The Harvest-Spiders (Opiliones) of Natal.

Transcription

1 Annals of the Natal Museum, Vol.VII, part 2. HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL The Harvest-Spiders (Opiliones) of Natal. B y R. F. Lawrence, B.A., Ph.D., Assistant in Charge of Arachnida, South African Museum. With Plate XII and 9 Text-figures. CONTENTS. Purcellia rumpiana sp. n.. Metabiantes nigrotarsus sp. n. Metabiantes leighi (Pocock ) Metabiantes pusulosus Loman Metabiantes vertebralis sp. n. Cryptobunus setifemur Lawrenc e Acumontia n atalensis Lawrenc e Monomontia f lava sp. n. Larifugella afra sp. n.. Larifugella natalensis (Lawrence). Admulum supervidens sp. n. Adeeulum warreni sp. n. Adwulum bicolor Lawrence Rhampsinitus fissidens sp. n. Rhampsinitus minor Loman.,Rhampsinitus leighi Pocock. Rhampsinitus spenceri Pocock I THE following is an account of the harvest-spiders known t o occur in Natal up to the present date ; to the five species known from this region four were added by myself in (" The Harvest-spiders of South Africa," ` Ann. S. Afr. Mus., ' VOL. 7, PART 2. 22

2 212 R. F. LAWRENCE. vol. xxix, Pt. 2). To this list the present paper contribute s eight more new species, the faunal list thus consisting of seventee n species. It is hoped that this paper will serve as a starting - point for a systematic knowledge of the Natal Op ones ; and as most of the collecting has been done in the neighbourhood of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, it probably constitutes onl y a fraction of the total fauna of Natal. My thanks are due to Dr. E. Warren, Director of the Natal Museum, through whose copious supplies of excellently preserved material this paper has been made possible, and to Mr. W. G. Rump, whose assiduous collecting activities have brought s o many new forms to light. Suborder CYPHOPHTHALMI. Faun. SIRONIDAE Simon. Subfam. SIRONINAE Hansen and Sorensen. Gen. Purcellia Hansen and Sorensen. Pure ellia Hansen and Sorensen. Two Orders of Arachnida, p. 106, Pl. III, fig. 4a-c ; Pl. IV, fig. 1, Purcellia rumpiana sp. n. Pl. XII, figs. 1, 2 ; textfig. 1, a f. FEMALE. Colour. Body reddish brown, legs yellow brown, body a lighter tone than the adults of Pure ellia i l l u s tran s Hans. and Sor. Though closely allied to P. i 1 l u s trans, described from th e Cape Peninsula, this species differs from it in various details of structure as follows. Granulation of dorsal and ventral surface well separate d and less dense than in i l l u s t r a n s, where the granules are uniformly disposed and contiguous, or nearly so. Granulatio n of ventral surface a little denser than that of dorsal surface.

3 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL. 213 = Turrets of odoriferous glands more prominent and situate d nearer to the sides of the cephalothorax than in illustran s (text-fig. 1, b, g) ; in shape they are more conical than thos e of the latter, which are rounded and somewhat squat. Ventral surface with sternites, cox, genital opening and corona analis very similar to those of illustrans. Pedipalp. The spine on inferior surface of trochanter situated slightly nearer to the proximal than to the distal en d TEXT-FIG. 1. Jb_.1,._.-- P u r c e 1 l i a r u m pi an a sp. n., a. Ocular tubercle. b. Tubercle of odoriferous gland in profile. c. Palp. d. Leg IV. e. Chelicera. f. Leg IV. g. Tubercle of odoriferou s gland of P. illustrans. of the segment, whereas in - illustrans it is slightly nearer t o the distal end superior surface near its distal end with th e projecting elbow rounded, less angular than in illustran s (fig. 1, c). C h e l i c era. Both segments stouter and.shorter, and seen from the side deeper than in illustrans (fig. 1, e). Uppe r surface of segment Y with a notch in its proximal half deepe r than in illustrans, the raised process just anterior to thi s notch more prominent than in the latter, the upper surfac e from this point to the distal apex granular, more Aso than in

4 214 R. F. LAWRENCE. illustrans, and provided with some short setae. Under-surface of segment I fairly straight in outline as compared with illustrans, where it is convex. Segment II seen from the side with its inferior surface more convex than in illustrans, wher e it is only slightly curved ; the setae at the base of the claws, 1 superior and 1 lateral, not only proportionately but actuall y longer than in illustrans. Legs. Leg IV more strongly granular and less hairy tha n that of illustrans, its segments, especially patella and tibia, stouter and shorter than those of illustrans (fig. 1, d) ; tarsu s less than 12 times as long as metatarsus, in illustrans it i s as long ; femur 4 2 as long as trochanter, in illustran s about 2 as long. Measurements. Larger specimen ; length of body 2, breadth 1. 1 mm. Smaller specimen : length of body 1. 9, breadth 1 mm. Adult? of illustrans : length of body 3. 3, breadth 1.9 mm. Types, 2 adult or nearly adult females collected in th e Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg, by Mr. W. G. Rump. Since describing the above females Dr. Warren has sent several slightly larger specimens (the largest being 2.2 mm. in length), including one male, the fourth leg of which is figure d (fig. 1, f). The spine-like process of the thickened proxima l tarsal segment is more or less straight, not hooked as i n illustrans. This species differs from illustrans in the following : (1) granulation less dense ; (2) turrets of odoriferous glands highe r and nearer the edge of the carapace ; (3) chelicera stouter, the notch on segment I deeper, its under-surface straight ; (4) length of tarsus IV of female compared with metatarsus IV proportionately less ; (5) size smaller. Judging from the colouring, the tarsal segments, and the genital opening of the larger specimen, it is very nearly if no t quite adult. The smaller specimen is considerably lighter in colour. In illustrans the younger stages are also lighter an d smaller than the adults, and several stages of colouring an d size may occur in a series of specimens taken at one locality.

