Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942

Haddad, Charles R., 2014, A revision of the endemic South African sac spider genus Lessertina Lawrence, 1942 (Araneae: Eutichuridae), Zootaxa 3873 (1) : -

Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942

Figs 1–3 , 6–30

Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942: 173 , figs 23a–c (♂ holotype: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal Province: Umhlali [29°26'S, 31°08'E], leg. R.F. Lawrence, II.1940, NMSA 2940—examined); Dippenaar-Schoeman & Jocqué, 1997: 129, fig. 64f; Bosselaers & Jocqué, 2000: 318, figs 2F, 5A–D; Bosselaers & Jocqué, 2002: 244, figs 2G, 3F; Ramírez, 2014: figs 43L, 147D, 205B.

Diagnosis. Males of L. mutica can be recognised from L. capensis sp. nov. by median and lateral eyes of both rows being separated by at least three times the diameter of the medians (less in the latter species), the narrow cymbium of the male palp, and the narrower and more elongate palpal conductor. Females of L. capensis sp. nov. are unknown, and those of L. mutica are not diagnosed here.

Male (Kei Mouth, NCA 2002/393). Measurements: CL 3.57, CW 3.05, AL 4.10, AW 2.60, TL 7.75 (6.25–7.75), SL 2.10, SW 1.70, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.49, ALE–ALE 1.38, PME–PME 0.24, PME–PLE 0.58, PLE–PLE 1.71, PERW 1.84, MOQAW 0.48, MOQPW 0.56, MOQL 0.41.

Length of leg segments: I 3.00 + 1.20 + 2.60 + 2.75 + 1.65 = 11.20; II 2.50 + 1.12 + 1.95 + 2.10 + 1.10 = 8.77; III 2.10 + 1.00 + 1.45 + 1.75 + 0.80 = 7.10; IV 2.80 + 1.25 + 2.25 + 2.10 + 0.95 = 9.35.

General appearance as in Fig. 1 . Carapace dark red-brown, with radiating black striae in thoracic region. AER slightly procurved, slightly laterals larger than medians; AME separated by distance slightly less than their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 3 times AME diameter; clypeus height equal to 1½ AME diameter; PER straight, laterals slightly larger than medians; PME separated by distance approximately 1½ times their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 3½ times PME diameter; CW: PERW = 1.66:1. Chelicerae dark red-brown with black mottling; promargin with five widely spaced teeth, proximal tooth and three distal teeth closest to fang base small and subequal, fourth tooth from fang base much larger; retromargin with three widely separated small subequal teeth. Endites and labium red-brown, paler distally; sternum dark orangebrown with faint black mottling. Legs: femora I brown, II–IV yellow, with broad black band in distal half; patellae I–IV yellow-brown with black mottling ventrally, also dorsodistally on III and IV; tibiae I and II yellow-orange, with faint proximal and distal mottling ventrally; tibiae III and IV yellow, with narrow proximal and broad median black bands; metatarsi I and II yellow-orange, II with faint proximal ventral mottling, III and IV yellow, with proximal and distal bands; tarsi I–IV yellow-brown. Leg spination: femora: II do 1, III do 1-2, IV do 4; patellae: spineless; tibiae: III pl 1-2 plv 1 vt 1, IV rl 2 plv 1-2 vt 2; metatarsi: I vt 1, II pl 1 vt 1, III pl 1 plv 1, IV rl 1 plv 1-2. Palp spineless. Abdomen oval, dark grey dorsally, with two pairs of cream lateral spots; first pair larger, along anterior margin; second pair smaller, at middle of dorsum; venter dark grey, with large paired cream lateral spots medially, with streaks extending towards spinnerets. Palpal femora yellow-brown, patellae yellow, tibiae deep orange-brown, tarsi orange-brown; tibia with very large, nearly straight retrolateral apophysis, positioned basally; cymbium elongate-oval, with several modified rod-like setae at distal end ( Fig. 27 ); tegulum longer than broad, with prolateral distal subtriangular conductor with bent tip; median apophysis fine, hook-like, placed in retrolateral distal cavity ( Fig. 28 ); embolus long, originating proximally on retrolateral side, curving around tegulum, partly hidden beneath prolateral side of tegulum and conductor; broad at its base, gradually narrowing distally, with tip alongside prolateral end of conductor ( Fig. 27 ).

