Tusitala barbata Peckham & Peckham, 1902

Azarkina, Galina N. & Foord, Stefan H., 2015, A review of three Tusitala (Araneae: Salticidae) species from southern Africa, with a new synonymy and description of a new species from Botswana, African Invertebrates 56 (2), pp. 285-308 : 293-299

Tusitala barbata Peckham & Peckham, 1902

Figs 6, 8, 11, 31–58

Tusitala barbata Peckham & Peckham, 1902: 330 (♂, not examined); Peckham & Peckham 1903: 243, pl. 28, fig. 2; Simon 1903: 802, figs 940–943; Berland & Millot 1941: 395; PrÓszyŃski 1984: 149; Haddad et al. 2005: 36; WesoŁowska & Cumming 2008: 222, figs 192–195; WesoŁowska & Haddad 2009: 92 (in part).

Monclovia braunii Peckham & Peckham, 1902: 331 (♀, not examined).

Tusitala emertoni Lessert, 1925: 514 , figs 98–100 (♂ ♀, not examined).

Tusitala barbata longipalpis Lessert, 1925: 517 , figs 101–103 (♂, not examined); Caporiacco 1940: 867, fig. 57 (♀, not examined) syn. n.

Tusitala guineensis Berland & Millot, 1941 : Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2005: 13 (in part, misidentification).

Diagnosis: T. barbata resembles T. hirsuta . The male can be distinguished by the shape of the palp — tegular basal process pointed down ( Figs 31, 32) instead of pointed retrolaterally in T. hirsuta ( Fig. 60); base of embolus located on prolateral edge of tegulum ( Figs 31, 32, 48–50) as opposed to ventro-retrolaterally in T. hirsuta ( Figs 79–81). The female can be distinguished by the structure of the spermathecae, characterised by insemination ducts with one coil ( Figs 37–42) instead of two, as in T. hirsuta ( Figs 61–67).

Description:

Male.

Measurements: Carapace: 1.90–3.30 long, 1.50–2.65 wide, 1.20–1.90 high.Abdomen: 2.20–3.40 long, 1.50–2.20 wide. Eye field: 1.00–1.50 long, anterior 1.45–2.25 wide, posterior 1.50–2.30 wide. Chelicerae length 0.90–2.30. Clypeus height 0.10–0.30. Diameter of AME 0.40–0.65. Length of leg segments (medium sized male from Free State, NMBA 15873): I 2.50 + 1.65 + 2.70 + 2.30 + 0.90; II 1.80 + 1.10 + 1.40 + 1.20 + 0.70; III 2.00 + 1.00 + 1.25 + 1.40 + 0.60; IV 1.80 + 0.90 + 1.30 + 1.40 + 0.60.

Leg spination: I: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-0-1-1, rt 0-0-1-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-0-1ap, v 2-0-2ap. II: Fm 0-d 1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, rt 0-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1, v 2-2ap. III: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v

1-0-2ap; Mt pr 1-0-2, rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap. IV: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap.

Coloration ( Figs 43–47, 51, 52): Carapace brown, with dark brown ocular area and two wide dark brown longitudinal stripes, with black patches around eyes ( Figs 43–46), covered with transparent-white hairs. Sternum yellow, with two lateral brown stripes. Labium and maxillae dark brown, yellow apically ( Fig. 47). Chelicerae yellow to redbrown, with very long spines on prolateral surface ( Figs 51, 53, 54). Clypeus yellow to yellow-brown, covered with long sparse white hairs ( Fig. 52).Abdomen yellow, ventrally with brown longitudinal stripe ( Fig. 47), dorsally with two parallel longitudinal dark brown stripes and median short brown longitudinal stripe in frontal part of abdomen ( Figs 43–45). Spinnerets dark brown. Booklungs grey-yellow. Femora and patellae proximally yellow, distally brown. Tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of all legs brown. Palps yellow to brown-yellow. Palpal structure as in Figs 31–33, 48–50.

Female.

