Uduba madagascariensis
Creators: name: Griswold, Charles
name: Ubick, Darrell
name: Ledford, Joel
name: Polotow, Daniele
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Udubidae
Uduba
Uduba madagascariensis

description: Uduba madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863)   
Figures 1 F, 2 E, 6 C, 7 L, 20 E, 29 C, 51 A–C, 52 A–F, 68 A–D, 69 A–G, 80 C, Maps 4, 21.  
 Olios madagascariensis Vinson, 1863: 100, 305.   
 Uduba madagascariensis Simon, 1880: 343; Simon, 1906: 293. Lehtinen, 1967: 272, fig. 81, male palp. Griswold et al., 2005: 44, figure 185 B, C.   
 Uliodon madagascariensis Simon, 1887: 158.   
 Etymology. Vinson (1863) named this species for its occurrence in Madagascar.   
 Identification. Vinson’s 1863 description (Vinson, 1863: 100–102) reports mostly the markings of this large (18mm total length) male spider. The description, which states “Aspect général. Allonge, fauve dore avec deux bandes allongées, brun fauve, sur les côtés, de corselet; une bande médiane moins prononcée sur l’abdomen” (Vinson, 1863: 100), is consistent with the markings of other individuals of this species. Especially telling is “J’ai trouvé ce grand Olios le soir dans ma chambre à Tananarive” (Vinson, 1863: 103): this species occurs in and around the city of Antananarivo and is likely to be found in buildings, as was Vinson’s specimen. The description and Vinson’s collection record leave no doubt of the identification of Olios madagascariensis Vinson with U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863). Lehtinen (1967: 272) examined males and females of this species. He quotes the following data: “ Uduba Simon 1880, Acta Soc. Linn. Bordeaux 34, 343: Olios madagascariensis Vinson 1863, Aran. Reun. Mauric. Madag., 100 from Madagascar (male? type Paris; female described by Simon 1906: Paris).” He also contributed figures, including an unmistakable female epigynum, as his figures 81 and 84.   
 Remarks. This large, ecribellate species comprises populations in the central highlands with several records near Antananarivo as well as populations in the west and southwest of the island. Males are alike in the form of the TA3, TA2 and MA though there is variation in the outline of the tegulum. All females have the epigynal median lobe placed anteriorly and the lateral lobes fused posteriorly but the posterior shape of the ML varies even within populations (Figs. 69 A–G ). All except the remarkable female from the Réserve Forestière Beanka in Mahajanga Province (Fig. 69 G) have the anterior margin of the ML truncate. Geography and variation are further discussed at the end of the description. Because of this degree of variation, we have lumped individuals with a variety of epigynal forms into the single species U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863).   
  Diagnosis. Uduba madagascariensis  are an Unclassified species (Map 21), which is ecribellate (Fig. 20 E). Males of U. madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863) can be distinguished from those of other ecribellate Uduba by the form of the palp (Figs. 29 C, 51 A–C): the MA is small, transverse and with a small, prolateral point (Fig. 52 D), the TA3 forms a short hook (Fig. 51 B), the TA2 is sclerotized and partially occludes the TA3 (Figs. 29 C, 51 A ): it is erect and bifid apically with the proapical element longer (Figs. 52 A–F ). The females can be distinguished from those of other ecribellate Uduba by having an epigynum with an anterior median lobe and the lateral lobes fused posteriorly (Figs. 68 A, 69 A–G); in most specimens no atrium is visible (or rarely visible) and the copulatory openings are hidden or nearly hidden at the sides of the ML (Figs. 68 A–D).   