Female (East London, NCA 92/128). Measurements: CL 3.50, CW 2.60, AL 4.35, AW 3.03, TL 7.90 (7.50–8.20), SL 1.86, SW 1.40, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.40, ALE–ALE 1.19, PME–PME 0.22, PME–PLE 0.54, PLE–PLE 1.56, PERW 1.71, MOQAW 0.43, MOQPW 0.49, MOQL 0.37.

Length of leg segments: I 2.35 + 1.00 + 2.00 + 2.15 + 1.30 = 8.80; II 2.10 + 0.95 + 1.50 + 1.65 + 0.90 = 8.10; III 1.75 + 0.80 + 1.17 + 1.44 + 0.65 = 5.81; IV 2.40 + 1.05 + 1.96 + 2.25 + 0.78 = 8.44.

General appearance as in Fig. 2 . Colouration and markings similar to male, except abdominal spots larger. AER slightly procurved, laterals slightly larger than medians; AME separated by distance equal to their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 3 times AME diameter; clypeus height equal to 1¾ times AME diameter; PER straight, laterals slightly larger than medians; PME separated by distance equal to 1⅔ times their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 4 times PME diameter; CW: PERW = 1.52:1. Cheliceral promargin with five teeth, two distal teeth at fang base smallest, third and fifth teeth from fang base slightly larger, fourth tooth much larger; retromargin with three small teeth, proximal tooth largest. Leg spination: femora: II do 1, III do 1, IV do 2; patellae: spineless; tibiae: IV rl 2 plv 2 vt 1; metatarsi: I vt 1, II vt 1, IV plv 1. Palpal spination: tibiae: pl 1; tarsi: pl 1 rl 1 plv 3 rlv 1. Epigyne as in genus description ( Figs 24–26 , 29, 30 ).

Other material examined. SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province: Coffee Bay, 31°58.862'S, 29°09.119'E, leg. C. Haddad, 2.XI.2006 (leaf litter, coastal dune forest), 1 imm. (NCA 2007/163); same locality, 31°59.230'S, 29°09.039'E, 15 m a.s.l., leg. C. Haddad, 9.I.2011 (sifting leaf litter, coastal forest), 5 imm. 1sa♀ (NCA 2013/ 1833); Cwebe Nature Reserve, The Haven, 32°14.497'S, 28°54.653'E, leg. C. Haddad, 30.X.2006 (grassy litter behind dunes), 2 imm. (NCA 2007/244); same data (leaf litter, coastal dune forest), 1 imm. (NCA 2007/300); East London, Pineapple Research Station, 33°00.6'S, 26°54.0'E, leg. G. Petty, XII.1981 (pitfalls, indigenous bush), 23 imm. 1♂ 4♀ (NCA 92/128); same locality, 2.XII.1977, 1♂ 3♀ ( MRAC 206567); Kei Mouth, 32°41.206'S, 28°22.497'E, leg. C. Haddad, 13.XII.2002 (leaf litter at tree base, coastal forest), 1♂ (NCA 2002/393); same locality, leg. C. Haddad, 3.VI.2003 (leaf litter at tree base), 1 imm. 1♂ (NCA 2010/396); Same locality, 32°41.280'S 28°22.484'E, leg. C. Haddad, 12.XII.2002 (litter, coastal dune forest), 1♂ 1♀ (MACN-Ar 10795; preparations CJG-00499, 500, MJR-01093–1098, MJR-01326–1327; ARAMR 000555, ARAMR 000931); Port St Johns, Cremorne Estate, 31°35.857'S, 29°31.991'E, 43 m a.s.l., leg. C. Haddad, 10.I.2011 (sifting leaf litter, coastal forest), 2 imm. (NCA 2013/1834); same locality, 31°35.931'S, 29°32.009'E, 0–20 m a.s.l., leg. H. Wood, C. Haddad & C. Griswold, 10.I.2011 (sifting leaf litter, degraded coastal forest), 1sa♀ ( CAS, CASENT 9042262); Silaka Nature Reserve, 31°39.176'S, 29°30.098'E, 155 m a.s.l., leg. C. Haddad, 11.I.2011 (base of grasses and ferns), 1 imm. 1♀ (NCA 2013/1835). KwaZulu-Natal Province: Kokstad [30°33'S, 29°25'E], Ngeli Forest, leg. R.F.

