Chedimanops rwenzorensis, Zonstein, Sergei L. & Marusik, Yuri M., 2017

Zonstein, Sergei L. & Marusik, Yuri M., 2017, Descriptions of the two-eyed African spider genera Chedimanops gen. n. and Hybosidella gen. n. (Araneae, Palpimanidae, Chediminae), African Invertebrates 58 (1), pp. 23-47 : 28-30

Chedimanops rwenzorensis sp. n. Figs 4-6, 12-14, 39, 51-52, 61-63, 72-75, 76

Etymology.

Named after the distribution area, Rwenzori Mts.

Diagnosis.

Differs from Chedimanops eskovi sp. n. by its smaller size (carapace less than 1.4 mm vs. more than 1.6 in Chedimanops eskovi sp. n.), paler and less contrasting coloration, with a uniformly pale-coloured ventral surface of the abdomen. In Chedimanops rwenzorensis sp. n., the claw-shaped process of the embolus division has one bend, and the receptacles spaced by a distance less than one their radius from the epigastral fold (vs. two bends and approximately one diameter in the other species). Other distinctive characters are listed in the diagnosis of Chedimanops eskovi sp. n.

Description male.

Male MRAC 223336 (holotype).

Habitus: as in Fig. 6. Measurements: TL 3.0, CL 1.36, CW 0.94, CH 0.51, CyH 0.16, SL 0.86, SW 0.66. Eyes: AME 0.07, AME–AME 0.05. Colour in alcohol: carapace and dorsal scutum light yellowish-orange, chelicerae bright reddish-orange; maxillae and labium light red, sternum slightly paler yellowish-red; palps, leg I and ventral scutum light yellowish-orange, II–IV and ventral abdomen including spinnerets pale pinkish-yellow; abdomen dorsally light chestnut with numerous, dense and uniformly spread small pale yellowish-brown spots, ventrally, including spinnerets, pale grayish-yellow. Palp: as in Figs 51-52, 61-63. Femur not swollen; tibial ventral length approximately three times shorter than dorsal length (Figs 51-52). Cymbium short, 1.5 times longer than wide. Claw-shaped process (Cp) of the embolic division with two bends. Membranous process (Mp) large, well distinct.

Leg measurements: male MRAC 223336 (female MRAC 223336 in parentheses):

Description female.

Female MRAC 223336 (paratype).

Habitus: as in Figs 4, 5, 12. Measurements: TL 3.10, CL 1.36, CW 1.11, CH 0.57, CyH 0.16, SL 0.93, SW 0.79. Eyes: AME 0.07, AME–AME 0.04. Colour in alcohol: as in male. Copulatory organs: as in Figs 5, 39, 72-75. Receptacles clearly visible through integument, round, almost touching posterior edge of epigastral plate; spaced from each other by less than 1 diameter. Vulva with large receptacles, touching each other; receptacles with thick wall and relatively small chamber (Ch), with 8 visible grape-shaped glands (Gg); fine threads (Ft) with fine gland-like structures (Fg) on the tips.

Types.

Holotype ♂, D.R. CONGO: North Kivu Province, “Migeri” (as labeled) = Kirivata (0°16'N, 29°46'E), 1700 m, 16.iv.1953, P. Vanschuytbroeck & J. Kekenbosch (MRAC 223336). Paratype ♀, collected together with the holotype and placed into the same vial.

Distribution.

The species is known only from the type locality (Rwenzori Mts., Democratic Republic of Congo).

Natural history.

Probably litter-dwelling spiders (both male and female were obtained using a Berlese funnel trap).