Cetonana aculifera ( Strand, 1916 )

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 : 328-330

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5733/afin.051.0206
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03EE87AD-FFF0-FFFF-FE31-FEBCC4E74E06
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Cetonana aculifera ( Strand, 1916 )
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Cetonana aculifera ( Strand, 1916)

Ceto aculifera Strand, 1916: 74 .

This species was described from Madagascar on the basis of a single female. The type specimen was presumably lost or destroyed during World War II, and the original description is inadequate for the identification of the species. Despite considerable efforts to generate spider material in Madagascar during recent decades, no fresh tracheline specimens could be found in the California Academy of Sciences , Royal Museum for Central Africa , Museum of Comparative Zoology, Smithsonian Institute or American Museum of Natural History fitting Strand’s (1916) description, and as a result this name is considered a nomen dubium .

Genus Afroceto gen. n.

Etymology: The generic name is a combination of the prefix afro-, indicating the Afrotropical Region where the genus is found, and the suffix from Cetonana , to which this genus is closely related. Gender feminine.

Type species: Cetonana martini (Simon, 1897) .

Diagnosis: The genus Afroceto gen. n. differs from other closely related genera, such as Cetonana , Patelloceto gen. n., Thysanina Simon, 1910 and Trachelas , in several respects. The most noticeable characteristics are their generally larger size and the presence of leg spines, of which the most diagnostic are one to four strong prolateral leg spines on the femora of leg I. The aforementioned genera lack leg spines with the exception of Patelloceto gen. n. and two Thysanina species, in which single fine spines are found on the femora, and isolated fine spines on the tibiae and metatarsi of the posterior legs (see below and Lyle & Haddad 2006). The posterior legs of Afroceto gen. n. usually have several spines scattered on the femora, tibiae and metatarsi. Ventral cusps are found on the anterior tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of legs I and II in all males and in some females; in females without cusps the anterior metatarsi and tarsi are densely scopulate. Variation in cusp shape can be seen within species: tibial cusps are usually elongate with a rounded point and are slightly constricted at the base, while other cusps are often peg-like with a rounded point and flattened at the base ( Figs 26 View Figs 23–34 , 83, 89 View Figs 81–95 ). Males of Afroceto gen. n. have a welldeveloped dorsal abdominal scutum covering nearly the entire abdomen, in females extending up to 1/3 the abdomen length, or absent ( Figs 1–22 View Figs 1–22 ); dorsal abdominal scuta are absent in Thysanina , indistinct in male Cetonana and absent in their females, and often absent in Trachelas . Abdominal sclerotisation is similar to Patelloceto gen. n.

Description: Medium to large spiders, 3.4–8.1 mm in length; male smaller, with legs and abdomen thicker, more robust than female. Carapace slightly dorsoventrally flattened, highest immediately posterior to eye region; ocular region narrowest; carapace broader medially, concave posteriorly; carapace bright orange to dark redbrown, paler posterior to fovea ( Figs 1–22 View Figs 1–22 ); carapace covered in fine setae; fovea short, distinct, slightly thickened; ocular region darkened with dark rings around eyes.Anterior eye row nearly straight, either slightly procurved or recurved; posterior eye row slightly recurved ( Fig. 81 View Figs 81–95 ). Chelicerae usually with two or three promarginal teeth and two retromarginal teeth; labium usually longer than broad; endites straight along lateral margin; serulla distinct. Sternum shield-shaped ( Fig. 82 View Figs 81–95 ), longer than broad; short and long fine setae scattered across smooth surface; colouration pale brown to orange, darker towards border. Legs with paired tarsal claws situated in dense claw tuft; ventral cusps ( Fig. 23 View Figs 23–34 ) present on anterior tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of males, sometimes present in females ( A. martini , A. corcula sp.n. and A. plana sp. n.); in other females anterior metatarsi and tarsi densely scopulate ventrally; long erect setae sometimes found on tibiae of anterior legs ( Fig. 91 View Figs 81–95 ); cusps varying in shape, either elongate with rounded point and tapered at base ( Fig. 26 View Figs 23–34 ), or peglike with rounded point and tapered at base ( Fig. 89 View Figs 81–95 ); situated in deep sockets ( Fig. 27 View Figs 23–34 ); cusp arrangement differs among species and individuals; leg spines present, one to four strong prolateral spines on femur I, sometimes also on other femora; posterior legs with scattered spines on most segments; legs I to IV generally pale yellow to light brown, many species with grey bands on most leg segments. Abdomen broad anteriorly, broadest medially, tapering posteriorly; integument pale yellow to dark grey, with paired sigilla; some species with grey chevron or other dorsal abdominal markings ( Figs 1–22 View Figs 1–22 ); dorsal scutum present in males, usually absent in females. Female with paired copulatory openings in weakly sclerotised epigyne, often with uniquely shaped anterior epigynal hood and lateral epigynal ridges ( Fig. 28 View Figs 23–34 ); vulva with variable entrance ducts, ST II (spermathecae linked to entrance ducts) usually anteriorly located, and ST I (spermathecae linked to ST II and fertilisation ducts) smaller, posteriorly placed. Male palps with considerable variations in size and structure of tibial apophyses, and structure, length and origin of embolus ( Figs 32 View Figs 23–34 , 87 View Figs 81–95 ); patellar apophysis rarely present.