Tusitala ugandensis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 4B20AFF9-0117-466F-9986-7798AE8CC4EE

Fig. 101

Diagnosis

The epigyne of this species is similar to that in Tusitala lyrata, but clearly differs by the conformation of the copulatory ducts that are short, almost forming a loop, whereas in T. lyrata they form one and a half of loop.

Etymology

The name is derived from the country name Uganda, where the holotype was found.

Material examined

Holotype

UGANDA • ♀; Ntonde (Lyantonde); 0°25′ N, 31°10′ E; Jun. 1996; FSCA.

Description

Male

Unknown.

Female

General appearance as in Fig. 101A.

MEASUREMENTS. Cephalothorax length 2.3, width 1.8, height 1.0. Eye field length 1.1, anterior and posterior width 1.7. Abdomen length 2.6, width 1.8.

CARAPACE. Brown, clothed in short greyish hairs, denser on slopes, long brown bristles scattered on eye field. Eyes surrounded by black areas, anterior eyes encircled by short scale-like fawn hairs. Chelicerae fissidentati (Fig. 101B). Mouthparts and sternum light brown.

ABDOMEN. Ovoid, wide serrated yellowish band on dorsum, laterally mosaic of black and yellow spots, light band on anterior margin spreading to sides. Venter light brownish with three dark streaks. Spinnerets grey.

LEGS. Yellow, with brown hairs and spines.

EPIGYNE. As in Fig. 101C–D. Copulatory openings placed laterally, copulatory ducts forming almost ring, spermathecae two-chambered, first bean-shaped, second spherical (Fig. 101E).