Trachelas canariensis Wunderlich, 1987

Haddad, Charles R. & Lyle, Robin, 2025, A revision of the genus Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 (Araneae: Trachelidae) in the continental Afrotropical Region, Zootaxa 5673 (4), pp. 451-493 : 463-466

Trachelas canariensis Wunderlich, 1987

Figs 2–5 , 6A, B , 8

Trachelas canariensis Wunderlich, 1987: 238 , figs 636–639 ( ♂ ♀) ( Holotype ♂, together with 3♂ 6♀ paratypes: CANARY ISLANDS: La Gomera, Valle Gran Rey, near beach in Barran Co, VII.1985, leg. J. Wunderlich [detritus in reeds], SMF— not examined); Bosselaers et al. 2009: 22, figs 4, 16–21 ( ♂ ♀); Bosselaers 2010: 23, figs 10–13, 21 ( ♂); Wunderlich 2012: 20, figs 11–14 ( ♂ ♀).

Diagnosis. The male of this species is most similar to that of T. humus sp. nov. in sharing an embolus with a long slender distal section but can be distinguished by the narrower proximal section (almost as broad as the tegulum in T. humus sp. nov.) and the tip of the embolus being directed at 1 o’clock as opposed to 11 o’clock in the latter species (cf. Figs 8A and 13A ). The female of this species can be distinguished from other Afrotropical congeners by the funnel-shaped copulatory ducts that rapidly narrow after the copulatory opening ( Fig. 8C, D ).

Male. Measurements: CL 1.00–1.60, CW 0.83–1.38, AL 1.00–2.50, AW 0.80–1.38, TL 1.90–3.60, FL 0.03– 0.13, SL 0.65–0.90, SW 0.58–0.90, AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.35, PME–PME 0.25, PME– PLE 0.08, PLE–PLE 0.55. Length of leg segments: I 4.23 (1.30, 0.55, 1.05, 0.80, 0.53); II 3.98 (1.13, 0.55, 0.95, 0.83, 0.52); III 2.81 (0.85, 0.38, 0.60, 0.65, 0.33); IV 3.99 (1.13, 0.48, 0.98, 1.00, 0.40).

Carapace reddish-orange; eye region darker, with brown rings around eyes ( Fig. 6A, B ); AME and ALE approximately equal in size; clypeus height equal to approximately AME diameter; AME separated by about one diameter; AME separated from ALE by about 0.2× AME diameter; PLE slightly larger than PME; PME separated by approximately 1.25× their diameter; PME separated from PLE by approximately 0.5× PME diameter. Chelicerae orange, pale orange towards fang base, endites and labium slightly lighter; three promarginal teeth, median tooth largest, distal tooth smallest; two retromarginal teeth, distal tooth largest. Sternum pale yellow, light brown towards borders. Abdomen creamy white to pale yellow dorsally, mottled brown over last 3/4 of abdomen ( Fig. 6A, B ); first pair of sigilla pale brown, anterior to midpoint, second pair slightly darker, posterior to midpoint of abdomen. Legs pale yellow to pale brown; legs I and II more robust, slightly darker than III and IV. Palp pale yellow to brown; retrolateral PA large, triangular, slightly curved; CY pear-shaped; TE oval, slightly more than 1/2 CY length; SP gradually curved, with sharp proximal bend; EM originating prodistally, with proximal section approximately half the width of TE, distal section long, curving clockwise, prodistally from its base, with tip directed at 1 o’clock ( Figs 5A–E , 8A, B ).

Female. Measurements: CL 1.25–1.75, CW 1.10–1.48, AL 1.70–2.40, AW 1.20–1.80, TL 2.95–4.15, FL 0.05– 0.10, SL 0.78–0.90, SW 0.73–0.83, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.05, ALE–ALE 0.28, PME–PME 0.13, PME– PLE 0.08, PLE–PLE 0.45. Length of leg segments: I 3.56 (1.11, 0.48, 0.83, 0.62, 0.52); II 3.28 (1.00, 0.50, 0.78, 0.60, 0.40); III 2.68 (0.80, 0.38, 0.55, 0.65, 0.30); IV 3.97 (1.13, 0.48, 0.98, 0.98, 0.40).

