Ambohima ranohira, Griswold & Wood & Carmichael, 2012

Griswold, Charles E., Wood, Hannah Marie & Carmichael, Anthea D., 2012, The lace web spiders (Araneae, Phyxelididae) of Madagascar: phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomy, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 164 (4), pp. 728-810 : 781-784

AMBOHIMA RANOHIRA SP. NOV.

( FIGS 3A , 6H , 7D , 12A–C , 22A–D , 23A–D , 31A–D , 39A–F, 42J–L, 45C, D, 46B, D–F, 47A–D, 48B, C, 49A–F, 59)

Types: Holotype male and paratype female ( CASENT9005788 ) taken from a web under a large stone in gallery forest at 725 m elevation at Parc National d’Isalo , 9.1 km 354° N Ranohira , 22°28′54″S, 45°27′42″E, Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar, 27–31 January 2003, by C. Griswold, deposited in CASC.

Etymology: The specific name is a noun in apposition from the type locality.

Diagnosis: Male with palp as in Figure 12A–C , embolic base convex, broad, much broader than width of exposed conductor between embolic base and proximal turn of embolus, reservoir course across embolic base sinuate; clasper concavity on metatarsi I and II swollen and protruding at base ( Fig. 42J–L ). Female vulva as in Figures 31B and 39D–F, apex of spermathecae with a simple, median bend, lacking spirals.

Male (Holotype): Total length 6.80. Markings similar to Figure 3A . Carapace 3.35 long, 2.65 wide; thoracic fovea 0.85 long, length 0.25 times carapace length; clypeus 0.18 high; ocular area 0.39 long, 0.87 wide; ratio of eyes AM/AL/PM/PL, 1.25:2.66:1.00:1.17, diameter of PM 0.12. Chelicerae 1.00 long, slender, smooth, pro- and retromargins of fang furrow with six teeth. Sternum 1.84 long, 1.40 wide; labium 0.60 long, 0.56 wide; palpal coxa 1.00 long, 0.46 wide. Legs elongate, femur I length 2.00 times carapace length; metatarsi I and II prolateral concavity and clasping spines as in Figure 42J–L , segment swollen and pro- diameter; cheliceral length 4.48–5.82 times clypeal jecting dorsally basad of cavity. Leg measurements height; promargin of fang furrow with 6–7 teeth, (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = [total]): retromargin of fang furrow with 5–7 teeth; sternum I: 6.70 + 1.60 + 6.90 + 6.60 + 2.55 = [24.35]; II: 5.85 + length 1.27–1.58 times width; femur I length 1.86– 1.45 + 5.50 + 5.00 + 2.10 = [19.90]; III: 4.85 + 1.25 + 2.15 times carapace length; metatarsus I 1.86–2.03 4.05 + 4.40 + 1.75 = [16.30]; IV: 6.20 + 1.35 + 6.00 + times carapace length.

6.40 + 2.25 = [22.20]; palp: 1.95 + 0.70 + 0.65 +

(absent) + 1.30 = [4.60]. Palpus as in Figures 12A–C , Female (Paratype): Total length 10.00. Markings of 22A–D and 23A–D, femur with probasal row of four dorsum similar to Figure 7D , venter as in Figures 6H thorn-like setae; tibia with dorsal blade (DTA) trap- and 47C. Carapace 4.80 long, 3.50 wide; thoracic ezoidal, prolateral hook (PTA) short, stout; cymbium fovea 0.80 long, length 0.17 carapace length; clypeus length 0.39 that of carapace; palpal bulb length 1.82 0.42 high; ocular area 0.50 long, 1.36 wide; ratio of times width, embolic base convex, broad, much eyes AM/AL/PM/PL, 1.20:2.80:1.13:1.00, diameter of broader than width of exposed conductor between PM 0.17. Chelicerae 1.74 long, robust, smooth, proembolic base and proximal turn of embolus, reservoir and retromargins of fang furrow with seven teeth. course across embolic base sinuate. Sternum 2.56 long, 1.90 wide; labium 0.86 long, 0.80 wide; palpal coxa 1.44 long, 0.64 wide. Femur I length Variation (N = 6): Total length 6.60–8.10; carapace 1.42 times carapace length. Palpal femur with anterlength 1.25–1.38 times width, height 0.25–0.37 times obasal group of two small and a separate row of three width; PER width 2.23–2.58 times OAL; OQP 1.05– thorns. Calamistrum origin at 0.45 from metatarsus 1.25 times OQA; clypeal height 1.25–1.83 times AM base, length 0.35 that of segment. Leg measurements

(femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = [total]): I: 6.80 + 1.90 + 6.70 + 6.35 + 2.75 = [24.50]; II: 5.60 + 1.80 + 4.65 + 4.65 + 2.15 = [18.85]; III: 4.80 + 1.50 + 3.65 + 3.90 + 1.85 = [15.70]; IV: 5.85 + 1.65 + 5.40 + 5.10 + 2.15 = [20.15]; palp: 2.00 + 0.75 + 1.10 + (absent) + 2.10 = [5.95]. Epigynum as in Figure 39A; vulva with apex of spermathecae with a simple, median bend (Fig. 39D).

Variation (N = 5): Total length 5.70–10.40; carapace length 1.37–1.45 times width, height 0.29–0.43 times width; PER width 2.63–2.86 times OAL; OQP 2.63– 2.86 times OQA; clypeal height 1.43–2.47 times AM diameter; cheliceral length 4.14–5.60 times clypeal height; pro- and retromargins of fang furrow with 5–7 teeth; sternum length 1.22–1.42 times width; femur I length 1.42–1.65 times carapace length; metatarsus I length 1.22–1.43 times carapace length; epigynum as in Figures 31A and 39A–C, vulva as in Figures 31B–D and 39D–F.

