Lepthercus kwazuluensis, Ríos-Tamayo & Lyle, 2020

Ríos-Tamayo, Duniesky & Lyle, Robin, 2020, The South African genus Lepthercus Purcell, 1902 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) phylogeny and taxonomy, Zootaxa 4766 (2), pp. 261-305 : 277-279

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4766.2.2

publication LSID

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BA570D47-FE77-446C-B000-9208C9A6E957

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3803494

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F11B20-FFCE-FF9A-8EE8-3B3FFB36D5ED

treatment provided by

Carolina

scientific name

Lepthercus kwazuluensis
status

sp. nov.

Lepthercus kwazuluensis sp. nov.

( Figs. 2C View FIGURE , 9 View FIGURE A–J, 10A–D, 24) http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9465C34C-22D2-4A26-8356-A245F6C97412

Material examined. Type material: Holotype ♂. SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Sani Pass (29°36′S 29°17′E, 3000m), 24.vi.2006, UP students leg., ( NCA 2010 /3732) GoogleMaps . – Paratype. SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Pietermaritzburg, Town Bush [29°34’S 30°19’E], 16.x.1969, Lamoral, B.H. leg., 1 ♀ (NM 9807).

Other material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Free State Province: Golden gate, 16.viii.1985, Mus. Staff leg., 1 ♂ ( NMBA 00917). Same data, 4.vii.1985, 1 ♂ ( NMBA 00775). Harrismith, S of Mt. Pierre (28°32′S 28°39′E), 12.i.1992, Lotz, L. N. leg., 1 imm ( NMBA 05550). KwaZulu-Natal Province: Sani Pass (29°35′S 29°17′E, 2700m), 22.i.2010, UP students leg., 1 ♂ ( NCA 2011/376). Same data, 1 ♂ ( NCA 2011/376). Same data, 1♂ ( NCA 2011/377). Same data, 24.i.2006, 2 ♂♂ ( NCA 2010/3733). Same data, 1 ♂ ( NCA 2010/3734). No specific locality, (29°39′2.73”S 29°58’33.88”E), v.2014, Yekwayo, I. leg., 1 ♀ ( NCA 2015/1542). La Mercy [29°38’S 31°7’E], viii.1996, Beje, S. leg., 1 ♀ ( NCA 97/182). Umzinto, Vernon Crookes Nat. Res (30°16’S 30°35’E), 28.ix.1995, Lotz, L. legs., 1 ♀ ( NMBA 07771). Pietermaritzburg, Town Bush [29°34’S 30°19’E], xi.1936, Lawrence, R.F & Rump, W.G. leg., 1 ♀ (NM1321). Same data, x.1960, Lawrence, R.F. leg., 2 ♀♀ (NM8057). Same data, (29°37’S 30°22’E, 2400ft), 23.viii.1983, Croeser, P.M.C & C.E. Griswold. leg., 2 ♀♀, 1imm (NM16636). Same data, vii.1968, Lamoral, B.H. leg., 1 ♀ (NM12465). Pietermaritzburg, Bisley [29°42’S 30°17’E], vi.1951, Lawrence, R.F. leg., 1 ♀ (NM5452). Durban [29°51’S 31°1’E], 1925, Akerman, C. leg., 1 ♀, 1 imm (NM16643). Cathkin Peak [29°4’S 29°21’E], i.1938, Lawrence, R.F. leg., 1 ♀ (NM2171). Champagne Castle Hostel [29°2’S 29°25’E], i.1958, Lawrence, R.F. leg., 1 ♀ (NM6976). Same data, i.1957, Lawrence, A.Y, R.F. Lawrence & J.Y. Lawrence. leg., 2 ♀♀ (NM6424). Dargle [29°28’S 30°6’E], 12.xi.1942, Lawrence, R.F & W.G. Rump. leg., 1 ♀ (NM3836). Same data, Lawrence, R.F. leg., 1 ♀ (NM3849). Pietermaritzburg, Worlds view, Waltle Forest (29°36’S 30°23’E), 7.i.1970, Lamoral, B. leg., 1 ♀ (NM12507). Same data, vi.1942, Lawrence, R.F. & C. Holliday. leg., 1 ♀ (NM3808). Natal (no locality or collector), 1905, 2 ♀♀ (NM1355). Umhlali, Sheffield Beach [29°29’S 31°15’E], vii.1937, Lawrence, R.F. leg., 1 ♀ (NM1552). Umhlali, Chakas Rock [29°31’S 31°13’E], vii.1951, Lawrence, R.F. & A.Y. Lawrence. leg., 1 ♀ (NM5618). Mar- gate [30°50’S 30°22’2E], Rump, W.G. leg., 2 ♀♀ (NM2913). Port Shepstone (30°42’S 30°27’E), x.1936, Lawrence, R.F. leg., 1 ♀, 2 imm (NM1139). Eastern Cape Province: Komga, Kei Mouth (32°40’S 28°22’E), 12.ii.2006, Lotz, L. leg., 1 ♀ ( NMBA 10084). Eagles Grag (30°48’S 27°45’E), 17.viii.1985, Mus. Staff leg., 1 ♂ ( NMBA 00974).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition referring to Kwazulu-Natal province, where the species is most abundant.

