Diaphorocellus biplagiatus Simon, 1893

Zonstein, Sergei L., Marusik, Yuri M. & Omelko, Mikhail M., 2016, Redescription of the type species of Diaphorocellus Simon, 1893 (Araneae, Palpimanidae, Chediminae), African Invertebrates 57 (2), pp. 93-103 : 97-101

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Palpimanidae

Diaphorocellus biplagiatus Simon, 1893 Figs 1-7, 8-13, 14-19, 20-26

Diaphorocellus biplagiatus Simon 1893a: 405, fig. 366; 1893b: 314 (♀); Platnick 1975: 5.

Iheringia biplagiata : Simon 1910: 180; Lawrence 1936: 149 (♂; only record; questionable).

Diagnosis.

The species can be distinguished from Diaphorocellus albooculatus by eye arrangement: in Diaphorocellus biplagiatus , the distance between the AMEs is two times less than their diameter, whereas in Diaphorocellus albooculatus , the distance is subequal; the shape of the ventral scuta of the males also differs (cf. Fig. 7 and Lawrence 1936: fig. 54). Diaphorocellus helveolus can be distinguished from Diaphorocellus biplagiatus by the abdomen lacking long whitish hairs (vs. an abdomen covered with long whitish hairs in the latter). Diaphorocellus biplagiatus can be distinguished from Diaphorocellus rufus by the abdominal colouration (bicolorous in the former species vs. uniformly dark in the latter), as well as by the shape of the ventral scuta in females (cf. Fig. 2 and Tullgren 1910: fig. 29).

Redescription.

Male (NCA 2008/4672).

Habitus: as in Figs 1, 4, 7. Measurements: TL 4.90, CL 1.84, CW 1.25. Colour in alcohol: carapace and chelicerae dark carmine-red; palps and legs I intense reddish-orange; legs II–IV light yellowish-orange; sternum, labium and maxillae intense red; abdomen dorsally brown with two large longitudinal median bright yellowish spots (one in anterior half of abdomen and another at the abdominal tip above the spinnerets), divided by a wide transverse brown bridge, ventrally uniformly light yellow. Carapace: with coarse granulations (Fig. 5). Eye measurements: AME 0.12, ALE 0.08, PLE 0.07, PME 0.14, AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.06, AME–PME 0.11, ALE–PLE 0.04, PLE–PME 0.12, PME–PME <0.01 (touching each other). Palp: as shown in Figs 11-19. Trochanter long, longer than patella. Femur subequal in length to tibia+cymbium, 3 times longer than wide; patella globular. Tibia strongly swollen, wider than long, 1.7 times wider than femur, with large cavity enclosing cymbium. Retrolateral basal part of cymbium with set of 9 very long (as long as cymbium) and strong setae (Cs), setae curled in terminal part. Base of cymbium envelops (encircles) entire bulb (Ce). Tegulum globular, approximately 1/2 of cymbium length and subequal to width of patella; spermophor absent; top of tegulum with membranous circular cavity containing 3 outgrowths: 1) long, heavily sclerotised, deeply bifurcated in terminal part with 3 sharply pointed tips (So), 2) long, membranous (almost invisible under light microscope) lamella with barbed tip (Mo), 3) gutter-like in terminal part, weakly sclerotised “embolus” (Em). Embolus without distinct opening, which is most likely hidden in the basal part.

Leg measurements: male NCA 2008/4672 (female NCA 2008/2607 in parentheses):

Female (NCA 2008/2607).

Habitus: as in Figs 2, 3. Measurements: TL 5.47, CL 2.83, CW 1.48. Colour in alcohol: as in male, but leg I coloured similarly to legs II–IV (but not darker, contrary to that of male). Carapace: longer, with less coarse granulations than in male (Fig. 6). Eye measurements: AME 0.13, ALE 0.09, PLE 0.08, PME 0.18, AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.06, AME–PME 0.11, ALE–PLE 0.03, PLE–PME 0.11, PME–PME <0.01 (touching each other - Fig. 8). Leg measurements: as shown above in parentheses. Genital area and receptacles: as in Figs 20-26. Genital plate accompanied by 3 pairs of sclerites lying on postgastral (posterior from epigastric furrow): two small dot-like median sclerites (Ms) and 2 pairs of longitudinal sclerites, one pair stretched along book-lung spiracle (Bs), and another pair on lateral sides of endogyne (Ls). Endogyne formed by pair of receptacles. Receptacle (Re) consists of complex sclerotised base (Sb) and large, transparent, membranous sac (Rs). Base of receptacle accompanied with approximately 10 grape-shaped glands (Gg) attached to receptacles by long thread-like stems and brushes of fine threads (Ft). Base of receptacle subconical, anterior part of receptacle with dark area (Da) composed of numerous pores. Base of receptacle and grape-shaped gland covered with small thread-like cilia. Cilia (Cg) on glands shorter and originating from pore-like base.

Holotype.

♀ (probably immature) - SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: "Caput Bonæ-Spei” (Cape of Good Hope), with no other data provided. MNHN; borrowed to date by another museum, thus not examined.

Material examined

(selected samples). SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape: 1♂ Beaufort-West, Farm Katdoornkuil (32.7093°S, 22.7538°E), 3-6.xii.2007, D.H. Jacobs, pitfall traps, Karoo bush (NCA 2008/4672); 1♀ same, Farm Kantkraal (32.7605°S, 22.7673°E), 3-6.xii.2007, D.H. Jacobs (NCA 2008/2607); 1♂ same, Farm Vaalkuil (32.8139°S, 22.7818°E), 3-6.xii.2007, D.H. Jacobs (NCA 2008/2673); 1♂ same, Farm Bokvlei (32.4331°S, 23.3535°E), 11-14.xii.2007, D.H. Jacobs (NCA 2008/4676); 1♂ 1♀ same, Farm Eerste Water (32.6887°S, 22.9610°E), 6-9.xii.2007, D.H. Jacobs (NCA 2008/4675); 1♂ Cederberg Wilderness Area, Wupperthal (32°16.757'S, 19°13.200'E), 515 m, 6.x.2009, S. Kritszinger-Klopper (NCA 2011/2739); 1♀ same, Sneeukop, (32°21.141'S, 19°10.073'E), 1680 m, 1-31x.2004, E. Nortje, S. Kritszinger-Klopper (NCA 2011/1129); 1♂ Cederberg, Sederhoutkloof (32°17'S, 19°10'E), 1100-1200 m, 2.vii.1994, R. Jocqué & M. Jocqué (MRAC 200866). Northern Cape: 2♂ near Hopetown, Suffolk Farm (29°35.691'S, 24°15.505'E), 20.i.2008, R. Lyle, R. Fourie, D. du Plessis, J. Adendorff, K. Lyle, karooveld (NCA 2009/4162).

Distribution.

South Africa (Western and Northern Cape) (Fig. 27).

Natural history.

Most specimens were collected in karoo bush with pitfall traps.