Tidarren lanceolatum, Knoflach & Harten, 2006

Knoflach, Barbara & Harten, Antonius Van, 2006, The one-palped spider genera Tidarren and Echinotheridion in the Old World (Araneae, Theridiidae), with comparative remarks on Tidarren from America, Journal of Natural History 40 (25 - 26), pp. 1483-1616 : 1561-1567

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.1080/00222930600940993

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/DC30557E-B310-A733-FE65-FF7BFE45FA1A

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Tidarren lanceolatum
status

sp. nov.

Tidarren lanceolatum View in CoL n. sp.

( Figures 176 View Figures 172–180 , 204–207 View Figures 204–207 ; Table XVII)

Type material

Democratic Republic of Congo: 1♀ holotype, NMW, without exact locality, ‘‘ Belg. Kongo’ ’ (Inv. No. 709, sub Theridion cuneolatum , det. Reimoser 1938, together with 2♀ of T. aethiops n. sp. and 3♀ of T. perplexum n. sp.) .

Material examined

Only the type.

Etymology

The species name refers to the lance-like shape of the epigynum, from Latin adjective lanceolatus. The suffix agrees with the gender of the genus name.

Diagnosis

In T. lanceolatum the epigynum is extremely protruding ( Figure 176 View Figures 172–180 , 204–207 View Figures 204–207 ), very long related to body size. This species has the longest epigynal protuberance among the representatives from mainland Africa. Male unknown.

Measurements (mm)

Total length 3.01, carapace length 0.98, width 0.88, length femur I 1.89, tibia I 1.09. Abdomen 3.09 high, 2.23 long and 1.01 wide. Ventral side (distance petiolus to spinnerets) 1.45 long. Clypeus 0.25 high, chelicerae 0.39 long. Sternum 0.59 long, about as wide as long. Leg formula 1423, see Table XVII.

Somatic features, colouration

Sternum without posterior tubercle. Abdomen higher than long, forming a large dorsal hump ( Figure 176 View Figures 172–180 ). Carapace dark brown, central area slightly lighter with diffuse radial stripes. Chelicerae and gnathocoxae light brown. Sternum light brown with thin dark margins and small dark spots. Legs and pedipalps light yellow with dark patches and annulations. Abdomen whitish to greyish brown, with white guanin areas; on dorsum a pair of distinct white stripes outline an irregular, broad band, branching laterally and ending before tip of abdomen; area behind these stripes lighter than anterior area. From apex a clear white median stripe leads straight to spinnerets. Aboral area of abdomen whitish with two transverse, strongly upwardly bent dark stripes. Venter dark and white speckled. Spinnerets light brown.

Epigynum, vulva ( Figures 204–207 View Figures 204–207 )

Epigynal protuberance straight, pointed, and extremely protruding ( Figures 176 View Figures 172–180 , 204 View Figures 204–207 ), directed anteriorly, 0.33 mm long, 0.16 mm broad at widest part, its shape reminiscent of tip of a lance. In aboral view protuberance clearly delimited from surrounding integument ( Figure 206 View Figures 204–207 ). Copulatory orifices at anterior border of epigynal protuberance, in ventral view at half length of receptacula. Copulatory ducts separate ( Figures 205, 207 View Figures 204–207 ), ca 0.1 mm long. They diverge posteriorly and enter receptacula posteriorly. Receptacula seminis 0.17 mm long and 0.12 mm wide. Epigynal protuberance about twice as long as receptacula ( Figure 205 View Figures 204–207 ).

Distribution

Tidarren lanceolatum is known only from the type region, Democratic Republic of Congo, without exact locality .

Tidarren levii Schmidt, 1957

( Figures 208–211 View Figures 208–211 ; Table XVIII)

Tidarren levii Schmidt 1957, p 283 View in CoL , Figures 4, 5 View Figures 3–6 ; n. sp., ♀, type region Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo), import.

Type material examined

Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire): ♀ holotype, imported with bananas, SMF 14373, shrivelled and faded; microscopic slide of 14373 .

Other material examined

Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire): ♀ SMF 37459 and subadult „ SMF 37592 (shrivelled and faded), imported with bananas, without exact locality .

Description

Schmidt (1957). The following redescription is based mainly on non-type material, as this female is intact. The holotype female is shrivelled and faded; the epiygnum, which is preserved as a microscopic slide, is partially destroyed, epigynal protuberance and copulatory ducts are broken off and missing, only receptacles and fertilization ducts present. General appearance and dimensions are similar in the two females.

