Tabiboka milleri Henrard, Griswold & Jocqué, 2024, gen. et sp. nov.
Creators: name: Henrard, Arnaud
name: Griswold, Charles
name: Jocqué, Rudy
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Udubidae
Tabiboka
Tabiboka milleri

description: Tabiboka milleri gen. et sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 33C8C4F1-A241-41E2-9B38-1D31AFBF4BE4
Figs 3–7, 26
Zorocratidae gen. Talatakely sp. Talatakely – Morphbank 2023: images [476092–509952] SpiderAToL, March 3, 2008, https://www.morphbank.net/?id=218853 [accessed 20 Oct. 2023].
Zorodictyna sp. 2 – Polotow et al. 2015.
Zorodictyna sp. CG300 – Wheeler et al. 2017.
Diagnosis
Males of Tabiboka milleri gen. et sp. nov. may be distinguished by the morphology of the palpal tibia with the RTA having an elongate curved spur arising retrobasally and extending distally to the apex of the tibia (Figs 5B–C, 6A–C) (vs T. milloti gen. et sp. nov. and T. polotowae gen. et sp. nov. have a short and stout RTA, Figs 9B–C, 11B–C), a short, broad embolus (E) and a small, slender paraconductor (Pc) largely hidden behind the embolus (Figs 5A–C, 6D–F) (vs in T. milloti and T. polotowae, the E is slender and the Pc is situated between the E and the C, Figs 8F, 9B, 11B, 12E). Females of T. milleri have the epigyne with a broad, swollen, oval median lobe (ML) that extends posteriorly beyond the epigastric furrow, narrow anteriorly (anterior width less than half the total width, Figs 4B, 5D, 7A) (vs in T. milloti, the ML is broad anteriorly, Fig. 9D; and in T. polotowae, the ML is medially narrowed, Figs 11D, 12G).
Etymology
The species name is a patronym in honor of Jeremy Miller, who collected widely in Madagascar and led a team that carried out a pioneering study of entelegyne spider phylogeny (Miller et al. 2010).
Type material
Holotype
MADAGASCAR – Fianarantsoa Province • ♂; Ranomafana National Park, Talatakely; 21°15′ S, 47°25′ E; 900 m a.s.l.; 5–7 Dec. 1993; C. Griswold, N. Scharff, S. Larcher and R. Andriamasamanana leg.; CASENT_9016094; CAS.
Paratypes
MADAGASCAR – Fianarantsoa Province • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; [Standard view preparations and images for AToL-Spiders project; SEM preparations Box 79-8, 10, 11, 19, Box 81, 1, 2]; CASENT_9016094; CAS • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Ranomafana N.P.; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E; 18 May 1992; V. and B. Roth, S. Kariko leg.; general collecting; [habitus photos, stacked images, H.M. Wood; Apr. 2005]; CASENT_9016098; CAS • 1♂, 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; [♂ palp drawn]; CASENT_9016086; CAS • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Parc National Ranomafana, Talatekely forest, 42.3 km 58° NE of Fianarantsoa; 21°15′28.0″ S, 47°25′21.8″ E; 1050 m a.s.l.; 24 Dec. 2005 – 14 Jan. 2006; H. Wood, J. Miller, J.J. Rafonomezantsoa, E. Rajeriarison, V. Andriamananony leg.; montane rainforest; general collecting; [AToL DNA Voucher ARACG0300] [HW009/RNAlater: Mad-052]; CASENT_9024004; CAS • 1 ♂; Ranomafana N.P.; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E; 18 May 1992; V. and B. Roth, S. Kariko leg.; general collecting; [stacked images, HMW, April-2005]; CASENT_9016097; CAS • 1 ♀; Parc National Ranomafana, Vohiparara, 3.6 km W of Ranomafana; 21°14.243′ S, 47°23.842′ E; 1150 m a.s.l.; 13–14 Jan. 2009; D. Andriamalala, C. Griswold, G. Hormiga, A. Saucedo, N. Scharff and H. Wood leg.; primary montane rainforest; general collecting day and night; [NS Photo voucher 893-897; GH photos 5659-5666]; CASENT_9029871; CAS. – Mahajanga Province • 1 ♀; Ampijoroa, National Park Ankarafantsika, near Lake Ravelobe; 16°17′48″ S, 46°48′50″ E; 26–28 Jan. 2009; C. Griswold, A. Saucedo, H. Wood leg.; [SEM female epigyne + used for DNA voucher DP-2014c - “ Zorodictyna sp. 2 ”]; CASENT_9035866; CAS.
