Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902

Ríos-Tamayo, Duniesky & Lyle, Robin, 2020, The South African genus Lepthercus Purcell, 1902 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) phylogeny and taxonomy, Zootaxa 4766 (2), pp. 261-305 : 272-276

Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902

( Figs. 2J , 5 A–J, 6A–D, 7A–C, 24)

Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902: 379 . Raven, 1985a: 86, figs. 44–49.

Material examined. Type material: Holotype ♂. SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, from Doornnek in the Zuurbergen[Zuurberg], Alexandria Div., Cape Colony now [33°22′S 25°43′E], 1902, W.F. Purcell leg., ( SAM-ENW - X005692 ), examined.

Other material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof (32°16′S 24°58′E, 1613m), 23.x.2010, J. Midgley, leg., 2 ♂♂ ( NCA 2012/3206 ) ; same data (1618m), 15.iv.2010, J. Midgley, leg., 1 ♀ ( NCA, 2012/2333 ) ; same data, 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/3239 ) ; same data (1406m), 2 ♂♂ ( NCA 2012/3231 ) ; same data (1620m), 1 ♂ ( NCA, 2012/3215 ) ; same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 1802m), 3 ♂♂ ( NCA 2012/3226 ) ; same data (1806m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/2351 ) ; same data (1613m), 2 ♂♂ ( NCA 2012 /3207) ; Same data (1608m), 2 ♂♂ ( NCA 2012 /3218) same data (1614m), 3 ♂♂ ( NCA, 2012/3220 ) ; same data (1204m), 1 ♂ ( NCA, 2012/3209 ) ; same data (32°17′S 24°58′E, 1202m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012 /3208) same data (32°15′S 24°57′E, 1613m), 1 ♂ ( NCA0 2012/3214 ) ; same data (32°15′ S 25°00′ E, 2013m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/3228 ) ; same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 2001m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/3213 ) ; same data (1628m), 3 ♂♂ ( NCA 2012/3216 ) ; same data, 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/3217 ) ; same data (1807m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/3222) ; same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 1795m), 1♂ ( NCA, 2012/3221 ) ; same data (32°15′S 24°58′E, 2001m), 25.xi.2009, same collector, 1 ♂ ( NCA, 2012/3210 ) ; same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 2001m), 1 ♂ ( NCA, 2012/3212 ) ; same data (32°16′S 24°58′E, 1618m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/3205 ) ; same data (32°15′S 24°58′E, 1999m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012/3211 ) ; same data (32°15′S 25°00′E, 1801m), 23.x.2010, same collector, 1 ♂ ( NCA, 2012/3227 ) ; same data (32°15′S 24°58′E, 1801m), 1 ♂ ( NCA, 2012/3240 ) ; same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 1802m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012 /3225) ; same data, (32°15′S 25°00′E, 1792m), 1 ♂ ( NCA 2012 /3229) ; same data, (32°16′ S 25°00′ E, 1406m), 2 ♂♂ ( NCA 2012/3230 ) ; same data, Southern Karoo Riviere, Riverine Woodland (32°16′S 24°57′E), 7.iv-28.vii.2010, S. Van Noort leg., ASA09-WOO1-Y13, 1 ♂ ( SAM-ENW-C007744 )

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Remarks. The type specimen (SAM-ENW-X005692, Fig. 6 A–D) is in poor condition, appearing to be bleached, resulting in a white coloration. The legs are very soft ( Fig. 6 A–D) and both bulbs have the embolus broken ( Fig. 6B ). To preserve the type specimen, the described male is based on NCA 2012/3206 from Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, 135 km N of the type locality. This specimen shares all the characters observed in the holotype.

Diagnosis. Males of L. dregei can be recognized inside the “Group dregei” by a short copulatory bulb with longitudinal keels extending along the embolus ( Fig. 5 F–H). It further differs from L. confusus sp. nov., by the strong bulb in lateral view, without a lateral keel ( Fig. 5F, H ). Females can be distinguished by the spermathecae with a base with an abrupt transition to the stalk; stalks curved outward with truncate receptacles ( Fig. 7C ). This species is similar to L. kwazuluensis sp. nov., but differs in the absence of the apical projection present in the base and by their truncate receptacles.

