Sceliscelis Oketch & Li, 2020

Oketch, Ambata D., Zonstein, Sergei, Kioko, Esther N. & Li, Shuqiang, 2020, Description of a new genus and three new species of the family Palpimanidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Kenya, African Invertebrates 61 (2), pp. 93-106 : 93

Sceliscelis Oketch & Li gen. nov.

Type species.

Sceliscelis marshi sp. nov.

Etymology.

This genus possesses some characteristics that are also found in Sarascelis Simon, 1887 and Scelidocteus Simon, 1887, such as the dentate segments of leg I (which include at least the dorsal surface of the coxa and basal part of the femur) and the spiral embolus. The name is a combination of “Sceli” from Scelidocteus and “Scelis” from Sarascelis . The gender is feminine.

Diagnosis.

The new genus closely resembles Sarascelis in general appearance by having much larger AMEs (Fig. 1A ; also see Jézéquel 1964, fig. 5a-c, Zonstein and Marusik 2013; figs 5, 6). It can, however, be distinguished from Sarascelis , Scelidocteus and the close ally Steriphopus Simon, 1887 by (1) having a greatly extended bulb (vs. the more or less bulky palpal structures of Sarascelis and Steriphopus ) (2) the large AMEs ( Steriphopus has considerably smaller AMEs) (3) the shape of the thoracic fovea, which is an elongated Ω-shape in Sceliscelis (vs. a longitudinal slit or anchor-like in Sarascelis and Scelidocteus ) (4) the presence of a hook-like extension at the distal end of a sword-like “conductor” (vs. extension absent in other members of the family) (5) the poorly developed scopula on metatarsus and tarsus I (6) the rugose carapace in Sceliscelis gen. n. (vs. smooth or finely rugose in Sarascelis , Scelidocteus and Steriphopus ) (see Zonstein and Marusik 2013). Females of Sceliscelis can be distinguished from those of Sarascelis and Scelidocteus by the wavy, rigid extension of the genital area and by a pair of divergent sac-like receptacles.

Description.

Medium-sized. Carapace dome shaped, coarsely granulated and hairless, medially elevated, fovea longitudinal, open posteriorly (elongated Ω-shape). Eight eyes, MOQ trapezoidal; AME largest, about 3 times as large as PME; ALE, PLE and PME subequal to each other. AER straight. Labium triangular, notched, longer than wide but broader at base. Chelicerae directed ventrally, 2 times longer than clypeus, granulate. Endites trapezoidal, about 1.5 times longer than wide. Abdomen clay yellow, oval and covered with short, gray setae in both sexes. Femur of male palp slender, longer than wide, patella shorter than “conductor”. Cymbium with setae, pointed at tip and indented (prolateral view). Embolus spiral, with accompanying membrane and a silvery, palm-like embolic extension. “Conductor” sword-shaped, longer than wide, slightly longer than embolus. Endogyne wavy anteriorly, forming a rigid epigastric wall.

Composition.

This genus currently includes only the type species.

Figures

Figure 1. Sceliscelis marshi sp. nov., male holotype A-C habitus in dorsal, ventral and lateral aspects D-F palp: D prolateral E ventral and F retrolateral aspects. Abbreviations: am-accompanying membrane, co - " conductor, " cy - cymbium, ds - dorsal portion of scutum, em - embolus, hle - hook-like extension, pe - palm-like embolic extension. Scale bars: 1 mm (A-C), 0.1 mm (D-F).