9 research outputs found
Effects of aspect and altitude on scorpion diversity along an environmental gradient in the Soutpansberg, South Africa
No full textLandforms with steep environmental gradients provide natural laboratories for studying regional dynamics of diversity. The Soutpansberg range in South Africa presents contrasting habitats and climatic conditions on its northern and southern slopes. Scorpions are well adapted to arid environments, with greatest diversity in temperate deserts, but few studies have investigated the effects of aspect and altitude on scorpion diversity. We surveyed scorpion diversity along an altitudinal transect across the Soutpansberg by actively searching for scorpions during the night and day. Patterns of scorpion diversity along the transect were compared to those of ants and woody plants. Unlike these taxa, scorpions exhibited a significant difference in species richness between slopes; higher on the arid northern slope, and greater at lower than higher altitudes. Endemic taxa were restricted to mid-to higher altitudes of the northern slope. Species turnover decreased at higher altitudes and assemblage structure was influenced by slope, altitude and rock cover. The Soutpansberg appears to be a hotspot of scorpion richness and mimics patterns of diversity in southern Africa. The richness and endemism of the scorpion fauna of the arid northern slopes and foothills of the Soutpansberg emphasizes the need to prioritize the conservation of these areas.National Research Foundation (South Africa
Cyrba nigrimana Simon 1900
No full textCyrba nigrimana Simon, 1900 Figs 14–23 Cyrba nigrimana: Simon 1900: 389; Wanless 1984 b: 465, figs 12 A–G; Wesołowska & Haddad 2009: 27–28, figs 26–28. Description: Male (MRAC, 169807). Measurements: Carapace: length 2.05, width 1.45, height at PLE 1.10. Ocular area: length 0.90, width anteriorly 1.35, width posteriorly 1.25. Diameter of AME 0.42. Abdomen: length 2.45, width 1.25. Clypeal height: 0.15. Cheliceral length: 0.65. Length of leg segments: I 1.30 + 0.75 + 0.90 + 0.90 + 0.50; II 1.30 + 0.70 + 0.90 + 0.80 + 0.50; III; 1.00+ 0.50 + 0.85 + 0.90 + 0.45; IV 1.50 + 0.65 + 1.15 + 1.40 + 0.60. Leg spination: I Fm d 1 - 1-4; Pt pr and rt 1, Tb pr and rt 1 - 1 v 2 - 2 - 2 ap, Mt pr & rt 1 - 1 v 2 - 2 ap; II Fm d 1 - 1-4, Pt pr and rt 1, Tb pr and rt 1 - 1 v 2 - 2 - 2 ap, Mt pr and rt 1 - 1 v 2 - 2 ap; III Fm d 1 - 1-5, Pt pr and rt 1, Tb d 1 -0-0 pr and rt 1 - 1 v 1-2 - 2 ap, Mt d 1 -0-0 pr and rt 1 - 1-2 ap v 2 - 0-2 ap; IV Fm d 1 - 1-5 or 1 - 1 - 1-5, Pt pr and rt 1, Tb d 1 -0-0 pr and rt 1 - 1 v 1-2 - 2 ap, Mt d 1 -0-0 pr 1-2 - 2 ap rt 1 - 1-2 ap, v 1 - 0-2 ap. Colouration (Figs 14, 15): Carapace yellow-brown, with brown eye field and black around eyes, covered with white scales and brown hairs. Sternum yellow-brown. Clypeus and cheeks yellow, densely covered with white hairs. Chelicerae brown-yellow. Abdomen: dorsum brown, but medially yellow; sides and venter grey-brown. Booklungs yellow. Spinnerets brown. All legs yellow, but tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi brown. Palpus yellow, with brown cymbium. Palpal structure as in Figs 17–20. Female. For description see Wanless (1984 b; Figs 16, 21– 23). Material examined: SOUTHAFRICA: Limpopo: 1 ♀ (NCA, 2009 / 2172), Little Leigh, 22 ° 93 'S: 29 ° 85 'E, pitfall (10 days), Pterocarpus rotundifolius, collector and date unknown; 1 ♀ (NCA, 2009 / 2171), same locality, 22 ° 93 'S: 29 ° 88 'E, bk, Pterocarpus rotundifolius, 38798, [no date], V. Gelebe. Eastern Cape: 1 ♀ (MRAC, 169636), Ecca Pass Nature Reserve, ca 13 km N of Grahamstown, direction Fort Beaufort, 33 ° 18 'S: 26 ° 32 'E, 16.i. 1989, R. Jocqué; 1 ♀ (MRAC, 169721), same locality, under stones, 16.i. 1989, R. Jocqué; 2 ♂ (MRAC, 169807), ca 30 km E of Port Elisabeth, sieved litter of dune scrub, 17.i. 1989, R. Jocqué. Comments: Until now, this species has been reported as being known from the female only and from a few localities in South Africa (Wanless 1984 b; Wesołowska & Haddad 2009). Caporiacco (1947) reported a single male of C. nigrimana collected from East Africa (Pangani), but provided no illustration or description of this male. It remains unclear how the latter author could match the single male he studied with C. nigrimana described from a single female by Simon (1900). The problem of what species was reported by Caporiacco under the name C. nigrimana requires further attention. The male of C. nigrimana (Figs 17–20) is most similar (almost identical) to that of Cyrba boveyi, described by Lessert (1933) from a single male and redescribed on the basis of both sexes by Wanless (1984 b, figs 10 A – L). The latter author only provisionally matched the male of C. boveyi with the female from Kenya, which was selected because of its ‘most unusual epigyne’ (Wanless 1984 b: 465). The males of both species seem to differ in the slightly different shape of the tibial apophysis and of the sclerotied lobe M 2 (sensu Wanless 1984 a). Furthermore, the male of C. boveyi has its body covered with bright orange hairs (see Wesołowska & Haddad 2009, fig. 238), as in C. simoni, whereas the male of C. nigrimana is otherwise (Figs 14, 15). We have matched the male and females of C. nigrimana on the basis of their virtually identical body colouration (Figs 14–16). However, this matching must be considered provisional until a sample containing both sexes has been collected.Published as part of Azarkina, Galina N. & Logunov, Dmitri V., 2010, New data on the jumping spiders of the subfamily Spartaeinae (Araneae: Salticidae) from Africa, pp. 163-182 in African Invertebrates 51 (1) on pages 167-169, DOI: 10.5733/afin.051.010
Brancus muticus Simon 1902
