Sahastata wunderlichi Magalhaes & Stockmann & Marusik & Zonstein 2020, sp. nov.

Sahastata wunderlichi sp. nov.

Figures 1 E–F, 18–23, 24C–D

Sahastata nigra Benoit, 1968: 97, figs 1–5 (♀ misidentified in part, figures refer to a species near S. wunderlichi sp. nov.; material examined may refer in part to S. wunderlichi sp. nov., in part to S. infuscata, and in part to undescribed species); Marusik et al. 2014: 9, figs 30–33, 41 (♀, fig. 41 copy of fig. 4 in Benoit 1968 — Sahastata cf. wunderlichi).

Remarks. Specimens examined and listed by Benoit (1968) from Morocco that were identified as S. nigra seem to refer to S. wunderlichi sp. nov..

Etymology. The name honours Jörg Wunderlich, the first to study the holotype of S. bosmansi, in recognition of his life-long contributions to the systematics of extant and fossil spiders.

Diagnosis. In possessing a sideward-directed embolus, males of S. wunderlichi sp. nov. are similar to those of S. bosmansi; they differ by the ventral position of the embolic keel and the gentle curvature of the embolus (Fig. 20) (retrolateral keel and sharp curve in S. bosmansi; Fig. 17). The spermathecae resemble those of S. amethystina, but in S. wunderlichi sp. nov. there is no membranous portion of the spermathecae, and the calamistrum has more setae in each row (Figs 22B, 23).

Description. Male (Paratype, MACN-Ar 39465). Coloration pale yellowish cream, except where noted. Carapace with dark pigment around eyes and faint light brown median V-shaped pattern. Carapace with thick black setae interspersed with regular setae. Sternum with white markings posteriorly. Abdomen light yellowish brown.

Total length 4.94. Carapace 2.44 long, 1.96 wide. Clypeus 0.3 long. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, PME 0.14, ALE 0.198, PLE 0.18, AME-AME 0.06, PME-PME 0.156. Sternum length 1.19, width 1.06. Palp: femur length 3.64, height 0.37, tibia length 3.23, height 0.33. Leg I: fe 5.12, pa 1.12, ti 5.08, mt 5.9, ta 2.28. II: fe 4.1, pa 0.95, ti 3.77, mt 4.37, ta 1.81. III: fe 3.8, pa 0.75, ti 3.27, mt 4.3, ta 1.55. IV: fe 4.99, pa 1.07, ti 4.79, mt 5.85, ta 2.46. Abdomen: length 2.68, width 1.16.

Palp with long and numerous macrosetae in several rows along femur ventral and dorsal sides. Leg macrosetae: fe I dp8, v31, with large patch with ~50 short retrolateral macrosetae; ti I r0-1-1, v2-2-2-2; mt I p0-1-0, v2-2-2-2- 2-2-2; ta I v4; fe II v23, with a large patch with ~50 short prolateral macrosetae; ti II p1-1-0, v2-2-2; mt II p1-0-1, r0-0-1, v2-2-2-2-2-2; ta II v7; fe III d5, dp4, dr1, v11; ti III p1-1-0, vp1-1-0, r1-1-0; mt III p1-0-1, r1-1-1, v2-2-2-2- 2-2, dr-0-0-1; ta III v11; fe IV d8; ti IV vp1-1-0; mt IV p0-0-1, r0-0-1, v2-2-2-2-2; ta IV v15.

Palp (Fig. 20): femur 1.5 times longer than carapace, cymbium about as long as bulb, with dense fringe of setae, longer on ventral face, bulb piriform, simple, sperm duct with 3 coils, embolus with conspicuous, translucent keel short, tip bent.

State of the specimen: good, left palp dissected, left leg I disarticulated from tibia, left leg IV disarticulated from trochanter.

Female (Paratype, MACN-Ar 38366). Carapace brown, stippled with dark brown and with dark brown Vshaped median pattern. Labium, endites and sternum dark brown. Legs dark brown, with longitudinal brown stripes, gradually becoming yellow brown on tips, femora and tibia I and II hirsute, with long setae. Abdomen grayish, light brown.

Total length 13.1. Carapace 4.17 long, 3.65 wide. Clypeus 0.72 long. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.16, PME 0.23, ALE 0.28, PLE 0.23, AME-AME 0.068, PME-PME 0.22. Sternum 2.17 long, 2.02 wide. Palp: femur 2.51, height 1.02, tibia length 1.43, height 0.91. Leg I: fe 5.58, pa 1.85, ti 4.9, mt 4.58, ta 2.73. II: fe 4.39, pa 1.48, ti 3.51, mt 3.56, ta missing. III: fe 3.34, pa 1.45, ti 2.67, mt 2.91, ta 1.71. IV: fe 4.92, pa 1.56, ti 4.22, mt 3.96, ta 2.08. Abdomen: length 9.05, width 6.85.

