Afroceto ansieae, Lyle, 2015

Lyle, Robin, 2015, Two new species of the Afrotropical sac spider genus Afroceto Lyle & Haddad, 2010 (Araneae: Trachelidae), African Invertebrates 56 (2), pp. 415-423 : 416-418

Afroceto ansieae sp. n.

Figs 1, 3–5

Etymology: This species is named after Dr Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman in recognition of the important work she has done for the National Collection of Arachnida at the Agricultural Research Council – Plant Protection Research Institute, Biosystematics division. Also to recognise and acknowledge the pivotal role she played in initiating the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA).

DiaGnosis:The male of this species can easily be recoGnised by the embolus that extends alonG the retrolateral marGin of the cymbium and the sharply pointed teGular extension, which is medially situated ( Fig. 4). It differs from A. capensis Lyle & Haddad, 2010 , where the embolus is curved retrolaterally towards the cymbium tip and the tegular extension is prolaterally situated (Lyle & Haddad 2010: fiG. 60).

Description:

Male.

Measurements: CL 2.15, CW 1.65, AL 2.33, AW 1.43, TL 4.48, FL 0.19, SL 1.12, SW 1.02, AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.04, ALE–ALE 0.35, PME–PME 0.14, PME– PLE 0.13, PLE–PLE 0.59 MOQAW 0.31, MOQPW 0.36, MOQL 0.25. Length of leg segments: I 1.58+0.59+1.30+1.06+0.82=5.35; II 1.49+0.64+1.12+0.96+0.77= 4.98; III 1.16+0.48+0.79+0.82+0.46 =3.71; IV 1.60+0.68+1.33+1.48+0.54=5.63.

Carapace: Reddish brown, brown towards ocular reGion; first two-thirds Gradually rounded with hiGhest point at one-third carapace lenGth; surface finely Granulated, almost smooth; steep decline in last third; fovea distinct, black, at two-thirds carapace length. Eyes: Black rings around eyes; AER slightly procurved, PER recurved; AME larger than ALE; clypeus height equal to 0.6× AME diameter; AME separated by distance 0.6× their diameter,AME separated from ALE by distance 0.3× AME diameter; PLE slightly smaller than PME, PME separated by distance 1.3× their diameter, PLE separated from PME by distance 1.2× PME diameter.

Chelicerae: Brown; anterior surface covered with scattered long, setae; cheliceral furrow with three promarginal teeth, largest tooth medially situated; two retromarginal teeth, largest situated distally; fangs brown.

Sternum: Shield-shaped; brown, surface texture smooth, covered with lonG, fine setae scattered on surface.

Abdomen: Pale yellow with mottled grey; broader anteriorly, tapering posteriorly; dorsal scutum extendinG almost entire abdominal lenGth; venter pale Grey, covered in fine setae. Legs: Uniform light brown, with incomplete grey bands on all legs; anterior legs more robust than posteriors; leg spines and cusps present.

Leg spination: Femora: I pl 1, II pl 1, III pl 1 rl 1 IV rl 1; patellae spineless; tibiae: I plv 2 spines plv 3 cusps rlv 1 spine rlv 1 cusp, II plv 4 cusps rlv 3 spines rlv 1 cusp, III pl 1 plv 2 rl 1 rlv 1 vt 2, IV pl 2 plv 3 rl 2 rlv 1 vt 2; metatarsi: I plv 9 cusps r lv 1 cusp, II plv 4 cusps rlv 3 cusps, III pl 1 plv 2 rl 1 rlv 1, IV pl 1 plv 2 rl 1; tarsi: II plv 4 cusps ( Fig. 3). Palp: Brown; embolus originating prolaterally, curving beneath large pointed tegular extension ( FiG. 4), emerGinG retrolaterally, extendinG alonG cymbium marGin to tip ( Fig. 5); retrolateral tibial apophysis broad, short, with small pointed dorsally directed excrescence. No patellar apophysis present.

Female. Unknown.

Holotype: ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Sani Pass, 26.65°S 29.44°E, 2700 m, 1.i.2009, University of Pretoria students, pit traps (2b) (NCA 2011/760).

Distribution: Known only from type locality ( Fig. 9).