Hovops pusillus ( Simon, 1897 )

Artigas, Sandra Mónica Rodriguez & Corronca, Jose Antonio, 2014, New species and distribution records of selenopid spiders of the genus Hovops Benoit in Madagascar (Araneae, Selenopidae), Zootaxa 3780 (3), pp. 547-557 : 555-556

Hovops pusillus ( Simon, 1897)

Fig. 39

Selenops pusilla Simon, 1887: 466 –67. Female holotype from Madagascar, Nossi Be, Legras leg., MNHN (Paris, France), lost. Selenops pusillus . Simon, 1897: 25 (drawing the palp of the male).

Hovops pusillus . Benoit, 1968: 117.

Diagnosis. Males of H. pusillus are characterized by the shape of the well developed RTA, with a sigmoid dorsal branch, not spiral shaped, an embolus shorter than in H. modestus , with a large triangular projection on the outer edge, and by the shape and structure of the conductor (figs 8b–c, Corronca & Rodriguez Artigas 2011). Females of H. pusillus are distinguished from others of the genus by the large middle field occupying nearly the entire epigyne surface; the cordiform lateral lobes near posterior end, and the shape of the copulatory ducts and spermathecae (figs 8d–e, Corronca & Rodriguez Artigas 2011).

Note: The female was described by Simon (1887), and the same author in 1897 described the male of the species and included a drawing of the RTA of the male palp. Corronca and Rodriguez Artigas (2011) provided photographs of the female habitus and female and male genitalia.

New records. MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana Province: 1 female, Réserve Spéciale de l´Ankarana, 22.9 km 224ºSW Anivorano Nord Camp Anglaise, general collecting, 12º9´S, 49º10´E, 80 m, 10–16 February 2001, L.J. Boutin leg. (CAS, CASENT 9003733); Antananarivo Province: 2 males, Ankaranana, English Camp, 12°54´S, 49°6´E ,, 20–26 August 1992, V. & B. Roth leg. (CAS).

Distribution. Madagascar: Nossi Bé, Antananarivo and Ankaranana Provinces.

Figures

FIGURE 39. Records of the new species and new records of H. pusillus and H. legrasi.