Natural history: This species occurs in tropical dry forest and gallery forest in dry areas, and tolerates drier conditions than known for other Madagascar phyxelidids. This species may also be found in disturbed areas, including the interior of buildings.

Distribution: Known from the plateau region of southern Madagascar ( Fig. 59 ).

Material examined: MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa Prov. Forêt d’Analalava, 29.6 km 280° W Ranohira, 22°35′30″S, 045°07′42″E, elev. 700 m, dry forest on sandy soil, 1–5 February 2003, C. Griswold, D. Silva and J. J. Rafonomezantsoa, 5 ♀, CASC ( CASENT9016953 , 9019988 , 9020322 , 9019989 , 9005873 ); Parc National d’Isalo, 9.1 km 354° N Ranohira , 22°28′54″S, 045°27′42″E, elev. 725 m, in gallery forest, 27–31 January 2003, C. Griswold, D. Silva and J. J. Rafonomezantsoa, 1 ♂ holotype, 1 ♀ paratype, CASC ( CASENT9005788 ), 2 ♂, 6 ♀, CASC ( CASENT9019987 , 9005937 , 9021371 , 9005938 , 9019985 , 9019986 , 90218642 , 9017228 ); Parc National d’Isalo, gallery forest along Sahanafa River , 29.2 km 351° N Ranohira , 22°18′48″S, 045°17′30″E, elev. 500 m, 10–13 February 2003, Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team, 1 ♀, CASC ( CASENT9016724 ); Isalo N. P., north end, 25 May 1992, V . Roth, 1 ♀, CASC ( CASENT9017024 ); Ambalavao, Hotely , in Tegenaria - like web in corner of dark outhouse, 25 May 1992, V . Roth, 1 ♀, CASC ( CASENT9025741 ) . Toliara Prov. 18 km NNW Betroka, 23°09′59″S, 045°58′07″E, elev. 825 m, 4–9 December 1994, M. Ivie and A. Pollock, 1 ♂, CASC ( CASENT9016178 ); Andohahela N. P., Parcelle II, Tsimela , 24°56.21’S, 46°37.60′E, elev. 180 m, 21–25 October 2002, R . Harin’Hala, 1 ♂, CASC ( CASENT2026292 ) .

Figures

Figure 3. Dorsal habitus of Ambohima males. A, A. ranohira from Ranohira, CASENT9005938. B, A. sublima from Anjozorobe, CASENT9004080.

Figure 6. Habitus of Ambohima. A, A. andrefana, male, dorsal, Analavelona, CASENT9020321. B, A. andrefana, male, dorsal, Zombitse, CASENT9005931. C, A. vato, male, dorsal, Itremo, CASENT9016755. D, A. zoky, holotype male, dorsal, CASENT9017018. E, A. sublima, male, dorsal, Ambohimanga, CASENT9016200. F, A. sublima, male, dorsal, Talatakely, CASENT9024485. G, I, A. maizina, holotype male, CASENT9016206. G, dorsal. I, ventral. H, A. ranohira, female, ventral, Ranohira, CASENT9019986.

Figure 7. Habitus of Ambohima females. A, B, A. antsinanana from Andringitra, CASENT9029887. A, dorsal. B, lateral. C, A. vato from Itremo, CASENT9020002, dorsal. D, A. ranohira from Analalava, CASENT9019989, dorsal. E, A. avaratra from Montagne d’Ambre, CASENT9017012, dorsal. F, A. zandry, Montagne d’Ambre, CASENT9017021, dorsal. G, A. zoky, Montagne d’Ambre, CASENT9020320, dorsal. H, A. pauliani, holotype, dorsal.

Figure 12. Left male palpus of Ambohima ranohira from Betroka (CASENT9016178), tibia and tarsus. A, prolateral. B, ventral. C, retrolateral. Illustrations by JS.

Figure 22. Right male palpus of of Ambohima ranohira from Betroka (SEM images flipped to appear left) CASENT9016178. A, prolateral. B, retrolateral. C, proapical. D, ventral. Scale bars: A, B, D = 430 Mm, C = 250 Mm. E: embolus, PP: pars pendula of embolus.

Figure 23. Right male palpus of of Ambohima ranohira from Betroka (CASENT9016178). A, bulb with embolic base, retroapical. B, apex of conductor, with pars pendula and truncus separated. C, tibia, dorsal. D, tibia, proapical. Scale bars: A–D = 200 Mm. C: conductor, CA: conductor apex, E: embolus, PP: pars pendula of embolus.

Figure 31. Ambohima female genitalia. A, G, epigyna, ventral. B–F, H, I, vulvae, dorsal. A–D, A. ranohira. E–I, A. andrefana. A–D, Ranohira, CASENT9019985. E, F, Analalava, CASENT9019978. G–I, Zombitse, CASENT9019919. CD: copulatory duct, FD: fertilization duct, LL: lateral lobe of epigynum, ML: median lobe of epigynum, SP: spermathecal poreplate.

Figure 42. Ambohima male leg I metatarsal claspers, left. A, D, G, J, M, clasper close up, dorsal. B, E, H, K, N, metatarsus, dorsal. C, F, I, L, O, clasper close up, prolateral. A–C, A. andrefana, Analavelona, CASENT9018656. D–F, A. andrefana, Zombitse, CASENT9005930. G–I, A. maizina, holotype, CASENT9016206. J–L, A. ranohira, Ranohira, CASENT9005788. M–O, A. sublima, Ambohimanga, CASENT9016227.

Figure 59. Distribution of Madagascar Phyxelididae.