European Journal of Taxonomy 163: 1-24

http: //dx .doi .org/10.5852/ej t .2015.163

ISSN 2118-9773

www. europeanj oumaloftaxonomy. eu

2015 • Jocque R. & Henrard A.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Research article

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:69DE247F-A00E-48Bl-845F-191C0FC03F8B

Ballomma, a new Afrotropical genus in the Cryptothelinae

(Araneae, Zodariidae): eyes on the run

Rudy JOCQUE 1 * & Arnaud HENRARD 12

1 Royal Museum for Central Africa, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium.

2 Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity research Center, UCL-17.07.04. Batiment Carnoy,

Croix du Sud, 5, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

* Corresponding author: rudv. [email protected]

2 Email: [email protected]

1 urn: lsid: zoobank, ore: author: CF15016C-8CD1-4C9D-9021-44CA7DC7A5D5

2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:ElB02E6E-D91C-43FE-8D8C-CD102EFEE3B4

Abstract. Ballomma gen. nov. is described in the zodariid subfamily Cryptothelinae. It is characterized

by the pairs of adjacent anterior median eyes and anterior lateral eyes and triangular palpal tarsus in the

female, the concave tegulum with thin embolus in the male. Apart from the type species B. erasmus

gen. et sp. nov. (c?¥), the genus contains B. haddadi gen. et sp. nov. (c?¥), B. neethlingi gen. et sp. nov.

((5$), and B. legala gen. et sp. nov. (§). A key to the species is provided. The restricted distribution of

the genus is discussed.

Keywords. South Africa, Limpopo Province, montane forest, Aschema.

Jocque R. & Henrard A. 2015. Ballomma , a new Afrotropical genus in the Cryptothelinae (Araneae, Zodariidae):

eyes on the run. European Journal of Taxonomy 163: 1-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2015.163

Introduction

The Cryptothelinae remain a subfamily within the Zodariidae in which numerous novelties are to

be expected. The recent description of Palindroma Jocque & Henrard, 2015 with the discovery of a

novel synapomorphy for the family, is symptomatic for this lack of knowledge. The subfamily has its

distribution centre in southern Africa. Although South Africa has been fairly well inventoried in the last

few years by the SANS A initiative (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2015), many new taxa remain to be

discovered such as in Limpopo, the northernmost province of the country. The area is characterized by a

complex mosaic of biomes, with a high degree of endemism. Some of the mountain areas are among the

oldest on the African continent and harbour species that belong to old evolutionary lineages (Jocque et

al. 2013). The species Australutica africana Jocque, 2008 is one of these (Jocque 2008). It was found in

a thoroughly inventoried area in the Soutpansberg (Foord et al. 2008). Many of the other less important

mountain ranges have only been inventoried superficially, but the few collections that have been made

there, reveal a highly diverse fauna, often containing species with surprising affinities.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163: 1-24 (2015)

Here we describe a new genus with four new species, all collected at medium altitude in the Limpopo

Province. One of the most remarkable characters of the genus is the position of the ALE which are very

close together, an eye arrangement which is particularly rare. These eyes would not be recognized as

ALE without the observation of intermediate positions between lateral and central in related genera.

Material and methods

Specimens were observed, drawn and measured with a WILD M 10 stereo microscope. Details of the

female genitalia and male palps were observed with a Zeiss Stemi 2000 stereo microscope. Measurements

and photographs of the habitus, details of mouthparts, detached male palps and female genitalia were

taken with a Leica MZ16 using the LAS automontage software (ver. 3.8). The female genitalia were

dissected and digested with pancreatin then immersed in 75% ethanol.

For scanning electron micrographs (SEM) photos, specimens were dried in Hexamethyldisilazane (36h),

gold coated and examined and photographed with a JEOL 6480 LV scanning electron microscope.

Types are deposited in the National Collection of Arachnids, Pretoria (NCA) and the Royal Museum for

Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium (MRAC).

All measurements are in mm. All palp illustrations are from left palps.

