Rothus aethiopicus ( Pavesi, 1883 )

Cruz Da Silva, Estevam L. & Sierwald, Petra, 2015, First description of the male of Rothus vittatus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Pisauridae), with a review of the African nursery web spider genus Rothus Simon, 1898, African Invertebrates 56 (2), pp. 325-342 : 327-334

Rothus aethiopicus ( Pavesi, 1883)

Figs 2–23

Ocyale aethiopicus Pavesi, 1883: 71 (♂ Lectotype and 2♀ paralectotypes, nearly adult and adult designated herein).

Rothus purpurissatus Simon, 1898 b: 14 ; Blandin 1977: 546, figs 10–12, 15–27, 31; Levy 1999: 60, figs 34A–B, 35A–B. Syn. n.

Rothus magnus Caporiacco, 1940: 784 , fig. 7 (figures of ♂ and ♀ copulatory organs). Syn. n.

Diagnosis: The males of R. aethiopicus resemble those of R. vittatus in the elongated bulbus and embolus ( Figs 15, 39), but can be distinguished by the very short distal tegular projection (DTP) and by the presence of a small projection near the tip of the median apophysis (MA) ( Figs 12, 15). Females can be distinguished from those of R. vittatus ( Fig. 31) and R. auratus ( Fig. 47) by the deep excavation on the middle field of the epigynum ( Fig. 8), the almost circular trajectory of the lateral lobes, and by the elongated and curved copulatory ducts ( Fig. 9). Specimens of R. aethiopicus are mostly larger than those of R. vittatus (see below under Variation).

Redescription:

Female.

Measurements: Female paralectotype ( Ethiopia, Shoa). Total length: 11.0, Prosoma 4.2 long, 3.3 wide; subadult female paralectotype ( Ethiopia, Keren). Total length 11.3, Prosoma 4.8 long, 3.7 wide.

Female ( South Africa, NCA 87/360).Total length 14.93. Prosoma 6.5 long, 5.4 wide, with two lateral light brown bands demarcated by narrow darker lines, and central light brown band ( Fig. 2). Clypeus light brown, 0.48 high ( Fig. 3). Anterior eye row straight, 1.80 wide ( Fig. 3); posterior row recurved, 2.14 wide ( Fig. 2). Eye measurements:AME 0.24, ALE 0.40, PME 0.42, PLE 0.46; AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.38, PME–PME 0.36, PME–PLE 0.50, OQA 0.66, OQP 1.20, OQH 1.12. Chelicerae light brown with white bristles ( Fig. 3). Sternum with median yellow band, bristly; 3.1 long, 2.7 wide ( Fig. 4). Labium dark brown, light brown distally, 0.7 long, 1.1 wide ( Fig. 4). Legs light brown, femora and patellae ventrally dark greyish brown, relative length: IV-I-II-III, I – femur 7.00/ patella-tibia 9.80/ metatarsus 6.40/ tarsus 4.00/ total 27.20; II – 7.10/ 8.90/ 6.50/ 3.90/ 26.40; III – 6.00/ 7.20/ 5.60/ 3.00/ 21.80; IV – 7.90/ 9.10/ 7.70/ 3.40/ 28.10. Ventral pairs of macrosetae on tibiae: I-4; II-4; III-3; IV-3. Opisthosoma 7.3 long, dark brown, with median yellow-brown, sinuous band ( Fig. 2). Venter light brown with two thin dark brown median lines from the epigastric furrow ( Fig. 4). Spinnerets ( Figs 18–23): Anterior lateral spinnerets (ALS) with several piriform (Pi) spigot glands ( Fig. 19) and with pair of well-developed minor ampullate spigot glands (mAP) ( Fig. 20). Posterior median spinnerets (PMS) with a developed minor ampullate spigot glands (mAP) ( Figs 21, 22). Posterior lateral spinnerets (PLS): spigots not visible ( Fig. 23). Epigynum with a wide and deeply excavated middle field (MF) ( Fig. 8), excavation nearly reaching epigastric furrow. Copulatory ducts (CD) elongated and curved ( Fig. 9). Head of the spermathecae short and rounded ( Figs 9, 10).

