Suffrica exotica Henrard & Jocqué, 2015, sp. nov.

Suffrica exotica sp. nov.

Figs 25 – 63, 96

Type material. Holotype. TANZANIA: ♂: Mkomazi Game Reserve, Ibaya, Igire Ridge, 1200m, 3°58’S 37°46’E, 24.XI.1994, litter of dry forest, crest of ridge, Russell-Smith A. (MRAC 241686).

Paratypes. TANZANIA: 1♀, together with holotype (MRAC 241686); 33♂ 17♀: same data as holotype (MRAC 215732).

Diagnosis. Specimens of S. exotica differ from the other species in having a dorsal spine on T III and IV. The males differ by the well developed abdominal glandular outlet (Fig. 53), the shape of the RTA and DTA which is less high (Figs 29, 33, 42), the thicker MA (Fig. 45) and the conductor which is angled rather than curved, with a rounded tip and provided with a small triangular extension (Fig. 44).

Etymology. The species is an adjective referring to the unexpected presence of relatives of Suffasia in Africa.

Description. Male (Holotype). Total length 2.56, carapace 1.21 long, 0.81 wide and 0.54 high. Carapace (Figs 25, 36, 38) finely reticulated, medium brown, with small darker area in front of fovea; chelicerae and chilum pale brown; sternum brownish orange; legs: coxae and femora pale brown, remainder yellow. Clypeus 0.15 high. Eyes AME: 0.07: ALE: 0.08; PME: 0.08; PLE: 0.08; AME – AME: 0.03; AME – ALE: 0.02; PME – PME: 0.03; PME – PLE: 0.07. MOQ: width 0.13 in front, 0.17 at the back; 0.20 long.

Chilum 0.07 high, 0.10 wide; trapezoidal, inferior margin straight. Sternum: 0.59 long, 0.56 wide.

Legs: spination: Fe: I d 2 II d 2 III d 2 IV d2; T (all spines except dorsal at distal extremity): III d1 middle pl 1 v2 IV d1 at 2/3 pl 1 v 2; Mt (all spines at distal extremity): I v(pl)1 IIv(pl) 2 III dw 4 IV dw4. Leg measurements:

III 0.54 0.27 0.54 0.51 0.33 2.19

IV 0.81 0.27 0.75 0.75 0.51 3.09 Abdomen (Figs 26, 37): dorsum with brown scutum in front of deep central longitudinal dorsal furrow provided anteriorly with faint gland outlet with few small needle like setae, on both sides with light grey, smooth ridge. Sides sepia, venter somewhat darkened towards the back. Spinnerets as in S. chawia.

Palp. (Figs 28, 29, 32, 33, 42 – 45). Patella with short, rounded dorsal extension; tibia with short dorsal and retrolateral anterior extensions; remainder of palp very similar to that of S. chawia except the shape of the distal part of the conductor which sharply curved with rounded tip and provided with a small triangular extension; distal prong of MA broad and ridged.

Female (Paratype MRAC 241686)

Total length 2.70, carapace 1.21 long, 0.78 wide and 0.58 high. Carapace (Fig. 27), mouthparts and eyes as in male. Abdomen not modified (Figs 27, 46), anteriorly provided with granulated gland outlet (Fig. 47); dorsum uniform dark sepia, sides paler sepia, venter pale with two oblique dark patches extending from dark sides and dark spot in front of white spinnerets.

Chilum single, 0.08 high, 0.11 wide; trapezoidal, slightly protruding in the centre, inferior margin procurved. Chelicerae promargin with two slanting teeth, the proximal one larger and retromargin with one small, sharp tooth (Fig. 41). Labium inverted U shaped (Fig. 39). Endites roughly triangular, strongly converging, distally with special asymmetric setae: anterior part bifid, the longer branch with both margins serrated, the smaller branch conical and smooth (Fig. 40).

Sternum: 0.61 long, 0.54 wide. Leg measurements:

Palp (Fig. 48) with finely pectinated claw, turned inward over 45°.

Epigyne (Figs 30, 34, 54, 60): anterior part with two large adjacent circular areas with dark sclerotized anterior rim delimiting large funnels; posterior part with two slightly separated kidney shaped spermathecae. Vulva (Figs 31, 56, 57, 62) anteriorly with large, rounded, membranous structures (= funnels) (Fig. 58) ending in sinuous sclerotized copulation ducts, leading to poorly defined spermathecae. Funnels internally with numerous “lollipop” glands (Figs 59, 63), opening through small holes on the outside (Figs 55, 60 – 63).

Variation. Total length varies between 2.3 and 2.7 for males (n= 23), between 2.4 and 3.3 for females (n= 11). Carapace color varies from pale orange to dark reddish-brown with the small darker area in front of fovea more or less pronounced.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality in Mkomazi Game Reserve, Tanzania (Fig. 96).