Abbreviations

ALE

ALS

AME

disp

MRAC

NCA

PLE

PLS

PME

PMS

RTA

SANSA

anterior lateral eyes

anterior spinnerets

anterior median eyes

dorsal

spines dispersed and not in clear rows

distal whorl of spines

femur

carapace length

Musee Royal de l’Afrique Centrale (Tervuren, Belgium)

metatarsus

National Collections of Arachnids (Pretoria, South Africa)

patella

prolateral

posterior lateral eyes

posterior lateral spinnerets

posterior median eyes

posterior median spinnerets

retrolateral

retrolateral tibial apophysis

South African National Survey of Arachnida

tarsus

tibia

ventral

carapace width

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma , a new genus in the Zodariidae

Taxonomy

Class Arachnida Cuvier, 1812

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757

Family Zodariidae Thorell, 1881

Subfamily Cryptothelinae Simon, 1892

Ballomma gen. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CF0FE505-E714-4A09-8575-CFFC06C32C9A

Type species

Ballomma erasmus gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis

Ballomma gen. nov. is a member of the Cryptothelinae characterized by the eye position with touching

AFE and AME, the shield-shaped sternum without or with tiny precoxal sclerites, the female palp with

triangular flattened palpal tarsus, the male palp with concave tegulum accommodating the thin, slightly

curved embolus directed diagonally over the tegulum and the epigyne with cul-de-sac ducts.

Etymology

The genus name is derived from the combined Greek terms paZZoo (= to touch) and oppa (=eye),

referring to the touching anterior lateral eyes. The gender is neuter.

Affinities

Ballomma gen. nov. clearly belongs to the Cryptothelinae, a subfamily of the Zodariidae that has been

characterized by nomenclatorial problems: poor definitions and misplacements (Jocque 1991; Jocque &

Henrard 2015). It has the modified endites and an eye position of a type that only occurs in that subfamily.

The present genus has some superficial resemblance with Capheris Simon, 1887 with which it shares

the triangular female palpal tarsus and the closely set AME and AFE. However, in Ballomma gen.

nov. the eyes are even more closely set and characters of sternum, carapace profile and structure of the

genitalia are all different. As for the latter character there is a superficial resemblance with Aschema

Jocque, 1991 from Madagascar in which the AFE and AME are also very closely set. The shape of a

number of undescribed Aschema species have somatic and genitalic characters that come close to those

of the Ballomma gen. nov. species in the present article. However, the characteristics of the sternum

and carapace and of the genitalia, and the modified leg IV, clearly separate them from the genus here

described.

Description

Habitus. Medium size to small spiders (4.5-7.5) with smooth teguments. Carapace longer than wide

(L/W < 1.4-1.6), without setae apart from a few longer hairs on clypeus; widest at level of coxae II—III,

narrowed to about 0.43-0.66 times maximum width in eye region (cephalic width measured on posterior

tangent of PME). Cervical grooves poorly indicated. Profile: flat; fovea in shallow depression.

Colouration. Carapace medium brown; chelicerae, legs, mouthparts and sternum medium to orange

brown; abdomen dorsum with complex dark pattern on pale background; in some cases with four

apodemes, sides grey, venter pale sometimes with dark pattern; in males sclerotized in front of epigastric

fold and slightly sclerotized in front of spinnerets.

Eyes. In three rows; ALE in front of AME and touching each other; AME close together somet im es

touching; posterior row recurved, eyes apart. All eyes pale and subequal. Clypeus retreating, height 2.5

to 3.6 times diameter of AME, with some dispersed setae.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Prosoma. Chilum double, sometimes poorly delimited, slightly more than twice as wide as high; no setae.

Chelicerae conical with many evenly dispersed setae; fangs shorter than wide at base. Labium triangular,

narrowed base. Endites roughly triangular, converging, with basolateral extension accommodating

palpal coxae. Sternum shield-shaped, as wide as long or slightly longer than wide, without triangular

extensions or precoxal sclerites; anterior margin straight, lateral margins slightly sinuous.

Legs. Slender; formula 4123. Spination reduced on legs I and II, well developed on III and IV with

spines numerous on T and Mt III and IV. Spines slender. With few or without hinged hairs.

Female palp. With tarsus triangular and flattened, with row of prolateral thorns, retrolaterally with some

thin spines; palpal claw with some small teeth at base; turned inward over less than 35°; without distal

patch of chemosensitive setae.

Abdomen. Oval; tracheal spiracle small, somewhat advanced. Females and juveniles with six spinnerets.

Female ALS large, conical, biarticulate. PLS without, PMS with one cylindrical gland spigot. Colulus

represented by field with few setae.

Male palp. Patella sometimes with swelling; RTA variable; cymbium with well developed basal flange

and with group of truncated subapical thorns; subtegulum strongly developed, with transverse ridges;

tegulum with prolateral concavity, distally with dorsal and ventral extensions; accommodating thin,

slightly curved embolus, directed diagonally over tegulum. Epigyne simple, with internal structure

characterized by cul-de-sac ducts, visible in transparency.

