A checklist of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Polokwane Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), spiders were collected from all the field layers in the Polokwane Nature Reserve (Limpopo Province, South Africa) over a period of a year (2005–2006) using four collecting methods. Six habitat types were sampled: Acacia tortillis open savanna; A. rehmanniana woodland, false grassland, riverine and sweet thorn thicket, granite outcrop; and Aloe marlothii thicket. A total of 13 821 spiders were collected (using sweep netting, tree beating, active searching and pitfall trapping) represented by 39 families, 156 determined genera and 275 species. The most diverse families are the Thomisidae (42 spp.), Araneidae (39 spp.) and Salticidae (29 spp.). A total of 84 spp. (30.5%) were web builders and 191 spp. (69.5%) wanderers. In the Polokwane Nature Reserve, 13.75% of South African species are presently protected

Notes on the butterfly theridiid Episinus marignaci (Lessert, 1933) (Araneae, Theridiidae) from South Africa

We present the first records of the butterfly theridiid Episinus marignaci (Lessert, 1933) beyond its type locality, resulting in an extension of its geographic range from Angola to South Africa. Images of live specimens and a dis-tribution map are provided. Episinus marignaci is rare locally but has a relatively large geographical distribution in South Africa

FOOD STORAGE BY A WANDERING GROUND SPIDER (ARANEAE, AMMOXENIDAE, AMMOXENUS)

Volume: 33Start Page: 850End Page: 85

Die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Opname van Arachnida (SANSA) – Fase 2 suksesvol voltooi

<div style="font-size: 12px; font-family: serif; left: 227.349px; top: 342.552px; transform: scale(1.06215, 1); transform-origin: 0% 0% 0px;" dir="ltr">Die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Opname van Arachnida (SANSA), met die hoof doel om die Arachnida fauna van Suid-Afrika op ‘n nasionale vlak te dokumenteer, is in 1997 begin.</div

Mystaria lindaicapensis Honiball Lewis & Dippenaar-Schoeman 2014, sp. n.

