Wasaka, Haddad, Charles R., 2013

Haddad, Charles R., 2013, Taxonomic notes on the spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae, Corinnidae), with the description of the new genera Copuetta and Wasaka and the first cladistic analysis of Afrotropical Castianeirinae, Zootaxa 3688 (1), pp. 1-79 : 61

Wasaka gen. nov.

Type species: W. occulta sp. nov.

Etymology: The genus name is the Swahili word for hunter, referring to the foraging habits of these spiders. Gender feminine.

Diagnosis: Wasaka gen. nov. can be recognised from the other three genera of cryptic lycosiform Castianeirinae from the Afrotropical Region ( Copa , Copuetta and Echinax ) by the presence of three pairs of ventral spines on the anterior tibiae, which are sometimes accompanied by an additional pair of ventral terminal spines, by the AME only slightly larger than ALE (much larger in the three other genera), the generally flatter carapace, and the metatarsi III that are usually shorter than metatarsi I and II (III longer than I and II in the other three genera).

Remarks: While Wasaka gen. nov. formed a collapsed node in the strict consensus tree, basal to the three aforementioned genera ( Fig. 26 ), the differences in eye sizes, leg spination and metatarsal sizes are adequately unique to support the establishment of this new genus.

Description: Medium-sized spiders, 6.55–9.50mm in length; carapace usually pale yellow to yellow-brown with black mottling and lateral markings ( Figs 154–161 ); carapace surface smooth, with black feathery setae covering markings; several long curved setae on clypeus and eye region, isolated posterior to PER as far as midpoint; carapace oval, broadest at coxae II, eye region narrow; fovea distinct, long and narrow; posterior margin very slightly concave. All eyes surrounded by black rings; AER procurved, AME slightly larger than ALE; AME separated by ½ or less their diameter, nearly touching ALE; PER slightly procurved, PLE very slightly larger than PME; PME closer to PLE than to each other; MOQ slightly broader posteriorly than anteriorly, length slightly larger than posterior width. Chilum not examined, retracted deep beneath clypeus in all specimens; cheliceral promargin with three teeth, rarely two, retromargin with two teeth; shaggy seta absent; curved setae on cheliceral promargin finely plumose in males and pectinate in females; endites straight laterally, with distinct serrula comprising sharp, ventrally curved denticles, with dense maxillar hair tuft on mesal margins; labium trapezoidal, slightly wider than long. Pleural bars weakly sclerotised, isolated; sternum slightly longer than broad, shieldshaped, slightly narrowed anteriorly, without markings; surface smooth, with many short and long erect straight setae; precoxal triangles present, intercoxal sclerites only reduced to slight expansions of sternal margin, not extending between coxae. Leg formula 4132; legs strongly spined, femora, patellae, tibiae and metatarsi covered in short straight black setae, with black feathery setae on markings and scattered white feathery setae between them, feathery setae sparse on tarsi; retrocoxal window absent on coxa I; femora with many long erect ventral setae; all patellae with proximal and distal long fine dorsal setae; patellar indentation narrow, broad at proximal end; metatarsi III usually shorter than metatarsi I and II, rarely longer; metatarsi with weak distal scopulae, tarsi with weak scopulae along their entire length; tibiae I and II with long fine dorsal seta at ¾ their length; tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi with several dorsal trichobothria and several short erect setae dorsally and laterally; paired tarsal claws short, situated laterally, with very dense claw tufts between them; metatarsi III and IV without terminal preening brush or comb. Abdomen oval, cream to yellow with mottled black markings ( Figs 154–161 ); three to six pairs of fine straight setae on anterior margin of abdomen above pedicel; dorsal scutum small, extending less than ½ abdomen length in males, less than ¼ abdomen length in females; two pairs of distinct sclerotised dorsal sigilla present in females, indistinct in males; dorsum densely covered in black and white plumose setae corresponding to markings, with scattered short straight setae; venter with weakly sclerotised epigastric region, without postepigastric sclerites and ventral sclerite; inframamillary sclerite distinct, covered in short setae; venter with one or two paired rows of indistinct tiny sclerites from epigastric furrow to spinnerets. Spinnerets (only observed with light microscopy): ALS of male with single major ampullate gland spigot, single large adjacent nubbin and many piriform gland spigots; ALS of female with two major ampullate gland spigots and many piriform gland spigots; PMS of male with one large minor ampullate gland spigot and at least one aciniform gland spigot. PMS of female with three large cylindrical gland spigots, one small prolateral minor ampullate gland spigot and several anterior and prolateral aciniform gland spigots; PLS of male with a few aciniform gland spigots; PLS of female with two large cylindrical gland spigots and a few aciniform gland spigots. Male palpal segments without apophyses; cymbium with fine bent setae distally, dorsal surface covered in curved finely plumose setae with bent tips; tegulum pear-shaped; embolus with variable base, degree of compression and length and curvature of distal coil ( Figs 162–165 ). Female epigyne with strongly sclerotised 6-shaped epigynal ridges or weakly sclerotised round or coiled ridges laterally, enclosing or leading to copulatory openings; copulatory ducts variable, short or long, broad or narrow, directed anteriorly or transversely before entering ST II; ST II usually broad and oval, ST I short and broad.

Figures

FIGURE 26. Strict consensus tree obtained under equal weighting in TNT using the traditional search function. Numbers on nodes are Bremer Weights calculated in TNT. Tree rooted with the gnaphosid Drassodes sesquidentatus Purcell, 1908.

FIGURES 154 – 161. Digital microscope photographs of Wasaka imitatrix sp. nov. (154, 155), W. montana sp. nov. (156, 157), W. occulta sp. nov. (158, 159) and W. ventralis sp. nov. (160, 161): 154, 156, 158, 160. Male habitus, dorsal view. 155, 157, 159, 161. Female habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars = 2.0 mm.

FIGURES 162 – 165. Digital microscope photographs of emboli of Wasaka gen. nov. species in ventral view: 162. W. imitatrix sp. nov.. 163. W. montana sp. nov.. 164. W. occulta sp. nov.. 165. W. ventralis sp. nov.. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.