5 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL The smallest subadult specimen of illustrans is considerably larger than the largest of the Natal specimens. P u r c e l l i a r u m p i a n a is very closely allied to the Cap e species, differing rather in the accentuation of obsolescence o f certain features than in any marked morphological characters. At the same time the differences in granulation, the odoriferou s glands, the chelicere and the size are all characters whic h will probably be found to remain constant throughout a larg e series. When considering the distance separating the typ e localities of the two species of Pure e l l i a, the comparatively slight differences are of interest in view of the primitive natur e of this group of Opiliones. KEY TO THE SPECIES OF P 17 R C E L L I A, MALES AND FEMALES. 1. Turrets of odoriferous glands rounded, their basal diamete r much greater than their height ; segment I of chelicera with a shallow notch above.. illustrans. Turrets of odoriferous glands conical pointed, their basal diameter about equal to their height, segment I of chelicer a with a deeper notch above r u m p i a n a. Suborder LANIATORES. Fam. PHALANGODIDAE Simon. Subfam. BIANTINAE Roewer. Gen. Metabiantes Roewer. Metabiantes Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 133, 1923 ; Lawrence, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 354, Metabiantes nigrotarsus sp. n. Pl. XII, figs. 3, 4 ; text - fig. 2, a c. MALE. Colour. Dorsal surface blackish at the sides, leaving a yellow marking in the middle, which disappear s posteriorly, so that the free tergites are uniformly dark

6 216 R. F. LAWRENCE. cephalothorax yellow, a few blackish reticulate markings anteriorly and at the sides ; the lateral longitudinal rows of granules yellow ; ventral surface infuscated posteriorly, becoming lighte r anteriorly. Appendages yellow with some irregular infuscation, except the apices of the metatarsi and the whole of the tars i of legs II IV, which are distinctly blackish ; metatarsus of le g II a deep black. Granulation. Cephalothorax uniformly covered with smal l round granules which are less dense anteriorly, a very lo w rounded tubercle in the middle near its anterior margin. Area s TEXT-FIG. 2. Metabiantes nigrotarsus sp. n. ~', a. Leg II. b. Distal end of metatarsus II (enlarged).?, c. Leg II. I IV closely beset with contiguous granules, areas III and I V in the middle with a pair of enlarged conical granules (not spine- or tooth-like), area V with a transverse row of enlarged granules ; these, however, not as large as the paired ones of area s III and IV. Free tergites I III with granulation less dens e than the areas of the dorsal scute ; a row of enlarged granules near the posterior margins of I and II. Lateral margins of dorsal scute with an outer regular row of shiny, bead-like granules and an inner irregular row. Coxae and genital operculum almost smooth, the granules weak, sternites each with a transvers e row of very small weak granules, those of the last sternite stronger and more numerous.

7 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES OF NATAL. 217 Pedipalp and chelicera do not differ in their spinatio n from other species of Metabiantes ; chelicera shiny, segment I sometimes with 1 2 granules on its outer side, segment II wit h some scattered sette. Legs. Tarsal segments I, 3 : II, 8 : III, 4 : IV, 4. Metatarsus of leg II modified in a way which distinguishes it a t once from all other species of Metabiantes (text-fig. 2, a, b). It is incrassate, with rounded edges and flattened from side t o side, so that its depth as well as its width is much greater than the remaining segments of leg II. It is thus in sharp contrast to the preceding tibial and subsequent tarsal segments, whic h are normal and slender. On the under-surface are two rows o f small but distinct tooth-like granules, the posterior row consisting of about 9, the anterior of about 7, these rows converging at the base of the segment ; the granules of the two rows do not oppose each other but alternate, the largest tooth of the series bein g the apical tooth of the posterior row. Tibia also very slightly incrassate distally and with a few minute granules below nea r its tip. Tarsal segments usually 8, but occasionally 9, the terminal section consisting of 3 segments. FEMALE. The females agree with the above description in all respects except that the metatarsus of leg II is normal, slender and not toothed (text-fig. 2, c) ; tarsal segments o f leg II consisting of 8 9 segments, terminal section of 3 segments. Measurements.Length of body, d` 3.1, Y 3 mm. Types, 4 SS, 2?? collected at Port Edward by Mr. W. G. Rump. In view of the fact that this species agrees with other specie s of 1VI e t a b i a n t e s in all particulars except that of the numbe r of tarsal segments of leg II, I do not think the last-named character justifies the creation of a separate genus for its reception. It is more nearly allied to pus u l o s us than the other thre e South African forms.

8 218 R. F. LAWRENCE. Metabiantes leighi (Pocock). Pl. XII, figs. 5, 6 ; text-fig. 3, a. Hinzuanius leighi Pocock, Proc. Zool. Soc., Pt. 2, p. 412, S p in i b i a n t e s leighi Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 140, This species is recorded from the following localities in Natal : Drumond, Krantzkop, Durban, Amanzimtoni, Pt. St. Johns, Pt. Sheptone. It also extends furthe r TEXT-FIG. 3. north into Zululand, Portuguese E. Africa and perhaps East Africa. A collection of 22 Metabiante s sent from Drumond contained 4 specimens of le i g h i, 3 of which were juveniles, presumably at a stage just previous to the adult moult. Thes e possessed the following characters : The pairs of enlarged tooth-like spines on areas III and IV and the transvers e rows of spines on area V and free tergites all as well developed as in the adult. The smaller granules which cover th e dorsal surface in the adult are represented by only a few scattered ones o n _ the dorsal scute, the cephalothorax Penis of Metabiantes being quite smooth. The lateral longi - l e i g h i (Poe.) (a), and tudinal granulation represented by on e M. vertebralis sp. n. row of small, well-separated granules,. the inner row being entirely absent. Ventral surface smooth except coxa I, which is armed with a few small conical granules. Stigmata fully exposed just belo w the distal extremity of coxa IV. Spination of pedipalps as full y developed as in the adult ; chelicera with segment I quite smooth above. Tarsal segments of legs I, 2 : II, 2 : III, 3 : IV, 3 ; claws well developed. Colouring as in the adult. Measurements. Length of body 2. 7 mm., that of adult 3.7 mm. These relations of juvenile to adult probably hold good in

