Uduba woodae, Griswold & Ubick & Ledford & Polotow, 2022

Griswold, Charles, Ubick, Darrell, Ledford, Joel & Polotow, Daniele, 2022, A Revision of the Malagasy Crack-Leg Spiders of the Genus Uduba Simon, 1880 (Araneae, Udubidae), with Description of 35 New Species from Madagascar, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 67, pp. 1-193 : 90-93

Uduba woodae , new species

Figures 7 J, K , 9 B , 66 A–C , 67 A–F , 78 A–F , 79 A, B , 80 D , Maps 8, 14.

Type material. Holotype male ( CASENT9017834 ) from general collecting and pitfall traps in spiny forest at 20m elevation at Lake Ranobe , Toliara Province, Madagascar, collected 13–21 May 2003 by the Frontier Wilderness Project [MGF072], deposited in CAS . Paratype female ( CASENT9064773 ), same data, also in CAS .

Etymology. The species epithet is patronym in honor of Dr. Hannah Wood, collector of many Uduba and many other rare and cryptic arachnid specimens from around the world, student of the evolution, functional morphology and behavior of the assassin spiders (Palpimanoidea) and with a focus on the pelican spiders ( Archaeidae ), ancient survivors from tropical Gondwanaland.

Remarks. Our concept of Uduba woodae is a cribellate species found in the drier southwestern parts of Madagascar. An epigynum that has a clearly defined median lobe and surrounding atrium is associated with a male palpus that has a screw shaped TA3, e.g., as in Uduba dahli , U. platnicki , and U. schlingeri . Females of Uduba woodae have a divided cribellum and a median lobe plus atrium type epigynum that has the part of the epigynal plate that is posteriad of the atrium high, nearly equal in length to the ML itself ( Figs. 78 A, C, E , 79 B ). Females from southwestern Madagascar (Toliara Province) that have divided cribella and this type of epigynum include CASENT9000536 from Forêt de Beroboka ( Fig. 78 A ) and CASENT9030930 from Mikea Forest, NW of Manombo, which are here considered to be examples of U. woodae . An old series of female specimens collected by Carougeau during 19–30 November 1901 and deposited in the Paris Museum (MNHN) also shows these epigynal characters. The collection locality for these specimens may be Ambovombe, which is in far southern Madagascar, also in Toliara Province. All these unique collections of cribellate females are considered to belong to species U. woodae .

Diagnosis. Uduba woodae are members of Group I.b, the Uduba woodae group (Map 14) of Group I, the Epigynal atrium group. They are cribellate, with divided cribellum or vestige. Males have the palp ( Figs 66 A–C , 67 A–F ) with TA2 highly sclerotized, black, concave medially against TA3 ( Fig. 66 B ), MA concave in middle with proximal sharp point ( Figs. 66 C , 67 D ), origin at 0.45 times tegulum length. Males are distinguished from U. lehibekokoa by having a sharp point on the MA, the TA3 apex blunt ( Figs. 66 C , 67 B ), the VTA that is short and straight ( Figs. 66 A, C ), length less than 2 times width, and specimens that are smaller in size, total length = 9.00– 12.40mm ( U. lehibekokoa males have the MA smooth, the TA3 apex pointed, VTA long and curved apically, length greater than 2 times width, Figs. 50 A–C , and specimens that are larger in size, total length 14.00– 15.50mm). Females have the epigynal plate with median lobe surrounded by depressed atrium ( Figs. 78 A, C, E , 79 B ), ML elongate, length at least 1.5 times width, atrium narrow and ML broad. The median lobe ends well anteriad of epigastric furrow, the post-atrial plate of the epigynum is very high and the epigynum length is greater than 1.5 times atrial length ( Figs. 78 A, C, E , 79 B , 80 D ).

