Tidarren aethiops, Knoflach & Harten, 2006

Knoflach, Barbara & Harten, Antonius Van, 2006, The one-palped spider genera Tidarren and Echinotheridion in the Old World (Araneae, Theridiidae), with comparative remarks on Tidarren from America, Journal of Natural History 40 (25 - 26), pp. 1483-1616 : 1548-1551

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1080/00222930600940993
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/DC30557E-B303-A723-FFFC-FABBFCE1FCE7
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Tidarren aethiops
status

Treatment

Tidarren species from mainland Africa

Tidarren aethiops n. sp.

( Figures 157–163 View Figures 157–163 , 172 View Figures 172–180 ; Table XIII)

Type material

Democratic Republic of Congo: 1♀ holotype , 2♀ paratypes, MHNG, Poko, R. de Lessert (sub Theridion sp. ) . 2♀ paratypes, NMW, ‘‘ Belg. Kongo’ ’ without exact locality (Inv. No. 709, sub Theridion cuneolatum , det. Reimoser 1938; together with 1♀ Tidarren lanceolatum n. sp. and 3♀ Tidarren perplexum n. sp.) .

Material examined

Only the types.

Etymology

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to the terra typica of the species (ancient Greek aethiops meaning burnt face).

Diagnosis

Tidarren aethiops is distinguished by its rounded and laterally incised epigynal protuberance ( Figures 157–163 View Figures 157–163 ). Position of copulatory orifices not at anterior border, but roughly at centre of epigynal protuberance. Male unknown.

Measurements (mm)

[♀, n 55, minimum–maximum (mean).] Total length 3.29–3.40 (3.33), carapace length 1.17–1.37 (1.23), width 0.94–1.10 (1.01), length femur I 1.92–2.15 (2.01), tibia I 1.13– 1.37 (1.24). Abdomen 2.74–3.13 (2.96) high, 2.07–2.35 (2.19) long, and 1.96–2.11 (2.00) wide. Ventral side (distance petiolus to spinnerets) 1.49–2.07 (1.67) long. Clypeus 0.21– 0.27 (0.26) high. Chelicerae 0.39–0.53 (0.48) long. Sternum 0.72–0.78 (0.74) long and 0.62–0.70 (0.66) wide. Labium 0.13 long and 0.26 wide. Gnathocoxae 0.41 long and 0.18 wide (mean). Leg formula 1423, see Table XIII. Number of dorsal setae on tibiae I–IV 2/2/1/2. Trichobothria in retrodorsal/prodorsal row on tibia of female palp 1/1, of legs I–IV 3/2, 3/2, 3/3, 3/3 (1♀ examined). Metatarsi I–III with one trichobothrium, position on I 0.34, on II 0.35, on III 0.39. Tarsal claws of legs with four side teeth, claw of female palp consisting of eight teeth. Tarsal organ on female palp at 0.82, on legs I–IV 0.50, 0.48, 0.37, 0.29.

Somatic features, colouration

Somatic features and colouration based on females from NMW (type specimens faded). Sternum without posterior tubercle. Abdomen higher than long, forming a dorsal hump ( Figure 172 View Figures 172–180 ). Carapace with broad dark brown central area, broad dark margins, and interposed light paramedian bands. Chelicerae, labium, and gnathocoxae light brown. Legs and pedipalps light yellow with indistinct dark patches and annulations. Sternum either uniformly light yellow or with a few thin peripheral markings. Abdomen brownish, with dark pigmentation and white guanin markings; broad dorsal median area outlined by a pair of distinct white stripes, which branch laterally and end at tip of abdomen; lateral area behind stripes lighter than anterior area. From apex a distinct white median stripe leads straight to spinnerets, surrounded by a greyish zone and two dark longitudinal stripes. Epigynal protuberance flanked by dark epigastric region. Book lung covers light yellow. Venter dark, with a few white patches. Spinnerets light brown.

Epigynum, vulva ( Figures 157–163 View Figures 157–163 )

Epigynal protuberance rounded, and incised in lateral view ( Figures 159, 161 View Figures 157–163 ), 0.10 mm long, 0.14 mm broad at widest part ( Figures 157, 158, 160 View Figures 157–163 ). Margins more sclerotized than whitish central area. In aboral view the protuberance fuses gradually with surrounding integument ( Figures 162, 163 View Figures 157–163 ). Lateral incision contains copulatory orifices, which are not situated at anterior border, but at anterior third of epigynal protuberance. In ventral view orifices close to posterior end of receptacula. Copulatory ducts separate for a major part ( Figures 157, 162, 163 View Figures 157–163 ), ca 0.1 mm long. They immediately diverge and enter receptacula posteriorly, at inner side. Receptacula seminis 0.14 mm long, 0.11–0.12 mm wide. Epigynal protuberance slightly shorter than receptaculum ( Figures 157, 158, 160 View Figures 157–163 ).

Distribution

Known from the Democratic Republic of Congo ( Zaire).