No full textBrancus muticus Simon, 1902 Figs 1, 18– 35 Brancus muticus Simon, 1902: 400 (3, examined). B. muticus: Simon 1903: 709; Berland & Millot 1941: 332; Prószyński 1976: 156; 1978: 7 (3); Wesołowska & Russell-Smith 2011: 567 (syn.). Brancus bevisi Lessert, 1925: 356, fig. 17 (3, examined). B. bevisi: Berland & Millot 1941: 331; Prószyński 1976: 156. Type material: Holotype Brancus muticus 3 (MNHN, # 7546) Congo [date and collector unknown]; Holotype Brancus bevisi 3 (NMSA, #NM 17060) Amanzimtoti, L. Bevis [= Republic of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Amanzimtoti, 30 °03'S, 30 ° 53 'E, date unknown (L. Bevis)]. Other material: RSA: 1 Ƥ (NCA 97 / 120) KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay, ca. 28 ° 49 'S, 32 °02'E, sweep net, 11– 12.1995 (T. Wassernaar); 1 Ƥ (probably lost) Limpopo, 23 ° 30 'S, 30 ° 15 'E, 374 m a.s.l., branch beating, vegetation: Colophosperme mopane and Androstachys johnsoni, woodland, 16.02. 2008 (V. Gelebe); 13 2 Ƥ (probably lost) exact locality and date unknown (A. Russell-Smith). Diagnosis. This species resembles B. verdieri Berland & Millot, 1941. The two species differ in the shape of the tibial apophysis (straight in B. muticus and bent at a right angle in B. verdieri) and position of tegular lobe (prolateral in B. verdieri and basal (Figs 18–20) in B. muticus). The embolus is coiled forming one loop and contrasts with other Brancus species where the coil has two loops the (B. blaisei) and half a loop (B. occidentalis). Description. Male (holotype of B. bevisi,). Carapace: 2.59 long, 2.32 wide, 1.40 high. Abdomen: 2.88 long, 1.58 wide. Eye field: 1.18 long, anterior 1.65 wide, posterior 1.65 wide. Cheliceral length 0.86. Clypeal height 0.10. Diameter of AME 0.57. Length of leg segments: I 1.40 + 0.97 + 1.36 + 0.68 + 0.57; II 1.18 + 0.79 +1.00+ 0.57 + 0.50; III 1.18 + 0.72 + 0.90 +1.00+ 0.57; IV 1.54 + 0.68 +1.00+ 1.11 + 0.60. Leg spination: I: Fm d 0-1 - 1-3; Tb v 1 -0- 0-2 - 1 -0; Mt v 0-2 - 2 ap. II: Fm d 0-1 - 2-4; Pt pr 1; Tb pr 0-1 - 1, v 1 - 0-2 - 2 ap; Mt v 0-2 - 2 ap. III: Fm d 0-2 - 1-4; Pt pt and rt 1; Tb pr 1 - 1, rt 1 - 1 - 1, v 1 - 0-1 ap; Mt pr and rt 1 - 0-2, v 1 - 0-2 ap. IV: Fm d 0-1 - 1-3; Pt pr and rt 1; Tb pr 0-1 - 1 or 0-2 - 1, rt 1 - 1 - 1, v 1 - 0-2 ap; Mt pr and rt 0-1 - 2 ap; v 0- 0-2 ap. Carapace yellow-brown to brown, ocular area is yellow with brown rings around eyes, central part of ocular area with brown patch (Figs 29–30). Laterally ocular area with bunch of long dense bristles. Clypeus very low, yellow with brown line among lower rim, covered with one row of brown bristles (Fig. 32). Chelicerae brown. Sternum yellow. Abdomen yellow, dorsum yellowish-brown, medially with band of white scales, covered with brownish-yellow hairs. First pair of legs robust, bigger than others. Femora of all legs brown, distally yellow. Coxae I brownish, coxae of the remaining legs yellow. Patellae and tibiae I–II ventrally with rather dense brown hairs. Palpal structure as in Figs 18–23. Female (KwaZulu-Natal, NCA 97 / 120). Carapace: 2.40 long, 2.10 wide, 1.45 high. Abdomen: 4.50 long, 2.50 wide. Eye field: 1.10 long, anterior 1.60 wide, posterior 1.65 wide. Cheliceral length 0.80. Clypeal height 0.10. Diameter of AME 0.55. Length of leg segments: I 1.40 + 0.95 + 1.05 + 0.60 + 0.50; II 1.25 + 0.90 + 0.90 + 0.55 + 0.50; III 1.60 +1.00+ 0.90 + 0.90 + 0.50; IV 1.55 + 0.90 + 1.10 + 1.20 + 0.50. Leg spination: I: Fm d 0-1 - 1-3; Tb v 0-0- 0-1 - 1; Mt v 0-2 - 2 ap. II: Fm d 0-1 - 1-4; Tb v 0- 0-1 -0-0 or 0-0-0-0-0; Mt v 0-2 - 2 ap. III: Fm d 0-2 - 1-4; Pt pr and rt 1; Tb pr 1 - 1, rt 1 - 1 - 1, v 1 - 0-2 ap; Mt pr and rt 1 - 0-2, v 1 - 0-2 ap. IV: Fm d 0-1 - 1-2; Pt rt 1; Tb pr 1 - 1 or 0-1, rt 1 - 1 - 1, v 0- 0-2 ap; Mt pr 0-1 - 2 or 0- 0-2, rt 1 - 1-2; v 0- 0-2 ap. Carapace brownish-yellow with brown rings around eyes, central part of ocular area with brown patch (Fig. 34). Laterally ocular area with bunch of long dense bristles. Clypeus and cheeks yellow covered with white hairs (Fig. 33). Chelicerae brownish-yellow. Sternum yellow. Abdomen pale yellow, dorsum with two parallel brown bands, laterally and apically with wide bands of brown patches and strokes (Fig. 34). Spinnerets brown-yellow. Book-lungs pale yellow. Legs I robust, larger than others. All legs yellow. Femora I prolaterally with brown transversal lines. Palps yellow. Structure of epigyne and spermathecae as in Figs 24 –25, 27– 28. Distribution. Western, Central and Southern Africa. Comments. In 2008 one of us (GA) studied 1 Ƥ collected by V. Gelebe and 13 2 Ƥ collected by A. Russell- Smith in the Republic of South Africa. Unfortunately this material seems to be lost. GA kept figures of the specimens collected by A. Russell-Smith as it represents the first record of males and females of Brancus muticus that were collected together.Published as part of Azarkina, Galina N. & Foord, Stefan H., 2013, Redescriptions of poorly known species of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from South Africa and Namibia, pp. 165-182 in Zootaxa 3686 (2) on pages 169-171, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3686.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/24768
Integration of the Demographic Dividend into Government Plans: A Case of the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa
No full textThe Population reference Bureau policy brief, (Gribble and Bremmer, 2012):1) described the demographic dividendas “…the accelerated economic growth that may result from a decline in a country’s mortality and fertility and thesubsequent change in the age structure of the population. With fewer births each year, a country’s young dependentpopulation grows smaller in relation to the working-age population. With fewer people to support, a country has awindow of opportunity for rapid economic growth if the right social and economic policies developed and investments made”. Several South Africa based studies have explored age structure and the prospects of a demographic dividend. These studies range from those that explore timing of the dividend to those that investigate readiness to harness the dividend. Three aspects of the demographic dividend are investigated by this research. Firstly, the paper will explorethe age structure of KwaZulu-Natal population to ascertain the timing of the age-structure (youth bulge) that is a pre-requisite for the dividend. Secondly, demographic, health and education characteristics that are knows to affect the achievement of the dividend will be examined. Lastly, the extent of integration of the demographic dividend into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) in the province will be explored
