Tusitala barbata Peckham & Peckham 1902
Creators: name: Azarkina, Galina N.
name: Foord, Stefan H.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2015
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Salticidae
Tusitala
Tusitala barbata

description: Tusitala barbata Peckham & Peckham, 1902
Figs 6, 8, 11, 31–58
Tusitala barbata Peckham & Peckham, 1902: 330 (♂, not examined); Peckham & Peckham 1903: 243, pl. 28, fig. 2; Simon 1903: 802, figs 940–943; Berland & Millot 1941: 395; PrÓszyŃski 1984: 149; Haddad et al. 2005: 36; WesoŁowska & Cumming 2008: 222, figs 192–195; WesoŁowska & Haddad 2009: 92 (in part).
Monclovia braunii Peckham & Peckham, 1902: 331 (♀, not examined).
Tusitala emertoni Lessert, 1925: 514, figs 98–100 (♂ ♀, not examined).
Tusitala barbata longipalpis Lessert, 1925: 517, figs 101–103 (♂, not examined); Caporiacco 1940: 867, fig. 57 (♀, not examined) syn. n.
Tusitala guineensis Berland & Millot, 1941: Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2005: 13 (in part, misidentification).
Diagnosis: T. barbata resembles T. hirsuta. The male can be distinguished by the shape of the palp — tegular basal process pointed down (Figs 31, 32) instead of pointed retrolaterally in T. hirsuta (Fig. 60); base of embolus located on prolateral edge of tegulum (Figs 31, 32, 48–50) as opposed to ventro-retrolaterally in T. hirsuta (Figs 79–81). The female can be distinguished by the structure of the spermathecae, characterised by insemination ducts with one coil (Figs 37–42) instead of two, as in T. hirsuta (Figs 61–67).
Description:
Male.
Measurements: Carapace: 1.90–3.30 long, 1.50–2.65 wide, 1.20–1.90 high.Abdomen: 2.20–3.40 long, 1.50–2.20 wide. Eye field: 1.00–1.50 long, anterior 1.45–2.25 wide, posterior 1.50–2.30 wide. Chelicerae length 0.90–2.30. Clypeus height 0.10–0.30. Diameter of AME 0.40–0.65. Length of leg segments (medium sized male from Free State, NMBA 15873): I 2.50 + 1.65 + 2.70 + 2.30 + 0.90; II 1.80 + 1.10 + 1.40 + 1.20 + 0.70; III 2.00 + 1.00 + 1.25 + 1.40 + 0.60; IV 1.80 + 0.90 + 1.30 + 1.40 + 0.60.
Leg spination: I: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-0-1-1, rt 0-0-1-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-0-1ap, v 2-0-2ap. II: Fm 0-d 1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, rt 0-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1, v 2-2ap. III: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v
1-0-2ap; Mt pr 1-0-2, rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap. IV: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap.
Coloration (Figs 43–47, 51, 52): Carapace brown, with dark brown ocular area and two wide dark brown longitudinal stripes, with black patches around eyes (Figs 43–46), covered with transparent-white hairs. Sternum yellow, with two lateral brown stripes. Labium and maxillae dark brown, yellow apically (Fig. 47). Chelicerae yellow to redbrown, with very long spines on prolateral surface (Figs 51, 53, 54). Clypeus yellow to yellow-brown, covered with long sparse white hairs (Fig. 52).Abdomen yellow, ventrally with brown longitudinal stripe (Fig. 47), dorsally with two parallel longitudinal dark brown stripes and median short brown longitudinal stripe in frontal part of abdomen (Figs 43–45). Spinnerets dark brown. Booklungs grey-yellow. Femora and patellae proximally yellow, distally brown. Tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of all legs brown. Palps yellow to brown-yellow. Palpal structure as in Figs 31–33, 48–50.
Female.
