Synagelides rosalindae, Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2020

Kanesharatnam, Nilani & Benjamin, Suresh P., 2020, First record of Synagelides Strand, 1906 (Araneae: Salticidae) from Sri Lanka description of four endemic species from tropical wet forest of the island, Zootaxa 4790 (1), pp. 43-56 : 51-52

Synagelides rosalindae sp. nov.

Figs 6 A–D, 7A–F, 8A–C

Type material. Holotype: ♂ (IFS_SAL_253), Sri Lanka, North Central Province, Anuradhapura District, Kodigala Summit , 716 m, 08°06’33”N, 80°39’16”E, 28 June 2011, hand collection, leg. S.P. Benjamin & S. Batuwita. Paratype: ♂ (IFS_SAL_254), same locality and collection data as in holotype .

Etymology. The species is named after Rosalind Senior, the heroine of the play As You Like It by William Shakespeare. Generally noted for her resilience, quick wit, and beauty.

Diagnosis. The species is closely related to S. hortonensis sp. nov. in the palpal structure. However, it is distinguished from this and other Sri Lanka species of the genus by the stout, compact embolus, presence of well-developed MA, absence of PL ( Figs 7D , 8B ) and well-developed apical tibial apophyses ( Figs 7F , 8 B–C).

Description. Male (holotype): in life, orange prosoma with stippled carapace. Anterior and posterior eye rows covered with pale yellow bristles ( Figs 6 A–D). Eye field black and rather elevated and eyes surrounded by black regions. Cervical groove inconspicuous ( Fig. 7A ). Sternum broad oval ( Fig. 7B ). In leg I, Fm orange with brown distal region, other articles brownish orange, other legs brownish orange ( Figs 6 A–D). Abdomen oval, orange dorsum with black transverse stripe near spinnerets, venter pale yellow with black stripe near spinnerets ( Figs 6 A–D). Palp brownish orange, short cymbium, bulb without prominent proximal lobe ( Figs 7D , 8B ). Median apophysis present, small, embolus stout, broad base, tip rest at the center ( Figs 7 E–F, 8A–C). VTA broad, knob-like, RTA broad with pointed tip, curved ventrally ( Figs 7 D–F, 8B–C). Measurements: TL 2.24, PLe 0.96, PW at PLE 0.82, AL 1.11, AW 0.73. Leg I: Fm 0.63, Pt 0.49, Tb 0.44, Mt 0.29, Ta 0.22; Leg II: Fm 0.41, Pt 0.24, Tb 0.24, Mt 0.25, Ta 0.18; Leg III: Fm 0.45, Pt 0.24, Tb 0.20, Mt 0.34, Ta 0.19; Leg IV: Fm 0.56, Pt 0.31, Tb 0.51, Mt 0.32, Ta 0.20.

Female: Unknown.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Synagelides rosalindae sp. nov. A–D, male from Kodigala Summit in life.

FIGURE 7. Synagelides rosalindae sp. nov. A–B, male (A, dorsal view; B, ventral view); C–F, left palp (C, dorsal view; D, prolateral view; E, ventral view; F, retrolateral view). Scale bars: A–B = 0.5 mm; C–F = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 8. Synagelides rosalindae sp. nov. A–C, left male palp (A, prolateral view; B, ventral view; C, retrolateral view). Synagelides orlandoi sp. nov. D–F, left male palp (D, prolateral view; E, ventral view; F, retrolateral view). Abbreviations: E, embolus; MA, median apophysis; PL, proximal lobe of bulb; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; T, tegulum; VTA, ventral tibial apophysis. Scale bars: A–F = 0.2 mm.