Diphya simoni Kauri, 1950: 8 A survey of Diphya Nicolet, 1849 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) from South Africa Omelko, Mikhail M. Marusik, Yuri M. Lyle, Robin Zootaxa 2020 2020-12-30 4899 1 259 279 36G34 Kauri, 1950 Kauri 1950 [151,484,1055,1082] Arachnida Tetragnathidae Diphya Animalia Araneae 7 266 Arthropoda species simoni   Figures 1D–F, 2D-E, 3C, E–F, 4A–B, F, H–I, 5A–B, E, G–I, 6D, 7C, H, 8C, 9A–B, D–E, 10F–K, 11A, 12A–P, 13D, K–L      Diphya simoni  Kauri, 1950: 8, fig. 6 ( ♀ holotypefrom  SOUTH AFRICA:  Mpumalanga: Kruger National Park, PretoriuskopCamp, 4.XI.1948, Lund Museum, with dissected and lost epigyne—examined); Marusik, 2017: 127, figs 7–9, 19. Town, Table Mt., Platteklip Gorge, 33.9608°S, 18.408307°E, leg. Y.M. Marusik, 29.I.2017, NCA—examined) syn. nov.   Diagnosis.Both sexes of this species differ clearly from other South African species by having a distinct pattern on the carapace, which is lacking in the other species, or presenting only as a light median band. The male palp of this species is most similar to that in  D. foordi  sp. nov.and differs by the the straight anterior margin of the conductor ( vs. roundly bent), the shorter cymbial process (1/5 of cymbial length vs. 1/2), and the relatively shorter embolic loop, ca. 1/2 of cymbial length vs. almost as long as cymbium. Females of  D. simonidiffer clearly from the other species by the shape of the septum, and the septum extended over the plate of the epigyne ( Figs 12M, O–P, 13L).   Description. Male(NCA 2008/3048).TL 2.46. CL 1.41, CW 1.06. Carapace dark brown, with yellow median band. Shape and color of median band differing between males: wide, yellow, narrow at middle part ( Fig. 1E), divided in 2 large, yellow spots ( Fig. 1D), or in one male, these spots poorly visible ( Fig. 1F). Clypeus yellowish, twice higher than AME diameter. Chelicerae and mouthparts dark brown. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 3 retromarginal teeth. Retromarginal teeth significantly smaller than promarginal ones. Sternum yellowish, with 3 pairs of black spots at edges and black longitudinal band. Femora of all legs light brown; III–IV with poorly visible or distinct rings. Patellae light brown; III–IV lighter than Pa I-II with poorly visible gray spots at lateral sides. Tibiae light brown; III–IV with gray rings. Metatarsi and tarsi I–II light-brown; III–IV lighter than I–II. Abdomen dorsally dark-brown, surrounded by white guanine line and with poorly visible pair of black spots at frontal part. Lateral sides dark gray, with thin longitudinal yellow stripes. Ventrally dark gray, surrounded by yellowish spots. Palp and leg segment lengths    Fe Pa Ti Mt Ta Total  palp 0.37 0.09 0.07 - 0.36 0.89  I 1.46 0.49 1.24 1.41 0.71 5.31  II 1.29 0.46 1.11 1.21 0.66 4.73  III 0.79 0.29 0.53 0.57 0.40 2.57  IV 1.00 0.29 0.74 0.86 0.43 3.31  Legs I-II spination  Fe Pa Ti Mt  I 3p2r 1d 2d3p1r 1d  II 1d2(3)p3r 1d 2d1p1r 1d Palp as in Figs 7C, H, 8C, A–B, D–E; femur as long as cymbium; cymbial process short, 3 times shorter than cymbium, length:width ratio 2; conductor straight, gradually tapering; embolus long, almost as long as cymbial length.   