Spermophora, INCERTAE SEDIS, Huber, 2003

Huber, Bernhard A., 2003, High species diversity in one of the dominant groups of spiders in East African montane forests (Araneae: Pholcidae: Buitinga n. gen., Spermophora Hentz), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 137 (4), pp. 555-619 : 593-610

‘ SPERMOPHORA ’ INCERTAE SEDIS

Several new East African species are tentatively assigned to Spermophora , even though this assignment is poorly supported. The first four species treated (‘S.’ morogoro, sangarawe, usambara , masisiwe) are probably a monophyletic group (node 5 in Appendix 4), supported by the strong ventral bend of the procursus ( Figs 222 , 235 , 239 , 245 ); a similar morphology in Buitinga mulanje is tentatively considered convergent. All these species lack a scape, have no modified hairs or sclerotized teeth proximally on the male chelicerae, and the dorsal palpal trichobothria are not extremely distal. Therefore, even tentative assignment to Buitinga seems unjustified, while the pocket between epigynum and spinnerets may be a synapomorphy of Spermophora .

The two Kenyan species treated below (‘S.’ minotaura and berlandi ) are even more problematic. Details of the procursus suggest they are close relatives, but the scape of berlandi reminds of Buitinga while the ventral flap on the procursus (‘f ’ in Figs 262 , 269 ) as well as the pocket behind the epigynum in minotaura ( Fig. 272 ) are strongly reminiscent of Spermophora .

The two Comoran species (‘S.’ lambilloni, jocquei) are close relatives (compare distal cheliceral apophyses: Figs 277 , 291 ; dorsal sclerotized structure on procursus: arrows in Figs 275 , 289 ) but their relationships are obscure too. They share more characters with Paramicromerys than with Buitinga (e.g. pair of pockets on epigynum: Fig. 278 ; widely expanded male palpal femur; embolus as single bulbal projection), but the relevance of these characters is ambiguous.

Finally, ‘S.’ kivu (from Congo) and ‘S.’ tonkoui (from Ivory Coast) merely suggest that Central and Western Africa harbour a wealth of unknown taxa that cannot be properly assigned without further material at hand.

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ MOROGORO N. SP.

( FIGS 18 , 42, 221-233 )

Type. Male holotype from Kihansi Forest Reserve, Lower Kihansi hydropower project (8∞24¢S, 36∞21¢E), forest, Uzungwa Mountains , Morogoro District, Tan- nous embolus (‘e’ in Figs 222 , 231 ). Palpal tarsal organ capsulate ( Fig. 232 ). Legs with spines in single row on femora 1 (maybe also 2, but most hairs missing), without curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 13%; tarsus 1 with ~20 fairly distinct pseudosegments. Four epiandrous spigots as in Figure 229 . ALS as in Figure 233 .

Variation. Median brown band on carapace missing in some males; pattern on opisthosoma variably ‘complete’. Tibia 1 in 4 other males: 4.6, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1.

Map 4. Known distribution of East African species tentatively assigned to Spermophora Hentz (excluding Comoran species).

zania; June–July 1997 (J. Heionen, I. Zilihona); in ZMUC.

Etymology. Refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from known congeners by the shapes of procursus and bulbal apophysis ( Figs 221, 222 ), and by the shape of the epigynum ( Fig. 42).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.4, carapace width 0.88. Leg 1: 20.4 (5.0 + 0.4 + 4.9 + 7.6 + 2.5), tibia 2: 3.2, tibia 3: 2.3, tibia 4 missing; tibia 1 L/d: 61. Habitus as in Figure 18 . Carapace ochre-yellow with black lateral margins and posterior spot, with light brown median band (not in photographed male!); sternum whitish. Legs ochreyellow, without dark rings. Opisthosoma ochre-grey with black spots (holotype with less developed dark pattern than photographed male; spots at middle even missing!). Ocular area slightly elevated; distance PME–PME 250 Mm; diameter PME 80 Mm; distance PME–ALE 35 Mm. Thoracic furrow very shallow frontally, absent posteriorly. Sternum wider than long (0.60/0.52). Chelicerae as in Figure 224 , with three modified hairs embedded in each distal apophysis ( Figs 223 , 228 ). Palps as in Figures 221 and 222 ; trochanter with ventral and retrolateral apophyses, procursus with ventral hinged process (‘hp’ in Fig. 221 ) and additional hinged structure distally ( Fig. 227 ), bulb with distinctive apophysis and simple membra- Female. In general similar to male, but ocular area not brown; some females with black pigment on femora proximally (dorso-frontally); one female with much more black pigment on opisthosoma and with black sternum; one female without lateral dark lines on carapace. Tibia 1 in 3 females: 3.8–4.0. Epigynum as in Figures 42 and 225 , without scape, with unsclerotized median conical projection (not visible in ventral view). Without pocket between epigynum and spinnerets, but with folded cuticle in area where close relatives have pockets (arrow in Fig. 230 ). Dorsal view as in Figure 226 .

