Fuchiba aquilonia, Haddad & Lyle, 2008

Haddad, Charles R. & Lyle, Robin, 2008, Three new genera of tracheline sac spiders from southern Africa (Araneae: Corinnidae), African Invertebrates 49 (2), pp. 37-37 : 43-46

Fuchiba aquilonia sp. n.

Figs 1 , 5, 6 , 24–31 , 40

Etymology: From Latin aquilonia (northern), reflecting the northern-most occurrence of this species.

Diagnosis: Males can be recognised by the fine embolus, which forms an incomplete coil with tip directed towards the cymbial tip. Females can be recognised by the large oval ST II and other details of the vulva.

Description:

Male.

Measurements: CL 1.22–1.76, CW 1.04–1.45, AL 1.20–1.60, AW 1.17–1.43, TL 2.43– 3.50, FL 0.04–0.07, SL 0.61–0.83, SW 0.57–0.78, AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.05, ALE–ALE 0.40, PME–PME 0.11, PME–PLE 0.17, PLE–PLE 0.68. Length of leg segments: I 0.99+0.52+0.84+0.61+0.45=3.41; II 0.91+0.50+0.69+0.59+0.45=3.14; III 0.72+0.40+0.47+0.57+0.27=2.43; IV 0.89+0.43+0.73+0.87+0.31=3.23.

Carapace, including eye region, bright orange to dark red-brown, slightly darker laterally ( Fig. 5 ); carapace gradually rounded with highest point at 2/3 its length, last quarter with steep decline ( Fig. 24 ); surface granular, covered in dense, short fine setae; fovea short, distinct, slightly thickened, at 2/3 carapace length. Eyes surrounded by black rings; AER procurved, eyes subequal; clypeus height equal to 1.25× AME diameter; AME separated by distance equal to their diameter; AME separated from ALE by approx. 0.5× AME diameter ( Fig. 25 ); PER strongly recurved, median eyes larger than laterals; PME separated by distance equal to their diameter; PME separated from PLE by approx. 1.75× PME diameter. Chelicerae orange-brown to red-brown; anterior surface with scattered short, fine setae; promargin with three widely spaced teeth, median tooth largest, proximal tooth smallest; retromargin with three subequal teeth sharing single base. Sternum orange-brown, darker along border; surface smooth, covered in fine setae. Abdomen: with bright orange scutum covering entire dorsum, dorsum with distinct grey chevron markings ( Fig. 5 ); cream laterally and ventrally, with grey mottling; shield-shaped, broadest at half its length, slightly longer than wide; surface covered in short fine setae; two pairs of dorsal sigilla present; venter with small oval sclerites, running in paired lines from epigastric fold to spinnerets. Legs I to IV uniform orange; moderately dense scopulae on metatarsi and tarsi, remaining leg segments covered in fine, less dense setae; leg spines and cusps absent. Palp with small, subtriangular RTA with sharp tip; embolus distal on tegulum, forming single incomplete coil, with tip slanting slightly towards cymbial tip ( Figs 26, 27 ).

Female.

Measurements: CL 1.30–1.83, CW 1.07–1.52, AL 1.43–2.13, AW 1.32–1.85, TL 2.70– 4.08, FL 0.07–0.08, SL 0.67–0.89, SW 0.61–0.80, AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.04, ALE–ALE 0.37, PME–PME 0.11, PME–PLE 0.20, PLE–PLE 0.68. Length of leg segments: I 1.01+0.53+0.78+0.60+0.44=3.36; II 0.93+0.52+0.72+0.57+0.42=3.16; III 0.81+0.43+0.52+0.59+0.28=2.63; IV 1.07+0.50+0.85+0.92+0.35=3.69.