Distribution

Ballomma gen. nov. is so far only found in the mountain forests of the Limpopo Province in northern

South Africa.

Key to the species (male of B. legala unknown)

1. Males.2

- Females .4

2. Area in front of epigastric fold with field of spinules (Figs ID, 11C); embolus base without or with small

appendage (Figs 3B, 12B).3

- Area in front of epigastric fold without field of spinules; embolus base with large, strongly sclerotized

pointed appendage (Fig. 7B) . B. haddadi gen. et sp. nov.

3. Distal part of RTA with transparent concave part (Fig. 12A); embolus almost straight, short, half as long

as tegulum, tegular process small, directed medially (Fig. 12B). B. neethlingi gen. et sp. nov.

- Distal part of RTA without transparent concave part (Fig. 3A); embolus curved, almost as long as

tegulum, tegular process larger, directed apically (Fig. 3B) . B. erasmus gen. et sp. nov.

4. Frontal part of epigyne with V-shaped ducts visible in transparency (Figs 10A, B), anterior part of

endites with field of strong spinules (Fig. 9E). B. legala gen. et sp. nov.

- Frontal part of epigyne without V-shaped pattern (Figs 3C, 7C); endites without spinules.5

5. Pattern of internal structure of epigyne X-shaped (Fig. 12C) . B. neethlingi gen. et sp. nov.

- Pattern of internal structure of epigyne not X-shaped (Figs 3C, 7C) .6

6. Pattern of epigyne with two ring-shaped ducts in front, followed by procurved cul-de-sac ducts

(Fig. 3C). B. erasmus gen. et sp. nov.

- Pattern of epigyne with cul-de-sac ducts in front, without ring-shaped ducts (Fig. 7C).

. B. haddadi gen. et sp. nov.

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma, a new genus in the Zodariidae

Ballomma erasmus gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A6681529-ED54-46CF-B39D-E7862EBED809

Figs 1A-D, 2A-D, 3A-C, 4A-D, 5A-C, 14

Diagnosis

The male of B. erasmus gen. et sp. nov. is easily recognized by the field of spines in front of the epigastric

fold and the RTA with three short elements. The female is characterized by the S-shaped ducts in the

anterior half of the epigyne.

Etymology

The species name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

Fig. 1. Ballomma erasmus gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, $. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. As preceding,

ventral view. C. Prosoma, ventral view. D. Abdomen, ventral view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Type material

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: S, Ga-Moraba, Abel Erasmus Pass, 24 o 27 , 06 ,, S 30°36’27” E, 4 Oct. 2012, forest,

sifting litter, J.A. Neethling (NCA 2015/3485; ex MRAC 241636).

Paratypes

SOUTH AFRICA: 3 $ §, same data as holotype (1 $ kept in MRAC 241636).

Fig. 2. Ballomma erasmus gen. et sp. nov. A-C. Paratype, $. D. Holotype, f. A. Habitus, dorsal

view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. As preceding, lateral view. D. Habitus, lateral view. Scale bars:

1 mm.

r _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma , a new genus in the Zodariidae

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total length 4.97; carapace 2.63 long, 0.99 high, 1.85 wide, narrowed to 0.85 in eye

region.

Colouration. Carapace (Fig. 1A) medium brown without silvery setae; chelicerae medium brown in

basal half, pale brown in distal half, sternum brownish orange (Fig. 1B-C); legs uniform pale yellowish

brown, femora with greenish tinge; abdomen (Fig. 1A-B, D): dorsum and sides pale with complex dark

pattern; venter pale, yellowish sclerotized areas in front of spinnerets and in front of epigastric fold;

spinnerets pale yellow.

Carapace (Figs 1A, 2D). Smooth, strongly narrowed in front; flat, fovea long, in shallow depression.

Chilum double, each sclerite 0.05 high, 0.13 wide; no setae. Sternum shield-shaped, 1.07 long, 0.85

wide.

Eyes. AME: 0.08; AFE: 0.11; AFE-AFE: 0.00; AME-AFE: 0.05; PME: 0.10; PEE: 0.12; PME-PME:

0.03; PME-PLE: 0.13. Clypeus 0.21 or 2.6 times width of ALE, strongly retreating.