Thyenula sempiterna Wesolowska 1999
No full textThyenula sempiterna Wesołowska, 1999 Figs 222–224 Thyenula sempiterna Wesołowska 1999: 169, figs 74–76. Material. SOUTH AFRICA, Limpopo Province, Soutpansberg Mts, 23°00'S: 29°25'E, 1430 m a.s.l., woodland, 1 male, 30 November 2006, leg. P. Tshivhandekano (UV 1664); same data, leaf litter sifting, 1 female, leg. S.H. Foord, B. van der Waal, A. Mboyi & V. Gelebe (UV 1871); same data, 1 male (UV 1916); same data, 1 male (UV 1903); same data, 1 female (UV 1907); same data, 2 females (UV 1924); same locality, 1 female, 1 November 2004, leg. M. Mafadza (UV 287); same locality, gallery forest, 1084 m a.s.l., 2 females, 22 November 2005, leg. F. Mbedzi (UV 1382); same locality, open woodland (Burkea africana), 1 female, 27 November 2006, leg. P. Tshivhandekano (UV 2286); same locality, woodland, 2 females, 2 December 2006, leg. M. Muthapuli (UV 1876); same locality, 1579 m a.s.l., open sedge-land, branch beating, 1 female, 1 December 2006, leg. M. Mashau (UV 1889); Lajuma Mountain Retreat, pitfall traps, 23°01'S, 29°27'E, 1 male, 13 July 2007, leg. M. van der Merwe (NCA 98 /34); SOUTH AFRICA, Entabeni, 23°00'S: 30°13'E, sheltered Afromontane forest, 1262 m a.s.l., branch beating, 1 female, 11 February 2008, leg. M. Muthapuli (UV); Legalameetse Nature Reserve, Farm Malta, 24°09'S: 30°15'E, 931 m a.s.l., riverine flood plain, 1 female, 18 January 2009, leg. N. Hahn (NCA 2010 /5255). Diagnosis. This species resembles T. wesolowskae Zhang &Maddison, 2012 but may be distinguished from it by the structure of genitalia. The male palp has a broader bulb, clearly shorter embolus with a different form of the embolar disc. The epigyne has shorter seminal ducts with broad inlet parts and bean-shaped spermathecae (versus rounded in T. wesolowskae). Description. Measurements (male). Cephalothorax: length 2.0, width 1.5, height 1.2. Abdomen: length 1.8, width 1.5. Eye field: length 0.9, anterior width 1.4, posterior width 1.4. Male. General appearance as in Fig. 222. Carapace moderately high, oval, brown with darker ocular area. Brown hairs cover carapace, long brown bristles on eye field anteriorly. “Cheeks” and clypeus brown, covered with transparent hairs. Chelicerae dark brown. Sternum yellowish brown. Abdomen yellowish brown, with whitish yellow stripe on the anterior rim, venter brownish. Book-lung covers and spinnerets brown. Legs yellow, only tibiae and metatarsi of legs I brownish, patellae and tibiae I with dense long hairs ventrally. Pedipalps yellow with brown cymbium. Structure of palpal organ as in Figs 223, 224, bulb large with long proximal lobe, embolus wide, forming single loop, embolic spiral great. Female. Description in Wesołowska (1999). Distribution. Known from eastern Zimbabwe and the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Remarks. The male of this species is described here for the first time.Published as part of Wesołowska, Wanda, Azarkina, Galina N. & Russell-Smith, Anthony, 2014, Euophryine jumping spiders of the Afrotropical Region-new taxa and a checklist (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryinae), pp. 1-72 in Zootaxa 3789 (1) on pages 60-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3789.1, http://zenodo.org/record/491388
Cheiracanthium schenkeli Caporiacco 1949
No full text<i>Cheiracanthium schenkeli</i> Caporiacco, 1949 <p>Figs 40–42</p> <p> <i>Chiracanthium schenkeli</i> Caporiacco, 1949: 436, figs 70; Lotz, 2007a: 56, figs 105–108.</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>C. schenkeli</i> females are most similar to those of <i>C. vansoni</i> Lawrence, 1936, in the bend in the copulatory ducts close to the spermathecae, but differ by the shape of the shorter copulatory ducts (see Lotz 2007a figs 108, 124). Males are most similar to those of <i>C. furculatum</i> Karsch, 1879 and <i>C. vansoni</i> Lawrence, 1936, in the TA being relatively broad with a pointed and a rounded double apex, but differ from <i>C. furculatum</i> by the bend in the RTA apex and from <i>C. vansoni</i> by the straight CA (compare Lotz 2007a: figs 39–40, 127–128 and Figs 41– 42).</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Females redescribed by Lotz (2007a). <i>Male</i>: (n = 9): TL = 4.76 (4.1–5.0); CL = 2.16 (1.8–2.3); CW = 1.62 (1.4–1.7); OAL = 0.33 (0.30–0.35); OAW = 0.79 (0.7–0.8); CLL = 0.05 (0.05–0.05). Chelicerae: robust with long fangs; fang furrow with six teeth of unequal size, with PMT:RMT = 3:3 (Fig. 40). Measurements: AME– AME 0.10; AME–ALE 0.10; AME diameter 0.15; PME–PME 0.15; PME–PLE 0.15; PME diameter 0.15; MOQAW 0.40; MOQPW 0.45; CI (CL/CW) 1.35; LL:CL 5.96; STL 1.1; STW 0.9. Leg measurements: I— 3.5+1.0+3.7+4.0+1.5 = 13.7; II—2.5+0.9+2.3+2.8+0.8 = 9.3; III—1.4+0.7+1.4+1.7+0.7 = 5.9; IV— 2.7+0.9+2.3+3.3+0.8 = 10.0; Palp—1.0+0.3+0.4+0.9 = 2.6. Leg spines: I 0-1p1r-1p1r, 2v-6v- 0, 2v- 1v-1v; II 0- 1p1r-1p1r, 2v-2 v1 p-1p, 2v-2 v1 p- 1v; III 0-1p1r-1p1r, 2v- 1p1r-1p1r, 2v 1p1r- 2v 1p1r- 3v 1p1r; IV 0-1p1r-1p1r, 2v- 1p1r-1p1r, 2v 1p1r- 4v 1p1r- 3v 1p1r. Abdomen: similar to female, but more elongate. Palp (Figs 41–42): cymbium elongate, about twice tibia length, with straight proximally directed apophysis with sharp apex, narrowing in last third before apex; RTA with single apex, widening before curving to apex; TA sclerotized, with two broad, rounded apices; one apex at 90 degrees to other apex; EM long, almost encircling tegulum, ending at CON apex; CON not sclerotized but distinct.