Chumma subridens sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 238E4AF9-FFC1-4EAE-8DA0-3A14C1057CE7

Figs 8 B–E, 9A–G, 12

Diagnosis

The male of C. subridens sp. nov. is recognized by the shape of the double RTA and by the very short truncated embolus and tiny membranous MA; the female is characterized by the epigyne with slightly procurved posterior rim and the oval spermathecae slightly tapered towards the centre.

Etymology

The specific epithet subridens is derived from the Latin verb ‘ subridere ’, to smile, and refers to the pattern of the epigyne.

Material examined

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: ♂, Eastern Cape Province, Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve, overhanging vegetation in afromontane forest, 32°41.133′ S, 26°29.875′ E, 1090 m a.s.l., 30 Nov. 2013, C. Haddad leg. (NCA 2013/4474).

Paratypes

SOUTH AFRICA: 2 ♀♀, together with holotype; 1 ♀, Eastern Cape Province, Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve, leaf litter in afromontane forest, 32°41.226′ S, 26°29.622′ E, 1015 m a.s.l., 30 Nov. 2013, C. Haddad and J. Neethling, leg. (NCA 2013/4439).

Other material

SOUTH AFRICA: 1 ♀, Western Cape Province, Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park, 33.97° S, 18.42° E, 23 May 2008, sifting leaf litter in afrotemperate forest, C. Uys leg. (NCA 2010/1399); 1 ♀, Cape Town, Signal Hill, under stones, 33°54.69′ S, 18°24.12′ E, 3 May 1976, A. Russell-Smith leg. (MRAC 241637).

Description

Male

BODY MEASUREMENTS. TL 2.50, CL 1.13, CW 0.93, CH 0.43.

CARAPACE. Pale yellow with faint pale brown pattern (Fig. 9A); chelicerae, sternum and legs pale yellow.

ABDOMEN. With medium brown scutum with dispersed spines, each socket in front of small white spot; four apodemes, poorly impressed; sides and venter white with few apodemes.

EYES. AME: 0.13; ALE: 0.27; AME–AME: 0.13; AME–ALE: 0.03; PME: 0.20; PLE: 0.27; PME–PME: 0.20; PME–PLE: 0.07. Clypeus 0.13 or 0.48 times width of ALE.

STERNUM. Length 1.60, width 1.57, as long as wide.

LEGS. One prolateral spine on femur I.

MEASUREMENTS.

PALP (Figs 8 B–D, 9C–E). Tibia with two apophyses; dorsal one with two sharp tips; ventral one massive, slightly widened towards indented tip; subtegulum with dark sclerotized rim; embolus short, broad at base, with tiny spines, tapered distally; MA a narrow membranous prong.

Female

BODY MEASUREMENTS. TL 3.17, CL 1.07, CW 1.07, CH 0.67.

COLOUR AND PATTERNS. Very similar to male, but abdominal scutum smaller, covering only two-thirds of dorsum (Fig. 9B).

EYES. AME: 0.17; ALE: 0.30; AME–AME: 0.03; AME–ALE: 0.03; PME: 0.20: PLE: 0.27; PME–PME: 0.20; PME–PLE: 0.07. Clypeus 0.23 or 0.77 times width of ALE.

STERNUM. Length 1.87, width 1.83. Almost as wide as long.

LEG MEASUREMENTS.

EPIGYNE (Figs 8E, 9 F–G). With two small copulatory openings separated by narrow scape, adjacent to epigastric furrow; posterior rim slightly procurved; spermathecae large, oval, slightly tapered towards the centre.

Distribution

Known from the type locality in the Eastern Cape Province and from the Western Cape Province in the vicinity of Table Mountain in South Africa (Fig. 12). The identity of the latter specimens remains doubtful and they were, therefore, not included as paratypes.