Carapace, including eye region, bright orange to dark red-brown, slightly darker laterally ( Figs 1 , 6 ); carapace gradually rounded with highest point at 2/3 its length, last quarter with steep decline ( Fig. 28 ); surface granular, covered in dense, short fine setae; fovea short, distinct, slightly thickened, at 2/3 carapace length. Eyes surrounded by black rings; AER procurved, eyes subequal; clypeus height equal to 1.33×AME diameter; AME separated by distance equal to their diameter;AME separated from ALE by distance approx. 0.5× AME diameter ( Fig. 29 ); PER strongly recurved, eyes subequal; PME separated by distance equal to 1.25× their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance nearly 2× PME diameter. Chelicerae orange-brown to red-brown; anterior surface with scattered short, fine setae; promargin with three widely spaced teeth, median tooth largest, proximal tooth smallest; retromargin with three subequal teeth sharing single base. Sternum orange-brown, darker along border; surface smooth, covered in fine setae. Abdomen: pale grey dorsally with dark grey chevron markings ( Fig. 6 ); cream laterally and ventrally, with dark grey mottling; oval, tapering posteriorly, broadest at half its length, longer than wide; dorsal scutum absent; surface covered in short fine setae; two pairs of sigilla present; venter with small oval sclerites, running in two paired lines from epigastric fold to spinnerets. Legs I to IV uniform orange; moderately dense scopulae on metatarsi and tarsi, remaining leg segments covered in fine, less dense setae; leg spines and cusps absent. Epigyne with copulatory openings mediolaterally in circular ridges ( Fig. 30 ); ST II initially narrow following copulatory openings, with large, oval, anteromedial receptacles and small, globose lateral receptacles; ST I small, oval, laterally situated, slightly anterior to copulatory openings ( Fig. 31 ).

Holotype: ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: “R.S.A., Limpopo Province / Soutpansberg Mts / Lajuma Mountain Retreat, Woodland 4 / 23°02.530'S, 29°26.866'E / 6.xii.2004 / M. Mafadza / Sifting leaf litter // Araneae / Corinnidae / Trachelinae / Fuchiba / aquilonia HOLOTYPE 1 ♂ / NCA 2005/1891 det. C.H. //” ( NCA, 2005/1891).

Allotype: ♀SOUTH AFRICA: “ Springbokvlakte / Tuinplaas / Settlers-Roedtan / 23.vii.2002 / M. van Jaarsveld / pitfall traps, grass // Araneae / Corinnidae / Trachelinae / Fuchiba / aquilonia ALLOTYPE 1♀/ NCA 2003/291 det. C.H. //” ( NCA, 2003/291).

Paratypes: BOTSWANA: 1 ♂ 1♀Kwando R., 23.iii.1976, F. Wanless & A. Russell-Smith, amongst grass and Phragmites (BMHN) . MOZAMBIQUE: 2 imm. 3 ♂ 2♀nr Marracuene, Blue Anchor Inn, alt. 50 m, 25°35.124'S: 32°39.568'E, 28.xi.2007, C. Haddad & R. Fourie, sifting leaf litter, savannah ( NCA, 2008/ 164); 3 ♂ 1♀Nova Choupanga [Chupanga, 18°05'S: 35°35'E], viii, P. Lesne ( MNHG) . SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 1 ♂ Ndumo Game Reserve, W shore of Nyamiti Pan , 26°53.767'S: 32°16.557'E, 26.vi.2006, C. Haddad & F. Jordaan, leaf litter, subtropical bush ( NCA, 2008/564) . Limpopo: 1♀Soutpansberg Mts, Lajuma Mountain Retreat, 23°02.414'S: 29°26.687'E, 6.ii.2008, C. Haddad, base of grass tussocks ( NCA, 2008/511); 1 ♂ 15 km NW of Klaserie, Guernsey Farm , 19–31.xii.1985, S. & J. Peck, Malaise traps, woodland ( AMNH, 85/295) .