Carapace reddish-brown; eye region brown, dark brown to black rings around eyes ( Fig. 6B ); AME and ALE equal in size; clypeus height equal to approximately AME diameter; AME separated by distance equal to 0.4× their diameter; AME separated from ALE by approximately 0.2× AME diameter; PME slightly larger than PLE; PME separated about one diameter; PME separated from PLE by about 0.7× PME diameter. Chelicerae pale brown, endites and labium slightly lighter; three promarginal teeth, median tooth largest, distal tooth smallest; two retromarginal teeth, distal tooth largest. Sternum pale brown, darker towards border. Abdomen with pale yellow to pale grey dorsum, with pale brown mottling over surface, darker posteriorly above spinnerets [in Ethiopian specimens, with grey sides and chevrons in posterior half; Fig. 6C, D ]. Legs I to IV uniform pale yellow to pale brown; anterior legs slightly more robust, slightly darker than posteriors. Epigyne weakly sclerotised, with broad, arched, anteriorly directed AT housing CO; CD directed anteriorly, bending back sharply before entering large, circular, medially situated ST II, separated by 3/4 their diameter; Cd directed mesally, then posteriorly along midline, making complete loop in thickened posterior section before diverging posterolaterally, entering oval ST I near epigastric fold on their anteromesal margins; ST I separated by about their diameter ( Figs 5F , 8C, D ).