</p> <p> <b>New material examined.</b> 1♂, BOTSWANA: Selkirk mine, 21º19’S, 27º42’E, 28.III–5.IV.2008, D.H. Jacobs (NCAP); 6♂, SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo, Pafuri, Wallers Camp, 22º26’S, 30º55’E, 14–16.II.2008, N. Hahn (NCAP, 6 vials); 1♂, Limpopo, Little Leigh, 22º56’S, 29º54’E, 2006, F. Maanda (NCAP); 1♂, Limpopo, Blouberg Nature Reserve, 22º59’S, 29º08’E, 2006, V. Gelebe (NCAP); 1♂, Limpopo, Soutpansberg, Lajuma, 23º02’S, 29º27’E, 6.II.2008, R. Lyle (NMBA 11436); 1♀ RWANDA: Kisenyi, 01º42’S, 29º16’E, XII.1952, A. Bertrand (MRAC 78860).</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Widely distributed on the eastern side of Africa south of the equator (Fig. 56).</p> <p> <b>Habitat.</b> Collected by sweeping and beating in savanna and Afromontane forests.</p>Published as part of <i>Lotz, L. N., 2015, New Species of the Spider Genus Cheiracanthium from Continental Africa (Araneae: Eutichuridae), pp. 321-336 in Zootaxa 3973 (2)</i> on page 332, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3973.2.7, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/236698">http://zenodo.org/record/236698</a>
Heriaeus crassispinus : Lawrence 1942
No full textHeriaeus crassispinus Lawrence, 1942 Figs 5, 26–29, 57 Heriaeus crassispinus: Lawrence 1942: 159, fig. 13a, b (♀); Loerbroks 1983: 131, figs 93, 94 (♀). Heriaeus fimbriatus Lawrence, 1942: 160, fig. 14a–c (♂); Loerbroks 1983: 132, figs 90–92 (♂). Syn. n. Both H. crassispinus and H. fimbriatus were described by Lawrence (1942) in the same publication based on a female and male specimen. During this study large series of specimens became available and the data showed that they are different sexes of the same species. Heriaeus fimbriatus is here recognized as a junior synonym of H. crassispinus. Diagnosis: The species is recognized by the blackish brown abdomen, mottled with yellow-brown, and bearing short, dark brown spiniform setae; legs ventrally with blackish brown bands around femora III–IV; males very distinct, with a fringe of long, black hairs on tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of legs I–II (Fig. 5). The epigyne has a dome-shaped hood, over a small round opening (Fig. 28), while the male palp has an embolus with a slender tip that coils back in a U-shape and RTA (Fig. 26) with two narrow digitiform apophyses and distal tooth (Fig. 27). The males have several unique features and differ from all other species by the shape of the VTA and RTA. In the female, the vulva is also more complex than in other species. Redescription: Female (NCA 2007/54). Size: TL 4.45, CL 1.81, CW 1.66. Colour: Carapace with two dark irregular bands, extending into eye region; lateral margins mottled with blackish brown; sternum, labium and endites yellow-brown, or with slight black markings in darker individuals; chelicerae and clypeus mottled with dark brown; eye tubercles white.Abdomen dorsum blackish brown, slightly mottled with yellow-brown, sometimes with some white spots, some specimens paler; dark transverse bands present across broadest part of abdomen; venter yellow-brown with white spots; laterally with dark lines and spots on striae; setae dark brown with few short, transparent setae scattered in between. Legs with variable markings; femora I–IV ventrally usually with dark half-circles; circle on femora II often reduced to a single mark or absent; white marks on all segments except metatarsi and tarsi. Carapace: Eye measurements: AME–AME 0.16, ALE–AME 0.07, PME–PME 0.10, PLE–PME 0.21, AME–PME 0.20, MOQL AME–PME 0.26, MOQAW AME– AME 0.20, MOQPW PME–PME 0.16. Leg measurements: leg I Fe 1.44, Pat 0.81,Tib 1.36, Mt 0.96, Ta 0.47, total 5.04; leg II Fe 1.45, Pat 0.73, Tib 1.20, Mt 0.94, Ta 0.52, total 4.84; leg III Fe 0.83, Pat 0.48, Tib 0.62, Mt 0.49, Ta 0.52, total 2.91; leg IV Fe 1.10, Pat 0.55, Tib 0.72, Mt 0.54, Ta 0.43, total 3.34. Abdomen: Posterior end broader; bearing spiniform setae with acute tips. Epigyne: Hood domeshaped with small round opening, flattened posteriorly, internal organs visible externally (Fig. 28). Copulatory ducts a complex set of folded membranes and tubes (Fig. 29). Male (NCA 2009/3119). Size: TL 3.34, CL 1.42, CW 1.37. Colour: Carapace with two dark irregular bands, extending into eye region; darkly mottled laterally; setae dark brown; chelicerae and clypeus darkly mottled; central eye region white; eye tubercles white, forming distinct white line across eye region and lateral eyes. Abdomen dark dorsally, only slightly mottled with yellow-brown and some white spots, some specimens paler in colour with dark transverse band across broadest part of abdomen; venter yellow-brown with white spots, with dark marks laterally; abdominal setae dark brown. Legs with tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi I–II dark brown, dark half-circles around femora I–IV; tarsus of palp dark dorsally or much darker than rest of palp. Carapace: Eye measurements: AME–AME 0.11, ALE–AME 0.07, PME–PME 0.11, PLE–PME 0.17, AME–PME 0.21, MOQL AME–PME 0.22, MOQAW AME–AME 0.16, MOQPW PME–PME 0.15. Leg measurements: leg I Fe 1.69, Pat 0.79, Tib 2.20, Mt 1.75, Ta 0.57, total 6.99; leg II Fe 1.53, Pat 0.64, Tib 2.01, Mt 1.43, Ta 0.48, total 6.09; leg III Fe 0.94, Pat 0.39, Tib 0.92, Mt 0.38, Ta 0.37, total 3.00; leg IV Fe 0.99, Pat 0.47, Tib 0.97, Mt 0.57, Ta 0.43, total 3.43. Abdomen: Setae spiniform with acute tips. Legs: Fringe of long, black hairs on tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of leg I–II (Fig. 5). Male palp: Embolus long, winding once around tegulum; tip slender and U-shaped (Fig. 26); VTA long and with anterior hooked end; RTA with two narrow digitiform apophyses and long distal tooth when seen laterally (Fig. 27). Juveniles. Colour similar to that of adult female, especially leg bands, shape of abdomen, and