Asemonea clara, Wesołowska & Haddad, 2013

Wesołowska, Wanda & Haddad, Charles R., 2013, New data on the jumping spiders of South Africa (Araneae: Salticidae), African Invertebrates 54 (1), pp. 177-177 : 184-185

Asemonea clara sp. n.

Figs 32, 33

Etymology: From Latin clara (clear, plain), referring to the pale colouration of this species.

Diagnosis: The female is recognizable by the epigyne with a transverse median furrow and large pockets. Male unknown.

Description:

Female.

Measurements. Cephalothorax: length 1.9–2.0, width 1.3–1.4.Abdomen: length 2.2–2.4, width 1.2–1.4. Eye field: length 0.6.

Small spiders, pale lime-green in live specimens, in ethanol creamy-yellow. Carapace pear-shaped, low, eyes typical for Lyssomaninae , in four rows, situated on high tubercles, posterior median eyes relatively large. Carapace whitish, eyes surrounded by black rings (except anterior medians). Chelicerae with two small teeth on promargin and four on retromargin. Mouthparts and sternum pale. Abdomen white, with rounded small black patch in centre and black dot near posterior margin, and two short transverse dark lines on sides at anterior margin. Venter light. Spinnerets white. Whole body covered with fine pale hairs. Legs long and thin, white, tibiae of posterior legs with paired black markings at proximal and distal ends; tibiae of anterior legs with similar patches, but only on retrolateral sides; in some specimens such marks on tarsi of all legs retrolaterally. Tibia I with four pairs of ventral spines, prolaterally 1-1 and retrolaterally 1-0; metatarsus I with four pairs of ventral spines. Epigyne weakly sclerotized, with transverse median furrow and pair of large pockets ( Fig. 32). Internal structure simple, as in Fig. 33; very weakly sclerotized canals visible posterior to furrow.

Holotype: ♀ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu­Natal: Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, Samango waterfall trail, 30°42.612'S 30°16.182'E, 200 m, canopy fogging, mixed forest trees, 13.i.2011, C. Haddad (NCA, 2010/2706).

Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: 1♀ Port St Johns, Cremorne Estate , 31°35.857'S 29°31.991'E, 43 m, night collecting, 10.i.2011, C. Haddad (NCA, 2010/2715) ; 6♀ Kei Mouth , 32°41.206'S 28°22.497'E, coastal forest, beats, 8.xii.2005, C. Haddad ( NMBA) . KwaZulu­Natal: 1♀ Ndumo Game Reserve, Pongola R., Water Pump , 26°54.309'S 32°19.444'E, 36 m, riverine forest, canopy fogging Breonadia salicina , 1.vii.2009, C. Haddad, R. Lyle & V. Butler ( NMSA, 26515) ; 1♀ same data but 2.vii.2009 ( NMSA, 26415) ; 8♀ Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve , together with holotype (NCA, 2010/2706) ; 2♀ same data as holotype ( MRAC) ; 2♀ Port Edward, Umtamvuna River Lodge , 31°03.968'S 30°11.265'E, 64 m, night collecting, 12.i.2011, C. Haddad (NCA, 2010/2711) .

Distribution: Species known from the eastern part of South Africa ( Fig. 35).

Habitat and biology:A foliage-dwelling species collected mainly by beating and canopy fogging in coastal and lowland forests. Two females were collected at night from silk threads suspended from vegetation.