Cheiracanthium ransoni Lotz, 2014, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Lotz, L. N.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2014
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Miturgidae
Cheiracanthium
Cheiracanthium ransoni

description: Cheiracanthium ransoni sp. nov.
Figs 97– 98, 101–106
Type material from Madagascar: Holotype ♂, Massif Andringitra, 22º20’S, 46º55’E, X.1971, B. Ranson (MRAC 142897). Paratypes: (allotype) ♀, Antananarivo, 3 km 41ºNE Andranomay, 11.5 km 147ºSSE Anjozorobe, 18º28’24”S, 47º57’36”E, 5–13.XII.2000, C.E. Griswold, et al. (CASC 9004390); 2♂, same data as holotype (MRAC 142897); 11♂ 3♀, same data as allotype (CASC 9002950, 9003905, 9004026, 9004390, 9004391, 9006605); 7♂, Antsiranana, Montagne des Franqais, 7.2 km 142ºSE Antsiranana (= Diego Suarez), 12º19’22”S, 49º20’17”E, II.2001, various collectors (CASC 9002223, 9007184); 3♂ 2♀, Antsiranana, Park National Montagne d’Ambre, 12º35’47”S, 49º09’34”E, 2–7.II.2001, various collectors (CASC 9004497, 9006920); 1♂, Antananarivo, Réserve Spéciale d’Ambohitantely, Forêt d’Ambohitantely, 20.9 km 72ºNE d’Ankuzobe, 18º13’31”S, 47º17’13”E, 17–22.IV.2001, Fisher & Griswold, et al. (CASC 9008037); 1♂, Fianarantsoa, Vohiparara, broken bridge, 21º13.57’S, 47º22.19’E, 22–28.XI.2001, R. Harin’Hala (CASC 9010497); 2♂, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, Belle vue, 21º15.99’S, 47º25.21’E, IV.2002, R. Harin’Hala (CASC 9010660, 9010670); 1♂, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, Radio tower, 21º15.05’S, 47º24.43’E, 21–24.XII.2001, R. Harin’Hala (CASC 9010799).
Etymology. The name is a patronym in honour of the collector of the holotype, B. Ranson.
Diagnosis. C. ransoni sp. nov. is similar to C. leucopheaum, in the two parts of the female spermathecae being next to each other and the short CA and RTA of the males, but is differentiated from C. leucophaeum by the tube between the two parts of the female spermathecae being straight and not U-shaped (compare Fig. 103 with fig. 73 in Lotz 2007a). Males are differentiated by the short RTA with a single pointed apex and the CA being slightly longer and more U-shaped (Figs 105–106).
Description. Female: (n = 3): TL = 6.77 (6.4–7.4); CL = 2.90 (2.6–3.3); CW = 2.03 (2.0–2.1); OAL = 0.33 (0.30–0.35); OAW = 1.30 (1.3–1.3); CLL = 0.10 (0.10–0.10). Chelicerae: robust with long fangs; cheliceral fang furrow with six teeth of unequal size, PMT:RMT = 3:3 (Fig. 101). Measurements: AME–AME 0.20; AME–ALE 0.20; AME diameter 0.15; PME–PME 0.25; PME–PLE 0.25; PME diameter 0.15; MOQAW 0.50; MOQPW 0.55; CI (CL/CW) 1.57; LL:CL 2.94; STL 1.3; STW 1.2. Leg measurements: I—2.5+1.0+2.5+2.6+1.1 = 9.7; II—2.0+1.0+1.6+1.9+0.8 = 7.3; III—1.6+0.9+1.1+1.5+0.6 = 5.7; IV—2.3+1.0+1.8+2.2+0.8 = 8.1; palp—1.0+0.4+0.6+0.9 = 2.9. Leg spines: I 0-0-1p, 2v-2v- 0, 2v-2 v1 p1r- 2v; II 0-1p-1p, 0-1 v1 p-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r- 3v; III 0-1p-1p1r, 0-1p1r-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-0-1p1r, 1r-0-1p1r, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen (Fig. 97): creamy-yellow with a slight heartmark. Epigynum (Figs 102–103): wider than long, with two depressions separated by a broad median septum; copulatory openings situated in anterior sides of depressions; internally, short copulatory ducts proceed laterally to end medially in compact dumbbell-shaped spermathecae; fertilization ducts exit spermathecae posteromedially.
Male: (n = 10): TL = 5.77 (4.4–7.0); CL = 2.56 (1.9–3.1); CW = 1.93 (1.4–2.4); OAL = 0.36 (0.25–0.50); OAW = 1.19 (0.7–1.6); CLL = 0.84 (0.05–0.10). Chelicerae: similar to female, except longer and with PMT:RMT = 1–4:3–5 (Fig. 104). Measurements: AME–AME 0.20; AME–ALE 0.35; AME diameter 0.20; PME–PME 0.30; PME–PLE 0.40; PME diameter 0.17; MOQAW 0.60; MOQPW 0.64; CI (CL/CW) 1.29; LL:CL 4.52; STL 1.7; STW 1.5. Leg measurements: I—3.4+1.3+3.7+4.2+1.4 = 14.0; II—2.5+1.1+2.5+2.6+1.0 = 9.7; III—2.0+0.9+1.5+2.1+0.9 = 7.4; IV—2.7+1.1+2.5+3.1+1.0 = 10.4; palp—1.4+0.5+0.9+0.9 = 3.7. Leg spines: I 0- 1p-1p, 2v-2v- 0, 2v- 2v-3v; II 0-1p-1p, 2v-2v- 0, 2v-2 v1 p- 3v; III 0-1p1r-1p1r, 1v- 1p1r-0, 2v- 1p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0- 1p1r-1p1r, 1 v1 p1r-1p1r-0, 2 v1 p1r-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen (Fig. 98): slightly more elongate than in female. Palp (Figs 105–106): cymbium elongated, about equal to or slightly longer than, tibia length, with a short, broad; apophysis pointing laterally; RTA short and broad, with a single blunt point at apex; TA unsclerotized, long and bent at apex; EM semicircular, on posterior and prolateral sides of tegulum, ending at CON apex; CON unsclerotized but distinct.
Distribution. Several localities on the eastern side of Madagascar (Fig. 117). Habitat. Forest, spiny forest/thicket, dry forests to high altitude rainforests.
description: Published as part of Lotz, L. N., 2014, New species of Cheiracanthium (Araneae: Eutichuridae) from Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, pp. 301-332 in Zootaxa 3857 (3) on pages 326-327, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3857.3.1, http://zenodo.org/record/225808