Sibianor victoriae Logunov, 2000

Wesołowska, Wanda & Haddad, Charles R., 2013, New data on the jumping spiders of South Africa (Araneae: Salticidae), African Invertebrates 54 (1), pp. 177-177 : 227-229

Sibianor victoriae Logunov, 2000

Figs 151–154

Sibianor victoriae: Logunov 2000: 276 , figs 292–293.

Diagnosis: The male is similar to Sibianor kenyaensis Logunov, 2000 , but the position of the tegular knob of the palp is different. The female may be distinguished by the multi-chambered spermathecae.

Redescription:

Measurements (♂ / ♀). Cephalothorax: length 1.0–1.2/1.1, width 0.7–0.8/0.9, height 0.5–0.6/0.6.Abdomen: length 1.0–1.3/1.5, width 1.3/1.1. Eye field: length 0.5–0.7/0.7, anterior width 0.7–0.9/0.8, posterior width 0.8–1.1/1.1.

Male.

Description in Logunov (2000). Endites with small tooth. First legs with slightly swollen tibiae, their ventral surface with feathery bristles. Fourth pairs of legs with two ventro-apical spines on metatarsi. Pedipalps with round bulb and retrolateral swelling; embolus originating basally on retrolateral side, fine, curving around prolateral side of bulb ( Fig. 151); palpal tibia with single simple apophysis ( Fig. 152).

Female.

Very small spider, ranging from 2.0– 2.6 mm. Carapace oval, widest at last row of eyes; carapace dark brown, densely covered in very small white scales and short hairs, with some brown bristles among them. Clypeus with dense white hairs. Chelicerae unidentate. Sternum brown, labium and endites with paler tips. Abdomen brown, with white hairs and scales and brown bristles on dorsum. Venter dark. Spinnerets brownish. Legs and pedipalps dark yellowish; last pair of legs without spines. Epigyne typical for Harmochireae, with central pocket ( Fig. 153); spermathecae strongly sclerotized, multi-chambered ( Fig. 154).

Material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Mpumalanga: 1♀ Kruger National Park ( KNP), Mopani, Dzombo, 23°26.700'S 31°22.860'E, sweepnetting, xi.2003, B. Reynolds (NCA, 2010/2729) ; 1♂ same data but iii–iv. 2008 (NCA, 2010/2723) ; 1♂ KNP, Mopani , Mooiplaas, 23°34.920'S 31°27.840'E, sweepnetting, xi.2008, B. Reynolds (NCA, 2010/2726) ; 1♂ KNP, Satara , 24°24.060'S 31°44.460'E, sweepnetting, ix.2008, B. Reynolds (NCA, 2010/2728) ; 1♀ KNP, Pretoriuskop , Kambeni, 25°09.180'S 31°15.840'E, sweepnetting, ix–x.2008, B. Reynolds (NCA, 2010/2724) ; 1♂ same data (NCA, 2010/2730) ; 1♂ KNP, Pretoriuskop , Numbi, 25°07.380'S 31°12.480'E, sweepnetting, ix–x.2008, B. Reynolds (NCA, 2010/2727) .

Distribution: Species previously known only from the type locality in Kenya, recorded for the first time in South Africa ( Fig. 155).

Habitat and biology: Species collected close to the ground by sweepnetting grasses and herbs in savanna habitats. Its small size, somewhat rounded body and dark colouration suggest that this species may mimic ladybird beetles ( Coleoptera : Coccinellidae ).

Remark: The female is described here for the first time.