Variation: Females (N=10) range from 5.0– 6.9 mm in prosoma length, with an average of 5.78. The body coloration is variable; animals may be light coloured or much darker; bands and lines vary in intensity.

Male.

Measurements: Male lectotype ( Ethiopia, Keren). Total length 11.2, Prosoma 5.0 long, 4.0 wide.

Male ( South Africa, NCA 77/795). Total length 11.5, Prosoma 5.1 long, 4.3 wide, light brown with two wide lateral whitish bands ( Fig. 5). Clypeus light brown, 0.34 high ( Fig. 6). Anterior eye row straight, 1.22 wide ( Fig. 6); posterior recurved, 1.60 wide ( Fig. 5). Eye diameters, interdistances, and median ocular quadrangle:AME 0.20, ALE 0.28, PME 0.32, PLE 0.36;AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.14, PME–PME 0.22, PME– PLE 0.30, OQA 0.48, OQP 0.90, OQH 0.74. Chelicerae light brown with white bristles ( Fig. 6). Sternum light brown, bristly; 2.1 long, 1.7 wide ( Fig. 7). Labium dark brown, light brown distally, 0.33 long, 0.5 wide ( Fig. 7). Legs light brown, relative length: IV-I-II-III, I – femur 6.90/ patella-tibia 8.70/ metatarsus 7.00/ tarsus 3.90/ total 26.50; II – 6.50/ 8.00/ 6.80/ 3.70/ 25.00; III – 5.50/ 6.50/ 6.00/ 2.50/ 20.50; IV – 7.00/ 7.90/ 7.40/ 3.10/ 25.40. Ventral pairs of macrosetae on tibiae: I-4; II-4; III-3; IV-3. Opisthosoma 6.9 long, light brown with a dark brown band at the anterior portion ( Fig. 5). Venter light brown with thin dark brown median band ( Fig. 7). Cymbium 2.4 long. Palpus with an elongated bulbus ( Figs 12–15). Median apophysis short ( Fig. 12), with small projection near tip ( Figs 14, 15). Embolus elongated ( Fig. 16). Conductor elongated ( Figs 12, 15). Retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA) elongated and with divided tip ( Fig. 17).

Variation: Males (N=11) range from 4.8 to 5.8 in prosoma length, with an average of 5.3. Type material: the syntypes of Ocyale aethiopicus Pavesi, 1883 were examined, and subsequently designated as the following: Lectotype ♂: ERITREA: Anseba, Keren , Bogos [Keren coordinates: 15°46'N 38°27'E], leg. O. Beccari, vii.1870 ( MSNG) ; Paralectotypes: nearly adult ♀: Same data as lectotype ♂ ( MSNG) ; Adult ♀: ETHIOPIA: Shewa region , Shoa (previously Scioa), Daimbi (near Addis Ababa), leg. O.Antinori, v.1879 ( MSNG) .

Rothus purpurissatus Simon, 1898 b : Holotype (not examined): ♀ ERITREA: Keren, coll. Schweinfurth [15°46'N, 38°27'E] ( MNHN 3254 ).

Rothus magnus Caporiacco, 1940 (not examined): Syntypes: ETHIOPIA: Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (= SNNPR), Lago Abaya [previously Lago Regina Margherita ] (♂ [Stazione 66, 5. i.1938], ♀ [Stazione 61b, 4.i.1938], and eight subadult syntypes) .

