Lystrocteisa myrmex

(Figs 1–26)

L. myrmex Simon, 1884 p. 229, Simon 1901, pp. 478–481, Żabka 1988 p. 460.

Type material examined. Holotype, 1M (MNHN, 3235), New Caledonia, Nouméa, Simon. Other material examined. New Caledonia: 1M, 1F (QM, S35741), Mt. Mou, 380–440m, 20° 0 4′ S, 166° 21′ E, Rf by creek, 24 February 1993, R. Raven. 1 M (AMNH) Col des Rousettes, 490m, Berlese, litter, dry forest, 29 May 1987, N. I. Platnick, R. J. Raven.

Diagnosis. Spiders with ant-like appearance. Cephalothorax and abdomen with transverse constrictions. External margins of endites with lateral hook-shaped outgrowths (Fig. 24). Legs I with trochanters longer than coxae. Palpal tegulum with retrolateral lobe (Fig. 19 “tl”), embolus rather thin, arising anteriorly, sperm ducts Cshaped, tibial apophysis conical (Figs 19–20). Epigyne with copulatory openings located anteriorly (Fig. 5 “co”), insemination ducts long, spermathecae duct-like (Fig. 7).

Description. Male. (Figs 9–13, 18–26). Carapace brown, somewhat paler in eye field; whole surface with scattered, fine, brownish hairs. Eyes surrounded in black. Clypeus and chelicerae brown, endites and labium of the similar colour, with lighter chewing margins. Sternum brown. Abdomen greyish-brown, sparsely covered with fine, pallid hairs, more numerous anteriorly. Venter grey, with paler transverse belt below the epigastric furrow (Fig. 26). Spinnerets greyish. Legs I with robust femora, patellae and strongly swollen tibiae, armed and fringed as in generic description (Figs 12, 18). Legs I brown, others yellow, with brown markings. Legs formula: I–IV–III≥II. Pedipalps light brown. Palpal organ as in Figures 11, 19–20.

Dimensions: CL 1.72, CW 1.13, CH 0.73, AL 1.82, AW 0.99, EFL 1.07, AEW 0.88, PEW 0.98, DAM 0.29, ClypH 0.03, LI 5.92, LII 3.47, LIII 3.20, LIV 4.39.

Female. (Figs 1–7, 14–17). Similar to the male in general appearance and the colour pattern. Dorsal surface of carapace granulated and covered with sparse whitish hairs. Clypeus, chelicerae, endites and labium brown, chewing margins yellowish. Sternum brown. Abdomen greyish-brown, with pattern rather indistinct. Venter greybrown with pallid triangle belt behind the epigastric furrow (Fig. 16). Spinnerets yellowish. Legs I strong and more robust than others however, compared to the male, the all segments unmodified and rather slender, besides somewhat swollen femora (Figs 4, 14–15). Legs yellow-brown, with formula: I–IV–III–II. Epigyne as in Figs 5, 7 and 16.

Dimensions: CL 1.67, CW 1.08, CH 0.66, EFL 0.94, AEW 0.88, PEW 0.97, DAM 0.30, AL 2.09, AW 1.11, ClypH 0.03, LI 4.59, LII 3.05, LIII 3.12, LIV 4.22.