Smeringopus peregrinus Strand, 1906

HUBER, BERNHARD A., 2012, Revision and cladistic analysis of the Afrotropical endemic genus Smeringopus Simon, 1890 (Araneae: Pholcidae), Zootaxa 3461 (1), pp. 1-138 : 93-100

Smeringopus peregrinus Strand, 1906

Figs. 8–10 , 558–559 , 572–573 , 592–593 , 609–625

Smeringopus peregrinus Strand 1906b: 47–49 . Strand 1907b: 569–571. Tullgren 1910: 122–123, pl. 2, fig. 34a-d. Berland 1920: 129–130.

Misidentifications: Strand (1913) and Lessert (1915), see S. peregrinoides ; Kraus (1957), see S. kalomo .

Types. Unspecified number of juvenile specimens from Tanzania, Kilimanjaro Region, Moshi [3°20’S, 37°20’E], date not given (Wiedemann), apparently lost.

Notes. Since S. peregrinus as circumscribed herein and S. peregrinoides have overlapping distributions in northeastern Tanzania ( Fig. 608 ), the identity of S. peregrinus may never be clarified beyond doubt. I follow Berland (1920) in considering the largely Kenyan species as S. peregrinus and I follow Kraus (1957) in separating it from the more western S. peregrinoides . However, the species treated by Kraus (1957) as S. peregrinus has a much more southern distribution, far from the type locality of S. peregrinus (see S. kalomo ).

Diagnosis. Distinguished from similar congeners by tip of procursus (distinctive membranous and sclerotized structures; Figs. 609, 610 ), by shape of embolus ( Figs. 611–613 ; prolateral view distinctive; similar S. butare and S. katanga ), and by strongly curved ‘valve’ in internal female genitalia ( Fig. 593 ); from S. peregrinoides also by longer and more downward directed cheliceral apophyses ( Figs. 614, 615 ) and absence of v-shaped or u-shaped structure frontally in female internal genitalia ( Figs. 592 ; females externally not distinguishable from S. butare ).

Male (Wundanyi). Total body length 7.6, carapace width 2.3. Leg 1: 46.6 (12.4 + 1.1 + 12.0 + 18.4 + 2.7), tibia 2: 9.1, tibia 3: 7.1, tibia 4: 9.6; tibia 1 L/d: 47. Habitus as in Figs. 558 and 559 . Carapace ochre-yellow with brown median and lateral marks, clypeus with pair of dark stripes, sternum brown with irregular light marks, legs light brown, femora and tibiae with lighter tips and subdistal dark rings, abdomen ochre-gray with distinct dorsal and ventral pattern. Distance PME-PME 160 µm, diameter PME 170 µm, distance PME-ALE 70 µm, distance AME-AME 45 µm, diameter AME 170 µm. Ocular area slightly elevated, secondary eyes with ‘pseudo-lenses’; deep thoracic pit. Chelicerae as in Figs. 614 and 615 , with downward directed distal apophyses. Palps as in Figs. 572 and 573 , coxa with distinct retrolateral apophysis and shallow wide furrow, trochanter barely modified, femur with retrolateral furrow with distinct rim proximally, procursus with distinctive distal structures ( Figs. 609, 610 ), without prolateral membranous projection, bulb with distinctively shaped prolateral process on embolus ( Figs. 611–613 , 617 ). Legs without spines, few vertical hairs, with curved hairs on tibiae and metatarsi 1 and 2, retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%; prolateral trichobothrium present on tibia 1. Gonopore with two epiandrous spigots ( Fig. 618 ); ALS with eight spigots each ( Fig. 619 ).

Variation. The ventral abdominal bands may be undivided or divided into many spots; the ventral process of the embolus may be slightly wider (in prolateral view; male from Kilifi); in some specimens the retrolateral pointed process on the embolus (arrow in Fig. 613 ) is very indistinct (males from Ol Donyo Sabuk and Tana River). Tibia 1 in 37 males: 6.9–15.7 (mean 10.6).

Female. In general similar to male; tibia 1 in 42 females: 6.9–15.1 (mean 10.1). Epigynum a simple trapezoidal to triangular plate with pair of semicircular pockets ( Figs. 592 , 620 ); internal genitalia as in Figs. 593 , 616 , and 621, with strongly curved frontal ark.

