Festucula leroyae, Azarkina & Foord, 2014

Azarkina, Galina N. & Foord, Stefan H., 2014, A revision of the Afrotropical species of Festucula Simon, 1901 (Araneae: Salticidae), African Invertebrates 55 (2), pp. 351-351 : 366-369

Festucula leroyae sp. n.

Figs 8–9, 19 , 88–103

Festucula lawrencei: Haddad & WesoΙowska 2011: 70, fig̹ 40 (misidentified)̹

Etymology: This species is named after Astri Leroy, the chairperson of the non-profit organisation “The Spider Club of Southern Africa” and veteran spider collector̹

Diagnosis: This species resembles F. robustus sp. n. in body coloration and the structure of the epigyne and spermathecae ( Figs 94—96 and Figs 118—119 )̹ The female differs in the relatively short and compact spermathecal ducts (Fig̹ 96)̹ The male palp is close to that of F. lawrencei , but differs in the shape of ventral tibial apophyses—LTA dorsally straight and relatively broad ( Figs 89, 92 )̹ See also comments under the ̒Diagnosis̕ of F. lawrencei .

Description:

Male.

Measurements: Carapace: 1.40–2.00 long, 0.90–1.10 wide, 0.35–0.40 high. Abdomen: 3̹30—5̹00 long, 0̹80—1̹10 wide̹ Eye field: 0̹60—0̹75 long, anterior 0̹70— 0.85 wide, posterior 0.75–0.95 wide. Cheliceral length 0.30–0.50. Clypeal height 0.05. Diameter of AME 0.20–0.30. Length of leg segments (paratype, large male, NCA 82/746): I 2̹20+1̹50+2̹50+1̹40+0̹45; II 0̹80+0̹40+0̹40+0̹35+0̹35; III 0̹70+0̹35+0̹50+0̹40+0̹40; IV 1̹00+0̹50+0̹70+0̹65+0̹40̹

Leg spination: I: Tb v 0-1-1-1-0; Mt v 0-2-2ap. III: Mt v 0-1ap. IV: Mt v 0-1ap.

Coloration ( Figs 97—100 ): Carapace low, flat, brown with two lateral yellow bands, covered with white adpressed hairs, with dark-brown ocular area. Ocular area with thin brown longitudinal stripe and yellow patch behind AME. Clypeus brown, very low, covered with white hairs (Fig̹ 100)̹ Chelicerae yellow-brown̹ Sternum yellow̹Abdomen grey-yellow, ventrally with caudal part (approx̹ ½) brown ( Figs 98—99 )̹ Dorsum with broad longitudinal brown band (Fig̹ 97)̹ Booklungs yellow̹ Spinnerets brown̹ Legs I long and robust, brown. The rest of legs yellow. Palps brown-yellow.All legs and palps covered with long thin bristles. Palpal structure as in Figs 88–92 .

Female. Measurements: Carapace: 1.80–2.10 long, 1.10–1.20 wide, 0.50–0.60 high. Abdomen: 3.50–7.10 long, 0.90–1.40 wide. Eye field: 0.75–0.90 long, anterior 0.85–1.00 wide, posterior 0.90–1.05 wide. Cheliceral length 0.30–0.55. Clypeal height 0.05–0.10. Diameter of AME 0.30–0.40. Length of leg segments (paratype, NCA 2010/3960): I 1̹50+1̹00+1̹50+0̹90+0̹40; II 0̹85+0̹40+0̹50+0̹35+0̹30; III 0̹70+0̹25+0̹45+0̹50+0̹40; IV 1̹05+0̹40+0̹75+0̹60+0̹40̹

Leg spination: I: Tb v 0-1-1-1-0 or 0-1-2-1-0; Mt v 0-2-2ap. III: Mt v 0-0 or 0-1ap.

Coloration ( Figs 101—103 ): Carapace low, brown, with black eye field, with small dark patch behind AME and two lateral yellow bands covered with white adpressed hairs. Clypeus very low, brown, covered with white hairs. Chelicerae brown. Sternum brownish-yellow̹ Abdomen grey-yellow, ventrally caudal part (approx̹ ½) brown ( Figs 102—103 )̹ Dorsum with broad brown longitudinal band (Fig̹ 101)̹ Booklungs yellow̹ Spinnerets brown. Legs I long and robust, yellow-brown. Femora I yellow ventrally, yellow-brown dorsally, dark brown pro- and retrolaterally. Tibiae I dark brown distally. Metatarsi and tarsi dark brown. The rest of legs and palps yellow. All legs and palps covered with long thin bristles. Structure of epigyne and spermathecae as in Figs 93–96 . Holotype Ô SƟUTH AFRICA: Gauteng: Pretoria / Tshwane , Roodeplaatdam Nat. Res., c. 25°37'S 28°21'E, sweeping, grass, 25̹v̹1982, T̹ Marren, I ̹ van Rooyen ( NCA 83 /180)̹