Mystaria lindaicapensis sp. n. Figs 20–22, 57–60, 119 Type material: Holotype: &female;, SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, Jeffreys Bay [34°02’S, 24°55’E], in garden, 15 July 2008, L. Wiese (NCA 2009/5036). Paratypes: 1 &male;, same locality data as holotype, L. Wiese (NCA 2009/5036); Western Cape Province , 1 &male;, Knysna [34°00’S, 23°20’E] beating, 7 December 1989, L.N. Lotz (NMBA 3317). Etymology. Named after Linda Wiese who collected the holotype in the Eastern Cape Province, the southernmost locality for this genus in South Africa. Adjective. Diagnosis. Females can be recognised by the distinct colour patterns on body (Figs 20, 21); epigyne with atrium well defined, rim oval to U-shaped (Fig. 59); intromittent orifices open antero-laterally, intromittent canals very long and complex (Fig. 60). In male palp, the bulb is large and round; RTA with slender tip extending dorsolaterally (Figs 57, 58). Description. Female. Size, measurements (n = 1). TL: 3.90; CL: 1.26; CW: 1.31; CI: 0.96; CH: 0.94; CLL: 0.28; MOQ-L: 0.31. Colour. Carapace brown to dark copper, clypeus with small orange area; sternum dark; abdomen dorsally pale yellow to copper-blue, a broad, black longitudinal band centrally that expands laterally; ventrally blue with brown striae; femora I–III with infuscate brown bands dorsally and ventrally; femur IV distally with brown band; patellae yellow-orange, tibiae and metatarsi greenish, tarsi pale yellow. Carapace. Texture granular and hairy. Clypeus. Sloping. Sternum. SL: 0.64; SW: 0.67; SI: 0.95. Eye s. MOQ eye area fairly wide, eye tubercles small, PLE not very big, almost equal in size to AME; ALE>PLE>AME>PME; eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.33; ALE–AME: 0.36; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.92; PME–PME: 0.52; PLE–PME: 0.34; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.54; ALE/AME: 1.09; PLE/PME: 0.65; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.64; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.49; Clyp/AME–AME: 0.84. Legs. With very dense setae; femora with two medium spiniform setae, tibiae I-IV with two short spines; leg formula: II:I:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 0.96, Pat 0.26, Tib 0.76, Mt 0.62, Ta 0.46, total 3.06; II—Fe 0.96, Pat 0.31, Tib 0.79, Mt 0.66, Ta 0.48, total 3.20; III—Fe 0.72, Pat 0.29, Tib 0.49, Mt 0.40, Ta 0.31, total 2.21; IV—Fe 0.78, Pat 0.34, Tib 0.60, Mt 0.52, Ta 0.36, total 2.59. Abdomen. Large, round; AL: 2.64; AW: 2.76; AI: 0.96. Epigyne. Rim extending slightly antero-laterally where intromittent orifices are situated (Fig. 59); intromittent canals longer than in other species (Fig. 60). Male. Size, measurements (n = 3). TL: 2.83 (2.78–2.87); CL 1.20 (1.15–1.25); CW: 1.13 (1.12–1.14); CI: 1.06 (1.03–1.09); CH: 0.83 (0.82–0.84); CLL: 0.26 (0.25–0.26); MOQ-L: 0.28 (0.28–0.29). Differs from female as follows: Colour. Abdomen dorsally blackish-brown with slight orange-red pattern, small blue or whitish border around abdomen (Fig. 22); ventrally metallic blue, with striae slightly darker. Femora I–II dark or with infuscate dark brownish bands; femora III–IV distally slightly darker; patellae, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of leg IV with darker tint, remainder of leg segments yellow or orange. Carapace. Granular and/or hairy, with few long, erectile setae present on postero-thoracic edge and laterally of ALE and PLE. Sternum. SL: 0.49 SW: 0.55 SI: 0.90. Eyes. Eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.28; ALE–AME: 0.30; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.92; PME–PME: 0.39; PLE–PME: 0.28; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.38; ALE/AME: 1.09; PLE/PME: 0.72; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.71; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.40; Clyp/AME–AME: 0.93. Legs. With dense fine setae; few long spiniform setae present on femora and tibiae I–IV, those on tibia IV especially long and erectile; tibia II & III or I–IV with numerous spiniform setae present dorsally, also present ventrally; leg formula: II:I:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 0.90, Pat 0.30, Tib 0.74, Mt 0.65, Ta 0.50, total 3.09; II—Fe 1.01, Pat 0.34, Tib 0.85, Mt 0.73, Ta 0.47, total 3.40; III—Fe 0.64, Pat 0.26, Tib 0.50, Mt 0.37, Ta 0.31, total 2.08; IV—Fe 0.77, Pat 0.27 Tib 0.58, Mt 0.47, Ta 0.36, total 2.45. Abdomen. AL: 1.63; AW: 1.48; AI: 1.10. Palp. With tegulum large and round; RTA with dark tip, situated slightly behind bulb (Fig. 57); VTA curved tip; RTA slightly longer than VTA (Fig. 58). Distribution. South Africa (Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces) (Fig. 119). Natural history. Sampled from vegetation in forests and garden. Adults collected between December and July.Published as part of Honiball Lewis, Allet S. & Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie S., 2014, Revision of the spider genus Mystaria Simon, 1895 (Araneae: Thomisidae) and the description of a new genus from the Afrotropical region, pp. 101-144 in Zootaxa 3873 (2) on pages 121-122, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3873.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/494811

Mystaria soleil Honiball Lewis & Dippenaar-Schoeman 2014, sp. n.