Material examined. ANGOLA: Centro de Estudes de Cela [ 11°12'S, 15°18'E], 16. IV.1972, leg. M.K.P. Meyer (strawberries), 1♂ ( NCA 76 /1887). BOTSWANA: Maun, Boronyane, 19°55'S, 23°25'E, 6. IX.1975, leg. A. Russell-Smith (in rushes in shallow water), 1♂ 1♀ ( BMNH); Maun, Government Camp, House 36, 19°59'S, 23°25'E, I–II.1977, leg. A. Russell-Smith, 1♂ 1♀ ( BMNH); Maun, Island Safari Lodge , 19°55'S, 23°31'E, 29. IX.1975, leg. A. Russell-Smith (riverine forest), 2♀ ( BMNH); Maun, Maphaneng Pan , 19°56'S, 23°25'E, III.1976, leg. F. Wanless & A. Russell-Smith (edge of riverine woodland, ground layer), 3♂ 3♀ ( BMNH); Maun , N of Maphaneng Pan, 19°56'S, 23°25'E, 21.II.1976, leg. F. Wanless & A. Russell-Smith (riverine wood, ground layer), 1♀ ( BMNH); Maun, Okavango, side of Thalamakane River , 19°59'S, 23°30'E, 24.VIII.1975, A. Russell-Smith, 1♀ ( BMNH); Maun, Thamalakane River , 19°59'S, 23°30'E, III.1976, leg. F. Wanless & A. Russell-Smith (floodplain grassland), 5♂ 2♀ ( BMNH); Same locality, 13. III.1971, leg. A. Russell-Smith ( Setaria grassland), 11♂ ( BMNH), 1♂ ( BMNH); Same locality, 5.II.1976, leg. A. Russell-Smith ( Setaria grassland), 2♂ 1♀ ( BMNH); Same locality, 11. IX.1976, leg. A. Russell-Smith ( Setaria grassland), 1♂ 1♀ ( BMNH); Same locality, 25.VII.1975, leg. A. Russell-Smith (grazed Setaria grassland), 13♂ 12♀ ( BMNH); Same locality, 7. III.1976, leg. F. Wanless & A. Russell-Smith, 2♂ 5♀ ( BMNH); Maxwee, Okavango Delta floodplain, 19°28'S, 23°39'E, 1. IV.1975, leg. A. Russell-Smith (grassland), 1♂ 1♀ ( BMNH); Mbomba Lagoon, Okavango Delta , 19°10'S, 23°18'E, 19.XI.1972, leg. A. Russell-Smith (moist Hyparrhenia grassland), 2♀ ( BMNH); Moremi Lagoon , 19°11'S, 23°16'E, 30. VI.2003, leg. A. Russell-Smith ( sweep net), 1♀ ( BMNH); Pom Pom, Okavango Delta , 19°35'S, 22°50'E, 18.VIII.2001, leg. M. Dangerfield (dry riparian vegetation, pit trap 4), 1♂ ( NCA 2001 /419). D. R. CONGO: Bikara, 18 km S of Lubero, Lubéro-Goma Road , 00°15'S, 29°12'E, 2100 m a.s.l., XII.1976, leg. M. Lejeune (dans vieilles tiges de lobélies), 1♂ ( MRAC 159839 ); Face N du Ruwenzori, camp de Kikura, 00°35'N, 29°57'E, 2000 m a.s.l., VII–VIII.1974, leg. M. Lejeune, 1♂ ( MRAC 154732 ); Kivu, Kambaila , 00°10'N, 29°10'E, VI.1973, leg. M. Lejeune, 1♂ ( MRAC 145812 ); Route Lubero-Butembo, région de Lukanga, forêt de Vukengete , 05°01'S, 14°18'E, 2210 m a.s.l., XII.1974 – I.1975, leg. M. Lejeune (mousses couverte de graminés), 1♂ ( MRAC 168091 ); Sake , 01°34'S, 29°02'E, V.1937, leg. J. Ghesquière, 2♂ 2♀ 1 imm. ( MRAC 174292 ). ETHIOPIA: 16 km S of Addis Ababa [ca. 08°50'N, 38°46'E], leg. A. Russell-Smith, 20. VI.1987 (grass tussocks, stream course), 1♀ ( BMNH); Wondo Genet, near Awassa [ca. 07°04'N, 38°37'E], 21.I.1984, leg. A. Russell-Smith (marshy area near hot springs), 1♀ ( BMNH). KENYA: Mt. Kenya , Sirimon track, 00°10'S, 37°20'E, 2550 m a.s.l., 25.VII.1975, leg. R. Bosmans (montane rainforest), 1♂ ( MRAC 161902 ). LESOTHO: Sehlabathebe National Park , 2364 m a.s.l., 29°52.931'S, 29°07.144'E, 10.XI.2002, leg. C. Haddad (under sandstone rocks, montane grassland), 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /1342). RWANDA: Lulana, lac Ihema, 01°55'S, 30°45'E, 6. VI.1969, leg. R. Kiss, 1♂ ( MRAC 159694 ); Bugesera, rives lac Tsohoa , 02°06'S, 30°00'E, X.1957, leg. N. Leleup, 1♀ ( MRAC 97145 ). SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: 17 km NE of Cookhouse , 32°38.160'S, 25°53.755'E, 23. IV.2010, leg. C. Haddad (base of grass tussocks, roadside), 2 imm. 1♀ ( TMSA 23756 ). Free State: Bloemfontein, Bloemendal Estate , 29°03.209'S, 26°12.312'E, 1382 m a.s.l., leg. SCSA members, 18.II.2023, 1♂ ( NCA 2021 /1284); Same locality, Free State National Botanical Gardens , 29°02'S, 26°12'E, 5. V.2008, leg. C. Luwes (base of grass tussocks), 1♀ ( NCA 2008 /2887); Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve , 28°30.431'S, 26°48.547'E, 28.II.2006, leg. C. Haddad (at base of Themeda grass), 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /671); Same locality, Site 7, rocky hillside, 28°29.629'S, 26°48.323'E, 30. IX –28.X.2009, leg. R. Fourie & A. Grobler ( pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2009 /3603); Same locality, Site 8, Themeda grassland, 28°29.804'S, 26°48.503'E, 30. IX –28.X.2009, leg. R. Fourie & A. Grobler ( pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2009 /3606); Same locality, Site 8, Themeda grassland, 28°29.804'S, 26°48.503'E, 31.VIII–30. IX.2009, leg. R. Fourie & A. Grobler ( pitfall traps), 1♂ ( NCA 2009 /3656); Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve , 29°31'S, 25°17'E, 9. IV.2008, leg. L. Lotz (sweeping grass), 1♀ ( NMBA 12080 ). Gauteng: Bronkhorstspruit district, Farm Witfontein , 25°51.982'S, 28°57.895'E, 3. IV.2003, leg. H. Roux (koppie slope, hand collecting), 1♂ ( NCA 2009 /683), 1♀ (S.E.M. preparations); Cullinan, Leeufontein Nature Reserve , 25°21.845'S, 28°36.737'E, 15.II.2002, leg. H. Roux ( pan trap, koppie slope, open woodland), 1♀ ( NCA 2010 /2883); Pretoria / Tshwane, Meyerspark , 25°44'S, 28°18'E, 31.VIII.2002, leg. C. Haddad (on table in garden), 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /1335); Same locality, Rietondale , ARC —Plant Protection Research Institute [ 25°43'S, 28°14'E], 3. IV.2001, leg. A. Russell-Smith (in rough grassland), 1♂ ( BMNH). KwaZulu-Natal: Coastal Cashews, near KwaNgwanase / Manguzi , 27°12'S, 32°35'E, 85 m a.s.l., 12.I.2002, leg. C. Haddad (beats, cashew trees), 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /1336); Drakensberg Mountains, Cathedral Peak Hotel , 28°56.806'S, 29°12.683'E, 1430 m a.s.l., 4.X.2020, leg. R. Booysen & R. Steenkamp (hand collecting, at hotel gate), 1♂ ( NCA 2021 /1106); Hluhluwe Reserve , 28°05'S, 32°02'E, 900 ft a.s.l., 1. VI.1985, leg. C.E. Griswold, 1♂ ( NMSA); Loteni Nature Reserve , 29°28'S, 29°31'E, 24.XII.1978, leg. A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman (sweeping), 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /1518), 2♂ (S.E.M. preparations); Ndumo Game Reserve, South Boundary Fence , 26°55.6'S, 32°19.0'E, 13. VI.2005, leg. C. Haddad ( Commiophora harveyi bark), 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /1337); Tembe Elephant Park, Pioneer grassland, 27°01.470'S, 32°24.346'E, 5.XII.2009, leg. C. Haddad (base of grass tussocks), 3♂ 1♀ ( TMSA 23732 ); 75 km WSW of Estcourt, Cathedral Peak Forest Station, Meteorological station, Little Berg [ 28°56'S, 29°13'E], 1860 m a.s.l., 21–31.XII.1979, leg. S. & J. Peck ( Malaise trough, veld), 1♂ ( AMNH). Limpopo: Sterkfontein [ 25°02'S, 29°36'E], 10. IV.1976, leg. A. Russell-Smith (marshy areas near stream), 1♀ ( BMNH); Tuinplaas, Springbokvlakte, Settlers Lodge , 24°54'S, 28°43'E, 29. V.2001, leg. M. van Jaarsveld (grass, pitfalls), 1♂ ( NCA 2003 /1358); 5 km from Warmbaths , 24°53'S, 28°17'E, 17.II.1977, leg. I. Vosloo (sweepnet, grass), 1♂ ( NCA 77 /471). Mpumalanga: Badplaas, Emboleni Game Reserve , 25°56'S, 30°33'E, 28. III.2001, leg. A. Russell-Smith (in litter in woodland), 1♀ (S.E.M. preparations); Delmas district, Farm Rietvallei , 26°05'S, 28°32'E, 28. IV.2005, leg. M. van Jaarsveld ( pitfall traps, Bacillus thuringiensis maize), 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /1558); Same locality, 26°05'S, 28°34'E, 28. IV.2005, leg. M. van Jaarsveld ( pitfall traps, unsprayed maize), 1♀ ( NCA 2006 /1556); Marble Hall , 24°57'S, 29°17'E, 3. V.2002, leg. M. Mellett ( Bacillus thuringiensis cotton survey, pit traps), 1♀ ( NCA 2004 /1334). Northern Cape: Douglas Holiday Resort , 29°01'S, 23°53'E, 15. IV.1997, leg. E. van den Berg et al. (veldgrass), 1♂ ( NCA 97 /494); Green Valley Nuts, Prieska , 29°35'S, 22°56'E, 20. IX.2001, leg. C. Haddad (under cut grass, ground covers), 1♂ 1♀ ( NCA 2002 /480); Same locality, 28.I.2001, leg. C. Haddad, 2♂ 3♀ ( NCA 2009 /656). North West: Hartebeespoort Navigation Station , 25°44'S, 27°51'E, 28.XI.1984, leg. E. Ueckerman (on grass), 1♂ ( NCA 85 /92); Brits , 25°37'S, 27°46'E, I–II.1988, leg. A. van den Berg (cotton, whole plant method), 1♂ 3♀ ( NCA 89 /550). Western Cape: Riviersonderend , 34°09'S, 19°55'E, leg. A.J. Prins (in cow dung), 1♂ ( SAMC ENW-C003370 ). UGANDA: Rukungiri district, Kitahurita Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , 00°15'S, 29°41'E, ca. 1740 m a.s.l., 18–20. IX.1996, leg. C.E. Griswold, 1♂ ( CAS).

