Micrommata diesenhoff Jäger 2023, spec. nov.
Creators: name: Jäger, Peter
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Sparassidae
Micrommata
Micrommata diesenhoff

description: Micrommata diesenhoff spec. nov.
Figs 1, 41–55
Micrommata spec.: Jäger & Kunz 2005: 170, figs 259–261.
Type material. Holotype male: Sierra Leone: Northern Province: Loma Mountains [9°12’53.65”N, 11° 7’2.45”W], savanne Miramira, 1595 m, 3 August [19]64 (MNHN). Paratypes: 1 male, 1 female, with same data as for holotype, (male: SMF; female: MNHN). 29 females with same data as for holotype except for 1540–1545 m, 30 July–5 August 1964 (5 females SMF, 24 females MNHN).
Etymology. The species is named in honour of the Diesenhoff family (Germany), who generously supported taxonomic research and species conservation in Africa; the name is used as a noun in apposition.
Diagnosis. Males of M. diesenhoff spec. nov. (Figs 41–45) resemble those of M. biggi spec. nov. in having a short distad tip of the tegular prong (i.e. prong being shorter than the width of the base where it arises) without an incision at the distal margin, but can be distinguished by 1. Shorter RTA, 2. Slightly longer embolus tip (best seen in retrolateral view) and 3. Tegular denticle field reaching the basal fold of the tegular prong (RTA longer, embolus tip shorter and stouter, denticle field not reaching basal fold of tegular prong in M. biggi spec. nov.). Females of M. diesenhoff spec. nov. are similar to those of M. aljibica in having no folds on median septum, but can be distinguished by 1. Median septum about as long as wide, 2. Glandular appendages and posterior loops close together and 3. Posterior and anterior part of IDS of similar width (Figs 46–53; MS clearly wider than long, posterior loops and glandular appendages situated laterally, far apart from each other, and, thus, posterior part of IDS much wider than anterior part in M. aljibica).
Description. MALE (holotype): Measurements: TL 7.4, PL 3.2, PW 2.5, AW 1.3, OL 4.2, OW 1.8. Eyes: AME 0.15, ALE 0.23, PME 0.20, PLE 0.20, AME-AME 0.14, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.28, PME-PLE 0.19, AME-PME 0.40, ALE-PLE 0.21, CH AME 0.28, CH ALE 0.27. Spination: Pp 131, 121 (dorsal and retrolateral thin), 2101, 2101 or 2110; Fe I–IV 323(IV retrolateral short); Pa I–IV 001; Ti I 2025 (prolatero-distal lacking), II 2026, III 2126, IV 2226 (5; retrolatero-distal lacking); Mt I 1014, II 2014, III 3014, IV 3037. Measurements of palps and legs: Pp - ([missing], 0.55, 0.8, –, 1.3); I 11.5 (3.2, 1.4, 3.0, 2.8, 1.1); II 12.1 (3.5, 1.4, 3.1, 3.0, 1.1); III 10.1 (3.0, 1.1, 2.6, 2.4, 1.0); IV 13.2 (3.8, 1.3, 3.2, 3.7, 1.2). Leg formula: IV-II-I-III. Cheliceral furrow with 2 promarginal and 4(5) retromarginal teeth, with 6(7) ES.
Palp (Figs 41–45): As in diagnosis. RTA short, i.e. far from reaching base of cymbial spine. Fundus narrow, i.e. half the width of the basal tegulum winding, retrolaterad. Tegular denticle field dense, with numerous denticles. Plate of embolic division proximad. Embolus tip almost reaching cymbial margin (in retrolateral view).
Colouration (Fig. 54): DS pale yellowish brown, with fovea slightly marked with dark longitudinal stripe, with 1 longitudinal row of 4 darker patches on each side halfway between fovea and margin, and with marginal narrow and indistinct darker bands. Legs without pattern, becoming darker distally. OS without pattern.
FEMALE (paratype): Measurements: TL 11.9, PL 4.1, PW 3.3, AW 2.2, OL 8.0, OW 4.0. Eyes: AME 0.19, ALE 0.26, PME 0.25, PLE 0.21, AME-AME 0.17, AME-ALE 0.05, PME-PME 0.40, PME-PLE 0.26, AME-PME 0.46, ALE-PLE 0.33, CH AME 0.35, CH ALE 0.37. Spination [IV missing; data added from another paratype]: Pp 130, 121, 2121, 1013; Fe I 323, II 322(3), III 322 [IV 2(1)21]; Pa I –III 000 [IV 000]; Ti I 1014, II–III 2014 [IV 2014]; Mt I –II 1014, III 2024 [IV 3036]. Measurements of palps and legs [IV missing]: Pp 4.1 (1.2, 0.6, 0.9, -, 1.4); I 12.6 (3.7, 1.6, 3.2, 3.0, 1.1); II 13.4 (4.0, 1.7, 3.4, 3.1, 1.2); III 11.4 (3.5, 1.5, 2.8, 2.5, 1.1). Leg formula: II- I-III. Cheliceral furrow with 2 promarginal and 3 retromarginal teeth, with 8 ES (proximal one slightly separated from others).
Copulatory organ (Figs 46–53): As in diagnosis. EF and MS only slightly wider than long, with 1–2 slit sensilla. Antero-median ends of epigynal furrow forming short incision, i.e. not reaching the centre of the MS. Epigynal pockets distinct, internally wider than IDS without fertilisation ducts. Dorsal anterior part of IDS slightly pointed reaching ventral narrow part anteriorly. Glandular appendages situated anterior to posterior loops.
Colouration (Fig. 55): As in male. Darker pattern on DS with distinct short setae.
Variation. Males (n=1): TL 6.8, PL 3.2, OL 4.0. Cheliceral furrow with 2 promarginal and 3 retromarginal teeth and 5(7) ES. Females (n=29): TL 9.5– 12.2, PL 3.5– 4.5, OL 5.7– 8.5. Glandular appendages may be situated anterolaterally of posterior spermathecal coils and may be narrowly stalked and with distinct apical humps. In one female, the narrow dorsal anterior parts of IDS extends anteriorly beyond ventral wide part. Some specimens are darker than the rest, having a dark median band on dorsal PS and OS, as well as on ventral OS.
Distribution. Sierra Leone (Loma Mountains) (Fig. 1: black triangle).
description: Published as part of Jäger, Peter, 2023, Revision of the huntsman spider genus Micrommata Latreille, 1804 (Sparassidae Sparassinae), pp. 1-45 in Zootaxa 5352 (1) on pages 15-18, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/8406886