Diagnosis

Tidarren levii is a small-sized species with abdominal tubercle being very indistinct. Its epigynal protuberance is broad and pointed, clearly delimited from surrounding integument ( Figures 208–211 View Figures 208–211 ) and well sclerotized. Copulatory ducts diverge posteriorly. Male unknown.

Measurements (mm)

Holotype ♀ shrivelled, carapace length 0.74, width 0.55, length femur I 1.21, tibia I 0.78. Abdomen 1.60 high, 1.37 long, and 1.31 wide. Clypeus 0.16 high, chelicerae 0.23 long. Sternum shrivelled.

Dimensions (in mm) of non-type ♀ SMF 37459 (legs I missing): total length 1.72, carapace length 0.72, width 0.60. Abdomen 1.27 high, 1.09 long, and 1.19 wide. Ventral side (distance petiolus to spinnerets) 0.58 long. Clypeus 0.16 high, chelicerae 0.25 long. Sternum 0.47 long, 0.39 wide. Labium 0.08 long and 0.16 wide. Gnathocoxae 0.23 long and 0.10 wide. Legs, see Table XVIII.

Somatic features, colouration

Sternum without posterior tubercle. Abdomen higher than long, more or less rounded, tubercle very indistinct. Carapace uniformly dark brown. Chelicerae light brown, suffused with grey. Labium and gnathocoxae light brown. Sternum dark grey with several light spots. Legs and pedipalps pale yellow with dark patches and annulations. Coxae uniformly pale yellow. Abdomen dark, with interrupted white line pattern. White dots on dorsum are probably remnants of former outlines of a dorsal band. Sides with white arched stripe, aboral region with white stripe from apex to spinnerets. Venter dark with two pairs of paramedian white spots. Spinnerets brown.

Epigynum, vulva ( Figures 208–211 View Figures 208–211 )

Epigynal protuberance broad and pointed, 0.1 mm long, 0.1 mm broad at widest part, evenly sclerotized. In side view, tip of protuberance slightly recurved ( Figure 208 View Figures 208–211 ), anterior contour straight, posterior one arched. In aboral view protuberance clearly delimited from surrounding integument ( Figure 210 View Figures 208–211 ). Copulatory orifices close to anterior border of epigynal protuberance, in ventral view level with posterior half of receptacula. Copulatory ducts separate ( Figures 209, 211 View Figures 208–211 ), less than 0.1 mm long. They diverge posteriorly and enter receptacula posteriorly. Receptacula seminis 0.14 mm long and ca 0.1 mm wide (in holotype ♀ 0.15 long and 0.1 wide). Epigynal protuberance about 0.7 length of receptacula ( Figure 209 View Figures 208–211 ).

Distribution

Known only from an import from tropical Africa ( Democratic Republic of Congo) without exact locality ( Schmidt 1957).

Tidarren perplexum n. sp.

( Figures 177 View Figures 172–180 , 212–215 View Figures 212–215 ; Tables XIX, XX)

Type material

Cameroon: 1♀ holotype , 1♀ paratype, CAS (gift from USNM 1992), Southwest Prov. , Fako Div., Mt Cameroon, near Mann’s Spring, 2050 m, 4 ° 089300N, 9 ° 079010E, 21–25 January 1992, leg. Coddington, Griswold, Larcher, and Hormiga.

Other material examined

Democratic Republic of Congo: 3♀, NMW, without exact locality, ‘‘ Belg. Kongo’ ’ (Inv. No. 709, sub Theridion cuneolatum , det. Reimoser 1938, together with 2♀ of T. aethiops n. sp. and 1♀ of T. lanceolatum n. sp.) .

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective perplexus meaning obscure. The name refers to the taxonomic situation among the inscrutable number of African Tidarren species. The suffix agrees with the gender of the genus name.

Diagnosis

According to genital characters T. perplexum closely resembles T. levii ( Figures 212–215 View Figures 212–215 versus Figures 208–211 View Figures 208–211 ), but is differentiated by its ca 1.5 times larger size and by the presence of a distinct abdominal tubercle ( Figure 177 View Figures 172–180 ). In contrast to T. levii the protuberance is not delimited from the surrounding integument in aboral view ( Figure 214 View Figures 212–215 ) and is less sclerotized. Male unknown.

