identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
046A8790FFB2FF94FF497B3A5530F8D0.text	046A8790FFB2FF94FF497B3A5530F8D0.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Messapus Simon 1898	<div><p>Genus Messapus Simon, 1898</p><p>Messapus Simon, 1898: 214; Reiskind, 1969: 166; Bosselaers &amp; Jocqué, 2000: 307; Haddad, 2013: 16. Type species: Messapus martini Simon, 1898, by original designation.</p><p>Remarks and supplementary descriptive data: Haddad (2013) provided a detailed description and diagnosis for the genus. The presence of a lobe found on the distal side of the cheliceral paturon in front of the fang base (cheliceral promarginal pronounced mound, CPPM, Fig. 3; also see Ramírez 2014: 53) is a structure reported from the genus for the first time here. A CPPM is found in four of the Messapus species described here, as well as M. natalis, but is absent from M. martini and M. meridionalis sp. n., and may be of phylogenetic significance.</p><p>Messapus martini possesses feathery setae (FS) on the body and legs (Figs 11–18) typical for Corinnidae . Here we report on the presence of squamate setae with brachia (SSB; sensu Murphy 2007: 30, fig. k; see also Bonaldo 2000: figs 44, 46, 48 and Ramírez 2014: figs 92H, I, 93D, G for possible homologs) for the first time in the genus. These setae cover most of the body and legs in M. tigris sp. n. but are not reported in the other Messapus species treated here. In M. tigris sp. n., SSB are found from the coxae to the proximal region of the tarsal segments (Figs 23–28), with the brachiae of the SSB increasing in length along the length of the tarsi so that the distal setae have a relatively narrow shaft and long brachiae (Fig. 27), similar to the FS typical of other species in the genus, although with a slightly thicker shaft. While the SSB are the dominant setal type, there are also scattered elongate scales with fine longitudinal striae present (e.g. Figs 24, 26). The FS of M. meridionalis sp. n. are similar to those of M. martini, but those of the other Messapus species are somewhat intermediate between the extremes presented by M. martini and M. tigris sp. n., and have a thicker shaft and slightly shorter brachia than those seen in M. martini . We consider these to be FS rather than SSB.</p><p>The femora, tibiae and metatarsi are usually armed with relatively narrow, elongate spines with fine barbs (Figs 14–16, 23, 25). Femora, patellae (Fig. 24) and tibiae with dorsal lines of naked rugose cuticle. Patellar indentation narrow, with proximal lyriform organs (Figs 17, 18). Tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi with scattered dorsal trichobothria. Metatarsi with distinct dorsal vibration sense organ at distal end (Fig. 16). Tarsal claws paired, with several small teeth, claw tufts dense (Figs 19, 28); tarsi with tactile setae, chemosensory setae, trichobothria, a single tarsal slit sensilla and several small pores (Fig. 27); trichobothria with sunken distal plate, tarsal trichobothria with more ridges (Figs 20, 29) than metatarsal trichobothria (Fig. 21); tarsal organ oval, finely wrinkled, only slightly elevated from surrounding integument, with an oval opening containing nerve endings (Fig. 22); tarsal pores sunken from cuticle, forming near circular pit (Fig. 30); tarsal slit sensillum small, with elevated ridges (Fig. 31).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/046A8790FFB2FF94FF497B3A5530F8D0	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Haddad, Charles R.;Mbo, Zingisile	Haddad, Charles R., Mbo, Zingisile (2015): Five new species of the Afrotropical dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 4057 (3): 385-398, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.3.5
