Phylogenomic placement and revision of Iranattus Prószyński, 1992 jumping spiders (Salticidae, Plexippini, Plexippina)

The jumping spider genus Iranattus Prószyński, 1992, distributed from Africa to southwestern Asia, has been placed within the Harmochirina because of their male palp structures and elongated third legs. Here, we present phylogenomic evidence that it belongs instead to the subtribe Plexippina, further supported by the presence of two coupling pockets in the female epigyne. In this study, we redescribe I. principalis (Wesołowska, 2000) and I. rectangularis Prószyński, 1992. Additionally, the female of I. rectangularis, the type species of the genus, is described for the first time, and we report its range extension east to India

Oecobius thar Tripathi & Sudhikumar & Sherwood 2023, sp. nov.

<i>Oecobius thar</i> sp. nov. <p>Figs 1–5</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The specific name refers to the Thar Desert, where this species lives, and is a noun in apposition.</p> <p> <b>Type material</b>. Holotype ♂ (NRC-AA-4153), INDIA: Rajasthan, Jaisalmer, Thar Desert, Sam area (26.8303°N, 70.5085°E). 235 m a.s.l., found on wall, collected by hand, 14 Aug. 2022, R. Tripathi coll. Paratypes: same data as holotype, ♂ (NRC-AA-4154), ♀ (NRC-AA-4155).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Oecobius thar</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> most closely resembles <i>O. cumbrecita</i> Wunderlich, 1987, <i>O. fortaleza</i> Wunderlich, 1992 and <i>O. infierno</i> Wunderlich, 1987 by the curved OTL (Figs 2A–C, 3), however it can be distinguished by the apex of the OTL ending with three denticles (Figs 2B–C), which are absent in <i>O</i>. <i>cumbrecita</i>, <i>O</i>. <i>fortaleza</i> and <i>O</i>. <i>infierno</i>. Females of <i>O. thar</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> can be distinguished by the triangle-shaped and heavily sclerotised epigyne (Fig. 2D, not triangle-shaped in all other known congeners).</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> <i>Male holotype</i>: Colour (in alcohol): carapace and dorsal and lateral faces of palp dark brown; legs beige, with black annulation on all segments; opisthosoma overall dark brown (darker than carapace), dorso-lateral outermost quarters mottled with white blotches, dorso-medial area with foliate pattern at posterior extent, spinnerets and ventral face of the opisthosoma dark brown (Fig. 1A–B). Total length 1.77. Carapace 0.75 long, 0.82 wide. Eyes: ALE 0.04, AME 0.06, PLE 0.08, PME 0.02, ALE–ALE 0.16, AME–AME 0.06, PLE–PLE 0.11, PME–PME 0.04. Opisthosoma 1.02 long, 0.68 wide. Legs: I 2.24 (0.68+0.13+0.50+0.51+0.42), II 2.51 (0.73+0.15+0.57+0.61 +0.45), III 2.55 (0.74+0.18+0.55+0.62+0.46), IV 2.69 (0.76+0.22+0.59+0.63+0.49). Palp: with massive oecobiid tegular lobe tapering strongly in proximal third, apex with three denticles, process present at base; embolus short; oecobiid tegular apophysis well-developed with two projections at apex, base with proximal process; membranous conductor present and rounded, anterior part of tegulum smooth and unmodified (Figs 2A–C, 3).</p> <p> <i>Female paratype:</i> Colour (in alcohol): carapace dark brown; legs beige and non-annulated; opisthosoma overall beige, overlain with black setae, dorso-median aspect with foliate pattern and two parallel black blotches, spinnerets and ventral face of opisthosoma mouse brown (Fig. 1C–D). Total length 1.89. Carapace 0.66 long, 0.72 wide. Eyes: ALE 0.04, AME 0.06 PLE 0.07, PME 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.16, AME–AME 0.07, PLE–PLE 0.14, PME–PME 0.03. Opisthosoma 1.23 long, 0.79 wide. Legs: I 2.12 (0.67+0.14+0.48+0.43+0.40), II 2.36 (0.72+0.16+0.55+0.51+0.42), III 2.43 (0.75+0.19+0.51+0.57+0.41), IV 2.71 (0.71+0.22+0.63+0.75+0.40). Genitalia: epigyne triangle-shaped, sclerotised, with prominent proximal apex and widely spaced copulatory openings; copulatory atrium prominent, copulatory ducts twisted, each with an anterior diversion in the proximal third, copulatory ducts connecting at apex to asymmetrical globular spermathecae (Figs 2D–E). We were unable to observe any fertilisation ducts, although cannot rule out their presence.</p> <p> <b> Colour <i>in vivo</i>.</b> Typically as found in the (freshly) preserved specimens, although both male (Fig. 4A–C) and female (Fig. 4D) are more vibrant in respective colours.</p> <p> <b>Natural history.</b> <i>Oecobius thar</i> <b>sp. nov.</b> exhibited a habitat preference consistent with a synanthropic lifestyle (Fig. 4E). A large number of specimens were observed by RT on a residential wall, where female specimens constructed small sheet webs housing a cluster of eggs. They were observed to primarily predate ants and dipterans. During prey capture, the females employed a dynamic strategy, swiftly manoeuvring around their prey and utilizing a continuous silk-spinning technique to entrap and immobilize the target (RT pers. obs.). This behaviour is in no way unique, having been reported in several other congeners (Glatz 1967; Voss <i>et al</i>. 2007; García <i>et al</i>. 2014; Líznarová <i>et al</i>. 2013; Líznarová & Pekár 2015).</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Known only from the type locality, in the Thar Desert (Fig. 5).</p>Published as part of <i>Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V. & Sherwood, Danniella, 2023, A new species of Oecobius Lucas, 1846 from the Thar Desert, India (Araneae: Oecobiidae), pp. 483-490 in Zootaxa 5389 (4)</i> on pages 485-488, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5389.4.6, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/10417362">http://zenodo.org/record/10417362</a&gt

