Suffrica, Henrard, Arnaud & Jocqué, Rudy, 2015

Henrard, Arnaud & Jocqué, Rudy, 2015, On the new Afrotropical genus Suffrica with discovery of an abdominal gland and a dual femoral organ (Araneae, Zodariidae), Zootaxa 3972 (1), pp. 1-25 : 3-5

Suffrica gen. nov.

Figs 1 – 96

Diagnosis. Members of the genus Suffrica resemble Suffasia and Asceua in having a pair of femoral organs without barbed setae on each leg ( Figs 17–20 ), a similar eye disposition and teeth on both cheliceral margins. They are distinguished by the narrow, domed cephalothorax ( Figs 2 , 7 ), the cheliceral promargin with two well separated slanting teeth, the proximal one larger ( Fig. 41 ), a dorsal abdominal gland ( Figs 8, 9 , 37 , 47 , 76–81 ) and the dorsum of the abdomen with a groove in males ( Figs 6 , 26 , 65 ).

Etymology. Suffrica is a contraction of Suffasia and Africa. The gender is feminine.

Type species. Suffrica exotica sp. nov.

Description. Small spiders (1.9–2.9 mm). Carapace ( Figs 3 , 6, 7 , 36, 38 ) narrow, oval (L/W = 1.5–1.7) and domed (L/H = 1.92–2.24), with smooth to slightly reticulated teguments, almost devoid of hairs; widest at level of coxae II–III, narrowed anteriorly to about 0.70 times maximum width in males and 0.75 times maximum width in females (cephalic width measured at level of PLE centers). Cervical grooves not marked.

Colour ( Figs 1–3 , 25–27 , 64–66 ): carapace medium to dark brown; chelicerae and mouthparts dark brown; sternum medium brown; abdomen dorsum uniform dark in females, with two longitudinal lighter stripes in male, anteriorly with small, central lighter brown spot at level of abdominal gland, venter uniform grey, darker towards sides.

Eyes in two rows: anterior row straight, procurved as seen from in front ( Figs 3 , 36 ), posterior row strongly procurved. All eyes rounded and subequal. MOQ longer than wide, wider at the back than in front. Clypeus straight, height about 5 times diameter of ALE, with dispersed short setae.

Chilum single, superior margin wider than inferior one, slightly protruding in the center ( Fig. 3 ). Chelicerae not fused ( Fig. 36 ); intercheliceral triangle absent; promargin with two slanting teeth, the proximal one larger and retromargin with one small, sharp tooth ( Fig. 41 ); fangs short and sharp, slightly curved. Labium roughly quadrangular with rounded distal margin, hardly narrowed at base ( Fig. 39 ). Endites roughly triangular, strongly converging, distally with special asymmetric setae ( Fig. 40 ); palps directed straight forward. Sternum slightly longer than wide, shield-shaped with slightly rounded sides, provided with triangular extensions corresponding with coxal concavities and with intercoxae.

Legs slender. Formula 4123 or 4132. Three-clawed ( Fig. 83 ), median one smooth, lateral ones medially pectinated as in most Zodariids. Spination reduced but a few dorsal spines on femora and some small ventral spines on tibiae and metatarsi; distal ones on metatarsi ramified ( Fig. 82 ). Preening brush with short chisel-shaped setae on metatarsi II and III ( Fig. 82 ). Femoral organ double, on prolateral and retrolateral face of all legs, with smooth conical hairs and numerous small pores in a shallow circular depression ( Figs 17–20 ). Tarsal organ simple hole on distal edge of elevated plate ( Fig. 84 ), located on proximal part of tarsi.