Legs. Anterior tarsi shorter than metatarsi and fusiform; hinged hairs on TI and TIL

Fig. 3. Ballomma erasmus gen. et sp. nov. A-B. Holotype, 3 - C. Paratype, $. A. Male palp, retrolateral

view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Spination.

v2-2-2

v2-2dw3

III

dlrll

pl2d3rl2v2-2-2

6dispdw5

dlrll

pl4d3rl3v2-2-2

8dispdw5

Leg measurements.

total

1.61

0.63

1.26

1.19

0.77

5.46

1.33

0.63

0.84

1.05

0.56

4.41

III

1.33

0.63

0.70

0.91

0.56

4.13

1.68

0.77

1.12

1.54

0.70

5.81

Fig. 4. Ballomma erasmus gen. et sp. nov. A-C. Holotype, $. D. Paratype, $. A. Male palp, retrolateral,

slightly posterior and dorsal, view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. As preceding, prolateral view.

D. Epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma , a new genus in the Zodariidae

Abdomen (Figs 1 A-B, D, 2D). Area in front of epigastric fold with 15 small spines. Spinnerets as for

genus.

Male palp (Figs 3A-B, 4A-C). Femur with long ventral setae in distal half; patella without boss; tibia

with tuft of long setae along distal dorsal margin; RTA with short sharp hook dorsolaterally, lateral

and ventrolateral knobs; cymbium with large curved retrolateral basal flange, seven distal, truncated

spines; subtegulum with three curved ridges; tegulum large, distal extremity with ventral knob and

dorsal flange; sperm duct conspicuous, slightly sinuous.

Female (paratype together with holotype)

Measurements. Total length 4.47; carapace 2.06 long, 1.28 wide, 0.71 high, narrowed to 0.85 in eye

region.

Colouration. Carapace (Fig. 2A, C) medium brown with dark margin and faintly delimited triangle

suffused with black in front of fovea; chelicerae (Fig. 2B) medium brown; legs and sternum yellow;

abdomen (Fig. 2A-C): dorsum and sides dark sepia with complex pale pattern; venter pale with few

darker spots; spinnerets yellow.

Carapace. Smooth. Clypeus with dispersed setae. Chilum poorly delimited. Sternum shield-shaped,

0.92 long, 0.71 wide.

Fig. 5. Ballomma erasmus gen. et sp. nov. Paratype, $. A. Epigyne, cleared, ventral view. B. As

preceding, dorsal view. C. Epigyne, SEM, dorsal view. D. As preceding, detail. Scale bars: A-B =

0.2 mm ; C = 0.1 mm ; D = 50 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Eyes. AME: 0.07; ALE: 0.10; ALE-ALE: 0.0; AME-ALE: 0.04; PME: 0.08; PLE: 0.12; PME-

PME: 0.03; PME-PLE: 0.10. Clypeus 0.15 or 2.0 t im es width of ALE; slightly retreating.

Legs. No hinged hairs; preening brush on II-IV poorly developed.

Spination.

III

pl2d2rl2v 1-2-2

6disp dw6

pl2d3rl2v 1-2-2

8disp dw6

Leg measurements.

total

1.19

0.49

0.98

0.84

0.63

4.13

1.05

0.49

0.70

0.49

3.43

III

0.77

0.42

0.56

0.70

0.49

2.94

1.26

0.63

0.98

1.19

0.70

4.76

Palp. Triangular (Fig. 2B), slightly flattened ventrally, with row of prolateral short spines; claw with

three teeth, not turned inward.

Epigyne (Figs 3C, 4D, 5A-D). Roughly quadrangular; anterior ducts clearly visible, S-shaped disrupting

the X-shape; spermathecae fairly small separated by about half their distance.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa (Fig. 14).

Ballomma haddadi gen. et sp. nov.

urn: lsid: zoobank, org: act: 20DE ADCF -E2D1 -47 AA-AC36-29DF 62B1 A3 04

Figs 6A-F, 7A-C, 8A-D, 14

Diagnosis

The male of B. haddadi gen. et sp. nov. is easily recognized by the peculiar palp with the long, thin, sinuous

embolus provided at its base with a large, sharp process pointing forward. The female has a characteristic

epigyne with dark central area from where procurved cul-de-sac tubes originate, followed by well-separated

spermathecae.

Etymology

The species name is a patronym in honor of Charles Haddad for his many contributions on African

arachnology.

Type material

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: S, Transvaal (now Limpopo Province), Petersburg District, Woodbush Forest,

23°54’ S 29°27’ E, Sep. 1960, Leleup N. (MRAC 132646)

Other material examined

SOUTH AFRICA: 2 $ §, Transvaal, Lydenburg District, Ohrigstad, 24°50’ S 30°20’ E, 27 Mar. 1962, in

forest litter, Leleup N. (MRAC 132641).