A new species of Oecobius Lucas, 1846 from the Thar Desert, India (Araneae: Oecobiidae)

Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V., Sherwood, Danniella (2023): A new species of Oecobius Lucas, 1846 from the Thar Desert, India (Araneae: Oecobiidae). Zootaxa 5389 (4): 483-490, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5389.4.6, URL: https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/download/zootaxa.5389.4.6/5253

The first described male of the Asian jumping spider genus Piranthus Thorell, 1895 (Araneae: Salticidae: Baviini)

Nafin, Karunnappilli S., Maddison, Wayne P., Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V. (2020): The first described male of the Asian jumping spider genus Piranthus Thorell, 1895 (Araneae: Salticidae: Baviini). Peckhamia 207 (1): 1-7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.509343

Sarascelis namratae

<i>Sarascelis namratae</i> (Pillai, 2006) <p> <i>Otiothops namratae</i> Pillai, 2006: 134, fig. 1a–g (♂ ♀).</p> <p> <i>Palpimanus namratae</i> Prajapati, Hun & Raval, 2021: 544 (Transfer from <i>Otiothops</i>).</p> <p> <i>Sarascelis namratae</i> Sankaran, 2022: 2183 (Transfer from <i>Palpimanus</i>).</p> Type locality <p>Adhewada, Gujarat, India (Pillai 2006; Sankaran 2022).</p> Type repository <p>Unknown, probably ZSI-SRC (Pillai 2006; Sankaran 2022).</p> Records from India <p>Gujarat (Pillai 2006) (Fig. 13).</p> Distribution <p>Known only from India (World Spider Catalog 2023).</p>Published as part of <i>Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sankaran, Pradeep M., Kuni, Nikhil & Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V., 2023, New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna, pp. 26-50 in European Journal of Taxonomy 891</i> on pages 45-46, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.891.2265, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8334945">http://zenodo.org/record/8334945</a&gt

FIGURES 1 – 10 in A new species of the ant spider genus Suffasia (Araneae: Zodariidae) from the Western Ghats, India with a key to the species of the genus

