Eriauchenius wunderlichi, Wood, Hannah M. & Scharff, Nikolaj, 2017

Wood, Hannah M. & Scharff, Nikolaj, 2017, A review of the Madagascan pelican spiders of the genera Eriauchenius O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1881 and Madagascarchaea gen. n. (Araneae, Archaeidae), ZooKeys 727, pp. 1-96 : 1

Eriauchenius wunderlichi sp. n. Figs 12, 31

Type material.

Male holotype: MADAGASCAR, Fianarantsoa, Parc National Befotaka-Midongy, Papango, 28.5 km S Midongy-Sud, Mount Papango, 23°50'27"S, 46°57'27"E, 1250 m, 17-19 Nov 2006, montane rainforest, sifted litter, B.L. Fisher et al. (deposited in CAS; CASENT9062702).

Other material examined.

Female paratype, MADAGASCAR: Toliara, Réserve Spéciale Kalambatritra, Ampanihy, 23°27'49"S, 46°27'47"E, 1270 m, 9-10 Feb 2009, montane rainforest, sifted litter, B.L. Fisher et al. (CASENT9062648).

Etymology.

The specific name is a patronym to honor Jörg Wunderlich, for his work documenting fossil archaeids.

Diagnosis.

Males are distinguished from other " bourgini group" species except E. harveyi sp. n., E. fisheri , and E. goodmani sp. n., by having the pedipalpal tegulum of the " workmani group" form, with the apical conductor encircling a pit-like cavity (Fig. 12 D–F). Males are distinguished from E. harveyi sp. n., E. fisheri , and E. goodmani sp. n., by having an elongated apical portion of the tegulum, so that the bulb is almost twice as long as it is wide (Fig. 12F). Females are distinguished from the " bourgini group," except from E. harveyi sp. n., E. fisheri , and E. goodmani sp. n., by having a bursa with two large groups of poreplates on a sclerotized plate that covers the ventral side of the bursa (Fig. 12 B–C), whereas in other " bourgini group" species the poreplates are in smaller clusters on the anterior side of the bursa. Females are further distinguished from the " bourgini group" by having a large bulge on the center of the posterior bar (Fig. 12B, arrow).

Description.

Male holotype (CASENT9062702, from Parc National Befotaka-Midongy, Madagascar). The abdomen of this specimen is missing making some measurements impossible. Carapace 1.11 long, 0.89 wide. Carapace tilt angle 76.7°, tilt height (CtH) 1.80, constriction 0.76, head length 1.02, neck length 0.87. CtH divided by carapace length 1.62. Cephalon with AME virtually flush with surrounding cuticle, and with 2 short modified spines at the apex. Chelicerae 1.78 long, and with long spine 0.19 from base of chelicerae and projecting perpendicular to the cheliceral cuticle (Fig. 12A). Femur I 1.98 long. Sternum 0.71 long, 0.42 wide. Carapace, chelicerae, sternum and legs reddish brown with white setae. Legs with darker annulations on tibiae and metatarsi. Abdomen color unknown. Pedipalpal tegulum of the " workmani group" form, with apical conductor encircling a pit-like cavity, however the apical portion of the tegulum is elongated so that the bulb is almost twice as long and wide (Fig. 12 D–F). Conductor tip tapering off into a sharp point (Fig. 12F). MA rounded and small, and nearly hidden behind sclerite SC and embolus. Sclerite SC long and heavily sclerotized and in close proximity and running parallel to the embolus. Embolus dark, thick, and with a swirl at the base and blunt at the tip (Fig. 12 E–D).

Female paratype (CASENT9062648). Total length 2.59, carapace 1.25 long, 1.04 wide. Abdomen 1.26 long, 1.36 high. Carapace tilt angle 73.5°, tilt height (CtH) 1.99, constriction 0.78, head length 1.02, neck length 1.02. CtH divided by carapace length 1.59. Cephalon as in male. Chelicerae 2.18 long, and with long spine 0.24 from base of chelicerae and projecting perpendicular (Fig. 12A). Femur I 2.02 long. Sternum 0.82 long, 0.51 wide. Carapace, chelicerae, sternum and legs orangish brown with brown setae. Abdomen mottled with dark brown areas and lighter yellowish areas, interspersed with brown setae (Fig. 12A). Genitalia with a noncomplex sclerotized plate with “wings” translucent at the tips. Posterior bar with a large bulge in the center (Fig. 12B, arrow). Bursa with poreplates in two large groups, divided down the middle and positioned on a sclerotized plate that covers the ventral side of the bursa (Fig. 12C).

Variation.

no other known material.

Natural history.

Specimens were collected in montane rainforest from 1250-1270 m in elevation by sifting litter.

Distribution.

Known only from southeast Madagascar (Fig. 31).

Nomenclatural remarks.

The male and female of E. wunderlichi sp. n. occur in rainforest areas in southwestern Madagascar that are not contiguous. The male and female may not be conspecifics, however based on morphology they likely belong in the "enclosed embolus group." Future molecular work as well as additional collection of specimens from more localities can help resolve these issues.