Mystaria soleil sp. n. Figs 4, 36, 37, 79–82, 107–110, 125 Type material: Holotype: &female;, UGANDA: Masindi District, Budongo forest [01°45’N, 31°25’E], alt 1200 m, secondary forest canopy fogging of Cynometra alexandri, 15–25 January 1997, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR1287). Paratypes: KENYA: Western Province , 2 &male;, 1 &female;, Kakamega forest [00°22’N, 34°50’E], alt. 1600 m, middleaged secondary forest canopy fogging of Teclea nobilis — 12 m canopy height, January–February 2002, 2003, W. Freund (ZFMK AR 098, 147, 1274); 1 &male;, same locality, old secondary-aged forest canopy fogging T. nobilis — 10 m canopy height, September–October 2001, W. Freund (ZFMK AR 1273). UGANDA: Masindi District, 5 &female;, 6 &male;, Budongo forest [01°45’N, 31°25’E], alt. 1200 m, secondry forest canopy fogging of Rinorea beniensis — 14.5 m canopy height, 5–25 January 1997, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1275, 1277, 1278, 1279, 1282, 1286, 1289); 7 &female;, 9 &male;, same locality, secondary forest canopy fogging C. alexandri, 15–25 January 1997, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1288, 1290, 1291, 1292, 1294); 4 &female;, 1 &male;, same locality, 35 m canopy height, June—July 1995, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1283, 1284, 1285, 1293); 1 &male;, same locality, primary forest canopy fogging C. alexandri — 35 m canopy height, 1–10 July 1995, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1280); 2 &female;, 1 &male;, same locality, swamp forest canopy fogging R. beniensis, 11–31 July 1995, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1295, 1276); 1 &female;, same locality, swamp forest canopy fogging T. nobilis — 16 m canopy height, 1–10 July 1995, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1281). Etymology. ‘ Soleil’ is French for the sun, as this species is characteristically yellow in colour. Noun in apposition. Diagnosis. Both sexes distinct and recognised by the orange-yellow carapace decorated with a brown patch centrally on cephalic and thoracic region, abdomen with brown longitudinal median band (Figs 36, 37). Females differ by having the largest eye tubercles of any species, all eyes situated on silver-white tubercles. Female epigyne with wide, curved hood, situated anteriorly (Fig. 81), differ from M. stakesbyi n. sp. that have a narrow hood. Male palp with RTA short and slender, situated close to bulb, tip extending laterally (Fig. 79); VTA slender and small (Fig. 80). Description. Female. Size, measurements (n = 8). TL: 3.32 (3.13–3.48); CL: 1.32 (1.20–1.41); CW: 1.15 (1.13–1.20); CI: 1.15 (1.06–1.25); CH: 0.77 (0.71–0.80); CLL: 0.21 (0.19–0.24); MOQ-L: 0.27 (0.27–0.28). Colour. Abdomen dorsally pale brown with darker band, a whitish border with two small dark spots posterolaterally (Fig. 36); legs orange-yellow, patellae with dark brown patches. Carapace. With highest part in foveal region sloping laterally and anteriorly; texture granulate with small holes; covered with fine, short setae, a few long, erectile spiniform setae on posterior edge and laterally of lateral eyes. Chelicerae. Cheliceral teeth as in Fig. 4. Sternum. Longer than wide; SL: 0.59; SW: 0.52; SI: 1.15. Eyes. Eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.24; ALE–AME: 0.28; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.83; PME–PME: 0.33; PLE–PME: 0.29; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.15; ALE/AME: 1.20; PLE/PME: 0.87; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.71; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.39; Clyp/AME–AME: 0.90. Legs. Leg I–II nearly twice the length