Smeringopus natalensis Lawrence, 1947

HUBER, BERNHARD A., 2012, Revision and cladistic analysis of the Afrotropical endemic genus Smeringopus Simon, 1890 (Araneae: Pholcidae), Zootaxa 3461 (1), pp. 1-138 : 44-51

Smeringopus natalensis Lawrence, 1947

Figs. 243–244, 251 , 256–257 , 278–279 , 300–304 , 343–349

Smeringopus natalensis Lawrence 1947: 14–15 , figs. 7a–b. Lawrence 1967: 299, figs. 3–5. Huber 2001: 136, figs. 430, 432–433, 437.

Type. Male holotype from South Africa, KwaZulu Natal , Verulam [29°39’S, 31°03’E], date and collector not given, in Naturhistoriska Museet, Göteborg, Sweden, not examined .

Diagnosis. Distinguished from similar congeners (other species of the natalensis group, especially S. lesnei , S. florisbad , S. blyde , S. koppies , S. harare , S. badplaas ) by shapes of bulbal processes ( Figs. 302, 303 ); from other close relatives by absence of process near palpal tarsal organ ( Fig. 300 ), relatively straight procursus (ventrally), absence of prolateral process on procursus tip, and three black lines ventrally on abdomen (versus two; compare Fig. 244 with Figs. 248 and 250 ).

Male (Badplaas, ZFMK). Total body length 6.3, carapace width 2.2. Leg 1: 53.6 (14.0 + 0.8 + 14.1 + 22.0 + 2.7), tibia 2: 9.6, tibia 3: 7.2, tibia 4: 10.0; tibia 1 L/d: 66. Habitus as in Figs. 243 and 244 . Carapace ochre-yellow with distinct dark pattern (median, lateral, and submarginal marks), clypeus with pair of dark marks widened distally, sternum brown with light marks near leg coxae, legs with dark rings subdistally on femora and tibiae, abdomen dorsally with distinct dark pattern, ventrally with three dark lines in median part (median line narrow but distinct). Distance PME-PME 160 µm, diameter PME 170 µm, distance PME-ALE 70 µm, distance AME-AME 45 µm, diameter AME 135 µm. Ocular area slightly elevated, secondary eyes with very indistinct ‘pseudo-lenses’; deep thoracic pit. Chelicerae as in S. badplaas (cf. Figs. 314, 315 ), each apophysis with modified hair at tip ( Fig. 345 ). Palps as in Figs. 256 and 257 , coxa without retrolateral apophysis, trochanter barely modified, femur with retrolateral furrow with distinct rim proximally ( Fig. 344 ), cymbium without projection near tarsal organ, procursus ventrally almost straight, without prolateral process at tip ( Figs. 300, 301 ), bulb with three distinctively shaped processes ( Figs. 302, 303 ). Legs without spines, few vertical hairs, with curved hairs on tibiae and metatarsi 1 and 2, retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3.5%; prolateral trichobothrium present on tibia 1. Gonopore with two epiandrous spigots ( Fig. 347 ); ALS with eight spigots each.

Variation. In males from Oudtshourn and from Tembe Elephant Park the median bulbal process is slightly shorter and thicker. Tibia 1 in 60 other males: 8.1–16.4 (mean 11.9).

Female. In general similar to male; tibia 1 in 87 females: 8.4–16.4 (mean 12.6). Epigynum a simple plate without pockets ( Fig. 278 ), variable in shape and coloration and thus possibly not clearly distinguishable from close relatives ( S. lesnei , S. florisbad , S. blyde , S. koppies , S. harare , S. badplaas ); internal genitalia as in Figs. 279 , 304 , and 348 (also very similar to close relatives). The four females from Bloemfontein (see below) are assigned tentatively to S. natalensis rather than to S. florisbad because of the long legs (tibia 1: 12.7–15.6).

Note: This is a very rare case among Pholcidae where female legs are on average longer than male legs ( Fig. 15 ) (cf. Huber 2005). The only other case known to me is Pholcus fragillimus but in that species sample size was much smaller (seven males, eight females; Huber 2011b).

Distribution. Widely distributed in eastern South Africa and southern Mozambique, ranging further west along the coast ( Fig. 298 ).