Other material examined
MADAGASCAR – Antananarivo Province • 1 ♂; Tsinjoarivo Forest, Mahatsinjo; 19°40′47.496″ S, 47°46′22.835″ E; 1654 m a.s.l.; 26–29 Aug. 2014; B.L. Fisher leg.; montane rainforest; BLF35410; CASENT_9065708; CAS • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9065709; CAS • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9065678; CAS • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9065579; CAS • 4 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9017817; CAS • 2 ♀♀; Tsinjoarivo Forest, Ankadivory; 19°43′00″ S, 47°49′18″ E; 1369 m a.s.l.; 28 Apr.–1 May 2014; B.L. Fisher et al. leg.; montane rainforest, sifted litter; BLF33370; CASENT_9064661; CAS. – Fianarantsoa Province • 1 ♀; Forêt d’Ankazomivady, 28 km SSW of Ambositra, 4.7 km SW of Ambalamanakana; 20°47′ S, 47°10′ E; 1670 m a.s.l.; 7–14 Jan. 1998; S. Goodman, SG0001 leg.; disturbed upper montane forest; pitfall traps #1–3; CASENT_9016064; FMNH • 9 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016065; FMNH • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016066; FMNH • 9 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016067; FMNH • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016068; FMNH • 1 ♂; Ankazomivady, 29 km SSW of Ambositra; 20°47′ S, 47°10′ E; 1700 m a.s.l.; 7 Jan. 1998; B.L. Fisher leg.; forest; EBD10 pitfall trap; BLF1592b; CASENT_9016087; CAS • 1 ♀; Ambatofitorahana, 33 km S of Ambositra; 20°49′00.00″ S, 47°10′59.99″ E; 13 Mar. 1994; A. Pauly leg.; natural forest; BE_ RMCA_ARA.Ara.201626; RMCA • 24 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Ranomafana National Park, Talatakely; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 900 m a.s.l.; 4–16 Jan. 2001; D.H. and K.M. Kavanaugh, R.L. Brett, E. Elsom and F. Vargas leg.; mixed tropical forest; pitfall traps #4–16; COL-DHK-2001-001TN; CASENT_9003432; CAS • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9003534; CAS • 1 ♀; Parc National Ranomafana, Talatakely; 21°15′ S, 47°26′ E; 13–27 Apr. 1998; C.E. Griswold, D.H. Kavanaugh, N.D. Penny, M.J. Raherilalao, J.S. Ranorianarisoa, J. Schweikert and D. Ubick leg.; pitfall traps; CASENT_9006115; CAS • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016084; CAS • 1 ♂; Parc National Ranomafana, Talatakely; 21°15′ S, 47°26′ E; 19–30 Apr. 1998, C.E. Griswold, D.H. Kavanaugh, N.D. Penny, M.J. Raherilalao, J.S. Ranorianarisoa, J. Schweikert, D. Ubick leg.; general collecting; CASENT_9016082; CAS • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016088; CAS • 6 ♂♂; Parc National Ranomafana, Talatakely, trail F; 21°16′ S, 47°25′ E; 940–985 m a.s.l.; 1–21 Nov. 1998; V.F. Lee and K.J. Ribardo leg.; pitfall trap; CASENT_9016089; CAS • 2 ♂♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016090; CAS • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016093; CAS • 2 ♀♀; Parc National Ranomafana, Vatoharanana; 21°17′ S, 47°26′ E; 1200 m a.s.l.; 15–29 Apr. 1998; C.E. Griswold, D.H. Kavanaugh, N.D. Penny, M.J. Raherilalao, J.S. Ranorianarisoa, J. Schweikert, D. Ubick leg.; primary forest; CEG-MA-1998-03; CASENT_9016080; CAS • 1 ♀; Parc National Ranomafana, Vatoharanana, trail K; 21°17′ S, 47°26′ E; 990 m a.s.l.; 14–19 Nov. 1998; V.F. Lee and K.J. Ribardo leg.; pitfall trap; VFL-KJR-02; CASENT_9016091; CAS • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016092; CAS • 1 ♀; Parc National Ranomafana, Vatoharanana River, 4.1 km 231° SW of Ranomafana; 21°17′24″ S, 47°26′00″ E; 1100 m a.s.l.; 27–31 Mar. 