of leg III–IV; femora, patellae and tibiae with few medium to short spiniform setae; metatarsi and tarsi with fine, shorter setae, small spiniform setae on postero-ventral side; leg formula: I:II:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 1.26, Pat 0.42, Tib 1.06, Mt 0.84, Ta 0.52, total 4.10; II—Fe 1.25, Pat 0.44, Tib 1.05, Mt 0.81, Ta 0.48, total 4.03; III—Fe 0.88, Pat 0.32, Tib 0.65, Mt 0.43, Ta 0.32, total 2.60; IV—Fe 0.92, Pat 0.31, Tib 0.70, Mt 0.50, Ta 0.32, total 2.74. Abdomen. Wider posteriorly than anteriorly. AL: 2.00; AW: 1.59; AI: 0.26. Epigyne. Atrium wide with postero-laterally rounded rims (Fig. 81). Intromittent orifices visible as two small circular openings antero-laterally from hood; intromittent canals as in Fig. 82. Male. Size, measurements (n = 2). TL: 2.60 (2.46–2.70); CL: 1.18 (1.08–1.25); CW: 1.05 (1.00–1.08); CI: 1.12(1.08–1.15); CH: 0.78 (0.72–0.85); CLL: 0.21 (0.20–0.21); MOQ- L: 0.23 (0.23–0.24). Differ from female as follows: Colour. Carapace with a larger copper-brown patch (Fig. 37); eye tubercles dark; abdomen dorsally orange-yellow with large band starting anteriorly narrowing posteriorly, two spots postero-laterally and; ventrally pale yellow. Legs orange-yellow, patellae I–IV partially brown, femora I–II distally brown and tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi I–II brown. Carapace. Elevated in thoracic area; texture smooth, with few long erectile setae present on postero-lateral thoracic edge. Sternum. SL: 0.56; SW: 0.47; SI: 1.19. Eyes. Eye tubercles not as large as in females; eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.21; ALE–AME: 0.26; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.82; PME–PME: 0.30; PLE–PME: 0.27; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.12; ALE/AME: 1.23; PLE/PME: 0.89; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.70; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.34; Clyp/AME–AME: 0.99. Legs. All legs except tarsi I–IV with dense short setae and medium spiniform setae dorsally and laterally; tibia and metatarsi I–IV with shorter spiniform setae distally on ventral side; tibiae III–IV with longer spiniform setae; tarsal claws differ from other species, in 2 nd comb strongly curved at tip (Figs 107–110); leg formula: I:II:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 1.23, Pat 0.36, Tib 1.13, Mt 0.92, Ta 0.57, total 4.21; II—Fe 1.26, Pat 0.36, Tib 1.16, Mt 0.86, Ta 0.54, total 4.17; III—Fe 0.79, Pat 0.27, Tib 0.62, Mt 0.43, Ta 0.33, total 2.43; IV—Fe 0.80, Pat 0.24, Tib 0.62, Mt 0.49, Ta 0.32, total 2.47. Abdomen. Longoval, with oval scutum. AL: 1.43; AW: 1.05; AI: 1.36. Palp. Bulb large with a well-defined, dark tegulum, slightly tilted to the lateral side (Fig. 79), differs from M. stakesbyi sp. n. whose tegulum is less sclerotized and smaller; VTA slender, slightly longer than RTA (Fig. 80). Natural history. Newly sampled material suggests that individuals occur in secondary- and middle-aged primary rainforests and swamp forests. Canopy fogging indicated that they occur on trees species such as Teclea nobilis, Rinorea beniensis and Cynometra alexandri. Adults were present from January until October. Distribution. Uganda and Kenya (Fig. 125).Published as part of Honiball Lewis, Allet S. & Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie S., 2014, Revision of the spider genus Mystaria Simon, 1895 (Araneae: Thomisidae) and the description of a new genus from the Afrotropical region, pp. 101-144 in Zootaxa 3873 (2) on pages 130-131, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3873.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/494811