Distribution. Widely distributed in Kenya, eastern Uganda, and northeastern Tanzania ( Fig. 608 ); the two records from Madagascar are from Antananarivo (one of them explicitly from a building), suggesting that the species has been introduced to Madagascar by humans.

Material examined. KENYA: Coast Prov.: Taita Hills , Wundanyi , in hotel (3°24.2’S, 38°21.8’E), 1405 m a.s.l., 18.–19.i.2010 (B.A. Huber), 2♂ 1♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8553) ; same data, 2♂ 3♀ in pure ethanol in ZFMK (Ken 92) . Taita Discovery Center [~ 3.0°S, 38.4°E], 8.–15.i.2002 (E. Selempo), 1♀ in MRAC (212939) . Kilaguni Camp [~ 2°54’S, 38°03’E], 23.vi.1979 (N. Scharff), 2♀ in ZMUC . Tsavo West, Kasigau [3°49’S, 38°39’E], 645–1100 m a.s.l., forest, 6.xii.2000 (R. Jocqué), 1♀ in MRAC (209968) . Tsavo West, Mzima Springs [2°59’S, 38°01’E], under rocks, 15.iv.1989 (F. Coyle, R. Bennett), 1♀ in AMNH . “ Région côtière, Kiwi ” (Mombasa, according to Berland 1920), st. n o 3, 28.-30.x.1911 (Alluaud, Jeannel), 1 juv. prosoma, in MNHN ( AR 10473 ) . Watamu [3°20’S, 40°01’E], beach litter, 12.ix.1984 (Murphy), 1♂ in CJFM (12395) . Kilifi [3°38’S, 39°52’E], coastal scrub, 10 m a.s.l., 2.ix.1977 (Murphy), 2♂ 1♀ in CJFM (5980) ; same data but coconut grove, 1♀ in CJFM (6299) ; Kilifi, garden scrub, 4./ 5.ix.1977 (2 vials) (Murphy), 3♀ in CJFM (6023, 6068) ; Kilifi, beach litter, viii.1980 (Murphy), 1♀ in CJFM (9164) . Malindi [3°13’S, 40°07’E], 19.ii.1982 (R.R. Jackson), 1♂ 1♀ + juvs in BMNH . 15 km S [SW] Malindi, Gedi Ruins [3°18.5’S, 40°01.0’E], 30.vi.1979 (N. Scharff), 1♀ in ZMUC ; Gedi Forest near Gedi ruins (3°18.5’S, 40°01.1’E), 30 m a.s.l., under stone, 22.i.2010 (B.A. Huber), 1♂ 1♀ in pure ethanol in ZFMK ( Ken 103) .

Rift Valley: Kitale, Kaipos [1°12’N, 35°08’E], house, 2000 m a.s.l., 30.vi.1972 (Murphy) 1♂ in CJFM (1412) . Lake Naivasha [~ 0°45’S, 36°20’E], shrubs, 1900 m a.s.l., 3.viii.1974 (Murphy), 1♀ in CJFM (3873) . Lake Naivasha, Fisherman’s Camp (~ 0°45’S, 36°20’E), 19.x.1992 (V. & B. Roth), 1♀ in CAS . Naivasha, st. n o 14, 1.xii.1911 (Alluaud, Jeannel ), 2♂ 4♀ 7 juvs. (2 vials) in MNHN ( AR 10480 , 10487 ). Longonot crater [0°55’S, 36°27’E], st. n o 26, xii.1911 ( Alluaud , Jeannel ), 1♂ 1♀ in MNHN ( AR 10489 ). Hell’s Gate N.P., Lower Gorge (0°53.6’S, 36°19.2’E), 1850 m a.s.l., 5.ii.2010 (B.A. Huber), 3♂ 1♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8554) ; same data, 1♂ 2♀ in pure ethanol in ZFMK (Ken 147) . Kajiado [1°50’S, 36°47.5’E], road culverts, v.1973, collector not given, 3♂ 2♀ in BMNH . Mpala Ranch [0°18’N, 36°51’E], 19.iv.2002 (R. Jocqué, C. Warui), 1♂ in MRAC (212190) ; same locality, near river in litter and under dead logs, 20.iv.2002 (R. Jocqué, C. Warui), 1♀ in MRAC (212221) . Between Nanyuki and Nyahururu , under bridge (0°02.1’N, 36°41.8’E), 1940 m a.s.l., 30.i.2010 (B.A. Huber), 2♂ 2♀ in pure ethanol in ZFMK ( Ken 129) .

