Cheiracanthium ambrense, Lotz, L. N., 2014

Lotz, L. N., 2014, New species of Cheiracanthium (Araneae: Eutichuridae) from Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, Zootaxa 3857 (3), pp. 301-332 : 304-307

Cheiracanthium ambrense sp. nov.

Figs 1–4 , 7–12

Type material from Madagascar: Holotype ♂, Antsiranana, Park National Montagne d’Ambre, 12º31’S, 49º11’E, 11.II–4.III.2001, R. Harin’Hala ( CASC 9001725). Paratypes: (allotype) ♀, Antsiranana, Park National Montagne d’Ambre, 3.6 km 235ºSW Joffreville, 12º32’04”S, 49º10’46”E, 14–30.V.2001, R. Harin’Hala ( CASC 9001890); 1♂, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, Talatakely, 21º14.9’S, 47º25.6’E, 19–30.IV.1998, C.E. Griswold, et al. ( CASC).

Etymology. The name is an adjective derived from the type locality.

Diagnosis. C. ambrense sp. nov. is differentiated by distinct dark brown patches and spots on the legs ( Figs 1–2 ) and a dark brown pattern on the sternum ( Figs 3–4 ). C. ambrense sp. nov. is similar to C. ampijoroa sp. nov., C. andranomay sp. nov., C. anjozorobe sp. nov., C. ashleyi sp. nov., C. fisheri sp. nov., C. griswoldi sp. nov., and C. rothi sp. nov. in having dumbbell-shaped spermathecae and U-shaped CA ( Figs 9, 11, 12). The differentiation of the females of C. ambrense sp. nov. are based on the copulatory ducts entering the spermathecae more anteriorly than in C. anjozorobe . sp. nov., the morphologically closest species (compare with Fig. 33 ). The differentiation of the males of C. ambrense sp. nov. are based mainly on the shape and length of the CA. In C. ambrense sp. nov. and C. rothi sp. nov. the CA is relatively short compared to the CA of the other species above. C. ambrense sp. nov. is differentiated from C. rothi sp. nov. by the CA ending with a rounded expansion at the apex. (compare Figs 12 and 112).

Description. Female: (n = 1): TL = 3.8; CL = 1.9; CW = 1.4; OAL = 0.3; OAW = 0.9; CLL = 0.05. Chelicerae: robust with long fangs; cheliceral fang furrow with seven teeth of unequal size, PMT:RMT = 3:4 ( Fig. 7). Measurements: AME–AME 0.15; AME–ALE 0.15; AME diameter 0.10; PME–PME 0.20; PME–PLE 0.20; PME diameter 0.10; MOQAW 0.35; MOQPW 0.40; CI (CL/CW) 1.36; LL:CL unknown; STL 0.9; STW 0.8. Leg measurements (leg I missing on both sides): I—?; II—1.4+0.6+1.2+1.4+0.6 = 5.2; III—1.1+0.55+0.8+1.0+0.5 = 3.95; IV—1.5+0.6+1.4+1.6+0.6 = 5.7; palp—0.9+0.35+0.5+0.7 = 2.45. Leg spines: I?; II 0-0-1p, 0-1 v1 p-0, 2v - 2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; III 0-0-1p1r, 0-1p1r-0, 2v- 1p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-0-1p1r, 0-1r-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen ( Fig. 1 ): white with dark brown markings and heart-mark. Epigynum ( Figs 8–9): wider than long with two depressions separated by a septum; copulatory openings in the posterior-lateral edge of depressions; internally, copulatory ducts proceed anterolaterally, curving medially before ending in medio-anterior part of dumbbell-shaped spermathecae; fertilization ducts exit spermathecae posteromedially.

Male: (n = 2): TL = 4.15 (4.0–4.3); CL = 1.9 (1.9–1.9); CW = 1.4 (1.4–1.4); OAL = 0.3 (0.3–0.3); OAW = 0.8 (0.8–0.8); CLL = 0.05 (0.05–0.05). Chelicerae: similar to female, except PMT:RMT = 3:5 ( Fig. 10). Measurements: AME–AME 0.15; AME–ALE 0.15; AME diameter 0.10; PME–PME 0.20; PME–PLE 0.15; PME diameter 0.10; MOQAW 0.35; MOQPW 0.40; CI (CL/CW) 1.36; LL:CL 6.47; STL 0.9; STW 0.8. Leg measurements: I—3.0+0.9+3.6+3.5+1.3 = 12.3; II—1.9+0.7+1.9+2.0+0.7 = 7.2; III—1.4+0.5+1.1+1.5+0.5 = 5.0; IV—2.1+0.7+2.0+2.3+0.7 = 7.8; palp—1.1+0.4+0.5+0.85 = 2.85. Leg spines: I 0-1p-1p, 1p1r-1p1r, 2v-2 v1 p1r- 1 v1 p1r; II 0-1p-1p, 0-2 v1 p, 2v-2 v1 p1r-1 v1 p1r: III 0-1p1r-1p1r, 0-1 v1 p1r-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-1p1r-1p1r, 1v- 1r-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen ( Fig. 2 ): markings similar to female. Palp ( Figs 11–12): cymbium elongate, about as long as patella and tibia combined, with a distally curled apophysis with a flattened expansion just before the apex; RTA broad, with a beaked apex; TA unsclerotized, long and bent at apex; EM long, almost encircling tegulum, ending at CON apex; CON unsclerotised but distinct.

Distribution. Only known from isolated localities in central and northern Madagascar ( Fig. 20 ).

Habitat. Collected with Malaise traps from forest areas.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Digital photographs: 1. Cheiracanthium ambrense sp. nov. female habitus, dorsal view; 2. C. ambrense sp. nov. male habitus, dorsal view; 3. C. ambrense sp. nov. female sternum; 4. C. ambrense sp. nov. male sternum; 5. C. ampijoroa sp. nov. female habitus, dorsal view; 6. C. andranomay sp. nov. female habitus, dorsal view.

FIGURES 31 – 36. Cheiracanthium anjozorobe sp. nov.: 31. Schematic line drawing of female cheliceral teeth; 32 – 33. female genitalia, dorsal and ventral views; 34. Schematic line drawing of male cheliceral teeth; 35 – 36. male palp, retrolateral and ventral views.

FIGURES 19 – 24. Distribution maps: 19. Cheiracanthium africanum Lessert, 1921; 20. C. ambrense sp. nov.; 21. C. ampijoroa sp. nov.; 22. C. andranomay sp. nov.; 23. C. anjozorobe sp. nov.; 24. C. ashleyi sp. nov..