Flavonuncia pupilla Lawrence, 1959

Flavonuncia pupilla Lawrence, 1959 View in CoL

( Figs 2-5 View FIG ; 23A, F, K View FIG )

TYPE MATERIAL. — Syntypes. Madagascar • 15 ♂ ♀; Mont Ankaratra , Manjakatompo forest; Elev. 2000 m; R. F. Lawrence 1956; MNHN (not examined) .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Madagascar • 22 ♂, 40 ♀; Toamasina, Ambatovy; Elev. 1075 m; 18°51’3”S, 48°19’17”E; coll. Malagasy ant team; 21.III.2004; EB09 sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) montane rainforest, collection code: BLF10501; CASENT 9072047 GoogleMaps • 5 ♂, 6 ♀; same data; MACN-Ar 45997 GoogleMaps • 1 ♂; same data; SEM voucher GoogleMaps • 22♂, 37♀; Toamasina, Analamay; Elev. 1068 m; 18°48’22”S, 48°20’13”E; coll. Malagasy ant team; 21.III.2004; EB09 sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) montane rainforest, collection code: BLF10502; CASENT 9072046 GoogleMaps • 5 ♂, 6 ♀; same data; MACN-Ar 45998 GoogleMaps .

COMPARATIVE DIAGNOSIS. — Differs from Flavonuncia ubicki n. sp. by the absence of tubercles on ocularium and from Flavonuncia vazimba n. sp. by the absence of acute ocularium and the yellowish color. Differs from Flavonuncia mahaka n. sp. by the shape of the penis, without processes on the top of the ventral plate. Differs from Flavonuncia zanahary n. sp. by the smooth granulation of the dorsal scutum. Differs from other Buemarinoidae by the presence of a cheliceral ectal row of four tubercles.

DISTRIBUTION ( Fig. 1 View FIG ). — Central region of Madagascar. Lawrence (1959) reported F. pupilla from Mont Andohahela (Southeast Madagascar); this record needs confirmation due the short-range endemism shown by species in the genus.

REDESCRIPTION

Male CASENT 9072047

Measurements. See Table 1.

Dorsum ( Figs 2A, C View FIG ; 3A, B). Outline hourglass-shaped of Eta (η) type. Ocularium conical, with two small granules bearing setae, eyes situated at the midpoint of the ocularium.Mesotergal scutum without tubercles or apophyses, carapace smaller than mesotergum, mesotergal areas not clearly defined,areas I-II with a row of two small granules, areas III-IV with six, the posterior border with a row of 10 granules. Free tergites bearing a row of granules on each tergite. Venter ( Figs 2E View FIG ; 3C, D). Coxae ventral surface covered by setae; coxa I bearing 8-9 granules, almost all ventral surface covered by cerotegument, excepted by the proximal coxae II-III; proximal coxa II with a remarkable tubercle with three basal setae and one tubercle with subdistal setae; coxa III with 3-4 tubercles; small bridge present; spiracles not visible. Sternum straight with a drop shape-base.

Chelicerae ( Figs 4A, B View FIG ). Basicheliceritae bearing a small tubercle in the dorsodistal surface, cheliceral hand bearing an ectal row composed of one granular and three tubercles with subdistal setae, four mesal small granular and three frontal tubercles with subdistal setae.

Pedipalps ( Figs 4C, D View FIG ). Trochanter with four ventral tubercles, femur bearing a ventral row of small tubercles and two distal acute tubercles on the distal surface, patella with one ectal and three mesal tubercles, tibia ventral surface bearing sparse small tubercles, with a medial and two apical acute tubercles with subdistal setae, tarsus bearing four ectal and five mesal tubercles with setae.

Legs ( Figs 4E, G View FIG ). Astragalus longer than calcaneus. Tarsal count: 3-6-4-4.

Genitalia ( Figs 5 View FIG ; 23A, F, K View FIG ). Capsula interna longer than ventral plate, distally with a complex structure ending in a thin free stylus. Ventral distal part of the capsula interna bearing a pentagonal process. Ventral plate with a deep cleft separating into two halves, the apical portion of the ventral plate rectangular arch-shaped, with the upper and lower macrosetae aligned in the dorsal view. In the ventral view, two grouped upper macrosetae and one isolated lower macroseta.

Female (CASENT 9072048)

( Fig. 2B, D, F View FIG )

Similar to males, showing dimorphism in coloration, females with a dark brown opisthosoma while males are yellowish with brown stripes. Pedipalps larger in males.