Metaleptyphantes subclavator Tanasevitch, 2025, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Tanasevitch, Andrei V.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Linyphiidae
Metaleptyphantes
Metaleptyphantes subclavator

description: Metaleptyphantes subclavator sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: C40DA7CD-28CA-417E-AE47-988B29C56856
Figs 10–11
Diagnosis
The new species is very similar to M. clavator, but differs by the shape of the posterior and anterior pockets of the paracymbium (Fig.11C cf. Locket 1968: fig. 28a), and a much smaller pit-hook (Fig. 11A, C cf. Locket 1968: fig. 28b–c) in the male. The female is distinguished by the more widely spaced capsula horns (Figs 10I, 11I cf. Locket 1968: fig. 29a).
Etymology
The species epithet derives from the similarity of the new species to Metaleptyphantes clavator Locket, 1968.
Type material
Holotype
ETHIOPIA • ♂; Addis-Ababa, Russian Embassy Area; 9.03519° N, 38.78506° E; 2453 m a.s.l.; 13 Oct. 2022; A. Tanasevitch leg.; grove with Acacia, palm trees, Eucalyptus, Juniperus, bushes, sifting litter; [Eth007]; ZMMU.
Paratypes
ETHIOPIA • 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, together with holotype; same data as for holotype; ZMMU • 2 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; 9.03593° N, 38.78579° E; 2478 m a.s.l.; 7 Oct. 2022; A. Tanasevitch leg.; Juniperus, Acacia, Eucalyptus, bushes, sifting litter and humus; [Eth002]; ZMMU • 3 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; 9.03638° N, 38.78541° E; 2470 m a.s.l.; 3 Nov.2022; A. Tanasevitch leg.; Eucalyptus grove with Juniperus, bushes, sifting litter and humus; [Eth003]; ZMMU • 7 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; 9.03617° N, 38.78549° E; 2467 m a.s.l.; 3 Oct.–6 Nov. 2022; A. Tanasevitch leg.; grove with Juniperus, Eucalyptus, palm trees, bushes, sifting litter and humus; [Eth005]; ZMMU • 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; MHNG • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; 9.03541° N, 38.7854° E; 2457 m a.s.l.; 7 and 13 Nov. 2022; A. Tanasevitch leg.; Eucalyptus grove with Juniperus, palm trees, bushes, tall grass, sifting litter and humus; [Eth022]; ZMMU • 1 ♀; Oromia Region, 67 air-km E of Addis-Ababa, 5 air-km NE of Ginchi, Chilimo State Forest, near road, spring valley; 9.07061° N, 38.15804° E; 2584 m a.s.l.; 15 Oct. 2022; A. Tanasevitch leg.; Podocarpus falcatus forest with Juniperus procera, Prunus africana, Olea europaea, Hagenia abyssinica, Apodytes dimidiata, Ficus spp., Erythrina brucei, grass, sifting litter and humus; [Eth008]; ZMMU.
Description
Male (paratype, Eth005)
Total length 1.63, habitus as in Fig. 10A–B. Carapace slightly modified, with a shallow depression behind ocular area, 0.70 long, 0.53 wide; darkish-brown, with dark radial stripes. Eyes not enlarged. Chelicerae 0.23 long. Legs greyish-yellow to pale brown, femora darkened. Leg I 2.58 long (0.75 +0.20 +0.65 +0.53 + 0.45), IV 2.66 long (0.73+0.20 + 0.70 +0.63 +0.40). Chaetotaxy. Femora and metatarsi spineless. TiI–IV: 2-2-2-2, lateral and ventral spines absent. Length of tibial spines 1–1.5 × diameter of corresponding leg segment. Metatarsi I–III each with trichobothrium. TmI 0.25. Palp (Figs 10G– H, 11A–H): tibia small, unmodified, without special spine. Paracymbium relatively small, its anterior pocket dark, claw-shaped, posterior pocket low, poorly developed ridge. Distal suprategular apophysis broadened distally, pit-hook small. Lamella characteristica shaped like long ribbon slightly bent near middle and ending in spoon-shaped structure carrying numerous small black teeth. Terminal apophysis membranized, vague in shape. Embolus with relatively large body of obscure shape, possessing a special outgrowth (O in Fig. 11E, H, G). Embolus proper black, straight, thickened, bifid distally. Fickert’s gland absent. Abdomen 0.93 long, 0.55 wide, grey to dark grey, dorsal pattern absent, as in Fig. 10A–B.
Female (paratype, Eth005)
Total length 1.68, habitus as in Fig. 10C–D. Carapace with shallow depression behind ocular area, 0.65 long, 0.48 wide. Chelicerae 0.25 long. Leg I 2.28 long (0.60 +0.20 +0.55 +0.53 + 0.40), IV 2.68 long (0.63+0.60 + 0.55 +0.55 +0.35). TmI 0.29. Abdomen 1.00 long, 0.63 wide (Fig. 10C–D). Epigyne (Figs 10E–F, I, 11I): capsula with two short lateral horns; solenoid present, its proximal part hidden under integument. Receptacles subspherical, entrance ducts curved, opening on inner surface of horns. Body and leg coloration, chaetotaxy as in male.
Distribution
Known only from the Oromia Region, Ethiopia, altitude ranging from 2453 to 2584 m a.s.l.
description: Published as part of Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2025, Survey of the Ethiopian linyphiid spider fauna. II. Subfamily Micronetinae Hull, 1920 (Arachnida: Araneae: Linyphiidae), pp. 255-282 in European Journal of Taxonomy 976 on pages 274-277, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.976.2795, http://zenodo.org/record/14937582