Mogrus frontosus Simon, 1871

Kanesharatnam, Nilani & Benjamin, Suresh P., 2018, A new genus and three new species of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from Sri Lanka, European Journal of Taxonomy 444, pp. 1-24 : 13-15

Mogrus frontosus Simon, 1871

Figs 5 A–B, 6–7

Diagnosis

This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the broad RTA with a dorsally curved small tip ( Figs 5 A–B, 7D–E). It is closely related to M. antoninus Andreeva, 1976 ( Andreeva 1976) . However, it differs by the relatively shorter RTA with dorsally curved prominent tip and the position of the protrusion of the bulbus ( Figs 5 A–B, 7C–E).

Material examined

SRI LANKA: 1 Ƌ, Northern Province, Jaffna District, Mandaitivu, 3 m, 09°36′26″ N, 79°59′05″ E, beating, 20–22 Sep. 2016, Benjamin et al. leg. (IFS_SAL 956).

Description

Male

MEASUREMENTS. TL 4.54, PL 2.40, PW at PLEs 1.85, AL 2.10, AW 1.70. Eye field: diameter of AME 0.55, PLE 0.17, ALE 0.35, PME 0.03, PME–PME 1.30, PLE–PLE 1.42, ALE–PME 0.45, ALE–PLE 0.60. Leg I: Tr 0.30, Fm 1.20, Pt 0.65, Tb 1.10, Mt 0.58, Ta 0.55; Leg II: Tr 0.28, Fm 1.25, Pt 0.55, Tb 0.92, Mt 0.50, Ta 0.57; Leg III: Tr 0.30, Fm 1.38, Pt 0.58, Tb 0.60, Mt 0.87, Ta 0.63; Leg IV: Tr 0.30, Fm 1.25, Pt 0.68, Tb 1.00, Mt 0.64, Ta 0.61.

COLOR AND BODY. In life, clypeus covered with tuft of long white scales ( Fig. 6A, C ). Brown prosoma covered with pale white and yellowish brown hairs and lateral prosoma with broad white bands ( Fig. 6 A– D). Chelicerae and labium black in colour. Anterior prosoma narrower than posterior region. Ocular field slightly raised. PMEs and PLEs surrounded by black blotches. Fovea distinct. In preserved specimens, brown prosoma interspersed with grey hairs, posterior prosoma decorated with black stripe pattern ( Fig. 7A ), steeper and its margin slightly truncated. Sternum yellowish brown and oval in shape, edges bordered with brown colour ( Fig. 7B ). Legs yellowish brown. Abdomen slightly longer and narrower than prosoma, tapering posteriorly. Dorsum pale white, with yellowish brown longitudinal, median, serrated stripe with black dots from anterior to posterior end ( Fig. 6 B–D). Venter yellowish brown with blackish grey median marking. Spinnerets yellowish brown.

PALP. Yellowish brown palp with brown cymbium. Cymbium short and narrower at distal region. Thin and long embolus originating perpendicular to bulbus and bending parallel to it in a semicircle ( Figs 5A , 7 C–D). Bulbus irregular oval, with prominent protuberance on retrolateral position of bulbus above point of origin of embolus ( Figs 5 A–B, 7D–E; Andreeva et al. 1981). RTA moderately long, broader at the base and bent dorsally at the tip ( Figs 5 A–B, 7D–E).

Female

Unknown

Figures

Fig. 5. A–B. Mogrus frontosus Simon, 1871, Ƌ. C–D. Brancus calebi sp. nov., Ƌ. A, C. Palp, ventral view. B, D. Palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: see Material and methods. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

Fig. 6. Mogrus frontosus Simon, 1871. A–D. Male in life from Mandaitivu, Jaffna.

Fig. 7. Mogrus frontosus Simon, 1871, Ƌ. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Ventral view. C. Palp, prolateral view. D. Palp, ventral view. E. Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: A–B = 1 mm; C–E = 0.2 mm.