Cheiracanthium insulare ( Vinson, 1863 )

Lotz, L. N., 2014, New species of Cheiracanthium (Araneae: Eutichuridae) from Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, Zootaxa 3857 (3), pp. 301-332 : 319

Cheiracanthium insulare ( Vinson, 1863)

Figs 73–74

Clubiona insularis Vinson, 1863: 109 ;

Chiracanthium insulare, Ledoux, 2004: 185 , figs 27A–C, 28; Cheiracanthium insulare, Lotz, 2007a: 34 , figs 54–56.

Diagnosis. C. insulare is similar to C. halophilum Schmidt & Piepho, 1994 from Cape Verde, but females can be differentiated by the shape of the central depression of the epigynum (pentagonal versus transversely oval, respectively) and the internal structure of the genitalia (compare Figs 73–74 and figs 47–48 in Lotz 2007a), and males by the thin curved TA (see Lotz 2007a: figs 55–56).

Description. The male and female of this species were redescribed by Ledoux (2004), but the internal structure of the female genitalia was not described. As female specimens were found among the specimens studied and the internal structure of the genitalia is provided here. Epigynum ( Figs 73–74 ): longer than wide, with a pentagonal central depression; copulatory openings in the antero-lateral edge of the depression; internally copulatory ducts proceed anteriorly, curving posteriorly in four loops before ending anteriorly in the long sausageshaped spermathecae; fertilization ducts exit spermathecae posteromedially.

New records from material examined: 2♂, MADAGASCAR: Park National d’Andohahela, Forêt de Manantalinjo, 33.6 km 63ºENE Amboasary, 7.6 km 99º E Hazofotsy, 24º49’01”S, 46º36’36”E, 12-16.I.2002, B.L. Fisher, et al. ( CASC 9012138); 3♂ 2♀ RÉUNION: Bébour forest, 21º07’S, 55º34’E, 15.III1974, J.J. van Mol ( MARC 146275).

Distribution. Known from Réunion now recorded from Madagascar for the first time here, from a single locality ( Fig. 53 ).

Habitat. The type specimens were collected from a cave ( Vinson 1863), and the other specimens from Réunion were collected by beating foliage and from a tree canopy ( Ledoux 2004). The Madagascan specimens were collected in spiny forest/thicket.

Figures

FIGURES 73 – 74. Cheiracanthium insulare (Vinson, 1863) female genitalia, dorsal and ventral views. FIGURES 75 – 80. Cheiracanthium joquei sp. nov.: 75. Schematic line drawing of female cheliceral teeth; 76 – 77. female genitalia, dorsal and ventral views; 78. Schematic line drawing of male cheliceral teeth; 79 – 80. male palp, retrolateral and ventral views.

FIGURES 49 – 54. Distribution maps: 49. Cheiracanthium fisheri sp. nov.; 50. C. foulpointense sp. nov.; 51. C. furculatum Karsch, 1879; 52. C. griswoldi sp. nov.; 53. C. insulare (Vinson, 1863); 54. C. joquei sp. nov..