Carapace: 2.20–2.50 long, 1.70–2.00 wide, 1.05 high. Abdomen: 2.10–3.30 long, 1.65–2.50 wide. Eye field: 1.10–1.20 long, anterior 1.60–1.80 wide, posterior 1.70– 2.00 wide. Chelicerae length 0.70–0.80. Clypeus height 0.10–0.15. Diameter of AME 0.50–0.55. Length of leg segments (female from Limpopo Province, NCA 2012/4044): I 1.30 + 0.80 + 0.90 + 0.80 + 0.50; II 1.30 + 0.80 + 0.70 + 0.70 + 0.50; III 1.50 + 0.80 + 0.90 + 1.00 + 0.55; IV 1.50 + 0.75 + 1.00 + 1.10 + 0.60.
Leg spination: I: Fm d 0-1-1-4; Pt pr 1 or pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, v 2-2-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1ap, v 2-2ap. II: Fm d 0-1-1-5; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb pr 1-1-1, v 1-1-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1, v
2-2ap. III: Fm d 1-1-4; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr 1-0-2, rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap. IV: Fm d 1-1-3; Pt pr & rt 1; Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2ap; Mt pr & rt 1-1-2, v 2-0-2ap.
Coloration (Figs 55–58): Similar to male, but abdominal pattern not as clear and variegated (Fig. 55). Structure of epigyne and spermathecae as in Figs 34–42.
Material examined: ANGOLA: Huíla Prov.: Humpata, ca. 15°01'S 13°22'E, on figs, 11.iv.1972, M.K.P. Meyer, 1♂ (NCA 76/1915). BOTSWANA: North­West /Ngamiland District: Botetle [=Botletle, =Boteti] River, 10 km S of Maun, ca. 20°01'S 23°24'E, sweeping in riverine woodland, 5.iii.1976, F. Wanless & A. Russell-Smith, 2♂ (PCARS); Maun, ca. 19°59'S 23°25'E, riverine woodland, tree trunks, 18.iii.1976, A. Russell-Smith, 1♂ (PCARS); same, riverine forest, 24.x.1975, A. Russell-Smith, 2♀ (PCARS); Mboma North, ca. 19°11'S 23°16'E, sweeping in grassland, 14.iii.1976, A. Russell-Smith, 1♂ (PCARS); Okavango Delta, near Shakawe, Lesideng Research Camp, 18°25'S 21°53'E, beating shrubs, riverine forest, 10–20. xii.2006, R. Lyle, 1♀ (NCA 2010 /1243); Okavango Delta, PomPom Camp, ca. 19°22'S 22°40'E, Tsetse trials, sweeping, vii.2001, E. Kassimatis, 1♂ (NCA 2009 /5696); Shorobe Lagoon, ca. 19°45'S 23°45'E, floodplain, grassland, pitfall traps, viii.1975, A. Russell-Smith, 1♀ (PCARS). NAMIBIA: Kavango East Region: Caprivi Strip, Popa Falls, 18°07'S 21°34'E, beating shrubs, riverine forest, 17.xii.2006, R. Lyle, 1♀ (NCA 2010 /1218). SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Prov.: ca. 7 km S of Hogsback on R345, 32°38'S 26°55'E, canopy fogging, isolated tree, roadside, 715 m, 1.x.2011, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♀ (NCA 2012 /1644); Fort Beaufort, Mountain View Lodge, 32°39'S 26°32'E, canopy fogging on Celtis africana, 560 m, 3.x.2011, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♂ (NCA 2012 /1701); Grahamstown, Cross Street, 33°18'S 26°31'E, garden, 20.x.1978, M. Dacombe, 1♂ (NCA 83 /505); Jeffrey’s Bay, Humansdorp, 34°03'S 24°55'E, 11.xii.1993, L. Lotz, 1♂ (NMBA 08062); Kenton-on-Sea, ca. 33°40'S 26°40'E, active search, on bark of paw-paw tree, 4.viii.1979, P. Croeser, 1♂ (NCA 91 /974); Mazeppa Bay, 32°28'S 28°39'E, beating