Uduba fisheri, Griswold & Ubick & Ledford & Polotow, 2022

Griswold, Charles, Ubick, Darrell, Ledford, Joel & Polotow, Daniele, 2022, A Revision of the Malagasy Crack-Leg Spiders of the Genus Uduba Simon, 1880 (Araneae, Udubidae), with Description of 35 New Species from Madagascar, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 67, pp. 1-193 : 34-37

Uduba fisheri , new species

Figures 4 A–H , 12 E , 14 F, H , 15 A–G , 18 C–F , 19 A, C , 25 A, C , 28 C , 29 H , 40 A–C , 41 A–F , 72 E, F , 81 A, D , Maps 9 , 17 .

“ Uduba sp. Anzojorobe ”, Griswold et al. (2005: 254, fig. 153 O).

Type material. Holotype male ( CASENT9025464 ) and male and female paratypes ( CASENT9026388 ) from pitfall traps set out between 5–13 December 2000 at 1300m elevation in montane rainforest located at 3 km 41°NE Andranomay, 11.5 km 147°SSE Anjozorobe, 18°28ʹ24ʺS, 47°57ʹ36ʺE, in Antananarivo Province, Madagascar, collected by the Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team ( BLF2370 ), deposited in CAS.

Etymology. The species epithet is a patronym in honor of Brian Lee Fisher, Patterson Scholar of Science and Sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences, an inspirational collector and naturalist responsible for many of our data on Madagascar arthropods, an organizer of Madagascar biodiversity surveys, a taxonomic expert on ants, and, through his efforts like Antweb, a pioneering visionary in providing taxonomic and biodiversity data to a worldwide audience.

Diagnosis. Uduba fisheri are members of Group III, the Uduba valiha group ( Map 17 ). They are among the smallest of all Uduba , with the maximum length of males 6.00, of females 10.50. Uduba fisheri have a divided cribellum or a vestige of such in the male ( Fig. 25 A ). Males of Uduba fisheri have a stout prospine on the palpal tibia but lack a blunt retrospine, and can be distinguished from those of other Uduba by the thick, blunt VTA, the short, curved RTA, an MA with a deep central concavity and apically a blunt lobe and basally a narrow, nearly cylindrical projection ( Figs. 40 A–C , 41 D, F ); middle of MA is partly hidden behind a tegular projection ( Fig. 28 C ); the trapezoidal TA2 of U. fisheri ( Fig. 28 C ) differs from the triangular TA2 of U. hiragasy ( Fig. 28 A ) and the recurved TA2 of U. valiha ( Fig. 28 B ). Females of Uduba fisheri ( Figs. 72 E, F ) have a median lobe with slightly raised longitudinal ridge ( Fig. 81 A ), copulatory openings at mid-level of plate at 0.50 of epigynum length with medial and lateral lobes united, copulatory openings exposed laterally in concavities, these openings located more anteriad than in Uduba valiha ( Figs. 64 A–C ) and Uduba hiragasy ( Figs. 44 A–C ), with a strong edge along epigastric furrow ( Fig. 81 A ).