Carapace: 2.20–2.50 long, 1.70–2.00 wide, 1.05 high. Abdomen: 2.10–3.30 long, 1.65–2.50 wide. Eye field: 1.10–1.20 long, anterior 1.60–1.80 wide, posterior 1.70– 2.00 wide. Chelicerae length 0.70–0.80. Clypeus height 0.10–0.15. Diameter of AME 0.50–0.55. Length of leg segments (female from Limpopo Province, NCA 2012/4044): I 1.30 + 0.80 + 0.90 + 0.80 + 0.50; II 1.30 + 0.80 + 0.70 + 0.70 + 0.50; III 1.50 + 0.80 + 0.90 + 1.00 + 0.55; IV 1.50 + 0.75 + 1.00 + 1.10 + 0.60.

Leg spination: I: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr 1 or pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1ap, v 2-2ap. II: Fm d 0-1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, v 1-1-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1, v

2-2ap. III: Fm d 1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr 1-0-2, rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap. IV: Fm d 1-1-3; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap.

Coloration ( Figs 55–58): Similar to male, but abdominal pattern not as clear and variegated ( Fig. 55). Structure of epigyne and spermathecae as in Figs 34–42.

Material examined: ANGOLA: Huíla Prov.: Humpata, ca. 15°01'S 13°22'E, on figs, 11.iv.1972, M.K.P. Meyer, 1♂ (NCA 76/1915). BOTSWANA: North­West /Ngamiland District: Botetle [=Botletle, =Boteti] River, 10 km S of Maun, ca. 20°01'S 23°24'E, sweeping in riverine woodland, 5.iii.1976, F. Wanless & A. Russell-Smith, 2♂ (PCARS); Maun , ca. 19°59'S 23°25'E, riverine woodland, tree trunks, 18.iii.1976, A. Russell-Smith, 1♂ ( PCARS) ; same, riverine forest, 24.x.1975, A. Russell-Smith, 2♀ ( PCARS) ; Mboma North , ca. 19°11'S 23°16'E, sweeping in grassland, 14.iii.1976, A. Russell-Smith, 1♂ ( PCARS) ; Okavango Delta, near Shakawe, Lesideng Research Camp , 18°25'S 21°53'E, beating shrubs, riverine forest, 10–20. xii.2006, R. Lyle, 1♀ ( NCA 2010 /1243) ; Okavango Delta, PomPom Camp , ca. 19°22'S 22°40'E, Tsetse trials, sweeping, vii.2001, E. Kassimatis, 1♂ ( NCA 2009 /5696) ; Shorobe Lagoon , ca. 19°45'S 23°45'E, floodplain, grassland, pitfall traps, viii.1975, A. Russell-Smith, 1♀ ( PCARS) . NAMIBIA: Kavango East Region: Caprivi Strip, Popa Falls , 18°07'S 21°34'E, beating shrubs, riverine forest, 17.xii.2006, R. Lyle, 1♀ ( NCA 2010 /1218) . SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Prov.: ca. 7 km S of Hogsback on R345, 32°38'S 26°55'E, canopy fogging, isolated tree, roadside, 715 m, 1.x.2011, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♀ ( NCA 2012 /1644) ; Fort Beaufort, Mountain View Lodge , 32°39'S 26°32'E, canopy fogging on Celtis africana , 560 m, 3.x.2011, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♂ ( NCA 2012 /1701) ; Grahamstown, Cross Street , 33°18'S 26°31'E, garden, 20.x.1978, M. Dacombe, 1♂ ( NCA 83 /505) ; Jeffrey’s Bay, Humansdorp , 34°03'S 24°55'E, 11.xii.1993, L. Lotz, 1♂ ( NMBA 08062 ) ; Kenton-on-Sea , ca. 33°40'S 26°40'E, active search, on bark of paw-paw tree, 4.viii.1979, P. Croeser, 1♂ ( NCA 91 /974) ; Mazeppa Bay , 32°28'S 28°39'E, beating Acacia , behind dunes, 