046A8790FFB4FF95FF497D3D51E7FBF1.text	046A8790FFB4FF95FF497D3D51E7FBF1.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Messapus	<div><p>Key to the species of Messapus</p><p>1 Males ............................................................................................... 2</p><p>- Females............................................................................................. 5</p><p>2 Palp with single elongate RTA; embolus very long, originating prolaterally, curving in broad arc distally and ending midway along the retrolateral margin of the tegulum; conductor very fine, weakly sclerotised, situated prolaterally (Figs 37, 38, 43, 44).................................................................................. Messapus megae sp. n.</p><p>- Palp with more than one tibial apophysis; embolus shorter; conductor absent or present.............................. 3</p><p>3 Palp bearing four RTA, dorsal-most apophysis bifid; embolus short, needle-shaped, obliquely situated beneath sclerotised conductor (see Haddad 2005: figs 4–6); large spiders,&gt; 11.7 mm in length.................. Messapus natalis (Pocock, 1898)</p><p>- Palp bearing three RTA; embolus not hidden beneath conductor, slightly curved and flattened; medium to large spiders, &lt;10 mm in length.........................................................................................4</p><p>4 Largest RTA triangular, originating dorsally above two smaller teeth-like ventral apophyses (Figs 39, 40, 53, 54)............................................................................................ Messapus tropicus sp. n.</p><p>- Largest RTA stout, slightly curved ventrally in retrolateral view, originating dorsally above tongue-like ventral apophysis, with small lobed apophysis between them proximally (see Haddad 2013: figs 36, 37).......... .. Messapus martini Simon, 1898</p><p>5 Epigyne with horseshoe-shaped ridges; CPPM absent......................................................... 6</p><p>- Epigyne with oval- or slit-shaped ridges; CPPM present....................................................... 7</p><p>6 Median margins of epigynal ridges running to posterior of depression (Figs 33, 45); copulatory ducts longitudinal to epigynal axis; ST II without anterior “nipple” (Fig. 46)........................................ Messapus meridionalis sp. n.</p><p>- Median margins of epigynal ridges ending near middle of depression (see Haddad 2013: fig. 34); copulatory openings obliquely oriented to epigyne axis; ST II with anterior “nipple” (see Haddad 2013: fig. 35).. .. Messapus martini Simon, 1898</p><p>7 Epigyne ventrally with strongly sclerotised ridges forming complete oval, directed anterolaterally along their axis.........8</p><p>- Epigyne ventrally with ridges forming incomplete ovals directed posterolaterally along their axis, or with curved ridges.... 9</p><p>8 Epigynal ridges touching medially; spermathecae linked by broad median U-shaped tube (see Haddad 2005: figs 1–3); large spiders,&gt; 15 mm in length..................................................... Messapus natalis (Pocock, 1898)</p><p>- Epigynal ridges clearly separated (Fig. 41); spermathecae not connected by broad median U-shaped tube, but projecting anterolaterally (Fig. 42); small spiders, ca. 7 mm in length....................................... Messapus megae sp. n.</p><p>9 Epigyne with two widely separated oblique incomplete oval ridges, directed posterolaterally along their axis; spermathecae large, suboval, situated laterally (Figs 35, 49, 50)........................................... Messapus tigris sp. n.</p><p>- Epigyne with curved epigynal ridges, more or less parallel to body axis; spermathecae either small, round and medially situated (Fig. 48) or with large lateral extensions projecting posteriorly (Fig. 52)...................................... 10</p><p>10 Epigyne with small ridges, curved inwards, CO anteriorly in ridges; spermathecae nearly spherical, situated anteromedially (Figs 34, 47, 48).................................................................. Messapus seiugatus sp. n.</p><p>- Epigyne with large ridges, curved outwards, with CO posteriorly in ridges; spermathecae with large lateral lobes, directed posteriorly (Figs 36, 51, 52)............................................................. Messapus tropicus sp. n.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/046A8790FFB4FF95FF497D3D51E7FBF1	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Haddad, Charles R.;Mbo, Zingisile	Haddad, Charles R., Mbo, Zingisile (2015): Five new species of the Afrotropical dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 4057 (3): 385-398, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.3.5
