Uduba platnicki, Griswold & Ubick & Ledford & Polotow, 2022

Griswold, Charles, Ubick, Darrell, Ledford, Joel & Polotow, Daniele, 2022, A Revision of the Malagasy Crack-Leg Spiders of the Genus Uduba Simon, 1880 (Araneae, Udubidae), with Description of 35 New Species from Madagascar, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 67, pp. 1-193 : 67-70

Uduba platnicki , new species

Figures 17A , 19 B , 28 E , 53 A–C , 76 G, H , 82 A, B , Maps 2, 13.

“ Uduba sp. ”, Polotow et al. (2015: 157), voucher.

Type material. Holotype male ( CASENT9006021 ) from rainforest at 700m elevation in Marojejy Reserve ,14°26ʹS, 49°45ʹE, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar, collected 10–16 November 1993 by S. Larcher, deposited in USNM . Paratype female ( CASENT9030253 ) from rainforest at 195m elevation in Mikira Forest , 15.120°S, 49.360°E, collected 10–12 December 2008 by F. Alvarez-Padilla and H. Wood, deposited in CAS .

Etymology. The species epithet is a patronym in honor of Dr. Norman I. Platnick, premier spi- der taxonomist of the late 20 th and early 21 st centuries and one of the most prolific spider taxonomists in history. He was also a key theorist of cladistics and vicariance biogeography and showed us how a proper, cladistic classification of spiders revealed much of their deep history and biogeography. Modern studies of Madagascar spider taxonomy began with his visit to France in the 1980’s to study Renaud Paulian’s collection from the grand island: this led to the recognition that the mysterious genus Gallieniella Millot, 1947 ( Gallieniellidae ) was in fact one of the Gnaphosoidea, a group close to Platnick’s heart, and also led to the loan to Griswold of a truly bizarre unidentified specimen with huge male genitalia, which turned out to be the first recognized of many species of the Madagascar endemic genus Ambohima Griswold, 1990 ( Phyxelididae ). Present and future generations will be forever indebted to Norm Platnick’s mentoring and generosity, and to his prolific and pioneering research.

Remarks. The paratype female of this species was used as the Uduba voucher in the total evidence phylogeny of Polotow et al. (2015), i.e., voucher, “ Uduba sp. KM225230 KM225129 KM225078 KM225178 CAS 9030253, [HW0803], which was represented by figures on page 157: 22C, D (SEM of vulva, dorsal view).” Based on their phylogenetic results, Polotow et al. (2015: 137–139) stated that “ Uduba Simon, 1880 , Raecius Simon, 1892 , Zorodictyna Strand, 1907 and three other undescribed species from Madagascar form a well-supported clade ([their] figs 1, 6), which appears in all the analyses with different methods or weight schemes. These genera are currently placed in Zorocratidae , but do not appear closely related to the type species of the family, Zorocrates fuscus Simon, 1888 . Udubids are recovered in all the total-evidence analyses ( Figs 1– 3 , 8 ) and the clade is supported by several homoplastic synapomorphies ([their] fig. 6). Zorocrates Simon, 1888 lacks these udubid synapomorphies. Udubids also appear in almost all partitioned analyses of Bayesian inference and implied weights of concavity k = 6 ([their] fig. 8). We suggest raising this taxon to family level.” They also stated ( Polotow et al., 2015: 153) “ Udubidae is proposed as a new family including the clade 25 formed by former zorocratid genera Uduba, Raecius and Zorodictyna , plus the south Asian genus Campostichomma . These do not cluster with the zorocratid type species Zorocrates fuscus ”.

Diagnosis. Uduba platnicki belong to Group I.a, the Uduba dahli group ( Map 13 ) of Group I, the Epigynal atrium group. They are ecribellate, large but still smaller than Uduba kavanaughi , males less than 20mm, females less than 25mm total length. Males ( Figs. 53 A–C ) can be distinguished from those of other ecribellate Uduba spp. that have the apex of TA3 screw-shaped by having the TA2 a small, simple mound ( Fig. 28 E ) (in U. kavanaughi the TA2 is a small, blunt blade with a median longitudinal ridge, Fig. 28 F ). Females can be distinguished from those of other ecribellate Uduba spp. that have an epigynal plate with median lobe surrounded by depressed atrium by having the epigynal plate short posteriad of atrium, ML broad ( Fig. 76 H ) and the ML with a broad atrial side plate (AtSp) on each side, rendering the atrium as a crescent-shaped depression on each side.