Nairobi: Nairobi [~ 1°16’S, 36°49’E], coll. C.S. Belton, date not given, 6♂ 4♀ in BMNH (99.1215-713) . Forêt de Nairobi , st. n o 11, 22.-27.xi.1911 (Alluaud, Jeannel), 3♂ 2♀ in MNHN ( AR 10495 ) .

Eastern Prov.: Athi River [1°27’S, 36°59’E], 1530 m a.s.l., 19.x.1957 (E.S. Ross, R. E. Leech), 1♂ in CAS . 15 mi SW of Nairobi [~ 1°23’S, 36°55’E], 5400’ a.s.l., 15.i.1970 (M.E. Irwin, E.S. Ross), 1♂ 4♀ in CAS . 25 mi SW of Nairobi [~ 1°27’S, 36°59’E], under rocks, 20.xi.1969 (M.E. Irwin, E.S. Ross), 1♂ in CAS . Gonkonyi River, at slopes and in tunnel under road (1°56.8’S, 37°18.2’E), 1340 m a.s.l., 25.i.2010 (B.A. Huber), 2♂ 2♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8555) ; same data, 3♀ in pure ethanol in ZFMK ( Ken 106) . Machakos Distr., “ Mokweni ” [1°49’S, 37°47’E?], 3500’ a.s.l., iv.1965 (D.M. Sillou), 1♂ in MRAC (128381) . Tsavo National Park East, Education Center [2°46’S, 38°47’E?], 4.vi.1975 (A.J. Penniman), 2♀ 1 juv. in AMNH . Murera, near gate of Meru National Park [0°18’N, 38°07’E], riverine forest, 24.iv.2004 (R. Jocqué, C. Warui, van den Spiegel), 1♂ in MRAC (215395) . Ol Donyo Sabuk N.P., under stone at roadside (1°08.1’S, 37°15.1’E), 2070 m a.s.l., 26.i.2010 (B.A. Huber), 1♂ in ZFMK (Ar 8556) ; Ol Donyo Sabuk N.P., in buffalo sculls at main gate (~ 1°06.2’S, 37°16.4’E), ~ 1400 m a.s.l., 26.i.2010 (B.A. Huber), 1♂ 1♀ in pure ethanol in ZFMK (Ken 115) . 4 km S Isiolo [0°19’N, 37°34’E], 1250 m a.s.l., 26.xi.1957 (E.S. Ross, R. E. Leech), 1♀ in CAS . Kiboko, Hunter’s Lodge [2°16.5’S, 37°49.5’E], “Grotte à Otomops”, 27.ix.1975 (P. Strinati, V. Aellen), 2♀ in MHNG .

Central Prov.: Mount Kenya, Naro-Moru track [~ 0°10’S, 37°10’E], 25.vii.1975 (R. Bosmans), 1♂ in MRAC (161804) . Mount Kenya, vii.1975 (R. Bosmans), 1♀ in MRAC (161926) . Thika , Fourteen Falls [1°04’S, 37°15.5’E], 4.viii.1969 (R. D. Charles), 3♀ 1 juv. in MRAC (136458).

Unidentified localities in Kenya: “Ngunga”, 29.viii.1909 (G.M. Allen), 1♂ in MCZ (34029) . “ Tana River ”, Chanier Exp., date not given, 1♂ in USNM . “ Fort Hall ”, st. n o 30, 4.i.1912 (Alluaud, Jeannel), 1♂ 1 juv. in MNHN ( AR 10472 ) .

