Phintella globosa sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 1CF7E3B7-B663-412C-AABA-870194E7F208

Fig. 44

Diagnosis

The epigynal structure of this species is somewhat similar to that in Phintella lucida Wesołowska & Tomasiewicz, 2008 but differs in having thinner seminal ducts and very large spermathecae.

Etymology

The name is Latin, meaning ‘spherical’, and refers to the shape of the spermathecae.

Material examined

Holotype IVORY COAST • ♀; Cavally Forest; 6°05′ N, 7°36′ W; 20 Nov. 1975; “sur branches au bord de la route”; MNHN.

Description

Male

Unknown.

Female

MEASUREMENTS. Cephalothorax length 2.1, width 1.6, height 1.0. Eye field length 1.2, anterior width 1.5, posterior width 1.4. Abdomen length 2.0, width 1.5. General appearance as in Fig. 44A–B.

CARAPACE. High, steeply sloping posteriorly, dark brown with wide light belt composed of white hairs on posterior slope. Eyes surrounded by black patches, colourless scales and long brown bristles on eye field near eyes. Clypeus low, dark, some white hairs below anterior lateral eyes. Chelicerae long, brownish, promargin with two small teeth, retromargin with single tooth. Mouthparts light brown, sternum yellow.

ABDOMEN. Ovoid, slightly narrowing posteriorly, yellowish with brownish grey pattern (Fig. 44A), some white hairs on lateral surfaces. Venter yellow with wide grey streak.

LEGS. Generally yellow, distal halves of femora brown, both ends of tibiae also darker. Last pair of legs longest, with especially long femora. Leg hairs brown, spines long. Spinnerets yellowish.

EPIGYNE. As in Fig. 44C–D. Copulatory openings hidden under sclerotized ‘shields’, seminal ducts weakly sclerotized, thin and delicate, spermathecae huge, very strongly sclerotized (Fig. 44E).

Distribution

Only known from the type locality, Cavally Forest, Ivory Coast.