9 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL the similar stages of all species of Al eta b i a n t e s, and this i s certainly true of the tarsal segmentation. Metabiantes pusulosus Loman. Pl. XII, figs. 7, 8. Metabiantes pusulosus Loman, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., vol. ii, p. 522, This species is recorded from the following localities in Natal : Drumond, Pietermaritzburg, Inchanga, Krantzkop, Reit Vlei, Umvoti District, Howick. It is a more definitely Eastern Cape Province species than leighi, its most western record bein g Knysna. In Natal it occurs together with le i g hi. The adults of leighi and pusulosus can be distinguishe d as follows : leighi. pusulosus. 1. A pair of large prominent pointed. 1. A pair of low conical granule s spines on areas III and IV of on areas III and IV, not pro - dorsal scute larger than any of minent or much larger tha n the remaining granules. the other dorsal granules. 2. Free tergites with the transverse. 2. Free tergites with enlarge d rows of enlarged granules much granules hardly distinguishable larger than any other granules from the other granules of the on the segment. segment. Metabiantes vertebralis sp. n. P1. XII, figs. 9, 10 ; text-fig. 3, b. Colour resembling that described for n i g r o t a r s u s, excep t that the light yellow median portion of the dorsal scute is divide d by a longitudinal black stripe which is quite distinct in al l specimens ; legs infuscated, becoming darker distally and i n places stippled with lighter spots ; area surrounding the mouth - parts black. Granulation resembling that of pusulosus. Legs. The tarsal segments of leg II consisting in 1 2 individuals of 6 quite distinct segments, in 3 individuals o f 5 segments, the two terminal ones appearing to have becom e fused ; metatarsus of male armed with a single row of 9 distinct small teeth, the tibia with 3 4 at its distal apex ; metatarsus

10 220 R. F. LAWRENCE. distinct from that of nigrotarsus in being normally slender, but the tibia is somewhat thickened. Penis (fig. 3, b) differing markedly from that of le i g h i. Types, 18 specimens containing 1 male collected at Drumon d by Mr. W. G. Rump. The species in external appearance resembles pusulosu s most closely. A large number of Metabiantes collected at Town Bush, Pietermaritzburg, by Mr. Rump seem to be intermediate between the above form and pusulosus. They have the same colourin g as vertebralis characterized by a median longitudinal stripe, but the cephalothorax above and the core and sternites ventrall y are darker ; the tarsal segments of leg II are 5 in number., thi s being constant throughout a large series. The penis differ s somewhat from that of l e i g h i in being armed with 3 instead o f 4 spines at its apex. The, secondary sexual characters of the males in the genu s Metabiantes are in all cases confined to the metatarsus o f the second leg, which is toothed ; the tibia may also bear a fe w spines near its distal apex. The fourth leg carries no sexua l characters as stated by Loman and Roewer. KEY TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES OF METABIANTES. MALES AND FEMALES. 1. Leg II with 8 9 tarsal segments. nigrotarsus. Leg II with 5 or 6 tarsal segments Leg II with 6 tarsal segments.. vertebralis. Leg II with 5 tarsal segments Femur of pedipalp below with 2 spines near its base m a x i m u s. Femur of pedipalp below with 1 spine near its base Areas III and IV of dorsal scute uniformly granular withou t enlarged granules or spines m e r a c u I u s. Areas III and IV each with a pair of enlarged granules or spines Areas III and IV each with a pair of large toothlike spine s much larger than the other dorsal granules.. le i g h i. Areas III and IV each with a pair of low conical granules, not prominent or much larger than the other dorsal granules pusulosus.

11 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL Fam. TRIENONYCHIDA Sorensen. Two subfamilies are represented in South Africa, th e Triaenonychinae and the Adaeinae. The former are all Opilionids of small body size, and are further distinguished fro m the Adaeinae by the shape of the sternum, which is very constant in all its members (see ` Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 376, text-fig. 16, b). Subfam. TRUENONYCHINIE Pocock. For a key to the South African genera of this subfamily see ` Ann. S. Afr. Mus., ' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p Gen. Cryptobunus Lawrence. Cryptobunus Lawrence, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 396, Differs from the other South African genera of T r i w n o - n y c h i n w in that the calcaneus of legs I and II is longer than the astragalus instead of being shorter ; dorsal scute without armature and without transverse grooves ; anterior margin of cephalothorax with 5 conical granules ; coxa I below with one blunt tubercle at its anterior distal border ; stigmata hidden ; pedipalp femur with a median strip of short cylindrical seta e below ; femur of leg I not armed inferiorly ; median prong of claws of tarsi III and IV much stouter than the lateral claws ; tarsal segments 3 : 5 : 4 : 4. One species, Natal. Cryptobunus setifemur Lawrence. Cryptobunus setifemur Lawrence, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 396, text-fig. 28 a g, One specimen, Pietermaritzburg. Gen. Acumontia Loman. Acumontia Loman, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., ii, p. 528, 1898 ; Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 609, Carapace smaller than scutum ; anterior margin of carapac e without grooves and its upper surface on each side with or

12 222 R. F. LAWRENCE. without teeth ; ocular tubercle rising directly from the anterior margin of the carapace and with 1 median spine ; areas I I V with a pair of tubercles or spines in the middle ; area V and free tergites I III unarmed or with 1 pair of spines or tubercle s in the middle ; stigmata hidden ; femur of leg I armed below ; calcaneus of metatarsi I IV much shorter than astragalus ; terminal section of tarsus I consisting of 2 segments, II of 3 segments ; tarsus I with 5 segments, II with more than 6 segments, III and IV with each 4 segments ; median prong o f claws of tarsi III and IV much stouter than the lateral prong. One species, Natal. Acumontia natalensis Lawrence. Pl. XII, figs Acumontia natalensis Lawrence, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 420, text-fig. 41 a-e, Type, one specimen from Pietermaritzburg. Among the material sent by the Natal Museum are fiv e specimens of this species from Pietermaritzburg. They agree in all respects with the type, except that the tarsal joints of the first leg have 6, not 5 segments. I conclude that the typespecimen was not an altogether mature female. In two of Dr. Warren's specimens the tarsus consisted of 5 segments on th e one side and 6 on the other. A specimen which I take to be a a' shows a great development of the pedipalp, which is more than twice as long as the body. In a specimen I consider to be a 'Y the pedipalp is longer than, but not twice as long as, the body. Measurements. S. Length of body 3. 8, pedipalp about 10.6 mm. Y. Length of body 3. 3, pedipalp about 5. 7 mm. Gen. Monomontia Lawrence. Mono m o n t i a Lawrence, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 416, Ocular tubercle stout and short, terminal process short ; dorsal scute divided into areas by deep clear grooves passin g across the scute to meet the lateral grooves ; dorsum comparatively smooth without large or modified granules, areas of