 Description. Male (CASENT9006030, Antananarivo): Total length 18.57. Markings as in Figs. 1 F, 2 E, 6 C, carapace light with dark longitudinal bands. Carapace 10.00 long, 7.07 wide, 3.14 high; clypeus 0.43 high. Eye diameters:AME, ALE and PME 0.36, PLE 0.43. Chelicerae 4.29 long; sternum 5.00 long, 1.64 wide; labium 2.18 long; palpal coxae 3.29 long. With a colulus. Spination (CASENT9006029, Antananarivo): palpus–femur d1-1-1, p0-0-1, r0-0-1, patella p1-0, tibia p1-0, r0-1-0; leg I–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-2, r1-1-1-1, patella p1, r1, tibia d1-0-1-1, p0-1-1-0, v2- 2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-1; leg II–femur d1-1-1, p0-1-2, r1-1-1-1, patella p1, r1, tibia d1-0-1-1, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-1; leg III– femur d1-1-1, p1-1-1-1, r1-1-1-1, patella p1, r1, tibia d1-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-1-2, r0-1-1-0, metatar sus d0-1-0, p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2, tarsus v0-1-0; leg IV–femur d1-1-1, p1-1-1-1, r0-1-1-1, patella r1, tibia d1-0-1-0, p0-1-1-0, v2-2-2, r0-1-1-0, metatarsus d0-1-0, p1-1-2, v2-2-1, r1-1-2. Scopulae: cymbium, apicodorsal; tarsi and apical metatarsi I–IV, ventral. Leg measurements (CASENT9006030, Antananarivo): I: 9.43 + 3.57 + 10.00 + 10.14 + 6.14 = 39.29; II: 9.00 + 4.14 + 8.83 + 9.29 + 5.14 = 36.00; III: 7.57 + 3.29 + 5.86 + 7.57 + 4.29 = 28.57; IV: 10.14 + 3.43 + 9.29 + 11.86 + 5.71 = 40.43; palpus: 4.29 + 1.64 + 1.93 + NA + 4.29 = 12.14. Leg formula 4123. Male palp (CASENT9006026, Ambohimanga) (Figs. 29 C, 51 A–C, 52 A–F): palpal tibia 0.44 times cymbial length, RTA a broad triangle (Fig. 51 C), RTA length 0.20 tibia length, length 0.89 times width, with bluntly-pointed apex (Fig. 52 C), VTA short, stout (Figs. 51 B, 52 C), VTA length 2.25 times width, length 0.36 tibia width, tibia with slender proand retrolateral spines but lacking stout spines (Fig. 51 B); tegulum convex, without ridge, tegulum length 1.02 times width; TA1 extends distad of tegulum apex (Fig. 29 C), TA1 extends past TA3 apex by 1.16 times tegulum length; TA3 with slender, upturned curve at apex (Figs. 52 B, D), TA3 extends apicad of TA2 by 1.12 times tegulum length, TA2 large, erect, with forked apex, extends in front of TA3 (Figs. 52 A–E); MA simple, with small prolateral hook (Fig. 29 C), origin at 0.55 times tegulum length, tegulum apex at 0.20 tegulum length from MA apex, MA length (including apical processes) 0.82 times width, MA very small (Figs. 51 A, 52B, D), length 0.20 tegulum length, width 0.26 tegulum width; conductor fan entire (Fig. 52 B). Female (CASENT9006029, Ambohimanga): Total length 16.71. Markings as in Fig. 7 L, with strong longitudinal dark bands on carapace. Carapace 8.86 long, 6.93 wide, 3.93 high; clypeus 0.71 high. Eye diameters: AME 0.27, ALE 0.29, PME 0.30, PLE 0.32. Chelicerae 4.86 long; sternum 4.29 long, 3.21 wide; labium 2.32 long; palpal coxae 3.29 long. With a colulus (Fig. 20 E). Spination: (CASENT9006031): palpus–femur d0-1-1, p0-0-1, patella p1-0, tibia p2-1, r1-0, tarsus p2-1, v0-0-1, r1-0; leg I–femur d1-0-1, p0-0-1, tibia v2-2-2-2, metatarsus p0-0-1, v2-2-2; leg II–femur d1-0-0, p0-1-0-1, r1-1-0-0, tibia p0-1-1-0, v1-1-2, metatarsus p0-0-1, v2-2-2; leg III–femur d1-0-0-1, p1-1-0-0-1-1, r1-1-1-1, tibia d1-0-1, p1-0-1, v2-1-2, r1-0-1, metatarsus d1-1-0-0, p1-1-2, v2-2-2, r1-1-2; leg IV–femur d1-1-1, p1-0-1, tibia p1-0-0, v2-1-3, r1- 0-1, metatarsus p1-1-1-2, v2-1-2-2, r1-1-2. Scopulae: ventral on tibia–tarsus I, metatarsus–tarsus II and III, apical metatarsus–tarsus IV. Leg measurements (CASENT9006029, Ambohimanga): I: 7.14 + 3.21 + 5.93 + 5.21 + 3.43 = 24.93; II: 6.29 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 4.64 + 3.07 = 22.00; III: 5.29 + 2.64 + 3.00 + 4.00 + 2.64 = 17.57; IV: 6.57 + 3.00 + 5.79 + 6.57 + 3.57 = 25.50; palpus: 3.21 + 1.71 + 2.00 + NA + 2.93 = 9.86. Leg formula 4123. Female genitalia (Ambohimanga, CASENT9006029): epigynal plate (Fig. 69 A) with large, anteromedian lobe, atrium only visible at posterolateral corners; epigynal plate width 1.21 times length; median lobe located in anterior half of epigynal plate, origin at 0.48 times epigynum length, free anteriorly but undefined posteriorly, convex, bulging, width 0.50 times epigynum width, with copulatory openings beneath anterolateral margin, distance between copulatory openings 0.43 times epigynum width, CO origin at 0.79 of epigynum length; posterior margin of epigynal plate strongly marked, indented on each side of median projection. Vulva (Fig. 69 B) with spermathecal ducts forming three loops (Fig. 80 C), vulva length 0.78 times width, fertilization ducts close together, vulva width 10.80 times distance between fertilization ducts; copulatory opening (CO) leads into short copulatory duct (CD), spermathecal head (HS) near CO (Figs. 68 B–D).   
