Tidarren afrum, 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 : 1551-1558

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1080/00222930600940993
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/DC30557E-B306-A728-FE7F-FC8AFCFAFB06
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Tidarren afrum
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Tidarren afrum View in CoL n. sp.

( Figures 164–171 View Figures 164–167 View Figures 168–171 , 173 View Figures 172–180 ; Table XIV)

Type material

Cameroon: 1♀ holotype , 4♀ paratypes, CAS, Southwest Prov. , Fako Div., Limbe Subdiv., 1.4 km NE of Etome, ca 400 m, 4 ° 029580N, 9 ° 079310E, 13–19 January 1992, leg. Larcher, Hormiga, Coddington, Griswold, and Wanzie.

Other material examined

Uganda: 1♀, CAS, Rukungiri Dist., Kitahurira, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , ca 0 ° 589S, 29 ° 419E, ca 1740 m, roadcuts in forest, 17–19 September 1996, leg. C. Griswold and G. Mayoba.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective afer, afra, afrum meaning African. The suffix agrees with the gender of the genus name.

Diagnosis

Tidarren afrum differs by its epigynal shape ( Figures 164–167 View Figures 164–167 ), with tapered, but still rounded tip. Copulatory ducts run anteriorly in parallel before abruptly bending laterally towards receptacula. Receptacula seminis rather large. Male unknown.

Measurements (mm)

[♀, n 55, minimum–maximum (mean).] Total length 2.74–3.44 (3.14), carapace length 1.13–1.29 (1.21), width 0.98–1.10 (1.03), length femur I 2.07–2.31 (2.18), tibia I 1.25– 1.45 (1.37). Abdomen 2.03–2.62 (2.45) high, 1.60–2.03 (1.89) long, and 1.49–1.88 (1.73) wide. Ventral side (distance petiolus to spinnerets) 1.37–1.56 (1.48) long. Clypeus 0.27– 0.29 (0.29) high. Chelicerae 0.43–0.53 (0.48) long. Sternum 0.68–0.76 (0.71) long and 0.60–0.68 (0.64) wide. Labium 0.26 wide and 0.14 long. Gnathocoxae 0.44 long and 0.20 wide (mean). Leg formula 1423, see Table XIV.

Somatic features, colouration

Sternum without posterior small tubercle. Abdomen higher than long, ending in tubercle ( Figure 173 View Figures 172–180 ). Carapace uniformly dark brown. Chelicerae brownish, gnathocoxae and labium light yellow or brown. Sternum light yellow, with distinct dark wavy margins, sometimes also with a few dark spots in centre. Pedipalps and legs light yellow with large dark annulations and patches. Abdomen brownish, with dark pigmentation and white guanin markings; whitish dorsal median area outlined by a pair of distinct white stripes, which diverge laterally; lateral area behind stripes lighter than anterior area. Aboral side with white median stripe from apex to spinnerets and transverse, upwardly curved dark pigmentation of various extent, sometimes forming two to three stripes. Epigastric region dark, book lung covers light yellow. Venter dark with white patches. Spinnerets light brown to brown.

Epigynum, vulva ( Figures 164–167 View Figures 164–167 )

Epigynal protuberance tapered, rounded, directed ventrally, ca 0.1 mm long (in lateral view, Figure 164 View Figures 164–167 ), 0.08 mm broad at widest part ( Figure 165 View Figures 164–167 ), fused gradually with surrounding integument. Copulatory orifices close together, situated at anterior border of epigynal protuberance, in ventral view behind receptacula. Copulatory ducts separate ( Figures 165–167 View Figures 164–167 ), ca 0.1 mm long. They run anteriorly in parallel and then abruptly bend laterally towards receptacula, entering them at posterior inner side. Receptacula seminis rather long, 0.2 mm long, 0.13 mm wide. Epigynal protuberance less than half length of receptacula ( Figures 165, 167 View Figures 164–167 ).