Distribution. Known only from type locality (Map 4).

Material examined. TANZANIA: MOROGORO: Uzungwa Mountains : Kihansi Forest Reserve : type above, together with 12♂ 10♀, in ZMUC. Same collection data, 1♂ 1♀ in ZMUC. Same collection data, ‘open sprayzone’, 1♀ in ZMUC .

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ SANGARAWE N. SP.

( FIGS 19 , 43, 234-237 )

Type. Male holotype from Sangarawe Forest (5∞06.5¢S, 38∞35.7¢E), 990 m elev., E Usambara Mountains , Tanga District, Tanzania; November 5–6, 1995 (C. E. Griswold, N. Scharff, D. Ubick); in ZMUC .

Etymology. Refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis. Easily distinguished from known congeners by the black transversal band on the carapace ( Fig. 19 ); also by the male pedipalp (shape of bulbal apophysis and distal procursus elements; Figs 234, 235 ) and by the shape of the long epigynum ( Figs 43, 236 ).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.1, carapace width 0.73. Leg 1: 21.6 (5.2 + 0.4 + 5.1 + 8.2 + 2.7), tibia 2: 3.2, tibia 3: 2.2, tibia 4: 3.1; tibia 1 L/d: 64. Habitus as in Figure 19 . Carapace ochre-yellow with distinctive black band across ocular area; sternum pale ochre-yellow. Legs ochre-yellow, only patellae and tips of tibiae black. Opisthosoma ochre-grey with blackish spots dorsally; ventrally without marks. Ocular area distinctly separated from carapace; distance PME–PME 250 Mm; diameter PME 70 Mm; distance PME–ALE 35 Mm. Thoracic furrow very shallow frontally, absent posteriorly. Sternum wider than long (0.56/0.40). Chelicerae as in ‘S.’ morogoro (cf. Fig. 224 ). Palps as in Figures 234 and 235 ; trochanter with two apophyses, one prolateral, one retrolateral; procursus with distinct hinged process ventrally (‘hp’ in Fig. 234 ). Bulb with simple membranous embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 234 ) and long apophysis. Legs with a row of stiffer hairs ventrally on femora 1, without curved hairs, few vertical hairs (most hairs missing in holotype); retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 11%; tarsus 1 with>25 pseudosegments (distally about 20 quite distinct).

Variation. Tibia 1 in 7 other males 4.6–5.6 (x = 5.19). Some males with black marks proximally on femora 2 and 3 (dorso-frontally).

Female. In general similar to male, but femora proximally with dorso-frontal blackish pigment on legs 1–3. Tibia 1 in 5 females: 4.1–4.5 (x = 4.27). Epigynum as in Figures 43 and 236 , without scape but with short median protrusion posteriorly. Dorsal view as in Figure 237 .

Distribution. Known from two close localities in the E Usambara Mountains (Map 4).

Material examined. TANZANIA: TANGA: E Usambara Mountains : type above, together with 1♀ and 2 juveniles. Same collection data, 3♂ 1♀ in CAS. Amani forest (5∞05.7¢S, 38∞38¢E), 950 m elev., October 27- November 9, 1995 (C. E. Griswold, N. Scharff, D. Ubick), 2♂ 1♀ in ZMUC. Same collection data, 3♂ 2♀ in CAS. Amani, 1000 m elev., July 10, 1980 (M. Stoltze, N. Scharff), 1♂ 1♀ (2 vials), in ZMUC .

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ USAMBARA N. SP.

( FIGS 20 , 44, 238-243 , 250-254 )

Type. Male holotype from Amani, Mbomole Hill (5∞05.7¢S, 38∞37¢E), E Usambara Mountains, 1000 m

elev., Tanga District, Tanzania; November 5–8, 1995 (C. E. Griswold, N. Scharff, D. Ubick), in ZMUC.

Etymology. Refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis. Easily distinguished from known congeners by the opisthosoma drawn into pointed tip posteriorly ( Fig. 20 ), and by the shapes of procursus and bulbal apophysis ( Figs 238, 239 ). The ZMUC has a close relative from Mt. Rungwe (1900 m elev.) that differs by the shape of the hinged process, larger bulb and embolus, and significantly by the habitus (opisthosoma rounded as in B. tingatingai : Fig. 15 ; prosoma pattern as in B. mbomole : Fig. 11 ).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.2, carapace width 0.72. Leg 1: 21.0 (5.0 + 0.3 + 5.1 + 7.8 + 2.8), tibia 2: 3.3, tibia 3: 2.2, tibia 4: 3.1; tibia 1 L/d: 80. Habitus as in Figure 20 . Carapace ochre-yellow with dark mark across ocular area and above petiole; sternum pale. Legs ochre-yellow, without rings. Opisthosoma pale ochre-grey with black marks dorsally; ventrally no marks. Ocular area barely elevated; distance PME– PME 220 Mm; diameter PME 70 Mm; distance PME– ALE 35 Mm. Thoracic furrow reduced to barely indented line. Sternum wider than long (0.52/0.40). Chelicerae as in Figure 241 , with three modified hairs embedded in each distal apophysis ( Figs 240 , 250 ). Palps as in Figures 238 and 239 ; trochanter with retrolateral apophysis and bifid ventral apophysis, procursus complex, with large hinged process (‘hp’ in Figs 238 , 251 ) and additional distal process that also appears hinged; bulb with simple membranous embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 239 ), and strong curved apophysis. Legs without spines, without curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 10%; tarsus 1 with>20 pseudosegments, but only distally ~15 fairly distinct. Four epiandrous spigots as in Figure 252 .

