Cheiracanthium ludovici Lessert 1921

Lotz, L. N., 2014, New species of Cheiracanthium (Araneae: Eutichuridae) from Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, Zootaxa 3857 (3), pp. 301-332 : 322-323

Cheiracanthium ludovici Lessert 1921

Figs 81 , 85–87

Cheiracanthium ludovici Lessert 1921: 413 , figs 45–47; Lotz, 2007a: 43, figs 78–81.

Diagnosis. Females of C. ludovici are differentiated by the copulatory ducts that encircle the spermathecae and enter them anteriorly ( Fig. 87 ). Males are differentiated by the S-shaped TA and the ventrally directed curved CA (see Lotz 2007a: figs 80–81).

Description. Female: (n = 6): TL = 4.90 (4.6–5.1); CL = 2.13 (2. 0–2.3); CW = 1.54 (1.30–1.65); OAL = 0.28 (0.25–0.30); OAW = 0.88 (0.8–0.9); CLL = 0.05 (0.05–0.05). Chelicerae: robust with long fangs; cheliceral fang furrow usually with six teeth of unequal size, PMT:RMT = 3:2–4 ( Fig. 85 ). Eyes: AME–AME 0.15; AME–ALE 0.10; AME diameter 0.15; PME–PME 0.20; PME–PLE 0.1.5; PME diameter 0.15; MOQAW 0.45; MOQPW 0.50; CI (CL/CW) 1.38; LL:CL 5.00; STL 1.20; STW 0.95. Leg measurements: I—2.8+1.0+2.9+3.1+1.2 = 11.0; II—2.1+0.8+2.0+2.1+0.8 = 7.8; III—1.7+0.8+1.3+1.8+0.6 = 6.2; IV—2.3+0.8+2.0+2.6+0.8 = 8.5; palp—1.0+0.3+0.7+0.9 = 2.0. Leg spines: I 0-1p-0, 0- 1 v-0, 2v- 0- 1 v; II 0-1p0, 0-0- 1 v; III 0-1p1r, 0-1p1r-0, 2v- 1 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-0-1p1r, 0-1r-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen ( Fig. 81 ): creamy-yellow with a heartmark. Epigynum ( Figs 86–87 ): wider than long, with a transverse median depression; copulatory openings in lateral sides of depression; internally copulatory tubes proceed anteriorly, looping around spermathecae to end anteriorly in the spermathecae; fertilization ducts exit spermathecae posteromedially.

Male: Redescribed in Lotz (2007a)

New records from material examined from Madagascar: 1♀, Toliara, Forêt de Beroboka, 5.9 km 131ºSE Ankidranoka, 22º13’59”S, 43º21’59”E, 12–16.III.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9004950); 1♀, Toliara, Park National de Andohahela, Forêt de Manantalinjo, 33.6 km 63ºENE Amboasary, 24º49’01”S, 46º36’36”E, 12–16.I.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9012022); 1♂ 1♀, Toliara, Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Bealoka, Mandraré River, 14.6 km 329ºNNW Amboasary, 24º57’25”S, 46º16’17”E, 2–8.II.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9012475); 1♂ 1♀, Toliara, Forêt de Tsinjoriaky, 6.2 km 84ºE Tsifota, 22º48’08”S, 43º25’14”E, 6–10.III.2002, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9012962, 9013039); 1♂, Toliara, Forêt de Kirindy, 15.5 km 64ºENE Marofandilia, 20º02’42”S, 44º39’44”E, 28.XI–3.XII.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9013495); 1♀, Mahajanga , Park National d’Ankarafantsika, Ampijoroa Station Forestieére, 40 km 306ºNW Andranofasika, 16º19’15”S, 46º48’38”E, 26.III–IV.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9007585); 1♀, Mahajanga , Park National d’Ankarafantsika, Forêt de Tsimaloto, 18.3 km NE Tsaramandroso, 16º13’45”S, 46º08’37”E, 2–8.IV.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9007729); 1♂, Mahajanga , Réserve d’Ankoririka, 10.6 km 13ºNE Tsaramandrosa, 16º16’02”S, 46º02’55”E, 9–14.IV.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. ( CASC 9007814).

Distribution. Known from Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania. Recorded here from Madagascar for the first time, where it occurs in the southern and western parts ( Fig. 114 ).

Habitat. Some continental specimens were collected from cultivated crops. Madagascan specimens were collected from spiny forest/thicket, tropical dry forest and gallery forest.

Figures

FIGURES 81 – 84. Digital photographs of habitus, dorsal view: 81. Cheiracanthium ludovici Lessert 1921 female; 82. C. madagascarense sp. nov. female; 83. C. madagascarense sp. nov. male; 84. C. mahajanga sp. nov. female.

FIGURES 85 – 87. Cheiracanthium ludovici Lessert 1921: 85. Schematic line drawing of female cheliceral teeth; 86 – 87. female genitalia, dorsal and ventral views.

FIGURES 113 – 118. Distribution maps: 113. Cheiracanthium leucophaeum Simon, 1897; 114. C. ludovici Lessert 1921; 115. C. madagascarense sp. nov.; 116. C. mahajanga sp. nov.; 117. C. ransoni sp. nov.; 118. C. rothi sp. nov..