Description. Male (Holotype): Total length 17.04. Markings typical of Uduba . Carapace 10.29 long, 7.29 wide, 4.00 high; clypeus 0.64 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.36, ALE 0.38, PME 0.41, PLE 0.43. Chelicerae 4.86 long; sternum 4.79 long, 3.57 wide; labium 2.39 long; palpal coxae 3.68 long. Ratios –carapace length / width = 1.40, carapace height / width = 0.55, PER / carapace width = 0.70, PER / OAL = 2.54, PER / AER = 1.30, OAL / OQL = 1.05, OQP / OQA = 1.11, clypeus height / AME =1.80, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 7.56, sternum length / width = 1.34, palpal coxa length / width = 2.64, femur I length / carapace width = 1.45, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 1.61, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.45, cymbium length / carapace width = 0.67, cymbium length / palpal patella length = 3.09, cymbium length / palpal tibia length = 2.83, cymbium length / palpal femur length = 1.17, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.09. With a colulus. Spination: palpus–femur d0-0-1, p0-0-1, r0-0-1; leg I–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-2, r0-1-0-1, tibia p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-0, v2-2-3, r1-1-0; leg II–femur d1-1-0-1, p0-1- 2, r0-1-0-1, patella p1, tibia d0-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-0, v2-2-3, r1- 1-0; leg III–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-1-1, r0-1-1-1, tibia d0-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0, p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2, tarsus v0-1-0; leg IV–femur d1-1-0-1, p0-0-1-1, r0-0-0-1, tibia d0-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-1-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2. Scopulae: cymbium, apicodorsal; strong beneath all tarsi and beneath metatarsi II and II, and beneath apices of metatarsi III and IV. Leg measurements: I: 10.57 + 4.00 + 10.14 + 11.71 + 5.29 = 41.71; II: 9.29 + 3.86 + 8.43 + 9.71 + 4.57 = 35.86; III: 7.57 + 3.14 + 5.14 + 8.29 + 3.71 = 27.86; IV: 10.57 + 3.29 + 9.29 + 13.57 + 5.00 = 41.71; palpus: 4.14 + 1.57 + 1.71 + NA + 4.86 = 12.29. Leg formula [1=4]23. Male palp ( Figs. 53 A–C ): palpal tibia 0.36 times cymbial length, RTA small, broad, triangular ( Fig. 53 C ), RTA length 0.30 tibia, RTA length equals width, apex slightly curved, with a sharp point, VTA length 1.60 times width, short, conical ( Fig. 53 B ), length 0.27 tibia width; tibia lacks stout spines; tegulum convex ( Fig. 53 C ), without ridge, tegulum length 1.02 times width; TA1 extends distad of tegulum apex, TA1 extends past TA3 apex by 1.22 times tegulum length; TA3 very large, screw-shaped with subapical grooves, TA3 extends apicad of TA2 by 1.14 tegulum length, TA2 a small, simple mound, hidden behind TA3 apex ( Fig. 28 E ); MA simple, small ( Figs. 53 A, C ) length (including apical processes) 0.56 times width, MA length 0.21 tegulum length, width 0.38 tegulum width, origin at 0.395 tegulum length, MA at 0.33 tegulum length from tegulum apex; conductor fan entire. Female (Paratype, CASENT9030253): Total length 22.00. Markings typical of Uduba . Carapace 12.00 long, 8.20 wide, 5.30 high; clypeus 0.90 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.42, ALE 0.44, PME 0.36, PLE 0.38. Chelicerae 6.00 long; sternum 4.50 long, 3.70 wide; labium 2.60 long; palpal coxae 3.70 long. Ratios– carapace length / width = 1.46, carapace height/ width = 0.65, PER / carapace width = 0.45, PER / OAL = 3.68, PER / AER = 1.35, OAL / OQL = 1.06, OQP / OQA = 1.10, clypeus height/ AME = 2.14, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 6.67, sternum length / width = 1.22, palpal coxa length / width = 2.06, femur I length / carapace width = 1.06, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 0.79, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.04, palpal tarsus length / carapace width = 0.57, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 2.14, palpal tarsus length / palpal tibia length = 1.88, palpal tarsus length / palpal femur length = 1.12, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.14. With a colulus. Spination: palpus– femur d0-0-2, tibia p1-0, tarsus d2-0, p0-1-1; leg I–femur d0-1-0-1, p0-0-1, tibia v2-2-2-2, metatarsus p0-0-1-0, v2-1-1-2-1; leg II–femur d2-0-0-2, patella p1, tibia p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2-2, metatarsus v2-2-1-0-0; leg III–femur d0-1-0-1, p0-1-1-0, r0-1-1-0, tibia d0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-2-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2, tarsus v0-1-0; leg IV–femur d1-1-0-1, p0-0-1, r0-0-1, tibia p0- 1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-2-2, v2-2-1-2, r2-2-2. Scopulae: strong ventral beneath tarsus-tibia I, tarsus, metatarsus and apex of tibia II, beneath tarsi and metatarsi III and IV. Leg measurements: I: 8.70 + 3.80 + 7.20 + 6.50 + 4.00 = 30.20; II: 7.20 + 3.50 + 6.20 + 6.00 + 3.50 = 26.40; III: 6.40 + 3.20 + 3.60 + 5.50 + 3.10 = 21.70; IV: 8.50 + 3.50 + 6.90 + 8.50 + 3.70 = 31.10; palpus: 4.20 + 2.20 + 2.50 + NA + 4.70 = 13.60. Leg formula 4123. Female genitalia: epigynal plate with median lobe surrounded by depressed atrium, atrium with shallow plate beside ML (AtSp) and forming deep sulci laterally ( Fig. 76 H ), epigynal plate width 1.42 times length; atrium sides weakly concave, atrium broad, width 0.81 times epigynum width, atrium width 1.81 times atrium length; epigynum length 1.58 times atrium length; atrium lateral plate width 0.81 times ML width, atrium lateral sulcus width 0.42 times ML width; atrium arises just anteriad of epigastric groove, atrium origin at 0.18 of epigynal plate length, ML apex narrow, arises just posteriad of atrium apex, median lobe broad, widest at base, median lobe length 0.94 times width, ML length 0.57 times epigynal length; lateral lobes narrow, atrium width 13.80 times LL width; copulatory openings appear to be beneath the anterior notch of the atrium. Vulva ( Figs. 76 H , 82 A, B ) with spermathecal ducts making three, loose, longitudinal curves, vulva length 0.73 times width, vulva width 5.28 times distance between fertilization ducts.