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma, a new genus in the Zodariidae

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total length 5.47; carapace 2.84 long, 1.78 wide, narrowed to 0.92 in eye region.

Colour. Carapace (Fig. 6A) medium brown without silvery setae; chelicerae, sternum and posterior leg

pairs brownish orange (Fig. 6B); anterior leg pairs yellowish orange; abdomen (Fig. 6A-B): dorsum and

sides grey with complex pale pattern; venter pale with faint grey pattern, yellow in front of epigastric

furrow; spinnerets yellow.

Carapace. Reticulated; flat, profile without dip. Chilum double, each sclerite 0.07 high, 0.07 wide; no

setae. Sternum shield-shaped, 0.92 long, 0.71 wide.

Fig. 6. Ballomma haddadi gen. et sp. nov. A-B. Holotype, <$■ C-F. § (MRAC 132641). A. Habitus,

dorsal view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. Habitus, dorsal view. D. As preceding, ventral view.

E. Prosoma, frontal view. F. Prosoma, dorsolateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Eyes. AME: 0.07; ALE: 0.13; ALE-ALE: 0.00; AME-ALE: 0.05; PME: 0.12; PLE: 0.13; PME-

PME: 0.05; PME-PLE: 0.18. Clypeus 0.38 or 2.9 t im es width of ALE.

Legs. Without hinged hairs.

Spination.

v2-l

vl-2-1

vl-1-2

v2-2-2

III

rll

pl2d3rl2v2-2-2

10ispdw6

dlrll

pl3d3rl3v2-2-2

14dispdw6

Leg measurements.

total

1.68

0.70

1.40

1.19

0.91

5.88

1.40

0.63

0.91

0.63

4.48

III

1.26

0.77

0.63

0.91

0.56

4.13

2.10

0.84

1.12

1.40

0.77

6.23

Abdomen. Epiandrum well developed with oval membranous patch with two comma shaped marks

along posterior margin and two tiny darker spots along frontal margin.

Fig. 7. Ballomma haddadi gen. et sp. nov. A-B. Holotype, <f. C. $ (MRAC 132641). A. Male palp,

retrolateral view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma, a new genus in the Zodariidae

Male palp (Figs 7A-B, 8A-B). Patella with pro- and retrolateral hair tufts, tibia with dorsolateral

apophysis, roughly triangular and pointed, retrolaterally concave; cymbium with basolateral slightly

indented protrusion, seven distolateral spines; tegulum high, in the middle with retrolateral protrusion

with rounded tip; distally with membranous part ending in long, sickle-shaped apophysis (could be

homologous to MA); embolus originating on posterior part of tegulum, thin, slender, curved over central

part of tegulum, with large sickle-shaped sclerite at base.

Fig. 8. Ballomma haddadi gen. et sp. nov. A-B. Holotype, <$■ C-D. §§ (MRAC 132641). A. Male

palp, retrolateral view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. D. As preceding, other

specimen. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Female (largest of additional material)

Mesurements. Total length 7.46; carapace 3.34 long, 2.13 wide, narrowed to 0.92 in eye region.

Colour. Carapace (Fig. 6C-F) pale orange brown; chelicerae, sternum and legs yellowish; abdomen

(Fig. 6C-D): dorsum and sides grey with complex dark pattern; venter pale with faint grey pattern,

spinnerets pale yellow.

Carapace. Smooth. Clypeus with dispersed setae. Chilum double, each sclerite 0.07 high, 0.10 wide; no

setae. Sternum shield-shaped, 1.28 long, 1.14 wide.

Eyes. AME: 0.09;ALE: 0.13;ALE-ALE: 0;AME-ALE: 0.02; PME: 0.11; PLE: 0.12; PME-PME: 0.07;

PME-PLE: 0.26. Clypeus 0.33 or 3.6 times width of ALE.

Legs. Hinged hairs absent.

Spination.

vl-1-1

2-2-2

III

dlrll

pl3d3rl3v 1-2-2

8disp dw6

dlrll

pl3d3rl3v2-3-2

9disp dw6

Leg measurements.

total

1.89

0.84

1.47

1.26

0.91

6.37

1.40

0.77

0.98

0.70

4.83

III

1.40

0.70

0.77

0.84

0.77

4.48

1.96

0.91

1.40

1.54

0.91

6.72

Palp (Fig. 6E). Claw with three small teeth; turned inward over <30°. Tarsus triangular with ventral side

flat, provided with 10 prolateral, four retrolateral spines.