13 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL dorsal scute with 2 rows of small granules ; coxa I below wit h 1 2 tubercles along its anterior margin ; pedipalps and chelicerae not strongly armed, femur of pedipalp with a row of stron g teeth on outer side below, inferior surface with a strip of fin e granulation in the middle ; stigmata hidden ; femur of leg I armed below ; calcaneus of all legs much shorter tha n astragalus ; median prong of claws of tarsi III and IV stronger than the lateral claws ; tarsal segments I, 3 : II, 3 : III, 4 : IV, 4. Distribution : Natal, Eastern Cape Province. Monomontia f lava sp. n. Pl. XII, figs. 15, 16 ; text-fig. 4,ag. MALE. Colour uniformly orange yellow, a patch round eac h eye blackish. Anterior margin of cephalothorax with 3 small blunt granules on each side of the ocular tubercle, the oute r one situated a little further back than the other two, and neare r to the middle one than the latter is to the inner one ; in addition a granule at the antero-lateral angle of cephalothorax. Ocular tubercle (text-fig. 4, a) low and blunt, its upper surface with 2 pairs of small granules. Areas clearly defined by sharp, transvers e grooves area behind ocular tubercle with 6 10 small granule s in the middle ; areas I IV with a row of larger granules in or a little anterior to the middle, and a row of smaller granule s along their posterior borders ; area V and free tergites I II I with only a single row of large granules in the middle ; genera l arrangement of dorsal granulation as in M. a tr a Lawrence, ` Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 418, fig. 39 a. Coxae quite smooth, I with a large conical tubercle at it s anterior distal apex, some larger granules between III and IV and between IV and stigmata-bearing sternite ; sternites each with an anterior row of large and a posterior row of smal l granules, last sternite and anal operculum with 2 widely separate d rows of small granules. Pedipalp. Femur seen from inner side (text-fig. 4, c) ; trochanter below with 1 tooth ; femur below with 5 teeth on

14 224 R. F. LAWRENCE. the outer side, the second and fourth largest, a row of 6 7 roun d knob-like granules in the middle ; in addition the under and inner surfaces of the segment shagreened with fine granulation ; femur above with 2 small granules in its proximal half and 5 fairly large tooth-like granules on its inner distal surface, these see n from above as in fig. 4, d ; patella with a large tooth on its oute r TEXT-FIG. 4. e 4 Monomontia flava sp.n. d`, a. Ocular tubercle. b. Chelicera. c. Femur of palp from inner side. d. The same, above. e. Patella-tibia of same, below. f. Tarsus-metatarsus of leg I. y. Femur of leg I. side below and a blunt tubercle on its under-surface ; tibia below (fig. 4, e) with an irregular row of about 10 granules on it s outer side, the 4 basal ones large and tooth-like, a strip of abou t 25 granules extending the whole length of its inner side, 4 5 of these larger than the rest. Chelicera. Seen from outer side (fig. 4, b) ; segment I with a deep notch on its dorsal surface, inner side shagreened ;

15 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL. 225 segment II with a row of 4 round granules on the inner side o f anterior surface, each with a stout seta. Leg I. Femur as in fig. 4, g, with 4 conical granules above, tarsus as in fig. 4, f. Tarsal segments 3 : 3 : 4 : 4. Measurements. Length of body 1.7 mm. FEMALE. The female appears to differ from the male only i n the shorter pedipalps. Types, 16 (SS and W) from Town Bush Valley, Pietermaritzburg, collected by Mr. W. G. Rump. KEY TO SPECIES OF M O N O M O N T I A. 1. Body yellow, size small, 1 2 mm.. flava. Body blackish, size larger, mm Pedipalp femur on outer side below with 4 teeth, inne r surface with 3 teeth. a t r a. Pedipalp femur on outer side below with 6 teeth, inne r surface with at least 7 teeth..,, rattrayi. Both atra and rattrayi are Eastern Province species. Sub-fam. AD'EINIE Pocock. Opilionids of large body size, the sternum fairly large an d either triangular or pentagonal, see ` Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 425, text-fig. 43. KEY TO SOUTH AFRICAN GENERA OF A D ~E I N. 1. Sternum more or less pentagonal. 2. Sternum triangular Sternum broadly pentagonal in posterior half, a narrow parallel-sided rod forming its anterior half, stigmata exposed.... Paradaeum. Sternum without an anterior rod-like expansion, stigmata hidden Tarsus I with 4 segments, sternum more than twice as lon g as broad Larifuga. Tarsus I with 5 segments, sternum less than twice as lon g as broad. Montadaeum. 4. Tarsus I with 4 segments 5. Tarsus I with 3 segments 7.