Diagnosis. Males of L. kwazuluensis sp. nov., can be distinguished by the presence of a tapering embolus with a long lateral keel ( Fig. 9G, H View FIGURE ), similar to L. mandelai sp. nov., but differs in the low number of chelicerae denticles (5 vs 30) and low number of prolateral spiniform setae on the pedipalp tibiae ( Fig. 9E View FIGURE ). Females can be differentiated for others species in “Group dregei” by the presence of a spermathecae with a base with an abrupt transition to the stalk, and the base with an apical projection ( Fig. 10D View FIGURE ), stalks curved outward with oval receptacles.

Description. Male holotype (NCA 2010/3732, Fig. 9 View FIGURE A–J). Total length 9.16. Carapace ( Fig. 9A View FIGURE ): length 3.72, width 3.38, rounded, with lateral marginal bristles, with a little pubescence. Cephalic region: length 2.35; clypeus short with 4 bristles on the edge, numerous long bristles in front of the OQ and between the PME. Fovea: width 0.39, short and straight. Ocular measurements: AME 0.10, ALE 0.17, PME 0.14, PLE 0.12, OQ length 0.39, 0.62 width; AME–ALE 0.05, PME–PLE 0.03, AME–PME 0.07, ALE–PLE 0.10, AME–AME 0.09, OM–OMP 0.25. Chelicerae: length 2.11, width 1.15, with dorsal-anterior bristles, intercheliceral tumescence small, well–marked and with setae ( Fig. 9C View FIGURE ). Fang groove with 6 promarginal teeth and 5 basomedial denticles. Labium: length 0.26, width 0.70, with one cuspule. Maxillae: length 1.26, width 0.64, with about 68 minuscule cuspules on inner corner ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE ), prolateral face slightly curved, soft area small, with long uniformly distributed hairs. Sternum ( Fig. 9B View FIGURE ): rounded, length 2.12, maximum width 1.19. Abdomen: length 4.11, covered by dense brown hair and bristles. PMS: length 0.53; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.70:0.45:0.60; total length 1.75. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 3.29, 1.67, 1.77, 2.25, 1.51, 10.49. II: 3.11, 1.58, 1.86, 2.00, 1.47, 10.02. III: 2.71, 1.44, 1.64, 2.35, 1.25, 9.39. IV: 3.24, 1.62, 2.33, 3.20,1.63, 12.02. Palp: 1.95, 1.03, 1.39, —, 0.74, 5.11.

Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d (centrals), 1 P A; patella, 1 P A; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-3-2 V, a cuticular spur, with an apical long and curved spine (longer than the spur) ( Fig. 9I, J View FIGURE ); metatarsus, 1-1 V POST, slightly curved, swollen in the midd-prolateral part of the segment, with small setae ( Fig. 9F, G View FIGURE ); tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 1-1-1 P SUP; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-2 V (1:2B), 2 V A ANT; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 2-1-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-3-1-2 d, 1-2-2-2 D; patella, 1-1-1 P (shorts), 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 D, 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 2-2-1-2 D, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 0; tibia, 1-1 R, 1-2-2 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1-1-1 P, 1-2-1-1-1-2 D, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp ( Fig. 9D, E View FIGURE ): femur, 1-1-1-3 d; patella, 1 d; tibia, 1 P, 1 R A, (width/length: 0.45); tarsus, 0.

Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, sparse, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse (1:3A), divided by narrow band of setae; IV, sparse (1:2A), divided by a wide band of setae. Tarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. Trichobothria: Tibiae: I 6-7; II 8-7; III 6-7; IV 8-8. Metatarsi: I (2)1(1)1(3)1; II (3)1(2)1(4)1; III (3)1(2)1(4)1; IV (3)1(3)1(5)1. Tarsi: I 12; II 9; III-IV 12. No preening combs. Copulatory bulb: small, with an embolus slightly acuminate and curved, with a long lateral keel ( Fig. 9G, H View FIGURE ), spermatic duct almost straight. Color: Carapace and legs orange–yellow. Abdomen dorsally dark; Sternum and center of abdomen lighter; spinnerets ventrally dark.

Female paratype (NM9807, Fig. 10 View FIGURE A–D). Total length 17.88. Carapace ( Fig. 10A View FIGURE ): length 5.88, width 3.79. Cephalic region: length 3.79, clypeus small, with 5 marginal bristles; 5 bristles in front of the OQ and 3 between the PME, line of dorsal setae until the fovea. Fovea: width 0.50. Ocular measurements: AME 0.16, ALE 0.31, PME 0.22, PLE 0.32, OQ length 0.65, width 1.10; AME–ALE 0.09, PME–PLE 0.03, AME–PME 0.10, ALE–PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.15, PME–PME 0.43. Chelicerae ( Fig. 10C View FIGURE ): length 4.27, width 2.56; with dorsal–retrolateral bristles. Fang groove with 9 promarginal teeth and 35 mesobasal denticles. Labium: length 0.71, width 0.94, with 3 cuspules. Maxillae: length 2.34, width 1.07, with 100 cuspules on posterior inner corner, prolateral face curved, soft area small, with long uniformly distributed hairs, serrula present. Sternum ( Fig. 10B View FIGURE ): length 3.38, maximum width 2.90. Abdomen: length 8.23, with small bristles in the dorsum. PMS: length 0.94; PLS: length of basal:medial: apical segments 1.56:0.59:1.28; total length 3.43. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 4.60, 2.91, 2.96, 2.65, 1.77, 14.89. II: 4.07, 2.63, 2.40, 2.24, 1.70, 13.04. III: 3.56, 2.08, 1.80, 2.45, 1.44, 11.33. IV: 4.66, 2.43, 3.12, 3.70, 1.65, 15.56. Palp: 3.13, 1.86, 1.75, —, 1.93, 8.67.

Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 0; tibia, 2 P (thins), 1-1-3 V (thins); metatarsus, 1-1-1 V; tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 1 pa; tibia, 1-1 P, 2-3 V (thins); metatarsus, 1-2-2 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1 d, 1 pa, 1 ra; patella, 1-1-1 P, 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 D, 1-1 R, 2-1-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1 D–R, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 0; patella, 1-1 R; tibia, 1-1-2-1-1 R, 2-2-2 V; metatarsus, 2-1-1 P (3:4 A), 1-1-1 D–P (3:4 A), 1-1-2-1-1-1 D–R, 2-2-2-4 V; tarsus, 0. Palp: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1 P A; patella, 0; tibia, 1-2-1 P, 2-2-4 V; tarsus, 1 V B, 1 P INF (1:3 B).

Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed; III, sparse (A), divided by a wide band of setae; IV, 0. Tarsi: I–II dense, uniformly distributed; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae (more than tarsi III). Trichobothria: Tibiae: palp 9-10; I 10- 10; II 10-11; III 9-10; IV 12-11. Metatarsi: I (4)1(1)1(2)1(4)1; II (3)1(2)1(3)1(5)1; III (4)1(2)1(5)1; IV (6)1(2)1(3)1(6)1. Tarsi: palp 12; I 13; II-III 12; IV 16. Preening combs: metatarsus: II 4 P V; III 4 P V–3 R V. Spermathecae: as in Fig. 10D View FIGURE . Color: Overall brown-reddish, sternum reddish. Abdomen and spinnerets light brown, spotted.

Distribution. Free State; KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa ( Fig. 24 View FIGURE ).

UP

University of Papua and New Guinea

NMBA

Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel

R

Departamento de Geologia, Universidad de Chile

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Arachnida

Order

Araneae

Family

Nemesiidae

Genus

Lepthercus

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