Afroceto bulla, Lyle & Haddad, 2010

Lyle, Robin & Haddad, Charles R., 2010, A revision of the tracheline sac spider genus Cetonana Strand, 1929 in the Afrotropical Region, with descriptions of two new genera (Araneae Corinnidae), African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 321-321 : 345-346

Afroceto bulla sp. n.

Figs 6 , 54

Etymology: From Latin bulla (a bubble); refers to the bubble­shaped ST II.

Diagnosis: This species can be recognised by the bubble­shaped ST II and the ducts linking the spermathecae, which converge at a 45° angle to the epigastric fold ( Fig. 54 ). Male unknown.

Description:

Female.

Measurements: CL 2.90, CW 2.30, AL 3.80, AW 2.20, TL 6.70, FL 0.23, SL 1.80, SW 1.48, AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.30, ALE–ALE 0.30, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.53, PLE–PLE 0.90. Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 2.50+1.78+2.35+2.03+1.18=9.84; II 2.48+1.40+2.08+1.65+1.05=8.66; III 2.90+1.50+ 2.70+2.90+1.10=11.10; IV 2.18+1.20+1.68+1.55+0.80=7.41.

Carapace orange to light brown posteriorly ( Fig. 6 ); first two-thirds of carapace even and high, last third with relatively steep decline; fovea short, distinct, at two thirds CL. Ocular region light brown with dark rings around eyes; AER nearly straight, slightly procurved, ALE slightly larger than AME; clypeus height 0.8 AME diameter; AME separated by distance slightly less than their diameter; AME separated from ALE by approximately 0.3 ALE diameter; PER slightly recurved, ALE larger than AME; PME separated by distance equal to 1.4 their diameter; PME separated from PLE by twice PME diameter. Chelicerae dark brown, paler towards fang base; anterior surface covered in long scattered setae, denser toward fang base; fangs appear longer than other species, bright orange in colour; two promarginal teeth, equal in size; two retromarginal teeth, proximal tooth largest. Sternum pale yellow, orange near border; surface covered in long, fine setae. Abdomen creamy yellow dorsally, mottled with dark brown, with grey chevron markings; abdomen broader anteriorly, tapering posteriorly; surface covered in fine, light setae; venter cream. Legs I to IV uniform yellow to orange, with irregular leg spines. Leg spination: femora: I pl 3, II pl 1, III pl 1 do 2 rl 1, IV do 1 rl 1; patellae spineless; tibiae: II pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: II pl 1 rl 3 plv 3 rlv 2, III pl 3 rl 2 plv 3 rlv 3. Epigyne weakly sclerotised; ducts linking spermathecae at 45° angle to epigastric fold; extending into small triangular ST I; ST II large, globular ( Fig. 54 ).

Holotype: ♀ SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: East London [33.0°S: 27.9°E], v.1916, Rattray ( AMG).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 55 ).

Figures

Figs 1–22. General appearance of Afroceto gen. n. species: A. martini (Simon, 1897) comb. n. female (1) and male (2); A. arca sp. n. female (3) and male (4); A. bulla sp. n. female (5); A. bisulca male (6); A. capensis sp. n. female (7) and male (8); A. coenosa (Simon, 1897) comb. n. female (9); A. corcula sp. n. female (10); A. croeseri sp. n. female (11) and male (12); A. flabella sp. n. male (13) and female (14); A. gracilis sp. n. male (15); A. plana sp. n. male (16) and female (17); A. porrecta sp. n. male (18); A. rotunda sp. n. male (19) and female (20); A. spicula sp. n. male (21) and female (22).

Figs 51–54.Afroceto bisulca sp.n.(51–53) male:(51) schematic representation of cusp arrangement on legs I and II; (52) left palp, ventral view; (53) left palp, retrolateral view; and A. bulla sp. n. female: (54) epigyne ventral view. Scale bars (52–54) = 0.1 mm.

Fig. 55. The distribution of Afroceto bulla sp. n. and A. bisulca sp. n. in South Africa.