Description. Male (Holotype, CASENT9025464): Total length 6.00. Markings as in Figs. 4 C, E, F, H . Carapace 3.20 long, 2.20 wide, 1.40 high; clypeus 0.10 high. Eye diameters:AME 0.05, ALE 0.12, PME 0.13, PLE 0.14. Chelicerae 1.40 long; sternum 1.50 long, 1.20 wide; labium 0.60 long; palpal coxae 1.05 long. Cribellum divided ( Fig. 25 A ). Spination (CASENT9026388): palpus–femur d1-1-1; leg I–femur d0-1-1-0, p0-0-2, tibia p0-0-0-1, v2-2-2-2, metatarsus p0-0-0-1, v2- 2-2; leg II–femur d1-1-1, tibia p0-0-0-1, v1-1-1-2, metatarsus p0-1-1, v2-2-2; leg III–femur d1-1- 1, p1-0-1-1, r0-1-1-0, tibia d0-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0, p2-1-2, v2-2- 2, r1-1-2; leg IV–femur d0-1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0-0-1, tibia d0-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-2-2, v2-1-1-2-2, r1-2-2. Scopulae: cymbium, apicodorsal ( Fig. 41 A ); weak beneath leg tarsi and metatarsi. Leg measurements: I: 2.70 + 1.20 + 2.40 + 2.10 + 1.60 = 10.00; II: 2.30 + 1.10 + 1.90 + 1.80 + 1.50 = 8.60; III: 2.10 + 0.90 + 1.40 + 1.30 + 1.10 = 6.80; IV: 2.70 + 1.10 + 2.40 + 2.80 + 1.70 = 10.70; palpus: 1.20 + 0.50 + 0.50 + NA + 1.20 = 3.40. Leg formula 4123. Male palp (CASENT9065669): palpal tibia 0.43 cymbial length, RTA a broad, blunt curved blade ( Fig. 40 C ), length 0.17 times tibia length, RTA length 0.60 times width, apex with a sharp curve to ventrad ( Figs. 29 H , 40 A–C , 41 A–F ), VTA large, length 2.00 times width, elongate cylindrical with blunt apex ( Figs. 40 C , 41 C, F ), length 0.17 tibia width; tibia lacks stout retrolateral spine but with a prolateral spine ( Fig. 40 B ); tegulum with longitudinal, retroapical ridge ( Figs. 41 B, E ), extending for 0.60 tegulum length, tegulum length 1.15 times width; TA1 extends distad of tegulum apex, TA1 extends past TA3 apex by 1.23 times tegulum length; TA3 transverse extending into blunt apex hidden behind TA2, TA2 extends apicad of TA3, TA2 erect, trapezoidal, tegulum with small bump near TA2 base ( Fig. 28 C ); MA subdistal on tegulum, origin at 0.38 times tegulum length, tegulum apex at 0.29 tegulum length from MA apex, length (including apical processes) 1.74 times width, MA length 0.31 times tegulum length, width 0.49 times tegulum width, MA complex with basal erect narrow lobe and apical knoblike projection ( Figs. 41 D, E ); conductor fan convex ( Fig. 40 C ). Female (paratype, CASENT9026388): Total length 10.50. Markings as in Figs. 4 A, B, D, G . Carapace 5.00 long, 3.40 wide, 1.70 high; clypeus 0.30 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.20, ALE 0.22, PME 0.20, PLE 0.24. Chelicerae 2.60 long; sternum 2.10 long, 1.70 wide; labium 1.10 long; palpal coxae 1.70 long. Divided cribellum. Spination (CASENT9026388): palpus– femur d0-0-1, patella p1-0, tibia p2-1, r1-0, tarsus p0-1-1-0, v0-0-2; leg I–femur d1-0-0, p0-0-1, tibia v2-2-2-0, metatarsus p0-0-1, v2-2-2; leg II–femur d1-0-0, p0-0-1, tibia d1-0-1, v1-1-1 (retroventral), metatarsus p0-0-1, v2-2-2; leg III–femur d1-0-0, p0-1-0, r0-1-0, tibia d0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-1-1, r0-0-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-1, v2-2-2, r1-1-1; leg IV–femur d1-0-1, tibia v1-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0-0, p0-1-0-2, v2-1-2-2, r1-1-2. Scopulae: ventral on tarsi I and II. Leg measurements: I: 3.40 + 1.60 + 3.00 + 2.70 + 1.90 = 12.60; II: 3.10 + 1.50 + 2.50 + 2.40 + 1.60 = 11.10; III: 2.80 + 1.30 + 1.70 + 2.10 + 1.50 = 9.40; IV: 3.70 + 1.50 + 3.10 + 3.70 + 1.80 = 13.80; palpus: 1.60 + 0.80 + 1.00 + NA + 1.60 = 5.00. Leg formula 4123. Female genitalia (CASENT9026389, Anjozorobe): epigynal plate without depressed atrium ( Figs. 72 E, F ), plate lateral margins sclerotized, weakly convex, posterior margin strongly marked ( Fig. 81 A ), width 1.43 times length, lateral lobes with weak ridges forming oval depressions on each side, width between bases of LL 0.57 times epigynum width, LL side width 0.16 times width epigynum; ML with slightly raised longitudinal ridge, copulatory openings at mid-level of plate at 0.50 of epigynum length ( Fig. 81A ), distance between copulatory openings 0.49 times epigynum width. Vulva ( Figs. 72 F , 81 D ), with spermathecal ducts forming 2-3 loose, longitudinal loops, vulva length 0.84 times width, fertilization ducts widely separated, vulva width only 2.67 times distance between FD.

