Hermacha evanescens Purcell, 1903

Figures 1B, C, G, H, 2B, 3A–D, 5I–L, 24A–F, 25A–E, 26A–E

Hermacha evanescens Purcell, 1903: 99.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: LECTOTYPE (here designated): South Africa: Northern Cape Province: Hanover [30°54′S 24°37′E], October, 1901, 1♀ (SAM-ENW-C011624); PARALECTOTYPES (here designated): Northern Cape Province: Hanover, November, 1901, 1♀ (SAM-ENW-X009512); 9♀, 11 imm (SAM-ENW-X009529); March, 1902, 1♀, 2 imm (SAM-ENW-X010060); January, 1902, 2♀ (SAM-ENW-X011794); December, 1901, 2♀ (SAM-ENW-X011811); 1902, 1♀, 1 imm (SAM-ENW-X013787); October, 1901, 4♀, 5 imm (SAM-ENW-X009450); Eierfontein, 8–9 miles west of Hanover (31°4′S 24°17′E), December, 1901, 1♀ (SAM-ENW-X011958).

REMARKS: Our designation of the lectotype and paralectotypes is based on the fact that Purcell (1903: 99) designated more than 40 females and young specimens (catalog number 11833) from Hanover as syntypes. Upon examination of the collection the vial with the number 11833 was not found. However, specimens from the locality indicated by Purcell on an old label, and a newer label indicating these specimens are syntypes, were found. We conclude it is part of the original syntype series.

DIAGNOSIS: Males of H. evanescens can be recognized by their short copulatory bulb (Rlw ~2.3, figs. 5I, J, 25D, E) with a stout embolus with a small apical flange (absent in H. brevicauda, H. maraisae, and H. septemtrionalis). They can also be differentiated by the presence of fewer than 30 maxillary cuspules (fig. 24B), the smallest number found in this group. They also differ from H. caudata by the embolus with only one apical flange (fig. 25D). Females can be distinguished by the spermathecae (fig. 26E) having a straight stalk with a rounded apical receptacle (similar to H. sericea and H. lanata). They differ from H. sericea by having the apical receptacle more developed and from H. lanata by the smaller spermathecae (fig. 26E).

DESCRIPTION: MALE (NCA 2018/324, figs. 1C, G, H; 2B, 5I–L, 24A–F, 25A–E): Total length: 19.05. Carapace (fig. 24A): length 7.89, width 6.73, with a gold pubescence and emergent setae and dark marginal bristles. Cephalic region: length 4.97; clypeus almost absent with 4 bristles; 5 bristles anterior and posterior of the OQ. Fovea: procurved, width 0.79. Ocular measurements: AME 0.20, ALE 0.39, PME 0.22, PLE 0.29, OQ length 0.73, 1.29 width; AME-ALE 0.12, PME-PLE 0.04, AME-PME 0.18, ALE-PLE 0.19, AME-AME 0.25, PME-PME 0.61. Chelicerae (fig. 24D): length 4.68, width 2.48, with dark retrodorsal bristles, rastellum formed by strong setae; intercheliceral tumescence pallid, small, with setae. Cheliceral furrow with an irregular line of 8 promarginal teeth (4-2-2) with a small one between 3rd and 4th, 4th and 5th, and 7th and 8th, and 3 mesobasal denticles. Labium: length 0.61, width 1.18. Palpal endites: length 2.80, width 1.40, with 24 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face straight, soft area not strongly developed, with long uniformly distributed hairs. Sternum (fig. 24B): length 3.76, maximum width 3.07. Abdomen (fig. 24C): length 9.06, covered with small hair and dark bristles. PMS: length 0.91; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 1.44:1.13:1.25; total length 3.52. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 6.54, 3.43, 4.76, 4.87, 2.59, 22.19. II: 6.54, 3.48, 4.38, 4.84, 2.90, 22.14. III: 5.73, 2.92, 3.51, 5.31, 3.13, 20.60. IV: 7.15, 3.46, 5.18, 6.93, 3.37, 26.09. Palp: 3.93, 2.02, 3.04, —, 1.43, 10.42. Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1-1-1 P, 1-1 R; patella, 1-1 P; tibia, 1-1-1 P, 1 R, 2-3 V, and a strong apical spine (ventral posterior, figs. 5L, 24E, F); metatarsus, 0, curved (fig. 2B); tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1-1-1 P, 1-1-1 R; patella, 1-1 P; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1 PM, 1-1 V (1:2 B); tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1-1-1 P, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1 R; patella, 1-1 P, 1 R; tibia, 1-1 P, 1 DA, 1-1 R, 2-1-2--3 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 1-1 D-P (1:2 A), 1-1-1 D-R, 1-1-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1-2 PA, 1-1-1-1 d, 1-1-1 R; patella, 1 R; tibia, 1-1 R, 2-2-2 V; metatarsus, 1-1 P (1:2 A), 1 D-P (apical), 1-1-1 D-R, 1-1-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp (fig. 16E, F): femur, 1-1 PA, 1-1-1-1 d (1:2 A), 1 RA; patella, 1-1 P; tibia, 1-2-2 P, 1-1 R, 1-2 V with long rigid ventral bristles; tarsus, 0, with small rigid bristles. Copulatory bulb (figs. 5I, J, 25D, E): straight (length 2.27, width 0.97, Rlw 2.3), with a posterior flange on the apex. Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, sparse, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III–IV, sparse (1:3 A), divided by thick bristles (more abundant P). Tarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed throughout the segment; III, sparse, uniformly distributed throughout the segment and divided by a narrow band of setae; IV, sparse, uniformly distributed and divided by a wide band of setae and a line of fine bristles on both sides of the band. Trichobothria: Tibiae: I–II 9-10; III 9-9; IV 11-10. Metatarsi: I (5)1(2)1(1)1(0)1(3)1; II (4)1(2)1(2)1(0)1(3)1; III (4)1(0)1(2)1(2)1(3)1; IV (5)1(1)1(1)1(2)1(3)1. Tarsi: I 23; II 26; III–IV 25. Color in alcohol: Overall dark reddish brown (femur and chelicerae darker). Abdomen brown with many posterior dark spots forming bands, and a large sproximal spot; spinnerets yellowish.