Variation. Black mark across ocular area rarely missing. Tibia 1 in 11 other males: 4.8–5.6 (x = 5.17).

Female. In general similar to male; colour pattern more variable than in males; most females with black rings at tibia-metatarsus joints; some females with large black spot medially on opisthosoma (dorsally); some females with black margin on carapace and without dark spot in ocular area; some females with dark sternum. Tibia 1 in 11 females: 4.2–4.6 (x = 4.33). Epigynum very simple, without scape, with posterior pocket ( Figs 242 , 254 ). Dorsal view as in Figure 243 . ALS as in Fig. 253 .

Distribution. Known from two close localities in Tanga District (single dot in Map 4).

Material examined. TANZANIA: TANGA: E Usambara Mountains : Amani: type above, together with 16♂ 14♀, in ZMUC. W Usambara Mountains : Mazumbai (4∞49¢S, 38∞3¢E), forest, 1400–1800 m elev., November 10–20, 1995 (C. E. Griswold, N. Scharff, D. Ubick), ~ 28♂ 25♀, in CAS .

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ MASISIWE N. SP.

( FIGS 21 , 45, 244-249 , 255-257 )

Type. Male holotype from 11 km SE Masisiwe, Kihanga Stream (8∞22¢05.7≤S, 35∞58¢41.6≤E), 1800 m elev., low vegetation, Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve , Iringa District, Tanzania; May 17–27, 1997 (ZMUC-SI Expedition); in USNM (‘TA 078’).

Etymology. Refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis. Easily distinguished from most known congeners by the long bulb and the shapes of its distal modifications ( Figs 244, 245 ), from species with similar bulbs ( Buitinga kanzuiri , ‘S.’ tonkoui ) by the armature of the male chelicerae ( Fig. 247 ), and the shape of the procursus ( Figs 244, 245 ).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.7, carapace width 0.80. Leg 1: 14.6 (3.4 + 0.3 + 3.6 + 5.0 + 2.3), tibia 2: 2.3, tibia 3: 1.7, tibia 4: 2.2; tibia 1 L/d: 51. Habitus as in Figure 21 . Carapace ochre-yellow with dark brown pattern as in Figure 21 ; sternum dark brown with tiny light spots. Legs ochre-yellow with dark rings on femora (subdistally), in patella area, on tibiae (subdistally). Opisthosoma ochre-grey with dark brown marks as in Figure 21 , ventrally also with dark pattern. Ocular area slightly elevated; distance PME– PME 230 Mm; diameter PME 60 Mm; distance PME– ALE 30 Mm. Thoracic furrow shallow but distinct. Sternum wider than long (0.58/0.48). Chelicerae as in Figure 247 , with four modified hairs embedded in each distal apophysis ( Fig. 246 ). Palps as in Figures 244 and 245 ; trochanter with retrolateral and prolateral apophyses, procursus with distinct hinged process prolaterally (‘hp’ in Fig. 244 ); bulb elongated, with membranous embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 244 ) and distal modifications. Legs with spines distally on femora 1 (about 15 in single row ventrally) and femora 2 (about 4), without curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 16%; tarsus 1 with>20 pseudosegments, very difficult to see in dissecting microscope. Four epiandrous spigots in two pairs ( Fig. 255 ).

Variation. Tibia 1 in 5 other males: 3.7–3.9.

Female. In general similar to male, but without spines on femora. Tibia 1 in 17 females: 2.9–3.3 (x = 3.18). Epigynum simple light brown plate ( Fig. 45), without scape but with posterior pocket ( Figs 248 , 256 , ‘p’ in 257). Dorsal view as in Figure 249 .

Distribution. Known only from type locality (Map 4).

Material examined. TANZANIA: IRINGA: Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve : type above, together with 2♂ 4♀, in USNM. Same collection data, 2♂ 4♀, in ZMUC. Same collection data, litter and logs, 2♂ 4♀, in USNM, and 1♂ 7♀, in ZMUC. Uzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve , above Chita Village , 1600–1650 m elev., pitfall traps in montane rain forest, November 8–13, 1984 (N. Scharff), 1♂, in ZMUC .

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ KIVU N. SP.