2003; Fisher-Griswold Arthropod Team leg.; montane rainforest; general day collecting; BLF8394; CASENT_9017837; CAS • 1 ♀; Parc National Ranomafana, Vohiparara Piste Touristique; 21°14′ S, 47°24′ E; 1000 m a.s.l.; 23 Apr. 1998; C.E. Griswold, D.H. Kavanaugh, N.D. Penny, M.J. Raherilalao, E. Rajeriarison, J.S. Ranorianarisoa, J. Schweikert, D. Ubick leg.; running in litter; general collecting; CEG-MA-1998; CASENT_9016081; CAS • 6 ♂♂; Ranomafana National Park, Vohiparara; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 1150 m a.s.l.; 2–22 Jan. 2001; D.H. and K.M. Kavanaugh, R.L. Brett, E. Elsom, F. Vargas leg.; mixed tropical forest; general collecting; COL- DHK-2001-004; CASENT_9003479; CAS • 6 ♀♀; Parc National Ranomafana, 2.3 km N of Vohiparara Village; 21°13′ S, 47°23′ E; 1100 m a.s.l.; 18 Apr. 1998; C.E. Griswold, D.H. Kavanaugh, N.D. Penny, M.J. Raherilalao, E. Rajeriarison, J.S. Ranorianarisoa, J. Schweikert, D. Ubick leg.; CASENT_9016083; CAS • 6♀♀; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016085; CAS • 2 ♀♀; Ranomafana N.P., Trail F; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 18 May 1992; Albert for Kariko, Roth leg.; sifting #1; CASENT_9030889; MCZ • 1 ♀; Ranomafana N.P., Maharira, summit; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E; 9 Apr. 1992; Albert for Kariko, Roth leg.; cryptic #2; CASENT_9030890; MCZ • 1 ♂; Ranomafana N.P., Trail M; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 15 May 1992; Albert for Kariko, Roth leg.; sifting 1hr. samples #2; CASENT_9030891; MCZ • 1 ♀; Ranomafana N.P., Trail M; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 15 May 1992; Albert for Kariko, Roth leg.; sifting; CASENT_9030892; MCZ • 3 ♀♀; Ranomafana N.P., Trail B; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 825 m a.s.l.; 19 May 1992; Albert for Kariko, Roth leg.; sifting, #1; CASENT_9030893; MCZ • 1 ♀; Ranomafana N.P., Maharira, summit; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 11 Apr 1992; Emile for Kariko, Roth leg.; sifting #3; CASENT_9030894; MCZ • 2 ♀♀; Ranomafana N.P.; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E; Apr. 1992; V. and B. Roth, S. Kariko leg.; forest; general collecting from foliage; Ranomafana-1000-92; CASENT_9016099; CAS • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Ranomafana N.P., trail F, secondary forest; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); Apr. 1992; Albert for Kariko, Roth leg.; sifting #3; MCZ-VBR-0116; CASENT_9016100; MCZ • 4 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; Ranomafana N.P.; 21°12′ S, 47°27′ E (coordinates approximate); 20–31 May 1992; V. and B. Roth leg.; can traps; MCZ-VBR-02; CASENT_9016101; MCZ • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; CASENT_9016102; CAS.
Description
Male holotype (CASENT_9016094; CAS)
MEASUREMENTS. Total length: 10.50. Carapace: length 6.10, width 4.40, height 2.20.
COLORATION (Fig. 3A–C, G). Carapace brownish yellow, darker along margin, with two faint, longitudinal dark bands along margin of pars cephalica; black on ocular area and surrounding all eyes; chelicerae brownish yellow; sternum yellow, unmarked; legs brownish yellow, unmarked; abdomen brownish yellow with darker cardiac mark and dorsolateral dark bands that break up into chevrons posteriorly, sides brownish yellow mottled with dark marks, venter yellow except darker around spinneret base.
STERNUM (Fig. 3B). Oval with slightly sinuous margins; 2.30 wide, 2.60 long.
CHILUM. 0.13 high, 0.35 wide.
