Ariadna ustulata Simon, 1898

Saaristo, Michael I., 2002, New species and interesting new records of spiders from Seychelles (Arachnida, Araneaea), Phelsuma 10, pp. 1-32 : 27-28

Ariadna ustulata Simon, 1898 ( Figs. 79-83 )

Ariadna ustulata Simon, 1898:372 (Dj) .

Material examined: Mahé, holotype, immature female ( ZMH) ; Silhouette, Mt. Dauban , moss/litter 3juv., 0 9.07.2000, J. Gerlach leg. ( MZT AA 1.384 ) and 1f, 09.08.2000, J. Gerlach leg. ( MZT AA 2.169 ) .

Diagnosis: A. ustulata is readily distinguished from all other Seychellian spiders by having six eyes in two rows, protruding chelicerae with strong, blunt-tipped lateral bosses, and distinct tracheal spiracles close to epigastric groove.

Description: Female (male unknown). This is a medium-sized (TL=4.6, CL = 2.38, CW = 1.54), dull coloured, relatively hairy species. Chelicerae black; carapace chestnut brown; sternum pale orange; abdomen dorsally dark brown, ventrally lighter; spinnerets pale yellow; legs pale orange, strongly suffused with black, especially femora which are almost totally black. Carapace densely covered with dark appressed hairs; abdomen sparsely clothed with long subdecumbent hairs in addition to the thick, appressed hairy coat; legs hairy with numerous, relatively short spines. In the middle of the epigyneal area a short, dark-coloured slightly convoluted streak.

Distribution: This is an endemic species ofwhich only the type specimen from Mahé was known previously. Now also collected on Silhouette.

Figures

Figs. 79 - 83. Ariadna ustulata Simon, 1898. - 79: Carapace and chelicerae dorsally. - 80: Carapace and chelicerae frontally. - 81: Cololus. - 82: Right leg I mesially. - 83: Right leg I laterally. - Scale bars: 79 - 81 = 0.2, 82, 83 = 2.0 mm. Orig.