16 226 R. F. LAWRENCE. 5. Sternum broadly triangular Sternum narrowly triangular. 6. Dorsal scute with long cylindrical granules Dorsal scute with conical triangular granules 7. Tarsus II with 4 segments Tarsus II with more than 6 (8 11) segments 8. Terminal section of tarsus II with 3 segments. Terminal section of tarsus II with 4 segments Cryptadum. 6. A d ae u l u m. Larifugella. Micradaeum. 8.. A d se u m. M e t a d ae u m. Only L a r i f u g e 11a and Ad occur in Natal m are thus far known t o Gen. Larifugella g. n. Sternum slender triangular, widening suddenly near its base ; tarsus I with 4, tarsus II with more than 10 segments ; tarsus I with terminal section consisting of 2, II of 3 segments. Dorsal scute not divided by longitudinal and transverse strips of granule s into smooth subquadrate areas, its granulation resembling tha t of Larifuga in consisting of minute bead-like granules and a pair of enlarged conical granules in each of the areas I I V (text-fig. 5, b) ; free tergites with transverse rows of enlarged conical triangular granules, not cylindrical or papilliform ; stigmata hidden beneath granules ; genital operculum no t covered with long papillae, usually with some rounded granules. Femur of pedipalp armed with strong teeth in the a' ; leg s rugose, femur of leg I unarmed below, similar to remaining legs. Secondary sexual characters of a` present in the pedipalps, whic h are larger and longer and have their femora armed with stronge r teeth than in the Y. Two species in Natal. With Larifuga this genus agrees fully in the granulatio n (fig. 5, b) and the number of tarsal segments, and more or less i n the armament of the pedipalp femur. It differs from it in th e triangular sternum and in the femur of leg I being unarmed inferiorly ; the teeth at the upper distal edge of segment I of chelicera are also shorter than in Larifuga, where they reac h their greatest development. In the shape of the sternum it agree s more with A d ~e u l u m than with Larifuga ; with regard to the number of tarsal segments and the absence of armature on the

17 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL. 227 TEXT-FIG. 5. a a. Type of granulation in A d ae u l u m. b. Type of granulation i n Larifugella and Larifuga (slightly schematic). e C a Larifugella a f r a sp. a-. a-. Ocular tubercle. b. Femu r of palp from above. c. The same from above and a little from the inner side. d. Chelicera from inner side. e. Segment I of the same, above. VOL. 7, PART 2. 23

18 228 R. F. LAWRENCE. inferior surface of femur I it is in accord with A d ~e u l u m, bu t differs from it completely in the granulation of the body (fig. 5, a). It thus forms a connecting genus between Larifuga, a Wester n Cape Province form, and A d ~e u l u m, which is distributed throughout Zululand, Natal and Eastern Cape Province. Included in this genus is Adheulum natalense (see below). The following are the salient points of difference in the thre e genera : Ad aeulum. Larifugella. Larifuga. Dorsum with long Dorsum with trian- Dorsum with triancylindrical granules gular conical gran- gular conical gran - which form paired ules, a single pair ules, a single pair in clusters in areas I- in each of areas each of areas I-IV. IV. I-IV. Sternum triangular. Sternum, triangular Sternum pentagonal. widening near the base. Femur I unarmed in- Femur I unarmed in- Femur I armed in.- feriorly. feriorly. feriorly. Tarsus II with 8-14 Tarsus II with Tarsus II with segments. segments. segments. Larifugella afra sp. n. Pl. XII, figs. 17, 18 ; text-fig. 6, a e. MALE. Colour : The whole animal blackish brown, only the tarsi of legs, tarsus of pedipalp, and second cheliceral segment lighter. Granulation. Anterior margin of cephalothorax with an irregular row of conical granules, a projecting cluster of about 4 granules at the antero-lateral angle of the carapace, the central one long and cylindrical, much larger than the rest ; ocular tubercle (text-fig. 6, a) sloping forwards beyond edge of carapace, ending apically in a strong, sharply pointed spine ; on its posterio r slope, inserted at a point just above the eye, a stout spine, which i s however, shorter than the apical one ; anterior slope with a third spine projecting forwards at the level of the eye, smaller than th e posterior spine ; ocular tubercle otherwise covered with smal l granules, some larger ones at its base. Dorsal scute covered irregularly with minute granules not arranged so as to form

19 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL. 229 smooth subquadrate areas as in Ad ~e u l u m, though here an d there occur faint indications of these areas ; areas I-IV in th e middle with a pair of enlarged conical granules, these surrounde d at their bases with a ring of minute black granules ; area V of dorsal scute with a transverse row of 8 10 stout, triangular, conical granules very similar to those of Larifuga. Free tergite I with about 8 enlarged conical granules interspaced with moderate-sized conical granules about half the length of the former ; anterior margin of segment with a single row of minute round granules ; just posterior to the row of enlarged granule s an irregular double row of minute granules ; free tergite II similar, about 7 large conical granules but no intermediate ones, the anterior row of minute granules irregular ; free tergite III with a very irregular row of conical granules, the remainder o f the segment covered with minute granules. Core uniformly but not densely covered with small round granules, those o f coxa I larger ; the cleft between coxa IV and stigmata bearing sternite closely packed with granules ; sternites in anterior halves with 1 2 rows of minute granules, posterior halves smooth ; genital operculum thickly covered with round, seta-tippe d granules. Sternum long and slender, widening suddenly near the base. Pedipalp. Femur seen from above ; inner side with 3 teeth in its distal half, increasing successively in size distally or the 2 distal ones subequal (fig. 6, b), 2 subapical teeth (not seen i n fig. 6, b, but in fig. 6, c) ; trochanter below with 2 large teeth, a small round granule between them ; femur below at its bas e with 3 stout conical teeth forming a triangle ; on its outer side 1 tooth just anterior to the middle of the segment and 1 apica l tooth (fig. 6, c) ; patella unarmed ; under-surface of tibia uniformly granular with 3 small teeth on each side, those on th e outer side more distinct ; under-surface of tarsus smooth wit h 3 distinct teeth on each side. Chelicera. Segment I shagreened at the sides, granular abov e with 6 7 conical granules, remarkable in not possessing stron g teeth or enlarged granules at its distal upper edge (fig. 6, e)

