Micrommata formosa Pavesi, 1878

Jäger, Peter, 2023, Revision of the huntsman spider genus Micrommata Latreille, 1804 (Sparassidae Sparassinae), Zootaxa 5352 (1), pp. 1-45 : 18-24

Micrommata formosa Pavesi, 1878

Figs 3 , 56–83

Micrommata formosa Pavesi, 1878: 348 (Description of juvenile; type material see under Notes). Kulczyński 1911: 36, pl. 1, fig. 38 (Description of male); Strand 1913: 160 (Description of female); Breitling 2020: 356, fig. 33A (Illustration of female); El-Hennawy & Al-Saraireh 2021: 483, figs 2–11 (redescription of female).

M. ophthalmica Simon, 1880a: 285 (male). Simon 1880b: 64 (Description of male)

M. formosum . Levy 1989: 165, figs 100–114 (redescription of male, female; S of M. ophthalmica ).

Micrommata aragonensis Urones, 2004: 44 , figs 12–13 (Description of female; holotype female from SPAIN: Aragon: Zaragoza Province, Zaragoza , Juslibol , Castillo de Miranda , 30TXM4, A. & F. Murria leg. 26 January 1997, MNCN 20.02/13773, examined; 1 female paratype from SPAIN: Catalonia: Barcelona Province , Garraf, 31TDF1, F. Morales leg. 14 February 1941, MNCN 20.02/19885 not examined; 1 female paratype with data as for holotype except for: Montes de Torrero , E. Navarro leg. 21 February 1995, MNCN 20.02/19886, not examined). Syn. nov.

Notes. As Levy (1989) pointed out, the type specimen of this species is an unidentifiable juvenile from Lampedusa. As M. ligurina has been reported from nearby Malta, it has to be checked with adults from Lampedusa which species occurs on that island. If it turns out to be exclusively M. ligurina , the name formosa would become a junior synonym of ligurina . In this case, the name ophthalmica would still be available to name the species now known as formosa . The type locality would be then: Algeria (Tlemcen). From recent records, it seems that M. formosa has a tendency to spread further north than M. ligurina to the south ( Figs 2–3 ). The records of M. ligurina reported by Simon (1885) should be checked and the occurrence should be confirmed.

The holotype female of M. aragonensis has the same structure of the IDS as M. formosa females from Tunisia, which is closest to the type locality of M. formosa , i.e. the island of Lampedusa. The same is true for the males recorded from Andalusia and Tunisia. Therefore, M. aragonensis is proposed as a junior synonym of M. formosa .

Additional material examined. PORTUGAL: Algarve: 1 female, Monte Gordo [37°10’43.12”N, 7°26’14.85”W, 4 m], 4 April 1971, J. Murphy det. 1983 sub M. ligurina , A2 ( MMUE G7572.20306 ) ; 1 female, Monte Gordo [37°10’43.12”N, 7°26’14.85”W, 4 m], 9 April 1982, J. Murphy det. 1983 sub M. ligurina , 10827 ( MMUE G7572.9232 ) ; 1 female, Monte Gordo [37°10’43.12”N, 7°26’14.85”W, 4 m], marsh E., 12 April 1982, J. Murphy det. 1983 sub M. ligurina , 10354 ( MMUE G7572.9522 ) . SPAIN: Andalusia: 1 male, Almeria, El Pozo de los Frailes , 36°47’17.0’’N, 2°6’47.5’’W, 70 m, from bushes, night catch, S. Huber leg. 21 October 2017 ( SMF) . Valencian Community: 1 female, Altea-Calpe, near “ Momo de Toix’ , 38°38’4.51”N 0°0’40.9”E [137 m], rocky and sunny area, beating and sieving dead leaves and litter under small palms ( Chamaerops humilis ), near cliffs, A. Henrard leg. 24 December 2010, SD 425 ( SMF) ; 1 male, 1 sudadult female, Huelva [37°15’3.54”N, 6°55’58.03”W, 5 m], expedition of the Zoological Institute Frankfurt am Main leg. 24 August 1953, Coll. O. Kraus ( SMF 9591 ) . CYPRUS: 1 male, Agridi, near Dali , 35°02’ N, 33°25’ E, 230 m, Duncan McCowan leg. 2011 ( SMF) . TUNISIA: Djerba: 1 female, NE Houmt-Souk [33°52’17.81”N, 10°52’52.71”E, 5 m], 1 km to youth hostel, Aloe-thicket, webs between leaves, H. Kahmann leg. 14 April 1959 ( SMF) . Sousse: 1 male, beach from Sousse [35°53’10.36”N, 10°36’0.94”E, 3 m], V. Nicolai leg., March, G. Levy det. 1987 ( SMF 60893 ) . SYRIA: Quneitra: 1 female, Golan heights, environments Camp Fauar [= Faouar; 33°14’9.54”N, 35°55’28.99”E, 953 m], June 1981, K. Kollnberger leg & ded., M. Moradmand det. 2011, Acqu. - Nr. 1981.XLVII.3, MFSYRF1 ( NHMW) . ISRAEL: Northern District: 1 female, foothill of Mt. Hermon [33°14’44.32”N, 35°42’31.64”E, 482 m], R. Kasher leg. 29 December 1991, G. Levy det. & ded., MFISRF1 ( SMF) ; 1 male, Galilee, Rosh Pinna [32°58’5.63”N, 35°32’8.69”E, 474 m], S. Ashkenari leg. 15 November 1992, G. Levy det. and ded. ( SMF) . Tel Aviv: 1 female ( PJ 734 ) Jaffa, Rehobot [=Rehovot; 31°52’39.40”N, 34°48’3.51”E, 58 m], J. Aharoni leg. 26 September 1913 ( SMF 4670 ) ; 1 female, without locality data, Wiehle det. ( SMF 19243 ) ; 1 female, Jaffa [32° 2’18.14”N, 34°45’36.63”E, 23 m], MFPALF1, ex SMF 9905570 ( SMF) .