Epigyne (Figs 7C, 8C-D). Flat, poorly sclerotized area, with internal structure and cul-de-sac tubes

visible in transparency.

Distribution

Known from the Limpopo Province in South Africa (Fig. 14).

Ballomma leg ala gen. et sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:83C81CDA-F2F9-4D16-B8D7-B7CA396043F5

Figs 9A-E, 10A-D, 14

Diagnosis

The female of B. legala gen. et sp. nov. is easily recognized by the dense field of spinules on the distal

part of the endites and the epigyne with V-shaped mark in front of the transverse row of spermathecae.

Also juveniles and subadult males have a field of spinules on the endites.

Etymology

The species name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma, a new genus in the Zodariidae

Type material

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: 5, Limpopo Province, Legalameetse Nature Reserve, Balloon Forest Leg 01,

24° 11.966 S 30°20.327 E, 17 Jan. 2009, riverine to mixed woodland, leaf litter sifting, N. Hahn (NCA

2015/3582).

Paratype

SOUTH AFRICA: 1 §, same data as holotype.

Remark

The tube contains four juveniles and three subadult males, most likely conspecific with the holotype.

Description

Female (holotype)

Measurements. Total length 5.25; carapace 2.56 long, 0.92 high, 1.63 wide, narrowed to 0.98 in eye region.

Colour. Carapace (Fig. 9A, D) medium brown with thin dark margin; chelicerae medium brown; legs

yellowish orange; and sternum yellow (Fig. 9B-C, E); abdomen (Fig. 9A-B, D): dorsum and sides

Fig. 9. Ballomma legala gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, $. A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. As preceding, ventral

view. C. As preceding, frontal view. D. As preceding, lateral view. E. Mouth parts, ventral view. Scale

bars: 1 mm

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

with complex pale pattern on dark grey background; venter pale with three longitudinal bands of darker

mottling; spinnerets yellow.

Carapace. Finely reticulate. Clypeus with dispersed setae. Endites with dense field of small spinules in

distal half (Fig. 9E). With small crescent-shaped precoxal sclerite at coxae II and III.

Eyes. AME: 0.09; ALE: 0.12; ALE-ALE: 0.0; AME-ALE: 0.04; PME: 0.09; PLE: 0.12; PME-

PME: 0.03; PME-PLE: 0.15. Clypeus 0.23 or 1.7 t im es width of ALE; slightly retreating.

Chilum. Double, each part 0.04 high, 0.12 wide. Sternum shield-shaped, 0.99 long, 0.85 wide.

Legs. Hinged hair on TI and II; preening brush on II-IV poorly developed.

Spination.

vl-1

vl-ldw3

III

dlrll

pl2d3rl2v2-2-2

8disp dw6

dltll

pl4d3rl3v2-2-2

lOdisp dw6

Fig. 10. Ballomma legala gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, $. A. Epigyne, ventral view. B. As preceding,

ventral view. C. Epigyne, digested, dorsal view. D. As preceding, dorsolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

r _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma, a new genus in the Zodariidae

Leg measurements.

total

1.40

0.70

0.84

0.91

0.70

4.55

1.19

0.63

0.77

0.70

0.56

3.85

III

1.12

0.63

0.70

0.77

0.56

3.78

1.47

0.77

1.12

1.26

0.70

5.32

Palp. Tarsus triangular, slightly flattened ventrally, with row of prolateral short spines; claw with three

teeth, not turned inward.

Epigyne (Fig. 10A-D). Roughly quadrangular; anterior ducts clearly visible, forming a V-shaped pattern,

followed by transverse row of globular structures.

Distribution

Only known from the type locality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa (Fig. 14).

Ballomma neethlingi gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A55B7447-0792-4709-8ED2-E639C6B472A7

Figs 11A-E, 12A-C, 13A-C, 14

Diagnosis

The male of D. neethlingi gen. et sp. nov. is easily recognized by the field of spines in front of the

epigastric fold and the palp with a retrolateral patellar swelling and a broad triangular transparent RTA.

The female has a characteristic epigyne in which the ducts in transparency are in the shape of an X with

a slight extension where upper and lower parts of X meet.

Etymology

The species name is a patronym for Jan Neethling a pseudoscorpion specialist and the collector of the

holotype.