20 230 R. F. LAWRENCE. anterior surface of segment II smooth with some scattered shiny granules along its inner side, 1 near the base and 1 in the middl e length larger than the others, tooth-like (fig. 6, d). Legs. Femora unarmed below, femur I above with about 6 slightly enlarged granules along its whole length, diminishing i n size distally, femur II similarly with granules. Tarsal segments 4 : : 4 : 4. Measurements. Length 7, breadth 4.8, pedipalps 4.5 mm. FEMALE. Colour and granulation as in a', ocular tubercl e distinctly smaller, conical granules of area V and free tergite s proportionately larger than in the a` ; area V with a transverse row of about 8-10, free tergite I with 9-10, II with about 8, som e intermediate-sized granules between them, III with an irregular row of 7-8. Ventral surface as in a', the granules, however, distinctly larger ; genital operculum sparsely covered with short round seta-tipped granules. Pedipalp. Femur seen from above strongly and coarsel y granular, the granules all large ; outstanding are : a group of 3-4 on inner side in the middle, a longitudinal row of 3-4 in the proximal three-fourths, 2 on the distal edge ; seen from below femur with 3 stout teeth forming a triangle at the base, 1 middl e and 1 apical outer tooth, 2 stout teeth at inner apex ; in the middle of the under-surface a straight row of 6-7 small round granules ; patella on inner side with 2 subapical teeth, under-surface o f tibia with only a few granules, 2-3 on its inner, 3 teeth on it s outer side ; tarsus with 3 stout triangular teeth on each side. Chelicera. Segment I coarsely granular above, more s o than in S ; segment II with scattered granules on inner side o f anterior surface, the basal and middle enlarged granules smalle r than those of the S. Legs. The enlarged granules on the superior surface o f femora I and II larger than in S. Tarsal segments 4 : :4 :4. Measurements. Length of body 6, breadth 4. 4, pedipal p 3.5 mm. Types, IS, 1Y from Port Edward, collected by Mr. W. G. Rump.

21 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL Larifugella natalensis (Lawrence). Pl. XII, figs A d m u l u m n a t a l e n s e Lawrence, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 426, text-fig. 44 a.f, SS, 9??, Pietermaritzburg. KEY TO SPECIES OF L A R I F U G E L L A, MALES AND FEMALES. Ocular tubercle sharply pointed apically afra. Ocular tubercle bluntly rounded apically natalensis. Gen. A d ae u l u m Roewer. Ad ae u l u m Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 625, 1923 ; Lawrence, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 426, Adaeulum supervidens sp. n. Pl. XII, figs. 22, 23 ; textfig. 7, a e. MALE. C 010 Ur. Dorsal surface blackish brown, ventra l surface light brown, coxae darker distally ; appendages a little lighter than dorsum, under-surface of pedipalp (ungranulate d parts) quite pale. Granulation. Anterior margin of cephalothorax with clusters of longish, cylindrical, bluntly-pointed granules ; ocular tubercle (text-fig. 7, a) exceptionally high, erect, bluntly rounde d at the tip and thickly covered with cylindrical granules. From behind the ocular tubercle in the middle of the dorsal scute a narrow double strip of cylindrical granules passing backwards t o near the posterior border of dorsal scute, each strip consisting o f 2 3 irregular longitudinal rows of granules, these forming a cluster in each area ; the sides of dorsal scute irregularly covered wit h small cylindrical granules, giving off irregular transverse rows o f granules, which meet the median strips and form rough sub - quadrate or rounded smooth areas ; the smooth areas thus forme d on each side are 5 in number behind the ocular tubercle, one a t the side of the ocular tubercle, and a crescentic strip at the side s of the body reaching from a level just behind the ocular tubercle to a point just posterior to coxa IV. When the surface of th e body has been treated with a hard stiff brush to remove grit

22 232 R. F. LAWRENCE. and small particles of dirt, these smooth areas all reveal a highl y polished reflective surface. Posterior margin of dorsal scute with a row of about 12 well-separated erect cylindrical granules, their tips blunt or slightly swollen, surrounded by a cluster o f smaller granules ; free tergites I and II with a transverse row of cylindrical granules, these with the similar ones on th e posterior margin of dorsal scute being the longest on the dorsa l surface ; between or a little behind them a transverse row of smaller granules ; cylindrical granules of free tergite III a littl e smaller than those of I and IT. Ventral surface with all th e TEXT-FIG. 7. b Adaeulum supervidens sp. a. g, a. Ocular tubercle. b. Base of femur of palp, above. c. The same, below. d. Chelicera from outer side. e. Segment I of same, above. coxae densely granular ; genital operculum with about 10 cylindrical seta-tipped granules, sternites each with a transverse stri p of granules, but their posterior margins smooth. Pedipalps granular except below. Femur seen from abov e (fig. 7, b) with a group of 4 teeth in its proximal half on the inner side consisting of 2 small superior, one medium-sized median, and one large curved inferior tooth, the latter directed inward s and downwards ; trochanter below with 2 teeth ; femur below on the outer side (fig. 6, c) with 3 small teeth, 1 basal, 1 in the middle length of the segment, and 1 half-way between these two ; on the smooth inferior surface in the middle there is a row o f minute teeth growing progressively smaller distally, reachin g.4

23 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES OF NATAL. 233 from the basal outer to the distal outer tooth ; patella, tibia and tarsus unarmed, tibia and tarsus granular at the lateral edges. Chelicera. Segment I seen from above (fig. 7, e) with 3 fairly strong projecting teeth at its distal edge, the outer 2 sub - joined ; a small tooth below in the middle, a small tooth at th e inner side in the middle of the segment ; sides shagreened. Segment II with a number of small shiny granules on its anterio r surface, especially on the inner side (fig. 7, d). Legs. Neither femur I nor femora of remaining legs arme d below, but usually a row of granules on their upper surfaces, which are a little more conspicuous than the others. Tarsal segments 4 : 8 : 4 : 4. Measurements. Length of body 5.6, breadth 3.3, pedipalp 5.9, leg II about 12 mm. FEMALE. The granulation of the dorsal and ventral surfaces not differing from that of the a`, the dorsal areas clearly defined ; ocular tubercle much lower than in the a`, the granules of the anterior margin of the cephalothorax forming a projecting grou p in front of the ocular tubercle. Pedipalp densely and irregularly granular ; inferior surface of femur smooth with a row of about 6 minute granules in the middle, reaching from the base to a little anterior to the middl e length of the segment ; seen from above femur with 6 7 irregularly disposed conical granules on its inner side, these conspicuous among the other granules ; patella seen from below with 2 granules on the inner, 1 on the outer side, these tipped with stout setae ; inferior surfaces of tibia and tarsus sparsely granular ; tibia with 3 outer, 2 inner granules tipped with strong setae ; tarsus with 3 similar granules on each side. Chelicera. Segment I granular above, its distal margin with 3 4 enlarged granules, these much smaller than the teeth of the a' ; anterior surface of segment II with scattered bead-lik e granules, one of these on the inner side near the base outstandingly large. Legs. Femur I with 2 cylindrical granules above near th e base, unarmed below ; remaining legs unarmed ; tarsal segments :4 :4.

