Pancorius alboclypeus, Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2021

Kanesharatnam, Nilani & Benjamin, Suresh P., 2021, Phylogenetic relationships and systematics of the jumping spider genus Colopsus with the description of eight new species from Sri Lanka (Araneae: Salticidae), Journal of Natural History 54 (43 - 44), pp. 2763-2814 : 2797-2801

Pancorius alboclypeus sp. nov.

( Figures 12 (e–h), Figures 18 (a–f), Figures 19 (a,c,e,g), Figures 20 (a–e))

Type material

Holotype, ♂ (IFS_SAL_1145), Sri Lanka, Central Province, Kandy District, Knuckles, Along Dothalugala Nature Trail , 1202 m, 07° 20ʹ 19ʺ N, 80° 51ʹ 3ʺ E, beating, 3 May 2018, leg. SP Benjamin at al.

Paratype, ♀ (IFS_SAL_1146), same locality and collection data as in holotype .

Other material examined

5♂ (IFS_SAL_1147–1151), same locality and collection data as in type material; 1♂ (IFS_SAL 549), Kandy District , Corbett’s Gap, Knuckles range, 1360 m, 07° 21ʹ 40ʺ N, 80° 50ʹ 00ʺ E, hand collection, 19 August 2010, leg . SP Benjamin and S Batuwita .

Etymology

The species name refers to the white-coloured scales on the clypeus.

Diagnosis

This species is distinguishable from other congeners by white clypeus in males ( Figure 12 (g,h)), white median prosomal band in females, smooth rounded bulbus ( Figures 18 (c,e), Figures 19 (a,b)), spermathecae with reniform large chamber and small oval–shaped chamber, comparably narrow median septum, Posterior epigynal plate with broad and shallow notch as a central pocket. It is closely similar to P. altus sp. nov., P. crassipes (Karsch 1881) , P. dabanis (Hogg 1922) , P. dentichelis (Simon 1899) and P. thorelli (Simon 1899) in palpal structure, however it differs from them by white clypeus in males, structure of RTA ( Figures 18 (c,e,f), Figures 19 (a,b)), shallow and wide central pocket in females ( Figures 19 (c), Figures 20 (c,d)).

Description

Male: Medium-sized spider (6–8 mm). In live, orange brown habitus with dark brown patches, prosoma decorated with broad white lateral bands on the prosoma ( Figure 12 (e, f)). Clypeus densely covered with white hairs ( Figure 12 (g,h)). Eyes are surrounded by orange rings. Chelicerae black, covered with pale grey long hairs on the inner edges. In ethanol-preserved specimens, brown prosoma with pale brown median band behind fovea ( Figure 18 (a)). Elevated ocular region with black blotches. Fovea distinct. Prosoma high, wider than abdomen and sloping posteriorly. Sternum oval, pale yellow in middle, edges greyish brown ( Figure 18 (b)). Posterior prosoma steep, posterior margin not truncated. Legs orangish brown, first two pairs of front legs rather robust with elongated patella I, II, tibia I, II, metatarsus I, II covered with tufts of black bristles, tarsi pale brown.

Abdomen much narrower than prosoma, tapering posteriorly. In life, dorsum orangish brown, dispersed with blackish grey dots and pale brown longitudinal median band with serrated margins in preserved specimens ( Figure 18 (a)). Ventrum brownish yellow with greyish brown dots. Spinnerets black. Measurements: TL 7.65, AL 4.40, AW 2.18, PL 3.84, PW 2.90.

Brown palp. Cymbium with marginally narrowing distal region. Embolus ribbon like, comparably long, originating from antero-lateral portion of the bulbus ( Figures 18 (c,e), Figures 19 (a,b)). Bulbus rounded without any posterior lobe. Palpal tibia long ( Figure 18 (c). RTA with broad base and straight in the retrolateral position with blunt tip ( Figures 18 (c,e,f), Figures 19 (a,b)).

Female: Almost all characters are similar to male except diamond-shaped mark behind short fovea, comparably narrower prosoma with pale brownish yellow central band. Measurements: TL 9.71, AL 5.20, AW 3.32, PL 4.33, PW 2.40.

Epigynum moderately sclerotised. ‘Gamma’ shaped membranous ‘window’ near to epigastric furrow ( Figures 19 (c), Figures 20 (c,d)). Comparably narrower median septum. Copulatory opening could be inner side of membranous window. Copulatory ducts not visible. Spermathecae sclerotised with bean-shaped large chamber and oval small chamber ( Figures 19 (d), Figures 20 (e)). Fertilisation ducts originated from anterior wall of the receptacles. Thin posterior epigynal plate with comparably shallower and wider central pocket ( Figures 19 (c), Figures 20 (c,d)).

Figures

Figure 12. Photographs of live males of Colopsus magnus sp. nov. from Upcot, Nuwara Eliya (a–d) and Pancorius alboclypeus sp. nov. from Dothalugala (e–h).

Figure 18. Pancorius alboclypeus sp. nov. (a, b). Male habitus, (a). dorsal view. (b). ventral view. (c–f). Male palp, (c). ventral view. (d). prolateral view. (e). ventral view. (f). retrolateral view. Scale bars: (a, b) = 2 mm, (c–f) = 0.2 mm.

Figure 19. Pancorius alboclypeus sp. nov. (a, c, e, g) and Pancorius altus sp. nov. (b, d, f, h); (a, b). ventral view of palp, (c, d). ventral view of epigynum, (e, f). retrolateral view of palp, (g, h). dorsal view of vulva.

Figure 20. Pancorius alboclypeus sp. nov. (a–e); (a, b). Female habitus, a. dorsal view, b. ventral view, (c–e). Epigynum; (c, d). ventral view, (e). dorsal view and Pancorius altus sp. nov. (f–j); (f, g). Female habitus, f. dorsal view. (g). ventral view. (h–j). Epigynum; (h, i). ventral view. (j). dorsal view. Scale bars: (a, b), (f, g) = 2 mm, (c–e), (h–j) = 0.1 mm.