Description. Male (Holotype): Total length 9.80. Markings as in Fig. 9 B . Carapace 6.10 long, 4.20 wide, 2.10 high; clypeus 0.30 high. Eye diameters:AME, ALE and PLE 0.22, PME 0.20. Chelicerae 2.40 long; sternum 2.70 long, 2.10 wide; labium 1.30 long; palpal coxae 1.90 long. Divid- ed cribellum. Spination: palpus–femur d1-1-3, tibia p0-1-0; leg I–femur d1-1-1-1, p0-1-0-2, r0-1- 1-0, patella p1, r1, tibia d0-1-1-0, p1-0-1-0, v2-2-2-2, r1-0-1-0, metatarsus p1-2-2, v2-2-1-2, r1-1- 1; leg II–femur d1-0-1-1, p0-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1, patella p1, r1, tibia d0-0-0-1, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2-2, r0- 1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-1, v2-2-1-2, r1-1-1; leg III–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-1-1, r0-1-1-1, patella p1, r1, tibia d0-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0-0, p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2; leg IV– femur d2-01-1, p0-1-1-0, r0-1-1-0, patella p1, r1, tibia d0-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-1-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0-0, p1-1-1-2, v1-1-1-2-2, r1-1-2. Scopulae: cymbium, apicodorsal ( Fig. 67 A ); strong beneath all tarsi. Leg measurements: I: 5.90 + 2.30 + 5.70 + 5.60 + 3.50 = 23.00; II: 5.00 + 2.10 + 4.40 + 4.90 + 3.00 = 19.40; III: 4.40 + 1.70 + 3.00 + 4.40 + 2.50 = 16.00; IV: 6.00 + 2.10 + 5.30 + 7.10 + 3.10 = 23.60; palpus: 2.10 + 0.80 + 0.90 + NA + 2.50 = 6.30. Leg formula 4123. Male palp: palpal tibia 0.36 times cymbial length, RTA very broad, crescentic, with point- ed apex ( Figs. 66 A , 67 A ), RTA length 0.26 tibia length, length 0.75 times width, VTA conical, distally hooked, with rounded apex ( Figs. 66 A, C , 67 B, C ), length 1.67 times width, VTA length 0.29 times tibia width; tibia with slender prolateral spine ( Figs. 66 A , 67 C ); tegulum convex, without ridge ( Figs. 66 B, C , 67 D ), tegulum length 0.92 times width; TA1 rounded, blunt apically, extends distad of tegulum apex, TA1 extends past TA3 apex by 1.27 times tegulum length; TA3 transverse, tapering, concave dorsally, rounded TA3 apex reflexed, visible in front of TA2 ( Fig. 66 B ); TA2 highly sclerotized, black, concave medially against TA3 ( Figs. 66 A, B , 67 B, E ); MA transverse, simple, concave in middle with proximal sharp point ( Figs. 67 D, E ), origin at 0.45 times tegulum length, tegulum apex at 0.32 tegulum length from MA apex, MA length (including apical processes) 0.41 times width, MA small, length 0.16 tegulum length, width 0.35 times tegulum width; conductor fan entire ( Fig. 66 C ). Female (paratype): Total length 11.40. Markings as in Figs. 7 J, K . Carapace 5.50 long, 3.80 wide, 2.70 high; clypeus 0.30 high. Eye diameters: AME and PME 0.18, ALE and PLE 0.22. Chelicerae 2.80 long; sternum 2.40 long, 1.90 wide; labium 2.20 long; palpal coxae 2.80 long. Divided cribellum. Spination: palpus–femur d0-0-2, p1, tibia p0- 1-0, tarsus p2-1-1; leg I–femur d0-1-0-1, p0-0-0-1, tibia v1-1-1-2, metatarsus p0-0-1, v2-2-3; leg II–femur d0-1-0-0, p0-0-0-1, tibia v1-1-1-2, metatarsus v2-2-3; leg III–femur d0-1-0-1, p0-1-0-1, r0-1-0-1, tibia p0-1-1-0, v1-1-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-1, v2-2-2, r1-1-2; leg IV–femur d1-0-0- 1, tibia v1-1-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p0-0-2-2, v2-2-2, r0-2-2. Scopulae: strong ventral beneath all tarsi and apices of metatarsi II–IV. Leg measurements: I: 3.10 + 1.90 + 2.90 + 2.40 + 1.70 = 12.00; II: 3.10 + 1.70 + 2.30 + 2.10 + 1.60 = 10.80; III: 2.70 + 1.40 + 1.50 + 2.20 + 1.40 = 9.20; IV: 3.70 + 1.60 + 2.80 + 3.60 + 1.70 = 13.40; palpus: 1.90 + 0.90 + 1.00 + NA + 1.70 = 5.50. Leg formula 4123. Female genitalia: epigynal plate with median lobe surrounded by depressed atrium ( Fig. 78 E ), plate width 1.24 times length; atrium width 1.83 times atrium length, atrium sides evenly convex; epigynum length 2.50 times atrium length, atrium width 0.53 times epigynum width; atrium width at side of ML 0.47 times ML width; atrium and ML arise well anteriad of epigastric groove, atrium origin at 0.26 of epigynal plate length, ML relatively large, bell-shaped, ML length 0.62 times epigynal length, ML length 1.82 times width, ML extends far anteriad of atrium apex; LL broad, atrium width 2.06 times LL width; CO hidden beneath posterolateral margin of atrium, distance between CO 0.50 times width of epigynal plate, CO distance from epigastric furrow 0.34 times epigynum length. Vulva ( Fig. 78 F ), with spermathecal ducts making three, transverse curves, vulva length 0.60 times width, FD close-together, vulva width 7.57 times distance between FD.