colour and shape of abdominal setae. Fringe of long black hairs absent from legs I–II. Type material examined: Lectotype of H. crassispinus (designated here): ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZuluNatal: Umhlali, Sheffield Beach (29.46°S 31.26°E), x.1940, R.F. Lawrence (NMSA 3319). Paralectotypes: 2♂ same data as lectotype. Holotype of H. fimbriatus: ♀ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZuluNatal: Ingwavuma (27.12°S 32.01°E), 1942, R.F. Lawrence (NMSA 242). Other material examined: BURUNDI: 1♂ Plaine du la ruzizi, sectaur de Gihanga (3.18°S 29.28°E), 790 m, v.1966, S. Ndani (MRAC 130.611); 1 imm. ♂ 1 imm. ♀ Bubanza Prov., crete CongoNil (3.0°S 29.40°E), alt. 2000 m, S. Ndani (MRAC 132.775); 1 imm. Ruyigi, marais Nyamasheshi (3.47°S 30.23°E), J. Ruabunesa (MRAC 129.824). DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: 1 ♀ Kivu, Parc National Albert [= Virunga National Park], sect. Ruwenzori, Kamusonge (0.38°N 29.90°E), 1900 m, 3.xi.1953, P. Vanschuytbroek & V. Hendrickx (MRAC 211.179); 1 imm. ♂ Kivu, terr. Kabare (2.48°S 28.47°E), 1600 m, iii.1951, N. Leleup (MRAC 92.559); 1 imm. ♀ Kivu, terr. de Mwenga, poste Kitutu, Bilumanzi (3.28°S 28.08°E), 5.iv.1958, N. Leleup, plants, herbs (MRAC 111.338); 1♂ Kivu, terr. de Mwenga, poste Kitutu, Bac de l’Elila (3.28°S 28.08°E), iv.1958, N. Leleup, from humus (MRAC 111.345); 1♀ D’Uvira, Ruiss. Kalyambutu (3.42°S 29.13°E), vi.1985, N. Leleup (MRAC 112.646); 4♀ 2♂ Katanga, Luiswishi, 28 km NE Lubumbashi (11.52°S 27.45°E), 1208 m, 1974, F. Malaisse, savannah (MRAC 145.523); 4 imm. Shaba, Luiswishi (11.52°S 27.45°E), i–ii.1974, F. Malaisse, forest (MRAC 148.948); 3♂ 4♀ 7 imm. same data but ii–iii.1974 (MRAC 149.167). ETHIOPIA: Gojam Prov .: 2♀ 1♂ TsissIsat falls (11.53°S 37.50°E), 19.x.1973, G. De Rougemont (MRAC 158.902). MALAWI: 1♂ Chisasira forest, 25 km S Chintheche (11.83°S 33.22°E), 27.ix–14.x.1977, R. Jocqué, Brachystegia woodland (MRAC 153 030); 1♀ same locality, 6.v.1978, R. Jocqué (MRAC 153.193). RWANDA: 1 imm. ♂ Bugesera, Biharagu (2.10°S 30.00°E), 27.ii.1960, N. Leleup, on large termite mound in savannah, among dead leaves (MRAC 172.029). SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: 1♂ Keurkloof, Farm Ferndale (33.76°S 24.81°E), 24.iii.2008, A. Honiball, beating trees in forest (NCA 2009 /3119); 1♂ Baviaanskloof Nat. Res. (33.75°S 24.80°E), 24.iii.2008, A. Honiball, pitfall traps, riverine forest (NCA 2009 /3231); 2♀ East London, Pineapple Research Station (33.01°S 27.90°E), 1.v.1979, G. Petty, pitfall traps (NCA 81 /286). KwaZuluNatal: 1♂ Ndumo Game Reserve (26.87°S 32.24°E), 12.i.2007, C. Haddad, broadleaf woodland (NCA 2007 /3069); 1 imm. ♂ same locality, 6.ii.2005, C. Haddad, broadleaf woodland (NCA 2005 /27); 1♀ Tembe Elephant Park (27.03°S 32.42°E), 15.iii.2003, A. Honiball, pitfall traps, woodland (NCA 2003 /1014); 1♀ Mkuzi Game Reserve (27.63°S 32.25°E), 4.ii.2003, S. Lovell, palm tree (NCA 2003 /1493); 1 imm. ♀ same locality, 4.ii.2003, S. Lovell, Acacia nigrescens (NCA 2003 /1491); 1 imm. same locality, 31.i.2003, S. Lovell, A. nigrescens (NCA 2003 /1492); 1♂ Phinda Game Reserve (27.72°S 32.38°E), 15.iv.2001, M. Ramirez, beating plants (NCA 2002 /222); 2 imm. ♀ same locality, 7.xi.2002, S. Lovell, palm tree (NCA 2003 /1530); 1♀ Ngotsche District, Toggekry, Vetspruit Farm (27.77°S 31.06°E), 12.iv.1968, T.W. Schofield (NMSA 12404); 1♂ Lake Sibayi, between lake edge & road, vi.1967, R.F. Lawrence & R. Lamoral, sieved from humus under mostly Acacia trees at campsite (AMGS); 1♀ Hell’s Gate (28.00°S 32.48°E), 6.ix.2004, J. Esterhuizen, blue traps (NCA 2012 /1881); 1♀ 1 imm. 15 km N Richards Bay (28.78°S 32.10°E), 1.xii.1995, T. Wassenaar, pitfall traps (NCA 96 /591); 1♀ 1♂ same data but 10.xii.1995, sweep net (NCA 99 /337); 2 imm. ♀ same data but beating (NCA 99 /82); 2♀ 1♂ same data but 3.vii.1996, pitfall traps (NCA 97 /84); 3♀ same data but 2.viii.1996 (NCA 97 /83, 97/85); 1♂ same data but 28.viii.1996 (NCA 97 /109); 9♀ 3♂ same data but 29.viii.1996 (NCA 97 /108); 1♀ same data but 30.viii.1996, pitfall traps, coastal dune forest (NCA 97 /107); 1♀ same data but 11.xii.1996 (NCA 97 /884); 4♂ same data but 5.vi.1997 (NCA 97 /931, 97/932); 1♀ Pietermaritzburg (29.60°S 30.38°E), vi.1951, A.Y. Lawrence & R.F. Lawrence (NMSA 5477); 1 imm. same locality, x.1937, R.F. Lawrence & W.G. Rump (NMSA 2118). Limpopo: 1♀ Tsulu (22.70°S 30.79°E), 21.ii.2008, V. Gelebe, pitfall traps, riparian vegetation (NCA 2012 /2049); 1 imm ♂ same data but 26.ii.2008 (NCA 2012 /2050); 1♀ 5♂ 2 imm. Mokopane, Sovenga Hill, University of Limpopo (24.17°S 29.00°E), 14.v.2001, M. Modiba, pitfall traps (NCA 2005 /1071); 2♂ Lajuma Mountain Retreat, Soutpansberg (23.03°S 29.45°E), 11.v.2004, M. Mafadza, pitfall traps (NCA 2005 /2379); 3♂ same locality, 6.ii.2008, S. Foord, grassveld, by hand (NCA 2008 /521); 1♂ same locality, 1.vi.1997, M. van der Merwe, pitfall traps (NCA 98 /20). Mpumalanga: 1♀ Nelspruit, 10 km NE Hall & Sons (25.47°S 30.96°E), 8.i.1998, M. van den Berg, fogging, avocado orchard (NCA 98 /767); 2♀ Nelspruit (25.47°S 30.99°E), i.1939, R.F. Lawrence (NMSA 2586); 1 imm. ♀ Nelspruit, Lowveld National Botanical Gardens (25.47°S 31.00°E), 25.i.2004, A. Leroy (NCA 2008 /2673); 1♀ Nylsvley Nat. Res. (24.31°S 28.43°E), 8.xi.1979, G. Ferreira, pitfall traps (NCA 79 /242); 2 imm. Lydenburg (25.09°S 30.46°E), 21.iii.1962, N. Leleup (MRAC 132.570); 4 imm. same locality, 21.iii.1962, N. Leleup, from humus (MRAC 132.573); 2 imm. Carolina, 52 miles on road to Barberton (26.06°S 30.11°E), x.1961, N. Leleup (MRAC 132.604); 1♀ Bergvliet Forest Station, Sabie to Nelspruit Rd (25.10°S 30.78°E), 14.iv.1979, M. Stiller, plants (NCA 84 /658); 1♀ 1♂ Kruger National Park, Skukuza Camp (22.93°S 31. 