EYES. ALE 0.18; AME 0.13; PLE 0.18; PME 0.15; ALE–AME 0.06; AME–AME 0.40; PLE–PME 0.20; PME–PME 0.09; MOQ: AW 0.33, PW 0.48, L 0.35.
CLYPEUS. 0.25 high, with eight long setae.
LEGS. Trochanter I notched, trochanter IV shallowly notched. Unpaired claw smooth, rudimentary on legs III and IV. Scopulae absent.
Leg measurements
FPTMttTotalI4.702.004.804.702.8019.00II4.201.903.804.002.2016.10III4.301.703.504.102.0015.60IV5.202.004.606.502.5020.80
Spination
FPTMtIpl2d3rl3–pl2d2rl2v2-2-2pl3rl3v2-2-3IIpl3d3rl4–pl3d2rl2v2-2-2-2pl5rl4v2-1-1IIIpl3d3rl4pl1rl1pl2d2rl2v2-2-2pl4rl4v2-2-2IVpl3d3rl2rl1pl2d2rl2v2-2-2pl4rl4v2-2-2
MALE PALP (Figs 5A–C, 6). Tibia with slender apical VTA, bifid apical RTA continuous with elongate, slender basal RTA; tibia with dorso-retrolateral excavation (BC) bordered dorsad of RTA, accommodating conical retrobasal cymbial extension; cymbium oval with rounded apical extremity, without dorsal patch of chemosensitive setae, with sinuous retrolateral margin, with conical retrobasal cymbial extension (CE) that extends ⅓ of tibial length from tibial apex; subtegulum large, filling most of cymbial concavity, with rounded lobe extending proximad and small, conical lobe (SL) that interacts with the tegulum; tegulum oval with large, rounded retrodistal protuberance and conical promedian lobe (TL) that locks with subtegulum; embolus (E) arises from center of tegulum, short, broad; strongly sclerotized MA forms short hook curved prolaterad; conductor (C) hyaline, translucent, flattened, fan-shaped, narrow at base and strongly widened at extremity; paraconductor (Pc) as finger-like membranous structure originating at base of MA and extending to anterior half of E.
Female paratype (CASENT_9016094; CAS)
MEASUREMENTS. Total length: 14.00. Carapace: length 6.80, width 5.20, height 2.70.
COLOUR (Figs 3D–F, H, 4A). As in male except abdomen much darker, mostly brown with lighter paracardiac marks and faint posterodorsal chevrons, sides dark, venter yellow brown with transverse dark mottling.
STERNUM (Fig. 3E). Oval with slightly sinuous margins; 2.60 wide, 3.00 long.
CHILUM. 0.13 high, 0.50 wide.
EYES. ALE 0.18; AME 0.13; PLE 0.18; PME 0.15; ALE–AME 0.06; AME–AME 0.40; PLE–PME 0.25; PME–PME 0.11; MOQ: AW 0.40, PW 0.55, L 0.48.
CLYPEUS. 0.30 high, with eight long setae.
LEGS. Trochanter I notched (Fig. 4C), trochanter IV shallowly notched (Fig. 4D). Unpaired claw smooth, rudimentary on legs III and IV. Scopulae absent.
Leg measurements
FPTMttTotalI5.102.404.203.601.9017.20II4.802.403.603.301.8015.90III4.001.902.904.001.8014.60IV5.202.204.406.102.3020.20
Spination
FPTMtIpl1d2–v2-2-2-2v2-2-2IIpl1d1–v2-2-2-2v2-2-2IIIpl2d3rl1pl1rl1pl2d2rl2v2-2-2pl5rl3v2-2-1-2IVpl1d3rl1pl1rl1pl2d2rl2v2-2-2pl5rl3v2-2-1-2
GENITALIA. Epigyne (Figs 5D, 7A–B) with broad, oval median lobe (ML) that extends posteriad of epigastric furrow; lateral lobes (LL) convex, lacking teeth or concavities; copulatory openings (CO) located beneath anteromedian margin of median lobe and, in many specimens, containing simple plugs. Endogyne (Figs 5E, 7C–F) with spermathecae (S) dark, smoothly convex, simple or with slight transverse indentations; sperm ducts (CD) anteromedian, short, joining seamlessly with spermathecae; spermathecal heads with 20–30 small pores; fertilization ducts (FD) short, flattened and slightly curved (Figs 5E, 7E).
