Hexophthalma leroyi, Lotz, 2018

Lotz, Leon N., 2018, An update on the spider genus Hexophthalma (Araneae: Sicariidae) in the Afrotropical region, with descriptions of new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 424, pp. 1-18 : 6-7

Hexophthalma leroyi sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3EAAF34D-D7DB-4C5F-84BE- 231233 E064B4

Figs 5, 24

Diagnosis

Female inner spermathecae consist of two sac-like fingers on each side, with a round sclerotized reduced outer spermatheca ( Fig. 5), to a certain extent similar to H. goanikontesensis sp. nov., but with only two inner spermathecae sacs. Male unknown.

Etymology

The specific name is a patronym for John Leroy, collector of the type specimen.

Material examined

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: ♀, Northern Cape Province, Augrabies National Park , 28.66° S, 20.42° E, 24 Feb. 1983, J. Leroy leg., LR270 ( PPRI 89/786 ).

Description

Female (n =1)

TL= 12.9; CL= 5.9; CW=6.0; CLL=0.9. AME-LE= 0.65; eye diameter= 0.2. Carapace reddish-brown, cephalic area slightly darker; abdomen and legs yellow-brown. Body and legs with lancet-like curved macrosetae; macrosetae more curved on body than on legs. Inner spermathecae consist of two sac-like fingers on each side, with a round, sclerotized, reduced outer spermatheca ( Fig. 5).

Leg measurements:

Natural history

Hexophthalma leroyi sp. nov. was collected in a grassy area in the Nama Karoo biome.

Distribution

Hexophthalma leroyi sp. nov. is known only from the type locality in South Africa ( Fig. 24).