Female(NCA 2011/2888).TL 3.65, CL 1.64, CW 1.24. Carapace yellowish, with dark-brown edges and with Y or X markings. Clypeus yellowish, somewhat lower than AME diameter. Ocular area yellow. Chelicerae and mouthparts light brown. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 3 or 4 retromarginal teeth. Retromarginal teeth significantly smaller than promarginal ones. Sternum brown, with dark edges and longitudinal stripe. Legs as in male, but spots and rings more distinct. Abdomen dorsally light brown, with number of guanine spots and couple of large black spots in frontal part. Lateral sides dark gray, with yellow spots and stripes. Ventrally as in males, but lighter. Palp and leg segment lengths    Fe Pa Ti Mt Ta Total  palp 0.43 0.21 0.40 - 0.44 1.49  I 1.63 0.64 1.49 1.57 0.83 6.15  II 1.50 0.50 1.29 1.51 0.73 5.53  III 1.09 0.37 0.73 0.79 0.46 3.43  IV 1.36 0.43 0.99 1.07 0.50 4.34  Spination of legs I–II  Fe Pa Ti Mt  I 1p - 1d3p1r 1d  II 1d1r 1d 2d2(1)p1r 1d Mt I–II and distal parts Ti I–II with row of prolateral spines. Epigyne as in Figs 11A, 12A–P, 13D, K–L; shape of epigyne and its appearance variable, especially septal stem and base ( Figs 12A–L); septum about 1.33 times wider than long, stem short, shorter than septal base, with subparallel lateral margins or diverging posteriorly (stem triangular), stem with distinct lateral pockets ( Lp); whole septal base extending across epigynal plane, central part of base with extended lateral parts ( Figs 12M,P, 13L), central part (= septum base, Sb) well distinct in ventral view in some specimens ( Figs 12A,L) or almost indistinct ( Figs 12C, E–F). Receptacles pear-shaped, with globular heads and thinner posterior part, globular parts slightly spaced.  Other material examined.   SOUTH AFRICA:  Eastern Cape: Cape St. Francis, 34°11.4’S, 24°49.2’E, leg. J. Leroy,  8.IV.2007(plants), 1♀( NCA 2010/121); Hogsback, Amatola Mountains, 32°35.4’S, 26°55.2’E, leg. UFS Entomology students,  25.III.2007(foliage, beating), 1♁ 4♀( NCA 2007/1240); Same locality and collectors,  4.IV.2006(pine plantation, sweepnet), 1♀( NCA 2010/2666);  Jeffrey’s Bay, 34°03.6’S, 24°54.6’E, leg. L. Wiese,  17.VI.2006(orb-webs), 2♀( NCA 2010/3143);  Port Elizabeth, Klein RiverGorge Wilderness, 33°57.0’S, 25°36.6’E, leg. J. Neethling& C. Luwes,  7.XII.2011(bushveld, litter sifting), 1♁ ( NCA 2013/1080).   KwaZulu-Natal: Midlands, Baynesfield, 29°40.620’S, 29°55.32’E, leg. I. Yekwayo,  1.I.2014(grassland, pit trap), 1♁ ( NCA 2015/1559), 1♀( NCA 2015/1558);  Midlands, Good Hope Plantation, Boston, 29°39.046’S, 29°58.565’E, leg. I. Yekwayo,  1.I.2014(grassland, pit trap), 1♁ ( NCA 2015/1547), 1♀( NCA 2015/1560).   Mpumalanga: Mariepskop, Vacuum, 24°34.8’S, 30°52.2’E, L. Taylor,  1.II.2014(grassland, mountain), 1♁ 1♀( NCA 2015/4967).   North West: Zeerust, 25°31.8’S, 26°04.8’E, leg. N. Hahn,  2.IV.2010(ground habitat, rocky outcrop, active search below knee), 1♀( NCA 2011/2888).   Western Cape: Hermanus, 34°24’S, 19°15’E, leg. V.L. Hamilton-Attwell,  6.XII.2006(litter sifting), 1♁ ( NCA 2008/3048);  Table Mountain National Park, Constantia Nek, 34°00.6’S, 18°24.6’E, leg. C. Uys,  7.XI.2008(litter sifting), 1♀( NCA 2010/2531);  Samelocality, Cecilia Rooikat, Pinus 33°59.4’S, 18°25.2’E, leg. C. Uys,  23.V.2008, 1♀( NCA 2010/3128).   