Abdomen oval. Dorsum in both sexes anteriorly with oval gland outlet with coarsely granulated tegument, tiny gland openings and smooth setae ( Figs 8, 9 , 37 , 47 , 76 – 81 ); internal view shows perforated oval area, with numerous pits, larger ones corresponding to the base of smooth setae, smaller ones accommodating the outlets of flat, oval glands ( Figs 80, 81 ); abdomen provided in males with scutum covering ¾ of surface, with central longitudinal groove delimited by shallow ridges ( Figs 2 , 6 , 26 , 35 , 65 , 75 ). Tracheal spiracle procurved, widened to rounded opening at extremities ( Fig. 22 ); just in front of spinnerets; fairly wide, around 0.25 times maximum width of abdomen. Males with four spinnerets ( Fig. 21 ), females with six ( Fig. 49 ). ALS ( Figs 22, 23 , 51 – 53 ), conical, biarticulate, with two major ampullate gland spigots in the center and five (in males) or six (in females) aciniform gland spigots around the former. PLS small, with eight aciniform gland spigots in female ( Fig. 50 ), two in male ( Fig. 24 ). MS absent in males, reduced in females with one aciniform gland spigot ( Fig. 50 ). Colulus represented by a few setae. Sperm pore a wide slightly procurved slit.

Female palp with some strong prolateral spines on conical tarsus, with pectinated claw turned inwards over nearly 45°, without patch of chemosensitive setae ( Figs 48 , 85 ).

Male palp with patella provided with rounded dorsal extension, tibia with both DTA and RTA: DTA short, conical and sturdy, RTA with two parts: one fairly long anterior lamellar extension pointing forwards and one rounded with transparent window, the two parts separated by plate-shaped concavity ( Figs 16 , 42 , 86 ). Cymbium domed, with basal concavity accommodating lamellar extension of RTA; with patch of chemosensitive setae; embolus originating on posterior part of tegulum ( Fig. 10 ), cylindrical and grooved, long, curved, flexible, with small tooth at some distance from tip ( Figs 12 , 88 ); extremity truncated and folded ( Fig. 12 ); MA ( Figs 11 , 45 , 87 ) complex with different appendages: one prolateral, long, sharp and curved forwards and two retrolateral, rounded and stout; distal tegular apophysis harpoon-shaped ( Fig. 13 ); conductor with basal groove accommodating embolus and distal part provided with curved, flat apophysis ( Figs 11, 14 , 15 , 44 , 89 ).

Epigyne ( Figs 30 , 34 , 54, 55 , 60 , 69 , 72 , 90, 91 ) anteriorly with two membranous funnels ( Figs 58 , 94 ) connected to sinuous sclerotized copulation ducts, leading to poorly defined spermathecae ( Figs 31 , 56, 57 , 62 , 73 , 92, 93 ). Funnels internally with numerous biarticulate glands ( Figs 59 , 63 , 95 ), here called “lollipops”, opening through small holes on the outside ( Figs 55 , 61 , 91 ).

Distribution. Suffrica is found in the Eastern Arc Mountains and the adjacent Mkomazi Game Reserve ( Fig. 96 ).

Figures

FIGURE 96. Distribution of Suffrica species: (⋅) S. chawia, (˔) S. exotica, (•) S. gus.