Other material examined: BOTSWANA: 1♀Maun, Maphaneng Pan , 18.ii.1976, A. Russell-Smith, in riverine woodland leaf litter ( BMNH) ; 2♀Maun, Maphaneng Lagoon , 30.i.1977, A. Russell-Smith, riverine woodland leaf litter ( BMNH) . MOZAMBIQUE: 1 imm. 1♀Xai-Xai, Montego’s Camp , alt. 28 m, 25°03.659'S: 33°40.633'E, 2.xii.2007, C. Haddad & R. Lyle, leaf litter, dune forest ( NCA, 2008/180) . SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 1♀Mkuzi Game Reserve, Combretum apiculatum /molle woodland, alt. 81 m, 27.66801°S: 32.29947°E, 2.ii.2003, Earthwatch volunteers ( NCA, 2008/565); 3 imm. 2 ♂ 1♀Ndumo Game Reserve , Main Camp, 26°54.581'S: 32°18.798'E, 13.vi.2005, C. Haddad, grass litter ( NCA, 2008/569); 2♀Phinda Resource Reserve , alt. 38 m, 27°50'43''S: 32°18'49.1''E, 13–15.iv.2001, M. Ramirez ( MACN) . Limpopo: 2♀Makalali Game Reserve , 24°09'S: 30°42'E, 11.xii.1999, C. Whitmore ( DMSA ARA 387 ) ; 1♀Nylstroom, Leeudorings, 24.iii.1980, D. Uys, pitfall traps ( NCA, 88/343); 1 ♂ Soutpansberg Mts , Lajuma Mountain Retreat , Island 2, 23°01.921'S: 29°26.193'E, 23.xi.2004, M. Mafadza, sifting leaf litter ( NCA, 2005/1890); 1 ♂ Springbokvlakte, Tuinplaas, Settlers-Roedtan, Wildskamp, 7.xi.2001, M. van Jaarsveld, pitfall traps, grass ( NCA, 2003/292); 1♀Springbokvlakte, Settlers, Bekendevlei, 7.v.2002, M. van Jaarsveld, pitfall traps, grass ( NCA, 2003/503) . Mpumulanga: 1 ♂ Kruger National Park, Satara , 24.41°S: 31.77°E, 15–18.xii.1985, S. & J. Peck, Malaise trap, streamside thornscrub ( AMNH, 85/283); 1 ♂ same locality, Skukuza, 12–15.xii.1985, S. & J. Peck, Malaise trap, thornscrub forest ( AMNH, 85/277); 1♀Marble Hall, 25.v.1999, P. Stephen, pitfall traps, citrus orchard ( NCA, 99/ 209); 1♀same locality, Schoeman Boerdery, 16.xi.1999, P. Stephen, pitfall traps, citrus orchard ( NCA, 2000/203) .

Distribution: Widely distributed in subtropical southern Africa, particularly in the Savannah and Forest Biomes ( Fig. 40 ).

Biology: This species was primarily collected from leaf litter and by pitfall trapping in savannah and forest habitats.

Figures

Figs 1–4. General habitus of Fuchiba gen. n. and Poachelas gen. n. from southern Africa: (1) F. aquilonia sp. n., female, Marracuene, Mozambique; (2) F. capensis sp. n., male, De Hoop Nat. Res., South Africa; (3) F. venteri sp. n., male, Jakobsbaai, South Africa; (4) P. striatus sp. n., male, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Figs 5–14. General habitus of Fuchiba gen. n. species: (5, 6) F. aquilonia sp. n., male, Ndumo Game Reserve, and female, Marracuene; (7, 8) F. capensis sp. n., De Hoop Nat. Res., male and female; (9, 10) F. montana sp. n., male, Mohale Lodge, and female, Mohale Dam; (11) F. similis sp. n., female, Ngome State Forest; (12) F. tortilis sp. n., female, Fisherhaven; (13, 14) F. venteri sp. n., Jakobsbaai, male and female. Scale bars = 1.0 mm.

Figs 24–31. Fuchiba aquilonia sp. n., male (24–27) and female (28–31): (24, 28) carapace, lateral view; (25, 29) eye region, anterior view; (26) palp, ventral view; (27) same, retrolateral view; (30, 31) epigyne, ventral and dorsal views. Scale bars: 1.0 mm in Figs 24, 28; 0.1 mm in Figs 25–27, 29–31.

Fig. 40. Distribution of Fuchiba aquilonia sp. n., F. capensis sp. n. and F. montana sp. n.