Evarcha werneri ( Simon, 1906 ) Logunov & Azarkina, 2018

Logunov, Dmitri V. & Azarkina, Galina N., 2018, Redefinition and partial revision of the genus Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886 (Arachnida, Araneae, Salticidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 430, pp. 1-126 : 110-112

Evarcha werneri ( Simon, 1906) comb. nov.

Figs 499–503 , 515

Stenaelurillus werneri Simon, 1906: 1174 (D♂ ♀); lectotype ♀ (designated here) in NHMW, examined. Evarcha elegans Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2000: 26 , figs 37–44 (D♂ ♀); type series in MRAC, not examined. Syn. nov.

Stenaelurillus werneri – Prószyński 1984: 139 (♀).

Diagnosis

The female of E. werneri comb. nov. ( Figs 502–503 ) is most similar to that of the widespread African species Hyllus dotatus (Peckham & Peckham, 1903) (see Wesołowska & Russell-Smith 2000: sub Evarcha d.), but differs in having a wider epigynal plate. A diagnosis for the male and a detailed description of this species were provided by Wesołowska & Russell-Smith (2000: sub Evarcha elegans ).

Material examined

Lectotype (designated here)

AFRICA: ♀, from “Afrika, Mongalla, Werner 1905” [ Mongalla , 5.18002° N, 31.76798° E, currently in South Sudan] ( NHMW).

Other material

NAMIBIA: 1 ♂, Karas Region, Okahondja shore, Washing , 26°39′ S, 16°52′ E, 12 Sep. 1974, S. Endrödy-Younga leg. ( TM 19409 ) ; 1 ♂, same region, Windhouk, Enos Mt. , 22°34′ S, 17°06′ E, 20 Oct. 1974, S. Endrödy-Younga leg. ( TM 19216 ) .

SOUTH AFRICA: 1 ♂, Limpopo Province, Pafuri ( Wallers Camp ), 22°25′ S, 31°02′ E, pitfall traps, 18 Feb. 2008, S.H. Foord leg. ( NCA 2009 /2581) ; 1 ♂, same prov., Entabeni , ca 23°02′ S, 30°11′ E, 11 Feb. 2008, N. Hahn leg. ( NCA 2016 /1727) .

Remarks

According to the original description ( Simon 1906: 1174), the author examined and described both the male and the female of this species (syntypes). In his diagnosis, Simon (1906: 1174) mentioned

that the male of S. werneri was close to that of S. triguttatus , which is currently known from Nepal and Tibet ( Wesołowska 2014a). Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the male are unknown; it is absent from either the NHMW or the MNHN. In order to assess the validity and taxonomic affinities of this species and to stabilize its taxonomic status, the studied syntype female was designated as the lectotype of S. werneri .

The wide transverse plate of the epigyne and the conformation of spermathecae (viz., S-shaped membranous insemination ducts ending up by the heavily sclerotized, multi-chambered primary receptacles; Fig. 503 ) are evidence that this species is to be transferred to the genus Evarcha Simon, 1902 . The larger problem of the generic assignment of this and many other African species of Hyllus / Evarcha is beyond the scope of the present paper and will be considered elsewhere.

Having re-examined the lectotype female of Stenaelurillus werneri , it has become evident that the conformation of its copulatory organs ( Figs 502–503 ) is identical with those of Evarcha elegans (cf. Wesołowska & Russell-Smith 2000: figs 42–44) and therefore both species names are to be synonymized.

Description

Male

See Wesołowska & Russell-Smith (2000: sub. E. elegans ).

Female (lectotype, designated here)

The specimen is in poor condition, visibly faded and with half of its legs on both sides being detached from the body ( Figs 499–501 ). Measurements: carapace 2.45 long, 1.70 wide and 1.20 high at PLE. Ocular area: 1.13 long, 1.53 wide anteriorly and 1.68 wide posteriorly. Diameter of AME 0.48. Clypeal height 0.18, chelicera length 0.63. Abdomen 3.05 long, 1.70 wide. Length of leg segments: I 1.08 + 0.60 + 0.75 + 0.55 + 0.40 (3.38); II 1.00 + 0.55 + 0.58 + 0.40 + 0.40 (2.93); III 1.65 + 0.78 + 0.95 + 0.83 + 0.55 (4.76); IV 1.30 + 0.53 + 0.53 + 0.80 + 0.43 (3.59). Leg formula III,IV,I,II. Leg spination: I: Fm d 0-1-1-5; Pt pr 0-1-0; Tb pr 1-1, rt 0-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr 1-1ap, v 2-2ap. II: Fm d 0-1-2-4; Pr pr 0-1-0; Tb pr 1-1-1, v 2-2ap; Mt pr 1-1ap, v 2-2ap. III: Fm d 1-0-2-4; Pt pr and rt 0-1-0; Tb pr and rt 1-1-1, v 1-0- 2ap; Mt pr, rt and v 1-0-2ap. IV: Fm d 1-2-3; Pt pr and rt 0-1-0; Tb pr and rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr, rt and v 1-0-2ap. Coloration (in alcohol; Figs 499–501 ). The specimen is markedly faded. Entire body, all legs, book-lung covers, spinnerets and palps pale yellow, with no visible colour pattern or patches; only black areas around eyes. Clypeus pale yellow, without hair/scale cover. Epigyne and spermathecae as in Figs 502–503 : epigyne as a transverse, slightly procurved plate (as in all Evarcha species); insemination ducts wide and membranous; receptacle elongated, its basal section round and markedly larger than distal sections.

Distribution

South Sudan ( Simon 1906: sub. Stenaelurillus w.), Namibia (present data), Ethiopia, Tanzania and South Africa ( Wesołowska & Russell-Smith 2000; Wesołowska & Tomasiewicz 2008; Wesołowska & Haddad 2009; all sub. E. elegans ) ( Fig. 515 ).

Figures

Figs 499–503. Evarcha werneri (Simon, 1906) comb. nov. (lectotype ♀ of Stenaelurillus werneri Simon, 1906). 499–501. General appearance. 502. Epigyne, ventral view. 503. Spermathecae, dorsal view. Scale bars: 499–501 = 1 mm; 502–503 = 0.1 mm.

Fig. 515. Collecting localities of Evarcha werneri (Simon, 1906) comb. nov.