FIGURES 1 – 5. Suffrica chawia sp. n. (1) Male paratype (MRAC 221982), habitus, dorsal view: (2) Male paratype (MRAC 233020) used for DNA extraction, habitus lateral view; (3) as previous carapace and chelicerae, anterior view; (4) Male palp (MRAC 221982), ventral view; (5) as previous, retrolateral view. Scale bars (1, 2) = 1 mm; (3) = 0.5 mm; (4, 5) = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 6 – 9. Suffrica chawia sp. n., male paratype (MRAC 221982), SEM views. (6) habitus, dorso-lateral view, arrow points to the glandular outlet; (7) prosoma, dorso-lateral view; (8) abdominal glandular structure (arrow), dorsal view; (9) as previous, detail. Scale bars (6, 7) = 0.5 mm; (8) = 50 µm; (9) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 10 – 14. Suffrica chawia sp. n., male paratype (MRAC 221982), SEM views of palp; (10) palp, ventral view; (11) as previous, detail; (12) detail of embolus, ventral view, arrow indicates the small tooth-like extension; (13) tegular apophysis, detail of the extremity, ventral view; (14) detail of the median apophysis and conductor, prolateral view. C = conductor, E = embolus, MA = median apophysis, TA = tegular apophysis. Scale bars (10) = 100 µm; (11, 14) = 50 µm; (12, 13) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 15 – 20. Suffrica chawia sp. n., male paratype (MRAC 221982), SEM views. (15) palp conductor, anterior view; (16) palp apophyses, retrolateral view; (17) femur II, distal part, prolateral view; (18) femur III, distal part, dorsal view, arrows indicate the dual femoral organ; (19) femoral organ on leg I, dorso-prolateral view; (20) as previous, leg IV. C = conductor, DTA = dorsal tibial apohysis, RTA = retrolateral tibial apophyis, TA = tegular apophysis. Scale bars (15 – 18) = 50 µm; (19, 20) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 21 – 24. Suffrica chawia sp. n., male paratype (MRAC 221982), spinnerets; (21) general overview of spinnerets, ventral oblique view; (22) anterior lateral spinnerets, anterior view; (23) as previous, detail; (24) posterior lateral spinnerets, anterior view. Scale bars (21, 22, 24) = 50 µm; (23) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 25 – 27. Suffrica exotica sp. n.; (25) male paratype (MRAC 215732), habitus, dorsal view; (26) as previous, detail of the abdomen; (27) female paratype (MRAC 241686), habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars (25, 27) = 1 mm; (26) = 0.5 mm.

FIGURES 28 – 31. Suffrica exotica sp. n., male palp and female genitalia; (28) male paratype (MRAC 215732), palp, ventral view; (29) as previous, retrolateral view; (30) female paratype (MRAC 241686), epigyne, ventral view; (31) female paratype (MRAC 215732), vulva, after digestion, dorsal view. Scale bars (28, 29) = 0.1 mm; (30, 31) = 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 32 – 34. Suffrica exotica sp. n., male palp and female epigyne drawings; (32) male holotype (MRAC 241686), palp, ventral view; (33) as previous, retrolateral view; (34) female paratype (MRAC 241686), epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 35 – 41. Suffrica exotica sp. n., male and female paratype (MRAC 215732), SEM views; (35) male habitus, dorsal view; (36) male carapace, anterior view; (37) male, detail of the abdominal gland, dorsal view; (38) male, fovea region, dorsolateral view; (39) female, labium and endites, ventral view, arrow points to the special asymmetrical setae on the endites; (40) female, antero-mesal part of the left endite with detailed view on the asymmetrical setae; (41) female, anterior part of chelicerae, ventral view, asterisks indicate two slanting teeth on the promarging and arrow points to the small sharp tooth on the retromargin. Scale bars (35, 36) = 0.5 mm; (38) = 50 µm; (39) = 100 µm; (37, 40) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 42 – 45. Suffrica exotica sp. n., male paratype (MRAC 215732), SEM views of the palp; (42) detail of the tibial apophyses, retrolateral view; (43) detail of the tegular apophysis, ventral view; (44) detail of the conductor, anterior view, arrow indicates the small spiniform extension on the promargin of the conductor; (45) detail of the median apophysis. C = conductor, E = embolus, MA = median apophysis, TA = tegular apophysis. Scale bars (42, 43, 45) = 50 µm; (44) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 46 – 53. Suffrica exotica sp. n., female paratype (MRAC 215732), SEM views; (46) abdomen, lateral, slightly dorsal view, arrow indicates the abdominal gland pores; (47) detail of the abdominal gland, dorso-lateral view; (48) detail of the right palpal claw, dorsal view; (49) overview of the spinnerets, anterior view; (50) posterior lateral spinnerets and median spinnerets, anterior view; (51) anterior lateral spinnerets, antero-lateral view; (52) as previous, anterior view; (53) as previous, detail. Scale bars (46) = 0.5 mm; (47, 50 – 53) = 10 µm; (48, 49) = 50 µm.