 Variation. Male (N = 6): Total length 11.90–18.57; ratios of carapace length /width = 1.38– 1.45, carapace height /width = 0.44–0.65, PER / carapace width = 0.36–0.79, PER / OAL = 2.54– 3.38, PER / AER = 1.33–1.49, OAL / OQL = 1.00–1.22, OQP / OQA = 1.08–1.14, clypeal height / diameter AME = 0.80–1.82, cheliceral length / clypeal height = 7.57–18.00, sternum length /width = 1.43–1.52, palpal coxa length / width = 2.20–2.68, ratio of length femur I / carapace width = 1.31–1.46, metatarsus I length /carapace width = 1.42–1.65, femur IV length / carapace width = 1.37–1.46, palpal cymbium length / carapace width = 0.59–0.69, cymbium length /palpal patella length = 2.42–2.77, cymbium length /palpal tibia length = 2.22–2.57, cymbium length /palpal femur length = 1.00–1.24, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.00–1.17. A male from Toliara Province has the retroapical corner of the tegulum that makes a right angle, whereas in males from Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa Provinces the retroapical corner of the tegulum is smoothly convex (Figs. 51 B, 52 A–F ). Female (N = 5): Total length 15.60–20.86; ratios of carapace length / width = 1.28–1.58, carapace height / width = 0.56–0.65, PER / carapace width = 0.39– 0.67, PER / OAL = 2.81–3.84, PER / AER = 1.27–1.54, OAL / OQL = 1.00–1.05, OQP / OQA = 0.91–1.16, clypeal height / diameter AME = 1.25–2.67, cheliceral length /clypeal height = 6.67– 10.00, sternum length /width = 1.31–1.48, palpal coxa length / width = 1.85–2.54; ratio of femur I length / carapace width = 1.03–1.25, metatarsus I length / carapace width = 0.75–0.89, femur IV length / carapace width = 0.95–1.19, palpal tarsus length / carapace width = 0.42–0.54, palpal tarsus length / palpal patella length = 1.67–2.00, palpal tarsus length / palpal tibia length = 1.46–1.65, palpal tarsus length / palpal femur length = 0.70–0.97, palpal tibia length / palpal patella length = 1.05–1.21. Specimens from Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa Provinces have the epigynal atrium completely hidden beneath ML, ML anteriorly straight to convex, with the posterior margin of the ML visible as a line on the epigynal plate, convex or sharply pointed (Figs. 68 A, 69 A). In these specimens the posterior margin of the ML extends 0.20 to 0.40 of the distance to posterior margin of plate, the ratio of ML length / ML width is 1.38–1.61 and the ratio of ML length / epigynum length is 0.29–0.38. Individuals from Toliara Province also have the atrium completely hidden beneath the ML (Analavelona) and the ML oval to wider anteriorly (Figs. 69 C–F). A female from Réserve Forestière Beanka in Mahajanga Province (CASENT9042529) has the most distinct epigynum (Fig. 69 G): the atrium is visible at the sides of and also posteriad of the ML and both the anterior and posterior ends of the ML taper and become narrow, with no clear margins. In this individual the ML length is 1.17 times the ML width. The vulva length / width varies slightly (Figs. 68 B–D, 69 B, 80 C).   