24 234 R. F. LAWRENCE. Measurements. Length of body 5, breadth 34, pedipalp s 3.5, leg II mm. Types, 1 c3', 3 collected at Port Edward by Mr. W. G. Rump. This species is characterized by the lofty and erect ocula r tubercle and the armature of the male pedipalp. Ad aeulum warreni sp. n. Pl. XII, figs ; text-fig. 8, a d. MALE. C olour. Dorsal surface earthy brown ; ventra l surface earthy brown, under-surface of pedipalp, chelicera, dista l apices of coxae, genital operculum, a patch on the last tw o sternites, all yellow. Granulation. Anterior margin of cephalothorax with a n irregular row of long, cylindrical granules ; ocular tubercle low, its anterior surface vertical, its posterior surface sloping at a n angle of about 45 to the horizontal ; a number of granules near its base, these comparatively short (text-fig. 8, a) ; behind ocula r tubercle a double strip of irregular granules, forming a group i n each area composed of a cylindrical granule surrounded by a cluster of smaller granules ; transverse rows of granules from th e sides meeting this median strip forming subquadrate smooth areas, the two median strips of granules diverging posteriorly ; a transverse row of about 9 long, cylindrical granules (not a s long as those of s u p e r vi d e n s) near posterior border of dorsa l scute with. interconnecting smaller granules ; free tergites I and II with a transverse row of cylindrical granules with smalle r granules between them ; in front of these rows a strip of much smaller granules. Ventral surface with coxae granular ; genita l operculum with about 7 fairly short granules not much longe r than wide ; sternites covered with very small granules, their posterior margins, however, smooth. Pedipalp. Trochanter below with 2 large and some smalle r teeth ; femur seen from below- (fig. 8, b) ; inner side near it s upper edge with 4 stout, almost equal-sized teeth in basal half ; just distal to these and inserted a little below them is a large, powerful tooth (about twice the size of the proximal group of 4)

25 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL directed downwards and slightly backwards ; finally near th e inner apex of the segment a sixth tooth a little nearer the uppe r surface than the preceding one, considerably stouter, but hardl y longer than the proximal group, directed downwards and slightl y forwards ; on outer side of under-surface 3 moderate teeth, about equal in size to the proximal group, 1 near the base, 1 a little anterior to the middle of the segment, a third between these but nearer to the basal tooth ; remaining segments TEXT-FIG. S. A d u l u m w a r r e n i sp. n. g, a. Ocular tubercle. b. Femu r of palp from below. c. Chelicera from inner side. d. Segment I of same from above. unarmed ; tarsus with a row of small granules at its lateral edges, 3 of these on the inner side being fairly conspicuous. Chelicera. Segment I (fig. 8, d) granular above in its dista l half, 2 long cylindrical granules at its distal apex, shagreene d at the sides ; anterior surface of segment I shiny with som e scattered granules (fig. 8, c). Legs. Femora unarmed below, above with a row of granules, the proximal ones larger ; tarsal segments 4 : 9 : 4 : 4 ; termina l section of tarsus I consisting of 2, II of 3 segments. Measurements. Length of body 5.8, breadth 4, pedipalp 5.4 mm.

26 236 R. F. LAWRENCE. FEMALE. Granulation as in a', the ocular tubercle lowe r than in the a' ; anterior margin of cephalothorax with a cluste r of granules forming a projection in front of ocular tubercle. Pedipalp. Femur seen from above with an oblique row of 5 7 conical granules on its inner dorsal surface, the penultimat e the largest ; inferior surface with an enlarged granule apically on its inner side, 1 basal and 1 subapical enlarged granule on th e outer side, a row of about 7 minute rounded granules passing obliquely from outer basal to inner apical enlarged granule ; patella with a rounded granule at its inner apex ; under-surfac e of tibia and tarsus with small scattered granules, tarsus with 3 fairly conspicuous teeth on inner side. Chelicera with segment I granular in its distal half above, 2 3 enlarged granules at its distal apex, much smaller than those of the d' ; anterior surface of segment II with some granules along its inner side. Legs unarmed ; femur I above with 2 4 conical granules o n its inner side ; tarsal segments 4 : 8 : 4 : 4. Measurements. Length of body 5.5, breadth 3.5, pedipalp 3.1 mm. Types, 1 a', 3??, Pietermaritzburg, collected by Mr. W. G. Rump. Ad~eulum bicolor Lawrence. A d ae u l u m bicolor Lawrence,-Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 433, text-fig. 47 a-g, Type, 1 Inchanga, Natal. KEY TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES OF A D IE U L U M, MALES. 1. Ocular tubercle more or less pointed apically. bicolor. Ocular tubercle rounded apically Two large teeth on under-surface of coxa II near its base c o x i d e n s. No large teeth on under surface of coxa II A very large tooth at inner apex of pedipalp femur g o d f r e y i. Tooth if present at inner apex of pedipalp femur small o r moderate. 4.

