Copa agelenina Simon, 1910

Haddad, Charles Richard, 2013, A revision of the continental species of Copa Simon, 1885 (Araneae, Corinnidae) in the Afrotropical Region, ZooKeys 276, pp. 1-37 : 32-33

Copa agelenina Simon, 1910 Figures 77-80

Copa agelenina Simon 1910: 202.

Type material.

Subadult female holotype. BOTSWANA: Kalahari, Sekcoma [24°24'S, 23°53'E] - Khakea [24°42'S, 23°30'E], leg. L. Prueltje?, XI.1904, ZMB 28198 (examined).

Remarks.

The holotype is a subadult female specimen (Figs 77-79), clearly with a pre-epigynum and lack of epigynal sclerotisation typical of adults, and is not an adult female as described by Simon (1910) and listed on Platnick (2012). The species is definitely different to Copa flavoplumosa specimens collected in north-western South Africa (Sunnyside and Hermitage) and has a clearly broader PER (CW:PERW = 2.84:1 as opposed to 3.45:1 in Copa flavoplumosa females) that is less strongly procurved than in Copa flavoplumosa . Since no adult Copa material is available from the arid savanna of southern Botswana, it is impossible to match this specimen to either of the two conti nental species or to recognise it as a distinct species. I would therefore propose that Copa agelenina be considered a species nomen dubium.

The eye arrangement and measurements (Fig. 80) suggest that this species may belong to one of the new cryptic lycosiform castianeirine genera ( Haddad 2012b, in prep.), but adults will have to be collected before the generic placement can be confirmed and the species be revalidated and redescribed.