Austrodomus zuluensis Lawrence, 1947

Rodrigues, Bruno V. B. & Rheims, Cristina A., 2020, An overview of the African genera of Prodidominae spiders: descriptions and remarks (Araneae: Gnaphosidae), Zootaxa 4799 (1), pp. 1-80 : 8

Austrodomus zuluensis Lawrence, 1947

Figs 2 B–F, 7A–C

Austrodomus zuluensis Lawrence, 1947: 10 , figs 3A–D (holotype female from Umfolosi Drift, Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal [27°54’4.96”S 31°26’42.76”E], South Africa, lost); Cooke, 1964: 264, fig. 13.

Remarks. This species was redescribed based on two females collected close to the type locality. The species was identified as A. zuluensis based on previous descriptions and illustrations ( Lawrence 1947; Cooke 1964). Although the holotype was considered lost by Cooke (1964), we prefer not to designate a neotype for A. zuluensis to avoid future taxonomic inconsistency, since the holotype was not confirmed as destroyed, and therefore, can still be found.

Diagnosis. Females of Austrodomus zuluensis resemble those of A. scaber in having the posterior margin of the epigynal plate sinuous without posterior projections (present in A. oxoniensis comb. nov.) ( Figs 7A , 8D ), but differ by the vulva with the laterally convoluted part of the copulatory ducts slender, less than 1/3 of proximal part width (almost the same width in A. scaber ) and by the presence of a well-defined primary spermathecae (absent in A. scaber ) ( Fig. 7B ). Females are unknown.

Description. Female (NCA 2008/4287). Total length: 3.90. Carapace 1.30 long, 0.97 wide; Abdomen 2.45 long, 1.57 wide; Sternum 0.94 long, 0.69 wide; Spinnerets ALS 0.29 long, 0.24 wide. Eye diameters: AME 0.08, ALE 0.07, PME 0.10, PLE 0.09; interdistances: AME–AME 0.04, PME–PME 0.03. Chelicerae 0.36 long. Leg measurements: I: 4.38 (1.20, 0.84, 0.88, 0.72, 0.74); II: 3.30 (0.96, 0.60, 0.64, 0.58, 0.52); III: 2.80 (0.72, 0.42, 0.52, 0.54, 0.60); IV: (1.24, 0.70, -, -, -). Leg spination: III—tibia v0-0-2; metatarsus v0-0-2. Epigyne: copulatory openings large, separated from each other by their width ( Fig. 7A ). Vulva: proximal part of copulatory ducts running almost parallel to each other ( Fig. 7B ).

Male. Unknown.

Variation. Total length (2 females): 2.95–3.90.

Distribution. South Africa and Mozambique ( Fig. 10 ).

Material examined. SOUTHAFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal , Ndumo Game Reserve, 26°32’39.98’’S 32°09’16.59’’E, 1 female, 13 June 2005, C. Haddad leg. ( NCA 2008 /4287). MOZAMBIQUE: Inhaca Island, 26°01’S 032°54’E, 1 female, 16–30 October 1993, T. Steyn leg. ( MRAC 215986 ) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Austrodomus scaber, female: (A) habitus, dorsal view. A. zuluensis, female: (B) habitus, dorsal view; (C) chelicerae, frontal view; (D) sternum and endites; (E) spinnerets, lateral view; (F) spinnerets, ventral view.

FIGURE 7. Austrodomus zuluensis, female: (A) epigyne, ventral view; (B) vulva, dorsal view, arrow to swollen pouch-like area; (C) vulva, schematic course of internal duct system. A. oxoniensis comb. nov. Female: (D) epigyne, ventral view; (E) vulva, dorsal view, arrow to swollen pouch-like area; (F) vulva, schematic course of internal duct system. CD—copulatory duct; CO—copulatory opening; FD—fertilization duct; PS—primary spermathecae. Scale bars: 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 8. Austrodomus scaber, male palp: (A) prolateral view; (B) ventral view; (C) retrolateral view. Female: (D) epigyne, ventral view; (E) vulva, dorsal view, arrow to swollen pouch-like area; (F) vulva, schematic course of internal duct system. Cconductor; CD—copulatory duct; CO—copulatory opening; dRTA—dorsal retrolateral tibial apophysis; E—embolus; FD—fertilization duct; LETe—laminar extension of tegulum; vRTA—ventral retrolateral tibial apophysis. Scale bars: 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 10. Known distribution records of species of Austrodomus from Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania.