Lionneta veli, Saaristo, Michael I., 2002

Saaristo, Michael I., 2002, New species and interesting new records of spiders from Seychelles (Arachnida, Araneaea), Phelsuma 10, pp. 1-32 : 21-22

Lionneta veli n. sp. ( Fig. 59)

Lionneta spp. inquirendae, Saaristo 2001: 333, f. 90A-C (f).

Types: Holotype from Curieuse, pitfall, 12.01.2000, Hill & Vel leg. ( MZT AA 1.584 ) , paratype male from Grande Soeur, pitfall, 22.07.1999, Hill & Vel leg. ( MZT AA 1.585 ) , and paralype female from Grande Soeur [ locality wrongly given as Petite Soeur in Saaristo 2001 : 333], 17.09.1975, M. Mühlenberg leg. ( MRAC 177.129 ) .

Etymology: Named for Mr. Terence Vel, who collected invertebrates as a technician on the BLS “Management of Avian Ecosystems Project” in 1999-2001.

Diagnosis: L. veli n. sp. resembles L. sechellensis Benoit, 1979 in having 4 prolateral and no retrolateral spines on the first femur. It differs in having a smooth carapace (finely but distinctly granulated in L. sechellensis). Also the embolus of L. veli is much shorter than that of L. sechellensis resembling more that of L. praslinensis (Benoit, 1979) or L. mahensis (Benoit, 1979) which have different spine formulae.

Description: Female slightly larger than male; TL = 1.71-1.79, CL = 0.82, CW = 0.71, DSL = 0.71-0.75, DSW = 0.46-0.50. Cephalothorax light yellow-brown, abdominal scuta brownish, legs yellowish. Cephalothorax smooth, abdominal scutum likewise, well covered with short, suberect hairs. Fe I with four prolateral spines, no retrolateral ones. Embolus relatively long, U-shaped, with a transparent, slightly dilated apex; two dark, ribbon-like extensions close to base of embolus.