Material examined. SOUTH AFRICA: Mpumalanga: Badplaas, resort area [25°56.9’S, 30°33.9’E], 28.iii.2001 (B.A. Huber), 4♂ 2♀ in ZFMK ( Ar 8538). Badplaas , Embuleni Reserve [25°57.2’S, 30°33.2’E], 28.iii.2001 (B.A. Huber), 3♂ 7♀ (2 vials) in ZFMK ( Ar 8539-40); same locality, wooded areas in grassvelt savanna, 1100 m a.s.l., 28.iii.2001 (D. & S. Ubick), 1♂ 1♀ in CAS (9027114). Badplaas (25°56.8’S, 30°33.8’E), waste ground, 26.iii.2001 (P. Horak), 6♂ 9♀ (2 vials) in CPH. Songimvelo Nature Reserve , Kroomdraai (26°02.5’S, 31°00.1’E), 800 m a.s.l., secondary highveld forest, cabin area, 16.–23.iii.2001 (D. & S. Ubick), 2♂ 2♀ 6 juvs. in CAS (9027107). Croc Valley , Nelspruit [25°27’S, 30°59’E], 25.v.1999 (P. Stephen), 1♂ in NCP (921/66). Ogies [26°03’S, 29°03’E], “Tul.”, 19.iv.1987 (M. Ebersohn), 1♂ 1♀ in NCP (90/353) .

Gauteng: Melville [26°10’S, 28°00’E], “Kopjes N Jo’burg”, under stones, 6.iv.1976 (F. Wanless, A. Russell-Smith) , 1♂ 1♀ in BMNH. Pretoria [25°45’S, 28°12’E], in corner of garage, 20.iv.1987 (M. Voster), 1♂ in NCP (88/ 316) ; Pretoria, in garage, iv.1987 (M. Prinsloo), 1♀ in NCP (88/339) ; Pretoria, 1987 (P. Lombaard), 1♂ 1♀ in NCP (91/598) ; Pretoria, no date, leg. E.R. Rossouw, 1♂ in NCP (91/230) ; Pretoria, “in hoek v. motorhuis ”, 10.iv.1988 (A. van Rensburg), 1♀ in NCP (88/869) ; Pretoria, 29.iv.1987 (B.L. Veeremans), 1♀ in NCP (88/348) ; Pretoria, in building, 2.iv.1987 (E. Opperman), 1♂ in NCP (91/669) ; Pretoria, “in tuin”, 3.iii.1976 (L. Harley), 2♀ 2 juvs in NCP (76/959) ; Pretoria, 24.i.1983 (J. Bruijns), 1♀ in NCP (83/146) ; Pretoria, in dark corner, iv.1987 (M. Swart), 1♀ in NCP (88/353) ; Pretoria, in house, 10.iii.1967 (A.S. D.), 1♂ in NCP (36/2022) ; Pretoria, dark corner of building, 23.iv.1987 (J.C. de Klerk), 1♂ 1♀ in NCP (88/838) ; Pretoria, in building, 28.iii.1987 (L. Lerwill), 1♂ in NCP (88/835) ; Pretoria, in garage, 15.iv.1980 (C.J. Cilliers), 1♀ in NCP (81/637) ; Pretoria, in garage, 20.iii.1987 (G. Gelderblom), 1♀ in NCP (88/867) ; Pretoria, in garage, 19.iii.1987 (T.T. Vreede), 1♀ in NCP (88/831) ; Pretoria, Astor Court, CSIR Water Res., 6.iv.1959, collector not given, 1♂ in TMP (12844) ; Pretoria, 1956 (L. Vari), 1♂ 3♀ + juvs in TMP (12849) ; Pretoria, 8.i.1919 (G.P.F. van Dam), 1♀ in TMP (12932) ; Pretoria, 31.x.1984 (S. Nkosi), 1♀ in TMP (21041) ; Pretoria, Brooklyn, in bird cage, 20.iii.1991 (C. Maree), 1♂ 1♀ in NCP (92/392) ; Pretoria, Hatfield, on outbuilding, ceiling, 26.iv.1987 (M. Kroese), 1♀ in NCP (88/836) ; Pretoria, Irene, 23.vii.1972 (C.K. Brain), 1♀ in TMP (10575) ; Pretoria, Les Marais, 3.iii.1987 (A. Koch), 1♂ in NCP (91/1140) ; Pretoria, Makapan , no date (E. Simon), 1♀ in MNHN ( AR 10364 ) ; Pretoria, Monument Park, in garden, 16.iv.1987 (C. Strydom), 1♀ 1 juv. in NCP (91/613) ; same locality, in house, 16.iv.1988 (C. Strydom), 1♂ in NCP (90/334) ; Pretoria, Pierneef, in house, x.1990 (V. Gouws), 1♀ in NCP (91/25) ; Pretoria, Rietardale, pit traps, 6.ix.1988 (A. Biggs), 1♀ in NCP (89/18) ; Pretoria, Sunnyside, 14.ii.1984 (L. von Heerden), 1♂ 1 juv. in NCP (88/833) ; Pretoria, Waverly, in outside room, 21.iv.1987 (J.P. Coetzee), 1♀ in NCP (88/257) ; Pretoria, Welgegund, “in tuin”, x.1982 (T. Marren), 2♀ in NCP (83/108) ; Pretoria, Willow Glen, iii.–iv.1987 (L. Vari), 1♀ in NCP (87/856) ; Pretoria, Wonderboom, in house, date not given, leg. C. Craemer, 1♂ in NCP (92/158) ; Pretoria-Noord, Ninapark, 15.x.1990 (D. v. Heerden), 1♂ in NCP (90/507) .

