Cheiracanthium ludovici Lessert 1921

Figs 81, 85–87

Cheiracanthium ludovici Lessert 1921: 413, figs 45–47; Lotz, 2007a: 43, figs 78–81.

Diagnosis. Females of C. ludovici are differentiated by the copulatory ducts that encircle the spermathecae and enter them anteriorly (Fig. 87). Males are differentiated by the S-shaped TA and the ventrally directed curved CA (see Lotz 2007a: figs 80–81).

Description. Female: (n = 6): TL = 4.90 (4.6–5.1); CL = 2.13 (2. 0–2.3); CW = 1.54 (1.30–1.65); OAL = 0.28 (0.25–0.30); OAW = 0.88 (0.8–0.9); CLL = 0.05 (0.05–0.05). Chelicerae: robust with long fangs; cheliceral fang furrow usually with six teeth of unequal size, PMT:RMT = 3:2–4 (Fig. 85). Eyes: AME–AME 0.15; AME–ALE 0.10; AME diameter 0.15; PME–PME 0.20; PME–PLE 0.1.5; PME diameter 0.15; MOQAW 0.45; MOQPW 0.50; CI (CL/CW) 1.38; LL:CL 5.00; STL 1.20; STW 0.95. Leg measurements: I—2.8+1.0+2.9+3.1+1.2 = 11.0; II—2.1+0.8+2.0+2.1+0.8 = 7.8; III—1.7+0.8+1.3+1.8+0.6 = 6.2; IV—2.3+0.8+2.0+2.6+0.8 = 8.5; palp—1.0+0.3+0.7+0.9 = 2.0. Leg spines: I 0-1p-0, 0- 1 v-0, 2v- 0- 1 v; II 0-1p0, 0-0- 1 v; III 0-1p1r, 0-1p1r-0, 2v- 1 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-0-1p1r, 0-1r-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen (Fig. 81): creamy-yellow with a heartmark. Epigynum (Figs 86–87): wider than long, with a transverse median depression; copulatory openings in lateral sides of depression; internally copulatory tubes proceed anteriorly, looping around spermathecae to end anteriorly in the spermathecae; fertilization ducts exit spermathecae posteromedially.

Male: Redescribed in Lotz (2007a)

New records from material examined from Madagascar: 1♀, Toliara, Forêt de Beroboka, 5.9 km 131ºSE Ankidranoka, 22º13’59”S, 43º21’59”E, 12–16.III.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9004950); 1♀, Toliara, Park National de Andohahela, Forêt de Manantalinjo, 33.6 km 63ºENE Amboasary, 24º49’01”S, 46º36’36”E, 12–16.I.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9012022); 1♂ 1♀, Toliara, Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Bealoka, Mandraré River, 14.6 km 329ºNNW Amboasary, 24º57’25”S, 46º16’17”E, 2–8.II.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9012475); 1♂ 1♀, Toliara, Forêt de Tsinjoriaky, 6.2 km 84ºE Tsifota, 22º48’08”S, 43º25’14”E, 6–10.III.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9012962, 9013039); 1♂, Toliara, Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64ºENE Marofandilia, 20º02’42”S, 44º39’44”E, 28.XI–3.XII.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9013495); 1♀, Mahajanga, Park National d’Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa Station Forestieére, 40 km 306ºNW Andranofasika, 16º19’15”S, 46º48’38”E, 26.III–IV.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9007585); 1♀, Mahajanga, Park National d’Ankarafantsika, Forêt de Tsimaloto, 18.3 km NE Tsaramandroso, 16º13’45”S, 46º08’37”E, 2–8.IV.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9007729); 1♂, Mahajanga, Réserve d’Ankoririka, 10.6 km 13ºNE Tsaramandrosa, 16º16’02”S, 46º02’55”E, 9–14.IV.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9007814).

Distribution. Known from Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania. Recorded here from Madagascar for the first time, where it occurs in the southern and western parts (Fig. 114).

Habitat. Some continental specimens were collected from cultivated crops. Madagascan specimens were collected from spiny forest/thicket, tropical dry forest and gallery forest.