Variation. Male (N = 5): Total length = 9.00–12.40, carapace length / width = 1.34–1.57, carapace height / width = 0.47–0.52, PER / carapace width = 0.36–0.38, PER / OAL = 2.94–4.76, PER / AER = 1.28–1.38, OAL / OQL = 1.06–1.16, OQP / OQA 1.07–1.20, clypeus height / AME = 1.25–1.59, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 8.00–11.50, sternum length / width = 1.24–1.38, palpal coxa length / width = 2.22–3.20, femur I length / carapace width =1.16–1.40, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 1.16–1.47, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.22–1.45, cymbium length / carapace width = 0.61–0.70, cymbium length / palpal patella length = 3.10–3.75, cymbium length / palpal tibia length = 2.58–3.29, cymbium length / palpal femur length = 1.11–1.44, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.00–1.38. Palpus as in Figs. 66 A–C , 67 A–F . Female (N = 7): Total length = 11.00–22.43, carapace length / width = 1.23–1.49, carapace height/ width = 0.44–0.72, PER/ carapace width = 0.42–0.70, PER / OAL = 2.79–4.00, PER / AER = 1.25–1.59, OAL / OQL = 1.00–1.17, OQP / OQA = 1.04–1.23, clypeus height/ AME diameter width = 1.56– 2.08, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 7.00–10.00, sternum length / width = 1.18–1.27, palpal coxa length / width = 1.94–3.11, femur I length / carapace width = 0.82–1.06, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 0.63–0.72, femur IV length / carapace width = 0.95–1.04, palpal tarsus length / carapace width = 0.39–0.45, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.52–2.00, palpal tarsus length / palpal tibia length = 1.35–2.18, palpal tarsus length / palpal femur length = 0.71–0.96, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 0.92–1.13. Genitalia with epigynal plate ( Figs. 78 A, C, E , 79 B ) width 0.94–1.24 times length; atrium width 1.57–1.83 times atrium length, atrium sides nearly straight to evenly convex; epigynum length 1.69–2.56 times atrium length, atrium width at side of ML 0.21–0.85 times ML width; ML length 0.51–0.62 times epigynal length, median lobe length 1.57–3.00 times width, ML length extends 0.34–0.85 times epigynum length anteriad of atrium. Vulva ( Figs. 78 B, D, F , 79 A , 80 D ) with spermathecal ducts making two to three transverse curves, vulva length 0.57–0.625 times width, FD widely-spaced to close-together, vulva width 3.30–7.57 times distance between FD.

