Tusitala ansieae sp. n.

Figs 9, 10, 14–30

Etymology:This species is named after the South African arachnologist, Dr Anna Sophia (Ansie) Dippenaar-Schoeman, for her life-long contribution to African arachnology.

Diagnosis: Males of T. ansieae sp. n. resemble T. lutzi and can be distinguished from it by the large retrolateral process of the tegulum, the shape of the tibial apophysis – straight instead of curved (Figs 14–16), and the position of the cheliceral process – near the medial border of the chelicerae in T. ansieae sp. n. (Figs 25, 26) instead of the lateral border in T. lutzi (see WesoŁowska 2012: fig. 57). Females resemble T. lyrata and can be distinguished from it by the shorter insemination ducts and their different course (Figs 17–19) (see WesoŁowska & Tomasiewicz 2003: figs 15–19 for T. lyrata).

Description:

Male.

Measurements: Carapace: 2.20 long, 1.60 wide, 1.05 high. Abdomen: 2.00 long, 1.45 wide. Eye field: 1.00 long, anterior 1.50 wide, posterior 1.40 wide. Chelicerae length 0.85. Clypeus height 0.07. Diameter of AME 0.50. Length of leg segments: I 1.30 + 0.80 + 0.90 + 0.80 + 0.55; II 1.05 + 0.75 + 0.70 + 0.70 + 0.40; III 1.25 + 0.50 + 0.75 + 0.85 + 0.45; IV 1.30 + 0.65 + 0.90 + 1.00 + 0.50.

Leg spination: I: Fm d 1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 0-1ap, v 2-2ap. II: Fm d 1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, rt 1-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr 1-1, rt 0-1ap, v 2-2ap. III: Fm d 1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr & rt 1-1-1, v 2-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-0-2, v 2-0-2ap. IV: Fm d 1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr & rt 1-1-1, v 0-1-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap.

Coloration (Figs 20–24): Thoracic part of carapace brown, with brownish-yellow field behind ocular area, covered with transparent scales. Eye field dark brown, with brown median stripe and black patches around eyes (Fig. 20). Sternum yellow with brown margin (Fig. 21). Clypeus low, dark brown, covered with row of long brown setae (Fig. 24). Chelicerae uni-dentate, brown, with row of long white protruding setae on each chelicera (Figs 23, 24), long apical process near fang base (Figs 25, 26, arrowed). Abdomen grey, ventrally with broad brownish medial longitudinal band. Dorsum brown, with one longitudinal white band medially and white bordering band (Fig. 20). Booklungs yellow-grey. Spinnerets brown. Femora, patellae and tibiae dark brown. Metatarsi and tarsi brownish-yellow. First legs robust. Palpal femora and patellae brown, tibiae and cymbium yellow. Palpal structure as in Figs 14–16.

Female.

Measurements: Carapace: 2.20 long, 1.60 wide, 1.10 high. Abdomen: 2.40 long, 1.35 wide. Eye field: 1.00 long, anterior 1.50 wide, posterior 1.50 wide. Chelicerae length 0.70. Clypeus height 0.10. Diameter of AME 0.50. Length of leg segments: I 1.20 + 0.70 + 0.75 + 0.60 + 0.40; II 1.10 + 0.70 + 0.70 + 0.55 + 0.40; III 1.15 + 0.60 + 0.70 + 0.70 + 0.45; IV 1.25 + 0.70 + 0.85 + 0.85 + 0.60.

Leg spination: I: Fm d 1-1-4; Pt pr 1; Tb pr 0-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 0-1ap, v 2-2ap. II: Fm d 1-1-5; Pt pr 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr 1-1, rt 0-1ap, v 2-2ap. III: Fm d 1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-2, v 2-2ap. IV: Fm d 1-1-3; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap.

Coloration (Figs 27–30): Carapace yellow, with dark brown ocular area and yellow median stripe, black patches around eyes (Fig. 27). Thoracic part covered with short dark brown hairs. Sternum yellow, with brown lateral sides (Fig. 28). Labium and maxillae brownish-yellow. Chelicerae, clypeus and cheeks yellow (Fig. 30). Chelicerae unidentati (Fig. 9). Abdomen yellow. Dorsum covered with brownish-red scales and three longitudinal yellow stripes; lateral stripes connected to each other on frontal part of abdomen (Fig. 27). Spinnerets and booklungs yellow. Legs and palps yellow. Structure of epigyne and spermathecae as in Figs 17–19.

Holotype ♂: BOTSWANA: North­West / Ngamiland District: 19 km NE of Maun, on surface of river near reeds and lilies, ca. 19°48'S 23°36'E, 23.vi.1979, B. Taylor & A. Morley (NCA 83 /499).

Paratypes: BOTSWANA: North­West / Ngamiland District: Okavango River, Caprivi strip, 18°06'S 21°40'E, in reeds and papyrus, 24.iii.1976, A. Russell-Smith, 1♂ 1♀ (MRAC); Okavango River, near Gadikwe [=Gcodikwe] Lagoon, ca. 19°09'S 23°14'E, beating from Ficus verriculata, 16.x.1975, A. Russell-Smith, 1♂ (MRAC) .

Distribution: Known only from northern Botswana (Fig. 13).

Comments: Leg II from the left side and leg IV from the right side in the holotype are underdeveloped.