Meri martinique Rheims & Jäger 2022, spec. nov.
Creators: name: Rheims, Cristina A.
name: Jäger, Peter
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Sparassidae
Meri
Meri martinique

description: Meri martinique spec. nov.
Figs 196–207, 315
Type material. Holotype: MARTINIQUE: Marin: ♂, Martinique [14.5390, ‑61.0361], 8–21 June 2013, A. Sanchez leg. (IBSP 271305). Paratypes: MARTINIQUE: 1♀, Anse Mitan [14.5390, ‑61.0361], Trois Ilets, 10–11 June 1960, C. & P. Vaurie leg. (AMNH); GUADELOUPE: Basse-Terre: 1♀, Matouba [16.0403, ‑61.6902], 1 July 1960, C. & P. Vaurie leg. (AMNH).
Additional material examined. DOMINICA: Saint George: 1♀, Fresh Water Lake (NE of Laudat) [15°20’39.04”N, 61°18’38.33”W], 22 March 1956, I.F.G. Clarke leg. (USNM); Saint Luke: 1♀, South Chiltern [Estate] (N of Soufrière) [15°15’8.72”N, 61°21’32.09”W], 25 March 1964, D.F. Bray leg. (USNM).
Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality of the holotype; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis. Males of M. martinique spec. nov. resemble those of M. abuna spec. nov. (Figs 103–106) by the palp with embolus bearing small, tubercle-like subdistal projection and large membranous area (Fig. 199). They are distinguished from the latter species by the PTA triangular, RTA abruptly narrowed medially and embolus without prolateral bulge at base (Figs 196–198) (PTA distally rounded, RTA gradually tappering and embolus bulging prolaterally at base in M. abuna spec. nov.). Females resemble those of M. trinitatis comb. nov. (Figs 269–274) and M. tumatumari spec. nov. (Figs 280–282) by the vulva with GP arising from ducts close to spermathecae, not at first turn. They are distinguished from both species by the MS subrectangular, with lateral margins medially constricted (Fig. 200) (MS widest medially with lateral margins not constricted in M. trinitatis and M. tumatumari spec. nov.).
Description. Male (holotype): Total length 11.3. Prosoma 5.4 long, 5.3 wide. Opisthosoma 5.8 long, 3.6 wide. Eyes: diameters: 0.41, 0.36, 0.25, 0.35; interdistances: 0.25, 0.10, 0.45, 0.50, 0.33, 0.20. Legs: I: 31.2 (8.6, 3.2, 8.4, 8.8, 2.2); II: 33.8 (9.4, 3.3, 9.4, 9.5, 2.2); III: 21.8 (6.5, 2.8, 5.5, 5.4, 1.6); IV: 24.1 (7.2, 2.4, 6.2, 6.4, 1.9). Spination follows the generic pattern except tibia III: d1-0-1, tibia IV: d0; metatarsus IV: r1-1-2. Palp: PTA as wide as long; RTA roughly 2 times longer than wide (retrolateral view); cymbium with small retroproximal projection; subtegulum visible between 9–10 o’clock in ventral view; tegulum slightly projectiong over conductor base; conductor widest at base, distally fanned embolus subdistally curved (Figs 196–199, 203–205).
Female (paratype, Guadeloupe): Total length 17.8. Prosoma 7.1 long, 7.2 wide. Opisthosoma 10.2 long, 6.2 wide. Eyes: diameters: 0.51, 0.45, 0.35, 0.42; interdistances: 0.37, 0.31, 0.65, 0.72, 0.40, 0.25. Legs: I: 30.3 (8.5, 3.8, 8.0, 7.8, 2.2); II: 33.1 (9.5, 3.9, 9.0, 8.6, 2.1); III: 23.1 (7.1, 3.2, 5.8, 5.2, 1.8); IV: 25.9 (8.0, 3.0, 6.5, 6.4, 2.0). Spination follows the generic pattern except metatarsus IV: r1-1-2. Epigyne: EF slightly longer than wide; MAB barely conspicupous embedded in EF; MS 1.5 times longer than wide, extending over posterior margins of LL; EP triangular, roughly as long as wide, opening at posterior margin of MS; LL touching posteriorly (Figs 200, 206). Vulva: internal ducts with FW dilated, postero mediad; GP 3 times longer than wide, anteriad; SP elongated with few grooves; FD antero laterad (Figs 200–201, 207).
Variation. Females (n = 2): total length 15.3–17.8; prosoma length 5.9–7.1; femur I length 7.0–8.5.
Distribution. Known from the Lesser Antilles (Fig. 315)
description: Published as part of Rheims, Cristina A. & Jäger, Peter, 2022, Revalidation of the genus Sadala Simon, 1880 with the description of a new genus of Neotropical huntsman spiders (Araneae, Sparassidae), pp. 1-80 in Zootaxa 5135 (1) on pages 51-54, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5135.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6550195