Andromma delphiurum sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: A42A4884-10FB-4B40-AF77-2081949AE59C

Figs 15–16, 39

Diagnosis

Both sexes of Andromma delphiurum sp. nov. are characterized by the short MOQ. Males of the species are characterized by the shape of the VTA, which resembles the tail of a dolphin (Fig. 15E–F); females are recognized by the epigyne with broad, vaguely delimited copulatory openings (Fig. 16C–D) and the large copulatory ducts following a parallel course, first in posterior direction, then towards the front of the epigyne and back (Fig. 16E–F).

Etymology

The species name is a noun in apposition from the Greek ‘δελφΐς’, meaning ‘dolphin’, and ‘οὐρά’, meaning ‘tail’, as the VTA in retrolateral view resembles the tail of a dolphin (Fig. 15F).

Type material

Holotype

NIGERIA • ♂; Ibadan, IITA; 7°30′ N, 3°54′ W; 1–8 Aug. 1981; A. Russell-Smith leg.; secondary forest, pitfalls; BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara 235830.

Paratypes

NIGERIA • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; 27 Apr. 1973; fallow bush plots; further collection data as for holotype; BE_ RMCA _ARA.Ara 247537 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; BE_ RMCA _ARA.Ara 247538 .

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 15D, F)

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 3.34. Carapace length 1.42, width 1.14; height 0.57.

COLOUR (Fig. 15A–B). Cephalothorax entirely pale yellow, carapace with an orange tinge in ocular area; abdomen pale, dorsum with faint broad band with slightly darker margins in anterior half.

PROSOMA. AME circular, other eyes oval; AER slightly recurved from above, width 0.31, PER procurved from above, width 0.36. AME 0.10, ALE 0.05, PLE 0.05, PME 0.05; AME–AME: 0.03, AME–ALE: touching, ALE–PLE: touching, PME–PME 0.13. Clypeus vertical, 0.12, with four long setae. Chilum absent. Sternum 0.92 long, same width. Chelicerae: anterior margin with two teeth, a third tiny one in between the two, somewhat closer to retromargin.

LEG SPINATION. All femora with one dorsal spine, F I pl 1; other spines tiny and inconspicuous: T I v 2-2- 2; Mt I v 2-2; T II v 2-2-2; Mt II v 2-2.

LEG I MEASUREMENTS. Fe: 1.42, P: 0.47, T: 1.27, Mt: 1.24, t: 0.86; total: 5.26.

LEG FORMULA. 4123.

MALE PALP (Fig. 15C–F). RTA roughly rectangular as seen from the side, with thin, forward projecting, dorsally curved prong; VTA with dolphin tail shaped projection in retrolateral view; embolus originating in center of posterior margin of tegulum running forward over middle of tegulum, slender tip curved outward; sperm duct visible over long, twisted course.

Female (paratype, Fig. 16)

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 3.05. Carapace length 1.28, width 1.14; height 0.57.

COLOUR (Fig. 16A–B). Very similar to male.

PROSOMA. AME circular, other eyes oval; AER slightly recurved from above, width 0.31, PER procurved from above, width 0.36. AME 0.10, ALE 0.04, PLE 0.05, PME 0.03; AME–AME: 0.05, AME–ALE: 0.02, ALE–PLE: touching, PME–PLE: 0.05, PME–PME 0.15. Clypeus vertical, 0.12, no long setae. Chilum absent. Sternum 0.85 long, 0.78 wide. Chelicerae: anterior margin with two teeth, a third tiny at base of fang, somewhat closer to retromargin. Clypeus vertical, 0.07. Chilum absent. Sternum 0.78 long, same width.

LEG SPINATION. All femora with one dorsal spine, F I pl 1; no other spines.

LEG I MEASUREMENTS. Fe: 1.28, P: 0.43, T: 1.14, Mt: 1.14, t: 0.78; total: 4.77.

LEG FORMULA. 4123.

EPIGYNE (Fig. 16C–F). Copulatory openings behind centre, each with wide, procurved vaguely defined margin; copulatory ducts wide, running backward, forward and backward again in parallel course; spermathecae small, not wider than duct. Sickle-shaped sclerites directed outwards.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality in Nigeria (Fig. 39).