( FIGS 22 , 258-261 )

Type. Male holotype from Kivu, Itombwe , terr. Mwenge, lac Lungwe, camp de Kikura (3∞03¢S, 28∞49¢E), 2700 m elev., humus, bamboo forest, Nord- Kivu District, Congo; August 1953 (N. Leleup); in MRAC (74.887) .

Etymology. Refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis. Easily distinguished from known congeners by the prolateral palpal femur apophysis (‘fa’ in

Fig. 258 ), and by the shapes of bulb (pair of long straight projections) and procursus ( Figs 258, 259 ).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.2, carapace width 0.95. Leg 1: 15.4 (3.7 + 0.4 + 3.8 + 5.3 + 2.2), tibia 2: 2.3, tibia 3: 1.7, tibia 4: 2.3; tibia 1 L/d: 48. Habitus as in Figure 22 . Carapace ochre-yellow with brown and black pattern as in Figure 22 ; sternum dark brown. Legs ochre-orange, with short dark rings on femora (subdistally), tibiae (proximally and subdistally), and metatarsi (proximally). Opisthosoma grey with brown to black marks. Ocular area slightly elevated; distance PME–PME 140 Mm; diameter PME 100 Mm; distance PME–ALE 20 Mm. Thoracic furrow present but very shallow. Sternum slightly wider than long (0.68/0.60). Chelicerae as in Figure 260 , with about 8–10 modified hairs embedded in each distal apophysis ( Fig. 261 ). Palps as in Figures 258 and 259 ; trochanter with retrolateral and ventral apophyses, femur with distinctive apophysis proximally prolaterally (‘fa’ in Fig. 258 ); procursus apparently with largely membranous hinged process; bulb with embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 259 ) and long apophysis ending in hook. Legs without spines, without curved hairs, few vertical hairs (most hairs missing); retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 14%; only ~15 pseudosegments visible on tarsus 1.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from type locality (Map 4).

Material examined. CONGO: NORD- KIVU: Kivu : type above .

‘SPERMOPHORA’ BERLANDI FAGE, 1936

( FIGS 23 , 46, 262-267 , 284-285 )

Spermophora berlandi Fage, 1936 (in Fage & Simon, 1936): 317–319, figs 10, 11a–c.

Types. Two male and three female syntypes from Massiv du Marakwet, ‘Campi Cherangani’ (Cheran- gani Hills: ~1∞N, 35.5∞E), Rift Valley Province, Kenya; March 10, 1933 ( Mission de l’Omo ), in MNHN (AR 10391), examined .

Diagnosis. Distinguished from known congeners by the shapes of procursus (distal elements), bulb and embolus ( Figs 262, 263 ), and by the armature of the male chelicerae ( Figs 264, 265 ). The MRAC has a very close relative from Mt. Kenya (MRAC 161.899) that differs only by the shape of the procursus (ventral flap, distal structures), and the more slender trochanter apophysis.

Male (syntype). Total length 3.25, carapace width 1.4. Leg 1: 21.5 (5.3 + 0.6 + 5.4 + 7.2 + 3.0), tibia 2: 3.5, tibia 3: 2.7, tibia 4: 3.6; tibia 1 L/d: 39. Habitus as in Figure 23 . Carapace ochre with brown pattern as in Figure 23 ; sternum dark brown. Legs ochre-yellow, with slightly darker rings on femora (subdistally), patella area, and tibiae (subdistally). Opisthosoma grey with dark brown pattern. Ocular area elevated, with pair of distinctive horns between ALE; distance PME–PME 215 Mm; diameter PME 115 Mm; distance PME–ALE 45 Mm. Thoracic furrow shallow frontally, absent posteriorly. Sternum wider than long (0.98/ 0.75). Chelicerae as in Figure 264 , with two pairs of frontal apophyses, one associated with three modified hairs ( Fig. 265 ). Palps as in Figures 262 and 263 ; coxa with small hump ventrally, trochanter with retrolateral apophysis, femur with proximo-dorsal projection, procursus with ventral flap, very complex distally, with hinged process (‘hp’ in Fig. 262 ); bulb distinctive in shape, with white indented area (‘i’ in Fig. 263 ) and embolus with subterminal sclerotized hook. Legs without spines, without curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 9%; tarsus 1 with>20 pseudosegments, only about 10 fairly distinct distally. Four epiandrous spigots as in Figure 284 . ALS as in Figure 285 .

Variation. Tibia 1 in other male examined: 5.0.

Female. In general similar to male, but without horns between ALE. Tibia 1 in 3 females: 4.4, 4.5, 4.6. Epigynum as in Figure 46, with scape at posterior rim and distinctive posterior structure ( Fig. 266 ). Dorsal view as in Figure 267 .

Distribution. Known only from type locality (Map 4).

Material examined. KENYA: RIFT VALLEY: Massif du Marakwet: types above .