M aterial examined. MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa Province: Italaviana, 35 km SSE of Antsirabe, 20°10.40ʹS, 47°05.16ʹE, elev. 1360m, malaise trap in Uapaca , forest, 24 April–8 May 2005, M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala [MA-24-71] ( CASENT9042522 , 1♂, CAS). Border of Fianarantsoa Province and Tulear Province : 9 km SW of Ilikaka Saphir [sic., Sapphire] town, 22°37.73ʹS, 45°21.67ʹE, elev. 1036m, malaise in Uapaca forest, 6 March 2002, M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala [MG-12-11] ( CASENT9032853 , 1♂, CAS), 27 February–6 March 2002 [MG-12-10] ( CASENT9032855 , 1♂, CAS). Mahajanga Province: Western slope of Anjanaharibe-Sud , 13.5 km SW Befingotra, 14°47.0ʹS, 49°26.5ʹE, elev. 1600m, undisturbed transitional montane rainforest, Camp #1, pitfall 7, 26 October–1 November 1999, S. Goodman ( CASENT9064657 , 1♂, FMNH). Toliara Province: Lake Ranobe , 23°02.524ʹS, 43°37.214ʹE, elev. 20m, general collecting and pitfall traps in spiny forest, 13–21 May 2003, Frontier Wilderness Project [MGF072] (holotype ♂, CASENT9017834 , paratype ♀, CASENT9064773 , CAS), [ MGF067 ] ( CASENT9017831 , 1♂, CAS); Mikea Forest , NW of Manombo, 22°54.22ʹS, 43°28.53ʹE, elev. 30m, malaise trap in deciduous dry forest, 13–21 October 2002, M. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala [MA-02-18A-36] ( CASENT9030930 , 1♀, CAS); Forêt de Beroboka , 5.9 km 131°SE Ankidranoka, 22°13ʹ59ʺS, 43°21ʹ59ʺE, elev. 80m, tropical dry forest, pitfall trap, 12–16 March 2002, Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team [BLF6068] ( CASENT9000536 , 1♀, CAS); Andohahela National Park , Tsimelahy, Parcelle #II, 24°56.21ʹS, 46°37.60ʹE, elev. 180m, malaise trap in transitional forest, 3–15 May 2003, M. Irwin, F. Parker, and R. Harin’Hala [MA-02-20-24] ( CASENT9021818 , 1♂, CAS); Forest des Milua , 19 km SW Tanadava, 21°52.00ʹS, 43°39.60ʹE, elev. 50m, pitfalls, 16–25 March 2003, V. Sourivalalam ( FMHD#2003-10 , 1♂, FMNH); Beza Mahafaly Reserve , Parcelle #I near research station, 23°41.19ʹS, 44°35.46ʹE, elev. 165m, malaise trap in dry deciduous forest, 28 November–4 December 2001, M. E. Irwin, F. D. Parker and R. Harin’Hala [MA-02-14A-04] ( CASENT9042545 , 1♂, CAS). MADAGASCAR: no locality: probably Ambovombe, 19–30 November 1901, Carougeau, (7 ♀, MNHN) , listed as follows: ( CASENT9006098 , 1♀, MNHN), ( CASENT9006092 , 1♀, MNHN), ( CASENT9006093 , 1♀, MNHN), ( CASENT9006094 , 1♀, MNHN), ( CASENT9006095 , 1♀, MNHN), ( CASENT9006096 , 1♀, MNHN), ( CASENT9006097 , 1♀, MNHN) .

Natural history. The species Uduba woodae appears to occur mostly in dry parts of Madagascar (Maps 8, 14), and is recorded from dry deciduous forest, tropical dry forest, transitional dry forest in Andohahela, Uapaca forest and even spiny forest. Collection of individuals in malaise traps in addition to terrestrial pitfall traps suggests that wandering males may climb into vegetation in their search for females; females may also wander, as one was collected in a terrestrial pitfall trap. Uduba woodae spiders are cribellate, with a divided cribellum or vestige, but we know nothing of the use of silk by this species.

Distribution. Uduba woodae specimens have been collected in Southern Madagascar in the drier portions of Fianarantsoa and Tulear Provinces with an outlier in the northeast (Maps 8, 14).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Habitus photos of Uduba spp., females, dorsal views. A. U. pseudoevanescens, CASENT9006007, from Forêt Marovato, MNHN Paris. B. U. evanescens (Dahl, 1901), CASENT9006090 from Ranomafana National Park. C. U. volana, Holotype (CASENT9006072) from 1400m elevation at Ambohimanga. D. U. goodmani, Holotype (CASENT9006074) from Réserve Naturelle Intégrale d’Andohahela. E. U. salegy, Paratype (CASENT9006045) from Parc National Montagne d’Ambre. F. U. ibonia, CASENT9006033 from Ranomafana National Park. G. U. schlingeri, CASENT9006075 from Parc National Ranomafana. H. U. barbarae, paratype (CASENT9006064), from Lokobe Forest on the island of Nosy Be. I. U. kavanaughi, paratype (CASENT9003517) from Parc National Ranomafana. J. U. woodae, paratype (CASENT9017834) from spiny forest at Lake Ranobe. K. U. woodae, CASENT9006092 from Ambovombe, Carougeau, Muséum Paris. L. U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863), CASENT9006029, from forest near village of Ambohimanga. Scale bars (see A, I) = 5 mm.

