Cheiracanthium ashleyi Lotz, 2014, sp. nov.

Cheiracanthium ashleyi sp. nov.

Figs 27–28, 37–42

Type material from Madagascar: Holotype ♂, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana National Park, 21º15.613’S, 47º25.117’E, 15–17.I.2007, A.H. Kirk-Spriggs (AMSA). Paratypes: (allotype) ♀, Toliara, Forêt Classee Tsikongambarika I, Ivolof., Androangaloaky, ca. Fort Dauphin, 24º55’34”S, 46º55’24.4”E, 13.III.2003, D. Silva, et al. (CASC 9015813); 1♂, same data as holotype, in vial with holotype (AMSA); 2♂ 1♀, Antananarivo, Réserve Spéserve Spéciale d’Ambohitantely, Forêt d’Amhitantely, 20.9 km 72ºNE Ankazobe, 18º13’31”S, 47º17’13”E, 17–22.IV.2001, various collectors (CASC 9001213, 9003597, 9006499); 1♂ 3♀, Antananarivo, Réserve Spéserve Spéciale d’Ambohitantely, Forêt d’Amhitantely, Jardin Botanique, 24.1 km 59ºNE Ankazobe, 18º10’17”S, 47º16’55”E, 19, 21.III.2003, D. Andriamalala, et al. (CASC 9005899, 9015702); 1♀, Antsiranana, Park National Montagne d’Ambre, 12º32’04”S, 49º10’46”E, 20–26.I.2001, L.J. Boutin (CASC 9003663); 1♂, Toamasina, Réserve Analamazoatra, Park National Andasibe, 23 road km E Moramanga, 18º56’38”S, 48º25’03”E, 16–18.I.2003, C.E. Griswold, et al. (CASC 9005640); 2♂, Fianarantsoa, Vohiparara, 21.24032ºS, 47.39399ºE, 2–22.I.2001, D.H. & K.M. Kavanaugh, et al. (CASC 9003454); 2♂, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, Talatakely, 21.25041ºS, 47.41945ºE, 2–22.I.2001, D.H. & K.M. Kavanaugh, et al. (CASC 9003499); 4♂ 1♀, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, Talatakely, 21º14.9’S, 47º25.6’E, 5-18, 19–30.IV.1998, C.E. Griswold, et al. (CASC, 2 vials); 3♂, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, 2.3 km N Vohiparara, 21º12.8’S, 47º23.0’E, 18, 24–25.IV.1998, C.E. Griswold, et al. (CASC, 2 vials); 6♂, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, Vohiparara, 21º14’S, 47º24’E, 5–7.XII.1993, N. Scharff, et al. (CASC); 4♂ 1♀, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, Vohiparara, Piste Touristique 21º13.6’S, 47º24.0’E, 12, 14, 26–27.IV.1998, C.E. Griswold, et al. (CASC, 2 vials); 5♂ 4♀, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, roadside near park entrance, 21º14.3’S, 47º26’E, 22.IV.1998, C.E. Griswold, et al. (CASC, 2 vials); 1♂, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, 21º12’S, 47º27’E, IV.1992, V. & B. Roth & S. Karika (CASC); 7♂ 2♀, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, Radio Tower, 21º15’05”S, 47º24’43”E, 28.XI–6.XII, 21–24.XII.2001, R. Harin’Hala (CASC 9010798, 9010868); 4♂ 2♀, Fianarantsoa, Vohiparara, broken bridge, 21º13.57’S, 47º22.19’E, various dates, 2001 & 2002, R. Harin’Hala (CASC 9010470, 9010476, 9010837, 9010839); 4♂, Tamatave, Foulpointe, 17º40’S, 49º31’E, VII.1995, A. Pauly (MRAC 206230); 1♂, Toliara, Park National d’Andohatiela, Col du Sedro, 3.8 km 113ºESE Mahamavo, 37.6 km 341ºNNW Tolagnaro, 24º45’50”S, 46º45’06”E, 21–25.I.2002, Fisher & Griswold et al. (CASC 9009555); 3♂ 2♀, Toliara, Réserve Privé Berenty, F. de Bealoka, Mandraré River, 14.6 km 329ºNNW Amboasary, 24º57’25”S, 46º16’17”E, 3–8.II.2002, Fisher & Griswold et al. (CASC 9012410); 3♂, Toamasina, Ivoina Parque Zoologique, 12 km from Tamatave, 18º03’21”S, 49º21’32.5”E, 19.II.2003, D. Andriamalala, et al. (CASC 9015743, 9015763).