Mystaria flavogutatta Honiball Lewis & Dippenaar-Schoeman 2014, comb. n.

Mystaria flavogutatta (Lawrence, 1952) comb. n. Figs 2, 11–13, 45–48, 116 Paramystaria flavoguttata Lawrence 1952: 14; fig. 8 (descr. juvenile &female;). Jézéquel 1964: 1111. Type material: Holotype (designated by Lawrence 1952): juvenile &female;, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC): Katanga Region, Grotte de Kakontwe [10°59’S, 26°40’E] found at entrance of cave beneath stones, 3 August 1948, N. Leleup (MRAC 81211, examined). Other material examined. SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, sub-adult &male;, juvenile &female;, Cwebe Nature Reserve, The Haven [31°45’S, 29°16’E], beating of coastal dune forest, 30 October 2006, R. Lyle & C. Haddad (NCA 2007/332). KwaZulu-Natal Province, 1 &female;, Ndumo Game Reserve [26°54’S 32°15’E], Malaise traps in sand forest and broad leaf deciduous forest, 4–8 December 2009, A.H. Kirk-Spriggs (NMBA); 1 &female;, Richards Bay [28°47’S, 32°06’E], tree beating, 26 April 2004, T. Wassenaar (NCA 2009/5037). Limpopo Province, 1 &male;, Kruger National Park, Punda Maria Camp, Shipudze [22°27’S, 31°13’E], 19 December 1962, R.F. Lawrence (NM 23345). SWAZILAND: Hhohho Region, juvenile &female;, Piggs Peak area, Hhlehhlele [25°50’S, 31°13’E], handpicked outside pit-toilet, at foot of mountain, 29 October 2011, A.S. Lewis (NCA 2012/325). Diagnosis. Both sexes recognised by carapace with highly elevated thoracic region; in female usually with pattern (Fig. 12) or in holotype juvenile female abdomen uniform in colour with two prominent spots posteriorly. Femora I–IV with numerous short setae ventrally. Female epigyne with atrium well-defined cube-shape (Fig. 47), intromittent canals as in Fig. 48. Male palp with VTA finger-shaped, RTA tooth-like (Fig. 45) extending laterally with a slight curve (Fig. 46) and a small cymbial apophysis. Re-description. Female. Size, measurements (n = 1). TL: 4.58; CL: 1.53; CW: 1.41; CI: 1.08; CH: 1.18; CLL: 0.24; MOQ-L: 0.31. Colour. Carapace and legs copper-brown to orange-yellow; leg III sometimes paler; abdomen pale copper, may resemble M. rufolimbata in both having two contrasting spots postero-dorsally; two spots may either be circles, or form contrasting border encircling abdomen (Fig. 12). Chelicerae. As in Fig. 2. Sternum. SL: 0.59 SW: 0.75 SI: 0.78. Eyes. PME fairly small; eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.29; ALE–AME: 0.35; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.83; PME–PME: 0.41; PLE–PME: 0.33; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.25; ALE/AME: 1.20; PLE/PME: 0.80; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.71; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.43; CLYP/AME–AME: 0.80. Legs. Two to three spiniform setae in a row, present on tibiae directed latero-ventrally to leg and dorsally on tibiae and patellae; leg formula: II:I:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 0.87, Pat 0.33, Tib 0.94, Mt 0.73, Ta 0.54, total 3.41; II—Fe 1.01, Pat 0.38, Tib 0.99, Mt 0.78, Ta 0.61, total 3.76; III—Fe 0.71, Pat 0.33, Tib 0.63, Mt 0.47, Ta 0.38, total 2.51; IV—Fe 0.89, Pat 0.35, Tib 0.73, Mt 0.54, Ta 0.40, total 2.91. Abdomen: AL: 3.06; AW: 2.59; AI: 1.18. Epigyne. Atrium well-defined cube-shaped; intromittent orifices open laterally (Fig. 47); intromittent canals complex (Fig. 48); spermathecae small, situated postero-laterally. Male. Size, measurements (n = 1). TL: 3.43; CL: 1.36; CW: 1.36; CI: 1.00; CH: 0.96; CLL: 0.32; MOQ-L: 0.28. Resemble females but differs as follows: Colour. Carapace uniform reddish-brown; abdomen orange to copper. Legs uniform in colour, leg III sometimes paler. Carapace. With denser setae. Clypeu s. With long and numerous setae on edge. Sternum. SL: 0.59; SW: 0.67; SI: 0.88. Eye s. Eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.28; ALE–AME: 0.32; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.89; PME–PME: 0.40; PLE–PME: 0.35; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.13; ALE/AME: 1.13; PLE/PME: 0.88; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.89; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.13; MOQ-AW/ MOQ-PW: 0.71; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.40; CLYP/AME–AME: 1.13. Legs. Leg formula: I:II:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 1.08, Pat 0.35, Tib 0.94, Mt 0.73, Ta 0.56, total 3.67; II—Fe 1.13, Pat 0.38, Tib 0.89, Mt 0.68, Ta 0.56, total 3.64; III—Fe 0.75, Pat 0.31, Tib 0.59, Mt 0.45, Ta 0.35, total 2.44; IV—Fe 0.87, Pat 0.31, Tib 0.63, Mt 0.49, Ta 0.38, total 2.68; Abdomen. AL: 2.07: AW: 1.81; AI: 1.14. Palp (only left palp available). Embolus long, thin, coiling at least twice around bulb (Fig. 45); RTA broad at base, tip sharply pointed; VTA finger-shaped (Fig. 46). Natural history. Sampled from trees in savanna and coastal forest habitats. The holotype was found under a stone at a cave entrance. Adults were sampled from December to April and juveniles in October. Distribution. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). New record: South Africa (Fig. 116).Published as part of Honiball Lewis, Allet S. & Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie S., 2014, Revision of the spider genus Mystaria Simon, 1895 (Araneae: Thomisidae) and the description of a new genus from the Afrotropical region, pp. 101-144 in Zootaxa 3873 (2) on pages 118-119, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3873.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/494811