02°E), 1.iv.2006, K. Harris, sifting leaf litter (NCA 2007 /4228, 2007/4229); 1♀ Kruger National Park, Makhuthwanini (25.38°S 31.60°E), 16.vi.2007, G. Ellis, pitfall traps (NCA 2008 /54); 1♂ same data but Lwakahle (25.43°S 31.75°E), 30.vi.2007 (NCA 2008 /70). North West: 1♂ Buffelspoort Research Station (25.62°S 27.77°E), 22.i.1981, D. Uys, plants (NCA 89 /642); 1♀ Rustenburg Nat. Res. (25.72°S 27.18°E), 11.xii.1979, A.S. Dippenaar, sweepnetting herb layer (NCA 84 /249); 1 imm. ♀ Zeerust (25.53°S 26.08°E), 2.v.2010, S. Foord, gallery forest, sifting leaf litter (NCA 2013 /1882). SWAZILAND: 1 imm. ♀ Hlatikulu (26.96°S 31.31°E), i.1939, R.F. Lawrence (NMSA 2570). ZIMBABWE: 1♀ Harare (17.86°S 31.02°E), 15.i.1999, soil surface, M. Cumming (NCA 2004 /1402); 1♀ same data but 15.v.1999 (NCA 2004 /1401); 1♂ same data but 14.i.2003, under rocks (NCA 2004 /738); 2♂ same data but iii.2004 (NCA 2004 /1410); 2♀ 1♂ same data but, 15.iii.2004, soil surface (NCA 2004 /1400, 2004/1417); 1 imm. Umtali [= Mutare, 18.96°S 32.66°E], 5.i.1966, P. Stead, on plants (NCA 84 /656). Distribution: Eastern and southern Afrotropical (South Africa, and new records from Burundi, Ethiopia, D.R. Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, Zimbabwe; Fig. 57). Natural history: This species was sampled from a variety of habitats ranging from coastal dunes, orchards (avocados), forests (Brachystegia woodland), palm tree forest, grassland, riverine sweet thorn and Acacia nigrescens woodland.Published as part of Niekerk, P. van & Dippenaar-Schoeman, A. S., 2013, A revision of the crab spider genus Heriaeus Simon, 1875 (Araneae: Thomisidae) in the Afrotropical Region, pp. 447 in African Invertebrates 54 (2) on pages 459-461, DOI: 10.5733/afin.054.0213, http://zenodo.org/record/791866
Drassodella venda Mbo & Haddad 2019, sp. nov.
No full textDrassodella venda sp. nov. Figs 69, 85, 109, 110, 151–155 Etymology. Named after the indigenous Venda tribe of the Limpopo Province; the species name is a noun in apposition. Diagnosis. In the D. melana species group, D. venda sp. nov. shares with D. flava sp. nov., D. lotzi sp. nov. and D. melana the absence of dorsal abdominal markings. Among these species, females of D. venda sp. nov. have an epigyne structure most similar to D. lotzi sp. nov., particularly the shape of the anterior hood, but can be recognised by the considerably shorter ST II and the much longer ducts connecting ST II and ST I (compare Fig. 69 with Fig. 62). Males are most similar to D. tolkieni sp. nov. by the dorsal embolic prong being much larger than the ventral prong in prolateral view, but can be distinguished by the lack of abdominal markings (white dorsal spots present in D. tolkieni sp. nov.) and by the triangular shape of the RTA, which has a curved tip in D. tolkieni sp. nov. (compare Figs 155 and 145). Description. Female (Holotype, Entabeni Nature Reserve, NCA 2008/2873). Measurements: CL 2.92, CW 2.28, AL 4.45, AW 2.90, TL 7.84 (5.06–8.60), FL 0.37, SL 1.56, SW 1.28, CH 0.13, AME-AME 0.10, AME-ALE 0.03, ALE-ALE 0.29, PME-PME 0.14, PME-PLE 0.15, PLE-PLE 0.58, PERW 0.73, MOQAW 0.22, MOQPW 0.27, MOQL 0.30. Length of leg segments: I 1.76 + 1.04 + 1.40 + 1.24 + 0.92 = 6.36, II 1.68 + 0.96 + 1.16 + 1.16 + 0.82 = 5.78, III 1.52 + 0.86 + 0.96 + 1.20 + 0.76 = 5.30, IV 2.24 + 1.16 + 1.72 + 2.36 + 0.82 = 8.30. General appearance as in Fig. 109. Carapace dark-brown; broad faint white stripe of feathery setae from PME, diverging behind fovea, extending to posterior margin, forming typical upsilon marking. Clypeus height nearly twice AME diameter; AME smaller than ALE; AME separated by distance equal to 1.43 their diameter, AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 0.43 AME diameter; PME smaller than PLE; PME separated by distance twice their diameter, PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 2.14 PME diameter; Chelicerae dark-brown; promargin with three teeth, median tooth largest, close to small distal tooth; retromargin with two teeth, proximal tooth aligned with space between distal and median promarginal teeth. Endites yellow. Labium black, yellow at anterior margin. Sternum yellow-brown, with short and thin setae. Legs with red-brown proximal segments, patches of orange medially on femora and tibiae, distal segments light brown. Leg spination: femora I do 2 rl 1, II do 2 rl 1, III do 5, IV do 4 rl 1; patellae: spineless; tibiae: III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I & II spineless, III pl 4 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 4 do 2 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; palpal spination: femora do 3; patellae rl 1; tibiae rl 2; tarsi pl 1 rl 1. Abdomen black, without markings (Fig. 109); anterior margin with few white feathery and erect setae close to pedicel; venter light brown; lateral and post-epigastric sclerites absent; two paired rows of tiny sclerites stretching from booklungs to spinnerets. Spinnerets cream. Epigyne with deep anterior hood, anterior margin strongly convex, posterior margin slightly very slight convex, lateral ends tapering to narrow strips; lateral hoods curved, close to copulatory openings; ST I, ST II and connecting ducts orange-brown; ST II larger than ST I, ST II oval (Figs 69, 151, 152). Male (Paratype, Entabeni Nature Reserve, NCA 2002/65). Measurements: CL 3.30, CW 2.08, AL 4.05, AW 1.70, TL 7.36, FL 0.48, SL 1.74, SW 1.52, CH 0.12, AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.04, ALE-ALE 0.33, PME-PME 0.15, PME-PLE 0.17, PLE-PLE 0.66, PERW 0.78, MOQAW 0.25, MOQPW 0.82, MOQL 0.34. Length of leg segments: I 2.52 + 1.34 + 2.08 + 1.64 + 1.36 = 8.94, II 2.16 + 1.22 + 1.64 + 1.72 + 1.28 = 8.02, III 1.84 + 0.88 + 1.36 + 1.70 + 0.84 = 6.62, IV 2.80 + 1.24 + 2.16 + 2.76 + 1.28 = 10.24. General appearance as in Fig. 110. Carapace dark-brown, with radiating black mottling; dense white feathery setae around eye region. Clypeus height equal to 1.20 times AME diameter; AME smaller than ALE; AME separated by distance equal to 0.80 their diameter, AME separated from ALE by distance equal to 0.40 AME diameter; PME smaller