046A8790FFB5FF98FF497ED85720FF33.text	046A8790FFB5FF98FF497ED85720FF33.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Messapus megae	<div><p>Messapus megae sp. n.</p><p>Figs 4, 5, 32, 37, 38, 41–44</p><p>Type material. Holotype ♀: ZIMBABWE: Harare, Highlands, Walmer drive, 17°49'S, 31°05'E, leg. M. Cumming, 28.V.1999 (in tree) (NCA 2014/1857).</p><p>Paratype: Same data as holotype, 1♂ (NCA 2014/1858).</p><p>Etymology. Named after the collector of the type specimens, Meg Cumming.</p><p>Diagnosis. Messapus megae sp. n. can be recognised by the females having oblique-oval epigynal ridges that are posterolaterally situated and two spermathecae that are widely separated and anteriorly positioned in the epigyne (Figs 32, 41). Males have a very distinctive palp, with a long embolus originating prolaterally, curving distally and ending medially along the retrolateral margin of the tegulum. They also possess a characteristic very fine, weakly sclerotised prolateral conductor, and a very long narrow RTA (Figs 37, 43).</p><p>Female (holotype, Harare, NCA 2014/1857). Measurements: CL 2.85, CW 2.65, AL 4.45, AW 2.85, TL 7.10, FL 0.25, SL 1.45, SW 1.69, CH 0.08, AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.56, PME–PME 0.15, PME–PLE 0.14, PLE–PLE 0.76, PERW 0.98, MOQAW 0.52, MOQPW 0.51, MOQL 0.54.</p><p>Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 2.75 + 1.25 + 2.05 + 1.92 + 1.17 = 9.14; II 2.55 + 1.10 + 1.80 + 1.78 + 1.05 = 8.28; III 2.50 + 1.00 + 1.75 + 2.08 + 1.15 = 8.48; IV 2.90 + 1.10 + 2.30 + 2.50 + 1.20 = 10.00.</p><p>General appearance as in Fig. 4. Carapace yellow-brown, paler laterally, with broad mediolateral black markings, black marking in front of fovea; markings covered in black FS, silver-white FS between them. All eyes surrounded by black rings; clypeus height equal to distance 0.37 times AME diameter; AER slightly procurved; AME larger than ALE; AME separated by distance 0.44 times their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance 0.15 times AME diameter; PER slightly procurved; PME slightly larger than PLE; PME separated by distance 0.86 times their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance 0.82 times PME diameter. Chelicerae orange-brown with black mottled markings, with dark brown setae on paturon; CPPM present; promargin with three teeth, median tooth largest, slightly larger than proximal tooth, distal tooth tiny, median and distal teeth closest together; retromargin with four teeth, proximal largest, separate from remaining teeth that are adjacent, decreasing in size distally. Endites creamy-brown, cream distally; serrula distinct; labium yellow-brown, cream distally; sternum shield-shaped, broader than long, cream, with scattered straight brown setae. Legs creamy-yellow, distal segments slightly darker; markings covered in black FS; femora with broad black band at 2/3 their length, scattered small black spots in proximal half; patellae with lateral black marking, proximal median stripe; tibiae with broad median black band; metatarsi with proximal black band, faint narrow distal ring; tarsi without markings. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 3, II pl 2 do 2 rl 1, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2, IV do 1 rl 1; tibiae: I plv 2 rlv 1, II and III spineless, IV plv 1; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, II spineless, III vt 2, IV vt 2. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2; patellae: do 1; tibiae: pl 3 plv 2. Abdomen cream dorsally and laterally, with black patches anteriorly and chevrons in posterior half; markings covered in black FS, silver-white FS between them; venter cream, covered in short straight brown setae and cream FS. Epigyne with slightly separated posterolaterally situated oblique-oval epigynal ridges (Figs 32, 41); copulatory openings entering spermathecae posteromedially; spermathecae widely separated and positioned anterolaterally in epigyne (Fig. 42).</p><p>Male (paratype, Harare, NCA 2014/1858). Measurements: CL 2.79, CW 2.43, AL 4.30, AW 2.40, TL 7.05, FL 0.11, SL 1.37, SW 1.49, CH 0.11, AME–AME 0.13, AME–ALE 0.02, ALE–ALE 0.49, PME–PME 0.13, PME–PLE 0.09, PLE–PLE 0.63, PERW 0.87, MOQAW 0.50, MOQPW 0.47, MOQL 0.54.