Type material

Holotype

SOUTH AFRICA: §, Limpopo Province, Medilce Mountain Reserve, 22°59 , 39” S 29°36 , 52” E, 8 Nov.

2012, montane bushveld, sifting litter, J.A. Neethling (NCA 2015/3484; ex MRAC 241635).

Paratype

SOUTH AFRICA: 1 Haenertsburg, 23°56’ S 29°57’ E, 5 Mar. 1976, under leafs, E. Hartwig (NCA

76/1048).

Other material examined

SOUTH AFRICA: 5 juveniles, same data as holotype.

Description

Male (paratype)

Measurements. Total length 7.53; carapace 3.34 long, 1.07 high, 2.20 wide, narrowed to 1.07 in eye

region.

Colour. Carapace, sternum and chelicerae medium brown without silvery setae (Fig. 11 A-C); chelicerae

slightly darker at base than in distal half; legs pale yellowish brown; abdomen (Fig. 11A-B): dorsum

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

and sides pale with complex dark pattern on dorsum hidden by paler suffusion, provided with four dark

apodemes; venter pale with complex dark pattern, yellow sclerotized area in front of epigastric fold;

spinnerets pale yellow.

Carapace. Smooth (Fig. 11 A), strongly narrowed in front; flat, fovea long, in shallow depression. Chilum

double, each sclerite 0.05 high, 0.12 wide; no setae. Sternum shield-shaped, 1.35 long, 1.21 wide.

Fig. 11. Ballomma neethlingi gen. et sp. nov. A-C. Paratype, S (NCA 76/1048) D-E. Holotype, $.

A. Habitus, dorsal view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. As preceding, detail. D. Habitus, dorsal view.

E. As preceding, ventral view. Scale bars: 1 mm.

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma , a new genus in the Zodariidae

Eyes. AME: 0.10; ALE: 0.13; ALE-ALE: 0.00; AME-ALE: 0.07; PME: 0.10; PLE: 0.13; PME-

PME: 0.07; PME-PLE: 0.18. Clypeus 0.38 or 2.9 t im es width of ALE, retreating.

Legs. Anterior tarsi fusiform; no hinged hairs.

Spination.

v 1-2-2

v2-2-l

v1-2-2

v2-l-2

III

dlrll

pl2d3rl2v2-2-2

lOdisp dw6

dlrll

pl3d3rl3v2-2-2

12disp dw6

Leg measurements.

total

2.03

0.84

1.40

1.26

1.05

6.58

1.33

0.77

1.12

0.77

5.11

III

1.61

0.70

1.05

1.19

0.70

5.25

1.75

0.70

1.47

1.75

0.91

6.58

Abdomen (Fig. 11A-B). Area in front of epigastric fold with 20 small spines. Spinnerets as for genus.

Fig. 12. Ballomma neethlingi gen. et sp. nov. A-B. <$ (NCA 76/1048) C. Holotype, §■ A. Male palp,

retrolateral view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Male palp (Figs 12A-B; 13A-B). Patella with small haired ventrolateral swelling; tibia with clusters of

hair on dorsal margin and on ventrolateral swelling; RTA roughly triangular, transparent, with rebordered

dorsal margin; cymbium densely haired with eight truncated spines near tip; broad, basolateral, folded

flange; subtegulum with three ridges and basal notch; tegulum with distoventral protrusion, prolaterally

concave accommodating thin, slightly curved embolus; distal part of tegulum with dorsal quadrangular

conductor.

Female (holotype)

Measurements. Total length 5.75; carapace 2.41 long, 1.48 wide, 0.92 high, narrowed to 0.71 in eye

region.

Colouration. Carapace, chelicerae and sternum brownish orange (Fig. 11D-E); legs brownish yellow;

abdomen (Fig. 11D-E): dorsum and sides pale with complex dark pattern; venter pale with few dark

spots; spinnerets pale yellow.

Carapace (Fig. 11D). Smooth, thinly haired; fovea in shallow depression. Clypeus with dispersed setae.

Chilum double, each sclerite 0.07 high, 0.16 wide; no setae. Sternum shield-shaped, 0.99 long, 0.85

wide.

Fig. 13. Ballomma neethlingi gen. et sp. nov. A-B. Paratype, S (NCA 76/1048) C. Holotype, $. A. Male

palp, retrolateral view. B. As preceding, ventral view. C. Epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma , a new genus in the Zodariidae

Eyes. AME: 0.07;ALE: 0.10;ALE-ALE: 0.0;AME-ALE: 0.0;PME: 0.07;PLE: 0.08;PME-PME: 0.03;

PME-PLE: 0.16. Clypeus 0.21 or 3 t im es width of ALE.