Acacia, behind dunes, 28.x.2006, R. Lyle, 1♀ (NCA 2007 /193); Suurberg Pass on R335, near Addo, 33°20'S 25°45'E, canopy fogging, Afromontane forest, 545 m, 6.xii.2011, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♀ (NCA 2012 /1667); Uitenhage, Springs Resort, 33°42'S 25°26'E, night hunting, 19.i.2004, L. Lotz, 1♂ (NMBA 09195). Free State Prov.: Bloemfontein, Free State National Botanical Gardens, 29°03'S 26°13'E, canopy fogging on Searsia lancea and Olea europaea, 11.ii.2011, C. Haddad, 14♂ 1♀ (NMBA 15873); same locality, beats, O. europaea, 28.ii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♂ (NMBA 16101); same locality, beats, Acacia karroo, 31.i.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♀ (NMBA 16080); same locality, beats, A. karroo, 31.iii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♀ (NMBA 16086); same locality, beats, O. europaea, 31.iii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 2♀ (NMBA 16105); same locality, beats, S. lancea, 31.iii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 3♀ (NMBA 16126); same locality, beats, Buddleja saligna, 30.x.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♂ 2♀ (NMBA 16146); same locality, 29°03'S 26°12'E, beats, O. europaea, 30.xi.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♀ (NMBA 16113); same locality, beats, O. europaea, 31.xii.2010, J.A. Neethling, 1♂ (NMBA 16116); Sandveld Nat. Res., Hoopstad, 27°41'S 25°41'E, under Eucalyptus bark, 14.x.2003, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NMBA 14126); same locality, 27°41'S 25°42'E, beating, 17–18.iii.2008, L. Lotz, 1♂ (NMBA 11799); same locality, 27°40'S 25°43'E, beating, 18.iii.2008, L. Lotz, 1♂ (NMBA 11965); same locality, beating, 18.iii.2008, L. Lotz, 1♂ (NMBA 11972); Soetdoring Nat. Res., Bloemfontein, ca. 28°50'S 26°03'E, under rocks, grassland, 27.iv.2004, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2008 /474); Tussen-die-Riviere Nat. Res., Bethulie, 30°29'S 26°11'E, pitfall traps, riverine bush, 13–16.x.2008, L. Lotz, C. Haddad, 1♀ (NMBA 12579); same locality, beating, riverine bush, 15.x.2008, L. Lotz, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NMBA 12792); same locality, beating, riparian bush, 14.iv.2012, University of the Free State students, 2♂ 1♀ (NMBA 16343). Gauteng Prov.: Groenkloof Nat. Res., Pretoria / Tshwane, 25°47'S 28°12'E, by hand, 1.x.2013, P. Webb, 1♂ 1♀ (NCA 2014 /994); Pretoria / Tshwane, Roodeplaat Campus, 25°36'S 28°21'E, fogging on A. karroo, 10.xi.2012, M. Stiller, 1♂ (NCA 2013 /5331); Pretoria / Tshwane, Serene Valley, 25°47'S 28°17'E, Malaise trap, 28.xi.2012, C. Martin, 1♂ (NCA 2014 /2078). KwaZulu­Natal Prov.: Ndumo Game Res., 26°51'S 32°12'E, 10.xii.1994, L. Lotz, 1♂ 1♀ (NMBA 06895); same locality, S shore of Hotwe Pan, 26°52'S 32°18'E, A. xanthophloea bark, 10.vii.2004, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2008 /637); same data, 7.ii.2006, C. Haddad, 2♀ (NCA 2008 /641); same data, 22.vi.2006, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2008 /648); same locality, Main Camp, 26°54'S 32°18'E, broadleaf