than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to 0.17 their diameter, PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 0.19 PME diameter. Chelicerae dark-brown; promargin with three evenly spaced teeth, close together, distal tooth largest, proximal tooth smallest; retromargin with two small teeth, distal tooth larger. Endites yellow. Labium yellow, anterior margin paler. Sternum with dense setae across surface. Legs with redbrown proximal segments, distal segments light brown. Leg spination: femora: I do 2 rl 1, II do 1 rl 1, III do 4 rl 1, IV do 3; patellae: spineless; tibiae: III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I & II spineless, III pl 4 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, IV pl 4 do 2 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; palpal spination: femora do 3; patellae rl 1; tibiae rl 1; tarsi spineless. Abdomen grey-brown (Fig. 110), without markings; dorsal scutum extending to third abdomen length; venter light grey, without rows of tiny sclerites; ante- and post-epigastric sclerites indistinct. Spinnerets yellow, with brown mottling. Palp orange; RTA moderately long, largely obscured in ventral view by retrolateral heel of cymbium; in retrolateral view triangular, with broad base and sharp tip, ventral surface slightly concave; cymbium moderately broad, 1.72 times longer than wide, narrowed to rounded point distally; ventral embolic prong very small; dorsal prong spike-like in prolateral view, slightly curved in ventral view; median apophysis very stout, hook-shaped (Figs 85, 153–155). Type material. Holotype ♀: SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo Province: Venda, Soutpansberg, Entabeni Nature Reserve, 22°59'S, 30°16'E, 23.III.2008, leg. S.H. Foord (pitfalls) (NCA 2008 /2873). Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo Province: Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Haffenden Heights, 24°06.617'S, 30°10.248'E, 16.I.2009, leg. S.H. Foord, N. Hahn, M. Muthapuli & V. Gelebe (pitfall trapping, grassland and Acacia woodland), 2♀ (NCA 2015 /2004); Venda, Soutpansberg, Entabeni Nature Reserve, 22°59'S, 30°16'E, 9. II.2008, leg. S.H. Foord (pitfalls), 1♀ (NCA 2008 /2870); Same locality and collector as previous, 11. II.2008 (leaf litter sifting), 1♂, together with 1 non-type imm. (NCA 2010/260); Soutpansberg, Thathe Vondo Forest, 22°50'S, 30°21'E, X.2001, leg. J. Swaye (pitfall sample), 2♂ (NCA 2002 /65). Additional material examined. SOUTH AFRICA: Limpopo Province: Entabeni Nature Reserve, 22°59'S, 30°16'E, 23. III.2008, leg. S.H. Foord (pitfall), 1 imm. (NCA 2008 /2873); Same data as previous but 9. II.2008, 3 imm. (NCA 2008 /4445); Same data as previous but 2. II.2008 (night sampling), 1 imm. (NCA 2008 /4449). Distribution. Known from three localities in Limpopo, South Africa (Fig. 156).Published as part of Mbo, Zingisile & Haddad, Charles R., 2019, A revision of the endemic South African long-jawed ground spider genus Drassodella Hewitt, 1916 (Araneae: Gallieniellidae), pp. 1-62 in Zootaxa 4582 (1) on pages 36-39, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4582.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/264372
Mystaria savannensis Honiball Lewis & Dippenaar-Schoeman 2014, sp. n.
No full textMystaria savannensis sp. n. Figs 3, 33–35, 75–78, 99–102, 124 Type material: Holotype: ♀, ZAMBIA: Southern Province, near Choma Wildlives Game Farm [16°50’S, 26°59’E], beating short shrubs, 4 December 2006, C. Haddad & R. Lyle (NCA 2007/530). Paratypes: BOTSWANA: North-East District, 3 ♀, 1 juvenile Selkirk Mine, near Francistown [21°10’S, 27°30’E], 29 February–May 2008, D.H. Jacobs & M. Stiller (NCA 2009/5033, 2009/5034, 2009/5035). SOUTH AFRICA: Gauteng Province, 1 ♀, Hartbeespoortdam [25°43’S, 27°50’E], 10 March 1966, A. Capener (NCA 78/ 33). KwaZulu-Natal Province, 1 ♀, Ubombo [27°33’S, 32°05’E], 16km N, 4 April 1958, E.S. Ross & R.E. Leech (CAS); 1♀, Mkuze Game Reserve [27°39’S, 32°10’E], alt 30 m, 13 June 1985, C.E. Griswold (NM); 2 ♀, 2 ♂, 4 juveniles Ophathe Game Reserve, river bed [28°29’S, 31°27’E], alt 455 m beating short shrubs, 2 October 2008, C. Haddad (NCA 2008/4179, 2008/4175). Limpopo Province, 5 ♂, Blouberg Nature Reserve [23°06’S, 28°59’E], beating Sclerocarya birrea, 29 November 2005 – 26 March 2006, P. Tshivhandekano, V. Gelebe, M. Muelelwa & F. Mbedzi (NCA 2009/4617, 2009/4621, 2009/4622, 2009/4623); 2 ♀, 8 ♂, same locality, sweeping Spirostachys africana, 26 March 2006, S. Foord & N Hahn (NCA 2009/4618, 2009/4619, 2009/4620, 2009/4624, 2009/5024); 4 ♂, same locality, sweeping Kirkia acuminate, 24 March 2006, S. Foord (NCA 2009/5025); 1 ♂, Klasserie, Bokmakierie Game Farm [24°34’S, 31°12’E], open grass lands, 8 April 2001, R. Jocqué (MRAC 210095); 4 ♂, 4 ♀, 1 sub-adult ♂, Wallers Camp, near Pafuri [22°25’S, 31°02’E], alt 261 m, canopy fogging, 16 February 2008, R. Jocqué and team (NCA 2009/5039); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Kruger National Park, Punda Maria Camp [22°40’S, 31°01’E], Shipudze on road to Dunyadgiba, 2 May 1962, R.F. Lawrence (NM 23346); 2 ♂, Strydomtunnel [22°23’S, 30°00’E], tree beating, 22 February 1978, E.A. Ueckermann (NCA 88/592); 11 ♀, 30 ♂, 7 juvenile ♀, Tshulu Research Reserve [22°34’S, 30°48’E], alt 38 m, canopy fogging, 18 February 2008. R. Jocqué and team (NCA 2009/5040, 2009/5041, 2009/5042, 2009/5043, 2009/5044, 2009/5843, 2009/5844); 1 ♀, 2 ♂, Western Soutpansberg, Farm Little Leigh [23°05’S, 29°00’E], alt 108 m, beating Kirkia wilmsii, 24 November 2005 – 21 March 2006, F. Maanda (NCA 2009/4625, 2009/5027, 2009/5029); 1 ♀, same locality beating Pterocarpus rotundifolius, 22 March 2006, M. Muelelwa (NCA 2009/5026); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same locality, beating gallery forest, 22 December 2005 – 19 March 2006, E. Stam (NCA 2009/5028, 2009/5031); 1 ♀, same locality, beating Burkea africana, 23 February 2005, S. Foord (NCA 