Other material examined: KENYA: Lake Nakuru National Park , campsite in yellow fever forest [00°59'S 36°05'E], 12–14.v.1975, A.J. Penniman, 1♀ ( AMNH) . NAMIBIA: Caprivi strip, Popa Falls [17°49'S 23°55'E], 17.xii.2006, R. Lyle, 1♀ (NCA 2010/2474) . SENEGAL: Dakar peninsula, v.1945, 2 juv. ♀ ( AMNH) . SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: Cwebe Nature Reserve [32°17'S 26°25'E], 30.x.2006, C. Haddad & R. Lyle, 1♀ (NCA 2007/336) ; Mountain Zebra National Park [32°10'S 25°50'E], 23.iii.1976, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♀ (NCA 76/612) ; Wilgerskloof Farm, Bamboesberg , W Sterkstroom [31°49'S 26°11'E], 19.i.2007, M. Burger, 2♀ (NCA 2009/1236) . Free State: Clocolan, Mpetsane Conservation Estate [28°26'S 28°27E], 8.iii.2007, C. Haddad, 5♂, 3♀ (NCA 2007/1664, 2007/1655, 2007/1656) ; same locality, 17.iii.2010, C. Haddad, 3♂ (NCA 2010/340) ; Harrismith , in house [28°16'S 29°08'E], 13.xii.2005, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2006/121) . Gauteng: Bedfordview, Johannesburg [26°10'S 28°11'E], 9.ii.2009, R. Pienaar, 1♂ (NCA 2010/1956) ; Brakpan [26°14'S 28°00'E], 5.xi.2008, V.Hamilton-Attwell, 1♂ (NCA 2010/1581) ; Bucchleau, Johannesburg [25°59'S 28°14'E], in house, 8.viii.1988, C. Cook, 1♂ (NCA 1988/801) ; Hatfield, Pretoria , compost pile [25.748°S 28.238°E], 14.iii.1987, L. van Heerden, 1♀ (NCA 1989/29) ; Johannesburg [26°10'S 27°58'E], in house, J. Evans, 1♂ (NCA 1987/76) ; Kempton Park, Johannesburg ( Esther Park , Otter Street ) [26°05'S 28°14'E], 15.ix.2007, W. Schmidt, 1♀ (NCA 2008/3324) ; Parktown North, Johannesburg [26°08'S 28°01'E], in house, 18.i.1987, M. Filmer, 1♂ (NCA 1987/186) ; Pretoria [25°44'S 28°11'E], 20.xii.1984, H. van Ark, 1♂ (NCA 1985/60) ; same locality, xii.1987, S. Neser, 1♀ (NCA 1987/964) ; Pretoria National Botanical Garden [25°44'S 28°17'E], 24.xi.2007, E. Kassimatis, 1♂, 2♀ (NCA 2010/2583) ; Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg [26°09'S 27°59'E], inside house, 20.iii.1989, L. Prendini, 1♀ (NCA 198/513) ; Roodepoort, Johannesburg [26°27'S 28°06'E], 17.xi.1996, J. Leroy, 1♀ (NCA 2007/2673) ; Rietondale Research Station [25°45'S 28°11'E], 2.iii.1996, A. Nel, 1♀ (NCA 2007/2712) ; same locality, 15.xi.1998, C. Otto, 1♀ (NCA 2007/2714) ; same locality, 9.i.1998, J. Nkwana, 1♀ (NCA 2007/2715) ; Tshwane / Pretoria [25°41'S 28°09'E], 19.v.2007, L. Eksteen, 1♀ (NCA 2008/152) ; same locality, 12.ii.1996, B. Sunkel, 1♀ (NCA 2010/1462) . KwaZulu-Natal: KwaZulu-Natal [28°31'S 30°53'E], 1♂ (NCA 1983/389) ; Lake Midmar [29°30'S 30°10'E], 6.i.1991, V.D. & B. Roth, 3♀, 1♂ ( CASENT 9046700 ); Ndumo Game Reserve [28°37'S 30°55'E], 5.i.2007, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2007/3032) . Limpopo: Lajuma [23°29'S 29°23'E], 9.x.2002, N. Schonhofer, 1♂ (NCA 2007/2652) . Mpumalanga: Delmas [27°06'S, 29°20'E], funnelweb in grass, E.T. Rossouw, 1♀ , with egg sac (NCA 1991/210); Lowveld National Botanical Gardens [25°36'S 30°36'E], 25.i.2002, A. Leroy, 1♀ (NCA 2008/2668) ; Lydenburg, Provincial Fisheries Garden [25°10'S 30°29'E], 28.xii.1986, M. Filmer, 1♀ (NCA 1987/185) ; Nelspruit [25°30'S 30°58'E], xii.1986, Petersen, 1♀ (NCA 2001/488) ; Piet Retief, Grandopp [27°00'S 30°48'E], xii.1976, L. Klingenberg, 1♂ , 1 sa ♀ (NCA 1977/795); Wakkerstroom [27°21'S 30°09'E], 14.xii.2003, E. Kassimatis, 1♀ (NCA 2010/2475) ; same locality, 14.xii.2003, E. Kassimatis, 4♀ (NCA 2009/1402, 2009/1403, 2009/1404) . Northern Cape: Nieuwoudtville [29°02'S 21°51'E], 20.xii.2000, A. Leroy, 1♂ (NCA 2007/2675) . North West: Halfweghuis [26°27'S 26°56'E], 29.x.1975, R. Swanepoel, 1♂, 1 juv. ♀ (NCA 1976/627) ; Makwassie [27°19'S 27°10'E], 16.iv.2009, P. Marais, 1♀ (NCA 2009/1479) ; Mooivalleipark, Potchefstroom [26°43'S 27°09'E], 22.x.2009, V. Hamilton-Attwell, 1♀ (NCA 2010/4909) . Western Cape: Borrelfontein , 8 km W of Gouritz Mouth [34°22'S 22°30'E], 1.v.2008, H. Leibel, 1♂ (NCA 2010/455) ; Cederberg Wilderness Area 8.1, 1325 m, E. [32°24'S 19°14'E], 9.iii.2005, E. Nortje & S. Kritzinger-Klopper, 1♀ (NCA 2011/2767) ; De Hoop Nature Reserve, Koppie Alleen cottage [33°12'S 21°51'E], 4.iv.2004, C. Haddad, 1♀ (NCA 2007/3435) ; Gamkaskloof [33°13'S, 22°09'E], 1.v.2004, Z. van der Walt, 1♀ (NCA 2009/4097) ; Gouritsmond [33°50'S 19°50'E], 4.iii.2007, H. Leibel, 1♂ (NCA 2008/18) ; Matjiesfontein [33°14'S 20°35'E], 9.ii.2007, M. Burger, 1♀ (NCA 2010/2484) ; Oudtshoorn [33°35'S 22°13'E], 15.XI.2008, Z. van der Walt, 1♂ (NCA 2009/5890) . ZAMBIA: Luangwa Valley, 8 km north of Luambe Game Reserve [15°37'S 30°24'E], 1.viii.1978, M. Stiller, 1♂ (NCA 2000/299) . ZIMBABWE: Harare [17°51'S 31°02'E], 8.xi.2004, M. Cumming, 1♀ (NCA 2010/4787).