</p><p>Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 2.92 + 1.10 + 2.28 + 2.55 + 1.35 = 10.20; II 2.60 + 1.00 + 1.90 + 1.85 + 1.20 = 8.55; III 2.55 + 1.02 + 1.92 + 2.10 + 1.25 = 8.84; IV 2.85 + 1.10 + 2.30 + 2.50 + 1.35 = 10.10.</p><p>General appearance as in Fig. 5; colouration, markings and cheliceral morphology as for female, except male slightly darker. Clypeus height equal to distance 0.48 times AME diameter; AER slightly procurved; AME larger than ALE; AME separated by distance 0.34 times their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance 0.10 times AME diameter; PER slightly procurved; PME very slightly smaller than PLE; PME separated by distance 0.57 times their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance 0.38 times PME diameter. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 2, II pl 1 do 2, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2, IV pl 1 do 1; tibiae: I plv 2 rlv 1, II spineless, III plv 1, IV plv 1; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, II spineless, III vt 2, IV vt 2. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 1; patellae: pl 1; tibiae: pl 1 plv 1. Abdomen with yellow-brown anterior scutum extending abdomen length. Palps yellow-brown, embolus long, originating prolaterally, curving distally in broad arc, ending medially along retrolateral margin of tegulum, distal end forming a loop; conductor very fine, weakly sclerotised, situated prolaterally at embolus base, extending approximately 1/3 of embolus length (Figs 37, 43); RTA very long and narrow, slightly curved in retrolateral view (Figs 38, 44).</p><p>Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 55).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/046A8790FFB5FF98FF497ED85720FF33	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Haddad, Charles R.;Mbo, Zingisile	Haddad, Charles R., Mbo, Zingisile (2015): Five new species of the Afrotropical dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 4057 (3): 385-398, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.3.5
046A8790FFB8FF98FF497B135720F98E.text	046A8790FFB8FF98FF497B135720F98E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Messapus meridionalis	<div><p>Messapus meridionalis sp. n.</p><p>Figs 6, 33, 45, 46</p><p>Type material. Holotype ♀: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, Samango waterfall trail, 30°42.612'S, 30°16.182'E, leg. C. Haddad, 200 m a.s.l., 13.I.2011 (canopy fogging) (NCA 2014/1856).</p><p>Etymology. From Latin for southern ( meridionalis), referring to its distribution as the southernmost species in the genus.</p><p>Diagnosis. Similar to females of M. martini, females of M. meridionalis sp. n. possess horse-shoe shaped epigynal ridges and copulatory openings that are situated anteriorly. Medially, the epigynal ridges of M. martini extend half the length of the epigyne (Haddad 2013: fig. 34), while those of M. meridionalis sp. n. extend to the posterior margin (Fig. 45). The spermathecae of M. martini are oblique (Haddad 2013: fig. 35), while those of M. meridionalis sp. n. are longitudinal (Fig. 46). Male unknown.</p><p>Female (holotype, Oribi Gorge, NCA 2014/1856). Measurements: CL 3.85, CW 3.30, AL 4.40, AW 2.30, TL 8.40, FL 0.35, SL 1.70, SW 1.90, CH 0.13, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.73, PME–PME 0.23, PME–PLE 0.21, PLE–PLE 1.03, PERW 1.32, MOQAW 0.68, MOQPW 0.67, MOQL 0.76.</p><p>Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 3.30 + 1.60 + 2.20 + 2.45 + 1.55 = 11.10; II 2.80 + 1.45 + 2.25 + 2.45 + 1.50 = 10.45; III 3.30 + 1.35 + 2.50 + 3.10 + 1.50 = 11.75; IV missing.</p><p>General appearance as in Fig. 6. Carapace yellow medially, with light brown markings with black FS mediolaterally, creamy-yellow laterally; eye region generally black, cream between posterior eyes. All eyes surrounded by black rings; clypeus height equal to distance 0.44 times AME diameter; AER slightly procurved; AME larger than ALE; AME separated by distance slightly less than half their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance 0.11 times AME diameter; PER slightly procurved; PME slightly larger than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance 0.87 times PME diameter. Chelicerae orange-brown, with dark brown setae on paturon; CPPM absent; promargin with three teeth, median