Variation

The single female from Uganda differs by having its epigynal protuberance more slender and pointed ( Figures 168–171 View Figures 168–171 versus Figures 164–167 View Figures 164–167 ) and the copulatory orifices situated more distally at tip ( Figures 169, 171 View Figures 168–171 versus Figures 165, 167 View Figures 164–167 ). It is not yet possible to judge precisely this variation. Overall general appearance as in the specimens from Cameroon, but dimensions are a little smaller (in mm: total length 2.50, carapace length 1.06, width 0.88, length femur I 1.84, tibia I 1.17, abdomen 2.07 high, 1.60 long, 1.37 wide, ventral side 1.3 long, clypeus 0.25 high, chelicerae 0.39 long, sternum 0.68 long, 0.59 wide, labium 0.26 wide, 0.14 long, gnathocoxae 0.39 long, 0.18 wide).

Distribution

Tidarren afrum is known from the type region, Cameroon. One female from Uganda, which apparently is very close, indicates a wider distribution .

Tidarren circe n. sp.

( Figures 174 View Figures 172–180 , 196–199 View Figures 196–199 ; Table XV)

Type material

Namibia: 1♀ holotype, CAS, near Waterberg, 17 ° 149000E, 20 ° 309590S, 9 April 1991, leg. V. D. and B. Roth.

Material examined

Only the type.

Etymology

Specific epithet circe , mighty enchantress in Greek mythology, noun in apposition and hence invariable.

Diagnosis and differentiation

Tidarren circe is the only species hitherto known from mainland Africa which has a small posterior tubercle on the sternum. Further distinguishing characters are provided by the epigynal protruberance, which is very distinctive, triangular, pointed, and directed anteriorly ( Figures 174 View Figures 172–180 , 196–199 View Figures 196–199 ). Copulatory ducts fused at entrance. Tidarren circe belongs to the smallest species in Africa, carapace width ca 0.6 mm. Male unknown.

Measurements (mm)

Total length 2.74, carapace length 0.72, width 0.64, length femur I 1.31, tibia I 0.68. Abdomen 2.78 high, 1.56 long, and 1.50 wide. Ventral side (distance petiolus to spinnerets) 1.06 long. Clypeus 0.18 high, chelicerae 0.27 long. Sternum 0.47 long and 0.41 wide. Leg formula 1423, see Table XV.

Somatic features, colouration

Sternum with posterior small tubercle. Abdomen higher than long, forming a large dorsal hump ( Figure 174 View Figures 172–180 ). Carapace yellow brown with dark median area from centre to eye region and with faint greyish margins. Chelicerae, gnathocoxae, and pedipalps yellow brown. Sternum pale yellow with dark margins. Legs light yellow with slightly darkened patches and annulations. Abdomen whitish to yellowish brown, large white guanin areas predominate; on dorsum an irregular, white, broad band ends before tip of abdomen; on the sides a pair of distinct white stripes curve anteriorly; area behind these stripes whitish, lighter than anterior area. From apex a clear white median stripe leads straight to spinnerets. This stripe surrounded by large whitish aboral area. Venter whitish. Spinnerets light brown.

Epigynum, vulva ( Figures 196–199 View Figures 196–199 )

Epigynal protuberance distinctly protruding ( Figure 196 View Figures 196–199 ), ca 0.1 mm long, directed anteriorly, almost touching posterior end of sternum ( Figure 174 View Figures 172–180 ); its shape triangular, evenly narrowing to pointed tip. In aboral view protuberance clearly delimited from surrounding integument ( Figure 198 View Figures 196–199 ). Copulatory ducts fused at entrance ( Figure 197 View Figures 196–199 ), ca 0.15–0.18 mm long. Common copulatory orifice situated below anterior border of epigynal protuberance, in ventral view level with posterior end of receptacula. Copulatory ducts run anteriorly for a short distance, then abruptly diverge posteriorly and laterally ( Figures 197– 199 View Figures 196–199 ), and enter receptacula posteriorly. Receptacula seminis 0.14 mm long and 0.10 mm wide. Epigynal protuberance about 0.7 length of receptacula ( Figure 197 View Figures 196–199 ).