TANZANIA: Arusha Region: Arusha [3°22’S, 36°41’E], 4.ix.1972 (P.L.G. Benoit), 1♂ 2♀ 2 juvs in MRAC (141744). Meru, Sjöstedt leg., date not given, 1♀ in ZMB [this might be the female studied by Tullgren (1910), originating from “Meru: Ngare na nyuki” = Ngare Nanyuki, 3°08’S, 36°53’E] . Kilimanjaro, Meru-Expedition, 1905-1906 (Y. Sjöstedt), material identified and described by Tullgren (1910), 1♂ 1♀ in MNHN ( AR 10492 ) [these might be Tullgren’s specimens from Kibonoto=Kibongoto, ~ 3°11’S, 37°06’E]. West flank of Ngorongoro Crater [~ 3°12’S, 35°29’E], 1750 m a.s.l., 23.x.1957 (E.S. Ross, R. E. Leech), 1♀ in CAS . Tanga Region: Amani [5°06’S, 38°38’E], iv.1905 ( Vosseler ), 1♂ in ZMB [this is the male studied by Strand (1907b)]. Mkomazi [4°38’S, 38°05’E], thick grass below Commiphora trees, 25.i.1996 (A. Russell-Smith), 3♂ 1♀ in ZFMK (Ar 8557) .

UGANDA: Eastern Region: Bukedi Distr., Tororo Hill [0°41’N, 34°11’E], 17.xii.1968 (R. D. Charles), 3♂ (2 vials) in MRAC (136448, 136450) .

MADAGASCAR: Antananarivo [~ 18°55’S, 47°31’E], in building, 16.iii.1992 (V. Roth), 2♂ 4♀ in CAS . Antananarivo, Manakambahini [18°56.0’S, 47°32.2’E], 18.iii.1990 (W.E. Steiner), 2♂ 1♀ in USNM .

Figures

FIGURE 608. Known distribution of the peregrinus group. S. butare and S. peregrinus are represented by triangles in order to facilitate distinction from S. peregrinoides. Squares: further undescribed species.

FIGURES 2–13. Smeringopus, alive specimens in their natural habitats. 2. S. bwindi, female with eggsac (Uganda, Bwindi). 3–4. S. chogoria, females with eggsac and spiderlings (Kenya, Mau Mau and Chogoria). 5. S. mpanga, female with spiderlings (Uganda, Kalinzu). 6–7. S. ngangao, male and web with silk-balls (Kenya, Ngangao). 8–10. S. peregrinus, web with silk-balls (Kenya, Gonkonyi), female (Kenya, Hell’s Gate), female with eggsac (Gonkonyi). 11. S. pallidus, female with eggsac (Uganda, Semuliki). 12. S. lesserti, male (Gabon, Mayebout). 13. S. cylindrogaster (Guinea, Dieke).

FIGURES 558–571. Smeringopus peregrinus group, habitus and male prosomata, oblique frontal views. 558–559. S. peregrinus, male, dorsal and ventral views. 560–561. S. peregrinoides, female, dorsal view and male, ventral view. 562. S. butare, male dorsal view. 563. S. similis, male, dorsal view. 564–565. S. kalomo, male and female, dorsal views. 566–567. S. chibububo, male, dorsal view and female, ventral view. 568. S. katanga, male, dorsal view. 569. S. moxico, male, dorsal view. 570. S. chibububo. 571. S. kalomo.

FIGURES 572–583. Smeringopus peregrinus group, left male palps, prolateral and retrolateral views. 572–573. S. peregrinus. 574–575. S. peregrinoides. 576–577. S. butare. 578–579. S. katanga. 580–581. S. kalomo. 582–583. S. chibububo.

FIGURES 592–607. Smeringopus peregrinus group, epigyna, ventral views and cleared female genitalia, dorsal views. 592–593. S. peregrinus. 594–595. S. peregrinoides. 596–597. S. butare. 598–599. S. katanga. 600–601. S. kalomo. 602–603. S. chibububo. 604–605. S. dundo. 606–607. S. similis.

FIGURES 609–616. Smeringopus peregrinus. 609. Left cymbium and procursus, retrolateral view. 610. Left procursus, prolateral view. 611–613. Left embolus, prolateral, dorsal, and ventral (slightly prolateral) views (arrow points to variable structure; see text). 614–615. Male chelicerae, frontal and lateral views. 616. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal view. Scale lines: 0.3 mm.

FIGURES 617–625. Smeringopus peregrinus. 617. Left embolus, ventral (slightly prolateral) view. 618. Male gonopore. 619. Male ALS. 620. Epigynum. 621. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal view. 622. Detail of pore plate. 623. Silk ball (from web shown in Fig. 8). 624–625. Details of silk ball. Scale lines: 8 µm (625), 10 µm (624), 30 µm (619), 40 µm (622), 60 µm (618), 80 µm (623), 100 µm (617), 200 µm (620–621).