largest, distal smallest; median and distal teeth adjacent, median and proximal teeth widely separated; retromargin with two widely separated teeth, distal tooth slightly larger. Endites and labium creamy-yellow, paler distally; endites with distinct serrula; sternum shield-shaped, broader than long, with scattered light brown setae. Legs cream, with faint mottled markings comprising black FS from femora to metatarsi. Leg spination (leg IV missing): femora: I pl 2 do 3, II pl 1-2 do 3 rl 0-1, III pl 2-3 do 3 rl 1-2; tibiae: I pl 0-1 plv 3 rlv 3, II pl 2 plv 2 rlv 3, III pl 2 do 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, II pl 1 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, III pl 1 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2; patellae: pl 1 do 1; tibiae: pl 1 plv 3; tarsi: pl 1 plv 1. Abdomen cream dorsally, densely covered in dark grey FS, sparser medially in anterior half; venter cream, with less dense FS and scattered short straight setae. Epigyne with horse-shoe shaped epigynal ridges, with median ridge extending to posterior; copulatory openings situated anteriorly in epigynal ridges (Figs 33, 45); spermathecae fused medially, longitudinal, with broad lateral lobes (Fig. 46).</p><p>Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 55).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/046A8790FFB8FF98FF497B135720F98E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Haddad, Charles R.;Mbo, Zingisile	Haddad, Charles R., Mbo, Zingisile (2015): Five new species of the Afrotropical dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 4057 (3): 385-398, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.3.5
046A8790FFB8FF99FF497CDF5720FB93.text	046A8790FFB8FF99FF497CDF5720FB93.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Messapus seiugatus	<div><p>Messapus seiugatus sp. n.</p><p>Figs 7, 34, 47, 48</p><p>Type material. Holotype ♀: GUINEA: Mt Nimba, Gba Valley, 07°42'N, 08°24'W, leg. D. van den Spiegel &amp; A. Henrard, 11.X.2011 (beating, primary gallery forest, litter in trees and shrubs) (MRAC 238097).</p><p>Etymology. From Latin seiugatus (separated), referring to its isolated distribution from all of the other Messapus species, in far West Africa.</p><p>Diagnosis. Messapus seiugatus sp. n. females are recognised by their nearly spherical spermathecae and small curved epigynal ridges (Figs 34, 47, 48). The epigynal ridges of M. seiugatus sp. n. are small and curved inwards, while those of M. tropicus sp. n. are larger and curved outwards (compare Figs 47 and 51). Male unknown.</p><p>Female (holotype, Mt Nimba, MRAC 238097). Measurements: CL 4.25, CW 3.60, AL 4.95, AW 3.55, TL 9.25, FL 0.45, SL 1.93, SW 2.14, CH 0.14, AME–AME 0.13, AME–ALE 0.02, ALE–ALE 0.68, PME–PME 0.22, PME–PLE 0.16, PLE–PLE 0.94, PERW 1.30, MOQAW 0.67, MOQPW 0.70, MOQL 0.73.</p><p>Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 4.75 + 1.90 + 3.75 + 3.65 + 2.00 = 16.05; II 4.40 + 1.70 + 3.20 + 3.40 + 1.85 = 14.55; III 4.40 + 1.60 + 3.10 + 3.62 + 1.93 = 14.65; IV 5.12 + 1.76 + 3.90 + 4.75 + 2.05 = 17.58.</p><p>General appearance as in Fig. 7. Carapace creamy-yellow, with dark brown mediolateral markings, median line in front of and surrounding fovea, mottled spots behind PER, small brown spots laterally between coxal pairs; eye region black, with silver-white FS between median eyes, also between carapace markings; markings covered in black FS. All eyes surrounded by black rings; clypeus height approximately half AME diameter; AER procurved; AME larger than ALE; AME separated by distance 0.44 times their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance 0.08 times AME diameter; PER slightly procurved; PME subequal to PLE; PME separated by distance 0.90 times their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance 0.65 times PME diameter. Chelicerae orangebrown; CPPM present; promargin with three slightly separated teeth, proximal tooth largest, distal tooth smallest; retromargin with six closely spaced teeth, proximal largest, remaining teeth decreasing in size distally. Endites and labium yellow-brown, cream distally; endites with distinct serrula; sternum shield-shaped, slightly broader than long, creamy-orange, with black median marking anteriorly. Legs with femora to tibiae cream, metatarsi and tarsi yellow-brown, with scattered short straight brown setae; black markings covered in black FS; femora with band at 2/3 their length and narrow distal black ring dorsally; patellae with dense black mottling proximally, distally and laterally; tibiae and metatarsi with broad median band; tarsi without markings. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 3, II pl 2 do 3 rl 1, III pl 1 do 3 rl 2, IV do 3 rl 1; tibiae: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, II rlv 2 vt 2, III plv 1 rlv 2 vt 2, IV plv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3, II plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, III plv 1 rlv 2 vt 3, IV plv 1 rlv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2; patellae: do 1 pl 1; tibiae: pl 1 plv 1; tarsi: plv 1. Abdomen creamy-grey dorsally, laterally and ventrally, with mottled markings; dorsum with sparse short straight setae, very dense ventrally; markings covered in black FS, with creamy-yellow FS between them. Epigyne with small ridges medially, curved inwards; copulatory openings situated anteriorly in ridges (Figs 34, 47); spermathecae nearly spherical, anteriorly situated (Fig. 48).</p><p>Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 55).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/046A8790FFB8FF99FF497CDF5720FB93	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Haddad, Charles R.;Mbo, Zingisile	Haddad, Charles R., Mbo, Zingisile (2015): Five new species of the Afrotropical dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 4057 (3): 385-398, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.3.5
046A8790FFBAFF9AFF497AC5501DF95C.text	046A8790FFBAFF9AFF497AC5501DF95C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Messapus tigris	<div><p>Messapus tigris sp. n.</p><p>Figs 1–3, 8, 23–31, 35, 49, 50</p><p>Type material. Holotype ♀: NAMIBIA: Caprivi strip, 34 km East of Divungu, 18°02.944'S, 21°54.611'E, leg. C. Haddad, 30.XI.2006 (under bark) (NCA 2007/916).</p><p>Paratypes: BOTSWANA: Okavango Delta, Near Shakawe, Lesideng Research Camp, 18°25.822'S, 21°53.771'E, leg. L. van As, XII.2008 (in house), 1♀ (NCA 2014/1774); Same locality, leg. C. Haddad, 26– 29.XI.2006 (night collecting), 1♀ (NCA 2014/1775); Same locality, leg. C. Haddad, 11.XII.2006 (pitfall traps, riverine forest), 1♀ (NCA 2014/1775).</p><p>Etymology. The species name is taken from the Latin tigris (tiger), for the conspicuous bands on the legs.</p><p>Diagnosis. Females are easily recognized by the broad epigyne with two oblique incomplete oval ridges directed posterolaterally, which differs from M. megae sp. n. and M. natalis, in which they are orientated anterolaterally. Males unknown.</p><p>Female (holotype, Caprivi Strip, NCA 2007/916). Measurements: CL 3.78, CW 3.20, AL 5.75, AW 4.10, TL 9.90, FL 0.45, SL 1.90, SW 1.95, CH 0.15, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.67, PME–PME 0.26, PME–PLE 0.17, PLE–PLE 0.96, PERW 1.25, MOQAW 0.62, MOQPW 0.66, MOQL 0.68.</p><p>Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 3.39 + 1.75 + 2.65 + 2.43 + 1.25 = 11.47; II 2.98 + 1.50 + 2.16 + 2.23 + 1.15 = 10.02; III 2.75 + 1.35 + 2.05 + 2.40 + 1.05 = 9.60; IV 4.00 + 1.60 + 3.25 + 3.80 + 1.35 = 14.00.</p><p>General appearance as in Figs 1, 2, 8. Carapace orange-brown medially, yellow-brown laterally, with broad black median stripe, absent along midline behind PER, around fovea to posterior margin; narrow pale oblique streak behind PLE; black lateral spots at coxae I–III; markings covered with black SSB, area between median eyes and areas without markings covered in silver-white SSB. All eyes surrounded by black rings; clypeus height equal to distance 0.63 times AME diameter; AER slightly procurved; AME slightly larger than ALE; AME separated by distance 0.60 times their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance 0.13 times AME diameter; PER slightly procurved; PME slightly larger than PLE; PME separated by distance 1.18 times their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance 0.79 times PME diameter. Chelicerae deep orange-brown, with several longitudinal black streaks; long black setae on paturon; CPPM present; promargin with three