‘SPERMOPHORA’ MINOTAURA BERLAND (1920)

( FIGS 24 , 47-48, 268-273 , 280-283 )

Spermophora minotaura Berland, 1920: 133–136 , figs 154–161; Simon & Fage, 1922: 542; Fage, in Fage & Simon, 1936: 318, fig. 11d.

Types. I have only seen a penultimate female labelled ‘cotype’, from ‘st. n∞41’, Mt. Kenya, Kenya; February 1912 (C. Alluaud, R. Jeannel), in MNHN (AR 10369). Other type material could not be found at the MNHN (C. Rollard, pers. comm.) .

Diagnosis. Easily distinguished from known congeners by the modifications of the male clypeus (figs 154 and 156 in Berland, 1920); also by the shapes of procursus (distal elements) and bulb (embolus and two distinctive projections; Figs 268, 269 ), and by the armature of the male chelicerae ( Figs 270 , 280 ).

Male (Mt. Kenya). Total length 2.75, carapace width 1.12. Leg 1: 22.2 (5.3 + 0.4 + 5.5 + 8.3 + 2.7), tibia 2: 3.2, tibia 3: 2.2, tibia 4: 3.0; tibia 1 L/d: 57. Habitus as in Figure 24 . Carapace ochre-yellow with pair of brown stripes and black line frontally; clypeus brown with whitish membranous median part; sternum blackish with some ochre-orange marks. Legs ochreyellow, with dark rings on femora (subdistally) and tibiae (proximally and subdistally). Opisthosoma grey with black pattern. Ocular area distinctly elevated, with pair of dark horns between ALE; distance PME– PME 230 Mm; diameter PME 100 Mm; distance PME– ALE 30 Mm. Thoracic furrow distinct frontally, absent posteriorly. Sternum slightly wider than long (0.76/ 0.72). Clypeus with cuticular fold forming pouch that opens dorsally, and two pairs of processes extending from cuticular fold: spines facing inwards and unsclerotized processes pointing upwards; central part of fold whitish. Chelicerae as in Figure 270 , with two pairs of frontal apophyses, one associated with modified hairs ( Figs 271 , 280, 281 ). Palps as in Figures 268 and 269 ; coxa with small hump ventrally, trochanter with retrolateral apophysis, femur with proximo-dorsal projection, procursus with ventral flap (‘f’ in Fig. 269 ), very complex distally, with hinged process (‘hp’ in Fig. 268 ); bulb distinctive in shape, with embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 269 ) and two sclerotized processes. Legs without spines, without curved hairs, few vertical hairs (most hairs missing); retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 12%; tarsus 1 with>20 pseudosegments, only about 15 fairly distinct distally. Four epiandrous spigots as in Figure 282 . Spinnerets as in Figure 283 .

Variation. Tibia 1 in 4 other males examined: 5.0–5.4.

Female. In general similar to male, but without clypeus modifications and only small cone between ALE. The males studied are accompanied by females with two different epigyna ( Figs 47, 48). It is not clear whether these are two species, samples from a continuous variation, or two morphs in a case of dimorphism. However, the striking external differences result mainly from differences in coloration, while external and internal structures appear to be monomorphic (as shown in Figs 272, 273 ). Tibia 1 in ‘morph a’ ( Fig. 47) females: 4.3, 4.5; in ‘morph b’ ( Fig. 48) females: 4.9, 5.1, 5.4. Epigynum without scape but with distinctive posterior structure ( Fig. 272 ). Dorsal view as in Figure 273 .

Distribution. Known from Mt. Kenya (Map 4), and from ‘grotte de Campbell’ in ‘district de Nyéré’ ( Simon & Fage, 1922) (not on map).

Material examined. KENYA: Mt. Kenya : ‘cotype’ above. Mt. Kenya (~0∞10¢S, 37∞20¢E), July 1975 (R. Bosmans), 2♂ 2♀ (both morphs), in MRAC (161.893). Same collection data, 1♂ 2♀ (morph b), in MRAC (161.919). Same collection data, 1♀ (morph b), in MRAC (161.887). Same collection data, 2560 m elev., 2♂, in MRAC (161.879). Mt. Kenya, Omgeving camp, 2650 m elev., July 21, 1975 (R. Bosmans), 2♀ (morph a), in MRAC (161.895). Same collection data, Sirimon track, 2750 m elev., July 25, 1975 (U. Dall’Asta), 1♀ (morph b), in MRAC (147.333) .

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ LAMBILLONI N. SP.

( FIGS 25 , 49, 274-279 , 286-287 )

Type. Male holotype from Grotte du Bois (11∞35¢S, 43∞20¢E), Grande Comore, Comoros; July 1968 (A. Lambillon), in MRAC (142.993) .

Etymology. Named after the collector.

