Thiratoscirtus tentativus (Szűts & Jocqué, 2001) comb. nov.

Figs 68–69

Bacelarella tentativa Szűts & Jocqué, 2001: 82, fig. 3a, h.

Diagnosis

The epigyne is unique, hidden under the integument, with only the posterior lamellae visible (Fig. 68E).

Material examined

IVORY COAST • 1 ♂; Lamto, Bandama Forest; 3–4 Nov. 1975; “sur branches”; MNHN • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 21 Aug. 1975; “forêt galerie, sous bois, au sol”; MNHN • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; “forêt galerie, sous bois, sur branches”; MNHN • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 2 Dec. 1975; “forêt de marigot salé, sur branches”; MNHN.

Description

Male

See Szűts & Jocqué (2001). General appearance as in Fig. 68A–B. Palp covered with dense white hairs dorsally. Bulb oval with an additional small anterior lobe, embolus very short, tibial apophysis short and broad (Figs 68C–D, 69A–B).

Female

MEASUREMENTS. Cephalothorax length 2.8, width 2.1, height 1.4. Eye field length 1.4, anterior width 2.0, posterior width 1.8. Abdomen length 3.0, width 2.0.

CARAPACE. Brown, laterally yellowish, thoracic region paler, yellow spot at foveal area. Faint hairs on carapace – colourless on eye field and brown on thoracic part. Mouthparts and sternum light brown.

ABDOMEN. Greyish yellow, dorsum with pale mottling, venter light. Spinnerets pale yellow.

LEGS. Brown, femora with light rings medially.

EPIGYNE. Weakly sclerotized, hidden, only the double lamella on posterior borderline of epigyne visible (Figs 68E, 69C). Posterior lamella separates during maceration. Internal structure (Fig. 69D) very similar to that in Th. gambari and Th. silvestris sp. nov.

Remarks

The female is described here for the first time.

Distribution

Recorded only from Ivory Coast.