FIGURES 1 – 10. Suffasia keralaensis sp. nov. Female and male paratypes, 1 Female dorsal view; 2 Female frontal view; 3 Female lateral view; 4 Female labium and maxillae; 5 Female sternum; 6 Male dorsal view; 7 Epigyne ventral view; 8 Internal genitalia dorsal view; 9 Left male pedipalp, ventral view; 10 Left male pedipalp, lateral view. Scale bars: 1 – 2, 2 mm; 3, 1.5 mm; 4 – 5, 0.75 mm; 6, 1.5 mm; 7 – 8, 0.1 mm; 9 – 10, 0.2 mm

Fig. 1 in New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna

Fig. 1. Field photographs of Palpimanus spp. (A–F) and images of their collecting localities (G–H). A–B, G. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. A–B. Female. G. Distant view of collecting locality (Myajlar). C–F, H. Palpimanus maldhok Kuni, Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. C–D. Male. E– F. Female. H. Distant view of collecting locality (Boramani). Figures are not to scale. Photo credits: A–B, G, Rishikesh Tripathi, C–F, H, Nikhil Kuni.Published as part of Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sankaran, Pradeep M., Kuni, Nikhil & Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V., 2023, New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna, pp. 26-50 in European Journal of Taxonomy 891 on page 30, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.891.2265, http://zenodo.org/record/833494

Fig. 4 in New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna

Fig. 4. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., chelicera and legs of holotype, ♂ (NRC- AA-4169) (A–D) and paratype, ♀ (NRC-AA-4170) (E–H). A, E. Left chelicera showing keel, retrolateral view. B. Enlarged view of left leg I showing tubercles, prolateral view. C, G. Left leg I showing prolateral scopula on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus, prolateral view. D, H. Left leg II showing preening brush. F. Left leg I, prolateral view. Arrows indicate preening brush. Scale bars: A, E = 0.2 mm; B, D, G–H = 0.5 mm; C, F = 1 mm.Published as part of <i>Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sankaran, Pradeep M., Kuni, Nikhil & Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V., 2023, New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna, pp. 26-50 in European Journal of Taxonomy 891</i> on page 33, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.891.2265, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8334945">http://zenodo.org/record/8334945</a&gt

Fig. 5 in New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna

Fig. 5. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., left palp of holotype, ♂ (NRC-AA-4169) (A–C) and epigastral scutum and endogyne of paratype, ♀ (NRC-AA-4170) (D–F). A. Prolateral view. B. Ventral view. C. Retrolateral view. D. Epigastral scutum intact, ventral view. E. Same, after clearing, ventral view. F. Endogyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–C, F = 0.2 mm; D–E = 0.5 mm.Published as part of <i>Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sankaran, Pradeep M., Kuni, Nikhil & Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V., 2023, New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna, pp. 26-50 in European Journal of Taxonomy 891</i> on page 34, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.891.2265, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8334945">http://zenodo.org/record/8334945</a&gt

Fig. 6 in New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna

Fig. 6. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., left palp of holotype, ♂ (NRC-AA-4169) (A–C) and epigastral scutum and endogyne of paratype, ♀ (NRC-AA-4170) (D–E). A. Prolateral view. B. Ventral view. C. Retrolateral view. D. Epigastral scutum, ventral view. E. Endogyne, dorsal view. Abbreviations: AG = accessory gland; B = bulb; Cy = cymbium; DAE = dorsal arm of embolic stalk; ES = embolic stalk; MAE = median arm of embolic stalk; MFE = mediolateral fold of epigastral scutum; PAE = prolateral arm of embolic stalk; PFE = posterior fold of epigastral scutum; PRE = posterior part of receptacle; RAE = retrolateral arm of embolic stalk; RE = receptacle. Scale bars: A–C, E = 0.2 mm; D = 0.5 mm.Published as part of <i>Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sankaran, Pradeep M., Kuni, Nikhil & Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V., 2023, New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna, pp. 26-50 in European Journal of Taxonomy 891</i> on page 35, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.891.2265, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8334945">http://zenodo.org/record/8334945</a&gt