Diagnosis. Small dark species with oval opisthosoma, distinguished from its closest known relative (‘S.’ jocquei) by the much smaller palpal trochanter apophyses, the shape of the procursus ( Figs 274, 275 ), and the absence of a lateral pair of cheliceral apophyses (cf. Fig. 290 ). The MRAC has an additional (undescribed) close relative from Mohéli (160.854) with almost identical chelicerae but very different procursus (ventral spine much longer).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.7, carapace width 0.8. Leg 1: 21.0 (5.3 + 0.4 + 5.3 + 7.5 + 2.5), tibia 2: 3.5, tibia 3: 2.4, tibia 4: 3.2; tibia 1 L/d: 59. Habitus as in Figure 25 . Carapace ochre-yellow with dark brown pattern; sternum dark brown with large ochre-yellow central mark. Legs pale ochreyellow. Opisthosoma ochre-grey, with blackish pattern as in Figure 25 ; ventrally similar to female, genital area light ochre. Ocular area slightly elevated, triads on additional low elevation; distance PME–PME 260 Mm; diameter PME 100 Mm; distance PME–ALE 20 Mm; no trace of AME. Thoracic furrow distinct only frontally. Clypeus unmodified. Sternum wider than long (0.64/0.44). Chelicerae as in Figure 276 , with two modified hairs embedded in tip of each distal apophysis ( Fig. 277 ); distance between tips of apophyses about 50 Mm. Palps as in Figures 274 and 275 ; trochanter with one retrolateral and one prolateral apophysis; procursus with short ventral spine, apparently with hinged process (‘hp’ in Fig. 274 ); embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 275 ) slightly sclerotized, widening distally, without distal spine. Legs without spines, without curved hairs, without vertical hairs (most hairs missing in type, but present in other specimen); retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 13%; tarsus 1 with>20 pseudosegments, distinct distally. Four epiandrous spigots as in Figure 286 . ALS spigots as in Figure 287 .

Variation. Tibia 1 in other male examined: 5.5.

Female. In general similar to male, but legs darker in patella area and distally on tibiae. Tibia 1 in 3 females: 4.1, 4.5, 5.6 (see Note below). Epigynum as in Figure 49, with pair of pockets (‘p’ in Fig. 278 ) close together (about 50 Mm apart). Dorsal view as in Figure 279 .

Note. The female from Kartala (see below) is unusual in being larger than the males examined. The epigynum illustrated is from this specimen, but the epigyna of the other two females are not perceptibly different.

Distribution. Known only from Grande Comore.

Material examined. COMOROS: GRANDE COMORE: Grotte du Bois: type above. ‘ Grotte’ , 1968 (A. Karmali), 1♀ in MRAC (143.035). Nioumbadjou (11∞46¢S, 43∞18¢E), pitfall, August 2–20, 1981 (R. Jocqué), 1♂ in MRAC (156.915). Kartala (11∞45¢S, 43∞22¢E), 2100 m elev., zone des bruyères, tamisage, November 26, 1983 (R. Jocqué), 1♀ in MRAC (160.716). Maoueni (11∞27¢S, 43∞19¢E), Fente Bonde, November 22, 1983 (R. Jocqué), 1♀ in MRAC (160.708) .

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ JOCQUEI N. SP.

( FIGS 288-291 )

Type. Male holotype from Mt. Choungui , Mayotte, Comoros; July 19-August 2, 1998 (R. Jocqué), pitfalls in forest, in MRAC (208.091) .

Etymology. Named for the collector, Rudy Jocqué from the Musée royale de l’Afrique Centrale in Tervuren.

Diagnosis. Small species with oval opisthosoma, distinguished from its closest known relatives (‘S.’ lambilloni and an undescribed species from Moheli) by the large prolateral palpal trochanter apophysis (‘ta’ in Fig. 288 ), the shape of the procursus ( Fig. 289 ), and the presence of a lateral pair of cheliceral apophyses ( Fig. 290 ).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.9, carapace width 0.9. Leg 1: 19.1 (4.8 + 0.4 + 4.8 + 7.2 + 1.9), tibia 2: 2.8, tibia 3: 2.0, tibia 4 missing; tibia 1 L/d: 65. Habitus very similar to ‘S.’ lambilloni (cf. Fig. 25 ). Prosoma and legs ochre to light brown. Opisthosoma grey, without dark pattern (the pigmentation seems artificially removed). Ocular area slightly elevated, triads on additional low elevations; distance PME–PME 260 Mm; diameter PME 80 Mm; distance PME–ALE 30 Mm; no trace of AME. Thoracic furrow distinct only frontally. Clypeus unmodified. Sternum wider than long (0.64/0.48). Chelicerae as in Figure 290 , with two modified hairs embedded in tip of each distal apophysis ( Fig. 291 ); distance between tips of apophyses about 30 Mm. Palps as in Figures 288 and 289 ; trochanter with two retrolateral apophyses and large prolateral apophysis (‘ta’ in Fig. 288 ); femur with small prolateral apophysis and large conical projection retrolaterally; procursus dorsodistally with distinctive projection (arrow in Fig. 289 ), apparently with hinged process (‘hp’ in Fig. 288 ); embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 288 ) simple, slightly sclerotized, without distal spine. Legs apparently with row of spines ventrally on femora 1 (most spines missing, but bases suggest that about 10 spines were present), without curved hairs, without vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 12%; tarsus 1 with>20 pseudosegments, distinct distally.