FEMALE LECTOTYPE (SAM-ENW-X009450, figs. 1B, 3A–D, 26A–E): Total length: 28.95. Carapace (fig. 26A): length 9.16, width 7.78. Cephalic region: length 6.36, clypeus small (almost absent) with 3 marginal bristles; numerous bristles in front and posterior of the OQ. Fovea: width 1.22, procurved. Ocular measurements: AME 0.19, ALE 0.43, PME 0.24, PLE 0.45, OQ length 0.85, width 1.56; AME-ALE 0.18, PME-PLE 0.02, AME-PME 0.20, ALE-PLE 0.15, AME-AME 0.28, PME-PME 0.71. Chelicerae (fig. 26D): length 6.55, width 4.53; with retrodorsal dark bristles, rastellum numerous rough bristles. Cheliceral furrow with an irregular line of 11 (5-4-2) promarginal teeth and 3 mesobasal denticles. Labium: length 0.83, width 1.63, no cuspules. Palpal endites: length 3.50, width 1.84, with 34 cuspules on inner corner, prolateral face straigh, soft area long, with long uniformly distributed hairs, no serrula. Sternum (fig. 26B): longest, length 4.63, maximum width 3.85. Abdomen (fig. 26C): length 13.51, with small setae. PMS: length 1.11; PLS: length of basal:medial:apical segments 1.56:1.14:1.23; total length. Lengths of legs and palp: I: 7.00, 4.10, 4.59, 4.23, 2.77, 22.69. II: 6.53, 4.01, 4.11, 4.25, 2.88, 21.79. III: 5.76, 3.34, 3.09, 4.84, 3.12, 20.15. IV: 7.24, 3.84, 5.09, 6.27, 2.99, 25.44. Palp: 4.94, 2.41, 3.09, —, 3.13, 13.58. Chaetotaxy: Leg I: femur, 1 PA; patella, 1 P; tibia, 1-2 v; metatarsus, 1 V (1:2 B); tarsus, 0. Leg II: femur, 1 PA; patella, 1-1 P; tibia, 1-1 P, 1-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1 P, 1-2-1 V; tarsus, 0. Leg III: femur, 1 P (1:2 B), 1-1-1-1 D, with a prolateral-dorsal apical patch of small and rigid setae; patella, 1-1 P, 1 R, with a dorsal-prolateral patch of small and rigid setae; tibia, 1-1 P, 1 D, 1-1-1 R, 2-1-2-3 V; metatarsus, 1-1-1 P, 1-1 D-P (1:2 ANT), 1-1-1 D-R, 2-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Leg IV: femur, 1 RA, with a prolateral-dorsal apical patch of small and rigid setae; patella, 0, with a dorsal-prolateral patch of small and rigid setae; tibia, 1-1 R, 2-2-2 V; metatarsus, 1-1 P (1:2 A), 1-1-1 D-R, 2-1-2-3 V; tarsus, 0. Palp: femur, 1 PA; patella, 1-1 P; tibia, 1-2 P, 1-1-4 V; tarsus, 1-2 V. Spermathecae: long and straight, apex truncated with an apical circular receptacle (fig. 26E). Scopulae: Metatarsi: I–II, dense, uniformly distributed; III, sparse (1:2 A, prolateral more abundant); IV, very small, sparse A (prolateral). Tarsi: I–II, very dense, uniformly distributed; III–IV, sparse, uniformly distributed, III divided by a wide band and IV by a wider band of setae, presence of line of setae on both sides of the central wide band. Trichobothria (fig. 2A–D): Tibiae: palp 9-9; I–II 12-12; III 12-11; IV 12-12. Metatarsi: I 1(3)1(2)1(3)1(1)1(5); II 1(3)1(1)1(1)1(6); III 1(3)1(2)1(2)1(1)1(4); IV 1(3)1(2)1(1)1(1)1(5). Tarsi: palp 30; I–II 30; III 33; IV 34. Color in alcohol: Overall reddish brown (chelicerae darker). Abdomen brown (fig. 26C), with medial pale triangular marking, with both sides mottled with light spots; spinnerets yellowish.