Remarks: In his revision of Rothus, Blandin (1977: 552) examined all type specimens available to him and synonymised the following species under R. purpurissatus :

R. catenulatus Simon, 1898 b: 15 , R. lineatus Pocock, 1902: 16 , plate 3, fig. 2, R. upembanus Roewer, 1955: 209 , figs 80a‒b, R. pictus Roewer, 1955: 210 , figs 81a‒e, R. mossamedesus Roewer, 1955: 214 , figs 82a‒b, and R. vestitus Roewer, 1955: 217 , figs 83a‒b. Blandin also provided figures for the male (Blandin 1977: figs 15, 17) and female (Blandin 1977: figs 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27) copulatory organs of all examined type specimens.The identity of the female type specimen of R. purpurissatus is unmistakable based on Blandin’s illustrations.After examining the lectotype and paralectotypes of R. aethiopicus , we determine that these are conspecific with R. purpurissatus . Although the deposition of the syntypes of R. magnus could not be determined and the type specimens were not examined, Caporiacco’s figures of the male palp and the female epigynum allow unequivocal identification of his syntypes. Therefore, R. purpurissatus and R. magnus are considered junior subjective synonyms of R. aethiopicus . Citation and synonymy lists for all Rothus species are provided in the World Spider Catalog (2014).

Distribution: Apparently widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara: Senegal to Kenya, southwards including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa (Limpopo, Free State, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape) ( Fig. 1).