Description. Male (NCA 2012/3206, Fig. 5 A–J). Total length 10.01. Carapace ( Fig. 5A ): length 4.40, width 3.31, with lateral marginal bristles. Cephalic region: length 2.70; clypeus short with 5 bristles in the edge, 2 long bristles in front of the OQ. Fovea: width 0.47, almost straight. Ocular measurements: AME 0.14, ALE 0.21, PME 0.16, PLE 0.21, OQ length 0.43, 0.68 width; AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PLE 0.04, AME–PME 0.07, ALE–PLE 0.08, AME–AME 0.08, OMP–OMP 0.28. Chelicerae: length 2.19, width 1.25, with dorsal-anterior bristles, intercheliceral tumescence small, well-marked and with setae ( Fig. 5C ). Fang groove with 6 promarginal teeth (2 smaller in the apex) and 11 mesobasal denticles. Labium: length 0.41, width 0.64, dorsally slightly concave. Maxillae: length 1.33, width 0.61, with about 45 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face slightly curved, soft area small, with long uniformly distributed hairs. Sternum ( Fig. 5B ): length 2.21, maximum width 1.73. Abdomen: length 3.83, with small and long hair (longer in the anterior side). PMS: length 0.54; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.85:0.50:0.94; total length 2.29. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 3.73, 2.15, 2.53, 2.88, 1.99, 13.28. II: 3.50, 1.87, 2.43, 2.74, 2.10, 12.64. III: 3.12, 1.59, 1.96, 2.88, 1.99, 11.54. IV: 4.14, 1.82, 3.25, 3.88, 2.11, 15.20. Palp: 1.85, 1.01, 1.23, —, 0.69, 4.78.

Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1 D–R, 0-1-1 D–P; patella, 1 P A (short); tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 R, 2-2-2 V, a long cuticular spur, slightly curved outwards, with an apical long spine ( Fig. 5I, J ); metatarsus, 1 P (1:3B), 1-1- 0-1 V, straight, 1/3 basal posterior slightly swollen with small dark setae ( Fig. 5J ); tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-0-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1 D–R; patella, 1 P A (short); tibia, 1-1 P, 2-1-3 V; metatarsus, 2-2-0-2 V, 1 P (1:3B); tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1-1 D–R; patella, 1-1 P (shorts), 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 D, 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1 D (1:2B), 1-1-1 D–R, 1-1-1-1 D–P, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 R; patella, 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 2-2-2 V, 1-1 R; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 D–R, 1-1-1 D–P, 2-1-1-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp ( Fig. 5D, E ): femur, 1-1-3 d; patella, 1 D INF; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 P INF, 1-1 D, 1 R A, (width/length: 0.49); tarsus, 0.

Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment, with some long and fine setae; III, sparse (1:3A), IV, sparse A, divided by a wide band of setae. Tarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. Trichobothria: Tibiae: I 7-8; II 9-7; III 8-8; IV 10-10. Metatarsi: I (3)1(2)1(4)1; II (3)1(1)1(4)1; III (3)1(1)1(2)1(4)1; IV (3)1(1)1(2)1(5)1. Tarsi: I-III 12; IV 13. Preening combs: metatarsus: III, 2/3 P V; IV, 2 R V. Copulatory bulb: small, with a short and acuminate embolus with basal ridges and the tip curved ( Fig. 5 F–H). Color: Overall light orange-yellowish (ventrally lighter). Abdomen light dark with 3-4 posterior light bands, light yellow spinnerets.

Female (NCA 2012/2333, Figs. 2J , 7 A–C). Total length 10.77. Carapace ( Fig. 7A ): length 4.37, width 3.02, with lateral marginal bristles. Cephalic region: Length 2.77, clypeus small with 6 marginal bristles; five bristles in front of the OQ. Fovea: width 0.45, almost straight. Ocular measurements: AME 0.13, ALE 0.27, PME 0.19, PLE 0.22, OQ length 0.43, width 0.75; AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PLE 0.02, AME–PME 0.08, ALE–PLE 0.03, AME–AME 0.10, PME–PME 0.30. Chelicerae: length 2.84, width 1.81; with dorsal–retrolateral bristles. Fang groove with 8 promarginal teeth and 11 mesobasal denticles. Labium: length 0.37, width 0.79, dorsally slightly concave. Maxillae: length 1.78, width 0.79, with 54 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face slightly curved, soft with long uniformly distributed hairs; serrula as Fig. 2J . Sternum ( Fig. 7B ): length 2.28, maximum width 1.93. Abdomen ( Fig. 7A ): length 4.67, globose, with small bristles in the dorsum. PMS: length 0.53; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.71:0.50:0.83; total length 2.04. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 3.09, 1.91, 1.98, 1.75, 1.39, 10.14. II: 2.78, 1.77, 1.63, 1.68, 1.38, 9.24. III: 2.20, 1.28, 1.26, 1.71, 1.24, 7.70. IV: 2.98, 1.59, 2.11, 2.54, 1.28, 10.50. Palp: 2.04, 1.13, 1.14, —, 1.37, 5.69.

Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1 pa; patella, 0; tibia, 1p, 1-2 v; metatarsus, 1-1-1 V; tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 0; patella, 0; tibia, 1 P, 1-1-1-2 v; metatarsus, 2-2-2 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 1 P, 2-1 R; tibia, 1 P (1:2 A), 1 D (1:2 A), 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 2-2-2 D, 1-1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1- 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 0; tibia, 2-2-2 V, 1-1-1 R; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 2-2-2 D, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp: femur, 0; patella, 0; tibia, 2 P M, 2-3 v, 3 V A; tarsus, 2 V B.

Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed with some long and fine bristles; III, sparse A; IV, no present. Tarsi: I, dense, uniformly distributed; II, dense, uniformly distributed, divided by a row band of setae; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. Trichobothria: Tibiae: palp 8-9; I 7-9; II 9-10; III 9-8; IV 11-10. Metatarsi: I (5)1(2)1(5)1; II (4)1(2)1(4)1; III (6)1(2)1(5)1; IV (4)1(3)1(2)1(6)1. Tarsi: palp 13; I 13; II 14; III 14; IV 13. Preening combs: metatarsus: II 3 P V; III 2 P V–5 R V; IV, 2/3 R V. Spermathecae: as in Fig. 7C . Color: Overall light orange–yel-lowish (carapace litter dark), sternum lighter. Abdomen brown dark with 3–5 posterior light bands, spinnerets light yellow.

Distribution. Eastern Cape Province, South Africa ( Fig. 24 ).

Figures

FIGURE. 2. Preening comb. A Lepthercus haddadi sp. nov. (female paratype, NCA 2007/3847). Maxillary cuspules (males). B L. dippenaarae. C L. kwazuluensis. Serrula. D L. mandelai sp. nov. (female, NCA 2014/415A); E L. filmeri sp. nov. (female, NCA 91/1437); F L. haddadi sp. nov. (male, NCA 2007/1486); G L. haddadi sp. nov. (female, NCA 2007/3847); H L. engelbrechti sp. nov. (female, NCA 2018/385); I L. engelbrechti sp. nov. (male, NCA 2018/384); J L. dregei Purcell, 1902 (female, NCA 2012/2333); K L. sofiae sp. nov. (male, NCA 97/395).

FIGURE. 5. Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902. (male, NCA 2012/3206). A habitus, dorsal view; B sternum, ventral view; C chelicerae, prolateral view, arrow indicates the intercheliceral tumesence; D left pedipalp, arrow indicates the small dorsal setae, and a normal anterior part of the retrolateral side of ventral excavation, retrolateral view; E right pedipalp, arrow indicates the abundant proventral rigid setae, prolateral view; F–H copulatory bulb, F retrolateral view, arrow indicates the ridges along the embolus, G ventral view, H prolateral view, arrow indicates the ridges along the embolus; I, J tibia–metatarsus I, arrow indicates the base of the metatarsus slightly swollen with small dark setae,

FIGURE. 6. Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902. (male holotype: SAM-ENW-X005692). A left pedipalp, prolateral view; B left pedipalp, retrolateral view, arrow indicates the copulatory bulb with the embolus broken; C left leg I, prolateral view; D left leg I, showing the curved spur with an apical megaespine.

FIGURE. 7. Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902. (female, NCA 2012/2333). A habitus, dorsal view; B sternum, ventral view; C spermathecae.

FIGURE. 24. Distribution map of Lepthercus spp: ● Lepthercus confusus sp. nov., ○ Lepthercus dippenaarae sp. nov., Ɨ Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902, O Lepthercus engelbrechti sp. nov., A Lepthercus filmeri sp. nov., * Lepthercus haddadi sp. nov., D Lepthercus kwazuluensis sp. nov., ■ Lepthercus lawrencei sp. nov., v Lepthercus mandelai sp. nov., ▼ Lepthercus rattrayi Hewitt, 1917, ▲ Lepthercus sofiae sp. nov. Solid black line indicates the two species overlapped.