Zoosphaerium pseudopriapus Wesener 2009, new species

Zoosphaerium pseudopriapus, new species Derivatio nominis: pseudopriapus refers to the similarity of this species to the smaller Z. priapus (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897). Studied material: Holotype: 1 M (32 mm long), CAS BLF 9871. Locus typicus: Madagascar, Province Antsiranana, Forêt de Bekaraoka, 6.8 km 60° ENE Daraina, 13°10'00"S, 049°42'36"E, 150 m, tropical dry forest, coll. B. L. Fisher, 07.xii.2003. Paratypes: 3 M, 4 F, CAS BLF 9871: same collection data as holotype. FIGURE 030. Zoosphaerium aureum n. sp., SEM, paratype, A: antenna, lateral view; B: gnathochilarium, right inner palpus with rudimentary lateral palpus; C: gnathochilarium, details of sensory cells on endochilarium; D: epipharynx, apical view. Abbreviations: iP = inner palpus; mp = central pads or median palps on endochilarium; rlp = rudimentary lateral palpus. FIGURE 031. Zoosphaerium aureum n. sp., SEM, paratype, left mandible, mesal view. Abbreviations: 3iT = 3 inner teeth; Co = condylus; eT = external tooth; iP = inner palpus; mp = molar plate; pL = pectinate lamella. Other material: 7 M, FMMC 5488: near Analamozava River, 7.5 km SW Daraina, 13°15.3'S, 049°37.0'E, 325-600 m, undisturbed lowland forest, coll. S. Goodman, 3–10.xi.2001, pitfall trap. 5 M, CAS BLF 9973: Forêt d'Ampondrabe, 26.3 km 10° NNE Daraina, 12°58'12"S, 049°42'00"E, 175 m, tropical dry forest, coll. B. L. Fisher, 10.xii.2003. Distribution: Lowland dry forests around Daraina (Fig. 5). Diagnosis: Up to 44 mm long. Males smaller than females. Color light brown, posterior margin of tergites and anal shield laterally with black pattern. Head, collum and appendages dark olive green. Texture of tergites smooth and glabrous. Antennomeres 1–5 with sclerotized teeth (Fig. 33A), disc with 35–85 apical cones (Fig. 33B), all antennomeres without groove (Fig. 33A). Spination of legs variable, in holotype first two pair of legs without apical spine. All stigmatic plates completely covered with numerous sclerotized spines. Movable finger of posterior telopods weakly curved with two large, non-sclerotized lobes and circa four sclerotized spines (Fig. 32C), posterior side with up to 20 sclerotized teeth (Fig. 32D). Fixed finger slightly shorter and more slender than movable finger, basally with single large, membranous lobe and sclerotized spine. First podomere of anterior telopods large, longer than third podomere and width up to 1.7 times larger than its height (Fig. 32A). Two stridulation ribs on each male harp (Fig. 32A). Anal shield with two locking carinae, shape and length variable, in holotype both carinae short, second even more weakly developed and as long as first. Female with 3 or 4 stridulation ribs on each half of washboard. Shape of operculum variable, not extending beyond coxa and apically at least weakly notched. Similar species: Coloration, inconstant shape of the locking carinae of the anal shield, shape of anterior telopods and the absence of an apical spine on the third pair of legs are shared with the possible sister-species Z. priapus (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897). Z. pseudopriapus n. sp. differs from Z. priapus in size, in the presence longer and more slender leg podomeres, far longer antenna (Fig. 33A), and different shaped anterior telopods (Figs 32A, B). FIGURE 032. Zoosphaerium pseudopriapus n. sp., holotype, A: right side of anterior telopod, anterior view; B: anterior telopod, last two podomeres, lateral view; C: posterior telopod, anterior view; D: posterior telopod, chela, posterior view. Abbreviations: cav = cavity; cr-t = crenulated teeth; ml = membranous lobe; s-p = sclerotized spot; SR = stridulation ribs. Scale bars = 1 mm. Description: Body length: Males (16 specimens): length up to 33 mm, width of thoracic shield up to 18.4 mm, height of thoracic shield up to 9.3 mm. Females (4 specimens): length up to 44 mm, width up to 21.1 mm, height up to 11.8 mm. Females more voluminous and circa 10 mm longer than males. Habitus: Width of specimens seems to be unusually great in relation to the length. Coloration: Faded in alcohol. Tergites light brown, through posterior body end dark black coloration pattern, getting much thicker towards paratergite tips. Posterior end of anal shield also dark. Head and collum dark olive-green to blackish. Antenna and legs olive-greenish. Antennae: Antenna long, reaching up to 4th tergite. Length of antennomeres: 13>4=5