KwaZulu Natal: Bonamanzi Reserve [28°04’S, 32°18’E], overhang in dry riverbed, 31.iii.2001 (B.A. Huber), 2♂ 2♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8541). Kosi Bay [27°00.5’S, 32°50.8’E], camping site, 29.x.1984 (M. Filmer), 1♀ in NCP (88/282). Natal Midlands, Ladysmith [28°34’S, 29°47’E], 3500 ft a.s.l., Klip river , “Dawn Pride”, x.1980 (H.D. Shaw-Copeland), 17♂ 34♀ in MRAC (166446) ; same data but xii.1981, 3♂ 5♀ ; i.1982, 2♂ 3♀ ; and ii.1982, 4♂ 10♀ in NHMW. 10 km W Ladysmith, Klip river , Farm Dawn Pride, 1200 m a.s.l., ix.–x.1980 (H.D. Shaw-Copeland), 10♀ in MRAC (166492). Durban [29°51’S, 31°01’E], “7.2. Zwickelt”, further data unreadable, 9♂ 9♀ in BMNH. Durban, “9.7. Leigh”, 3♂ 3♀ in BMNH (03.7.20-188–195). Pinetown (Durban) [29°49’S, 30°50’E], iii.1979 (M.E. Baddeley), 2♂ 1♀ 2 juvs in MRAC (152175). Pinetown , under stones and bricks, 16.vi.1987 (C.J. Smit), 1♀ 1 juv. in NCP (87/367). Pietermaritzburg [29°36’S, 30°23’E], 6.ii.1964 (Lamoral), 2♀ in MCZ (34050). “Maritzburg” [= Pietermaritzburg], leg. Zwickelt, 2♀ in BMNH (03.7.12.41a–b). Pietermaritzburg , Scottsville, ii.1965 (R.F. Lawrence), 2♂ 4♀ in NMP (9427). Pietermaritzburg , Bisley, iv.1961 (R. F. Lawrence), 1♀ in NMP (8084). Pietermaritzburg, 1917 (C. Akerman), 1♀ in NMP (1901) ; same data but x.1927, 1♀ in NMP (1493). Pietermaritzburg , in Museum, xi.1945 (R.F. Lawrence), 1♂ (chelicerae missing) in SMF (9835/1). Umkomaas River [30°11.6’S, 30°46.9’E], “9.7. Leigh”, 6♂ 4♀ in BMNH (03.7.20–29.34). Manderston [29°44’S, 30°26’E], iv.1963 (H. Buston), 1♂ 1♀ in NMP (8830). Mntunzini [28°57’S, 31°46’E], on wall in house, 19.ii.1977 (P. Reavell), 1♂ 3♀ 1 juv. in NCP (84/889). Pongola [27°23’S, 31°37’E], 27.vi.1968 (H. van Ark), 2♂ 3♀ + juvs in NCP (76/2016). Nagle Dam [29°35’S, 30°37’E], 10.v.1998 (A. Heeres), 1♀ in DNSM (329). St. Lucia [28°22’S, 32°25’E], 14.iv.1987 (R. Travis), 1♀ in NCP (91/200) ; St. Lucia, in corners, 16.xii.1980 (M. Bruton), 1♂ 3♀ + juvs in NCP (82/146). Tembe Elephant Park , sand forest near viewing tower (27°01.7’S, 32°24.6’E), 8.i.2002 (C. Haddad), 1♂ 1♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8542). Ubombo Mtn. foothills near Mkuze [27°36’S, 32°04’E], 530 m a.s.l., i.1982 (H. Shaw-Copeland), 1♂ 1♀ in NHMW. Umzinto , Vernon Crookes Nat. Res. (30°16’S, 30°36’E), 15.i.1992 (L.N. Lotz), 1♀ in NMBA (5949).

