Lepthercus dregei Purcell 1902
Creators: name: Ríos-Tamayo, Duniesky
name: Lyle, Robin
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Nemesiidae
Lepthercus
Lepthercus dregei

description: <i>Lepthercus dregei</i> Purcell, 1902 (Figs. 2J, 5 A–J, 6A–D, 7A–C, 24) <i>Lepthercus dregei</i> Purcell, 1902: 379. Raven, 1985a: 86, figs. 44–49. <b>Material examined. Type material</b>: Holotype &amp;male;. SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, from Doornnek in the Zuurbergen [Zuurberg], Alexandria Div., Cape Colony now [33°22′S 25°43′E], 1902, W.F. Purcell <i>leg.</i>, (SAM- ENW-X005692), examined. <b>Other material examined</b>: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, buttress bet. Waterkloof &amp; Zuurkloof (32°16′S 24°58′E, 1613m), 23.x.2010, J. Midgley, leg., 2 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3206); same data (1618m), 15.iv.2010, J. Midgley, leg., 1 &amp;female; (NCA, 2012/2333); same data, 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3239); same data (1406m), 2 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3231); same data (1620m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3215); same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 1802m), 3 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3226); same data (1806m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /2351); same data (1613m), 2 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3207); Same data (1608m), 2 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3218) same data (1614m), 3 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3220); same data (1204m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3209); same data (32°17′S 24°58′E, 1202m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3208) same data (32°15′S 24°57′E, 1613m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 0 2012/3214); same data (32°15′ S 25°00′ E, 2013m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3228); same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 2001m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3213); same data (1628m), 3 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3216); same data, 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3217); same data (1807m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3222); same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 1795m), 1&amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3221); same data (32°15′S 24°58′E, 2001m), 25.xi.2009, same collector, 1 &amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3210); same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 2001m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3212); same data (32°16′S 24°58′E, 1618m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3205); same data (32°15′S 24°58′E, 1999m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3211); same data (32°15′S 25°00′E, 1801m), 23.x.2010, same collector, 1 &amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3227); same data (32°15′S 24°58′E, 1801m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA, 2012/3240); same data (32°14′S 24°56′E, 1802m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3225); same data, (32°15′S 25°00′E, 1792m), 1 &amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3229); same data, (32°16′ S 25°00′ E, 1406m), 2 &amp;male;&amp;male; (NCA 2012 /3230); same data, Southern Karoo Riviere, Riverine Woodland (32°16′S 24°57′E), 7.iv-28.vii.2010, S. Van Noort <i>leg.</i>, ASA09-WOO1-Y13, 1 &amp;male; (SAM-ENW-C007744). <b>Remarks.</b> The type specimen (SAM-ENW-X005692, Fig. 6 A–D) is in poor condition, appearing to be bleached, resulting in a white coloration. The legs are very soft (Fig. 6 A–D) and both bulbs have the embolus broken (Fig. 6B). To preserve the type specimen, the described male is based on NCA 2012/3206 from Asante Sana Private Game Reserve, 135 km N of the type locality. This specimen shares all the characters observed in the holotype. <b>Diagnosis.</b> Males of <i>L. dregei</i> can be recognized inside the “Group dregei” by a short copulatory bulb with longitudinal keels extending along the embolus (Fig. 5 F–H). It further differs from <i>L. confusus</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, by the strong bulb in lateral view, without a lateral keel (Fig. 5F, H). Females can be distinguished by the spermathecae with a base with an abrupt transition to the stalk; stalks curved outward with truncate receptacles (Fig. 7C). This species is similar to <i>L. kwazuluensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b>, but differs in the absence of the apical projection present in the base and by their truncate receptacles. <b>Description.</b> Male (NCA 2012/3206, Fig. 5 A–J). Total length 10.01. <i>Carapace</i> (Fig. 5A): length 4.40, width 3.31, with lateral marginal bristles. <i>Cephalic region</i>: length 2.70; clypeus short with 5 bristles in the edge, 2 long bristles in front of the OQ. <i>Fovea</i>: width 0.47, almost straight. <i>Ocular measurements</i>: AME 0.14, ALE 0.21, PME 0.16, PLE 0.21, OQ length 0.43, 0.68 width; AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PLE 0.04, AME–PME 0.07, ALE–PLE 0.08, AME–AME 0.08, OMP–OMP 0.28. <i>Chelicerae</i>: length 2.19, width 1.25, with dorsal-anterior bristles, intercheliceral tumescence small, well-marked and with setae (Fig. 5C). Fang groove with 6 promarginal teeth (2 smaller in the apex) and 11 mesobasal denticles. <i>Labium</i>: length 0.41, width 0.64, dorsally slightly concave. <i>Maxillae</i>: length 1.33, width 0.61, with about 45 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face slightly curved, soft area small, with long uniformly distributed hairs. <i>Sternum</i> (Fig. 5B): length 2.21, maximum width 1.73. <i>Abdomen</i>: length 3.83, with small and long hair (longer in the anterior side). PMS: length 0.54; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.85:0.50:0.94; total length 2.29. <i>Lengths of legs and