woodland, leaf litter, 20.vi.2005, C. Haddad, 1♂ 1♀ (NCA 2008 /983); same locality, pan, Malaise trap, grassy floodplain, 9.xii.2009, A.H. Kirk-Spriggs, 1♀ (NMBA 16769); same locality, Shokwe Pan, 26°52'S 32°18'E, A. xanthophloea bark, 30.i.2014, C. Haddad, 1♀ (NCA 2013 /5166); same locality, SW shore of Banzi Pan, 26°53'S 32°16'E, A. xanthophloea bark, 23.i.2006, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2008 /1846); same data, 1♀ (NCA 2008 /1849); Ophathe Game Res., Ombesanoni River bed, 28°23'S 31°23'E, beats, short shrubs, 455 m, 2.x.2008, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2008 /4165); Pongola, Vergelegen Farm, ca. 27°33'S 31°40'E, beating A. tortilis, 20.v.1968, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♂ (NCA 98 /681); same locality, xii.1968, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♂ (NCA 98 /680); Pongola, N2 Roadside, 27°21'S 31°46'E, canopy fogging, sugarcane and citrus plantations, Ficus sycomorus, 195 m, 20.v.2012, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♂ (NCA 2013 /101); Pongolapoort, Esikhotheni Lodge, 27°29'S 31°55'E, canopy fogging on A. tortilis, 254 m, 20.v.2012, J.A. Neethling, C. Luwes, 1♂ 1♀ (NCA 2012 /5749); Pongola Nat. Res., Vergeval farm, 27°28'S 31°40'E, beating A. tortilis, xi.1967, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♂ (NCA 98 /683); Tembe Elephant Park, ca. 27°01'S 32°25'E, beating shrubs, sand forest, 8.i.2002, C. Haddad, 1♀ (NCA 2006 /1426). Limpopo Prov.: Blouberg Nat. Res., Polokwane, 22°59'S 29°07'E, branch beating, Spyrostachys africana, 30.xi.2005, S. Foord, 1♀ (NCA 2009 /2340); same data, I. Sinthumule, 1♀ (NCA 2009 /2337); same locality, branch beating, Philenoptera violaceae, 25.iii.2006, F. Maanda, 1♀ (NCA 2009 /2339); Kruger Nat. Park, ca. 23°11'S 31°43'E, 6.v.2006, M. Cumming, 1♂ (NCA 2006 /157); Louis Trichardt, Little Leigh, 22°56'S 29°52'E, branch beating, Pterocarpus rotundifolius, 22.iii.2006, N. Hahn, 1♂ (NCA 2009 /2338); Naboomspruit / Mookgopong, Rhemardo Holiday Resort, 24°26'S 28°36'E, fogging on exotic Phytolacca dioica, 1321 m, 31.i.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, J. Neethling, 1♀ (NCA 2012 /4074); same locality, fogging on Ziziphus mucronata, 1295 m, 1.ii.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, J. Neethling, 2♂ 7♀ (NCA 2012 /4044); same locality, fogging on Berchemia zeyheri, 1300 m, 1.ii.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, J. Neethling, 4♂ 3♀ (NCA 2012 /1650); same locality, fogging on B. zeyheri, 1295 m, 2.ii.2011, C. Haddad, S. Foord, V. Butler, 2♂ 4♀ (NCA 2012 /4118); same, fogging on Dombeya rotundifolia, 1310 m, 3.ii.2011, C. Haddad, S. Foord, V. Butler, 4♂ 4♀ (NCA 2012 /3452); same locality, fogging on A. karroo, 1310 m, 3.ii.2011, C. Haddad, V. Butler, S. Foord, 11♂ 6♀ (NCA 2012 /5597); Tuinplaas, Springbokvlakte, Settlers, ca. 24°57'S 28°32'E, grass, pitfall traps, 6.xii.2001, M. van Jaarsveld, 4♂ (NCA 2006 /1325). Mpumalanga Prov.: Brondal, 20km NW of Nelspruit, ca. 25°21'S 30°50'E, on Fuerte avocado trees, 2.vii.1998, M. van den Berg, 