Variation. Male (N= 5): Total length 5.10–6.00; carapace length / width = 1.38–1.48, carapace height / width = 0.48–0.68, PER / carapace width = 0.33–0.35, PER/OAL = 2.19–2.92, PER/AER = 1.21–1.28, OAL/OQL = 1.14–1.60, OQP/ OQA = 1.17–1.33, clypeus height / AME = 1.00–1.25, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 11.50–16.00, sternum length / width = 1.20–1.36, palpal coxa length / width = 2.00–2.86, femur I length / carapace width =1.18–1.23, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 0.95–1.05, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.23–1.33, cymbium length / carapace width = 0.52–0.57, cymbium length / palpal patella length = 2.00–2.75, cymbium length / palpal tibia length = 2.20–3.00, cymbium length / palpal femur length = 0.86–1.00, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 0.80–1.00. Genitalia as in Figs. 28 C , 29 H , 40 A–C , 41 A– F . Female (N= 3) Total length 7.90–10.50; carapace length / width = 1.47–1.48, carapace height / width = 0.50–0.59, PER / carapace width = 0.42–0.43, PER/OAL = 3.13–3.15, OAL/OQL = 1.15– 1.25, OQP/ OQA = 1.13–1.32, clypeus height / AME = 1.25–1.50, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 8.67–10.50, sternum length / width = 1.24–1.27, palpal coxa length / width = 2.33–2.62, femur I length / carapace width = 0.93–1.00, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 0.79–0.83, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.07–1.09, palpal tarsus length / carapace width = 0.47–0.48, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 2.00–2.33, palpal tarsus length / palpal tibia length = 1.60–1.75, palpal tarsus length / palpal femur length = 0.93–1.00, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.25–1.33. Genitalia as in Figs. 72 E, F , 81 A, D.

M aterial examined. MADAGASCAR: Antananarivo Province: 3 km 41°NE Andranomay, 11.5 km 147°SSE Anjozorobe, 18°28ʹ24ʺS, 47°57ʹ36ʺE, elev. 1300m, pitfalls in montane rainforest, 5–13 December 2000, Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team , BLF2370 (Holotype, CASENT9025464 1♂, CAS), Paratypes: ( CASENT9026388 , 1♂, 1♀, CAS), ( CASENT9065668 , 1♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065669 , 1♂, CAS), ( CASENT9002190 , 5♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065665 , 5♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065666 , 5♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065667 , 5♂, CAS), ( CASENT9002693 , 4♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065662 1♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065663 1♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065664 1♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065661 , 5♂, CAS), ( CASENT9065660 , 5♂, CAS) ; general collecting, montane rainforest [BLF2543] ( CASENT9004118 , 1♂, CAS) , general collecting, [BLF2377] ( CASENT9007941 , 1♂, CAS) . Fianarantsoa Province: 2 km WAndrambovato, along River Tatamaly , 21°30ʹ42ʺS; 047°24ʹ36ʺE, elev. 1075m, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), 3–5 June 2005, Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team, [BLF12164] ( CASENT9065339 , 1♀, CAS) .

Natural history. The natural history of the small, cribellate Uduba fisheri is mysterious. Both collection localities are from montane rainforest along the eastern escarpment in central Madagascar. At least one female from near the River Tatamaly was extracted from leaf litter or from within rotting logs. Although we spent more than 100 person hours collecting and observing in the forest at 3 km 41°NE Andranomay, including many hours of both day and night, we have no record that these were ever observed alive in the field. The only times that our team was not searching for and collecting spiders was during heavy rainstorms, or after midnight at night. Yet, this was one of the most common arthropods collected in our pitfall traps. During the trapping period of seven days and nights (times 100 pitfall traps, equaling 700 pitfall trap nights) we collected 143 males and 2 females of Uduba fisheri . Obviously, males are far more active than females, and their peri- od of peak activity may be during intense rain, or late at night, or both.

Distribution. The species Uduba fisheri is known from two localities in montane rainforest along the eastern escarpment in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa provinces in central Madagascar ( Maps 9 , 17 ).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Habitus photos of Uduba fisheri from montane rainforest at 3 km 41° NE Andranomay, 11.5 km 147° SSE Anjozorobe. A, B, D, G. Paratype female ♀ (CASENT9026388). C, E, F, H. ♂ Holotype male (CASENT9025464). A. Dorsal. B. Ventral. C. Dorsal. D. Carapace, dorsal. E. Carapace, ventral. F. Carapace, dorsal. G. Lateral. H. Lateral. Scale bars: A–C, G, H = 2mm, D–F = 1mm.

