Patelloceto denticulata, Lyle & Haddad, 2010

Lyle, Robin & Haddad, Charles R., 2010, A revision of the tracheline sac spider genus Cetonana Strand, 1929 in the Afrotropical Region, with descriptions of two new genera (Araneae Corinnidae), African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 321-321 : 376-377

Patelloceto denticulata sp. n.

Figs 120 , 138–140

Etymology: From Latin denticulata (bearing small teeth), referring to the denticles on the femoral apophysis of the male palp.

Diagnosis: This species can easily be distinguished from congeners by the presence of three rather than two ventral distal cymbial spines, and the broader, distinctly looping embolus ( Fig. 139 ). Female unknown.

Description:

Male.

Measurements: CL 2.50, CW 2.08, AL 2.60, AW 1.75, TL 5.10, FL 0.18, SL 1.18, SW 1.18, AME–AME 0.13, AME–ALE 0.05, ALE–ALE 0.50, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.13, PLE–PLE 0.73. Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 2.03+0.90+1.60+1.30+0.93=6.76; II 1.85+0.95+1.45+1.23+0.90=6.38; III 1.38+0.55+ 0.93+1.05+0.55=4.46; IV 1.93+0.70+1.55+1.80+0.68=6.66.

Carapace orange ( Fig. 120 ), slightly darker at eye region; first third of carapace convex, last third with steep decline; surface smooth, covered in short fine setae; fovea at two thirds of CL. Ocular region orange, eyes with dark brown rings; AER slightly recurved, ALE larger than AME; clypeus height slightly larger than AME diameter; AME separated by distance equal to their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance equal to half AME diameter; PER slightly procurved, almost straight, PME larger than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to twice PME diameter; PME separated from PLE by 1.2 PME diameter. Chelicerae light brown, slightly darker at base; anterior surface with scattered long, fine setae; fang orange-brown; three promarginal teeth, distal tooth largest, proximal tooth smallest; two retromarginal teeth, proximal tooth largest. Sternum pale yellow; surface smooth with scattered long, fine setae. Abdomen pale grey with cream undertones dorsally; abdomen broader anteriorly, tapering posteriorly; scutum covering entire abdomen length; two pairs of pale, indistinct grey sigilla; venter cream. Legs light brown to pale yellow in colour; anterior legs larger and more robust than posteriors; leg spines and cusps present. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1, II pl 1, III pl 1; patellae spineless; tibia: I plv 13 cusps, II plv 12 cusps, III plv 1, IV plv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I plv 17 rlv 10 vt 2 cusps, II plv 12 rlv 5 vt 2 cusps, III plv 1; tarsi: I plv 8 rlv 4 cusps, II plv 7 rlv 3 cusps ( Fig. 138 ). Palp pale yellow­brown, without spines; femur with small retrolateral apophysis with fine denticles; patella with slightly twisted retrolateral apophysis, extending beyond base of cymbium; tibia with pointed dorsal apophysis, anterior length approximately equal to distal tibial width ( Fig. 140 ); tegulum elongate; embolus broad, looping retrolaterally, then distally, with sharp tip; cymbium with three short distal ventral spines, two situated prolaterally and one retrolaterally ( Fig. 139 ).

Holotype: ♂ ETHIOPIA: Shoa , Lake Zwai Zwai, 07°45'S: 38°45'E, 18.vii.1981, A. Russell-Smith, on trunk of Ficus sycomorus ( MRAC, 223298).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 146 ).

Figures

Figs 118–122. General appearance of Patelloceto gen. n. species: P. secutor sp. n. male (118) and female (119); P. denticulata sp. n. male (120); P. media sp. n. male (121) and female (122).

Figs 138–140. Patelloceto denticulata sp. n. male: (138) schematic representation of cusp arrangement on legs I and II; (139) left palp, ventral view; (140) left palp, retrolateral view. Scale bar (139, 140) = 0.1 mm.

Fig. 146. Distribution of Patelloceto gen. n. species in the continental Afrotropical Region.