Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902: 379 Raven, 1985a: 86 The South African genus Lepthercus Purcell, 1902 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) phylogeny and taxonomy Ríos-Tamayo, Duniesky Lyle, Robin Zootaxa 2020 2020-04-20 4766 2 261 305 Purcell, 1902 Purcell 1902 [151,539,1485,1512] Arachnida Nemesiidae Lepthercus Animalia Araneae 11 272 Arthropoda species dregei  ( Figs. 2J, 5A–J, 6A–D, 7A–C, 24)      Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902: 379.  Raven, 1985a: 86, figs. 44–49.   Material examined. Type material:  Holotype ♂. SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, from Doornnek in the Zuurbergen[Zuurberg], Alexandria Div., Cape Colonynow [ 33°22′S 25°43′E], 1902, W.F. Purcell leg., ( SAM-ENW- X005692), examined.  Other material examined:  SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof( 32°16′S 24°58′E,  1613m),  23.x.2010, J. Midgley, leg., 2 ♂♂( NCA 2012/3206) ; same data (  1618m),  15.iv.2010, J. Midgley, leg., 1 ♀( NCA, 2012/2333) ; same data, 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3239) ; same data (  1406m), 2 ♂♂( NCA 2012/3231) ; same data (  1620m), 1 ♂( NCA, 2012/3215) ; same data ( 32°14′S 24°56′E,  1802m), 3 ♂♂( NCA 2012/3226) ; same data (  1806m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/2351) ; same data (  1613m), 2 ♂♂( NCA 2012/3207) ; Same data (  1608m), 2 ♂♂( NCA 2012/3218) same data (  1614m), 3 ♂♂( NCA, 2012/3220) ; same data (  1204m), 1 ♂( NCA, 2012/3209) ; same data ( 32°17′S 24°58′E,  1202m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3208) same data ( 32°15′S 24°57′E,  1613m), 1 ♂( NCA0 2012/3214) ; same data ( 32°15′ S 25°00′ E,  2013m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3228) ; same data ( 32°14′S 24°56′E,  2001m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3213) ; same data (  1628m), 3 ♂♂( NCA 2012/3216) ; same data, 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3217) ; same data (  1807m), 1 ♂( NCA2012/3222) ; same data ( 32°14′S 24°56′E,  1795m), 1♂( NCA, 2012/3221) ; same data ( 32°15′S 24°58′E,  2001m),  25.xi.2009, same collector, 1 ♂( NCA, 2012/3210) ; same data ( 32°14′S 24°56′E,  2001m), 1 ♂( NCA, 2012/3212) ; same data ( 32°16′S 24°58′E,  1618m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3205) ; same data ( 32°15′S 24°58′E,  1999m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3211) ; same data ( 32°15′S 25°00′E,  1801m),  23.x.2010, same collector, 1 ♂( NCA, 2012/3227) ; same data ( 32°15′S 24°58′E,  1801m), 1 ♂( NCA, 2012/3240) ; same data ( 32°14′S 24°56′E,  1802m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3225) ; same data, ( 32°15′S 25°00′E,  1792m), 1 ♂( NCA 2012/3229) ; same data, ( 32°16′ S 25°00′ E,  1406m), 2 ♂♂( NCA 2012/3230) ; same data, Southern Karoo Riviere, Riverine Woodland ( 32°16′S 24°57′E),  7.iv-28.vii.2010, S. Van Noort leg., ASA09-WOO1-Y13, 1 ♂( SAM-ENW-C007744) .   Remarks.The type specimen (SAM-ENW-X005692, Fig. 6A–D) is in poor condition, appearing to be bleached, resulting in a white coloration. The legs are very soft ( Fig. 6A–D) and both bulbs have the embolus broken ( Fig. 6B). To preserve the type specimen, the described male is based on NCA 2012/3206 from Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, 135 kmN of the type locality. This specimen shares all the characters observed in the holotype.   Diagnosis.Males of  L. dregeican be recognized inside the “Group dregei” by a short copulatory bulb with longitudinal keels extending along the embolus ( Fig. 5F–H). It further differs from  L. confusus  sp. nov., by the strong bulb in lateral view, without a lateral keel ( Fig. 5F, H). Females can be distinguished by the spermathecae with a base with an abrupt transition to the stalk; stalks curved outward with truncate receptacles ( Fig. 7C). This species is similar to  L. kwazuluensis  sp. nov., but differs in the absence of the apical projection present in the base and by their truncate receptacles.   Description.Male (NCA 2012/3206, Fig. 5A–J). Total length 10.01. Carapace( Fig. 5A): length 4.40, width 3.31, with lateral marginal bristles. Cephalic region: length 2.70; clypeus short with 5 bristles in the edge, 2 long bristles in front of the OQ. Fovea: width 0.47, almost straight. Ocular measurements: AME 0.14, ALE 0.21, PME 0.16, PLE 0.21, OQ length 0.43, 0.68 width; AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PLE 0.04, AME–PME 0.07, ALE–PLE 0.08, AME–AME 0.08, OMP–OMP 0.28. Chelicerae: length 2.19, width 1.25, with dorsal-anterior bristles, intercheliceral tumescence small, well-marked and with setae ( Fig. 5C). Fang groove with 6 promarginal teeth (2 smaller in the apex) and 11 mesobasal denticles. Labium: length 0.41, width 0.64, dorsally slightly concave. Maxillae: length 1.33, width 0.61, with about 45 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face slightly curved, soft area small, with long uniformly distributed hairs. Sternum( Fig. 5B): length 2.21, maximum width 1.73. Abdomen: length 3.83, with small and long hair (longer in the anterior side). PMS: length 0.54; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.85:0.50:0.94; total length 2.29. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 3.73, 2.15, 2.53, 2.88, 1.99, 13.28. II: 3.50, 1.87, 2.43, 2.74, 2.10, 12.64. III: 3.12, 1.59, 1.96, 2.88, 1.99, 11.54. IV: 4.14, 1.82, 3.25, 3.88, 2.11, 15.20. Palp: 1.85, 1.01, 1.23, —, 0.69, 4.78.   FIGURE. 6.  Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902. (male holotype: SAM-ENW-X005692). Aleft pedipalp, prolateral view; Bleft pedipalp, retrolateral view, arrow indicates the copulatory bulb with the embolus broken; Cleft leg I, prolateral view; Dleft leg I, showing the curved spur with an apical megaespine.  Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1 D–R, 0-1-1 D–P; patella, 1 P A (short); tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 R, 2-2-2 V, a long cuticular spur, slightly curved outwards, with an apical long spine ( Fig. 5I, J); metatarsus, 1 P (1:3B), 1-1- 0-1 V, straight, 1/3 basal posterior slightly swollen with small dark setae ( Fig. 5J); tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-0-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1 D–R; patella, 1 P A (short); tibia, 1-1 P, 2-1-3 V; metatarsus, 2-2-0-2 V, 1 P (1:3B); tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1-1 D–R; patella, 1-1 P (shorts), 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 D, 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1 D (1:2B), 1-1-1 D–R, 1-1-1-1 D–P, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 R; patella, 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 2-2-2 V, 1-1 R; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 D–R, 1-1-1 D–P, 2-1-1-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp ( Fig. 5D, E): femur, 1-1-3 d; patella, 1 D INF; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 P INF, 1-1 D, 1 R A, (width/length: 0.49); tarsus, 0.  Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment, with some long and fine setae; III, sparse (1:3A), IV, sparse A, divided by a wide band of setae. Tarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. Trichobothria: Tibiae: I 7-8; II 9-7; III 8-8; IV 10-10. Metatarsi: I (3)1(2)1(4)1; II (3)1(1)1(4)1; III (3)1(1)1(2)1(4)1; IV (3)1(1)1(2)1(5)1. Tarsi: I-III 12; IV 13. Preening combs: metatarsus: III, 2/3 P V; IV, 2 R V. Copulatory bulb: small, with a short and acuminate embolus with basal ridges and the tip curved ( Fig. 5F–H). Color: Overall light orange-yellowish (ventrally lighter). Abdomen light dark with 3-4 posterior light bands, light yellow spinnerets. Female (NCA 2012/2333, Figs. 2J, 7A–C). Total length 10.77. Carapace( Fig. 7A): length 4.37, width 3.02, with lateral marginal bristles. Cephalic region: Length 2.77, clypeus small with 6 marginal bristles; five bristles in front of the OQ. Fovea: width 0.45, almost straight. Ocular measurements: AME 0.13, ALE 0.27, PME 0.19, PLE 0.22, OQ length 0.43, width 0.75; AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PLE 0.02, AME–PME 0.08, ALE–PLE 0.03, AME–AME 0.10, PME–PME 0.30. Chelicerae: length 2.84, width 1.81; with dorsal–retrolateral bristles. Fang groove with 8 promarginal teeth and 11 mesobasal denticles. Labium: length 0.37, width 0.79, dorsally slightly concave. Maxillae: length 1.78, width 0.79, with 54 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face slightly curved, soft with long uniformly distributed hairs; serrula as Fig. 2J. Sternum( Fig. 7B): length 2.28, maximum width 1.93. Abdomen( Fig. 7A): length 4.67, globose, with small bristles in the dorsum. PMS: length 0.53; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.71:0.50:0.83; total length 2.04. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 3.09, 1.91, 1.98, 1.75, 1.39, 10.14. II: 2.78, 1.77, 1.63, 1.68, 1.38, 9.24. III: 2.20, 1.28, 1.26, 1.71, 1.24, 7.70. IV: 2.98, 1.59, 2.11, 2.54, 1.28, 10.50. Palp: 2.04, 1.13, 1.14, —, 1.37, 5.69.   FIGURE. 7.  Lepthercus dregei Purcell, 1902. (female, NCA 2012/2333). Ahabitus, dorsal view; Bsternum, ventral view; Cspermathecae.  Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1 pa; patella, 0; tibia, 1p, 1-2 v; metatarsus, 1-1-1 V; tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 0; patella, 0; tibia, 1 P, 1-1-1-2 v; metatarsus, 2-2-2 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 1 P, 2-1 R; tibia, 1 P (1:2 A), 1 D (1:2 A), 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 2-2-2 D, 1-1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1- 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 0; tibia, 2-2-2 V, 1-1-1 R; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 2-2-2 D, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp: femur, 0; patella, 0; tibia, 2 P M, 2-3 v, 3 V A; tarsus, 2 V B.  Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed with some long and fine bristles; III, sparse A; IV, no present. Tarsi: I, dense, uniformly distributed; II, dense, uniformly distributed, divided by a row band of setae; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. Trichobothria: Tibiae: palp 8-9; I 7-9; II 9-10; III 9-8; IV 11-10. Metatarsi: I (5)1(2)1(5)1; II (4)1(2)1(4)1; III (6)1(2)1(5)1; IV (4)1(3)1(2)1(6)1. Tarsi: palp 13; I 13; II 14; III 14; IV 13. Preening combs: metatarsus: II 3 P V; III 2 P V–5 R V; IV, 2/3 R V. Spermathecae: as in Fig. 7C. Color: Overall light orange–yel-lowish (carapace litter dark), sternum lighter. Abdomen brown dark with 3–5 posterior light bands, spinnerets light yellow.   