FIGURE 12. Uduba spp., morphology photos. A–C. U. schlingeri, ♂ CASENT9006052 from Talatakely, Ranomafana National Park. D, F. U. schlingeri, ♀ CASENT9006075 from Vatoharanana, Ranomafana National Park. E. U. fisheri, ♀ CASENT9026389 from Anjozorobe. A. Cephalothorax, dorsal. B. Cephalothorax, ventral. C. Habitus, lateral. D. Face, clypeus and divided chilum, anterior. E. Pedicel, dorsal (anterior to top). F. Habitus, lateral. Scale bars: A, B, F = 2 mm, C = 2 mm, D =1 mm, E = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 14. Uduba spp., females, legs, SEM. A–E, G. U. schlingeri ♀ (CASENT9025468) from Vatoharanana, Ranomafana National Park. F, H. U. fisheri, ♀ (CASENT9026389) from Anjozorobe. A. Tarsus I, left, retrolateral. B. Tarsus IV, left, retrolateral. C. Tarsus I, left, dorsal. D. Tarsus IV, left, dorsal. E. Palpal tarsus, right, retrolateral. F. Palpus, trochanter–tarsus, prolateral. G. Metatarsus IV base, retrodorsal, showing calamistrum [arrow]. H. Metatarsus IV, retrodorsal, showing calamistrum [arrow]. Scale bars = 100 µm.

FIGURE 15. Uduba fisheri, female CASENT9026389 from Anjozorobe, mouthparts, SEM. A. Chelicera, left, mesal view. B. Chelicera, left, ectal view. C. Chelicera, left, viewed from retromargin of fang furrow. D. Labrum, dorsal, anteri- or to top. E. Left palpal coxa, dorsal. F. Left palpal coxa, dorsal, showing serrula. G. Labium and endites of palpal coxae, ventral. Scale bars = 100 µm.

FIGURE 18. Uduba spp., claws and legs, SEM images. A. U. schlingeri, ♀ CASENT9006056 from Talatakely, Ranomafana National Park, tarsus I, retroventral. B. U. schlingeri, ♀ CASENT9025468 from Vatoharanana, Ranomafana National Park, right palpal claw, retrolateral. C–F. U. fisheri, ♀ CASENT9026389 from 3 km 41°NE Andranomay, near Anjozorobe. C. Palpal claw, retrolateral. D. Tarsal claws I, left, apical. E. Tarsal claws IV, left, apical. F. Tarsal claws IV, left, retrolateral. Scale bars: A = 200 µm, C, E = 10 µm, B, F = 20 µm, D = 30 µm.

FIGURE 19. Uduba SEM images. A. U. fisheri (CASENT9026389) ♀ pedicel, dorsal. B. U. platnicki (CASENT9030253) ♀ pedicel, dorsal, anterior to top. C. U. fisheri (CASENT9026389) ♂ epiandrum, ventral. Scale bars: A, B = 100 µm, C = 10 µm.

FIGURE 25. Details of spinning organs of male Uduba spp., scanning electron micrographs (SEM). A, C. U. fisheri (CASENT9026389) from Anjozorobe. B, D, E. U. schlingeri, (CASENT9006052) from Talatakely, Parc Nacional Ranomafana. A. Cribellum, lacking spigots. B. Left PMS showing mAP and TP. C. Left PLS showing nubbins (Nu) that remain from MS-MSFls triplet. D. Left ALS, showing MAP, TP, and MAP Nu. E. Left PLS showing nubbins (Fl) that remain from MS-MSFl triplet. Fls, nubbins of flankers of pseudoflagelliform gland spigot; MAP, major ampullate gland spigot(s); MAP-Nu, major ampullate gland spigot nubbin; mAP, minor ampullate gland spigot(s); MS, nubbin of modified spigot, or pseudoflagelliform gland spigot; TP, tartipore. Scale bars: A–D = 10 µm, E = 2 µm.

FIGURE 28. Uduba spp., left male palpal bulbs, apical views. A. U. hiragasy, holotype (CASENT9065679) from Tsinjoarivo Forest. B. U. valiha, paratype (CASENT9082181) from Forêt de Vevembe. C. U. fisheri, paratype (CASENT9026388) from Anjozorobe. D. U. halabe, (CASENT9042520) from Parc National Ranomafana. E. U. platnicki, holotype (CASENT9006021) from Marojejy Reserve. F. U. kavanaughi, paratype (CASENT9031127) from Talatakely, Parc National Ranomafana. C, conductor; MA, median apophysis; TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum, arising just prolaterad of distal notch; TA3, retroapical apophysis of the tegulum, typically with apex extending to prolateral. Scale bar = 0.2 mm (A–C); 0.5 mm (D–F). Illustrations by Charles Griswold.