Distribution. Widely distributed in central, eastern and southern Africa ( Fig. 9 ). Considering the species has not yet been recorded in West Africa, it is plausible that it may have been introduced from continental Africa to the Canary Islands, from where it was originally described ( Wunderlich 1987), or vice versa.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Scanning electron micrographs of Trachelas canariensis, female (A, B, D, F–L) and male (C, E): A Carapace, dorsal view; B Detail of carapace integument and setae; C Eye region, anterior view; D Same, dorsal view; E, F Distal end of chelicerae, anterior (E) and posterior (F) views, arrows indicating three promarginal teeth; G, H Posterior of cheliceral paturon, arrow indicating modified seta (G) and rectangle including field of pores near proximal retromarginal tooth (H); I Endites and labium; J Detail of endite serrula and mesal hair tuft; K Sternum and mouthparts; L Enlargement of sternum, arrows indicating slit sensilla.

FIGURE 3. Scanning electron micrographs of Trachelas canariensis, female (A–G) and male (H–K): A Palpal claw; B Patellar indentation and lyriform organ, leg IV; C Same, detail of lyriform organ; D Tibia I, ventral view; E Metatarsus I, ventral view; F Metatarsus IV, ventral view; G Tarsus I, dorsal view; H Tibia I, prolateral view; I Tibia II, prolateral view; J Metatarsus I, prolateral view; K Tarsus I, prolateral view. Abbreviations: CS—chemosensory setae; SS—scopulate setae; TO—tarsal organ; TR—trichobothria.

FIGURE 4. Scanning electron micrographs of Trachelas canariensis, female (A–E, J–L) and male (F–I): A Metatarsus IV, lateral, detail of preening brush and distal comb; B, C Tarsus I, bases of dorsal (B) and lateral (C) trichobothria; D Same, tarsal organ; E, F Same, claws and claw tufts, dorsal (E) and lateral (F) views; G, J Anterior lateral spinnerets; H, K Posterior median spinnerets; I, L Posterior lateral spinnerets. Abbreviations: Ac—aciniform gland spigot(s); Cy—cylindrical gland spigot(s); mAmp—minor ampullate gland spigot; MAmp—major ampullate gland spigot; Nu—nubbin; Pi—piriform gland spigot(s); Ta—tartipore.

FIGURE 5. Scanning electron micrographs of Trachelas canariensis, male (A–E) and female (F): A Palpal femur, retrolateral view; B Patella, dorsal view; C Same, ventral view, rectangle enclosing lyriform organ (D); E Palpal patella, tibia and tarsus, ventral view; F Epigyne, ventral view. Abbreviations: EM—embolus; TA—tegular apophysis.

FIGURE 6. Dorsal habitus of Afrotropical Trachelas species: A–D T. canariensis, males from Bloemfontein (A) and Pretoria (B) and females from Ethiopia (C, D); E, F T. chubbi, male (E) and female (F) from Kihanga; G, H T. falsus sp. nov., male (G) and female (H) from Thendele; I, J T. humus sp. nov., male (I) and female (J) from Thendele; K, L T. leggi sp. nov., male (K) and female (L) from Cape Town. Scale bars: 1 mm.

FIGURE 8. Genitalic morphology of Trachelas canariensis: A Male palp, ventral view; Same, retrolateral view; C Epigyne, ventral view; D Same, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm. Abbreviations: AT—atrium; CD—copulatory duct; Cd—connecting duct; CO—copulatory opening; EM—embolus; FD—fertilization duct; PA—patellar apophysis; SP—sperm duct; ST I— primary spermatheca; ST II—secondary spermatheca; TA—tegular apophysis.

FIGURE 9. Distribution of Trachelas canariensis (yellow circles) and T. chubbi (blue circles) in the continental Afrotropical Region.

FIGURE 13. Genitalic morphology of Trachelas humus sp. nov.: A Male palp, ventral view; B Same, retrolateral view; C Epigyne, ventral view; D Same, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm. Abbreviations: AT—atrium; CD—copulatory duct; Cd— connecting duct; CO—copulatory opening; EM—embolus; FD—fertilization duct; PA—patellar apophysis; SP—sperm duct; ST I—primary spermatheca; ST II—secondary spermathecae; TA—tegular apophysis.