Palp macrosetae on ventral surface of tibia and tarsus. Leg macrosetae: ti I v2-2; mt I p0-0-2, v2-2-2-2-2; ta I v15; tiI II v2-2; mt II p0-0-2, r0-0-1, v2-2-2-2; fe III d2-0-0; tiI III dr1-1-0; mt III p1-0-1, r1-1-1, v2-2-2-2; ta III v12; fe IV d3-0-0; ti IV vp-1-1-1; mt IV p0-0-1, r0-0-1, v2-2-2-2-2; ta IV v14. Calamistrum with 3 rows with tightly packed and neatly arranged setae, rows with ~20-18-11 setae, prolateral one extending well beyond calamistrum crest.

Endogyne (Fig. 23) without membranous portion, spermathecae digitiform, inner spermathecae with glandular pores throughout, outer spermathecae with glandular pores restricted to apex.

State of the specimen: good, left leg I disarticulated from tibia, right legs II–III set apart for molecular work, genitalia dissected.

Variation. Females (n = 3): total length 12.50–13.10 (12.87), carapace length 4.17–5.03 (4.67), femur I length 5.25–6.22 (5.68), femur/carapace ratio 1.09–1.34 (1.22). The genital morphology of females varies, especially regarding the length of the spermathecae.

Type material. Holotype ³: MOROCCO: Guelmin-Es Semara: Assa-Zag, Zag, dry shrubland on sand dunes, under large rocks, 28.24872°N, 09.33291°E, leg. M. Stockmann, X.2016, 1³ (SMNH).

Paratypes: MOROCCO: Drâa-Tafilalet: Errachidia, Arfoud, Alnif, dry shrubland near mountain ranges, in webs under large rocks, 31.15695°N, 05.04701°E, leg. M. Stockmann, X.2016, 2♀ (HUJ 20310), 1♀ (MACN-Ar 38370), 3♀ (MACN-Ar 41204), 1³ (SMF). Guelmin-Es Semara: Assa-Zag, Assa, Touizgui, dry shrubland in wadi, in long webs under large rocks, 28.3836°N, 09.38865°W, leg. M. Stockmann, X.2016, 1♀ (MACN-Ar 38369); Zag, dry shrubland on sand dunes, under large rocks, 28.24872°N, 9.33291°W, leg. M. Stockmann, X.2016, 2♀ (HUJ 20312), 1♀ (MACN-Ar 38366), 3♀ (MACN-Ar 41203), 1♀ (SMNH), 1♀ (SMF), 1³ (MACN-Ar 39465). Rio de Oro: Cape Bojador, 26.12694°N, 14.49917°W, leg. D. Van Damme, 20.VIII.1973, 2♀ 2 imm. (MRAC 167943); 20 miles E Tiznit, 29.68327°N, 9.39203°W, 400 m a.s.l., leg. E.S. Ross, 13.VII.1981, 1♀ (CAS 9053476).

Additional material examined. We have examined females closely related to S. wunderlichi sp. nov., but whose identification is pending until males are discovered; these have not been added to the distribution map. CHAD: Massif du Tibesti, 00.77619°N, 18.04932°E, leg. Y. Brandily, VII–X.1965, 1♀ (MRAC 132960). EGYPT: Ein Suchna: Eastern Desert, dried, salty area with many Tamarisk, 29.63262°N, 32.33009°E, leg. M. Alderweireldt, 20. III.2000, 1♀ (MRAC 209671). Hurghada: Abu Mun Ahr island, in web in crab hole in mangrove, 27.1853°N, 33.81039°E, leg. R. Jocqué & F. Jocqué, 6.IV.1996, 1♀ (MRAC 203038). SUDAN: Dongola, 19.16983°N, 30.47489°E, 1♀ (ZMB 592). NO COUNTRY DATA : Mediterranean region, 1♀ (ZMB 3281).

Distribution. Morocco (Fig. 3).

Natural history. Near Zag, specimens were found in a flat and wide area surrounded by sand dunes, mostly covered by loose sand but with patches of loamy soil and sparse shrubs and small trees; Sahastata were found under large rocks. In Alnif, specimens were taken in a similar habitat, but with loamy rather than sandy soil. North of Zag, specimens were collected in a wadi with more rocky and loamy soil, including more shrubs, plants and small trees than the first locality. Specimens seemed to occupy old burrows of lizards or scorpions beneath boulders to build long, tube-shaped webs, and some females had egg sacs.