28.x.2006, R. Lyle, 1♀ ( NCA 2007 /193) ; Suurberg Pass on R335, near Addo, 33°20'S 25°45'E, canopy fogging, Afromontane forest , 545 m, 6.xii.2011, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♀ ( NCA 2012 /1667) ; Uitenhage, Springs Resort , 33°42'S 25°26'E, night hunting, 19.i.2004, L. Lotz, 1♂ ( NMBA 09195 ) . Free State Prov.: Bloemfontein, Free State National Botanical Gardens , 29°03'S 26°13'E, canopy fogging on Searsia lancea and Olea europaea , 11.ii.2011, C. Haddad, 14♂ 1♀ ( NMBA 15873 ) ; same locality, beats, O. europaea , 28.ii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♂ ( NMBA 16101 ) ; same locality, beats, Acacia karroo , 31.i.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♀ ( NMBA 16080 ) ; same locality, beats, A. karroo , 31.iii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♀ ( NMBA 16086 ) ; same locality, beats, O. europaea , 31.iii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 2♀ ( NMBA 16105 ) ; same locality, beats, S. lancea , 31.iii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 3♀ ( NMBA 16126 ) ; same locality, beats, Buddleja saligna , 30.x.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♂ 2♀ ( NMBA 16146 ) ; same locality, 29°03'S 26°12'E, beats, O. europaea , 30.xi.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♀ ( NMBA 16113 ) ; same locality, beats, O. europaea , 31.xii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♂ ( NMBA 16116 ) ; Sandveld Nat. Res., Hoopstad , 27°41'S 25°41'E, under Eucalyptus bark, 14.x.2003, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NMBA 14126 ) ; same locality, 27°41'S 25°42'E, beating, 17–18.iii.2008, L. Lotz, 1♂ ( NMBA 11799 ) ; same locality, 27°40'S 25°43'E, beating, 18.iii.2008, L. Lotz, 1♂ ( NMBA 11965 ) ; same locality, beating, 18.iii.2008, L. Lotz, 1♂ ( NMBA 11972 ) ; Soetdoring Nat. Res., Bloemfontein , ca. 28°50'S 26°03'E, under rocks, grassland, 27.iv.2004, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NCA 2008 /474) ; Tussen-die-Riviere Nat. Res., Bethulie , 30°29'S 26°11'E, pitfall traps, riverine bush, 13–16.x.2008, L. Lotz, C. Haddad, 1♀ ( NMBA 12579 ) ; same locality, beating, riverine bush, 15.x.2008, L. Lotz, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NMBA 12792 ) ; same locality, beating, riparian bush, 14.iv.2012, University of the Free State students, 2♂ 1♀ ( NMBA 16343 ) . Gauteng Prov.: Groenkloof Nat. Res., Pretoria / Tshwane , 25°47'S 28°12'E, by hand, 1.x.2013, P. Webb, 1♂ 1♀ ( NCA 2014 /994) ; Pretoria / Tshwane, Roodeplaat Campus , 25°36'S 28°21'E, fogging on A. karroo , 10.xi.2012, M. Stiller, 1♂ ( NCA 2013 /5331) ; Pretoria / Tshwane, Serene Valley , 25°47'S 28°17'E, Malaise trap, 28.xi.2012, C. Martin, 1♂ ( NCA 2014 /2078) . KwaZulu­Natal Prov.: Ndumo Game Res. , 26°51'S 32°12'E, 10.xii.1994, L. Lotz, 1♂ 1♀ ( NMBA 06895 ) ; same locality, S shore of Hotwe Pan , 26°52'S 32°18'E, A. xanthophloea bark, 10.vii.2004, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NCA 2008 /637) ; same data, 7.ii.2006, C. Haddad, 2♀ ( NCA 2008 /641) ; same data, 