Distribution. Eastern Cape Province, South Africa( Fig. 24). 2608670255 1224570639 1902 SAM-ENW W. F. Purcell South Africa Doornnek https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/1224570639 -33.366665 Doornnek in the Zuurbergen [Zuurberg], Alexandria Div., Cape Colony 1205 25.716667 Doornnek in the Zuurbergen [Zuurberg], Alexandria Div., Cape Colony 11 272 X005692 1 1 Eastern Cape Province holotype 2010-10-23 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1613 11 273 -32.266666 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 1211 24.966667 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 2012/3206 2 2 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1618 11 273 -32.266666 same data 1211 24.966667 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 2012/2333 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [970,1367,1840,1866] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1618 11 273 -32.266666 same data 1211 24.966667 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 2012/3239 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1406 11 273 -32.266666 same data 1211 24.966667 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 2012/3231 2 2 Eastern Cape Province [594,1102,1875,1902] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1620 11 273 -32.266666 same data 1211 24.966667 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 2012/3215 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1802 11 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 2012/3226 3 3 Eastern Cape Province [537,1047,1911,1938] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1806 11 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 2012/2351 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1613 11 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof & Zuurkloof 11 272 NCA 2012 2 2 Eastern Cape Province [284,798,1947,1974] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1608 11 273 -32.233334 1211 24.933332 11 272 NCA 2012 2 2 Eastern Cape Province [804,1315,1947,1974] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1614 11 273 -32.233334 1211 24.933332 11 272 2012/3220 3 3 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1204 11 273 -32.233334 1211 24.933332 11 272 2012/3209 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [525,1214,1983,2010] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1202 11 273 -32.25 1211 24.95 11 272 NCA 2012 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1613 12 273 -32.25 1211 24.95 11 272 NCA0, 2012/3214 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [637,1366,152,179] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 2013 12 273 -32.25 same data 1211 25.0 12 272 2012/3228 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 2001 12 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 12 272 2012/3213 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [770,1286,189,216] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1628 12 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 12 272 2012/3216 3 3 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1628 12 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 12 272 2012/3217 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [385,880,225,251] 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1807 12 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 12 272 NCA 2012 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-15 NCA J. Midgley South Africa 1795 12 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 12 272 2012/3221 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [284,1312,260,287] 2009-11-25 NCA same collector South Africa 2001 12 273 -32.25 same data 1211 24.966667 12 272 2012/3210 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2009-11-25 NCA same collector South Africa 2001 12 273 -32.233334 same data 1211 24.933332 12 272 2012/3212 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [730,1432,296,324] 2009-11-25 NCA same collector South Africa 1618 12 273 -32.266666 same data 1211 24.966667 12 272 2012/3205 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2009-11-25 NCA same collector South Africa 1999 12 273 -32.25 same data 1211 24.966667 12 272 2012/3211 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [823,1374,332,359] 2010-10-23 NCA same collector South Africa 1801 12 273 -32.25 same data 1211 25.0 12 272 2012/3227 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-10-23 NCA same collector South Africa 1801 12 273 -32.25 1211 25.0 12 272 2012/3227 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [521,1213,368,395] 2010-10-23 NCA same collector South Africa 1801 12 273 -32.25 1211 24.966667 12 272 2012/3240 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-10-23 NCA same collector South Africa 1802 12 273 -32.233334 1211 24.933332 12 272 NCA 2012 1 1 Eastern Cape Province [610,1308,404,431] 2010-10-23 NCA same collector South Africa 1792 12 273 -32.25 1211 25.0 12 272 NCA 2012 1 1 Eastern Cape Province 2010-10-23 NCA same collector South Africa 1406 12 273 -32.266666 same data 1211 25.0 12 272 2012/3230 2 2 Eastern Cape Province 2010-04-07 2010-07-28 2010-04-07 ASA, WOO S. Van Noort South Africa 1406 12 273 -32.266666 same data 1211 24.95 12 272 SAM-ENW-C007744 1 1 Eastern Cape Province