Drassodella vasivulva Tucker, 1923

Mbo, Zingisile & Haddad, Charles R., 2019, A revision of the endemic South African long-jawed ground spider genus Drassodella Hewitt, 1916 (Araneae: Gallieniellidae), Zootaxa 4582 (1), pp. 1-62 : 54-56

Drassodella vasivulva Tucker, 1923

Figs 4 , 77 , 92 , 170, 171 , 199–202

Drassodella vasivulva Tucker, 1923: 316 , fig. 42 (Holotype ♀: SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape Province: Knysna, 33°02'S, 23°02'E, III.1896, leg. W.F. Purcell, SAMC ENW-X000876—examined).

Diagnosis. Females of D. vasivulva are easily recognized by the narrow anterior hood and the posteriorly diverging median septum that takes the form of vase ( Figs 77 , 199 ). Males of D. vasivulva share with D. septemmaculata the large median apophysis with a retrolaterally-directed basal process, but in D. vasivulva the distal section has an almost perpendicular bend ( Figs 92 , 201 ) while in D. septemmaculata the distal end is rounded ( Figs 91 , 195 ).

Description. Female (De Hoop Nature Reserve, NCA 2005/2341). Measurements: CL 2.56, CW 1.96, AL 3.28, AW 1.28, TL 6.00 (6.00–9.60), FL 0.30, SL 1.42, SW 1.25, CH 0.14, AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.02, ALE-ALE 0.25, PME-PME 0.10, PME-PLE 0.10, PLE-PLE 0.46, PERW 0.56, MOQAW 0.21, MOQPW 0.25, MOQL 0.28.

Length of leg segments: I 1.80 + 0.92 + 1.30 + 1.24 + 1.10 = 6.36, II 1.70 + 0.84 + 0.94 + 1.20 + 1.02 = 5.70, III 1.56 + 0.76 + 1.00 + 1.40 + 1.04 = 5.76, IV 2.26 + 0.98 + 1.72 + 2.40 + 1.22 = 8.58.

General appearance as in Fig. 170 . Carapace dark brown, with black mottling radiating from fovea; upsilon marking of feathery setae originating from AME towards posterior margin, diverging after fovea. Clypeus height equal to 1.75 AME diameter; AME smaller than ALE; AME separated by distance equal to their diameter, AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 0.25 AME diameter; PME smaller than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to 1.67 their diameter, PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 1.67 PME diameter. Chelicerae darkbrown; promargin with three teeth, median tooth largest, proximal and distal teeth subequal; median and proximal teeth close together, distal tooth widely separated from median tooth; retromargin with two widely spaced subequal teeth. Endites dark brown, light brown at maxillar hair tuft. Labium dark brown, anterior margin light brown. Sternum brown. Legs with dark brown proximal segments, with black mottling, distal segments yellow; ventral side of femora I yellow. Leg spination: femora: I do 2 rl 1, II do 2 rl 1, III do 6, IV do 5; patellae: spineless; tibiae: I & II spineless, III pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I & II spineless, III pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 4 do 2 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; palpal spination: femora do 3 rl 1; patellae rl 1; tibiae do 2 rl 3; tarsi pl 1 do 2 rl 3 plv 1 rlv 1. Abdomen black, dorsum with white feathery setae forming three pairs of white markings dorsolaterally, single spot above spinnerets; anterior markings an elongate stripe to one-third abdomen length, contiguous with elongate second markings, third pair isolated subtriangular stripe posterolaterally ( Fig. 170 ); venter grey, with faint black mottling; lateral sclerites elongate, post-epigastric sclerites small; two paired rows of tiny sclerites from epigastric fold to spinnerets. Spinnerets pale. Epigyne with small shallow strongly recurved anterior hood, lateral ends terminating abruptly; lateral margins of median septum initially close together, gradually diverging to wider than spermathecal margins, posterior quarter converging at epigastric furrow; ST I and ST II yellow, connecting ducts dark orange-brown; ST II teardrop-shaped, directed anteromedially, separated by one-and-a-half times their width; ST I as large as head of ST II ( Figs 77 , 199, 200 ).

Male (De Hoop Nature Reserve, NCA 2005/2341). Measurements: CL 2.96, CW 2.38, AL 3.00, AW 1.72, TL 5.92 (5.92–8.06), FL 0.54, SL 1.56, SW 1.44, CH 0.14, AME-AME 0.10, AME-ALE 0.03, ALE-ALE 0.32, PME-PME 0.17, PME-PLE 0.14, PLE-PLE 0.51, PERW 0.67, MOQAW 0.25, MOQPW 0.30, MOQL 0.33.