Free State: Farm Lusthof, Edenville [27°32’S, 27°39’E], 12.vi.1969 (J. Viljoen), 10♂ 24♀ in NCP (76/2020). Bloemfontein (29°08’S, 26°10’E), in house, 20.iv.1989 (C.A. van Ee), 1♀ 1 juv. in NMBA (3216) ; Bloemfontein , in house, 22.viii.1985 (Museum Staff), 1♀ in NMBA (981) ; Bloemfontein , in house, 17.xi.1995 (L.N. Lotz), 1♀ in NMBA (8279) ; Bloemfontein , 5.iv.1991 (L. Grobler), 1♀ in NMBA (5726) .

Eastern Cape: Transkei, Port St. Johns [31°37’S, 29°32’E], iii.1979 (M.E. Baddeley), 1♂ 4♀ in MRAC (152115) ; same locality, xi.1980 (M.E. Baddeley), 1♀ in MRAC (166577). Transkei Coast, Lusikisiki Distr. , Mzimhlava [= Umzimhlava] River [31°18’S, 29°14’E], river mouth, coastal evergreen forest, ii.1980 (M.E. Baddeley) 2♀ in MRAC (166620). Transkei Coast, Lusikisiki Distr. , Ntafufu River [31°33’S, 29°38’E], ii.–iii.1980 (M.E. Baddeley) 1♂ 5♀ in MRAC (166726). Oos London [East London, 33°00’S, 27°53’E], 2.xii.1977 (G. Petty), 1♂ 6♀ in NCP (37/1099) ; same locality, v.–vi.1979 (G. Petty, O. Keetch), 2♂ 1♀ in NCP (81/490). 70 km N Port Elizabeth near Addo [33°32’S, 25°42’E], in cottage, 24.x.2003 (J. Altmann), 2♀ 2 juvs in SMF. Bathurst [33°29’S, 26°50’E], 17.iii.1974 (P. Croeser), 1♀ in NCP (87/711) .

Western Cape: Oudtshourn [33°34’S, 22°12’E], at campground, 5.x.1999 (D. Ubick, S. Prinsloo), 1♂ 1♀ in CAS. Bellville, Welgemoed [33°52.3’S, 18°36.9’E], wasteland, 9.i.1989 (R. Jocqué), 1♂ 1♀ 1 juv. in MRAC (169767). Bellville , in and around house, 6.–25.i.1989 (R. Jocqué), 1♂ 3♀ in MRAC (169690). Calendon, Hermanus (34°25’S, 19°15’E), 14.xii.1989 (L.N. Lotz), 1♀ in NMBA (3328). Hermanus , 16.x.2003 (J. Altmann), in house, 1♂ in SMF. Fishershaven [34°22’S, 19°08’E; not 26°14’E as on label], 19.iii.2004 (C. Haddad), 1♀ in ZFMK ( Ar 8543) .

