Uduba irwini, 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 : 50-52

Uduba irwini , new species

Figures 46 A–C , 71 C, D , Maps 3 , 18.

Type material. Holotype male ( CASENT9062802 ) collected from malaise trap in Uapaca forest at 1700 m elevation in the Ankokoy Forest (20°04.05ʹS, 46°59.97ʹE), 3 km E of Ibity, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar, 12–22 January 2009, collectors M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala, deposit- ed in CAS . Paratype female ( CASENT9009383 ) collected at 150m elevation in tropical dry forest on tsingy from Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha , 10.6 km 123°ESE Antsalova (19°42ʹ34ʺS, 44°43ʹ05ʺE), collected 16–20 November 2001 by the Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team [BLF4503], deposited in CAS .

Remarks. Males of the similar species Uduba rinha and Uduba irwini may be distinguished by the TA2 form. Association of the males and females of Uduba rinha is unproblematic in that several were collected together at Parc National de Namoroka. Females associated with Uduba rinha have the epigynal plate posterior of the ML smooth or grooved and the CO hidden beneath the ML hood ( Figs. 71 G , 81 B ) whereas a female from Tsingy de Bemeraha (CASENT9009383) differs from these in that it has exposed copulatory openings just behind the ML ( Fig. 71 C ). This female is considered a paratype of Uduba irwini , which is otherwise known only from males.

Etymology. The species epithet is a patronym on honor of Dr. Mike Irwin, entomologist and philanthropist and a principal architect of the malaise trap survey of Madagascar arthropods, which revealed many new species of spiders.

Diagnosis. Uduba irwini are members of Group IV, the Uduba rinha group (Map 18). They have a divided cribellum. Males can be distinguished from those of other Uduba except Uduba rinha by the simple, trapezoidal MA ( Figs 46 A–C ); Uduba irwini may be distinguished from Uduba rinha by having the TA2 an erect, rectangular spike ( Fig. 46 B ) ( Uduba rinha has the TA2 a flexible hook or curlicue, Fig. 59 B ). The females ( Fig. 71 C ) and Uduba rinha ( Fig. 71 G ) can be distinguished from those of other cribellate Uduba by having the epigynum lateral lobes fused medially; the lone female of Uduba irwini has the copulatory openings exposed just posteriad of the ML ( Fig. 71 C ) whereas the females of Uduba rinha have the copulatory openings that are each hidden beneath the sides of the ML ( Fig. 71 G ).

