Thiratoscirtus kalisia Pett, 2024

Pett, Brogan L., Iyomi, Dieu Merci Mpongo & Mbende, Menard, 2024, Discovery of three new species of Thiratoscirtus (Araneae: Salticidae: Thiratoscirtinae) from Central African rainforest, Zootaxa 5399 (2), pp. 155-162 : 159

Thiratoscirtus kalisia Pett , sp. nov.

Figs 11–16

Type material. Holotype: ♀, D. R. Congo, Salonga National Park , highland camp, “leaf litter sieving”, 3 December 2022, 14:09, Brogan L. Pett leg (BE_ RMCA _ARA.Ara 247658).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to ‘Kalisia’, the creator god and guardian of hunters and dense forests in Congo.

Diagnosis. Thiratoscirtus kalisia Pett , sp. nov. is closest to T. bipaniculus Wesołowska & Russell-Smith, 2011 and T. mastigophorus Wiśniewski & Wesołowska, 2013 in general epigyne structure, with a relatively long drawn-out posterior lip of the epigyne and a subrectangular epigynal atria. Additionally, T. kalisia is the only other described congener with which T. bipaniculus shares the two lateral clumps of dense black hairs on the epigyne. The new species can be separated from those by: (i) the much larger epigynal atria, covering around 3/4 of the entire epigynal region; (ii) the wide oval path of CD (vs. straighter and only moderately bent CD in both other species); (iii) the moderate posterior lip (vs. long); (iv) the moderate sub T-shaped depression in posterior third of epigyne (vs. absent or inconspicuous).

Description. Female holotype (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara 247658). Measurements. CL 2.24, CW 1.84, CH 1.62, SL 0.78, SW 0.70, AL 2.22, AW 1.74, chelicera length 0.78, chelicera width 0.39. Legs. I: 1.12, 0.52, 0.80, 0.58, 0.40. II: 1.08, 0.50, 0.62, 0.56, 0.40. III: 1.50, 0.54, 0.86, 0.80, 0.38. IV: 1.22, 0.42, 0.74, 0.84, 0.40. Eyes: AME 0.48, ALE 0.30, PME 0.08, PLE 0.24, ORW 1.64. Colouration (Figs 23–25). Carapace generally deep dark brown, very dark patch surrounds ocular area, very narrow band of scant white setae ringing ventral part of carapace, fluorescence at posterior region of carapace, deep red brown sternum; chelicerae dark brown; legs darker brown, lighter patches at joins and at metatibiae, coxae all bicolored with pale and darker halves; abdomen integument pale brown but alternating bands of light and dark patches corresponding mostly to setae, sometimes integument with black mottling forming bands. Carapace. Very high ( Fig. 12 ), declining sharply just posterior to fovea, foveal depression a narrow longitudinal slit. Sternum. Broadly ovoid with scattered black setae, truncated anterior margin ( Fig. 13 ). Legs. Formula 4312, of similar width/ broadness, with F & Ti I slightly broader. Chelicerae. With two promarginal teeth and one bifid retromarginal tooth. Abdomen ( Figs 11–13 ). Ovoid, widest around halfway along length, appearing anteriorly truncated, several longish black and silver hairs protrude at a 30°–45° angle at anterior margin; venter dull. Leg spination. I: F 2pl 3d, Ti 4-4, Mt 2-2, II: F 2pl 2d, Ti 1pl 3-4 (3plv 4rlv), Mt 1pl 2-2.

Epigyne ( Figs 15, 16 ). Epigynal region very large, about half of the length of abdomen, sclerotized V-shaped posterior ridge of epigyne distinct, large deep circular depression in anterior portion with COs situated in anterior part of depression.

Male. Unknown.

Figures

FIGURES 11–16. Thiratoscirtus kalisia Pett, sp. nov. female holotype. 11–14 habitus; 15, 16 epigyne; 11, 16 dorsal view; 12 lateral view; 13, 15 ventral view; 14 frontal view. Scale bars: 1 mm (11), 0.5 mm (15, 16).