Smeringopus mlilwane, Huber, 2012

HUBER, BERNHARD A., 2012, Revision and cladistic analysis of the Afrotropical endemic genus Smeringopus Simon, 1890 (Araneae: Pholcidae), Zootaxa 3461 (1), pp. 1-138 : 63

Smeringopus mlilwane new species

Figs. 255 , 274–275 , 294–295 , 362–366

Type. Male holotype from Swaziland, Mlilwane Game Reserve [~ 26°26.5’S, 31°11.0’E], in crevices of rocks, 31.iii.2001 (B.A. Huber, K. Schütt), in ZFMK ( Ar 8521 ) .

Etymology. The name is a noun in apposition, derived from the type locality.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from similar congeners ( S. hanglip , S. lydenberg , S. ndumo ) by shapes of bulbal processes ( Figs. 364, 365 ); from S. hanglip and S. lydenberg also by three black lines ventrally on abdomen (versus two; median line narrow); from other close relatives by process near palpal tarsal organ ( Fig. 362 ), ventrally very strongly curved procursus ( Figs. 275 , 362 ), and prolateral process on procursus tip ( Fig. 363 ).

Male (holotype). Total body length 8.0, carapace width 2.8. Leg 1: 69.6 (18.1 + 1.2 + 17.5 + 29.7 + 3.1), tibia 2: 12.7, tibia 3: 9.7, tibia 4: 13.1; tibia 1 L/d: 62. Habitus similar S. hanglip (cf. Fig. 247 ). Carapace ochre-yellow with distinct dark pattern (median and lateral bands, no submarginal marks), clypeus with very indistinct pair of dark stripes, sternum mostly dark brown, legs with darker rings subdistally on femora and tibiae, abdomen dorsally with distinct dark pattern, ventrally with three dark lines in median part (median line narrow). Distance PME-PME 220 µm, diameter PME 220 µm, distance PME-ALE 80 µm, distance AME-AME 55 µm, diameter AME 210 µm. Ocular area slightly elevated, secondary eyes with indistinct ‘pseudo-lenses’; deep thoracic pit. Chelicerae very similar S. hanglip (cf. Figs. 340, 341 ). Palps as in Figs. 274 and 275 , coxa without retrolateral apophysis, trochanter barely modified, femur with deep and wide retrolateral furrow with distinct rim proximally, cymbium with distinct projection near tarsal organ ( Fig. 362 ), procursus ventrally very strongly curved ( Figs. 275 , 362 ), with prolateral process at tip ( Fig. 363 ), bulb with distinctively shaped processes (dorsal process bifid; Figs. 364, 365 ). Legs without spines, few vertical hairs, with curved hairs on tibiae and metatarsi 1 and 2, retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 2.5%; prolateral trichobothrium present on tibia 1.

Variation. Tibia 1 in 3 other males: 11.9, 14.1, 16.3.

Female. In general similar to male; tibia 1: 12.3. Epigynum a simple plate without pockets ( Fig. 294 ), laterally whitish, very similar to close relatives ( S. hanglip , S. lydenberg ); internal genitalia as in Figs. 295 and 366 (also similar to close relatives).

Distribution. Known from two localities in Swaziland and eastern South Africa ( Fig. 299 ).

Material examined. SWAZILAND: Mlilwane Game Reserve: 1♂ holotype above; same data, 1♂ in ZFMK (Ar 8522) .

SOUTH AFRICA: Mpumalanga: Songimvelo Nature Reserve, Diepgezet (25°56.7’S, 31°06.2’E), 1420 m a.s.l., ravine with indigenous forest, 17.–23.iii.2001 (D. & S. Ubick), 2♂ 1♀ + juvs in CAS (9027103).

Figures

FIGURE 299. Known distribution of the natalensis group except S. natalensis (cf. Fig. 298). Squares: further undescribed species.

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 268–277. Smeringopus natalensis group, left male palps, prolateral and retrolateral views. 268–269. S. blyde. 270–271. S. hanglip. 272–273. S. lydenberg. 274–275. S. mlilwane. 276–277. S. ndumo.

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 357–366. Smeringopus lydenberg (357–361) and S. mlilwane (362–366). 357, 362. Left cymbia and procursi, retrolateral views. 358, 363. Left procursi, dorsal views. 359–360, 364–365. Left bulbal processes, prolateral and dorsal views. 361, 366. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal views (arrows point to internal pockets). Scale lines: 0.3 mm.

FIGURES 336–342. Smeringopus hanglip. 336. Left cymbium and procursus, retrolateral view. 337. Left procursus, dorsal view. 338–339. Left bulbal processes, prolateral and dorsal views. 340–341. Male chelicerae, frontal and lateral views. 342. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal view (arrow points to internal pocket). Scale lines: 0.3 mm (336–339), 0.5 mm (340–342).