27 HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL Pedipalp femur with a row of 4 equal-sized teeth on it s inner proximal half warreni. Pedipalp femur without a row of 4 equal-sized teeth on it s inner proximal half Ocular tubercle distinctly high, its anterior surface vertica l or proclivous supervidens. Ocular tubercle quite low, its anterior surface reclivous areolatum. It is impracticable to draw up a key to the females o f A d ae u l u m, which are all very similar. Suborder PALPATORES. Fam. PHALANGIIDA, Simon. Subfam. PHALANGIINIE Simon. Gen. Rhampsinitus Simon. Rhampsinitus Simon, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., vol. xxii, p. 72, 1879 ; Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 784, All the South African Palpatores of the family Phalan - g i i d ae are confined to this genus. Rhampsinitus fissiden s sp. n. Pl. XII, figs ; text - fig. 9, a f. FEMALE. Colour. Dorsal surface of abdomen light brown ; a fairly broad median blackish marking narrowest in the firs t abdominal segment, and widening posteriorly, the sides wit h some small black spots ; cephalothorax with irregular blackish markings ; eye situated in an oval black spot ; ventral surfac e dirty white mottled with brown ; operculum a little lighter ; coxae in their distal halves a little darker than the rest of the ventral surface ; pedipalps with some blackish markings ; legs blackis h brown, mottled with irregular patches and spots of light brown ; leg II lighter than the others. Spination. Segments behind the ocular tubercle each wit h one transverse, rather irregular row of small spines, the rows wavy ; the 2 4 central spines of each row larger than the others,

28 238 R. F. LAWRENCE. and forming a group which may be fused into a single large r spine or a compound spine (text-fig. 9, b) ; no spines at the side s of the body, the skin here, as between the larger dorsal spines' finely shagreened with minute granules ; ocular tubercle (fig. 9, a) with 3 fairly stout triangular spines on each side above, these about as large as the largest spines of the post-tubercula r rows ; a group of 3 small spines forming a triangle on each sid e near the ocular tubercle ; a row of 3 small spines at the anterio r TEXT-FIG. 9. Rhampsinitis fissidens sp. n. 'T, a. Ocular tubercle. b. Median dorsal granules of abdomen, much enlarged. c. Chelicera. d. Palp., e. Chelicera from outer side. f. Same from inner side. g. Segment I of same, above. margin of the cephalothorax in the middle ; between these an d the ocular tubercle 2 3 other small spines ; a fairly large spin e at the anterior and posterior ends of the opening of the odoriferous glands opposite coxa I, these two spines the largest of th e pretubercular group of spines ; in addition 4 6 other irregularl y disposed small spines ; all the spines of the cephalothorax considerably smaller than those of the ocular tubercle. Entire ventral surface smooth. Pedipalp. Femur below with a number of small conica l tubercles each tipped with a short black curved seta, but no

29 - HARVEST-SPIDERS (OPILIONES) OF NATAL. 239 true spines ; patella, tibia and tarsus unarmed, with numerou s short black setae (fig. 9, d). Chelicera. Segment I with a few small seta-tipped toothlike spines on the distal half of its upper surface, both segment s otherwise entirely muticous (fig. 9, c). Legs. Stout and fairly short, leg II 4 5 times body length ; femur I weakly, almost imperceptibly spined, with 3 rows of about 11 minute spines above, remaining segments unspined ; legs II IV similar to I ; lengths of femora in the ratio of II : IV : I : III, III, however, just equal to I in length. Tarsa l segments 1, 33 : II, : III, : IV, 28. Measurements. Length of body 7.6, breadth 5, chelicera I -+- II = 1 + 2, pedipalp : femur + pat. tib. + tarsus = , , leg II mm. Types, 3 adult specimens, Pietermaritzburg. These specimens are probably females, judging by the unarme d condition of the chelicera ; they seem to be nevertheless quite distinct from the other South African species. MALE. Since describing the above females I have receive d from Dr. Warren a large number of partly mutilated specimen s of R. f i s s i d ens, among which is an individual consisting of the anterior part of the cephalothorax, anterior legs, palps an d chelicera. I have no doubt that this specimen represents th e male of the species. The first segment of the chelicera is definitel y spined below and also on the outer side (fig. 9, e, f) ; seen from above (fig. 9, g) the outer side bears a prominent lobe near it s base which is armed with several teeth. The whole appendag e is very little larger than that of the female. Rhampsinitus minor Loman. Rhampsinitus minor Loman, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., vol. ii, p. 519, 1898 ; Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 790, text-fig. 965, Roewe r 's text-figure is reproduced in ` Ann. S. Afr. Mus., ' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 496, text-fig. 80. Type locality, Illovo, Verulam.

30 240 R. F. LAWRENCE. Rhampsinitus leighi Pocock. Pl. XII, figs Rhampsinitus leighi Pocock, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1902), Pt. 2, p. 396, 1902 ; Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 791, text-fig. 967, Roewer 's text-figure is reproduced in `Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 497, text-fig. 82. Type locality, Durban. It has also been recorded from Stell a Bush, Krantzkloof, Ifafa. Rhampsinitus spenceri Pocock. Rhampsinitus spenceri Pocock, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1902), Pt. 2, p. 394, 1902 ; Roewer, Die Weberknechte der Erde, p. 791, text-fig. 968, Roewer 's text-figure is reproduced in Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, p. 498, text-fig. 83. A key to the species of Rhampsinitus already known fro m South Africa is given in Ann. S..Afr. Mus., ' vol. xxix, Pt. 2, pp. 476, 477. The following are keys to the Natal species fo r both sexes : MALES. 1. Both segments of chelicera entirely smooth Chelicera with at least segment I granular 2. Chelicera 2 3 or more times body length Chelicera not more than 2 body length 3. Ocular tubercle with 4 spines on each side above Ocular tubercle with 3 spines on each side above minor. 2. leighi. 3. spenceri., f issidens. FEMALES. 1. Both segments of chelicera smooth above. minor. Segment I usually with some granules above Sternites and genital operculum white, contrasting strongly with dark upper surface and legs. leighi. Sternites and genital operculum not contrasting strongl y with upper surface Ocular tubercle with 4 spines on each side above, spenceri. Ocular tubercle with 3 spines on each side above f i s s i d e n s.