teeth, proximal tooth largest, distal tooth smallest; retromargin with five teeth, proximal tooth large, slightly separated from second tooth, remaining teeth smaller and adjacent, decreasing slightly in size distally. Endites yellow-brown, cream distally, with distinct serrula; labium slightly broader than long, yellow-brown, yellow distally; sternum shield-shaped, broader than long, cream-yellow, darker around margins, without markings, with scattered short straight setae. Legs creamyyellow, with black markings comprising SSB; femora with broad black band in distal half, small black mottled markings in proximal half; patellae with black band in proximal two-thirds; tibiae and metatarsi with broad black band, absent at proximal and distal ends; tarsi black with orange tips. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 2, II pl 1 do 2, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV do 1-3 rl 1-2; tibiae: I plv 3 rlv 3, II spineless, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 1 vt 2, IV pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3, II plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, III pl 1 rl 1 plv 1 rlv 2 vt 3, IV pl 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2; patellae: pl 1 spine do 2 thickened setae; tibiae: pl 3; tarsi: pl 1 plv 1. Dorsum and sides of abdomen covered in black SSB, with scattered tiny patches of cream SSB; venter creamy-grey, covered in creamy-brown SSB and scattered short straight brown setae, with scattered small patches of black SSB. Epigyne broad, with two oblique oval ridges directed anterolaterally, with copulatory openings in anterior corner of ridges (Figs 35, 49); ST massive, suboval, situated laterally, with small anterior lobe (Fig. 50).</p><p>Distribution. Known only from two localities in Botswana and Namibia (Fig. 55).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/046A8790FFBAFF9AFF497AC5501DF95C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Haddad, Charles R.;Mbo, Zingisile	Haddad, Charles R., Mbo, Zingisile (2015): Five new species of the Afrotropical dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 4057 (3): 385-398, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.3.5
046A8790FFBAFF9DFF497CB85795FD3B.text	046A8790FFBAFF9DFF497CB85795FD3B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Messapus tropicus	<div><p>Messapus tropicus sp. n.</p><p>Figs 9, 10, 36, 39, 40, 51–54</p><p>Type material. Holotype ♀: D.R. CONGO: Mayombe, Bas-Congo, Luki Forest Reserve, 05°37'S, 13°05'E, leg. D. de Bakker &amp; J.P. Michiels, 16.IX.2007 (beating near fogging site 3) (MRAC 223134).</p><p>Paratype: D.R. CONGO: Masako, 00°35'N, 25°11'E, leg. J. Juakaly, 20.VII.2001 (old secondary rainforest), 1♂ (MRAC 211889).</p><p>Etymology. From Latin tropicus (tropical), referring to its equatorial distribution.</p><p>Diagnosis. Messapus tropicus sp. n. females are recognised by the outward-curved epigynal ridges and the spermathecae with large, posteriorly directed lateral lobes (Figs 36, 51, 52). The embolus of male Messapus tropicus sp. n. is somewhat similar to that of M. martini, but the species can be separated by the very different structures of the RTA (compare Figs 39, 40, 53, 54 with Haddad 2013: figs 37, 38).</p><p>Female (holotype, Mayombe, MRAC 223134). Measurements: CL 3.65, CW 3.21, AL 5.93, AW 4.05, TL 9.60, FL 0.40, SL 1.69, SW 1.71, CH 0.10, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.04, ALE–ALE 0.71, PME–PME 0.22, PME–PLE 0.19, PLE–PLE 1.02, PERW 1.29, MOQAW 0.63, MOQPW 0.65, MOQL 0.66.</p><p>Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 3.85 + 1.50 + 2.98 + 2.85 + 1.65 = 12.83; II 3.55 + 1.45 + 2.60 + 2.60 + 1.55 = 11.75; III 3.50 + 1.30 + 2.50 + 2.90 + 1.60 = 11.80; IV 4.30 + 1.46 + 3.23 + 3.75 + 1.70 = 14.44.