Mystaria occidentalis Honiball Lewis & Dippenaar-Schoeman 2014, comb. n.

Mystaria occidentalis (Millot, 1942) comb. n. Figs 26–28, 65–68, 121 Paramystaria variabilis occidentalis Millot 1942: 8, fig. 3 (descr. &female;). Type material: Lectotype (by present designation): &female;, REPUBLIC OF GUINEA: Mamou Region, Kouroussa [11°15’N, 11°59’W], August 1937, J. Millot (MNHN) (material not well-preserved, bleached). Syntype series from MNHN was examined. A female from the syntype series is elected as a new lectotype. Paralectotypes: 2 &female;, same data as lectotype (MNHN) Other material examined. CAMEROON: Adamawa Region, 1 &male;, Chabal Mbabo [07°25’N, 12°49’E], alt 1250 m, SW-slope, 7–13 April 1983, R. Bosmans & J. Van Stalle (MRAC 162.638); 1 &male;, 1 juvenile &female;, Mbam mountain near Koutoupi [07°25’N, 12°49’E], W-slope alt. 1100 m, Ndop plateau, forest litter, sweeping, 31 March 1983, R. Bosmans & J. Van Stalle (MRAC 162.645). East Region, 1 juvenile, Letta [04°55’N, 13°51’E], alt. 1100 m, 50 km N of Bertoua, sweeping, 3 March 1983, R. Bosmans & J. Van Stalle (MRAC 162.732). DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC): Katanga Region, 1 &female;, Likasi (Jadotville), 11.2 km NW [10°59’S, 26°44’E], alt 1350 m, 27 January 1958, E.S. Ross & R.E. Leech (CAS). Nord-Kivu Region, 1 &female;, 1 &male;, Ishanga spillway of Lake Edward into Semliki [00°08’S, 29°36’E], 26–29 December 1968, R.P.M. Lejeune (MRAC 135.362, 135.368); 2 &female;, Semliki middle valley [01°13’N, 30°32’E], sweeping, 8 August 1968, R.P.M. Lejeune (MRAC 135.463, 135.439); 6 &female;, 5 &male;, Lulimbi, river mouth Ishasha into Lake Edward, SE [00°32’S, 29°40’E], gallery forest beating dense shrub, July–August 1976, R.P.M. Lejeune (MRAC 168.314, 169.056, 169.031); 1 &male;, same locality, sweeping meadow, July–August 1976 (MRAC 169.079); 1 &female;, Sake [01°34’S, 29°02’E], March 1936, L. Lippens (MRAC 20737); 1 &female;, N’Zulu, Lake Kivu [01°37’S, 29°06’E], 13–14 February 1934, G.F. De Witt (MRAC 222219). Orientale Region, 3 &female;, Kivu, valley of Kaisola, Plain of Ruindi [00°47’S, 29°17’E], beating, alt. 1100 m, 3 July 1972, R.P.M. Lejeune (MRAC 144.494, 144.595). Sud-Kivu Region, 1 &female;, Bukavu [02°27’S, 28°43’E], December 1954, H. Bomans (MRAC 85564). MOZAMBIQUE: Tete Province, 1 &female;, 1 &male;, Tete [16°09’S, 33°34’E], April 1947 (SMF 9976, 10-034); 1 &female;, Ponta Torres, Inhaca Island [26°00’S, 32°56’E], coastal beach forest, 22 December 1992, T. Steyn (NCA 93/240). RWANDA: Est Province, 1 &female;, Gabiro [01°31’S, 30°28’E], November 1985, R. Jocqué, J. Nsengimana & J.P Michiels (MRAC 165.867); 1 &female;, PN. Akagera, Lake Ihema, fisheries [01°55’S, 30°45’E], sweeping, alt. 1298 m, 8 December 1985, R. Jocqué, J. Nsengimana & J.P. Michiels (MRAC 165.830); 2 &male;, 2 &female;, same locality, beating on three tree spp. Acacia, Ziziphus and Commiphora, 1 July–29 November 1985, R. Jocqué, J. Nsengimana & J.P. Michiels (MRAC 165.370, 165.460); 1 &female;, same locality, 6 km south of fisheries [01°40’S, 30°35’E], dry forest, 5 December 1985, R. Jocqué, J. Nsengimana & J.P. Micheils (MRAC 165.670). Sud Province, 1 &male;, Butare [02°36’S, 29°43’E], April 1968, E. Vertriest (MRAC 134.811). SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal Province, 1&male;, 1 &female;, Mtunzini, Twin Streams Farm [28°57’S, 31°46’E], 15 December 1963, W. Lawson & O. Bourquin (NM); 1 &female;, Hellsgate [28°07’S, 32°18’E], blue traps, tsetse fly survey, 15 February 2004, J. Esterhuizen (NCA 2009/4613); 1 &female;, 1 juvenile, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve [32°11’S, 28°58’E], L. Berio (MNHG). TANZANIA: Morogoro Province, 1 &female;, Tanganyika territory [09°06’S, 35°38’E], October 1926, A. Loveridge (MCZ). UGANDA: Jinja District, 1 &female;, Busaga district, Mount Kisunyi [00°40’N, 33°18’E], February 1967, T.Ruabunesa (MRAC 131.591). Kampala Disctrict, 3 &male;, 1 &female;, sub-adult &male; Rubaga [00°18’N, 32°33’E], sweeping, April –August 1994, D. Penney (MRAC 210194, 210216, 210206); 1 &male;, 3 &female;, same locality, found on flowers, 6 August 1994, D. Penney (MRAC 210192). Remarks. Millot (1942) described Paramystaria variabilis occidentalis as a subspecies of P. variabilis, based mainly on colour variation. A critical examination of P. v. occidentalis revealed that the epigyne differs from that of P. variabilis and these differences necessitate the recognition of P. occidentalis as a distinct species within Mystaria. Diagnosis. Females recognised by colour patterns on body (Fig. 26); differ from other species which may have similar abdominal patterns by slightly larger lateral eyes which are situated closer to PME; epigyne with atrium rim teardrop-shaped, small flap posteriorly; small