Steriphopus lacertosus Simon, 1898

(Figs 1–8)

Steriphopus lacertosus Simon, 1898: 374 (♀); Marusik & Zonstein, 2018: 491.

Chediminae sp.: Saaristo 2010: 156, fig. 24.1–3 (♀).

Diagnosis: Female of this species can be distinguished from those of S. macleayi (sensu Marusik & Zonstein 2018) and S. benjamini n. sp. in possessing a different structure of the abdominal scuta and the endogyne. In S. lacertosus, a small unpaired ventral scutum (Us) is vestigial, and dot-like scuta (Ds) are completely absent (Fig. 6). In other species examined, these structures are either well-defined (Marusik & Zonstein 2018, fig. 10), or at least present (Fig. 16). The gloBular structures (Gs) of the endogyne in S. lacertosus, are connected with the accessory grape-shaped glands (Gg) by long tightly-coiled stalks (Sg), while in two other examined species these stalks either form several loops more broadly spaced from each other, or are bent only once each forming a single loop (Fig. 8 cf. Figs 9, 10, 21; Marusik & Zonstein 2018, figs 21–23, 25). In S. lacertosus, the median ocular quadrangle is noticeably wider than long (Fig. 3; Saaristo 2010, fig. 24.1), whereas in S. crassipalpis, the remaining fourth congener known only from the holotype male, it is only slightly wider than long, according to the original description (Thorell 1895).

Description: Female. Habitus as in Figs 1, 2. Total length 4.02.

Colour in alcohol: Carapace, chelicerae, labium, sternum and petiolar tube intensely scarlet red; maxillae, coxa and trochanter I, and entire epigastral scutum light tangerine orange, other segments of leg I and entire palp intensely yellowish orange, while legs II–IV, including coxae, and spinnerets pale yellowish orange. Unsclerotized part of abdomen dorsally and ventrally pale whitish orange.

Prosoma: Carapace (Figs 3, 4), with gently sloping thoracic hump, 1.53 long, 1.14 wide. Clypeus 0.29 long. Eyes: AME 0.12, ALE 0.07, PLE 0.06, PME 0.06, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.08, ALE–PLE 0.01, PLE–PME 0.16, PME–PME 0.17. Fovea short, narrow and deep, not slit-like. Cheliceral furrow with 10–12 fairly long peg teeth on promargin and 2 small teeth on retromargin. Sternum, labium and maxillae as in Fig. 5.

Palp and legs: Palp short and thick: femur L/ W 1.7 (0.29/0.17), patella L/ W 1.67 (0.20/0.12), tibia L/ W 1.61 (0.29/0.18), tarsus L/ W 2.07 (0.31/0.15). Femur I L/ W 2.42 (1.16/0.48). Legs and palp length as following:

Palp I II III IV

Femur 0.29 1.16 0.91 1.04 1.53

Patella 0.20 0.87 0.55 0.46 0.57

Tibia 0.29 0.72 0.61 0.59 0.88

Metatarsus – 0.40 0.52 0.53 0.89

Tarsus 0.31 0.46 0.40 0.36 0.39

Total 1.09 3.61 2.99 2.98 4.26

Abdominal scuta: As in Fig. 6. Epigastral scutum (Es) accompanied with 3 distinct scuta, pair of stripe-shaped scuta (Ss) and unpaired scutum (Us) in front of copulatory opening; stripe-shaped scuta long and extending posterior edge of epigastral scutum; median part of epigastral scutum arch-bow shaped.

Endogyne:As in Figs 7, 8. Endogyne wider than long, with pair of globular structures (Gs), brush of fine threads (Ft) originates from globular structure; 4 pairs of large grape-shaped glands (Gg) having long and lopped stalks (Sg).

Male. Unknown.

Ecology: According to the label data, most specimens were found inhabiting the litter on the forest floor.

Holotype ♀ (MNHN, not examined): Seychelles: Mahé Island, no detail locality indicated, 1.v–30. vi.1895, A. Brauer.

Material examined: Seychelles: 1♀ (ZMUT AA 1.389), Aride Island, 4°13'S 55°40'E, 1‒31.vii.2000, J. Gerlach; 1 juv. (ZMUT AA 1.391), same, Silhouette Island, Corgat­Cocos Marrons Ridge, 4°29'S 55°13'E, 18.vii.2000, J. Gerlach; 3 juv. (ZMUT AA1.392), same, Praslin Island, Jardin Marron, 4°18'S 55°43'E, 5.vii.2000, J. Gerlach.

Distribution: Seychelles Archipelago: Mahé (the type locality), Silhouette, Praslin and Aride Islands.