Stenaelurillus darwini Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000

Wesołowska, Wanda, 2014, Further notes on the genus Stenaelurillus Simon, 1885 (Araneae, Salticidae) in Africa with descriptions of eight new species, Zoosystema 36 (3), pp. 595-622 : 598-601

Stenaelurillus darwini Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000

( Fig. 2 )

Stenaelurillus darwini Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000: 98 , figs 269-276.

Stenaelurillus sp. 2 – Prószyński 1984: 140.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Kenya, Coast Province, Kwale, 30 km S from Mombasa, 4°10’S, 39°40’E, 12.XI.1992, leg. V. Roth, 2 ♂♂ ( CAS).

DIAGNOSIS. — The male is easily distinguished from other members of the genus by abdominal pattern with median transverse iridescent zone, except S. uniguttatus Lessert, 1925 from Kenya, which has the same coloration. Stenaelurillus darwini differs in palp structure, especially by the presence of tuft of long bristles on dorsal apophysis tip, stretching half of cymbium length (hang down, towards base of tibia in S. uniguttatus ). The female can be distinguished by unique shape of epigyne, with two large semispherical monticules (see fig. 275 in Wesołowska & Russell-Smith 2000). This character is exceptional, all known species have epigyne with depressions.

DISTRIBUTION. — Species known from Tanzania, for the first time recorded in Kenya.

REDESCRIPTION

Measurements

Cephalothorax: length2.7, width 2.0, height 1.0.Abdomen: length 2.8, width 2.0. Eye field: length 1.0, anterior and posterior width 1.6.

Male

Shape of body typical for the members of the genus. Carapace moderately high, slightly broadened posteriorly, dark brown, with two thin whitish band on thoracic part. Eye field black, with shine, thick rod hairs on anterior part, anterior eyes framed with black scales above and white hairs below. Some white hairs and few long thick dark bristles on clypeus. Chelicerae orange, unidentate, teeth very small. Labium, endites and sternum yellowish. Abdomen coloured as in Fig. 2A ; dull black, with strongly lustrous fillet in midway and two tear-shaped white patches. Long dark bristles on anterior edge of abdomen. Venter yellowish, dark spotted. Spinnerets long, greyish beige, posterior with black tips. Legs brown, coxae yellowish, their hairs and spines brown. Pedipalps as in Fig. 2 B-E; embolus with accompanying hooked structure and long, thin, pointed, membranous terminal apophysis ( Fig. 2B, C ). Retrolateral tibial apophysis thin and pointed, tuft of long black bristles on dorsal outgrowth

E of tibia, stretching to half cymbium length, retrolateral side of tibia ornamented with same bristles ( Fig. 2D, E ). Palpal femur with low wide process ventrally.

Female

Description in Wesołowska & Russell-Smith (2000).

Figures

FIG. 2. — Stenaelurillus darwini Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000, male: A, abdominal pattern; B, palpal organ, ventrolateral view; C, palpal organ, ventral view; D, palpal organ, lateral view; E, palpal organ, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, 1.0 mm; B-E, 0.3 mm.