Metabiantes elongatus sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: CCA055CD-6549-420A-BD70-415692EE1280

Figs 7–14; Table 2

Diagnosis

Metabiantes elongatus sp. nov. differs from the rest of the species of the genus (except M. serratus sp. nov., M. litoralis, and M. zuluanus) by the following combination of characteristics: presence of two tubercles on mesotergal areas III–V (Figs 7A, 8A, 13A) and, in males, having a slender femur II (Figs 10A, 14B, D) and metatarsus II with tubercles on the ventral region (Figs 10E, 14H). Metabiantes elongatus and M. serratus share a remarkably similar male genital morphology but M. elongatus can be easily differentiated from M. serratus in lacking tubercles on free tergites I–II (Fig. 7C vs Figs 33C, 34C) and in possessing a thinner femur II (Figs 10A, 14B, D vs Figs 36A–B, 39B, D), unswollen tibia (Figs 10C, 14F vs Figs 36C, 39F), and unswollen metatarsus of leg II (Figs 10E, 14H vs Figs 36E, 39H). Additionally, M. elongatus lacks a pronounced constriction at astragalus-calcaneus junction in metatarsus of leg II as observed in M. serratus (Fig. 10E–F vs Fig. 36E–F). Metabiantes elongatus can be differentiated from M. litoralis by having granules on free tergites instead of the presence of a row of small tubercles in M. litoralis (Fig. 7C vs Kauri 1961: fig. 33a–b). Males of Metabiantes elongatus have a non-enlarged trochanter II (Fig. 7A). In contrast, males of M. zuluanus exhibit a remarkably swollen trochanter II (Lawrence 1937a: fig. 26a). Regarding male genital morphology, M. elongatus has a penis with a deeper U-shaped cleft of lamina apicalis, wider titillators, and remarkably smaller basal setae, easily differentiated from the penis of M. litoralis and M. zuluanus with a shallow cleft, narrow titillators, and bigger basal setae (Figs 11B–D, 12A–C vs Kauri 1961: figs 22a–b, 34a–b).

Etymology

The species epithet is derived from the Latin word ‘ longatus ’, meaning ‘elongate’ and refers to the elongated femur II in males of this species.

Type material

Holotype CONGO • ♂; Bas-Congo, Mayombe, Luki Forest Reserve; 5.63333° S, 13.06667° E; 12 Nov. 2006; D. De Bakker and J.P. Michiels leg.; primary rainforest; fogging; RMCA, BE _ RMCA _ARA.Opi.219865.

Paratypes CONGO • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same data as for holotype; RMCA, BE _ RMCA _ ARA.Opi.247662 • 1 ♂ (SEM voucher); same data as for holotype; MACN-Ar 45425 • 1 ♂ (SEM voucher); same data as for holotype; MACN-Ar 45430 • 9 ♂♂ (1 photo voucher), 13 ♀♀ (1 photo voucher, 2 SEM vouchers); same data as for holotype; MACN-Ar 45440 • 9 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; 13 Nov. 2006; RMCA, BE _ RMCA _ARA.Opi.219866 • 10 ♂♂, 16 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; 5 Nov. 2006; RMCA, BE _ RMCA _ARA.Opi.219858 .

Description

Male (holotype, BE_RMCA_ARA.Opi.219865)

BODY MEASUREMENTS. Total body length 1.95, carapace length 0.66, scutum magnum length 1.84, carapace maximum width 1.08, abdominal scutum maximum width 1.62. Appendage measurements in Table 2.

DORSUM. Outline slightly hourglass-shaped with Eta (η) shape, with a very slight constriction located at sulcus I level (Figs 7A, 8A). Carapace with scattered granules, wider than long; anterior border slightly convex and unarmed (Figs 7A, 8A). Cheliceral sockets not marked (Fig. 8A). Eyes separated near sulcus I; interocular area with scattered granules (Figs 7A, C, 8A, C). Carapace in lateral view straight at anterior region and slightly higher posteriorly (Figs 7C, 8C). Sulcus I deep and complete, medially slightly curved toward the posterior body region (Fig. 8A). Mesotergal areas I–IV granulated and well-defined, with sulci II–IV marked but shallower than sulcus I; medially sulcus II slightly curved to the anterior body region; sulci III–V straight (Fig. 8A). Mesotergal areas III–IV medially with two conical and pointed setiferous tubercles (Figs 7A, 8A). Mesotergal area V with two irregular rows of granules and four medial tubercles in the posterior margin (Fig. 8A). Lateral margins with a row of granules (Figs 7A, 8A). Ozopore with an oval and narrow orifice with a descending channel that extends toward the ventroposterior region (Fig. 8C). Free tergites granulated (Fig. 7C).

VENTER. Coxa I with few, small, medial setiferous granules; coxa II incrassated, slightly smaller than coxa IV (Figs 7B, 8B); anteroposterior borders of coxa III with a row of strong granules connecting with coxae II and IV, respectively (Fig. 8B). Posterior border of spiracular area, free sternites I–V with a row of granules; anal operculum granulated (Fig. 8B) Spiracles not concealed (Fig. 8B).