Limpopo: Dendron [23°22’S, 29°19’E], v.1970 (J. Viljoen), 28♂ 40♀ in NCP (76/2010); same data but xii.1969, 3♂ 14♀ in NCP (76/2011), and xi.1970, 4♂ 4♀ in NCP (74/2012). Pietersburg [=Polokwane, 23°54’S, 29°27’E], grass, 13.iii.1998 (C. Spies), 1♂ in NCP (98/342) .

Northwest Province: Vryburg [26°57’S, 24°44’E], E. Simon collection 15278, 2♀ in MNHN ( AR 10367 ) .

SWAZILAND: Mlilwane Game Reserve [~ 26°26.5’S, 31°11.0’E], at houses, 31.iii.2001 (B.A. Huber), 2♂ 2♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8544) .

MOZAMBIQUE: Bilene , Praia do Bilene (25°15.6’S, 33°17.7’E), 27 m a.s.l., leaf litter, coastal forest, 20.xii.2007 (C. Haddad, R. Lyle, R. Fourie), 1♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8545). Inhaca Island, Village Hotel [26°00’S, 32°55’E], 20.xii.1992 ( T. Steyn), 4♂ 4♀ in NCP (93/194) .

Figures

FIGURE 298. Known distribution of S. natalensis. For Australian records, see Huber (2001).

FIGURES 243–255. Smeringopus natalensis group, habitus and male prosomata, oblique frontal views. 243–244. S. natalensis, male, dorsal and ventral views. 245–246. S. koppies, male, dorsal and ventral views. 247–248. S. hanglip, male, dorsal and ventral views. 249–250. S. lydenberg, female, dorsal and ventral views. 251. S. natalensis. 252. S. blyde. 253. S. hanglip. 254. S. lydenberg. 255. S. mlilwane.

FIGURES 256–267. Smeringopus natalensis group, left male palps, prolateral and retrolateral views. 256–257. S. natalensis. 258–259. S. koppies. 260–261. S. badplaas. 262–263. S. florisbad. 264–265. S. lesnei. 266–267. S. harare.

FIGURES 278–297. Smeringopus natalensis group, epigyna, ventral views and cleared female genitalia, dorsal views. 278–279. S. natalensis. 280–281. S. koppies. 282–283. S. badplaas. 284–285. S. florisbad. 286–287. S. lesnei. 288–289. S. blyde. 290–291. S. hanglip. 292–293. S. lydenberg. 294–295. S. mlilwane. 296–297. S. ndumo.

FIGURES 300–309. Smeringopus natalensis (300–304) and S. koppies (305–309). 300, 305. Left cymbia and procursi, retrolateral views. 301, 306. Left procursi, prolateral views. 302–303, 307–308. Left bulbal processes, prolateral and dorsal views. 304, 309. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal views. Scale lines: 0.3 mm.

FIGURES 343–356. Smeringopus natalensis (343–349) and S. hanglip (350–356). 343. Left procursus tip, retrolateral view. 344. Left palpal femur, ventral view. 345. Male cheliceral apophysis. 346. Tarsal pseudosegments. 347. Male gonopore. 348. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal view. 349. Detail of pore plate. 350. Left procursus, dorsal view. 351. Male cheliceral apophysis. 352. Bulbal processes. 353. Male ALS and PMS. 354. Male gonopore. 355. Epigynum. 356. Female ALS. Scale lines: 20 µm (345, 351), 30 µm (346, 356), 40 µm (353), 50 µm (349), 60 µm (343), 80 µm (347), 100 µm (344, 352), 200 µm (348, 350, 354), 300 µm (355).

FIGURES 310–316. Smeringopus badplaas. 310. Left cymbium and procursus, retrolateral view. 311. Left procursus, prolateral view. 312–313. Left bulbal processes, prolateral and dorsal views. 314–315. Male chelicerae, frontal and lateral views. 316. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal view. Scale lines: 0.3 mm.

FIGURES 14–16. Scatter diagram and histograms of specific measurements in Smeringopus. 14. Representatives of the cylindrogaster group have relatively slender legs in relation to their length. 15. Of the 26 species with at least 5 males and 5 females measured, only S. natalensis has shorter male than female legs. 16. In most species, tibia 2 is shorter than tibia 4, which is unusual in long-legged pholcids; rather usual values are found in representatives of the cylindrogaster group (c) and the thomensis group (t).