Harpagophora arida Redman & Hamer & Barraclough 2003, sp. n.

Harpagophora arida sp. n. Redman

Figs 1, 20–26

Type material (examined): Holotype: NAMIBIA: 1ơ, Ais-Ais [2717CB], x.1968, R. F. Lawrence (AMSA uncatalogued).

Diagnosis: Larger femoral spine apically bifid with two divergent points of unequal length (Fig. 24). In addition to two femoral spines, a third short tooth is present at flexure of telopodite (Fig. 24). Spine branch short, narrow, cylindrical and bifurcate, terminating in two spines of unequal length (Fig. 24). Pectinophore an elongate, ribbonlike laminate plate curving apically. Length of pectinophore about half length of posterior limb of telopodite (Fig. 24). Proximal margin of pectinophore dentate, while distal margin with several spiniform processes emerging closer to apex (Fig. 22). Distal margin of telocoxite with shallow depression over centre of distal surface (Fig. 22). Lateral margin of telocoxite folded back on itself (i.e. fold directed distally) in area around gonocoel opening (Fig. 22).

Etymology: L. arida = dry. Refers to the arid, desert type habitat of the type specimen. Lawrence proposed the name (manuscript name) in 1968.

Description:

Dimensions: Male, n = 1. Body width 8.2; collum width 8.1; body length 80.0; legs detached and missing; antenna length 5.7.

Number of segments: 54.

Colour: Head and clypeus light brown. Collum brown laterally and light brown dorsally. Prozonites greyish (bleached), mesozonites light brown, metazonites brown.Anal valve, caudal spine, and legs brown, antennae light brown.

First ozopore: Segment 6.

Collum: Anterior corner rounded and obtuse; posterior corner extending a little beyond the posterior border and overlapping second segment. One submarginal groove with smaller groove along vertical margin (Fig. 20).

Gonopods: Longer femoral spine directed distally and partially concealed under laterally directed fold on aboral surface of telocoxite, apically bifid with two divergent points of unequal length (Fig. 24). Short, simple, partially curved, second spine wrapped around base of larger femoral spine and directed laterally. A third small spine present at flexure of telopodite (Fig. 24). Pectinophore elongate, ribbon-like, curling distally. Length of pectinophore about half length of posterior limb of telopodite. Proximal margin of pectinophore dentate, while distal margin with several spiniform processes emerging closer to apex (Figs 22, 25). Spine branch short, narrow, cylindrical and apically bifid with two spines of unequal length, emerging halfway down telopodite (Fig. 24). Telocoxal spines obscure and aborally directed (Fig. 22). Distal margin of telocoxite simple, without medial protrusion but with shallow depression over centre of distal surface (indicated by arrow, Fig. 22). Lateral margin of telocoxite folded back on itself (i.e. fold directed distally) in area around gonocoel opening (indicated by broken arrow, Fig. 22). Gonocoel opening extending from opening where posterior limb of telopodite emerges, down lateral surface of gonopod. Aboral surface of telocoxite with shallow depression in which larger femoral spine rests (Fig. 22).

Pre-anal ring: Caudal spine short, not extending beyond margin of anal valve, moderately upturned distally (Fig. 26).

Distribution: The species appears to be endemic to southern Namibia (Fig. 1).

Remarks: This species differs from congeners in the structure of the telocoxite, pectinophore and spine branch, and the lateral margin of the telocoxite which is curled upwards (i.e. fold directed distally) in the area around the gonocoel opening. The latter character state is unique to H. arida. The spine branch emerges closer to the flexure of the telopodite than in other Harpagophora species, where these structures (pectinophore and spine branch) occur in close proximity to each other. H. arida is bigger than the South African species of the genus.