22.vi.2006, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NCA 2008 /648) ; same locality, Main Camp , 26°54'S 32°18'E, broadleaf woodland, leaf litter, 20.vi.2005, C. Haddad, 1♂ 1♀ ( NCA 2008 /983) ; same locality, pan, Malaise trap, grassy floodplain, 9.xii.2009, A.H. Kirk-Spriggs, 1♀ ( NMBA 16769 ) ; same locality, Shokwe Pan , 26°52'S 32°18'E, A. xanthophloea bark, 30.i.2014, C. Haddad, 1♀ ( NCA 2013 /5166) ; same locality, SW shore of Banzi Pan , 26°53'S 32°16'E, A. xanthophloea bark, 23.i.2006, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NCA 2008 /1846) ; same data, 1♀ ( NCA 2008 /1849) ; Ophathe Game Res., Ombesanoni River bed, 28°23'S 31°23'E, beats, short shrubs, 455 m, 2.x.2008, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NCA 2008 /4165) ; Pongola, Vergelegen Farm , ca. 27°33'S 31°40'E, beating A. tortilis , 20.v.1968, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♂ ( NCA 98 /681) ; same locality, xii.1968, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♂ ( NCA 98 /680) ; Pongola, N2 Roadside , 27°21'S 31°46'E, canopy fogging, sugarcane and citrus plantations, Ficus sycomorus , 195 m, 20.v.2012, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♂ ( NCA 2013 /101) ; Pongolapoort, Esikhotheni Lodge , 27°29'S 31°55'E, canopy fogging on A. tortilis , 254 m, 20.v.2012, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♂ 1♀ ( NCA 2012 /5749) ; Pongola Nat. Res., Vergeval farm, 27°28'S 31°40'E, beating A. tortilis , xi.1967, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♂ ( NCA 98 /683) ; Tembe Elephant Park , ca. 27°01'S 32°25'E, beating shrubs, sand forest, 8.i.2002, C. Haddad, 1♀ ( NCA 2006 /1426) . Limpopo Prov.: Blouberg Nat. Res., Polokwane , 22°59'S 29°07'E, branch beating, Spyrostachys africana , 30.xi.2005, S. Foord, 1♀ ( NCA 2009 /2340) ; same data, I. Sinthumule, 1♀ ( NCA 2009 /2337) ; same locality, branch beating, Philenoptera violaceae , 25.iii.2006, F. Maanda, 1♀ ( NCA 2009 /2339) ; Kruger Nat. Park , ca. 23°11'S 31°43'E, 6.v.2006, M. Cumming, 1♂ ( NCA 2006 /157) ; Louis Trichardt, Little Leigh , 22°56'S 29°52'E, branch beating, Pterocarpus rotundifolius , 22.iii.2006, N. Hahn, 1♂ ( NCA 2009 /2338) ; Naboomspruit / Mookgopong, Rhemardo Holiday Resort , 24°26'S 28°36'E, fogging on exotic Phytolacca dioica , 1321 m, 31.i.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, J. Neethling, 1♀ ( NCA 2012 /4074) ; same locality, fogging on Ziziphus mucronata , 1295 m, 1.ii.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, J. Neethling, 2♂ 7♀ ( NCA 2012 /4044) ; same locality, fogging on Berchemia zeyheri , 1300 m, 1.ii.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, J. Neethling, 4♂ 3♀ ( NCA 2012 /1650) ; same locality, fogging on B. zeyheri , 1295 m, 2.ii.2011, C. Haddad, S. Foord, V. Butler, 2♂ 4♀ ( NCA 2012 /4118) ; same, fogging on Dombeya rotundifolia , 1310 m, 3.ii.2011, C. Haddad, S. Foord, V. Butler, 4♂ 4♀ ( NCA 2012 /3452) ; same locality, fogging on A. karroo , 1310 m, 3.ii.