Comments.The epigyne of the holotypefemale of  D. simoniwas not found; maybe it remained on the preparation slide. Study of the numerous specimens with a differently developed septum, and females collected with males, lead us to conclusion that the two species names should be synonymized, although their type localities are far away from each other. All specimens that we consider as  D. simonihave a well-developed pattern on the carapace, and females have distinct hoods (pockets) on the septal stem.   Distribution.This species has the widest range among African  Diphyaand is known across the whole of South Africa, from the Western Cape Provinceto Mpumalanga Province(type locality) ( Fig. 14). The type locality of  D. simoniis located far away from other localities but is very close to those of  D. leroyorum  sp. nov.(known from the holotypemale only). This can be caused either by mislabeling, or because we wrongly synonymized  D. tanikawai. Types of both species and all studied specimens have a distinct carapace pattern, which is absent in  D. leroyorum  sp. nov. 3019610309 [307,457,1196,1220] South Africa Pretoriuskop Kruger National Park 7 266 1 1 Mpumalanga holotype 3019610325 2006-04-04 2011-12-07 2006-04-04 NCA J. Leroy South Africa St. Francis -33.95 Jeffrey's Bay 119 25.61 Amatola Mountains 8 267 NCA 2010, NCA 2007, NCA 2013 8 8 Eastern Cape 3019610311 2006-04-04 2011-12-07 2006-04-04 NCA UFS Entomology students South Africa St. Francis -33.95 Jeffrey's Bay 119 25.61 Amatola Mountains 8 267 NCA 2010, NCA 2007, NCA 2013 8 8 Eastern Cape 3019610339 2006-04-04 2011-12-07 2006-04-04 NCA UFS Entomology students South Africa St. Francis -33.95 Jeffrey's Bay 119 25.61 Amatola Mountains 8 267 NCA 2010, NCA 2007, NCA 2013 8 8 Eastern Cape 3019610326 2006-04-04 2011-12-07 2006-04-04 NCA L. Wiese South Africa St. Francis -33.95 Jeffrey's Bay 119 25.61 Amatola Mountains 8 267 NCA 2010, NCA 2007, NCA 2013 8 8 Eastern Cape 3019610316 2006-04-04 2011-12-07 2006-04-04 NCA J. Neethling & C. Luwes South Africa St. Francis -33.95 Jeffrey's Bay 119 25.61 Amatola Mountains 8 267 NCA 2010, NCA 2007, NCA 2013 8 8 Eastern Cape 3019610307 2014-01-01 NCA I. Yekwayo South Africa Natal 8 268 -29.650766 Baynesfield 1 29.976084 Midlands 8 267 NCA 2015 2 2 Cape 3019610342 2014-01-01 NCA I. Yekwayo South Africa Natal 9 268 -29.650766 Baynesfield 1 29.976084 Midlands 8 267 NCA 2015 2 2 Cape 3019610338 2014-02-01 NCA L. Taylor South Africa -24.58 Vacuum 125 30.87 Mariepskop 9 268 NCA 2015 1 1 Mpumalanga 3019610340 2010-04-02 NCA N. Hahn South Africa -25.53 Zeerust 124 26.08 9 268 NCA 2011 1 1 North West 3019610334 2006-12-06 2008-11-07 2006-12-06 NCA V. L. Hamilton-Attwell & C. Uys South Africa Hermanus -33.99 Constantia Nek 119 18.42 Table Mountain National Park 9 268 NCA 2008, NCA 2010 2 2 Western Cape 3019610335 2006-12-06 2008-11-07 2006-12-06 NCA V. L. Hamilton-Attwell & C. Uys South Africa Hermanus -33.99 Constantia Nek 119 18.42 Table Mountain National Park 9 268 NCA 2008, NCA 2010 2 2 Western Cape 3019610306 2006-12-06 2008-11-07 2006-12-06 NCA V. L. Hamilton-Attwell & C. Uys South Africa Hermanus -33.99 Constantia Nek 119 18.42 Table Mountain National Park 9 268 NCA 2008, NCA 2010 2 2 Western Cape