intromittent orifices open antero-laterally (Fig. 67). Male dark with pale legs, femora I and II may have dark infuscated bands (Fig. 28); RTA with long slender tip directed laterally with slight curve anteriorly (Fig. 65); VTA slender (Fig. 66). Re-description. Female. Size, measurements (n = 21). TL: 2.99 (2.56–3.76); CL: 1.12 (1.05–1.33); CW: 1.01 (0.92–1.20); CI: 1.11 (1.04–1.20); CH: 0.70 (0.60–0.86); CLL: 0.22 (0.15–0.27); MOQ-L: 0.24 (0.20–0.28). Colour. Carapace varies from dark copper-brown to orange-red, colour and patterns vary between individuals, may be uniform in colour or tinted darker on certain areas: usually with two darker bands dorso-laterally (Fig. 26) or darker areas in eye region, may have two small lightly coloured triangles on postero-lateral sides and/or dark bands on thoracic area, in orange specimens carapace dark postero-laterally; clypeus and anterior eye area paler or brighter colour; chelicerae sometimes orange at base and dark distally; labium dark; sternum orange-brown or sometimes with darker brown pattern; abdomen varies: dorsally pale or with blue tint, may have a darker brown medial band or lateral patterns; ventrally striae striped; legs I–IV uniform pale yellow (Fig. 27), or femora I–II often with darker tint; tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi II or IV sometimes dark. Carapace. Smooth, not granular. Sternum. SL: 0.48; SW: 0.51; SI: 0.95. Eye s. Eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.22; ALE–AME: 0.30; AME–AME/ AME–ALE: 0.72; PME–PME: 0.35; PLE–PME: 0.28; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.26; ALE/AME: 1.40; PLE/PME: 0.81; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.63; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.39; Clyp/AME–AME: 1.01. Legs. Two or three small setae on femora, rest of leg segments covered densely with fine setae, few small strong setae dorsally and ventrally on patellae and tibiae; leg formula: II:I:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 0.77, Pat 0.27, Tib 0.58, Mt 0.50, Ta 0.39, total 2.51; II—Fe 0.79, Pat 0.28, Tib 0.63, Mt 0.52, Ta 0.37, total 2.59; III—Fe 0.58, Pat 0.25, Tib 0.42, Mt 0.33, Ta 0.28, total 1.86; IV—Fe 0.67, Pat 0.25, Tib 0.50, Mt 0.43, Ta 0.31, total 2.16. Abdomen. Covered with short setae embedded in small tubercles; AL: 1.87; AW: 1.76; AI: 1.06. Epigyne. Wide posteriorly with small flap centrally, almost closed anteriorly (Fig. 67); intromittent canals complex, as in Fig. 68. Male. Size, measurements (n = 12). TL: 2.39 (2.10–2.64); CL: 1.02 (0.90–1.14); CW: 0.92 (0.80–1.00); CI: 1.11 (1.05–1.19); CH: 0.62 (0.54–0.72); CLL: 0.22 (0.18–0.24); MOQ-L: 0.22 (0.20–0.24). Resemble females but differ as follows: Colour. Body dark or rich copper-brown; abdomen dorsally with or without patterns, sometimes with narrow bluish or white border anteriorly; ventrally uniform metallic blue, pinkish-purple or pale with blue and white striped striae; legs either pale or femora I–II and tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi IV darker (Fig. 28). Sternum. SL: 0.42 SW: 0.46 SI: 0.92. Eyes. Large; eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.21; ALE–AME: 0.27; AME–AME/ AME–ALE: 0.79; PME–PME: 0.31; PLE–PME: 0.25; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 1.26; ALE/AME: 1.29; PLE/PME: 0.80; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.68; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.34; Clyp/AME–AME: 1.05. Legs. Usually with short setae; leg formula: II:I:IV:III; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 0.84, Pat 0.26, Tib 0.73, Mt 0.59, Ta 0.43, total 2.85; II—Fe 0.91, Pat 0.28, Tib 0.75, Mt 0.60, Ta 0.42, total 2.95; III—Fe 0.56, Pat 0.23, Tib 0.48, Mt 0.35, Ta 0.29, total 1.92; IV—Fe 0.64, Pat 0.32, Tib 0.52, Mt 0.44, Ta 0.31, total 2.23. Abdomen. AL: 1.36; AW: 1.17; AI: 1.17. Palp. Embolus long with at least three coils; VTA and RTA almost same length (Figs 65, 66). Natural history. Sampled from sweeping and beating vegetation such as trees shrubs and from forest litter in coastal beach forest, gallery forests, marshy areas near lakes and mountainous areas. Collected material suggested adults to be abundant from July to April whereas juveniles appeared from March to June. Distribution. Republic of Guinea. New records: Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda (Fig. 121).Published as part of Honiball Lewis, Allet S. & Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie S., 2014, Revision of the spider genus Mystaria Simon, 1895 (Araneae: Thomisidae) and the description of a new genus from the Afrotropical region, pp. 101-144 in Zootaxa 3873 (2) on pages 123-124, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3873.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/494811