Variation
Males (n = 5)
Male genitalia display slight geographic variation. Males from Ranomafana have very slender retrobasal tibial processes, with length greater than 20 times width, whereas in males from Ankazomivay and Tsinjoarivo these are thick, with length less than 15 times width. The distal RTA may be deeply cleft in males from Ranomafana or only slightly cleft as in males from Ankazomivady. Most individuals have a crack across the subbasal part of the leg tibia just distad of the basalmost ventral spines, but this varies. Within the Ranomafana population some have the tibial leg crack clearly marked whereas in others the crack cannot be distinguished. Total length = 9.60–12.00, carapace length/width = 1.28–1.41, carapace height/width = 0.44–0.59, PER/carapace width = 0.24–0.26, PER/OAL = 2.33–2.65, PER/AER = 1.38– 1.46, OAL/OQL = 1.24–1.42, OQP/OQA = 1.46–1.57. Clypeus height/AME = 1.20–2.86, cheliceral length/clypeus height = 8.00–13.33, sternum length/width = 1.11–1.19, palpal coxa length/width = 2.14–2.50, femur I length/carapace width = 1.04–1.22, metatarsus I length/carapace width = 1.02–1.11, femur IV length/carapace width = 1.09–1.30, cymbium length/carapace width = 0.36–0.42, cymbium length/palpal patella length = 1.45–2.43, cymbium length/palpal tibia length = 1.23–1.90, cymbium length/palpal femur length = 0.76–0.92, palpal tibia length/palpal patella length 1.00–1.57.
Females (n = 5)
Total length = 11.50–14.00, carapace length/width = 1.26–1.31, carapace height/width = 0.45–0.65, PER/carapace width = 0.25–0.33, PER/OAL = 2.44–2.95, PER/AER = 1.35–1.70, OAL/OQL = 1.13– 1.38, OQP/OQA= 1.33–1.71, clypeus height/AME = 1.60–2.40, cheliceral length/clypeus height = 7.67– 12.50, sternum length/width = 1.14–1.30, palpal coxa length/width = 1.94–2.57, femur I length/carapace width = 0.92–1.10, metatarsus I length/carapace width = 0.62–0.71, femur IV length/ carapace width = 0.92–1.10, palpal tarsus length/carapace width = 0.32–0.37, palpal tarsus length/palpal tibia length = 1.15–1.31, palpal tarsus length/palpal femur length = 0.74–0.86, palpal tibia length/palpal patella length = 1.08–1.37. The oval epigynal median lobe may be evenly curved in lateral outline (Fig. 5D) or be attenuated posteriorly (Fig. 4B). Median lobe length 0.93–1.38 times width, with median lobe extending posteriad of epigastric furrow by 0.11–0.29 of lobe length. Spermathecae may be evenly rounded or have as many as two shallow dorsal constrictions. Spermathecae separated by 0.27–0.35 the total width of the spermathecae.
Note on synonyms
Specimens of this species have been used as exemplars in previous studies including morphological documentation and in published molecular phylogenies. The morphology of the species was documented for the Spiders Assembling the Tree of Life (AToL) study (2001–2009) as the exemplar “ Zorocratidae gen. Talatakely sp. Talatakely”, Images [476092–509952] SpiderAToL, March 3, 2008, https://www.morphbank.net/?id=218853 (Morphbank 2023): CASENT_9016094. Specimens were used as the exemplars “ Zorodictyna sp. 2 ” by Polotow et al. (2015) (CASENT_9035866) and as “ Zorodictyna sp. CG300” by Wheeler et al. (2017) (CASENT_9024004).
Natural history
This species is commonly found running on leaf litter in closed-canopy montane rainforest. Individuals were also collected in pitfall traps or under objects.
Distribution
Tabiboka milleri gen. et sp. nov. are known only from rainforests in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa Provinces in southeastern Madagascar (Fig. 26).
description: Published as part of Henrard, Arnaud, Griswold, Charles & Jocqué, Rudy, 2024, On new genera and species of crack-leg spiders (Araneae, Udubidae) from Madagascar, pp. 1-80 in European Journal of Taxonomy 966 (1) on pages 15-24, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.966.2697, http://zenodo.org/record/14001790