Diagnosis. Males of this species are diagnosed by the long retrolaterad tegular prong, i.e. extending beyond the alveolus retrolaterally in ventral view ( Figs 57, 59 ). Females of this species are recognisable by the roundish, broadened anterior part of IDS, glandular appendages situated centrally to subcentrally in posterior part of IDS, with narrow windings of IDS posteriad ( Figs 64, 67 , 70 ).

Description. MALE (from Almeria province): Measurements: TL 8.7, PL 3.8, PW 2.9, AW 1.7, OL 4.9, OW 2.3. Eyes: AME 0.18, ALE 0.31, PME 0.27, PLE 0.26, AME-AME 0.10, AME-ALE 0.05, PME-PME 0.32, PME-PLE 0.20, AME-PME 0.46, ALE-PLE 0.24, CH AME 0.32, CH ALE 0.30. Spination: Pp 130, 12(thin)1, 2111, 211; Fe I–IV 323; Pa I–II 001, III 1(0)01, IV 101; Ti I–II 2026, III–IV 2126; Mt I–II 1014, III 3014, IV 3037. Measurements of palps and legs: Pp 3.95 (1.2, 0.55, 0.8, -, 1.4); I 11.7 (3.4, 1.6, 3.0, 2.7, 1.0); II 13.5 (3.7, 1.6, 3.2, 2.9, 1.1); III 10.8 (3.2, 1.5, 2.8, 2.4, 0.9); IV 13.5 (4.0, 1.4, 3.5, 3.8, 1.2). Leg formula: (II-IV)-I-III. Cheliceral furrow with 2 promarginal and 3 retromarginal teeth, without denticles, with 7 ES.

Palp ( Figs 56–61 ): As in diagnosis. RTA short, i.e. not reaching spine base on cymbium in retrolateral view. Fundus narrow, i.e. about half the width of the basal tegulum winding, retrolaterad. Embolic division with plate and embolus darkly sclerotised; at transition between plate and embolus several teeth opposite to those on the tegular coil.

Colouration ( Figs 73–74 ): Yellow to yellowish-brown with distal segments of legs slightly darker. DS with brown median band and marginal bands. OS with distinct dark median band, all over with many white guanine crystals except for heart patch. Live spiders brownish with median band on DS and OS more distinct, on OS bordered by fine white line.

Notes. Dark setae responsible for the dark pattern are easily rubbed off in preserved specimens, therefore, differences in the colour pattern may occur ( Fig. 73 ; prosomal median band).

