Synagelides orlandoi, Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2020

Kanesharatnam, Nilani & Benjamin, Suresh P., 2020, First record of Synagelides Strand, 1906 (Araneae: Salticidae) from Sri Lanka description of four endemic species from tropical wet forest of the island, Zootaxa 4790 (1), pp. 43-56 : 53-55

Synagelides orlandoi sp. nov.

Figs 8 D–F, 9A–E

Type material. Holotype: ♂ (IFS_SAL_986), Sri Lanka, Sabaragamuwa Province, Rathnapura District, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kudawa , 521 m, 06°24’58.26”N, 80°25’25”E, 11–13 October 2016, leaf litter, leg. N.P. Athukorala et al.

Etymology. The species is named after Orlando de Bois, who at first sight falls in love with Rosalind. He is brave, chivalrous, tender, modest, smart, strong, handsome and beloved by all. However, he is unable to express his love for Rosalind, before he leaves to the forest of Arden.

Diagnosis. The species is closely related to S. lakmalii sp. nov. by the palpal structure, especially by the shape of the embolus. However, it can be distinguishable by its modified embolus tip ( Figs 8 E–F, 9C–E), and the shape of the RTA, relatively longer and slender ( Figs 8 E–F, 9D–E). Distinguishable by the absence of the MA from S. hortonensis sp. nov. and S. rosalindae sp. nov.

Description. Male (holotype): prosoma fawn and carapace stippled in alcohol preserved specimens ( Fig. 9A ). PME surrounded by broad black blotches. Ocular quadrangle black, square-shaped. Ocular field slightly raised. Cervical groove conspicuous behind PME. Posterior prosoma with partially developed black stripes ( Fig. 9A ). Posterior border of prosoma truncated. Sternum oval ( Fig. 9B ). Front legs elongated with massive femur and long and stout spines on metatarsi and tibiae I. In leg I, all segments pale brownish yellow, other legs pale yellow. Abdomen pear-shaped, anterior portion narrower than posterior region. Dorsum blackish brown with pale brown transverse stripe at the middle and pale brown blotches at the anterior portion ( Fig. 9A ). Venter pale white bordered with blackish brown lateral sides and large, yellow median patch ( Fig. 9B ). Palp pale brown with short cymbium. Bulb with crest-like distal lobe and broad, prolateral proximal lobe. Partial, narrow retrolateral split in distal bulb ( Figs 8 E–F, 9D). Median apophysis absent, origin of embolus from mid-retrolateral side of bulb and forms a semicircular curve with small finger-like tip ( Figs 8 E–F, 9C–E). Tibia with RTA, VTA; VTA short, leaf-like, RTA slender and shape like a ‘question mark’ ( Figs 8 E–F, 9D–E). Measurements: TL 2.39, PLe 1.16, PW at PLEs 0.95, AL 1.44, AW 0.85. Leg I: Fm 0.69, Pt 0.58, Tb 0.52, Mt 0.28, Ta 0.24; Leg II: Fm 0.49, Pt 0.26, Tb 0.28, Mt 0.24, Ta 0.20; Leg III: Fm 0.52, Pt 0.20, Tb 0.32, Mt 0.30, Ta 0.21; Leg IV: Fm 0.56, Pt 0.36, Tb 0.55, Mt 0.30, Ta 0.24.

Female: Unknown.

Figures

FIGURE 8. Synagelides rosalindae sp. nov. A–C, left male palp (A, prolateral view; B, ventral view; C, retrolateral view). Synagelides orlandoi sp. nov. D–F, left male palp (D, prolateral view; E, ventral view; F, retrolateral view). Abbreviations: E, embolus; MA, median apophysis; PL, proximal lobe of bulb; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; T, tegulum; VTA, ventral tibial apophysis. Scale bars: A–F = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 9. Synagelides orlandoi sp. nov. A–B, male (A, dorsal view; B, ventral view). C–E left palp (C, prolateral view; D, ventral view; E, retrolateral view). Scale bars: A–B = 0.5 mm, C–E = 0.1 mm.