Female. Unknown. Distribution. Known only from type locality.

Material examined. COMOROS: MAYOTTE: Mt. Choungui : type above .

‘ SPERMOPHORA’ TONKOUI N. SP.

( FIGS 50, 292-298 )

Type. Male holotype from Mt. Tonkoui, Man , Ivory Coast; 1200 m elev., August 22, 1975 (C. L. Deeleman), in CLD.

Etymology. Refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis. Easily distinguished from known congeners by the elongated bulb with its distal modifications ( Figs 292, 293 ), from ‘S.’ masisiwe (which has a similar bulb) and other species also by the shape of the procursus ( Figs 292, 293 ), the armature on the male chelicerae ( Figs 294–296 ), and the hook-shaped apophysis on the male palpal trochanter ( Fig. 293 ).

Male (holotype). Carapace width 0.92; opisthosoma missing. Leg 1: 19.2 (4.7 + 0.4 + 4.9 + 7.2 + 2.0), tibia 2: 2.9, tibia 3: 2.1, tibia 4: 2.7; tibia 1 L/d: 46. Carapace ochre-yellow with light brown pattern; sternum dark brown. Legs ochre-yellow, slightly darker subdistally on femora, on patellae, and on tibiae (subdistally). Ocular area barely elevated; distance PME–PME 365 Mm; diameter PME 80 Mm; distance PME–ALE 25 Mm. Thoracic furrow absent. Sternum wider than long (0.70/0.52). Chelicerae as in Figures 294 and 295 , with four modified hairs and one spine embedded in tip of each distal apophysis ( Fig. 296 ). Palps as in Figures 292 and 293 ; trochanter with distinctive apophysis retrolaterally, femur with indistinct hump dorso-proximally, procursus complex, apparently with at least two hinges (arrows in Fig. 292 ), with three flat sclerotized lamellae prolaterally (‘l’ in Fig. 292 ) and long transparent projection retrolaterally (‘tp’ in Fig. 293 ); bulb elongated, with distinctive modifications distally and embolus (‘e’ in Fig. 293 ) ending with small hooked apophysis. Legs without spines, without curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 13%; pseudosegments on tarsi not visible in dissecting microscope.

Variation. Tibia 1 in other male examined: 4.7. Opisthosoma globular, ochre-grey with large brown spots dorsally and brown pattern ventrally.

Female. In general similar to male. Tibia 1 in 3 females: 3.9, 4.0, 5.1. Epigynum as in Figure 50, with distinctive structure between epigynum and spinnerets ( Fig. 297 ; pockets are not visible on this structure). Dorsal view as in Figure 298 .

Distribution. Known only from type locality.

Material examined. IVORY COAST: Mt. Tonkoui : type above, together with 1♂ 3♀, in CLD .

Figures

Figures 221–226. ‘Spermophora’ morogoro. Left male palp in prolateral (221) and retrolateral (222) views, modified hairs distally on male chelicerae (223), male chelicerae in frontal view (224), and cleared epigynum in ventral (225) and dorsal (226) views. ‘e’: embolus; ‘hp’: hinged process. Scale bars = 0.3 mm (221, 222), 0.2 mm (224–226), 50 Mm (223).

Figures 234–237. ‘Spermophora’ sangarawe. Left male palp in prolateral (234) and retrolateral (235) views, and cleared epigynum in ventral (236) and dorsal (237) views. ‘e’: embolus; ‘hp’: hinged process. Scale bars = 0.3 mm.

Figures 238–243. ‘Spermophora’ usambara. Left male palp in prolateral (238) and retrolateral (239) views, modified hairs distally on male chelicerae (240), male chelicerae in frontal view (241), and cleared epigynum in ventral (242) and dorsal (243) views. ‘e’: embolus; ‘hp’: hinged process. Scale bars = 0.3 mm (238, 239), 0.2 mm (242, 243), 0.1 mm (241), 50 Mm (240).

Figures 244–249. ‘Spermophora’ masisiwe. Left male palp in prolateral (244) and retrolateral (245) views, modified hairs distally on male chelicerae (246), male chelicerae in frontal view (247), and cleared epigynum in ventral (248) and dorsal (249) views. ‘e’: embolus; ‘hp’: hinged process. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (244, 245), 0.3 mm (248, 249), 0.2 mm (247).

Figures 262–267. ‘Spermophora’ berlandi. Left male palp in prolateral (262) and retrolateral (263) views, male chelicerae in frontal view (264), apophysis and modified hairs distally on male chelicerae (265), and cleared epigynum in ventral (266) and dorsal (267) views. ‘f ’: ‘Spermophora-flap’; ‘hp’: hinged process; ‘i’: indented area on bulb. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (262, 263, 266, 267), 0.3 mm (264), 50 Mm (265).