2009/5030); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Wolkberg, Haenertsburg [23°57’S, 29°56’E], sweeping shrubs, 15 July 1993, A. Leroy (NCA 2004/522). Mpumalanga Province, 2 ♀, Loskopdam, Farm Ranch 2D [25°26’S, 29°20’E], bush beating, 27 February 1994, A. Leroy (NCA 2004/524, 2009/5032); 1 ♀, Kruger National Park, Letaba Camp [23°51’S, 31°35’E], 19 February 1962, R.F. Lawrence (NM); 1 juvenile ♀, Bourke’s Luck [24°50’S, 30°46’E], sifting leaf litter, 29 March 1991, M. Filmer (NCA 92/144). ZIMBABWE: Masvingo Province, 1♀, Malilangwe Estate, Hakamela Camp [21°05’S, 32°00’E], active search on the ground, 26 March 2000, M. Cumming (NCA 2004/1424); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same locality, SE low veld, sweeping dense grassland, 25 March 2004, M. Cumming (NCA 2004/1423). Etymology. Named after the Savanna Biome, which signifies a favourable habitat of most individuals of the species. Adjective. Diagnosis. Both sexes differ from any other species by the presence of a dark longitudinal stripe present on all legs, which extends from tibia or patella until tarsi (Fig. 34). Epigyne with atrium long-oval, teardrop-shaped, differ from other species by having the longest and largest atrium; intromittent orifices open antero-laterally (Fig. 77). Bulb large with RTA very broad base, differ from other species by a leaf-shaped RTA base, slender tip directed anteriorly (Figs 75, 76). Description. Female. Size, measurements. (n = 9). TL: 3.76 (3.15–5.08); CL: 1.38 (1.20–1.65); CW: 1.33 (1.20–1.53); CI: 1.03 (0.93–1.11); CH: 0.93 (0.84–1.10); CLL: 0.26 (0.21–0.33); MOQ-L: 0.29 (0.27–0.33). Colour. Carapace orange-red or dark brown with a yellow or orange patch on clypeus, may have dark patches over lateral eyes or with a black eye spot on PME (Fig. 33); abdomen pale, may be decorated dorsally as follows: longitudinal band centrally, broader anteriorly than posteriorly extending laterally, or with only dark areas on lateral sides; ventrally pale with striae dark blue to black, white in between; legs I–IV femora may have infuscated bands dorso-ventrally. Carapace. Smooth to slightly granular. Chelicerae. As in Fig. 3. Sternum. SL: 0.56; SW: 0.61; SI: 0.92. Eye s. Eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.27; ALE–AME: 0.38; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.70; PME–PME: 0.45; PLE–PME: 0.35; PME–PME/PME-PLE: 1.29; ALE/AME: 1.43; PLE/PME: 0.77; MOQ-AW/ MOQ-PW: 0.59; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.49; Clyp/AME–AME: 0.98. Legs. Covered with fine short setae on all segments, femora I–IV with two medium spiniform setae dorsally; tibiae with two short spiniform setae dorsally; tarsal claws as in Figs 99–102; leg formula: I:II:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 0.89, Pat 0.36, Tib 0.75, Mt 0.62, Ta 0.43, total 3.05; II—Fe 0.93, Pat 0.36, Tib 0.69, Mt 0.62, Ta 0.42, total 3.03; III—Fe 0.68, Pat 0.30, Tib 0.47, Mt 0.42, Ta 0.31, total 2.19; IV—Fe 0.84, Pat 0.29, Tib 0.58, Mt 0.53, Ta 0.35, total 2.61. Abdomen. AL: 2.38; AW: 2.27; AI: 1.05. Epigyne. With flap posteriorly (Fig. 77); intromittent canals antero-laterally extended (Fig. 78). Male. Size, measurements. (n = 9). TL: 2.74 (2.50–3.27); CL: 1.17 (1.06–1.32); CW: 1.10 (0.98–1.34); CI: 1.07 (1.02–1.15); CH: 0.74 (0.66–0.85); CLL: 0.27 (0.24–0.31); MOQ-L: 0.27 (0.25–0.31). Resemble female but differ as follows: Colour. Carapace dark or pale copper-brown; abdomen dorsally dark orange or black, with narrow whitish border anteriorly, may have an orange-brown pattern or with spots posteriorly (Fig. 35); legs reddish-brown or orange, yellow or pale-green, femora I–II with infuscated bands, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi IV darker brown. Sternum. SL: 0.46 SW: 0.52 SI: 0.90. Eyes. MOQ big, long wide; eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.24; ALE–AME: 0.31; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.76; PME–PME: 0.37; PLE–PME: 0.29; PME–PME/ PME–PLE: 1.29; ALE/AME: 1.33; PLE/PME: 0.78; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.63; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.43; Clyp/ AME–AME: 1.16. Legs. Patellae may have medium spiniform setae; tibiae III–IV with medium spiniform setae dorsally and ventrally; leg formula: I:II:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 0.91, Pat 0.28, Tib 0.81, Mt 0.70, Ta 0.49, total 3.17; II—Fe 0.86, Pat 0.26, Tib 0.75, Mt 0.62, Ta 0.42, total 2.91; III—Fe 0.61, Pat 0.24, Tib 0.49, Mt 0.40, Ta 0.30, total 2.04; IV—Fe 0.68, Pat 0.23, Tib 0.53, Mt 0.49, Ta 0.33, total 2.27. Abdomen. AL: 1.57; AW: 1.47; AI: 1.06. Palp. RTA widened at base (Fig. 75); VTA fairly long, almost equal in length to RTA (Fig. 76). Natural history. Specimens have been collected mostly from trees or sometimes shrubs by means of sweeping, beating or fogging. Other methods include active searching on the ground and leaf litter sifting. Individuals have been observed (pers. comm.) to be frequently hanging on their own silk thread when disturbed from a branch or twig. Some individuals occur in mountainous areas, but seem to be more prevalent in the savanna biome in southern Africa. Individuals prefer living on a variety of indigenous tree species such as Sclerocarya birrea, Spirostachys africana, Kirkia acuminate, K. wilmsii and Pterocarpus rotundifolius. Adults occur from October until July, while juveniles occur from October until February. Distribution. Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe (Fig. 124).Published as part of Honiball Lewis, Allet S. & Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie S., 2014, Revision of the spider genus Mystaria Simon, 1895 (Araneae: Thomisidae) and the description of a new genus from the Afrotropical region, pp. 101-144 in Zootaxa 3873 (2) on pages 127-130, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3873.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/494811