 M aterial examined. MADAGASCAR: Antananarivo Province: Ambohimanga, forest near village, 18°44ʹS, 47°, 34ʹE, elev. 1400m, night collecting, “specimens from short burrows surmounted by short turrets of woven grass, mostly on steep banks”, 2 November 1993, C. Griswold, S. Larcher, N. Scharff, [CEG009] (CASENT9006029, 1♂, 1♀, CAS), (CASENT9006025, 1♂, CAS), (CASENT9006026, 1♂, 3jj, CAS), (CASENT9010645, 1♂, 1♀, CAS); Ambohimanga, Antsahafoy, 1967 (CASENT9064666, 1♀, 16jj, MNHN); Antananarivo, in suburbs of city, living habitus photos by N. Scharff, Figures 1A, 2E [this publication], 8 December 1993, Rija Andriamasimanana (CASENT9006030, 1♂, CAS); “Madagascar C., Ambohimanga-Tananrive”, December 1946, J. Millot (1♀, MNHN). Fianarantsoa Province: Centre route d’Ambositra à Ambohimanga du Sud, km 39 (coordinates approximate): S20.867°, E47.155°, elev. 1350m, 6–11 November 1963, P. Viette (CASENT9006032, 1♂, MNHN); Italaviana, 35 km SSE of Antsirabe, 20°10.40ʹS, 47°05.16ʹE, elev. 1360m, malaise trap in Uapaca forest, 13 March–24 April 2005, M. Irwin, R. Harin’Hala [MA-24-70] (CASENT9044392, 1♂, CAS). Mahajanga Province: Reserve Forestière Beanka, 50.7 km E Maintirano, 17°52ʹ49ʺS, 044°28ʹ08ʺE, yellow pan trap at 140m elevation in tropical dry forest on tsingy, 28–31 October 2009, B. L. Fisher [BLF23000] (CASENT9042529, 1♀, CAS). Toliara Province: Forêt Classée d’Analavelona, 29.2 km 343°NNW Mahaboboka, 22°40ʹ30ʺS, 044°11ʹ24ʺE, elev. 1100m, pitfall trap in montane rainforest, 18–22 February 2003, coll. Fisher, Griswold et al., [BLF7817] (CASENT9018653, 1♀, CAS); Forêt Analavelona, near source of Manasy River, 16.5 km NWAndranoheza, 22°38.6ʹS, 44°10.3ʹE, elev. 1250m, undisturbed mid-altitude forest with dry and humid elements, pitfall traps, 2–8 November 2000, S. Goodman (FMDH-00-224, 1♂, FMNH); Forêt Analavelona, Antanimena, 12.5 km NW Andranoheza, 22°40.7ʹS, 44°11.5ʹE, elev. 1050m, transitional mid-altitude forest with elements of eastern and western forests, pitfall trap, 9–15 March 1998, S. Goodman (CASENT9065670, 1♀, FMNH), (CASENT9006028, 1♀, 2jj, FMNH).   
 Natural history. This remarkable, ecribellate species occurs in native forest on the plateau, dry forests in the west and southwest, in Uapaca forest and even in disturbed areas near the large city of Antananarivo. Uduba madagascariensis (Vinson, 1863) make no use of cribellate silk but create silk-lined burrows: at Ambohimanga specimens were collected “from short burrows surmounted by short turrets of woven grass, mostly on steep banks.” Males wander (Figs. 1 F, 2 E). Adult female individuals of the western populations from Réserve Forestière Beanka and Forêt Classée d’Analavelona were collected in pitfall traps, suggesting that these ecribellate spiders may occasionally wander even as adult females.   
 Distribution. Typical individuals of Uduba madagascariensis are known from Madagascar in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa Provinces, on the east central part of the central plateau. Populations of U. madagascariensis that may have distinct genitalia occur on the western side of the escarpment in southwestern Madagascar, from Mahajanga and Toliara Provinces (Maps 4, 21).
description: Published as part of Griswold, Charles, Ubick, Darrell, Ledford, Joel & Polotow, Daniele, 2022, A Revision of the Malagasy Crack-Leg Spiders of the Genus Uduba Simon, 1880 (Araneae, Udubidae), with Description of 35 New Species from Madagascar, pp. 1-193 in Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 67 on pages 62-65, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13158554