May, Jäger & Krehenwinkel, 2015

Jäger, Peter & Krehenwinkel, Henrik, 2015, May gen. n. (Araneae: Sparassidae): a unique lineage from southern Africa supported by morphological and molecular features, African Invertebrates 56 (2), pp. 365-365 : 368-369

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5733/afin.056.0209
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7914186
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F987A3-ED5F-FFFA-3511-B528FC8A07DD
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	May
status	gen. nov.

Treatment

May View in CoL gen. n.

Type species: May bruno sp. n.

Etymology: This new genus is named for Bruno May for supporting biodiversity research in Africa through BIOPAT e.V. (Patrons for Biodiversity; www-biopat.de); gender masculine.

Diagnosis: Small to medium-sized spiders belonging to the so-called “African clade” ( Moradmand et al. 2014) with a body length of 8 to 20 mm. Distinguished from other members of this clade by the copulatory organs: males can be recognised by the course of the embolus, arising distally from the tegulum, running prolaterad ( Figs 1 View Figs 1–10 , 50 View Figs 50–54 , 64 View Figs 64–69 ; retrolaterad in other genera of this clade and almost in all other members of the entire family) and the short and compact RTA(at least one branch elongated in other members). Moreover, the proximo-retrolateral cymbium exhibits a distinct “shoulder” ( Figs 4 View Figs 1–10 , 50 View Figs 50–54 , 59 View Figs 55–63 , 67 View Figs 64–69 , 75 View Figs 70–77 ), whereas such a structure is missing in other members of the African clade. Females with epigynal furrows not reaching epigastric furrow, i.e. lateral lobes fused, indicated by “fusion bubbles” ( Figs 11, 14, 17 View Figs 11–17 , 78, 81, 86 View Figs 78–86 ). Serrula is dramatically reduced, i.e. in most cases entirely, in both sexes ( Figs 33 View Figs 20–33 , 60, 63 View Figs 55–63 ; some females of the African clade also show an entire reduction, usually males and females of this group show up to 37 denticles in their serrula). Leg I shortest, not leg III as in all other Sparassidae ; femora I with prolateral spines shifted into distal half, i.e. proximal prolateral spine almost reaching medial dorsal spine ( Figs 7 View Figs 1–10 , 43 View Figs 34–45 , 57 View Figs 55–63 , 72 View Figs 70–77 , 93 View Figs 87–93 , 99 View Figs 94–99 ).

Description: Widest point of DS in posterior half, close to coxa II and III; PL/PW 1.19–1.23 in males, 1.18–1.22 in females; fovea mostly above coxa III, may be situated more anteriorly above coxa II. Sternum broadest between posterior part of coxa II to anterior part of coxa III, with 3 pairs of lateral extensions, 3 pairs of double slit sense organs plus additional single slit sense organs posteriorly, long setae on entire sternum, single pair of dense setae brushes at posterior margin ( Fig. 86 View Figs 78–86 ). Opisthosoma: oval, OL/ OW 1.53–1.69 in males, 1.54–1.61 in females. Eyes: in two rows, both rows recurved when viewed from above ( Figs 6 View Figs 1–10 , 31 View Figs 20–33 , 54 View Figs 50–54 , 68 View Figs 64–69 , 87 View Figs 87–93 ). Chelicerae: with 2 anterior and 3 posterior teeth, without denticles in between them, fang base ventrally with 1 to 9 bristles ( Figs 10 View Figs 1–10 , 32 View Figs 20–33 , 53 View Figs 50–54 , 88 View Figs 87–93 ; insertion sockets only partly illustrated). Palps in both sexes with two rows of elongated setae forming functional basket ( Figs 40 View Figs 34–45 , 50 View Figs 50–54 , 58 View Figs 55–63 , 64–65 View Figs 64–69 , 73–74 View Figs 70–77 ; most likely to dig burrows in loose sand/transport sand out of the burrow, as known for Cebrennus spp. ; Jäger 2000, 2014 b). Legs: length in most cases 2143 (n=5), also 2431 (n=3), 3421/4231 (n=1). Legs laterigrade ( Figs 43 View Figs 34–45 , 48 View Figs 46–49 , 96 View Figs 94–99 ), spination pattern following general pattern of Sparassidae with the following exceptions: Spination (only common patterns for all four species are listed): palp: 131; legs: femur I–III 323, IV 322; patella: variable, as in other Sparassidae , posterior patellae generally with more spines; tibia I–IV 22(3)26; metatarsus I–III 3034, IV 3037. Scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi moderately dense to sparse. Palpal claw in females present, elongated, with 8 to 12 long teeth ( Figs 23 View Figs 20–33 , 90 View Figs 87–93 ). Metatarsal stopper (sensu RamÍrez 2014) not developed as the usual trilobate membrane, known to be apomorphic for Sparassidae , but with median hook and lateral projections only weakly ( Fig. 30 View Figs 20–33 ) to well developed ( Figs 69 View Figs 64–69 , 89 View Figs 87–93 ).

Coloration (in ethanol; Figs 34–39 View Figs 34–45 , 55–57 View Figs 55–63 , 70–72 View Figs 70–77 , 94–99 View Figs 94–99 ): Pale brown to pale yellow, without distinct pattern; conspicuous white setae on prosoma, especially at clypeus and along margin, dark setae in front of and on spinnerets. Coloration (of live specimens; Figs 48–49 View Figs 46–49 , only known from one species): setae white to shimmering pink.

Male palp ( Figs 1–4 View Figs 1–10 , 41–42 View Figs 34–45 , 50–52 View Figs 50–54 , 58–59 View Figs 55–63 , 64–67 View Figs 64–69 , 73–75 View Figs 70–77 ): Cymbium with variable shapes. Tegulum extending over the largest part of alveolus, with spermophor running along prolateral margin and S-shaped on retrolateral side; embolus and membranous conductor arising in distal half from tegulum. Embolus relatively short, situated in distal part of alveolus, arising from retrolateral to distal part of tegulum, running prolaterally. Female copulatory organ ( Figs 11–19 View Figs 11–17 View Figs 18–19 , 78–85 View Figs 78–86 ): Characterised by fused lateral lobes, i.e. epigynal ledges not reaching posteriorly epigastric furrow. Epigyne with atrium and guiding pockets leading to copulatory ducts. Internal duct system consisting of spherical spermathecae, short copulatory ducts and fertilisation ducts. Epigynal field slightly longer than wide, anteriorly converging, with or without one pair of slit sensilla. Distribution: South Africa, Namibia ( Fig. 120 View Fig ). Occurring most likely also in Botswana. Species included: M. bruno sp. n., M. ansie sp. n., M. rudy sp. n., M. norm sp. n.

Biology: Not many observations could be made on live specimens so far. Spiders live in arid environments. One spider was observed in a burrow in a sand dune, while others were active during the night, running on the ground on gravel.