ECOLOGY: Hermacha evanescens lives in tubular, silk-lined burrows in the soil with a round entrance that has a low, silken lip. It is often found syntopically with Harpactirella species (Theraphosidae) and their respective burrow entrances are nearly indistinguishable from each other. The Hermacha entrance often has a fine sheet of silk across it, just below the lip, identical to that seen in many theraphosids. The upper part of the burrow is angled approximately 30° from vertical, and the rest of the burrow is vertical with an enlarged chamber at the bottom. The species can be relatively abundant where it occurs.

BEHAVIOR: It appears that this species closes its burrows during dry or hot times of the year. The site north of Cradock had been visited by I.E. on two occasions prior to the visit in 2017 and burrows had not been seen. Similar behavior has been observed in H. septemtrionalis.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL EXAMINED: South Africa: Northern Cape Province: Hanover, Karoo [31.06°S 24.45°E], October, 1905, 2♀, 1 imm (SAM-ENW-B001493); Same data, October, 1905, 2♀ (SAM-ENWB001494). Eastern Cape Province: Mountain Zebra National Park [32°11′S 25°37′E], March 21, 1989, A. Leroy, 1♀ (NCA 91 /863); 2.7 km SSE Kambrokop, between Middelburg and Steynsburg (31°19′58.80″S 25°24′45.36″E), June 2018, Engelbrecht, I; Brand, E; Mitchell, S; Sole, C, 1♀ (NCA 2019 /682); Cradock, 10.5 km NW, Farm De Rietfontyn, 2.1 km W (32°5′43.80″S 25°32′31.89″E), April, 2017, Engelbrecht, I; Mitchell, S; Sole, C; Majelantle, T, 1♀ (NCA 2017 /1922); Osplaat, Jansenville (32°52′S 24°29′E), July 17, 2015, I. Engelbrecht and D. Kambas, 33 (NCA 2018 /324); Jansenville, 28 km ESE, Farm Welbevonde, BioGaps site 3300_2455 (33°3′10.32″S 24°56′43.47″E), April, 2017, Engelbrecht, I; Mitchell, S; Sole, C; Majelantle, T, 1♀ (NCA 2017 /1902). Western Cape Province: Waterkloof, ca. 25 km due SSW Murraysburg, west side of road, near Biogaps site 3210_2345 (32°11′14.28″S 23°40′7.68″E), June, 2018, Engelbrecht, I; Brand, E; Mitchell, S; Sole, C, 13 (NCA 2019 /618), 1♀ (NCA 2019 /641). Beaufort West, 49 km ENE, Bruinrug, 4.3 km WSW; BioGaps site 3215_2305 (32°15′13.89″S 23°5′38.54″E), April, 2017, Engelbrecht, I; Mitchell, S; Sole, C; Majelantle, T, 1♀ (NCA 2017 /1847).

DISTRIBUTION: South Africa: Northern, Eastern, and Western Cape provinces. This species appears to be limited to the southeastern parts of the Nama Karoo.