Lawrence, I. 1960, 1♂ ( NMSA 8009); Trafalgar [30°58'S, 30°18'E], leg. R.F. Lawrence, VII.1963, 1 ♂ ( NMSA 8842). Limpopo Province: Nylsvley Nature Reserve [24°39'S, 28°40'E], leg. G. Ferreira, 26.X. 1975 (pitfalls), 12 imm. (NCA 2000 /317).

Distribution. This species occurs mainly in the coastal and lowland parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu- Natal Provinces of South Africa. Its distribution falls almost entirely within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Centre of Endemism ( Fig. 33 ). The single record of Lessertina from the Limpopo Province (NCA 2000/317), consisting of a series of immature specimens, may possibly belong to L. mutica or another new species, and adults are needed to confirm its identity. Such an isolated outlying population of this species would be puzzling, as no Lessertina have been collected at several reserves in northern KwaZulu-Natal (Ndumo, Tembe, Ithala, Ophathe, Kosi Bay, iSimangaliso) and Mpumalanga Provinces (Kruger National Park) that have been very well sampled, and where comparable habitat types are found that could support populations of this species.

Habitat and biology. This species has mainly been collected from leaf litter of subtropical coastal and Afromontane forests. Adults were collected throughout the year, although most records are from spring and summer.

Figures

FIGURE 33. Distribution of Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942 (circles) and L. capensis sp. nov. (triangles) in South Africa, indicating the extent of the Cape Floristic Region Centre of Endemism (CFR) and the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Centre of Endemism (MPA).

FIGURES 1 – 5. General habitus of Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942 (1 – 3) and L. capensis sp. nov. (4, 5): 1, 4. Male, dorsal view; 2. Female, dorsal view; 3. Live female from Silaka Nature Reserve; 5. Male, lateral view. Scale bars: 1, 2, 4, 5 = 2 mm.

FIGURES 6 – 17. Scanning electron micrographs of Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942 male (6) and female (7 – 16): 6. Chelicera, posterodistal view; 7. Patella IV, arrow indicating patellar indentation; 8. Same, detail of lyriform organ at proximal end of patellar indentation; 9. Femur IV, proximal spine; 10. Metatarsus II, distal ventral spine and scopula; 11. Same, distal spine enlarged; 12. Metatarsus IV, lateral spine; 13. Same, distal ventral preening brush; 14. Tarsus II, claw tuft, arrows indicating trichobothria; 15. Same, detail of trichobothria; 16. Palpal tarsus, arrows indicating single slit sensilla; 17. Same, palpal claw enlarged.

FIGURES 18 – 23. Scanning electron micrographs of Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942 male (18 – 20) and female (21 – 23) spinneret morphology: 18, 21. Anterior lateral spinneret; 19, 22. Posterior median spinneret; 20, 23. Posterior lateral spinneret. Abbreviations: Ac – aciniform gland spigot (s); MAmp – major ampullate gland spigot (s); mAmp – minor ampullate gland spigot (s); n – nubbin; Pi – piriform gland spigot; ta – tartipore. Photos by Martín Ramrez.

FIGURES 24 – 26. Scanning electron micrographs of Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942 female genitalic morphology: 24. Epigyne, ventral view; 25. Same, posterior view; 26. Same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: CD – copulatory duct; EP – epigynal plugs in copulatory openings; FD – fertilization duct; ST – spermathecae I and II. Photos by Martín Ramírez.

FIGURES 27 – 32. Genitalic morphology of Lessertina mutica Lawrence, 1942 (27 – 30) and L. capensis sp. nov. (31, 32): 27, 31. Male palp, ventral view; 28, 32. Same, retrolateral view; 29. Epigyne, ventral view; 30. Vulva, dorsal view. Abbreviations: C—conductor; CD—copulatory duct; CO—copulatory opening; EB—embolus base; ET—embolus tip; FD—fertilisation duct; MA—median apophysis; MDS—modified distal cymbial setae; ST—spermathecae I and II. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.