1♀ (NCA 2015 /3344); Kruger Nat. Park, Skukuza Camp, ca. 24°59'S 31°35'E, in wasp’s nest, 12.ii.1972, F. Fourie 1♀ (NCA 2008 /5153); same locality, White River, 24°59'S 31°35'E, various methods, 4.iv.1990, collector unknown, 1♂ (NMBA 05032). Northern Cape Prov.: Grootdrink, Farm Eselsfontein, 28°37'S 21°42'E, pitfall traps, 22.xi.2005, M. Burger, 1♂ (NCA 2010 /3970); Prieska District, Farm Remhoogte, 29°32'S 23°00'E, canopy fogging, experimental pistachio orchard, 28.i.2001, C. Haddad, 1♂ (NCA 2010 /206); Prieska District, Green Valley Nuts, 29°34'S 22°55'E, canopy fogging, pistachio orchard #19, 26.v.2001, C. Haddad, 2♀ (NMBA 14127); Tswalu Kalahari Game Res., ca. 27°12'S 22°27'E, by hand, 12.ii.2006, R. Jocqué, 1♀ (NCA 2013 /2535); same locality, 27°19'S 22°30'E, active searching, sand dunes, 12–16.iii.2013, R. Lyle, P. Webb, Tswalu student, 1♂ (NCA 2013 /4247); same locality, 27°20'S 22°31'E, night collecting, 12–16.iii.2013, R. Lyle, P. Webb, Tswalu student, 1♂ (NCA 2013 /4127). North West Prov.: Brits, 25°36'S 27°47'E, sweeping, 1.ii.1987, B. du Preez, 1♀ (NCA 87 /536); Hartebeespoort, Farm Wengegung, 25°48'S 27°57'E, sweeping, grass, 28.xi.1982, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1♀ (NCA 2012 /569); Pilanesberg Nat. Park, Rustenburg, 25°15'S 27°04'E, active search on A. ataxacantha, 3.iii.1990, R. Dehning, 1♂ (NCA 90 /183); Rustenburg Nat. Res., ca. 25°43'S 27°10'E, sweeping, tree, 22.vi.2006, A. van den Berg, T. Marren, 1♀ (NCA 84 /415); same locality, branch beating, trees, 16.xi.1982, A. van den Berg, I. van Rooyen, 1♂ 2♀ (NCA 84 /385). ZIMBABWE: Harare, Highlands, 17°49'S 31°05'E, garden, under tree, 27.i.1999, M. Cumming, 1♂ (NCA 2009 /254); same locality, garden, on ground, 13.ii.1999, M. Cumming, 1♀ (NCA 2009 /3266).
Distribution: Tropical Africa (Fig. 13).
Comments: Caporiacco (1940) described the female of Tusitala barbata longipalpis. The male is junior synonym of T. barbata. According to the female description, “ Epigyne duas foveas inter se minus quam eorum diametro remotas, preabet. Colore et forma epigynis ab aliis specibus generis distinguiter ” (cf. Caporiacco 1940: 867–868), we suggest that the female belongs to another genus, probably Heliophanus C.L. Koch, 1833.
Tusitala yemenica was described by WesoŁowska & van Harten (1994) from Yemen based on a single female.Subsequently, the same authors described the male and provided a diagnosis based on differences from T. barbata, erroneously referring to T. hirsuta instead of T. barbata (see WesoŁowska & van Harten 2007: 262). The large variation in size, colour and epigynal structure within species of the genus suggests that T. yemenica is junior synonym of T. barbata, and the species needs to be reviewed.
description: Published as part of Azarkina, Galina N. & Foord, Stefan H., 2015, A review of three Tusitala (Araneae: Salticidae) species from southern Africa, with a new synonymy and description of a new species from Botswana, pp. 285-308 in African Invertebrates 56 (2) on pages 293-299, DOI: 10.5733/afin.056.0204, http://zenodo.org/record/7670672