Smeringopus lineiventris Simon, 1890

Figs. 177–178, 183, 192–193, 202–203, 238–242

Smeringopus lineiventris Simon 1890: 95.

Types. 4♂ 4♀ syntypes from Yemen, Aden [12°48’N, 45°00’E], date unknown (1889–1890), leg. E. Simon, in MNHN (10488), with Simon’s handwritten label “10746 Sm. lineiventris ES Aden!”, examined.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from similar congeners (other species of the arambourgi species group and S. pallidus) by tip of procursus (Figs. 238, 239), shapes of bulbal processes (Figs. 240, 241), and epigynum shape (simple plate with pair of round internal structures visible through cuticle; Fig. 202; similar S. pallidus); apparently also by reduced color pattern on carapace, clypeus, sternum, and legs (mostly monochromous).

Male (syntype). Total body length 6.4, carapace width 2.1. Leg 1: 65.6 (17.1 + 0.9 + 16.4 + 28.8 + 2.4), tibia 2: 11.9, tibia 3: 8.8, tibia 4: 11.7; tibia 1 L/d: 77. Habitus as in Fig. 177. Colors possibly slightly bleached but dorsal abdominal pattern still very distinct; carapace only posteriorly slightly darker, clypeus, sternum, and legs monochromous ochre-yellow, abdomen ochre-gray with distinct dorsal pattern, ventrally only with two pairs of dark lines (beside book lungs and posteriorly). Distance PME-PME 160 µm, diameter PME 150 µm, distance PME-ALE 80 µm, distance AME-AME 25 µm, diameter AME 140 µm. Ocular area slightly elevated, secondary eyes with barely visible ‘pseudo-lenses’; deep thoracic pit. Chelicerae very similar S. saruanle (cf. Fig. 236), with small distal apophyses. Palps as in Figs. 192 and 193, coxa without retrolateral apophysis, trochanter barely modified, femur with retrolateral furrow, proximal rim slightly more distinct, cymbium with very small projection near tarsal organ, procursus with distinctive distal processes (Figs. 238, 239), bulb with sclerotized embolus and distinctive dorsal process (Figs. 240, 241). Legs without spines, few vertical hairs, with curved hairs on legs 1–2 (most hairs missing), retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 2.5%; prolateral trichobothrium present on tibia 1.

Variation. Tibia 1 in 6 other males: 9.3-15.7 (mean 13.2).

Female. In general similar to male; tibia 1 in 8 females: 10.4–15.2 (mean 12.4). Epigynum a simple plate without pockets, with internal round structures visible through cuticle (Fig. 202); internal genitalia as in Figs. 203 and 242.

Natural history. According to Simon (1890), this species was once “commun dans les maisons” at the type locality in Aden. This seems no longer to be the case, as the species is apparently missing in the new collections from Yemen made by A. van Harten and deposited at the RMNH.

Distribution. Only known from type locality in Yemen and “Massoua” (see below) (Fig. 204).

Material examined. YEMEN: Aden: 4♂ 4♀ syntypes above; same locality, “E a. Emerton” no further data, 1♂ in MCZ (34047).

Dubious locality: “Massoua” (= Er Rih Island?, 18°10’N, 38°26’E; or Massawa?, 15°36’N, 39°27’E), E. Simon collection 10250, 4♂ 5♀ 6 juvs. in MNHN (AR 10475).