Loxosceles simillima Lawrence, 1927

Lotz, L. N., 2012, Present status of Sicariidae (Arachnida: Araneae) in the Afrotropical region, Zootaxa 3522, pp. 1-41 : 31-32

Loxosceles simillima Lawrence, 1927

( Figs. 9I, 10I, 15B)

Loxosceles simillima Lawrence, 1927: 6 ; Newlands, 1986: 71, f. 43–45. Loxosceles spiniceps Lawrence, 1952: 187 , f. 7; Newlands, 1986: 75, f. 49–51 (syn.).

Types: Loxosceles simillima — 2♀ (1♀ Lectotype —here designated) from Namibia: Andoni, [1835'S, 1642'E]; 1♀ paralectotype from Angola: Namakunde, [1718'S, 1551'E]; Loxosceles spiniceps — 1♂ 3♀ syntypes from South Africa: Zululand , Ingwavuma, [2708'S, 3202'E] [examined in part, see note] .

Note: Lawrence (1927) described Loxosceles simillima on two females (SAM-ENW-B005925) and one female (SAM-ENW-B006281). At present there is only one specimen in vial SAM-ENW-B005925 and it is this specimen that is designated the Lectotype. The other syntype specimen from SAM-ENW-B005925 seem to be lost. The types of Loxosceles spiniceps were not examined, but specimens from a whole range of localities from Namibia to Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa were examined. Newlands (1986) looked at specimens from the type localities and suggested revalidating both species. It is felt that only Loxosceles simillima should be revalidated with Loxosceles spiniceps as a synonym, as no discernable differences could be found in specimens in the type locality areas and the areas in between.

Diagnosis: Male palp cymbium and tibia short, similar to L. bergeri , L. pilosa , L. smithi and L. spinulosa ; differing from L. bergeri in the palp cymbium being 1.5 times as long as the patella; differing from L. pilosa in the cymbium being 1.5 times as long as tibia; differing from L. smithi in the palp femur length being equal to the patella+tibia length; differing from L. spinulosa in the structure of the embolus ( Fig. 9I). Female spermathecae consist of two, small, round sacs; posterior sac slightly larger and rounder than anterior sac; two thin copulatory tubes joined at a widening base, with posterior tube longer and coiled; similar in some respects to L parramae , L. speluncarum and L spinulosa ; differing from L. parramae and L. spinulosa in the copulatory tube being short between the copulatory opening and the split in the copulatory tube; differing from L. speluncarum in the posterior copulatory tube being coiled ( Fig. 10I).

Female: (SAM-ENW-B005925): TL = 8.7; CL = 3.2; CW = 2.7; CLL = 0.4. AME-LE 0.1; Eye diameter 0.2.

Leg measurements:

I II III IV Palp Femur 6.0 6.2 5.5 6.2 0.9 Patella 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.4 Tibia 6.0 6.0 4.7 5.6 0.6 Metatarsus 5.8 6.1 4.6 7.0 – Tarsus 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.2 Total 20.1 20.6 16.9 21.2 3.1

Male: (NMBA 15268): TL = 4.8; CL = 2.2; CW = 1.85; CLL = 0.3. AME-LE 0.05; Eye diameter 0.15.

Leg measurements:

Distribution: Loxosceles smithi is distributed in Ethiopia ( Fig. 16A).