Prodida Stella, 2002

Saaristo, Michael I., 2002, New species and interesting new records of spiders from Seychelles (Arachnida, Araneaea), Phelsuma 10, pp. 1-32 : 23-24

Prodida Stella n.sp. ( Figs. 61-63 )

Type: Female holotype from Cousine, under the bark of Casuarina , 25.01.1999, M.Saaristo leg.( MZT AA 0.432 ) .

Etymology: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the Christian name of Mrs. Stella Hitchins whose contribution to the reintroduction of the Seychelles magpie robin (Copsychus sechellarum) to Cousine has been essential.

Diagnosis: This medium-sized, conspicuously light coloured species is easily recognised from all other Seychellian spiders by the circular arrangement of eyes, diverging chelicerae and large, elongated abdomen.

Description: Female (male unknown). Medium-sized (TL = 4.5, CL = 1.35), light coloured species; carapace, chelicerae and legs light orange, sternum and abdomen pale yellowish. Eyes in circular arrangement; PMEs dark, circular, others light and more or less irregular in shape. Chelicerae divergent with long, curved fangs, toothless. First leg conspicuously heavier built than the others; coxa IV as long as trochanter IV. Palpal tarsus short, truncate with a bunch of short, rather thick, erect hairs apically. Epigynal plate roundish, bordered by black, curved hairs; more or less irregularly convoluted vulval tubes shining through the integument.

Discussion: P. Stella is close to P. longiventris de Dalmas, 1918 from Philippines. Epigyne of the unique specimen of P. longiventris seems to be lost. Differences between the epigyne of P. Stella and de Dalmas (1918) figure of P. longiventris are small. Only after discovery of the males will it be possible to verify the taxonomic status of these two species.

Figures

Figs. 61 - 63. Prodida Stella n. sp. - 61: Female dorsally. - 62: Epigyne ventrally. - 63: Right palp laterally. - Scale bars = 0.2 mm. Orig.