FIGURES 54 – 59. Suffrica exotica sp. n., female paratype (MRAC 215732), SEM views of genitalia; (54) epigyne, ventral view; (55) as previous, detail, arrows point to some of the tiny outlets of epigynal glands; (56) vulva, dorsal view; (57) as previous, dorso-lateral view; (58) as previous, detail; (59) detail of the “ lollipop ” epigynal glands. Scale bars (54, 56 – 58) = 50 µm; (55, 59) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 60 – 63. Suffrica exotica sp. n., female paratype (MRAC 215732), SEM views of genitalia indicating the link between the tiny pore and the “ lollipop ” glands; (60) epigyne, ventral view; (61) as previous, detail; (62) vulva, dorsal view; (63) as previous, detail. S = setae, O = opening. Asterisks indicate the outlets of the “ lollipop ” glands. Scale bars (60, 62) = 50 µm; (61, 63) = 10 µm.

FIGURES 64 – 66. Suffrica gus sp. n., male and female paratype (CAS); (64) male habitus, dorsal view; (65) as previous, detail of the abdomen, arrow points to the abdominal glandular outlet; (66) female habitus, dorsal view. Scale bar (64, 66) = 1 mm; (65) = 0, 5 mm.

FIGURES 67 – 69. Suffrica gus sp. n. (CAS), male palp and female epigyne drawings; (67) male palp, ventral view; (68) as previous, retrolateral view; (69) female epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 70 – 73. Suffrica gus sp. n. (CAS), male palp and female epigyne; (70) male palp, ventral view; (71) as previous, retrolateral view; (72) female epigyne, ventral view; (73) female vulva after digestion, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 74 – 81. Suffrica gus sp. n., SEM view of male and female (CAS); (74) male habitus, antero-dorsal view, arrows points to the abdominal glandular outlet; (75) male abdomen, dorsal view, arrows points to the abdominal glandular outlet; (76) male detail of the glandular outlet, dorsal view; (77) abdominal glandular outlet of the female, dorsal view; (78) as previous, detail; (79) male, inner view of the abdomen dorsum, arrow indicates the abdominal glandular outlet; (80) as previous, inner view of the glandular outlet; (81) as previous, detail, slightly oblique view. Scale bars (74, 75) = 0.5 mm; (76, 77, 80) = 50 µm; (78, 81) = 50 µm; (79) = 100 µm.

FIGURES 82 – 85. Suffrica gus sp. n., SEM views of female (CAS). (82) distal part of metatarsus of leg II with detail on the chisel shaped setae, ventro-prolateral view, arrows point to the terminal ramified spines; (83) tarsal claw of leg III, anterodorsal view; (84) proximal part of tarsus of leg I, dorsal, slightly oblique view, asterisk indicates the tarsal organ; (85) left palpal tarsus, dorsal view. Scale bars = 50 µm.

FIGURES 86 – 89. Suffrica gus sp. n. (CAS), SEM views of the male palp; (86) detail of the tibial apophyses, retrolateral view; (87) detail of the median apophysis, ventral view; (88) detail of the tegular apophysis, ventral view, arrow points to the small triangular extension on the embolus; (89) detail of the conductor, anterior view, arrows indicate the thin, needle-like extensions on the retromargin of the conductor. C = conductor, E = embolus, MA = median apophysis, TA = tegular apophysis. Scale bars = 50 µm.

FIGURES 90 – 95. Suffrica gus sp. n., SEM views of female genitalia; (90) epigyne, ventral view; (91) as previous, detail of the opening, star indicates a piece of plug and arrows point to some tiny pores; (92) vulva, dorsal view; (93) as previous, detail of the posterior part of elongate spermathecae; (94) as previous, detail of entrance ducts; (95) detail of the “ lollipop ” epigynal glands. Scale bars (90, 92, 94) = 50 µm; (91, 93, 95) = 10 µm.