Mystaria budongo Honiball Lewis & Dippenaar-Schoeman 2014, sp. n.

Mystaria budongo sp. n. Figs 5, 10, 43, 44, 111–115 Type material: Holotype: &male;, RWANDA: Kibungo Province, Ibanda Makera, Rusumo [02°09’S, 30°55’E], alt. 1450 m, gallery forest canopy fogging of Teclea nobilis, October 1993, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1307). Paratypes: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC): Orientale Region, 1 &male;, Cyamudongo, Nyakabuye [02°34’S, 28°59’E], alt. 1750 m, canopy fogging Carapa grandiflora, October 1993, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1304). KENYA: Western Province, 2 &male;, Kakamega forest [00°22’N, 34°50’E], alt. 1600 m, secondary forest canopy fogging T. nobilis, January–February 2003, W. Freund (ZFMK AR 1305, 1306). RWANDA: Eastern Province, 3 &male;, Ibanda Makera, Rusumo [02°09’S, 30°55’E], alt. 1450 m, gallery forest canopy fogging T. nobilis, October 1993, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1308-1310). UGANDA: Masindi Province, 3 &male;, Budongo forest [01°45’N, 31°25’E], alt. 1200 m, secondary forest canopy fogging Cynometra alexandri, 15–25 January 1997, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1311, 1316, 1319); 2 &male;, Budongo forest [01°45’N, 31°25’E], alt 1200 m, primary forest canopy fogging C. alexandri, 15–25 January 1997, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1313, 1315); 1 &male;, same locality, swamp forest canopy fogging Rinorea beniensis, 15–25 January 1997, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1312); 3 &male;, Budongo forest [01°45’N, 31°25’E], alt. 1200 m, primary forest canopy fogging R. beniensis, 5–15 January 1997, T. Wagner (ZFMK AR 1314, 1317, 1318). Etymology. Named after the Budongo forest, where most specimens were sampled. Noun in apposition. Diagnosis. Differs from other species by pear-shaped carapace, narrowed in eye region, with pale orangeyellow median band centrally, dark brown-black bands laterally (Fig. 10), lateral eyes situated closest to median eyes with AME situated on slight tubercles and carapace. Legs pale yellow with distinct spiniform setae. Bulb with long and relatively strong embolus; RTA sturdy, long, finger-shaped, VTA almost of same length as RTA, tip with distinct curve (Figs 43, 44). Description. Female. Unknown. Male. Size, measurements (n = 2). TL: 2.80 (2.70–2.90); CL: 1.30 (1.22–1.37); CW: 1.23 (1.18–1.28); CI: 1.05 (1.03–1.07); CH: 0.65 (0.65–0.65); CLL: 0.19 (0.18–0.21); MOQ-L: 0.22 (0.22–0.22). Colour. Abdomen dark copper-brown laterally with orange-yellow band medially; ventrally pale. Carapace. Numerous long erectile setae present on postero-lateral edge of carapace and LE area. Chelicerae. As in (Fig 5). Sternum. SL: 0.70; SW: 0.64; SI: 1.10. Eyes. PME nearer to each other than to PLE, lateral eyes large; eye measurements: AME–AME: 0.21; ALE–AME: 0.24; AME–AME/AME–ALE: 0.88; PME–PME: 0.25; PLE–PME: 0.31; PME–PME/PME–PLE: 0.80; ALE/AME: 1.13; PLE/PME: 1.6; MOQ-AW/MOQ-PW: 0.85; MOQ-L/MOQ-W: 0.26; Clyp/AME–AME: 0.91. Legs. Long with long spiniform setae present on femora and patellae of legs I–IV and ventrally on tibiae and metatarsi; spiniform setae on tibiae and metatarsi I and II often twice as long as on other leg segments; claws and claw tufts as in Figs 111–114; leg formula: II:I:III:IV; leg measurements: leg I—Fe 1.14, Pat 0.34, Tib 1.08, Mt 0.81, Ta 0.61, total 3.99; II—Fe 1.42, Pat 0.41, Tib 1.35, Mt 1.09, Ta 0.31, total 4.58; III—Fe 0.81, Pat 0.28, Tib 0.70, Mt 0.50, Ta 0.34, total 2.64; IV—Fe 0.80, Pat 0.28, Tib 0.68, Mt 0.48, Ta 0.36, total 2.60. Abdomen. With scutum long-oval shaped; AL: 1.51; AW: 1.10; AI: 1.40. Palp. Embolus long, darkly sclerotized; wide space between VTA and RTA, RTA with black tip (Fig. 44). Female. Unknown. Natural history. Specimens were collected from primary and secondary forest canopy using fogging. They were sampled from various tree species such as Carapa grandiflora, Cynometra alexandri, Rinorea beniensis and Teclea nobilis. Only males are known and they were sampled between October and February. Distribution. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda (Fig. 115).Published as part of Honiball Lewis, Allet S. & Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie S., 2014, Revision of the spider genus Mystaria Simon, 1895 (Araneae: Thomisidae) and the description of a new genus from the Afrotropical region, pp. 101-144 in Zootaxa 3873 (2) on pages 114-118, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3873.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/494811