Zimiris diffusa, PLATNICK & PENNEY, 2004

PLATNICK, NORMAN I. & PENNEY, DAVID, 2004, A Revision of the Widespread Spider Genus Zimiris (Araneae, Prodidomidae), American Museum Novitates 3450, pp. 1-12 : 9-11

Zimiris diffusa , new species

Figures 20–24

TYPE: Holotype female from Birddown Point , St. Helena (Jan. 4, 1995; N. Ashmole), deposited in AMNH.

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name refers to the widespread, presumably synanthropic (inferred) distribution of the species.

DIAGNOSIS: Males and females have not yet been collected together, but there is so far no evidence that more than two species exist within the genus. Males differ from those of Z. doriai by the straight, triangular retrolateral tibial apophysis (figs. 21, 22) and by the relatively wide, retrolaterally straight conductor (fig. 21); females differ from those of Z. doriai by the triangular rather than omegashaped epigynal midpiece (fig. 23) and by the shorter, wider paramedian epigynal ducts (figs. 23, 24).

MALE ( Socotra): Total length 2.3. Carapace 0.95 long, 0.76 wide, abdomen 1.17 long, 0.78 wide. Carapace and legs pale yellow, abdomen pale white. Legs less elongate than in Z. doriai (femora, tibiae I 0.98, 0.75; II 0.86, 0.58; III 0.70, 0.48; IV 0.97, 0.92). Leg spination: tibiae III p0–1–1, v1p–2–2, r0–0–1; IV p0–1–1, v2–1p–2, r1–0–1; metatarsi: III v0–0–1p, r0–0–1; IV p1–0–1, v2– 0–1p, r1–0–1. Retrolateral tibial apophysis straight, triangular (figs. 21, 22), embolus proapical, spiniform, accompanied by wide, triangular conductor (figs. 20, 21).

FEMALE (holotype): Total length 3.8. Carapace 1.58 long, 1.31 wide, abdomen 2.27 long, 1.61 wide. Coloration as in male. Legs relatively longer than in male (femora, tibiae I 1.80, 1.64; II 1.58, 1.40; III 1.53, 1.29; IV 2.13, 2.05). Leg spination: tibiae III p0–0–1, v1p–1p–1p; IV p0–0–1, v2–1p–2, r0–0–1; metatarsi: III v0–0–1r; IV v1p–0–2. Epigynal midpiece triangular (fig. 23), paramedian ducts short, wide (figs. 23, 24).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: India: Kerala: Calicut , 1946, in house (W. Davis, MCZ), 1♀ . Yemen: Socotra Is.: Hadibo Plain , Nov. 1, 2000 (A. van Harten, RMNH), 13 .

DISTRIBUTION: If the sexes are correctly matched here, the species is widespread in the Old World, from St. Helena east to Socotra and India.

Figures

Figs. 20–24. Zimiris diffusa, new species. 20. Left male palp, prolateral view. 21. Same, ventral view. 22. Same, retrolateral view. 23. Epigynum, ventral view. 24. Same, dorsal view.