Plebs sebastiani, Joseph & Framenau, 2012
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2012.00845.x |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/EB7687FC-FFA7-854E-762A-F90DFD1EE440 |
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treatment provided by |
Marcus |
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scientific name |
Plebs sebastiani |
| status |
sp. nov. |
PLEBS SEBASTIANI View in CoL SP. NOV.
SEBASTIAN’ s GRASS ORB- WEAVER ( FIG. 33 View Figure 33 )
Type: Holotype. ♂ from Palawan Province ( The Philippines), Mantalingajan , Tagembung, 8°49 ′ N, 117°40 ′ E, 19.ix.1961, Noona Dan Expedition 1961– 1962, 1150 m a.s.l. ( ZMUC 12270 View Materials ). GoogleMaps
Diagnosis: Plebs sebastiani males differ from other Plebs species in the overall shape of the pedipalp as well as individual sclerites. The tips of the median apophysis are positioned in a distinct U-shaped pattern with the tips pointing at each other unlike most other Plebs in which the tips are generally curved in and arranged parallel. The conductor also is unique in that it is a two-lobed structure with a wide, ovate, unsclerotized lobe and highly sclerotized slender lobe ( Fig. 33E View Figure 33 ). The embolus is short with a highly bulbous base when compared to other Plebs males. The conductor is situated far apart from the embolus and terminal apophysis whereas these three sclerites are in close proximity in other species.
Description
Male: Based on holotype. Carapace orange-brown ( Fig. 33A View Figure 33 ); glabrous with the exception of sparse white setae mainly in cephalic area and in a wide band along lateral margins, one light brown bristle behind PE; fovea longitudinal. Chelicerae yellow- brown, a band of dark pigmentation running along the dorsal surface reaching up to the mid-region; a few black setae mainly in the apical half. Sternum orange-brown, interspersed with small streaks of black pigmentation; a sparse cover of brown bristles. Abdomen dorsally glabrous, with a sparse cover of white bristles; dorsum covered with off-white pigmentation, interspersed with a median pale greenish-brown folium; two larger and two smaller orange-brown sigillae mid-dorsally ( Fig. 33A View Figure 33 ). Venter with greenish-brown pigmentation ( Fig. 33B View Figure 33 ); weakly covered with white setae. Spinnerets light brown. Legs orange-brown, weakly spined, more so on the patella and metatarsus; coxae of leg IV with three stout setae ventrally. Pedipalps ( Fig. 33C–E View Figure 33 ): apex of the median apophysis curved towards cymbium and with two sclerotized apical tips positioned in a U-shaped pattern; tegulum with an apical protrusion; terminal apophysis with a marginally sclerotized tip, base highly sinuous; embolus with sclerotized tip, base bulbous; conductor bilobed with a wide, ovate, unsclerotized lobe and highly sclerotized slender lobe.
Dimensions: total length (excluding chelicerae) 3.21. Carapace length 1.64, width 1.39, height 0.77. Eyes: AME 0.15, ALE 0.12, PME 0.12, PLE 0.12, AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.04, PME–PLE 0.19, PLE–ALE 0.02, MOQ width front 0.33, MOQ width back 0.29, MOQ length 0.29, eye group width 0.67. Sternum length 0.79, width 0.61. Abdomen length 2.06, width 1.39. Pedipalp: femur 0.36, patella + tibia 0.24, tarsus 0.48, total 1.08. Leg I: femur 1.94, patella + tibia 2.18, metatarsus 0.91, tarsus 0.61, total 5.64. Leg II: femur 1.64, patella + tibia 1.82, metatarsus 0.91, tarsus 0.48, total 4.85. Leg III: femur 1.03, patella + tibia 0.91, metatarsus 0.48, tarsus 0.36, total 2.78. Leg IV: femur 1.39, patella + tibia 1.58, metatarsus 0.97, tarsus 0.48, total 4.42.
Variation: only known from holotype.
Female: Unknown.
Remarks: In their exhaustive review of Philippine rice field spiders, Barrion & Litsinger (1995) did not treat P. sebastiani , suggesting that this species is not common in the country. This may be explained by a preference for higher elevations as the holotype was found above 1000 m asl.
Distribution: Only known from holotype, The Philippines.
Etymology: The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Pothalil Antony Sebastian ( India), for his contribution to arachnological research in India.
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