Description. Male (Holotype): Total length 9.70. Markings typical of Uduba . Carapace 5.50 long, 3.60 wide, 2.10 high; clypeus 0.30 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.14, ALE 0.16, PME 0.18, PLE 0.20. Chelicerae 2.30 long; sternum 2.40 long, 1.80 wide; labium 1.10 long; palpal coxae 1.60 long. Cribellum divided. Spination. (ANJA reserve, CASENT9065405) palpus–femur d1-0-3; leg I–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-2, r0-1-1-0, tibia d0-1-1, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0, p0- 1-2, v2-2-1, r1-1-1; leg II–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-2, r0-1-0-0, tibia d0-1-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1- 0, metatarsus p1-1-2, v2-2-1, r1-1-2; leg III–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-0-2, r0-1-0-2, tibia d0-1-0, p0-1- 1-0, v2-1-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2, tarsus v0-1-0; leg IV–femur d1-1-1, p0-1- 1-0, r0-0-0-1, patella r1, tibia d1-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0, p1-1-2, v2- 1-2-2, r1-1-2. Scopulae: cymbium, apicodorsal; tarsi I–IV, ventral. Leg measurements (holotype): I: 4.40 + 1.90 + 4.00 + 4.10 + 2.60 = 17.00; II: 3.90 + 1.80 + 3.20 + 3.40 + 2.20 = 14.50; III: 3.40 + 1.50 + 2.10 + 2.70 + 1.70 = 11.40; IV: 4.20 + 1.70 + 3.80 + 4.20 + 2.40 = 16.30; palpus: 2.00 + 0.70 + 0.80 + NA + 2.50 = 6.00. Leg formula 1423. Male palp (ANJA Reserve, CASENT9065405) ( Figs. 46 A–C ): palpal tibia 0.35 cymbial length, RTA long, straight ( Fig. 46 C ), RTA length 0.33 times tibia length, length 2.25 times width, with sharply-pointed apex, VTA short, length 1.50 times width, conical, blunt ( Figs. 46 A, C ), length 0.52 times tibia width; tibia without stout spines; tegulum convex, without ridge, tegulum length 1.09 times width; TA1 slen- der, extends far distad of tegulum apex, TA1 extends past TA3 apex by 1.38 times tegulum length; TA3 a transverse, blunt hook ( Fig. 46 B ), TA3 extends apicad of TA2 by 1.21 times tegulum length, TA2 a small, erect trapezoid with concave apex, stiff, sclerotized, extends partially in front of TA3 ( Fig. 46 B ); MA a broad, flat trapezoid, origin at 0.54 times tegulum length, extends nearly to tegulum apex, tegulum apex at 0.085 tegulum length from MA apex, MA length (including apical processes) 1.22 times width, MA large (but smaller than in U. rinha , Fig. 59 A ), length 0.31 tegulum length, width 0.29 tegulum width ( Figs. 46 A–C ); conductor fan elongate, entire ( Fig. 46 C ). Female (Paratype): Total length 11.56. Markings typical for Uduba . Carapace 5.60 long, 3.80 wide, 2.30 high; clypeus 0.30 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.16, ALE and PME 0.22, PLE 0.24. Chelicerae 2.70 long; sternum 2.40 long, 1.90 wide; labium 1.30 long; palpal coxae 1.90 long. Ratios– carapace length / width = 1.47, carapace height / width = 0.61, PER / carapace width = 0.42, PER / OAL = 3.20, PER / AER = 1.36, OAL / OQL = 1.09, OQP / OQA = 1.38, clypeus height / AME diameter width = 1.88, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 9.00, sternum length / width = 1.26, palpal coxa length / width = 2.38, femur I length / carapace width = 1.00, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 0.79, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.03, palpal tarsus length / carapace width = 0.45, palpal tarsus length / palpal femur length = 0.89. Cribellum divided. Spination: Palpus–femur d0-1-2, patella p1, tibia p2-0, tarsus p2-0, v0-0-2; leg I–femur d1-0-0, p0-0-1, tibia v2-2-2, metatarsus v2-2-3; leg II–femur d1-0-0, p0-0-1, tibia p0-0-1, v1-1-2, metatarsus v2-2-3; leg III–femur p0-1-0-0, r0-1-0-0, tibia d1-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v1-0-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-2-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2, tarsus v0-1-0; leg IV–femur d1-1-0-0-0, tibia v2-1-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p0-1-2, v1-2-2, r0-2-2. Scopulae: strong ventral on all tarsi, most of metatarsi I and II, and apices of tarsi III and IV. Leg measurements: I: 3.80 + 1.90 + 3.30 + 3.00 + 1.90 = 13.90; II: 3.20 + 1.60 + 2.60 + 2.30 + 1.80 = 11.50; III: 2.60 + 1.50 + 1.30 + 2.10 + 1.40 = 8.90; IV: 3.90 + 1.80 + 2.90 + 3.40 + 1.70 = 13.70; palpus: 1.90 + 1.00 + 1.00 + NA + 1.70 = 5.69. Leg formula 1423. Female genitalia ( Figs. 71 C, D ): epigynal plate without depressed atrium, plate width 1.35 times length; median lobe and lateral lobes differentiated only in anterior half of plate, distance from posterior margin of ML to epigastric furrow 0.35 times epigynum length; median lobe a flat plate with lateral margins extending around to posterior, broad, median lobe width 0.63 times epigynum width, 0.45 times ML length, ML width 2.64 times LL width at sides of ML ( Fig. 71 C ); with copulatory openings exposed on epigynal plate beneath a transverse, crescentic groove on each side just behind ML, distance between copulatory openings 0.26 times epigynum width, CO origin at 0.35 of epigynum length. Vulva ( Fig. 71 D ) with spermathecal ducts forming three longitudinal loops, vulva length 0.64 times width, fertilization ducts widely separated, vulva width 3.57 times distance between FD.

Variation. Male (N= 7): Total length 9.70–11.50; carapace length / width = 1.33–1.53, carapace height / width = 0.40–0.59, PER / carapace width = 0.34–0.38, PER / OAL = 2.50–3.24, PER / AER = 1.37–1.42, OAL / OQL = 1.05–1.26, OQP / OQA = 1.18–1.25, clypeus height / AME 1.11– 2.14, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 7.67–11.00, sternum length / width = 1.25–1.39, palpal coxa length / width = 2.25–2.67, femur I length / carapace width =1.12–1.24, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 1.09–1.28, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.15–1.26, palpal tarsus length / carapace width = 0.64–0.74, palpal tarsus length / palpal patella length = 3.33–3.75, palpal tarsus length / palpal tibia length = 3.00–3.38, palpal tarsus length / palpal femur length = 1.17–1.33, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.00–1.25. Female variation is unknown: only one female, the paratype (CASENT9009383), is recognized.

