Alfenus calamistratus Simon, 1902

Fig. 2

Alfenus calamistratus Simon, 1902a: 411 .

Alfenus calamistratus – Simon 1903a: 739, figs 868–869. — Szűts & Scharff 2005: 359, figs 1a, c, 2a–f.

Diagnosis of female

The female can be recognized by the form of the epigyne that has a heart-shaped anterior depression and two large shallow circular recesses posteriorly adjacent to the depression.

Material examined

Uganda • 1 ♀; Bundibugyo dist., Ntandi; 0°48′ N, 30°08′ E; Jan. 1996; FSCA .

Redescription

For description of male see Szűts & Scharff (2005).

Female

Shape and colouration similar as in male. Large, hairy spider. General appearance as in Fig. 2A–B.

MEASUREMENTS. Cephalothorax length 4.0, width 3.3, height 2.0. Eye field length 1.8, anterior and posterior width 2.6. Abdomen length 5.4, width 3.5.

CARAPACE. Oval, brown, near eyes black, with serrated lighter band on thoracic part. Dorsum clothed in short white hairs, among them sparse long brown bristles, longer and denser at first row of eyes. Chelicera unidentate. Mouthparts brown, sternum dark yellow.

ABDOMEN. Ovoid, grey, mottled, with leaf-shaped yellowish area, sides with dark marks, brown hairs and bristles on dorsum. Spinnerets grey.

LEGS. Light brownish, many grey patches on femora, leg hairs and spines brown. Palp with retrolateral tarsal spine.

EPIGYNE. As in Fig. 2C, with heart-shaped depression in anterior part, two large round cavities close to each other posteriorly from the depression. Internal structure as in Fig. 2D, copulatory ducts thin and very long with accessory glands leading to the ducts near small spherical spermathecae.

Distribution

Hitherto known only from Congo, this is the first record in Uganda.

Remarks

The female of this species is described here for the first time.

The male and female of this species were matched based on the size, shape and colouration of the specimens. The spots on the femur seem to be a highly characteristic feature that occurs in both sexes.