Ruwenzorek evansi gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: DA791B8F-36F6-4137-B0E5-69DBCCC6E6C4

Fig. 81

Diagnosis

The species is distinguished by the unique heart-shaped epigyne, with the copulatory openings placed laterally, and S-shaped copulatory ducts (Fig. 81E). The retromarginal edge of chelicera is toothless.

Etymology

This species is named after the late eminent Welsh acarologist Gwilym Oven Evans (1924–2017), who conducted his research in the Ruwenzori Mountains and sampled the type specimen of this species.

Material examined

Holotype

UGANDA • ♀; Ruwenzori, Bundibugyo; 0°43′ N, 30°03′ E; 1050 m a.s.l.; 1952; G.O. Evans leg.; NHM.

Description

Male

Unknown.

Female

General appearance as in Fig. 81A–B

MEASUREMENTS. Cephalothorax length 2.3, width 1.8, height 1.0. Eye field length 0.9, anterior and posterior width 1.4. Abdomen length 2.4, width 2.0.

CARAPACE. High, posterior slope steep. Colouration of carapace brown, eye field darker, eyes surrounding by black rings, anterior eyes encircled by faint whitish hairs. Grey hairs on eye field and slopes. A few sharp bristles near eyes and on anterior edge of eye field. Chelicera with short fang thick at base, two small promarginal teeth, retromargin toothless. Clypeus high, with a few grey hairs on it. Endites and labium brownish with pale tips, sternum light brown.

ABDOMEN. Oval, dorsum slightly flattened, variegated, brownish grey with traces of lighter patches medially, clothed in delicate hairs, some brown bristles at anterior margin. Venter yellowish with scattered grey speckles. Spinnerets yellow with grey tips.

LEGS. Yellowish with brown rings at distal end of femora and patellae also at proximal end of tibiae and metatarsi. First and second pair of legs short. Leg hairs and spines brown. Palp yellow, but its tarsus black (Fig. 81C). Short single retromarginal spine on palpal tarsus.

EPIGYNE. With V-shaped posterior edge (Fig. 81D). Copulatory openings placed laterally, far apart, copulatory ducts S-shaped, spermathecae with thin appendix (Fig. 81E).