Variation. Male (N = 5): Total length = 14.80–18.00, carapace length / width = 1.28–1.48, carapace height / width = 0.54–0.70, PER / carapace width = 0.35–0.70, PER / OAL = 2.54–3.31, PER / AER = 1.30–1.57, OAL / OQL = 1.00–1.12, clypeus height / AME = 1.42–2.57, cheliceral length / clypeus height = 4.60–7.80, sternum length / width = 1.25–1.40, palpal coxa length / width = 2.64–4.25, femur I length / carapace width = 1.31–1.48, metatarsus I length / carapace width =1.34–1.65, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.35–1.50, cymbium length / carapace width = 0.63–0.67, cymbium length / palpal patella length = 2.96–3.20, cymbium length / palpal tibia length = 2.67–2.96, cymbium length / palpal femur length = 1.08–1.23, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length =1.00–1.12. Female variation is unknown.

M aterial examined. MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana Province: Forêt d’Anabohazo , 21.6 km 247°WSW Maromandia, 14°18ʹ32ʺS, 47°54ʹ52ʺE, elev. 120m, malaise trap in tropical dry forest, 11–16 March 2001, Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team, [BLF3336] ( CASENT9007417 , 1♂, CAS) ; Marojejy Reserve , 8.4 km NNW Manantenina, 14°26ʹS, 49°45ʹE, 700m elevation, 10–16 November 1993, C. Griswold, J. Coddington, N. Scharff, S. Larcher, R. Andriamasimanana [SL.12.LDN] (Holotype, CASENT9006021 , 1♂, USNM) , R. N. de Marojejy, 10 km NW Manantenina, along tributary of Manantenina River, Camp #2, 14°26.0ʹS, 49°44.7ʹE, elev. 775m, relatively undisturbed lowland-montane rainforest, pitfall, 14–23 October 1996, S. Goodman ( CASENT9064660 , 1♂, FMNH) , R. N. de Marojejy, 8 km NW Manantenina, along tributary of Manantenina River, relatively undisturbed lowland forest, Camp #1, pitfall, 14°26.2ʹS, 49°46.5ʹE, elev. 450m, 4–13 October 1996, S. Goodman ( CASENT9064658 , 1♂, FMNH), ( CASENT9064653 , 1♂, FMNH) ; 6.5 km SSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud , 14°45ʹS, 49°30ʹE, elev. 875m, 19 October 1994, B.L. Fisher et al. ( CASENT9006020 , 1♂, CAS) . Toamasina Province: Mikira forest, 2.5 hour hike from Andaparaty , 29 km N Maroantsetra, 15.1202°S, 49.3605°E, elev. 195m, 10–12 December 2008, F. Alvarez-Padilla and H. Wood [HW0803] (paratype, CASENT9030253 , 1♀, CAS) .

Natural history. The species Uduba platnicki has been collected in lowland to mid-elevation rainforest, from 195–875m elevation. The spiders are ecribellate; nothing is known of their retreats or other uses of silk.

Distribution. Uduba platnicki are known from mountain rainforest in northeastern Madagascar (Maps 2, 13).

Figures

FIGURE 17. Uduba spp., sensilla, SEM images. A. U. platnicki, ♀ CASENT9030253 from Mikira Forest, tarsus I setae and trichobothrium. B, D, F. U. schlingeri, ♀ CASENT9025468, from Vatoharanana, Ranomafana National Park. B. Chemosensory seta, tarsus I. D. Tarsus IV, trichobothrial base. F. Chemosensory seta, tip, tarsus I. C, E. U. schlingeri, ♂ CASENT9006052 from Talatakely, Ranomafana National Park. C. Cymbium of palpus, tarsal organ. E. Palpal tibia, trichobothrial base. G. U. schlingeri, ♀ CASENT9006056 from Talatakely, Ranomafana National Park, tarsus I setae and tarsal organ. H. U. fisheri, ♂ CASENT9006056 from 3 km 41°NE Andranomay, near Anjozorobe, cymbium of palpus, tarsal organ. Scale bars: A, C, E = 10 µm, B = 30 µm, D = 2 µm, F = 1 µm, G = 3 µm, H = 15 µm.

FIGURE 19. Uduba SEM images. A. U. fisheri (CASENT9026389) ♀ pedicel, dorsal. B. U. platnicki (CASENT9030253) ♀ pedicel, dorsal, anterior to top. C. U. fisheri (CASENT9026389) ♂ epiandrum, ventral. Scale bars: A, B = 100 µm, C = 10 µm.

FIGURE 28. Uduba spp., left male palpal bulbs, apical views. A. U. hiragasy, holotype (CASENT9065679) from Tsinjoarivo Forest. B. U. valiha, paratype (CASENT9082181) from Forêt de Vevembe. C. U. fisheri, paratype (CASENT9026388) from Anjozorobe. D. U. halabe, (CASENT9042520) from Parc National Ranomafana. E. U. platnicki, holotype (CASENT9006021) from Marojejy Reserve. F. U. kavanaughi, paratype (CASENT9031127) from Talatakely, Parc National Ranomafana. C, conductor; MA, median apophysis; TA2, proapical apophysis of the tegulum, arising just prolaterad of distal notch; TA3, retroapical apophysis of the tegulum, typically with apex extending to prolateral. Scale bar = 0.2 mm (A–C); 0.5 mm (D–F). Illustrations by Charles Griswold.

FIGURE 53. Uduba platnicki, new species, Holotype male (CASENT9006021) from Marojejy Reserve, left male palpus. A. Prolateral. B. Ventral. C. Retrolateral. Illustrations by Jenny Speckels. Scale bar = 1.0 mm.