Paratypes: BƟTSWANA: 1Ô Ɵkavango Delta, Pom Pom camp, c. 19°22'S 22°40'E, dry flood plain, Tsetse trials, sweeping, 17̹viii̹2001, E̹ Kassimatis ( NCA 2002 /453) ; 2♀ same locality, sweeping, 1̹vii̹2001, E̹ Kassimatis ( NCA 2009 /5697); 1Ô 1♀ same locality, sweeping, 1̹vii̹2001, E̹ Kassimatis ( NCA 2009 /5698); Ô same locality, control mopane, sweeping, 20̹viii̹2001, M̹ Dangerfield ( NCA 2002 /581)̹SƟUTH AFRICA: North West: 1Ô Rustenburg , Rustenburg Nat ̹ Res ̹, sweeping, grass, 25°43'S 27°10'E, 19̹i̹1983, A̹ van den Berg ( NCA 84 /397) ; 1♀ North West, Buffelspoort , sweeping, grass, c. 25°48'S 27°29'E, 15.x.1975, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 97 /762)̹ Limpopo : 1♀ Nylsvley, Naboomspruit , c. 24°39'S 28°42'E, 10̹xii̹1977, G̹ Ferriera ( NCA 78 /427)̹ Free State: 1Ô Ɵranjeville, c. 26°59'S 28°12'E, sweeping, grass, 28̹xii̹1982, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 84 /47) ; 1♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 22̹iii̹1980, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman, N ̹J̹ Dippenaar ( NCA 81 /340) ; 2♀ Free State, Koppies , Koppiesdam Nat ̹ Res ̹ ,

1400 m, 27°13'S 27°42'E, various methods, 27-28̹ix̹1993, L̹N̹ Lotz ( NMBA 6242 ) ̹ Gauteng: 1 Ô Pretoria / Tshwane, Roodeplaatdam Nat. Res., c. 25°37'S 28°21'E, sweeping, tall grass, 17.vi.1983, A. van den Berg, T. Marren ( NCA 84 /202); 9Ô 6♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 23̹ii̹1983, A̹ van den Berg, T ̹ Marren ( ISEA 000̹853); 5Ô 5♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 25̹i̹1983, A̹ van den Berg, T ̹ Marren ( NCA 84 /161); 2Ô 4♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 2̹xii̹1982, A̹ van den Berg, T ̹ Marren ( NCA 84 /92); 2♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 28̹iv̹1983, A̹ van den Berg, T ̹ Marren ( NCA 84 /192); 3Ô 3♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 15̹i̹1980,A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /635); 4Ô 3♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 31̹i̹1980, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /677); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 19̹iii̹1980, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /662); 5Ô 11♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 17̹xii̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 81 /1078); 2Ô 2♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 5̹xi̹1981,A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /461); 1Ô 2♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 5̹xi̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /445); 2♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 5̹xi̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /471); 3Ô 1♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 5̹xi̹1981,A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /479); 1Ô 5♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 17̹xii̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /504); 1Ô 5♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 17̹xii̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /509, 1♀ with ugly epigyne); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 17̹xii̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /529); 3Ô 4♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 17̹xii̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /513); 1Ô 8♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 17̹xii̹1981, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /521); 3Ô 3♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 9̹ii̹1982, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman ( NCA 82 /746); 8Ô 4♀ same locality, sweeping, tall grass, 25̹x̹1982, A̹ van den Berg, I ̹ van Rooyen ( NCA 84 /104); 4Ô 4♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 9̹iii̹1982, T̹ Marren, I ̹ van Rooyen ( NCA 83 /20); 1Ô 3♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 25̹v̹1982, T̹ Marren, I ̹ van Rooyen ( NCA 83 /180, together with Holotype); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 24̹vii̹1982, T̹ Marren, I ̹ van Rooyen ( NCA 84 /112); 1Ô 2♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 14̹xii̹1982, A̹ van den Berg ( NCA 84 /151); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 10̹i̹1990, A̹ van den Berg ( NCA 90 /504); 2Ô 4♀ same locality, sweeping, 21̹iv̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /659); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, 14̹v̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /618); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, 26̹vi̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /630); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, 16̹viii̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /640); 1♀ same locality, sweeping, 26̹ix̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /568); 2Ô 2♀ same locality, sweeping, 22̹x̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /574); 3Ô 8♀ same locality, sweeping, 13̹xi̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /581); 1Ô 4♀ same locality, sweeping, 9̹xii̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /595); 2Ô 1♀ same locality, sweeping, 13̹xii̹1980, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /644); 3Ô 8♀ same locality, sweeping, 29̹i̹1981, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /551); 1Ô 1♀ same locality, sweeping, 20̹ii̹1981, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /546); 1Ô same locality, sweeping, 22̹vii̹1981, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /697); 2♀ same locality, sweeping, 28̹viii̹1981, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /700); 3Ô 7♀ same locality, sweeping, 16̹ix̹1981, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /708); 1Ô same locality, sweeping, 13̹x̹1981, M̹ Stiller ( NCA 82 /425); 6Ô 4♀ same locality, sweeping, beating, 28̹xi̹1979, A̹S̹ Dippenaar-Schoeman, M ̹ Stiller ( NCA 81 /762); 3Ô 6♀ same locality, sweeping, grass, 25̹v̹1982, T̹ Marren, I ̹ van Rooyen ( NCA 83 /180); 1Ô same locality, sweeping, tall grass, 25̹v̹1983, A̹ van den Berg ( NCA 84 /196); 3♀ same locality, grass and bush, sweepnetting, 17̹x̹1983, A̹ van den Berg, C ̹ Schultz ( NCA 2013 /639); 1Ô same locality, 20̹vi̹1997, H̹ Ɵberholzer ( NCA 97 /1024); 1♀ Jukskei R ̹, near Lanseria , c. 25°55'S 27°54'E, grass, 4.v.1980, A. Leroy ( NCA 81 /276); 1♀ Baviaanspoort , c. 25°40'S 28°22'E, LR 494, grass, 16̹iv̹1989, A̹ Leroy ( NCA 89 /687)̹ Mpumalanga: 2♀ Ezemvelo G ̹R̹, 26 km NE of Bronkhorstspruit, LR 2254, 25°41'S 28°58'E, grass, sweep net, 11̹xi̹2000, A̹ Leroy ( NCA 2010 /3952); 3♀ 30 km N of Graskop, 24°37'S 30°50'E, grass, sweeping, 15̹iii̹2004, S̹ Maartens ( NCA 2005 /410)̹

