Evarcha denticulata, Wesołowska & Haddad, 2013

Wesołowska, Wanda & Haddad, Charles R., 2013, New data on the jumping spiders of South Africa (Araneae: Salticidae), African Invertebrates 54 (1), pp. 177-177 : 195-197

Evarcha denticulata sp. n.

Figs 9, 62–64

Etymology: From Latin denticulata (notched), in reference to the tooth on the palpal tibial apophysis.

Diagnosis: The species is related to Evarcha vittula Haddad & Wesołowska, 2011 , but can be easily distinguished by the shape of the tibial apophysis (longer and with an additional tooth). It also differs in body colouration ( Fig. 9), having a generalised T­shaped marking on the abdomen, while E. vittula has creamy median stripe on the carapace and abdomen (see Haddad & Wesołowska 2011: fig. 39). Female unknown.

Description:

Male.

Measurements. Cephalothorax: length 2.1, width 1.5, height 0.1. Abdomen: length 1.8, width 1.2. Eye field: length 1.0, anterior width 1.3, posterior width 1.4.

General appearance as in Fig. 9. Carapace high, blackish brown, with flat area extending halfway along the thorax; flat part of thorax slightly bright brown, with belt of white hairs along lateral edges of eye field, converging towards posterior of carapace.Anterior median eyes surrounded by fawn scales above and white scales below; long brown bristles present on eye field, especially at posterior median eyes; white hairs forming three fine parallel lines below anterior lateral eyes on “cheeks”; clypeus with few long white bristles. Mouthparts and sternum dark brown. Abdomen blackish brown, with streak formed by white hairs along anterior edge and white median band, broken into chain of large spots posteriorly. Venter dark, with four lines formed by pale dots. Spinnerets dark. Legs dark brown, hairs and spines dark brown, some lighter hairs on distal ends of femora. Pedipalps dark brown; tibial apophysis long, tip broadened in ventral view, with additional dorsal tooth; embolus short and slightly curved ( Figs 62–64).

Holotype: ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: 10 km NE of Paterson , 33°21.175'S 25°57.239'E, base of grass tussocks, 4.xi.2011, C. Haddad (NCA, 2012/1827).

Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: 3♂ Amatola Mtns, Hogsback, Amatola Forestry Company offices, 32°35.276'S 26°55.911'E, 1270 m, under overhanging vegetation, 2.iv.2012, C. Haddad, J. Neethling & A. van Rooyen ( NMSA, 26518); Jeffrey’s Bay , Kabeljauws, 34°00.415'S 24°55.795'E, 7 m, on lawn in garden, 22.xii.2012, C. Haddad (NCA, 2013/568) . Western Cape: 1♂ Cape Town, Rondebosch, Chess Road , 33°55'S 18°25'E, ii.2012, M. Cumming ( MRAC) .

Distribution: Known only from the southern parts of South Africa ( Fig. 67).

Habitat and biology: Specimens were collected on the soil surface underneath overhanging vegetation or from the base of grass tussocks.