CHELICERA. Basichelicerite unarmed with slightly marked bulla (Fig. 9G). Cheliceral hand with sparse setae (Fig. 9G–H). Fixed finger with spaced, triangular-shaped teeth; movable finger with a row of small, rounded teeth (Fig. 9H).

PEDIPALP. Coxa elongated (i.e., remarkably longer than trochanter), proximally with three granules – one dorsoectal, one ectal (Fig. 8A), and one ventroectal (Fig. 8B). Trochanter with one small ventroectal setiferous granule (Fig. 8B). Femur straight, proximally with a strong ventral narrowing followed by a small ventromesal spine (Fig. 9A–B); ventrally with scattered pores and surface texture with scales-like appearance (Fig. 9B, D). Patella elongated, club-shaped, and armed with a short mesodistal spine (Fig. 9A). Tibia with two ventroectal and two long ventromesal spines (Fig. 9A, C); tibia ventrally with scattered pores and scales-like surface (Fig. 9E). Tarsus with two ventromesal and two ventroectal spines; proximal spines longer than distal spines (Fig. 9A, C). Setae of spines with a basal portion smooth, then with scattered microtrichia (Fig. 9C, E); microtrichia with a wide base and rounded tip (Fig. 9F).

LEGS. Coxa II with a dorsal row of granules (Fig. 8C). Femur II elongated and slightly fusiform, swelling dorsally, slightly more pronounced, unarmed (Figs 7C, 10A–B, 14D). Tibia II elongated ventrally with small triangular-shaped tubercles (Figs 10C–D, 14F). Metatarsus II with elongated astragalus, armed with equidistant transverse rows of triangular-shaped tubercles (Figs 10E–G, 14H). Calcaneus occupies a reduced distal portion of the metatarsus; calcaneus with scattered long sensilla chaetica and trichomes distributed along all surfaces, with higher density on the ventral region; trichomes of variable length with a wider ovate-shaped base and pointed tip (Fig. 10F, H). Tarsi III–IV with a dense scopula. Tarsal formula: 3(2):5(4):5:5.

COLOR (specimen preserved in 80% ethanol). Body brown yellowish; anterior border and lateral margins of carapace, lateral area to eyes until anterolateral margin of mesotergal area I with brown reticulations (Fig. 7A–C). Appendages light brown yellowish; metatarsi and tarsi I–IV darker (Figs 7A–C, 14B, D, F, H).

MALE GENITALIA. Penis with clearly defined boundaries between pars basalis and pars distalis (Fig. 11A). Pars basalis basally thin, broadens medially, with distal constriction (Fig. 11A). Pars distalis swollen with maximum width at titillator level (Figs 11B, D, 12A, C); apical edge laminar (i.e., dorsoventrally flat) with a medial U-shaped cleft dividing it into two rounded halves (Figs 11B, D, 12A, C). Halves apically curved towards ventral side, less chitinous and irregularly deformed, probably signifying that could be inflated by hemolymph pressure (Figs 11C–D, 12B–C, F). Pars distalis with a slight distal depression in the ventromedial region (Figs 11D, 12C, F). Each side of pars distalis armed with short, conical microsetae irregularly arranged, extending basally from dorsolateral to ventrodistal region (Figs 11B–D, 12A–C). Capsula externa with two broad titillators that cover almost all the capsula interna (Figs 11B, 12A). Capsula interna with two complex conductors and one stylus, basally fused. Each conductor with two medial laminar folds apically, one short dorsal and one ventral longer, visible ventrally within the U-shaped cleft (Figs 11B, D, 12A, C–G). Ventral folds with apical edges in contact, waved, medially free edges dorsally (Fig. 12D) and ventrally folded, with a strongly curved and shorter subapical edge hoodshaped (Fig. 12C, E, G). Each conductor also bearing one broad lateral projection (Fig. 11B, D); stylus tubular, S-shaped in lateral view, with its free tip fully covered by conductors (Fig. 11B–D).

Female (paratype, MACN-Ar 45440)

BODY MEASUREMENTS. Total body length 1.97, carapace length 0.67, scutum magnum length 1.81, carapace maximum width 1.04, abdominal scutum maximum width 1.71. Appendage measurements in Table 2.

BODY. Resembles that of males in the armature of the scutum magnum (Fig. 13A–B vs Figs 7A, C, 8A, C). Leg II not dimorphic (Fig. 14A); femur II not swollen as in male (Fig. 14A, C vs Fig. 14B, D); tibia II thin as in male but without ventral tubercles (Fig. 14E vs Fig. 14F); metatarsus II thin and unarmed (Fig. 14G vs Fig. 14H). Tarsal formula 3(2):5(4):5:5.

FEMALE GENITALIA. Ovipositor cylindrical (Fig. 13C), distally bearing two lobes (furca) (Fig. 13C–D, F). Each furcal lobe with five long, pointed setae (Fig. 13E) – three dorsal and two ventral – resulting in a total of six setae on the dorsal region (Fig. 13D) and four on the ventral region (Fig. 13F). External surface of dorsal and ventral furcal lobes medially with several short, pointed projections, irregularly distributed (Fig. 13D, F). Receptacle chambers located near the base of the furcal groove (Fig. 13D–F).

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 40).