palp</i>: I: 3.73, 2.15, 2.53, 2.88, 1.99, 13.28. II: 3.50, 1.87, 2.43, 2.74, 2.10, 12.64. III: 3.12, 1.59, 1.96, 2.88, 1.99, 11.54. IV: 4.14, 1.82, 3.25, 3.88, 2.11, 15.20. Palp: 1.85, 1.01, 1.23, —, 0.69, 4.78. <i>Chaetotaxy</i>: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1 D–R, 0-1-1 D–P; patella, 1 P A (short); tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 R, 2-2-2 V, a long cuticular spur, slightly curved outwards, with an apical long spine (Fig. 5I, J); metatarsus, 1 P (1:3B), 1-1- 0-1 V, straight, 1/3 basal posterior slightly swollen with small dark setae (Fig. 5J); tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-0-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1 D–R; patella, 1 P A (short); tibia, 1-1 P, 2-1-3 V; metatarsus, 2-2-0-2 V, 1 P (1:3B); tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1-1 D–P, 1-1-1-1 D–R; patella, 1-1 P (shorts), 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 D, 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1 D (1:2B), 1-1-1 D–R, 1-1-1-1 D–P, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 R; patella, 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 2-2-2 V, 1-1 R; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 D–R, 1-1-1 D–P, 2-1-1-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp (Fig. 5D, E): femur, 1-1-3 d; patella, 1 D INF; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-1 P INF, 1-1 D, 1 R A, (width/length: 0.49); tarsus, 0. <i>Scopulae</i>: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment, with some long and fine setae; III, sparse (1:3A), IV, sparse A, divided by a wide band of setae. Tarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. <i>Trichobothria</i>: Tibiae: I 7-8; II 9-7; III 8-8; IV 10-10. Metatarsi: I (3)1(2)1(4)1; II (3)1(1)1(4)1; III (3)1(1)1(2)1(4)1; IV (3)1(1)1(2)1(5)1. Tarsi: I-III 12; IV 13. <i>Preening combs</i>: metatarsus: III, 2/3 P V; IV, 2 R V. <i>Copulatory bulb</i>: small, with a short and acuminate embolus with basal ridges and the tip curved (Fig. 5 F–H). <i>Color</i>: Overall light orange-yellowish (ventrally lighter). Abdomen light dark with 3-4 posterior light bands, light yellow spinnerets. Female (NCA 2012/2333, Figs. 2J, 7 A–C). Total length 10.77. <i>Carapace</i> (Fig. 7A): length 4.37, width 3.02, with lateral marginal bristles. <i>Cephalic region</i>: Length 2.77, clypeus small with 6 marginal bristles; five bristles in front of the OQ. <i>Fovea</i>: width 0.45, almost straight. <i>Ocular measurements</i>: AME 0.13, ALE 0.27, PME 0.19, PLE 0.22, OQ length 0.43, width 0.75; AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PLE 0.02, AME–PME 0.08, ALE–PLE 0.03, AME–AME 0.10, PME–PME 0.30. <i>Chelicerae</i>: length 2.84, width 1.81; with dorsal–retrolateral bristles. Fang groove with 8 promarginal teeth and 11 mesobasal denticles. <i>Labium</i>: length 0.37, width 0.79, dorsally slightly concave. <i>Maxillae</i>: length 1.78, width 0.79, with 54 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face slightly curved, soft with long uniformly distributed hairs; serrula as Fig. 2J. <i>Sternum</i> (Fig. 7B): length 2.28, maximum width 1.93. <i>Abdomen</i> (Fig. 7A): length 4.67, globose, with small bristles in the dorsum. PMS: length 0.53; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 0.71:0.50:0.83; total length 2.04. <i>Lengths of legs and palp</i>: I: 3.09, 1.91, 1.98, 1.75, 1.39, 10.14. II: 2.78, 1.77, 1.63, 1.68, 1.38, 9.24. III: 2.20, 1.28, 1.26, 1.71, 1.24, 7.70. IV: 2.98, 1.59, 2.11, 2.54, 1.28, 10.50. Palp: 2.04, 1.13, 1.14, —, 1.37, 5.69. <i>Chaetotaxy</i>: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1-1 d, 1 pa; patella, 0; tibia, 1p, 1-2 v; metatarsus, 1-1-1 V; tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 0; patella, 0; tibia, 1 P, 1-1-1-2 v; metatarsus, 2-2-2 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 1 P, 2-1 R; tibia, 1 P (1:2 A), 1 D (1:2 A), 1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; metatarsus, 2-2-2 D, 1-1-1 R, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-1- 1-1-1-1 d; patella, 0; tibia, 2-2-2 V, 1-1-1 R; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 2-2-2 D, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp: femur, 0; patella, 0; tibia, 2 P M, 2-3 v, 3 V A; tarsus, 2 V B. <i>Scopulae</i>: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed with some long and fine bristles; III, sparse A; IV, no present. Tarsi: I, dense, uniformly distributed; II, dense, uniformly distributed, divided by a row band of setae; III, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae. <i>Trichobothria</i>: Tibiae: palp 8-9; I 7-9; II 9-10; III 9-8; IV 11-10. Metatarsi: I (5)1(2)1(5)1; II (4)1(2)1(4)1; III (6)1(2)1(5)1; IV (4)1(3)1(2)1(6)1. Tarsi: palp 13; I 13; II 14; III 14; IV 13. <i>Preening combs</i>: metatarsus: II 3 P V; III 2 P V–5 R V; IV, 2/3 R V. <i>Spermathecae</i>: as in Fig. 7C. <i>Color</i>: Overall light orange–yellowish (carapace litter dark), sternum lighter. Abdomen brown dark with 3–5 posterior light bands, spinnerets light yellow. <b>Distribution.</b> Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (Fig. 24).
description: Published as part of <i>Ríos-Tamayo, Duniesky &amp; Lyle, Robin, 2020, The South African genus Lepthercus Purcell, 1902 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) phylogeny and taxonomy, pp. 261-305 in Zootaxa 4766 (2)</i> on pages 272-276, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4766.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/3765467
description: {"references": ["Purcell, W. F. (1902) New South African trap-door spiders of the family Ctenizidae in the collection of the South African Museum. Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society, 11, 348 - 382. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 21560382.1900.9525972", "Raven, R. J. (1985 a) The spider infraorder Mygalomorphae (Araneae): cladistics and systematics. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 182, 1 - 180."]}