FIGURE 9. Habitus photos of Uduba spp., males, dorsal views. A. U. schlingeri, (CASENT9006077) from R. S. de Ivohibe. B. U. woodae, CASENT9017831 from Lake Ranobe. C. U. lehibekokoa, Holotype (CASENT9017929) from tropical dry forest in Parc National de Namoroka. D. U. salegy, Holotype (CASENT9006044) from montane rainforest in Parc National Montagne d’Ambre. E. U. ibonia, CASENT9006034 from Parc National Ranomafana. F. U. fandroana, CASENT9006103 from Forêt d’Ankazomivady. G. U. kavanaughi, Holotype (CASENT9029870) from evergreen forest in Parc National Ranomafana. H. U. lamba, Holotype (CASENT9042542) from rainforest in Réserve Nationale Intégrale Betampona. Scale bars: A–F, H = 5 mm, G = 10 mm.

FIGURE 66. Uduba woodae, new species, Holotype (CASENT9017834) from Lake Ranobe, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Giovanni Maki. TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum; TA3, retroapical apophysis of the tegulum. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 67. Uduba woodae, new species, CASENT9017834 from Lake Ranobe, right male palpus, SEM. A. Tibia and tarsus, retrolateral. B. Tibia and tarsus, ventral. C. Tibia and tarsus, prolateral. D. Bulb, retrolateral. E. Bulb, ventral. F. Bulb, prolateral. E, embolus; MA, median apophysis; TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum; TA3, retroapical apophysis of the tegulum. Scale bars: A–C = 200µm, D–F = 100 µm.

FIGURE 78. Uduba woodae, new species, female genitalia drawings. A, B. Forêt de Beroboka (CASENT9000536). C, D. Ambovombe, Carougeau, Muséum Paris (CASENT9006092). E, F. Paratype (CASENT9017834) from Lake Ranobe. A, C, E. Epigynum, ventral. B, D, F. Vulva, dorsal. Illustrations by Charles Griswold. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 79. Uduba spp., female genitalia drawings. A, B. U. woodae, new species, (CASENT9000536) Forêt de Beroboka. C–E. Uduba funerea Simon 1906, holotype. B, D. Epigynum, ventral. A, C. Vulva, dorsal. E. Vulva, anterodorsal. Illustrations by Charles Griswold. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 80. Uduba spp., ♀ genitalia. A, B. U. schlingeri, new species, CASENT9006075 from Vatoharanana, Ranomafana National Park. C. U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863), CASENT9006029 from forest near Ambohimanga Village. D. U. woodae, new species, CASENT9006092 from Ambovombe, Carougeau, MNHN, Muséum Paris. E, F. U. goodmani, new species, Holotype (CASENT9006074), from Réserve Naturelle Intégrale d’Andohahela. G. U. evanescens (Dahl, 1901) CASENT9006083 from Forêt Ambohimasoa. H, I. U. valiha, new species, Paratype (CASENT9006071) from Massif Andringitra. J. U. pseudoevanescens, new species, CASENT9006007 from Forêt Marovato. A, E, H. Epigynum, ventral. B–D, F, G, I, J. Vulva, dorsal. At, atrium of epigynum; BS, base of spermatheca of vulva; CO, copulatory openings of epigynum; EF, epigastric furrow of abdomen; FD, fertilization duct of vulva; HS, head of spermatheca of vulva, including spermathecal poreplate; LL, lateral lobe of epigynum; LP, lateral process of epigynum; ML, median lobe of epigynum. Scale bars = A, B = 0.5 mm, C–J = 0.25 mm.

FIGURE 50. Uduba lehibekokoa, new species, Holotype (CASENT9017929) from Parc National de Namoroka, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Daniele Polotow. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.