Cytaea rubra (Walckenaer, 1837)

Figs 24–31

Attus ruber Walckenaer 1837: 458 (female holotype from New Guinea, lost, not examined). Plexippus ruber: Thorell 1881: 591 (female from Hatam, New Guinea, O. Beccari, MCSN, examined, here designed as neotype).

Cytaea rubra: Roewer 1955: 1026 .

Remark. Attus ruber was described by Walckenaer (1837) based on a female collected from New Guinea (exact locality unknown). Because of the loss of the type specimen, the first detailed re-description of the species (corresponding to the original description) was given by Thorell (1881). In the interest of nomenclatural stability, the female from Hatam (New Guinea) described by Thorell (1881), is here considered a neotype. The material is currently deposited in the MCSN (Genoa).

Additional material examined. NEW GUINEA: Ramoi: 1♀, O. Beccari (MCSN).

Diagnosis. The epigynal windows occupying less than 1/2 of epigynal plate, the copulatory openings located anteriorly (Fig. 28). From C. sinuata differs also by longer copulatory ducts and position of accessory glands (Figs 30–31).

Description. Female neotype. Cephalothorax dark-brown, covered with sparse white and brown scales, more numerous at the eye field and on the sides (Figs 24, 26). Eye field wider than long, its length 40% of CL. PME halfway between PLE and ALE. Fovea short. Abdomen elongate, yellowish, covered with dense brown scales. Spinnerets light-brown. Clypeus brown, narrower than AME diameter, covered with sparse, white scales (Fig. 27). Chelicerae long, slightly projected, brown. Promargin with six teeth, retromarginal tooth bicuspid. Endites and labium brown, with lighter chewing margins, sternum light-brown. Venter yellowish, covered with brown scales, especially numerous on the sides. Epigyne with copulatory openings oriented towards each other (Figs 28–29). Copulatory ducts very long, curved, its initial parts directed posteriorly, accessory glands easily visible (Figs 30– 31). Spermathecae ovoid, situated posterior to translucent window. Legs I dark-brown, stronger than the others.

Other legs with lighter tarsi and metatarsi. Leg formula: III-IV-I-II. Dimensions: CL 3.60, CW 3.10, AEW 2.20, PEW 2.20, EFL 1.45, CH 2.00, AL 5.30, AW 3.00.

Male. Unknown.