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