Figures 268–273. ‘Spermophora’ minotaura. Left male palp in prolateral (268) and retrolateral (269) views, male chelicerae in frontal view (270), apophysis and modified hairs distally on male chelicerae (271), and cleared epigynum in ventral (272) and dorsal (273) views. ‘e’: embolus; ‘f’: ‘Spermophora-flap’; ‘hp’: hinged process. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (268, 269, 272, 273), 0.2 mm (270), 50 Mm (271).

Figures 274–279. ‘Spermophora’ lambilloni. Left male palp in prolateral (274) and retrolateral (275) views, male chelicerae in frontal view (276), modified hairs distally on male cheliceral apophyses (277), and cleared epigynum in ventral (278) and dorsal (279) views. ‘e’: embolus; ‘hp’: putative hinged process; arrow points to structure distinctive for Comoran ‘Spermophora’ species. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (274, 275), 0.4 mm (278, 279), 0.2 mm (276), 50 Mm (277).

Figures 288–291. ‘Spermophora’ jocquei. Left male palp in prolateral (288) and retrolateral (289) views, male chelicerae in frontal view (290), and modified hairs distally on male cheliceral apophyses (291). ‘e’: embolus; ‘hp’: hinged process; ‘ta’: prolateral trochanter apophysis; arrow points to structure distinctive for Comoran ‘Spermophora’ species. Scale bars = 0.4 mm (288, 289), 0.2 mm (290), 50 Mm (291).

Figures 14–25. Buitinga and ‘Spermophora’ habitus, males in dorsal and lateral views. 14. B. ruwenzori. 15. B. tingatingai. 16. B. mulanje. 17. B. kanzuiri. 18. ‘S.’ morogoro. 19. ‘S.’ sangarawe. 20. ‘S.’ usambara. 21. ‘S.’ masisiwe. 22. ‘S.’ kivu. 23. ‘S.’ berlandi. 24. ‘S.’ minotaura. 25. ‘S.’ lambilloni.

Figures 227–233. ‘Spermophora’ morogoro. 227. Left procursus, prolateral view. 228. Modified hairs on distal male cheliceral apophysis. 229. Male gonopore with epiandrous spigots. 230. Epigynum, and folded cuticle between epigynum and spinnerets (arrow). 231. Embolus (‘e’) and bulbal apophysis. 232. Male palpal tarsal organ. 233. Male ALS spigots. Scale bars = 8 Mm (228, 232, 233), 30 Mm (229), 50 Mm (231), 100 Mm (227), 200 Mm (230).

Figures 250–257. ‘Spermophora’ usambara (250–254) and masisiwe (255–257). 250. Modified hairs on distal male cheliceral apophysis. 251. Right procursus, prolateral view (‘hp’: hinged process). 252, 255. Male gonopores with epiandrous spigots. 253. Female ALS spigots. 254, 257. Epigyna with posterior pockets (‘p’). 256. Posterior pocket in frontal view. Scale bars = 8 Mm (253), 20 Mm (250), 30 Mm (252, 255), 40 Mm (256), 100 Mm (251), 200 Mm (254, 257).

Figures 1–13. Buitinga habitus, males in dorsal and lateral views. 1. B. kadogo, 2. B. mazumbai, 3. B. lakilingo, 4. B. amani, 5. B. safura, 6. B. nigrescens, 7. B. griswoldi, 8. B. buhoma, 9. B. kihanga, 10. B. asax, 11. B. mbomole, 12. B. ruhiza, 13. B. uzungwa.

Figures 258–261. ‘Spermophora’ kivu. Left male palp in prolateral (258) and retrolateral (259) views, male chelicerae in frontal view (260), and modified hairs distally on male chelicerae (261). ‘e’: embolus; ‘fa’: distinctive femur apophysis. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (258, 259), 0.3 mm (260), 50 Mm (261).

Figures 280–287. ‘Spermophora’ minotaura (280–283), berlandi (284, 285), and lambilloni (286, 287). 280. Frontal modifications on male chelicerae. 281. Modified hairs on male chelicerae. 282, 284, 286. Male gonopores with epiandrous spigots. 283. Male ALS and PMS. 285, 287. Male ALS spigots. Scale bars = 10 Mm (283, 287), 20 Mm (281), 30 Mm (282, 284–286), 50 Mm (280).

Figures 292–298. ‘Spermophora’ tonkoui. Left male palp in prolateral (292) and retrolateral (293) views, male chelicerae in frontal (294) and lateral (295) views, modified hairs distally on male cheliceral apophyses (296), and cleared epigynum in ventral (297) and dorsal (298) views. ‘e’: embolus; ‘l’: sclerotized lamellae on procursus; ‘tp’: transparent projection of procursus; arrows point to putative hinges in procursus. Scale bars = 1 mm (292, 293), 0.2 mm (294, 295), 0.4 mm (297, 298), 50 Mm (296).