Afroneutria quadrimaculata sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0FF06727-624D-465E-ACA1-8A9CEFB12A50

Figs 8 A–D, 9 A–E, 12 B, 15 A–B, 16 A

Ctenus velox – Benoit 1977: 700, fig. 2a–d (misidentification).

Diagnosis

The males of Afroneutria quadrimaculata sp. nov. differ from those of the other species of the genus by the laminar embolus with enlarged tip and the curved, subdistal, additional projection of the embolus (Figs 9 A, 15 A). The females can be distinguished by the large and elongated lateral projections of the epigynum and the curved dorsal spermathecae in the vulva (Figs 9 D–E, 12 B).

Etymology

The specific name is derived from Latin, quadri- (four) and macula- (spot), meaning to have four spots and making reference to the four white spots on the venter of the abdomen.

Material examined

Holotype

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: ♂, Jadotville, Kasompi, Katanga, Oct. 1956, Z. Bacq coll. (MRAC 90554) .

Paratype

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: ♀, Kisenge, Katanga, Dec. 1964, A. Regnard coll. (MRAC 127584) .

Additional material

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Kasai, Bibanga, 1 ♀, 1940, M. Bequaert coll. (MRAC 21542); Katanga, Kisenge, 1 ♂, 1965, Q. Regnard coll. (MRAC 128007); Katanga, Jadotville, Kasompi, 1 ♀, Oct. 1956 (MRAC 90555) ; 1 ♂, 6 Oct. 1956 (MRAC 90596); Katanga, Luiswishi Forest, 1 ♀, 2 Mar. 1974, F. Malaise coll. (MRAC 149210) ; Katanga, L’Upemba National Park, River Lufira (680 m), 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, 15 Sep. 1947, G.F. de Witte coll. (MRAC 152022) .

Description

Male (MRAC 128007)

Total length 14.90. Carapace 7.50 long and 5.90 wide. Eye diameter: AME 0.36, ALE 0.24, PME 0.48, PLE 0.44. Leg measurements: I: femur 9.00 / patella 3.40 / tibia 9.10 / metatarsus 8.80 / tarsus 3.30 / total 33.60; II: 8.10 / 3.30 / 7.30 / 7.80 / 3.00 / 29.50; III: 7.00 / 2.70 / 5.50 / 6.70 / 2.50 / 24.40; IV: 9.20 / 3.10 / 8.40 / 10.90 / 3.30 / 34.90. Leg formula 4123. Leg spination: tibia I and II v2-2 -2-2-2, r1-1, p1-1; III and IV v2-2 -2, r1-1, p1-1; metatarsus I, II and III v2-2 -2, p1-1-1, r1-1-1; IV v1-1 -1-1-1-2, r1- 1-1, p1-1-1. Coloration: venter of abdomen black with four white spots, two behind epigastric furrow, two in front of spinnerets (Fig. 8 B). Palp: cymbium slightly longer than tibia; conductor oval; median apophysis curved (Figs 9 A–C, 15 A–B).

Female (MRAC 90555)

Total length 20.10. Carapace 9.50 long and 7.40 wide. Eye diameter: AME 0.44, ALE 0.28, PME 0.56, PLE 0.52. Leg measurements: I: femur 8.70 / patella 4.40 / tibia 8.20 / metatarsus 7.60 / tarsus 2.70 / total 31.60; II: 7.80 / 4.10 / 6.80 / 6.70 / 2.70 / 28.10; III: 6.80 / 3.20 / 5.50 / 6.30 / 2.40 / 24.20; IV: 9.00 / 3.70 / 8.00 / 10.20 / 3.10 / 34.00. Leg formula 4123. Leg spination: tibia I and II v2-2 -2-2-2, r0, p0; III and IV v2-2 -2, r1-1, p1-1; metatarsus I and II v2-2 -2, r0, p0; III v2-2 -2, r1-1-1, p-1-1-1; IV v1-1 -1-1- 1-2, r1-1-1, p1-1-1. Coloration: as in male (Fig. 8 C–D). Epigynum: with triangular median field and elongated lateral projections of lateral fields (Figs 9 D, 12 B). Dorsal spermathecae long, curved, ventral spermathecae short (Fig. 9 E).

Variation

Six ♂♂: total length 15.00 – 14.10, carapace length 7.50 – 7.40, femur I length 9.00 – 7.70. Ten ♀♀: total length 24.20 – 16.50, carapace length 10.00 – 8.10, femur I length 8.90 – 7.50.

Distribution

Democratic Republic of the Congo (Fig. 16 A).