Measurements (mm)

[♀ holotype.] Total length 2.78, carapace length 1.09, width 0.95, length femur I 1.85, tibia I 1.07. Abdomen 2.35 high, 1.68 long, and 1.53 wide. Ventral side (distance petiolus to spinnerets) 1.57 long. Clypeus 0.29 high, chelicerae 0.39 long. Sternum 0.70 long, 0.60 wide. Gnathocoxae 0.39 long, 0.16 wide. Labium 0.14 long, 0.25 wide. Leg formula 1423.

Dimensions of three females from Democratic Republic of Congo: total length 2.50/ 2.86/2.86, carapace length 0.94/1.07/1.15, width 0.74/0.84/0.90, length femur I 1.76/ 2.05/–, tibia I 1.07/1.27/–. Abdomen 2.27/2.46/2.54 high, 1.60/1.57/1.88 long, and 1.49/ 1.49/1.60 wide. Ventral side (distance petiolus to spinnerets) 1.17/1.17/1.29 long. Clypeus 0.21/0.15/0.25 high, chelicerae 0.33/0.39/0.35 long. Sternum 0.59/0.68/0.68 long, 0.51/ 0.59/0.59 wide. Gnathocoxae 0.31–0.37 long, 0.14–0.18 wide. Labium 0.10–0.14 long, 0.20–0.25 wide. Leg formula 1423, see Tables XIX, XX.

Somatic features, colouration

Sternum without posterior tubercle. Abdomen higher than long, ending in distinct tubercle ( Figure 177 View Figures 172–180 ). Carapace dark brown. Chelicerae light brown with dark patches. Labium and gnathocoxae uniformly pale yellow or with dark patches. Sternum light yellow with dark margins and reticulate pattern or dark with several light spots. Legs and pedipalps pale yellow with dark patches and annulations. Coxae uniformly pale yellow. Abdomen whitish to greyish brown, with pattern as in T. lanceolatum . Venter dark and white speckled. Spinnerets brown. The females from the Democratic Republic of Congo show similar colour and pattern. In one of them the carapace is not uniformly dark brown, but has two light paramedian longitudinal bands.

Epigynum, vulva ( Figures 212–215 View Figures 212–215 )

Epigynal protuberance triangular, short, and pointed ( Figures 177 View Figures 172–180 , 212 View Figures 212–215 ), 0.08 mm long, 0.09 mm broad at widest part ( Figure 213 View Figures 212–215 ). Anterior median part of protuberance less sclerotized. In side view, tip of protuberance slightly recurved, anterior contour straight, posterior one only slightly arched. In aboral view protuberance not delimited from surrounding integument ( Figure 214 View Figures 212–215 ), its sclerotization diffusing gradually. Copulatory orifices close to anterior border of epigynal protuberance, in ventral and dorsal view level with posterior half of receptacula; in aboral view close to end of protuberance. Copulatory ducts separate ( Figure 213, 215 View Figures 212–215 ), ca 0.07 mm long. They diverge laterally and enter receptacula at posterior inner side. Receptacula seminis 0.12 mm long and ca 0.1 mm wide. Epigynal protuberance about 0.7 length of receptacula ( Figure 213 View Figures 212–215 ).

The genital organ of the females from the Democratic Republic of Congo differs slightly in the shape of the epigynal protuberance. In side view, the protuberance is slightly more slender, the posterior contour less arched, and its tip is scarcely sclerotized. The copulatory orifices appear to be wider than in the types. Aboral view, position of copulatory orifices, course of the ducts, and overall dimensions are similar: epigynal protuberance 0.08 mm long and 0.07 mm broad at widest part. Copulatory ducts separate, 0.08 mm long. Receptacula seminis 0.12 mm long and 0.10 mm wide. Epigynal protuberance about 0.6 length of receptacula.

Geographic variation

The specimens from the Democratic Republic of Congo agree with the type females in general appearance, colour, pattern, and dimensions. Slight differences were found in the shape of the epigynal protuberance, see above. Without knowledge of males it is not yet possible to judge this minute variation.

Distribution

Known from the type locality in Cameroon and from the Democratic Republic of Congo without exact locality.

NMW

Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien

SMF

Forschungsinstitut und Natur-Museum Senckenberg

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Arachnida

Order

Araneae

Family

Theridiidae

Genus

Tidarren

Loc

Tidarren lanceolatum

Knoflach, Barbara & Harten, Antonius Van 2006
2006
Loc

Tidarren levii

Schmidt G 1957: 283
1957
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