Length of leg segments: I 2.04 + 1.08 + 1.62 + 1.52 + 1.20 = 7.46, II 1.96 + 1.02 + 1.38 + 1.48 + 1.16 = 7.00, III 1.82 + 0.90 + 1.20 + 1.68 + 1.16 = 6.76, IV 2.58 + 1.04 + 1.82 + 2.76 + 1.40 = 9.60.

General appearance as in Figs 4 and 171 . Carapace dark brown, with dense black mottling; upsilon marking of feathery setae originating from AME towards posterior margin, diverging after fovea. Clypeus height equal to 2.33 AME diameter; AME smaller than ALE; AME separated by distance equal to 1.25 their diameter, AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 0.38 AME diameter; PME smaller than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to 2.83 their diameter, PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 2.33 PME diameter. Chelicerae dark brown, with dense black mottling; promargin with three teeth, median tooth very large, proximal and distal teeth small, proximal tooth smallest; median and proximal teeth close together, distal tooth widely separated from median tooth; retromargin with two widely spaced teeth, proximal tooth larger. Endites dark red-brown, with black mottling, cream at maxillar hair tuft. Labium dark brown, anterior margin brown. Sternum with many erect setae laterally, few setae medially. Legs with proximal segments deep red-brown, distal segments orange-brown. Leg spination: femora: I do 2 rl 1, II do 2 rl 1, III do 4, IV do 4; patellae: spineless; tibiae: I & II spineless, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I spineless, II pl 1 rl 1, III pl 4 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 4 rl 4 plv 1 rlv 2 vt 2; palpal spination: femora do 3 rl 1; patellae do 1; tibiae pl 2 rl 2; tarsi do 2. Abdomen black, with deep orange scutum extending third abdomen length; dorsum with white feathery setae forming three pairs of white markings dorsolaterally, single spot above spinnerets; anterior markings an elongate stripe to onethird abdomen length, briefly separated from elongate-oval second markings, third pair isolated bilobed stripe posterolaterally ( Fig. 171 ); venter creamy-grey, with faint grey mottling; elongate sclerite on lateral sides above booklungs; post-epigastric sclerites small; two paired rows of tiny sclerites running from epigastric furrow posteriorly, lateral pair reaching spinnerets, median row to half abdomen length. Palp dark yellow-brown; RTA long, entirely obscured in ventral view by retrolateral heel of cymbium; in retrolateral view subtriangular, elongate, with narrow base and sharp tip; cymbium narrow, 2.03 times longer than wide, narrowed to rounded point distally; embolus originating prolaterally, elongate, slightly undulating, with stout sharp tip directed retrodistally; median apophysis massive, weakly sclerotized; basal section subtriangular, with right-angled bend distally, thumb-shaped tip directed prolaterally, partly obscuring embolus ( Figs 92 , 201, 202 ).

Additional material examined. SOUTH AFRICA: Western Cape Province: Cape Town, Muizenberg, 34°06'S, 18°27'E, 1989, leg. R. Legg (pitfalls), 6♀ ( MRAC 209560 ); Same locality, 5.V.1991, leg. R. Legg (dunes to the north), 8♀ ( MRAC 173712 ); Same data as previous but 19.V.1991, 4♀ ( MRAC 173721 ); Same data as previous but 2.VI .1991 , 3♀ ( MRAC 173744 ); Same data as previous but 16.VI .1991 , 3♀ ( MRAC 173759 ); Same data as previous but 29.IX.1991, 1♀ ( MRAC 174637 ); De Hoop Nature Reserve, Koppie Alleen , 34°28.534'S, 20°30.349'E , 26.VII .2005 , leg. C. Haddad (milkwood leaf litter), 1♀ ( NCA 2005 /2341); Same locality, 7.IV .2004 , leg. C. Haddad (coastal dune, under Thamnochortis sedges), 4♂ ( NCA 2005 /2010); Same locality, 5.IV .2004 , leg. C. Haddad (under rocks in fynbos), 2♀ (SAMC ENW-C005350 ); De Hoop Nature Reserve, Potberg , 34°22.487'S, 20°31.980'E, 4.IV .2004 , leg. C. Haddad (under logs, Eucalyptus forest), 1♂ 1♀ 1 imm. ( NCA 2005 /589); De Hoop Nature Reserve, Lekkerwater road, 34°24.002'S, 20°33.151'E, 26.III .2004 , leg. C. Haddad (active search, under Thamnochortis), 1♂ ( NCA 2013/5340); Same locality, 6.IV .2004 , leg. C. Haddad ( Eucalyptus leaf litter), 1♂ ( NCA 2013/5341); Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, Kogelberg Valley , 34°19.200'S, 18°57.600'E, 22.III .2008 , leg. B. Mbinka (on leaves in fynbos), 1♀ ( NCA 2010 /2085); Moordkuil Valley , 34°04'S, 22°07'E, 10–21.III .1986 , leg. M. MacPherson & A. Roux, 3♀ (SAMC ENW-C003363 ).

