Chedimanops eskovi, 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 : 27-28

Chedimanops eskovi sp. n. Figs 1-3, 7-11, 15-25, 26-35, 36-38, 49-50, 55-60, 67-71, 76

Etymology.

The specific epithet is given in honour of our good friend and colleague Kirill Eskov (Paleontological Institute, Moscow), the author of many works devoted to the taxonomy of recent and fossil spiders.

Diagnosis.

Differs from Chedimanops rwenzorensis sp. n. by a darker, more intense, and contrasted colouration, with presence of a weak ventral reticulate pattern on the abdomen, as well as by the shape of copulatory organs. Claw-shaped process of the embolic division has 1 bend (2 in Chedimanops rwenzorensis sp. n.), longer cymbium with length width ratio 1.7 (1.5 in the related species), swollen tibia and faint membranous process (distinct and large in sibling species). Females clearly differ by the position of receptacles (approximately one diameter from epigastral fold in Chedimanops eskovi sp. n. and by less than one radius in Chedimanops rwenzorensis sp. n.) and the number of grape-shaped glands (more than ten in Chedimanops eskovi sp. n. and fewer than ten in Chedimanops rwenzorensis sp. n).

Description.

Male MRAC 154713 (holotype).

Habitus: as in Figs 3, 7, 38. Measurements: TL 3.15, CL 1.64, CW 1.11, CH 0.74, CyH 0.19, SL 0.93, SW 0.79. Eyes: AME 0.08, AME–AME 0.04. Colour in alcohol: carapace and chelicerae medium golden-red with light brownish tint, dorsal scutum darker brownish-red; sternum and labium light red, ventral scutum slightly paler yellowish-red; palps and leg I light yellowish-orange, II–IV pale reddish-yellow; abdomen dorsally medium chestnut with numerous, dense and uniformly spread small pale yellowish-brown spots; ventrally, including spinnerets, pale grayish-yellow. Palp: as shown in Figs 32-35, 49-50, 55-60. Femur swollen, 1.8 times longer than wide. Ventral length of tibia four times shorter than dorsal length; cymbium 1.3 times longer than femur; length width ratio ca. 1.7. Tegulum with large cavity almost equal to diameter. Claw-shaped process (Cp) with one bend in apical 1/3. Membrane accompanied process (Am) with barbed tip. Membranous process (Mp) weakly distinct in light microscope.

Leg measurements: male MRAC 154713 (female MRAC 154713 in parentheses):

Description female.

Female MRAC 154713 (paratype).

Habitus: as in Figs 1, 2, 8. Measurements: TL 4.00, CL 1.76, CW 1.21, CH 0.83, CyH 0.19, SL 1.00, SW 0.86. Eyes: AME 0.09, AME–AME 0.04. Colouration and most somatic characters as in male. Copulatory organs: as in Figs 49, 67-71. Receptacles oval, clearly visible through integument, spaced from epigastral fold as well as from one another by approximately one diameter. Vulva with large receptacles, touching each other; receptacles with thick wall and relatively small chamber (Ch), with 12 visible grape-shaped glands (Gg), each gland bearing 2 pores.

Types.

Holotype ♂, D.R. CONGO: North Kivu Province, Kikura (0°35'N, 29°57'E), 2000 m, vii–viii.1974, M. Lejeune (MRAC 154713). Paratypes: 1♀, 2 juv. collected together with the holotype and placed into the same vial; 1♂, 1♀, same collecting data (MRAC 154148); 3♂, 11 juv., same collecting data (MRAC 154488).

Distribution.

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

Natural history.

Probably litter-dwelling spiders (all specimens were collected with pitfall traps).