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, S. Foord, 11♂ 6♀ ( NCA 2012 /5597) ; Tuinplaas, Springbokvlakte, Settlers , ca. 24°57'S 28°32'E, grass, pitfall traps, 6.xii.2001, M. van Jaarsveld, 4♂ ( NCA 2006 /1325) . Mpumalanga Prov.: Brondal , 20km NW of Nelspruit, ca. 25°21'S 30°50'E, on Fuerte avocado trees, 2.vii.1998, M. van den Berg, 1♀ ( NCA 2015 /3344) ; Kruger Nat. Park, Skukuza Camp , ca. 24°59'S 31°35'E, in wasp’s nest, 12.ii.1972, F. Fourie 1♀ ( NCA 2008 /5153) ; same locality, White River , 24°59'S 31°35'E, various methods, 4.iv.1990, collector unknown, 1♂ ( NMBA 05032 ) . Northern Cape Prov.: Grootdrink, Farm Eselsfontein , 28°37'S 21°42'E, pitfall traps, 22.xi.2005, M. Burger, 1♂ ( NCA 2010 /3970) ; Prieska District, Farm Remhoogte , 29°32'S 23°00'E, canopy fogging, experimental pistachio orchard, 28.i.2001, C. Haddad, 1♂ ( NCA 2010 /206) ; Prieska District, Green Valley Nuts , 29°34'S 22°55'E, canopy fogging, pistachio orchard #19, 26.v.2001, C. Haddad, 2♀ ( NMBA 14127 ) ; Tswalu Kalahari Game Res. , ca. 27°12'S 22°27'E, by hand, 12.ii.2006, R. Jocqué, 1♀ ( NCA 2013 /2535) ; same locality, 27°19'S 22°30'E, active searching, sand dunes, 12–16.iii.2013, R. Lyle, P. Webb, Tswalu student, 1♂ ( NCA 2013 /4247) ; same locality, 27°20'S 22°31'E, night collecting, 12–16.iii.2013, R. Lyle, P. Webb, Tswalu student, 1♂ ( NCA 2013 /4127) . North West Prov.: Brits , 25°36'S 27°47'E, sweeping, 1.ii.1987, B. du Preez, 1♀ ( NCA 87 /536) ; Hartebeespoort, Farm Wengegung , 25°48'S 27°57'E, sweeping, grass, 28.xi.1982, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♀ ( NCA 2012 /569) ; Pilanesberg Nat. Park, Rustenburg , 25°15'S 27°04'E, active search on A. ataxacantha , 3.iii.1990, R. Dehning, 1♂ ( NCA 90 /183) ; Rustenburg Nat. Res. , ca. 25°43'S 27°10'E, sweeping, tree, 22.vi.2006, A. van den Berg, T. Marren, 1♀ ( NCA 84 /415) ; same locality, branch beating, trees, 16.xi.1982, A. van den Berg, I. van Rooyen, 1♂ 2♀ ( NCA 84 /385) . ZIMBABWE: Harare, Highlands , 17°49'S 31°05'E, garden, under tree, 27.i.1999, M. Cumming, 1♂ ( NCA 2009 /254) ; same locality, garden, on ground, 13.ii.1999, M. Cumming, 1♀ ( NCA 2009 /3266) .

Distribution: Tropical Africa ( Fig. 13).

Comments: Caporiacco (1940) described the female of Tusitala barbata longipalpis . The male is junior synonym of T. barbata . According to the female description, “ Epigyne duas foveas inter se minus quam eorum diametro remotas, preabet. Colore et forma epigynis ab aliis specibus generis distinguiter ” (cf. Caporiacco 1940: 867–868), we suggest that the female belongs to another genus, probably Heliophanus C.L. Koch, 1833 .

Tusitala yemenica was described by WesoŁowska & van Harten (1994) from Yemen based on a single female.Subsequently, the same authors described the male and provided a diagnosis based on differences from T. barbata , erroneously referring to T. hirsuta instead of T. barbata (see WesoŁowska & van Harten 2007: 262). The large variation in size, colour and epigynal structure within species of the genus suggests that T. yemenica is junior synonym of T. barbata , and the species needs to be reviewed.