Distribution. Known from several localities in the Western Cape, South Africa ( Fig. 203 ).

Figures

FIGURE 203. Distribution of Drassodella salisburyi Hewitt, 1916 (circles), D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909) (stars), D. trilineata sp. nov. (square) and D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923 (triangles) in southern Africa. Insert shows the distribution of D. septemmaculata and D. vasivulva on the Cape Peninsula.

FIGURES 1–4. General habitus photographs of live Drassodella spiders: 1 D. amatola sp. nov. female from Hogsback, Eastern Cape; 2 D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923 female from Aardvark Nature Reserve, Western Cape; 3 D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909) male from Fisherhaven, Western Cape; 4 D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923 male from De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape. Photographs 1, 3, 4 by C. Haddad, 2 by P. Webb.

FIGURES 60–77. Female epigynes of Drassodella species in the D. melana species group (60–68) and D. salisburyi species group (69–77) in dorsal view: 60 D. flava sp. nov.; 61 D. guttata sp. nov.; 62 D. lotzi sp. nov.; 63 D. maculata sp. nov.; 64 D. melana Tucker, 1923; 65 D. montana sp. nov.; 66 D. tenebrosa Lawrence, 1938; 67 D. tolkieni sp. nov.; 68 D. transversa sp. nov.; 69 D. venda sp. nov.; 70 D. amatola sp. nov.; 71 D. aurostriata sp. nov.; 72 D. purcelli Tucker, 1923; 73 D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923; 74 D. salisburyi Hewitt, 1916; 75 D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909); 76 D. trilineata sp. nov.; 77 D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923. Abbreviations: AH—anterior hood; FD—fertilisation duct; MS—median septum; STspermatheca(e). Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 78–92. Male palps of Drassodella species of the D. melana species group (78–85) and D. salisburyi species group (86–92) in ventral view: 78 D. flava sp. nov.; 79 D. guttata sp. nov.; 80 D. melana Tucker, 1923; 81 D. montana sp. nov.; 82 D. tenebrosa Lawrence, 1923; 83 D. tolkieni sp. nov.; 84 D. transversa sp. nov.; 85 D. venda sp. nov.; 86 D. amatola sp. nov.; 87 D. aurostriata sp. nov.; 88 D. baviaans sp. nov.; 89 D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923; 90 D. salisburyi Hewitt, 1916; 91 D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909); 92 D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923. Abbreviations as follows: DP—dorsal embolic prong; EMembolus; MA—median apophysis; RTA—retrolateral tibial apophysis; VP—ventral embolic prong. Scale bars = 0.25 mm.

FIGURES 157–171. Dorsal habitus photographs of Drassodella species in the salisburyi species group: 157, 158 female and male of D. amatola sp. nov.; 159, 160 female and male of D. aurostriata sp. nov.; 161 male of D. baviaans sp. nov.; 162 female of D. purcelli Tucker, 1923; 163, 164 female and male of D. quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923; 165, 166 female and male of D. salisburyi Hewitt, 1916; 167, 168 female and male of D. septemmaculata (Strand, 1909); 169 female of D. trilineata sp. nov.; 170, 171 female and male of D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURES 197–202. Genitalic morphology of Drassodella trilineata sp. nov. (197, 198) and D. vasivulva Tucker, 1923 (199– 202): 197, 199 female epigyne, ventral view; 198, 200 same, dorsal view; 201 male palp, ventral view; 202 same, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.25mm.

FIGURES 193–196. Genitalic morphology of Drassodella septemmaculata (Strand, 1909): 193 female epigyne, ventral view; 194 same, dorsal view; 195 male palp, ventral view; 196 same, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.25mm.