Colopsus magnus, Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2021

Kanesharatnam, Nilani & Benjamin, Suresh P., 2021, Phylogenetic relationships and systematics of the jumping spider genus Colopsus with the description of eight new species from Sri Lanka (Araneae: Salticidae), Journal of Natural History 54 (43 - 44), pp. 2763-2814 : 2786-2792

Colopsus magnus sp. nov.

( Figures 12 (a–d), Figures 13 (a–e), Figures 14 (a–e), Figures 15 (a–d))

Type material

Holotype, ♂ (IFS_SAL_832), Sri Lanka, Central Province, Kandy District, Deltota, Loolecondera estate, 1480 m, 07° 08ʹ 45ʺ N, 80° 41ʹ 53ʺ E, beating, 22 June 2016, leg. NP Athukorala et al.

Paratype, ♀ (IFS_SAL_833), same locality and collection data as in holotype .

Other material examined

1♂, 2♀ (IFS_SAL 834–836), same locality and collection data as in type materials . Sri Lanka: Central Province: Nuwara Eliya District : 1♂ (IFS_SAL_145), Mariyakota, Sammimale ,

1850 m, 06° 46ʹ N, 80° 36ʹ E, hand collection, 2 February 2011, leg . SP Benjamin and S Batuwita; 1♂ (IFS_SAL_195), Agarapatana , Bopattalawa FR, 1665 m, 06° 50ʹ 36ʺ N, 80° 40ʹ 40ʺ E, hand collection, 18–21 February 2007, leg . SP Benjamin, Z Jaleel . 1♂, 2♀ (IFS_SAL 906–910), Upcot , 1850 m, 06° 46ʹ N, 80° 36ʹ E, beating, 3 October 2016, leg . K Nilani .

Etymology

The species name refers to large bulbus compared to its congeners.

Diagnosis

The species is distinguishable from other congeners by the large, oval bulbus, long RTA with a lower dorsal curve and an upper ventral curve ( Figures 13 (d,e), Figures 15 (a,b)), long and whip-like embolus ( Figures 13 (d), Figures 15 (a,b)), comparably narrower median septum, large, multi-chambered spermathecae ( Figures 14 (e), Figures 15 (d)), shape of membranous window as in Figures 14 (c,d), Figures 15 (c)).

Description

Male: Medium sized. In life, prosoma metallic green with dark brown posterior region ( Figure 12 (a,b)). Clypeus brown sparsely covered with pale white hairs ( Figure 12 (c,d)). In ethanol-preserved specimens, metallic brown prosoma covered with metallic yellowish green blotches ( Figure 13 (a)). Eye field rather elevated. ALEs, PMES and PLEs covered with black rings. Prosoma high, broader than abdomen and sloping posteriorly. Chelicerae brown with yellowish brown fangs. Sternum oval with prominent indentation near coxae IV, pale yellow in middle, edges yellowish grey ( Figure 13 (b)). Posterior margin of prosoma steep, slightly truncated. Leg I brown, rather robust and elongated with dense black bristles on patella I, tibia I and metatarsus I, others yellowish brown.

Abdomen slightly longer and narrower than prosoma, tapering posteriorly. Dorsum brown covered with metallic green scales in live spiders ( Figure 12 (a)) and metallic greyish yellow dispersed with grey dots in preserved specimens ( Figure 13 (a)). Ventrum greyish yellow with greyish brown dots arranged in four rows as a dark grey single band medially from epigastric furrow to spinnerets ( Figure 13 (b)). Spinnerets greyish brown. Measurements: TL 8.58, AL 4.16, AW 2.08, PL 3.77, PW 3.25.

Brown palp. Moderately long cymbium with narrowest distal region and broadest laterally at the proximal region. Embolus thin, long and whip like originating from posterior portion of the bulbus and encircling half of bulb ( Figures 13 (d), Figures 15 (a,b)). Bulbus large, oval without any conspicuous projection ( Figures 13 (d), Figures 15 (a,b)). Sperm duct comparably broader, at distal end of tegulum, narrower at posterior tegulum. Palpal tibia moderately long. RTA long, with a lower dorsal curve and an upper ventral curve ending in a pointed tip ( Figures 13 (d,e), Figures 15 (a,b)).

Female: In ethanol-preserved specimens, prosoma yellowish brown with brownish black diagonal stripes radiating from fovea to posterior prosoma ( Figure 14 (a)). Eye field pale brown and rather raised. AMEs ALEs, PMEs and PLEs covered with pale black rings. Chelicerae pale brown with yellowish brown fangs. Shape of sternum as in males ( Figure 14 (b)). Front pairs of legs slightly enlarged and less strong than in males, all legs yellowish brown.

Abdomen slightly longer, narrower than prosoma, tapering posteriorly. Pale yellow anterior dorsum evenly decorated with small, black blotches and pale reddish brown blotches ( Figure 14 (a). Irregular, black markings at the posterior half of abdomen, small brown patch near spinnerets. Ventrum as in males ( Figure 14 (b). Spinnerets yellowish brown. Measurements: TL 9.49, AL 5.20, AW 3.38, PL 4.16, PW 3.51.

Epigynum strongly sclerotised. Large, membranous ‘window’ at epigastric furrow ( Figures 14 (c,d), Figures 15 (c)). Comparably narrow median septum. Spermathecae well sclerotised, multi–chambered ( Figures 14 (e), Figures 15 (d)). Fertilisation ducts lanceolate, originated from anterior wall of large chamber ( Figures 14 (e), Figures 15 (d)). Highly sclerotised posterior wall, shallow median indentation and two lateral pockets ( Figures 14 (c,d), Figures 15 (c)).

Figures

Figure 12. Photographs of live males of Colopsus magnus sp. nov. from Upcot, Nuwara Eliya (a–d) and Pancorius alboclypeus sp. nov. from Dothalugala (e–h).

Figure 13. Colopsus magnus sp. nov. (a, b). Male habitus; a. dorsal view, (b). ventral view. (c–e). Male palp; (c). prolateral view, (d). ventral view, (e). retrolateral view.Scale bars:(a, b) = 2 mm, (c–e) = 0.5 mm.

Figure 14. Colopsus magnus sp. nov. (a–e); (a, b). Female habitus, (a). dorsal view. (b). ventral view. (c–e). Epigynum, (c, d). ventral view. e. dorsal view and Evarcha latus sp. nov. (f–j); f–g. Female habitus, f. dorsal view. g. ventral view. (h–j). Epigynum, (h, i). ventral view. (j). dorsal view. Scale bars: (a, b, f, g) = 2 mm, (c–e, h–j) = 0.1 mm.

Figure 15. Colopsus magnus sp. nov. (a). palp, ventral view; (b). palp, retrolateral view; (c). epigynum, ventral view; (d). vulva, dorsal view and Evarcha latus sp. nov. (e). palp, ventral view; (f). palp, retrolateral view; (g). epigynum, ventral view; h. vulva, dorsal view. Abbreviations: cyc = cymbial constriction; dcrta = dorsal curve of RTA; (e) = embolus; fd = fertilisation duct; lp = lateral pocket; mw = membranous window; pep = posterior epigynal plate; pp = pars pendulum; rta = retrolateral tibial apophyses; s = spermathecae. sd = sperm duct; t = tegulum; vcrta = ventral curve of rta. Scale bars: (a–b), (e–f) = 0.2 mm, (c, d, g, h) = 0.1 mm.