Lepthyphantes bryocola, Tanasevitch, 2025

Lepthyphantes bryocola sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3EA69260-26E8-4F11-9643-AF07051B0F7F

Fig. 7 View Fig

Diagnosis

Based on the structure of the scape, notably reduced in its median and distal parts, as well as of the hypertrophied posterior median plate, the species belongs to the tropicalis group, and it is most similar to L. bituberculatus . Lepthyphantes bryocola sp. nov. can easily be distinguished from L. bituberculatus by the much wider distal broadening of the scape ( Fig. 7B View Fig cf. Fig. 4H–I View Fig ).

Etymology

The specific epithet is a latinized noun in apposition derived from a Greek root, ‘brya’ and Latin ‘ cola ’, together meaning ‘moss-dweller’.

Type material

Holotype

ETHIOPIA • ♀; Oromia Region, Asela Zone, ca 35 air-km SE of Asela (= Assela ), Arsi Mountains N.P. , road from Digelu to Ticho , top of mountains ; 7.82377° N, 39.41713° E; 3755–3770 m a.s.l.; 21 Oct. 2022; A. Tanasevitch leg.; Erica arborea bushes, Alchemilla sp. , green mosses mostly Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus , sifting mosses in beds of Erica ; [Eth019]; ZMMU.

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Description

Female

Total length 2.35, habitus as in Fig. 7A View Fig . Carapace unmodified, 1.05 long, 0.85 wide, greyish-yellow, with darken margins. Eyes not enlarged. Chelicerae 0.43 long. Legs greyish-yellow. Leg I 4.99 long (1.30 +0.33 +1.23 +1.25 + 0.88), IV 4.80 long (1.35 +0.30 +1.20 +1.20 + 0.75). Chaetotaxy. FeI: 0-1- 0-0, FeII–IV: 0-0-0-0; TiI–II: 2-1-1-4, III–IV: 2-1-1-1; MeI: 1-1-0-0, II–IV: 1-0-0-0. Length of tibial spines 1.5–2.5 × diameter of corresponding leg segment. Metatarsi I–III each with a trichobothrium. TmI 0.12. Abdomen 1.45 long, 0.90 wide, dorsal pattern as in Fig. 7A View Fig . Epigyne ( Fig. 7B–D View Fig ): scape long, relatively slender, broadened distally. Median and distal parts of scape probably reduced, but was not dissected as only the holotype is known for this species. Entrance ducts running along the very edge of lateral wall of epigyne. Bursa copulatrix opening on internal side of scape widening. Posterior median plate with long and wide lateral branches covering entire aperture of epigyne from scape to lateral walls. Abdomen 1.45 long, 0.90 wide, dorsal pattern as in Fig. 7A View Fig .

Distribution

Known only from the holotype female, from the Arsi Mountains N.P., Oromia Region, Ethiopia, altitude ranging from 3755–3770 m a.s.l.