Etymology. The species name is a patronym for Ashley Kirk-Spriggs, collector of the holotype.

Diagnosis. C. ashleyi sp. nov. is similar to C. ampijoroa sp. nov., C. andranomay sp. nov., C. ambrense sp. nov., C. anjozorobe sp. nov., C. fisheri sp. nov., C. griswoldi sp. nov. and C. rothi sp. nov. in the dumbbell-shaped spermathecae and the U-shaped CA. In C. ashleyi sp. nov. females the copulatory ducts circle around the spermathecae twice, which is distinctive amongst the above species (Fig. 39). The differentiation of the males of C. ashleyi sp. nov. and C. rothi sp. nov. are based on the RTA ending in three points. C. ashleyi sp. nov. can be separated from C. rothi sp. nov. by the much longer CA, which extends far beyond the base of the tegulum (Figs 41–42, 111–112).

Description. Female: (n = 10): TL = 4.81 (4.5–5.7); CL = 2.08 (1.8–2.4); CW = 1.46 (1.4–1.7); OAL = 0.31 (0.30–0.35); OAW = 0.89 (0.8–1.0); CLL = 0.05 (0.05–0.05). Chelicerae: robust with long fangs; cheliceral fang furrow with nine teeth of unequal size, PMT:RMT = 3:6 (Fig. 37). Measurements: AME–AME 0.10; AME–ALE 0.20; AME diameter 0.10; PME–PME 0.20; PME–PLE 0.15; PME diameter 0.10; MOQAW 0.30; MOQPW 0.40; CI (CL/CW) 1.47; LL:CL 6.36; STL 1.1; STW 0.9. Leg measurements: I—3.3+0.8+3.7+4.3+1.9 = 14.0; II—2.0+0.7+1.8+2.0+0.8 = 7.3; III—1.3+0.6+1.1+1.5+0.6 = 5.1; IV—2.2+0.7+2.1+2.4+0.8 = 8.2; palp—1.0+0.35+0.7+0.9 = 2.95. Leg spines: I 0-2p-1p, 2v-3v- 0, 2v- 2v-1v; II 0-0-1p, 0-0-1p, 2v-3 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; III 0-0-1p1r, 0-0-1p1r, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-0-1r, 0-0-1p1r, 2 v1 r-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen (Fig. 27): creamygrey with a heart-mark bordered in white. Epigynum (Figs 38–39): longer than wide, with two depressions separated by a septum; copulatory openings situated medially in the depressions; internally, copulatory ducts proceed anterio-laterally, curving twice before ending medially in the dumbbell-shaped spermathecae; fertilization ducts exit spermathecae posteromedially.

Male: (n = 10): TL = 5.20 (4.5–6.0); CL = 2.29 (1.9–2.6); CW = 1.55 (1.4–1.7); OAL = 0.33 (0.30–0.40); OAW = 0.91 (0.80–1.05); CLL = 0.05 (0.05–0.05). Chelicerae: similar to female, except with PMT:RMT = 3:6–7 (Fig. 40). Measurements: AME–AME 0.10; AME–ALE 0.15; AME diameter 0.10; PME–PME 0.15; PME–PLE 0.15; PME diameter 0.10; MOQAW 0.30; MOQPW 0.40; CI (CL/CW) 1.43; LL:CL 10.15; STL 1.2; STW 1.0. Leg measurements: I—4.8+1.0+5.7+6.3+2.5 = 20.3; II—2.8+0.7+2.7+2.9+0.9 = 10.0; III—1.9+0.6+1.5+2.1+0.7 = 6.8; IV—3.0+0.7+3.0+3.4+0.9 = 11.0; palp—1.7+0.5+1.0+1.2 = 4.4. Leg spines: I 0-1p-1p, 2v-2v- 0, 2v- 2v-1v; II 0- 1p1r-1p, 2v-2 v1 p-0, 2v-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; III 0-1p1r-1p1r, 0-0-1p1r, 2 v1 p1r-2v-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-1p-1p1r, 0- 2 v-0, 2 v1 r- 2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen (Fig. 28): similar in colour to female, but slightly more elongate. Palp (Figs 41–42): cymbium elongate, shorter to about equal tibia length, with a long, proximally curled apophysis without flattened extensions before the apex; RTA with three-pointed apex, one point hooked and other two points only visible at a certain angle; TA unsclerotized, long and bent at apex; EM long, almost encircling tegulum, ending at CON apex; CON unsclerotised but distinct.

Distribution. Several localities on the eastern side of Madagascar (Fig. 24).

Habitat. Forests, including high altitude rainforest, mixed tropical forest and gallery forest.