FEMALE (holotype of M. aragonensis ): Measurements: TL 11.3, PL 4.2, PW 3.5, AW 2.2, OL 7.1, OW 3.9. Eyes: AME 0.20, ALE 0.31, PME 0.27, PLE 0.27, AME-AME 0.15, AME-ALE 0.05, PME-PME 0.32, PME-PLE 0.28, AME-PME 0.49, ALE-PLE 0.30, CH AME 0.35, CH ALE 0.32. Spination: Pp 130, 12(thin)1, 2(3)221(2), 1013; Fe I–III 323, IV 221; Pa I–IV 000; Ti I 1(2)014, II 2014, III 2015, IV 2125; Mt I–II 1014, III 3014, IV 3037. Measurements of palps and legs: Pp 4.5 (1.3, 0.7, 1.0, -, 1.5); I 13.3 (3.8, 1.8, 3.4, 3.1, 1.2); II 14.3 (4.1, 2.0, 3.6, 3.4, 1.2); III 12.2 (3.7, 1.6, 3.0, 2.8, 1.1); IV 14.3 (4.5, 1.6, 3.9, 4.1, 1.2). Leg formula: (II-IV)-I-III. Cheliceral furrow with 2 promarginal and 3 retromarginal teeth, without denticles, with 8 ES.

Copulatory organ ( Figs 62–72 ): As in diagnosis. EF and MS slightly wider than long. Anterior incision of MS long and widened anteriorly to medially. MS with 3–5 radial grooves and additional transverse grooves posteriorly. Epigynal pockets distinct, latero-ventrad in posterior view. Anterior part of IDS membranous rounded anteriorly and bulging laterally, posterior part rounded, with glandular appendages situated submarginally to subcentrally in posterior sclerotised part. Postero-median windings posteriad.

Colouration ( Figs 75–79 ): As in male. Live specimens exhibit light brown to slightly olive green colouration with dark setae. The opisthosomal median band is dark on the outer margins and in some cases bordered by a bright light stripe laterally ( Figs 80–83 ).

Variation. Males (n=2): TL 7.9–9.7, PL 3.3–4.1, OL 4.6–5.6. CH 2/3, ES 6–8. Fundus may be wider ( Fig. 59 ). Females (n=3): TL 9.2–12.3, PL 3.8–5.1, OL 5.1–7.2, CH 2/3, ES 7–11. MS with 3–10 radial grooves on each side. Posterior margin of epigyne may be almost straight ( Tunisia; Fig. 71 ) or distinctly lobed ( Israel; Fig. 68 ) in ventral view. Epigynal pockets may be closer together ( Israel; Fig. 69 ) or further apart ( Tunisia; Fig. 72 ). IDS may have a larger posterior part than shown in Fig. 64 .

Distribution. Portugal (new record), Spain (Aragon, Catalonia, Valencian Community and Andalusia), Italy (Sicily, Lampedusa), Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan ( Fig. 3 : red circles).

Notes. The differences between the western Mediterranean specimens and the spiders from Israel in the east may indicate that the eastern species is a distinct, different species. However, since the sampling is rather scarce, it is not described here as new. Better sampling of fresh material in combination with molecular studies will probably reveal the true diversity in the future.

Figures

FIGURES 1–3. Distribution ranges of Micrommata species. 1 M. virescens (red circles), M. diesenhoff spec. nov. (black triangle). 2 M.ligurina (red circles), M. biggi spec. nov. (black triangles).3 M. formosa (red circles), M.aljibica (black triangles). Majority of records is from specimens examined, some are from published literature or websites like iNaturalist (western record of M. aljibica, several records of M. virescens in its central range).

FIGURES 56–61. Micrommata formosa, left palp (56 prolateral; 57, 59 ventral; 58, 60 retrolateral; 61 tegulum tip and embolic division, ventral) (56–58 from Israel; 59–61 male from Spain).

FIGURES 62–67. Micrommata formosa, female copulatory organ (62, 66 epigyne, ventral; 63 ditto, posterior; 64, 67 vulva, dorsal; 65 schematic course of IDS, dorsal) (62–65 holotype female of M. aragonensis from Spain; 66–67 female from Spain); photo credits: 66–67 Arnaud Henrard. EP—epigynal pocket.

FIGURES 68–72. Micrommata formosa, female copulatory organ (68, 71 epigyne, ventral; 69, 72 ditto, posterior; 70 vulva, dorsal (68–70 from Israel; 71–72 from Tunisia).

FIGURES 73–83. Micrommata formosa, habitus of preserved (73–79) and live (80–83) spiders (73, 75, 78, 80, 82–83 dorsal; 74, 76, 79 ventral; 77 lateral; 81 frontal) (73–74 male from Spain; 75–77 holotype female of M. aragonensis from Spain; 78–81 female from Spain; 82 female from Malta; 83 female with opened egg sac from Portugal). Photo credits: 78–81 Arnaud Henrard; 82 Victor Falzon; 83 Sergio Henriques.