Legs. Hinged hair on TI and TII.

Spination.

vl-1

vl-1-2

III

dlrll

pl2d2rl2v 1-2-2

6disp dw6

dlrll

pl2d3rl2vl-l-2

lOdisp dw6

Leg measurements.

total

2.03

0.84

1.40

1.26

1.05

6.58

1.33

0.77

1.12

0.77

5.11

III

1.61

0.70

1.05

1.19

0.70

5.25

1.75

0.70

1.47

1.75

0.91

6.58

Palp with tarsus triangular and ventrally flat; provided with many prolateral and few retrolateral spines;

pectinated claw turned inward over > 30°.

Fig. 14. Distribution of species of Ballomma gen. nov.: B. erasmus gen. et sp. nov. (•), B. haddadi gen.

et sp. nov. (■), B. legala gen. et sp. nov. () and B. neethlingi gen. et sp. nov. (•).

European Journal of Taxonomy 163 : 1-24 ( 2015 )

Epigyne (Figs 12C, 13C). Roughly rounded area with ducts visible in transparency forming X-shaped

pattern, slight extension where top and bottom parts meet.

Distribution

Known from the Limpopo Province in the northern part of South Africa (Fig. 14).

Discussion

Most genera in the Zodariidae have a fairly large distribution area. This is partly due to the fact that

the family has escaped far-reaching splitting. Genera do indeed remain largely subjective systematic

levels and whether the species-groups are deeply split or not, makes an evident difference for their

distribution. In general, genera are far too small (see Jocque et al. 2013) thus obscuring patterns of

evolution and distribution. But in the Zodariidae, most genera are fairly well delimited on the base of

somatic characters which makes the grouping plausible and has prevented unnecessary splitting on the

base of genitalic divergence (Jocque 1990,2009; Nzigidahera et al. 2011). Only genera with an apparent

relictual distribution, like Suffrica Henrard & Jocque, 2015, tend to have smaller distribution areas. This

probably also applies to Ballomma gen. nov., which turns out to sit near the base of genealogic tree of

the Zodariidae (unpublished). A prediction of the genus’ distribution (Fig. 15) on the base of climatic

data (DIVA-GIS 2011) expects a much larger distribution area than presently known in South Africa,

overflowing in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Predictions on the base of climatic data for

Fig. 15. Predicted distribution of Ballomma gen. nov. calculated in DIVA-GIS on the base of all climatic

data as default in the software. Black dots present known localities of Balloma gen. nov. Dark green

areas have expected occurrence with the 5-95 percentile; pale green with 2.5-97.5 percentile.

r _ _

JOCQUE R. & HENRARD A., Ballomma, a new genus in the Zodariidae

other zodariid genera have shown that areas are sometimes largely overestimated because the calculation

cannot take geographical barriers into account. Mallinella Strand, 1906, for instance, is expected to have

a large area on Madagascar (unpublished data), but is not present there probably because it was unable

to reach the island. The influence of geographical barriers is expected to be particularly important for

those genera that occur in habitats that are likely to be disrupted like mountain forest which is apparently

preferred by the species of Ballomma gen. nov.

Species with the anterior lateral eyes touching have so far only been found in Ballomma gen. nov. and in

Aschema, endemic to Madagascar. The apparent endemicity of Ballomma gen. nov. to a few highlands

in the Timpopo Province and their affinities with endemics from Madagascar emphasizes the special

character of these habitats and the fact that they are inhabited by taxa from old evolution lines. Further

inventories of these montane forest patches might reveal the presence of more taxa representing old

evolution lines and makes the study of these mountains a priority for the SANS A project.

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman, Robin Lyle, Petro Marais for the loan of type material.

We thank Alain Reygel for the drawings. This paper is publication BRC 345 of the Biodiversity Research

Center (Universite Catholique de Louvain). This work was supported by the FRIA (Fonds pour la

Formation a la Recherche dans Flndustrie et dans F Agriculture).

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Manuscript received. 20 September 2015

Manuscript accepted. 26 November 2015

Published on: 15 December 2015

Topic editor. Koen Martens

Desk editor. Kristiaan Hoedemakers

Printed versions of all papers are also deposited in the libraries of the institutes that are members of the

EJT consortium: Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France; Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium;

Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Natural History Museum, London, United

Kingdom; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Natural History Museum of

Demnark, Copenhagen, Demnark.