</p><p>General appearance as in Fig. 9. Carapace yellow-brown, with mediolateral black markings, more prominent in posterior half of carapace, mottled dark spots behind PER, narrow line medially in front of fovea, black lateral spots between coxal pairs; markings covered in black feathery setae, cream feathery setae on rest of carapace. All eyes surrounded by black rings; clypeus height equal to distance 0.42 times AME diameter; AER slightly procurved; AME slightly larger than ALE; AME separated by distance 0.60 times their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance 0.15 times AME diameter; PER slightly procurved; PME very slightly larger than PLE; PME separated by distance equal to their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance 0.86 times PME diameter. Chelicerae orange-brown, with dark-brown setae on paturon; CPPM present; promargin with three teeth, proximal largest, distal smallest, median and distal adjacent, proximal and median slightly separated; retromargin with six teeth, decreasing in size from proximal to distal. Endites yellow-brown, cream prolaterally and distally, with scattered setae; serrula distinct; labium yellow-brown, cream distally. Sternum shield-shaped, broader than long, with black median marking anteriorly and scattered erect setae. Legs yellow, with scattered short straight brown setae, black markings covered in black feathery setae; femora with band at 2/3 their length and narrow distal black ring dorsally; patellae with weak black mottling proximally, distally and laterally; tibiae and metatarsi with broad median band; tarsi yellow-brown. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 2, II pl 1 do 2 rl 1, III pl 1 do 3 rl 2, IV do 3 rl 1; tibiae: I plv 2 rlv 2, II plv 2 rlv 2, III plv 2, IV plv 2 rlv 1; metatarsus: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2, II rlv 2 vt 3, III plv 1 rlv 2 vt 3, IV plv 2 rlv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2; patellae: pl 1; tibiae: pl 2 plv 1; tarsi: plv 1. Abdomen dorsum creamy-grey, with mottled black patches anteriorly, faint chevron markings medially in posterior half, scattered mottled patches laterally; markings with black feathery setae, cream feathery setae between them; venter creamy-grey, with scattered brown straight setae and cream feathery setae. Epigyne with sclerotised epigynal ridges situated medially, curving outwards, with CO posteriorly in ridges (Figs 36, 51); ST with lateral lobes directed posteriorly (Fig. 52).</p><p>Male (paratype, Masako, MRAC 211889). Measurements: CL 3.45, CW 3.05, AL 4.25, AW 2.40, TL 7.35, FL 0.38, SL 1.63, SW 1.75, CH 0.15, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.76, PME–PME 0.19, PME–PLE 0.13, PLE–PLE 0.92, PERW 1.25, MOQAW 0.62, MOQPW 0.61, MOQL 0.68.</p><p>Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 4.30 + 1.65 + 3.45 + 3.32 + 1.95 = 14.67; II 3.80 + 1.42 + 2.85 + 3.03 + 1.83 = 12.93; III 3.85 + 1.35 + 2.80 + 3.25 + 1.90 = 13.15; IV 4.55 + 1.48 + 3.38 + 4.10 + 2.05 = 15.56.</p><p>General appearance as in Fig. 10; colouration, markings and cheliceral morphology as for female, except markings darker and bolder, especially on legs. Clypeus height equal to 0.58 AME diameter; AER slightly procurved; AME larger than ALE; AME separated by distance equal to 0.56 times their diameter; AME separated from ALE by distance 0.13 times AME diameter; PER slightly procurved; PME very slightly larger than PLE; PME separated by distance 0.86 times their diameter; PME separated from PLE by distance 0.57 times PME diameter. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 2, II pl 1 do 2, III pl 1 do 3 rl 2, IV do 3 rl 1; tibiae: I plv 3 rlv 2, II rlv 2, III plv 2 rlv 2, IV plv 2 vt 2; metatarsus: I plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3, II rlv 2 vt 3, III plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3, IV plv 2 rlv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora pl 1 do 2, patellae pl 1, tibiae plv 1. Male palp light yellow, tibia with two small teeth-like ventral apophyses and larger, slightly curved triangular retrolateral apophysis; embolus originating prolaterally distally, curved and flattened; conductor absent (Figs 39, 40, 53, 54).</p><p>Distribution. Known only from two localities in D. R. Congo (Fig. 55).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/046A8790FFBAFF9DFF497CB85795FD3B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Haddad, Charles R.;Mbo, Zingisile	Haddad, Charles R., Mbo, Zingisile (2015): Five new species of the Afrotropical dark sac spider genus Messapus Simon, 1898 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 4057 (3): 385-398, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4057.3.5
