Cosmophasis squamata Kulczynski, 1910

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

Cosmophasis squamata Kulczynski, 1910 ( Figs. 64-69 )

Cosmophasis squamata Kulczynski, 1910:402 , pi. 17, f. 12 (Df).

-"-, Prószynski 1984:24 (f).

Material examined: Bird (#179), sweeping, 2f 10juvs., March 2000, Hill & Vel leg. ( MZT AA 2.067 and 2.068 ) ; Mahé, La Rosiére, 1f, Jan. 1999, P. Matyot leg. ( MZT AA 0.597 ) , La Rousette, 1f, 0 1.01.1999, M. Saaristo leg. ( MZT AA 0.598 ) , and Sans Soucis, 1m 1f, Febr . 2002, Pat Matyot leg. ( MZT AA 2.219 ) .

Diagnosis: Male of this smallish salticid is easily recognised by its slender, orange abdomen with black apex and spinnerets and female by having a distinct dorsal pattern formed by dark, squamous hairs.

Description: Rather small salticid (TL=4.8-5.9, CL=2.19, CW=1.51); female larger than male due the bigger abdomen. Carapace of both sexes orange brown, ocular area densely cowered with squamous, dark brown hairs. Legs pale yellowish. Male abdomen narrow, cowered with squamous, orange hairs; dark lateral stripes on anterior part; apex and spinnerets black. Female abdomen with distinct pattern of dark, squamous hairs. Tibia of male palp with bifid apophysis. Bulbus disk-like; long, whip-like embolus starting from its posterolateral part, running around it, ending close to tip ofcymbium. Epigyne with narrow, median ridge, deeply V-shaped notched anteriorly; openings of fertilising ducts on either sides of posterior part; on both sides of duct openings close to epigastric furrow dark, medially opening arches.

Distribution: Previously know only from Solomon Islands. This is the first record of the species from Seychelles and has been found on Bird and Mahé.

Discussion: Previously only one female specimen was known of this species. Epigyne figures were presented by Kulczynski (1910) and Proszynski (1984). Epigynes of my specimens correspond to them closely. Th e male is described here for the first time.

Figures

Figs. 64 - 69. Cosmophasis squamata Kulczynski, 1910. - 64: Male dorsally. - 65: Female dorsally. - 66: Right leg I ofmale laterally. - 67: Right male palp ventrally. - 68: Right male palp laterally. - 69: Epigyne ventrally. - Scale bars: 64 - 66 = 1.0, 67 - 69 = 0.2 mm. Orig.