Phintella argentea, Kanesharatnam, Nilani & P. Benjamin, Suresh, 2019

Kanesharatnam, Nilani & P. Benjamin, Suresh, 2019, Multilocus genetic and morphological phylogenetic analysis reveals a radiation of shiny South Asian jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae), ZooKeys 839, pp. 1-81 : 1

Phintella argentea sp. n. Figs 27 A–F, 28 A–E, 29 A–D, 30 A–E

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (IFS_SAL_085): Sri Lanka, Central Province, Nuwara Eliya District, Agarapatana, Bopattalawa FR, 1665 m, 06°50'36"N, 80°40'40"E, hand collection, 18-21-II-2007, leg. SP Benjamin and Z Jaleel. Paratype. ♀ (IFS_SAL_086): same locality and collection data as in holotype.

Other material examined.

2♀ (IFS_SAL_087-088), Sri Lanka, Central Province, Nuwara Eliya District, Agarapatana, Bopattalawa FR, 1665 m, 06°50'36"N, 80°40'40"E, hand collection, 18-21-II-2007, leg. SP Benjamin and Z Jaleel. 1♀, 1♂ (IFS_SAL_191-192), same locality and collection data. 1♀ (IFS_SAL_452), Kandy District, Deltoa, Loolcondera FR, 1480 m, 07°08'45"N, 80°41'53"E, hand collection, 11-V-2010, leg. S Batuwita, N Athukorala. 1♂, ♀ (IFS_SAL_857-858), same locality and collection data, 22-VI-2016, leg. I Sandunika. 2♀ (IFS_SAL_457-458), Nuwara Eliya District, Horton plains NP, 2141 m, 06°47'54"N, 80°48'51"E, hand collection, 20-21-II-2007, leg. SP Benjamin and Z Jaleel. 2♂ (IFS_SAL _893-894), Upcot, 1850 m, 06°46'N, 80°36'E, beating, 03-X-2016, leg. K Nilani and I Sandunika.

Etymology.

This species name a noun in apposition, is derived from the Latin argenteus, and refers to the presence of characteristic silvery markings on the prosoma and abdomen of spiders of this species.

Diagnosis.

The species is closely related to Phintella accentifera (Simon, 1901), P. aequipeiformis Zabka, 1985, P. suavis (Simon, 1885) and P. vittata (C. L. Koch, 1846) in palpal morphology. However, it is distinguishable from them by the markings of dorsal abdomen in both sexes (Fig. 27 A–F), more elongated ALT and LP (Figs 28 C–E, 30B, C) in males and much longer copulatory ducts that diverge above spermathecae and deep recurved SC border in females (Figs 29C, D, 30D, E).

Description.

Male. In life, rounded prosoma covered with black shiny scales. Transverse silvery marking on the middle of the eye field (Fig. 27A, B, E, F). Ocular region slightly elevated. Clypeus enclosed with silvery black glistening setae (Fig. 27B, F). AME surrounded with silvery scales. Chelicerae glossy black, blackish brown fangs. Transverse large diamond-shaped silvery blotch behind eye field (Fig. 27A, E). Rounded sternum, blackish grey, rounded furrow at the middle in preserved specimens (Fig. 28B). Silvery patches on each lateral sides of prosoma (Figs 27A, E, F). Posterior margin of prosoma steeper, slightly truncated at the middle. Glossy brownish black legs with greyish yellow banding pattern, leg I somewhat robust.

Abdomen slightly narrower than prosoma, tapering posteriorly. Glossy black dorsum decorated with silvery band at the anterior margin, silvery blotches at the middle and lateral sides and golden yellow mark near spinnerets at the posterior end (Fig. 27A, B, E, F). Ventrum blackish grey, greyish yellow parallel dotted lines from epigastric furrow to spinnerets, in preserved specimens (Fig. 28B). Spinnerets shiny black.

Brownish black and strongly sclerotised palp. Short cymbium, narrow distal region. Embolus short, somewhat stout, immovable above the apical portion of tegulum, extending beyond the level of the distal end of tegulum (Figs 28D, 30B). Comparably narrower, longer apical portion of tegulum (Figs 28D, E, 30B, C). Large, conspicuous, triangular flap on side of embolus (Figs 28D, E, 30B). Bulbus tapering, sperm duct comparably broader at distal end of tegulum, narrower at the apical portion of tegulum. Small hump at retrolateral portion of bulbus (Figs 28C, D, 30B, C). Proximal lobe of tegulum with well-developed posterior lobe at the prolateral portion. Palpal tibia short, dorsally bent RTA (Figs 28D, E, 30B, C).

Measurements.TL 4.65, PL 1.90, PW at PLE 1.50, AL 2.2, AW 1.5. Eye field: diameter of AME 0.40, PLE 0.1, ALE 0.22, PME 0.01, PME-PME 1.24, PLE-PLE 1.08, ALE-PME 0.32, ALE-PLE 0.62. Leg I: TR 0.30, FM 1.46, PT 0.97, TB 1.32, MT 1.08, TA 0.51; Leg II: TR 0.27, FM 1.16, PT 0.54, TB 0.84, MT 0.70, TA 0.46; Leg III: TR 0.24, FM 1.24, PT 0.51, TB 0.94, MT 0.97, TA 0.46; Leg IV: TR 0.27, FM 1.22, PT 0.54, TB 1.05, MT 1.16, TA 0.46.

Female. Similar to male except greyish yellow legs, leg I not robust, broader abdomen than prosoma, covered with golden yellow gleaming scales, dorsal pattern of abdomen as in Fig. 27C, Ventrum pale yellow, dark green medians, lateral blotches in preserved specimens, pale yellow palp (Fig. 29B).

Epigynum moderately sclerotised, fully developed scapum extending beyond the line of epigastric furrow (Figs 29C, D, 30 D–E). CO clearly distinguishable, located inside of strongly sclerotised hood-like structure at the anterior margin. Rounded spermathecae, thick walled (Figs 30D, E, 32D). Copulatory canals comparably longer. FD lanceolate, originating from the anterior wall of receptacles (Fig. 30E).

Measurements.TL 4.80, PL 2.00, PW at PLE 1.45, AL 2.65, AW 1.75. Eye field: diameter of AME 0.40, PLE 1.34, ALE 0.27, PME 0.01, PME-PME 1.19, PLE-PLE 1.11, ALE-PME 0.35, ALE-PLE 0.62. Leg I: TR 0.24, FM 1.32, PT 0.86, TB 1.27, MT 0.97, TA 0.43; Leg II: TR 0.24, FM 1.16, PT 0.49, TB 0.81, MT 0.68, TA 0.43; Leg III: TR 0.24, FM 1.16, PT 0.46, TB 0.92, MT 0.94, TA 0.46; Leg IV: TR 0.24, FM 1.16, PT 0.54, TB 1.03, MT 1.11, TA 0.46.