FIGURE 29. Uduba spp., color-coded comparisons of male left palpal tarsi, ventral views. A. U. evanescens (Dahl, 1901) (CASENT9024032) from Parc National Ranomafana. B. U. rakotofrah, paratype (CASENT9062794), from Anosyenne Mts. C. U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863) (CASENT9006026) from Ambohimanga. D. U. halabe, holotype (CASENT9006018) from Parc National Ranomafana. E. U. schlingeri, (CASENT9006062) from Parc National Ranomafana. F. U. ibonia, (CASENT9006036) from Parc National Ranomafana. G. U. rakotozafy, holotype (CASENT9006024) from Parc National Périnet. H. U. fisheri, (CASENT9007941) from Anjozorobe. I. U. rinha, (MRAC174.445) from 25 km W Morarano Chrome, Toamasina Province. Conductor (C), yellow; Median apophysis (MA), blue; TA1, purple; TA2, green; TA3, red. Illustrations by Charles Griswold and Jenny Speckels, not to scale.

FIGURE 40. Uduba fisheri, new species, (CASENT9007941), Anjozorobe, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Giovanni Maki. C, conductor; Eb, embolic base; MA, median apophysis; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis on male palp, typically arising apically; TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum, arising just prolaterad of distal notch; UTA, basal tibial apophysis on male palp, which is located at proximoventral margin of tibia extending above patellar intersegmental membrane; VTA, ventral tibial apophysis on male palp, typically arising at midsegment. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 41. Uduba fisheri (CASENT9026389), from 3 km 41°NE Andranomay near Anjozorobe, right male palpus, SEM. A. Tibia and tarsus, retrolateral. B. Tibia and tarsus, ventral. C. Tibia and tarsus, prolateral. D. Bulb, retrolateral. E. Bulb, ventral. F. Bulb, prolateral. C, conductor; E, embolus; Eb, embolic base; MA, median apophysis; TA1, proapical apophysis of the tegulum; TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum, arising just prolaterad of distal notch; UTA, basal tibial apophysis on male palp; VTA, ventral tibial apophysis. Arrows to bump on tegulum. Scale bars A–C = 100 µm, D = 40 µm, E = 50 µm, F = 60 µm.

FIGURE 72. Uduba spp., female genitalia drawings. A, B. U. heliani, new species, holotype (CASENT9006106) from Forêt Classée Andriantantely. C, D. U. hiragasy new species, paratype (CASENT9064772) from Tsinjoarivo Forest. E. F. U. fisheri, new species, (CASENT9065339) from 2 km W Andrambovato along River Tatamaly. G, H. U. valiha, new species, paratype (CASENT9006071) from Massif Andringitra. A, C, E, G. Epigynum, ventral. B, D, F, H. Vulva, dorsal. Illustrations by Charles Griswold. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 81. Uduba spp., ♀ genitalia. A, D. U. fisheri, new species, CASENT9026388 from Anjozorobe. B, E. U. rinha, new species, CASENT9006108 from R.S. Manongarivo. C, F. U. ibonia, new species, CASENT9006033, from Talatakely, Ranomafana National Park. A–C. Epigynum, ventral. D–F. Vulva, dorsal. BS, base of spermatheca of vulva; CD, copulatory ducts of vulva; CO, copulatory openings of epigynum; EF, epigastric furrow of abdomen; FD, fertilization duct of vulva; LL, lateral lobe of epigynum; ML, median lobe of epigynum. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

MAP 9. Distributions of Uduba fisheri, Uduba MAP 10. Distributions of Uduba hiragasy, Uduba rakotofrah, Uduba rajery, Uduba rakotozafy and Uduba valiha, Uduba taralily, Uduba danielae and Uduba sarotra. kavanaughi.

MAP 17. Distribution of Group III, the Uduba valiha MAP 18. Distribution of Group IV, the Uduba rinha group: Uduba hiragasy, U. fisheri and U. valiha. group: Uduba rinha and U. irwini.

FIGURE 64. Uduba valiha, new species, Holotype (CASENT9026394) from Forêt de Vevembe, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Rachel Diaz-Bastin. MA, median apophysis; TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum; TA3, retroapical apophysis of the tegulum (mostly hidden behind TA2 in this species). White arrows to bump on tegulum, black arrow to stout retrolateral spine on tibia. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 44. Uduba hiragasy, new species, paratype (CASENT9065698) from Tsinjoarivo Forest, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Charles Griswold. Arrow to tegular ridge. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.