FIGURE 76. Uduba spp., female genitalia drawings. A, B. U. barbarae, new species, paratype (CASENT9006064) from Lokobe Forest on the island of Nosy Be. C, F, I. U. milamina, new species. C. Holotype (CASENT9010797) from a malaise canopy trap at the Ranomafana-Radio Tower. F, I. Paratype (CASENT9006100) from Andringitra Reserve. D, E. U. kavanaughi, new species, paratype (CASENT9003517) from Talatakely, Parc National Ranomafana. G, H. U. platnicki, new species, paratype (CASENT9030253) from Mikira Forest. A, C, D. H, I. Epigynum, ventral. B, E, F, G. Vulva, dorsal. Illustrations A, B by Jenny Speckels, C–I by Charles Griswold. At, atrium of epigynum; AtSp, atrial side plate of epigynum; EF, epigastric furrow; LL, lateral lobe of epigynum; ML, median lobe of epigynum. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 82. Uduba spp., ♀ genitalia, SEM images. A, B. U. platnicki, new species, CASENT9030253, from Mikira Forest. A. Vulva, dorsal. B. Spermathecal texture, close-up. C–F. U. fisheri, new species, CASENT9026389 from Anjozorobe. C. Vulva, dorsal. D. Vulva, anterior. E. Spermathecal texture, close-up. F. Epigynum, ventral. Scale bars: A = 100 µm, B, D, E = 10 µm, C, F = 30 µm.

FIGURE 1. Uduba spp., live individuals. A, B. U. kavanaughi, Holotype ♂ (CASENT9029870) from evergreen forest at 970m elevation at Talatakely, Parc National Ranomafana, January 2009. C, D. U. kavanaughi, Paratype ♀, CASENT9003517, Talatakely, 1.68 km SW Ranomafana, Parc National Ranomafana, January 2009. E. U. kavanaughi, Juvenile ♀, Parc National Ranomafana, April 1998. F. U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863), ♂ CASENT9006030, specimen from suburbs of Antananarivo. Photos A, B, F by Nikolaj Scharff, C, D by Charles Griswold, E by Dong Lin. Scale bars = 10 mm.

FIGURE 2. Uduba spp., nests and live individuals. A, C, U. schlingeri, ♀, CASENT9006058. B, D, U. evanescens (Dahl, 1901), ♀, CASENT9006088. A. Tubular nest surmounted by funnel of cribellate silk, Ranomafana. B. Nest opening on soil surface, Ranomafana. C. Tubular nest, Ranomafana. D. Nest opening on soil surface, Ranomafana. E. U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863), ♂ CASENT9006030, specimen from suburbs of Antananarivo. A–D. Photos by Dong Lin, Ranomafana, April 1998. E. Photo by Nikolaj Scharff, November 1993. Scale bars = 20 mm.

FIGURE 3. Habitus photos of Uduba schlingeri from Parc National Ranomafana. A, B, D, G. Female ♀ (CASENT9006075). C, E, F, H. ♂ Holotype male (CASENT9006052). A. Dorsal. B. Ventral. C. Dorsal. D. Carapace, dorsal. E. Ventral. F. Carapace, dorsal. G. Carapace, lateral. H. Carapace, lateral. Scale bars = 5 mm.

FIGURE 8. Habitus photos of Uduba spp., males, dorsal views. A. U. rinha, MRAC174.445 from 25 km W Morarano Chrome, Toamasina Province. B. U. pseudoevanescens, Paratype (CASENT9006006) collected at 57 km Route d’Anosibe de Moramanga. C. U. evanescens (Dahl, 1901), (CASENT900687) from Ranomafana. D. U. fisheri, (CASENT9002693) from montane rainforest near Anjozorobe. E. U. rajery, Holotype (CASENT9026393) from littoral rainforest in Forêt Ambohidena, Ile Sainte Marie. F. U. valiha, Holotype (CASENT9026394) from Forêt de Vevembe. G. U. rakotozafy, Holotype (CASENT9006024) from forest at Parc National Périnet. Scale bars = 2 mm.

MAP 13. Distribution of Group I.a, the Uduba dahli MAP 14. Distribution of Group I.b, the Uduba woodae group of Group I, the Epigynal atrium group: Uduba group of Group I, the Epigynal atrium group: Uduba lamba, U. fandroana, U. hainteny, U. kavanaughi, U. plat- andriamihajai, U. balsama, U. schlingeri, U. taralily, nicki, U. halabe, U. salegy, U. dahli Simon 1903 and U. lehibekokoa and U. woodae. U. ibonia.