Hermosa yurai sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 5FD61989-E7E8-4BC5-AA69-1707A2A45A22

Figs 24–25

Diagnosis

The male is easily recognized by the unusual chelicerae with large ‘flaps’ on the dorsal surface. The female can be distinguished from congeners by the shape of the spermathecae, which are oval in the newly described species, whereas they are bean-shaped in other species.

Etymology

This species is dedicated to Yuri M. Marusik (Yura for friends), the eminent arachnologist, who described numerous spider species, especially from the Eastern Palaearctic Region.

Material examined

Holotype

UGANDA • ♂; Masindi distr., Budongo Forest; 1°45′ N, 31°25′ E; dry season; 11–20 Jun. 1995; T. Wagner leg.; ZFMK 2875.

Paratypes

UGANDA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; ZFMK 2875 • 1 ♀; same locality as for holotype; 1–10 Jun. 1995; T. Wagner leg.; ZFMK 3055 • 1 ♀; same locality as for holotype; 5–15 Jan. 1997; T.Wagner leg.; ZFMK 3049 • 1 ♀; same locality as for holotype; 15–25 Jan. 1997; T. Wagner leg.; ZFMK 3043 .

Description

Male

General appearance as in Fig. 24A. Ant-like spider.

MEASUREMENTS. Cephalothorax length 3.6, width 1.5, height 1.0. Eye field length 1.1, anterior and posterior width 1.5. Abdomen length 2.7, width 1.9.

CARAPACE. Dark brown, thoracic part twice as long as the cephalic part, distinctly lower. Faint colourless hairs cover carapace. Chelicerae large, light brown, distal third part of fang clearly thinner than basal part, anterior margin with five teeth, posterior with seven small teeth (Figs 24C, 25A), additional bump on retrolateral side and large ‘flaps’ on inner margin dorsally (Figs 23B, 24B). This last feature is unique, not found in other salticids.

ABDOMEN. Oval, dorsum with brown scutum, sides black with light spots (Fig. 24A), venter and spinnerets grey.

LEGS. Long, especially tibiae, brownish grey, coxae of first pair creamy.

PALPS. As in Figs 24D–G, 25C–D, tibia with retrolateral distal swelling, concealing base of sigmoid apophysis.

Female

Similar to male. Chelicerae smaller, not modified, promargin with four, retromagin with six teeth (Fig. 25E).

MEASUREMENTS. Cephalothorax length 3.0, width 1.2, height 0,8. Eye field length 1.1, anterior and posterior width 1.2. Abdomen length 2.7, width 1.6.

EPIGYNE. Large, with single pocket at posterior edge and two rounded ’windows’ (Figs 24H, 25F). Internal structure as in Fig. 25G, initial part of copulatory ducts membranous (visible after staining in Chlorasole black E) fall into oval chamber, distal part very thin, spermathecae oval, relatively smaller than in congeners.