Bavirecta flavopuncta, Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2018

Kanesharatnam, Nilani & Benjamin, Suresh P., 2018, A new genus and three new species of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from Sri Lanka, European Journal of Taxonomy 444, pp. 1-24 : 4-8

Bavirecta flavopuncta gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:8A0B5608-6893-4BBF-A776-B1A1B75F49EE

Figs 1–3

Diagnosis

Bavirecta flavopuncta gen. et sp. nov. is sister to B. exilis gen. et comb. nov. They share the presence of the following characters: straight and pointed embolus, broad proximal lobe with black blotches and well-developed prolateral tegular lobe ( Cao et al. 2016). However, B. flavopuncta gen. et sp. nov. is distinguishable from B. exilis gen. et comb. nov. by the comparably broader embolus, absence of the retrolateral membranous margin of the embolus, straight RTA ( Figs 1 C–E, 2A–B) and the blackish brown abdomen with bright yellow markings in both sexes ( Figs 1A , 3A ).

Furthermore, due to the short, straight embolus, broad PLT and widely separated anterior atria, this new species may resemble some members of Bavia ( B. aericeps Simon, 1877 , B. capistrata (C.L. Koch, 1846) , B. intermedia (Karsch, 1880)) . However, all species of Bavia differ from Bavirecta gen. nov. by their comparably very short RTA.

Etymology

The species name is from the Latin terms, ‘ flavo ’ and ‘ puncta ’ and refers to the yellowish brown semicircular markings behind the PLEs.

Material examined

Holotype

SRI LANKA: Ƌ, Central Province, Kandy District, Dunumadalawa Forest , hand collection, 7 Oct. 2009, S.P. Benjamin, R. M.G.N. Tilakarathna and P. M. H. Sandamali leg. (IFS_SAL_340).

Paratype

SRI LANKA: ♀, Central Province, Kandy District, Corbett’s Gap,Knuckles Range, 1360 m, 07°21′40″ N, 80°50′00″ E, hand collection, 12 Aug. 2010, S.P. Benjamin & S. Batuwita leg. (IFS_SAL_679).

Description

Male

MEASUREMENTS. TL 5.1, PL 2.15, PW at PLEs 1.65, AL 2.85, AW 1.00. Eye field: diameter of AME 0.70, PLE 0.16, ALE 0.32, PME 0.03, PME–PME 1.62, PLE–PLE 1.51, ALE–PME 0.41, ALE–PLE 0.73. Leg I: Tr 0.35, Fm 2.00, Pt 0.90, Tb 2.00, Mt 1.40, Ta 0.85; Leg II: Tr 0.35, Fm 1.15, Pt 0.45, Tb 1.05, Mt 0.80, Ta 0.40; Leg III: Tr 0.35, Fm 1.15, Pt 0.60, Tb 0.85, Mt 0.75, Ta 0.35; Leg IV: Tr 0.45, Fm 1.25, Pt 0.55, Tb 1.10, Mt 0.95, Ta 0.40.

COLOR AND BODY. In preserved specimens, prosoma oval, flattened and dark reddish brown interspersed with grey hairs. Anterior prosoma narrower than posterior region. Ocular field decorated with two light brown blotches behind AMEs and a large, light brown semicircular marking behind PLEs ( Fig. 1A ). PMEs and PLEs surrounded by black blotches. Fovea distinct. Posterior prosoma rather steep and its margin more truncated. Chelicerae and labium brownish black. Brownish yellow sternum oval in shape, edges bordered with fawn colour. Leg I dark brown and robust, femur I, patella I and tibia I massive and more elongated, others brownish yellow and femur IV with black blotches on the lateral sides ( Fig. 1 A–B). Abdomen much longer and narrower than prosoma, tapering posteriorly. Dorsum, yellowish dark brown ornamented with bright yellow blotches arranged in two rows from anterior to posterior end ( Fig. 1A ). Venter greyish yellow with brown dash-line from epigastric furrow to brownish black posterior end. Spinnerets yellowish brown ( Fig. 1B ).

PALP. Pale yellowish brown. Cymbium shorter and slightly narrower at distal region. Embolus robust, pointed, moderately long and immovable on apical portion of bulbus ( Figs 1 C–E, 2A–B). Bulbus longer than wide. Sperm duct clearly visible in antero-lateral portion of bulbus. Prolateral portion of bulbus with a large protuberance ( Figs 1 C–D, 2A). Tegulum with broad posterior lobe. RTA moderately long, broader at the base, narrower toward the tip and bent ventrally ( Figs 1 D–E, 2B).

Female

MEASUREMENTS. TL 5.60, PL 2.20, PW at PLEs 1.70, AL 3.25, AW 1.25. Eye field: diameter of AME 0.68, PLE 0.19, ALE 0.32, PME 0.03, PME–PME 1.65, PLE–PLE 1.57, ALE–PME 0.49, ALE–PLE 0.70. Leg I: Tr 0.40, Fm 2.15, Pt 0.95, Tb 2.05, Mt 1.45, Ta 0.85; Leg II: Tr 0.35, Fm 1.25, Pt 0.50, Tb 1.00, Mt 0.90, Ta 0.45; Leg III: Tr 0.40, Fm 1.15, Pt 0.65, Tb 0.95, Mt 0.80, Ta 0.40; Leg IV: Tr 0.40, Fm 1.35, Pt 0.50, Tb 1.2, Mt 1.00, Ta 0.45.

COLOR AND BODY. All characters as in male, except prosoma with more prominent yellowish orange blotches and lateral abdomen with yellow markings as in dorsum ( Fig. 3A ).

EPIGYNUM. Moderately sclerotized. Anterior epigynal border (AEB) not prominent. Small and rounded atrium covered with highly sclerotized ATR into which CO opens ( Figs 2 C–D, 3C–D). CD highly sclerotized, broad and moderately long. Spermathecae nearly pear-shaped. FD originates from midlateral wall of receptacles ( Figs 2D , 3D ). PEB highly sclerotized and elongated beyond epigastric furrow.

Figures

Fig. 1. Bavirecta flavopuncta sp. nov., Ƌ. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Palp, prolateral view. D. Palp, ventral view. E. Palp, retrolateral view. The arrowheads point to the dorsal trapezoid (A) and black blotches (D). Scale bars: A–B = 2 mm; C–E = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 2. Bavirecta flavopuncta sp. nov. A. Palp, ventral view. B. Palp, retrolateral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. D. Vulva, ventral view. Abbreviations: see Material and methods. Scale bars: A–B = 0.2 mm; C–D = 0.1 mm.

Fig. 3. Bavirecta flavopuncta sp. nov., ♀. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. Habitus, ventral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. D. Vulva, ventral view. Scale bars: A–B = 2 mm; C–D = 0.2 mm.