Corinnomma Karsch, 1880

Haddad, Charles R., 2006, A new species of Corinnomma (Araneae: Corinnidae) from southern and eastern Africa, with taxonomic notes on C. olivaceum and C. semiglabrum, African Invertebrates 47, pp. 71-83 : 72-73

Corinnomma Karsch, 1880

Type species: Corinna severa Thorell, 1877 .

Diagnosis:The Afrotropical Corinnomma species studied differ from the Asian species, which have a procurved PER, by having a recurved PER. Otherwise, colouration and morphology are similar to the Asian species. The eye characteristics are shared with Afrotropical species of Apochinomma and Merenius Simon, 1910 . The PER of Apochinomma differs from Afrotropical Corinnomma by being very strongly recurved with the eyes small and separated by approximately four times their diameter, while Corinnomma has relatively larger eyes situated more closely together. Apochinomma also have a cephalothorax that is twice as long as wide, as well as a globose abdomen, which differs from the more compactly built Corinnomma . Afrotropical Corinnomma are more similar to Merenius , having similar eye arrangements and somatic morphology. Corinnomma are different by having a dark silver grey colouration with black transverse bands on the abdomen, while Merenius have dark grey to black colouration with a median white or cream marking running the length of the abdomen.

Description: Medium-sized spiders, 5.5–8 mm in length; female more robustly built than male. Carapace narrow in ocular region, broadest at midpoint, narrowest posteriorly; AER procurved or straight, medians sometimes slightly larger than laterals; PER slightly recurved, eyes subequal in size; colouration black, covered with silvery-grey plumose setae and black straight setae; surface finely wrinkled. Chelicerae with two promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Sternum shield-shaped, dark-brown to black. Leg formula 4123; legs with several short stout spines and straight setae; plumose setae scattered on femora and tibiae; scopulae well developed on metatarsi and tarsi; well developed paired tarsal claws with dense claw tufts; proximal leg segments black with yellow bands or stripes, metatarsi brown and tarsi yellow. Abdomen oval, broadest in posterior third; dorsal scutum entire in males, extending to two-thirds abdomen length in females; integument dark brown, densely covered with silver-grey plumose setae, interspersed with short straight black setae; three or four black bands, comprising black plumose setae, in anterior two-thirds of abdomen, simulating abdominal segments of ant models; bands prominent dorsally, extending laterally, fusing ventrally; inframamillary sclerite absent in females, present in males. Spinnerets in close group, anterior lateral spinnerets largest, sub-conical. Female with paired copulatory openings situated laterally in sclerotised epigyne; copulatory openings situated in broad or narrow curved ridge; entrance ducts short, curving towards anterior spermathecae; spermathecae large and oval, terminal receptacles kidney-shaped. Male palp typically castianeirine; cymbium compact and quite broad, covered dorsally with short straight black setae interspersed with thickened setae; bulbus compact and pear-shaped, bulging prolaterally, with internal ducts visible through integument; median apophysis absent; embolus thickened and long, often formed on a stalk, with variable distal structure, either claw-like or with a single compact coil ( Figs 1, 2 ).

Figures

Figs 1, 2. Scanning electron micrographs of male emboli of Afrotropical Corinnomma species: (1) C. semiglabrum (Simon); (2) C. lawrencei sp. n.