M aterial examined. MADAGASCAR: Antananarivo Province: Antananarivo Province, Ankokoy Forest , 3 km E of Ibity, 20°04.05ʹS, 46°59.97ʹE, elev. 1700m, malaise, in Uapaca forest, 12–22 January 2009, M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala [MG-56-08] (holotype, CASENT9062802 , 1♂, CAS) ; Réserve Spéciale d’Ambohitantely , 24 km NE Ankazobe, 18°10.1ʹS, 47°16.6ʹE, elev. 1450m, disturbed transitional montane mossy forest, 30-hectare parcel, pitfall traps #1–3, 7–12 December 1997, S. Goodman ( CASENT9016347 , 1♂, FMNH), ( CASENT9016348 , 1♂, FMNH), ( CASENT9006222 , 1♂, FMNH), ( CASENT9016346 , 1♂, FMNH), ( CASENT9016349 , 3♂, FMNH) . Fianarantsoa Province: Haute Matsiatra Region, ANJA Reserve, 61 km S Ambalavao , 13 km S of Fianarantsoa, 22°43.23ʹS, 46°15.47ʹE, elev. 1097m, malaise, isleberg vegetation, 10– 19 December 2014, M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala [MG-64B-95] ( CASENT9065491 , 1♂, CAS) , 5– 19 December 2013, M. Irwin and R. Harin’Hala {MG-64B-63} ( CASENT9065405 , 1♂, CAS) . Mahajanga Province: Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha, 10.6 km ESE 123° Antsalova , 19°42ʹ34ʺS, 44°43ʹ5ʺE, elev. 150m, tropical dry forest on tsingy, general collecting beating and puffing spiders, 16–20 November 2001, Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team [BLF4503] (paratype, CASENT9009383 , 1♀, CAS) . Toliara Province: Fôret d’Analavelona, near source of Manasy River , 16.5 km NW d’Andranoheza, 22°38.6ʹS, 044°10.3ʹE, elev. 1250m, undisturbed mid-elevation forest w/dry and humid elements, pitfall, 2–8 November 2000, S. Goodman, [FMHD#00-224] ( CASENT9062273 , 1♂, FMNH), ( CASENT9062271 , 4♂, FMNH), ( CASENT9062272 , 1♂, FMNH) .

Natural history. Except for a series of males collected in disturbed transitional montane mossy forest at Réserve Spéciale d’Ambohitantely, other collections for Uduba irwini are from dry habitats including in Uapaca forest, on inselbergs and in tsingy. Females of Uduba irwini are cribellate and may produce sticky silk, though the collecting data that state “general collecting…’ reveal nothing of burrows or retreats. As is typical of male Uduba , these were collected wandering on the ground and in the vegetation.

Distribution. The species Uduba irwini is recorded on the west side of the great escarpment across the southern half of Madagascar on the high plateau and western dry forests ( Maps 3 , 18).

Figures

FIGURE 46. Uduba irwini, new species, (CASENT9065405) from ANJA Reserve, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Rachel Diaz-Bastin. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 71. Uduba spp., female genitalia drawings. A, B. U. pseudoevanescens, new species, holotype (CASENT9006008) from Périnet. C, D. U. irwini, new species, Paratype (CASENT9009383) from Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha. E, F. U. evanescens (Dahl, 1901) (CASENT9024032) from Parc National Ranomafana. G, H. U. rinha, new species, paratype (CASENT9018660), Parc National de Namoroka. A, C, E, G. Epigynum, ventral. B, D, F, H. Vulva, dorsal. Illustrations by Charles Griswold. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

MAP 3. Distributions of Uduba rinha and Uduba irwini. MAP 4. Distributions of Uduba madagascariensis, Uduba barbarae, Uduba pseudoevanescens and Uduba orona.

FIGURE 81. Uduba spp., ♀ genitalia. A, D. U. fisheri, new species, CASENT9026388 from Anjozorobe. B, E. U. rinha, new species, CASENT9006108 from R.S. Manongarivo. C, F. U. ibonia, new species, CASENT9006033, from Talatakely, Ranomafana National Park. A–C. Epigynum, ventral. D–F. Vulva, dorsal. BS, base of spermatheca of vulva; CD, copulatory ducts of vulva; CO, copulatory openings of epigynum; EF, epigastric furrow of abdomen; FD, fertilization duct of vulva; LL, lateral lobe of epigynum; ML, median lobe of epigynum. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 59. Uduba rinha, new species, (MRAC174.445) from 25 km W Morarano Chrome, Toamasina Province, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Jenny Speckels. MA, median apophysis; TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum; TA3, retroapical apophysis of the tegulum. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.