Distribution: Southern Africa ( Botswana and South Africa) (Fig̹ 26)̹

Figures

Figs 8–25. Festucula spp̹: (8) palpal tibia of F. leroyae sp. n., ventral view; (9) ditto, retrolateral view; (10) palpal tibia of F. robustus sp̹ n̹, ventral view; (11) ditto, retrolateral view; (12) palpal tibia of F. australis Lawrence, 1927, retrolateral view; (13) palpal tibia of F. lineata Simon, 1901, basalretrolateral view; (14) ditto, F. australis Lawrence, 1927; (15) ditto, F. lawrencei Lessert, 1933; retrolateral view;(16) palp of F.festuculaeformis (Lessert, 1925),ventral view; (17) ditto, F.haddadi sp̹ n̹; (18) epigyne of F. robustus sp̹ n̹, dorsal view view; (19) ditto, F. leroyae sp̹ n̹; (20) ditto, F. australis Lawrence,1927, ventralview; (21) ditto, F. haddadi sp̹n̹; (22) spermathecaeof F. australis Lawrence, 1927, dorsal view; (23) ditto, F. vermiformis Simon, 1901 (from Prószyṅski, 1987; with modification); (24) ditto, F. haddadi sp̹ n̹; (25) ditto, F. festuculaeformis (Lessert, 1925)̹

Figs 88–96. Festucula leroyae sp̹ n̹: (88) male palp, ventral view; (89) ditto, retrolateral view; (90) tibial apophysis, dorsal view; (91) ditto, ventro-retrolateral view; (92) ditto, retrolateral-apical view; (93) diagrammatic course of the insemination ducts; (94, 95) epigyne, ventral view; (96) spermathecae, dorsal view̹(88—92) Ɵranjeville,Free State; (95)near Lanseria, Gauteng;(94, 96) Pretoria/Tshwane, Gauteng. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Figs 97–103. Festucula leroyae sp̹ n̹, general appearance: (97) male, dorsal view; (98) ditto, ventral view; (99) ditto, lateral view; (100) male “face”; (101) female, dorsal view; (102) ditto,ventral view;(103) ditto, lateral view̹ Scale bars: (97—99, 101—103) 1 mm, (100) 0̹2 mm̹

Figs 113–120. Festucula robustus sp̹ n̹: (113) male palp, ventral view; (114) ditto, retrolateral view; (115) tibial apophysis, dorsal view; (116) ditto, ventro-retrolateral view; (117) ditto, retrolateral-apical view; (118) epigyne, ventral view; (119) spermathecae, dorsal view; (120) diagrammatic course of the insemination ducts. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.