E embolus, MA median apophysis, ST Subtegulum, TA terminal apophysis. Scale bars A – C, 0.5 mm; D – M 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 4. Ovia procurva (Yu & Song, 1988) comb. nov. A – B Epigynum: A before clearing, ventral; B after clearing, ventral; C vulva, dorsal; D epigynum with mating plug. Scale bars 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 5. Ovia procurva (Yu & Song, 1988) comb. nov. A – D Male left pedipalp: A prolateral; B ventral; C retrolateral; D entire, prolateral; E left bulb, oblique prolatero-ventral view showing subtegulum; F palea with embolus, ventral; G median apophysis, ventral; H terminal apophysis, oblique retrolateral; I conductor, apico-lateral; J epigynum, ventral; K vulva, dorsal; L schematic course of copulatory duct and stalk of spermathecae, dorsal; M female eye arrangement, frontal. Abbreviations: AP anterior pocket, AS apical spur, BS basal spur, C conductor, CO copulatory opening, E embolus, EA atrium of epigynum, EB embolic base, FD fertilization duct, HS head of spermatheca, MA median apophysis, MS median septum, PA palea, SS stalk of spermatheca, ST Subtegulum, T tegulum, TA terminal apophysis. Scale bars A – C, 0.15 mm; D & H, 0.4 mm; E, 0.1 mm; F, 0.04 mm; G, 0.3 mm; I, 0.03 mm; J – K, 0.05 mm; M, 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 6. Ovia procurva (Yu & Song, 1988) comb. nov. Left leg I illustrating sexual dimorphism: A male; B female. Scale bar 1 mm.