A new species of the genus Idiops and notes on Idiops bombayensis Siliwal et al. 2005 (Araneae: Idiopidae) from Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

A new species of trapdoor spider, Idiops rubrolimbatus sp. nov., is described from the northern part of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Idiops bombayensis Siliwal et al. 2005 was originally described based on only a female specimen. Here, a description of the male is provided for the first time, along with a female description based on fresh collections from Mumbai and Matheran, Maharashtra state, India. Natural history information is provided for both species. In India, trapdoor spiders are represented by four families, and the most widespread and species-rich family is the Idiopidae (Siliwal et al. 2005, Siliwal et al. 2009). Worldwide, this family is represented by 22 genera and 303 species in three subfamilies (Platnick 2011) and in India by three genera, namely Heligmomerus Simon 1892, Idiops Perty 1833 and Scalidognathus Karsch 1891, totaling 12 species (Siliwal et al. 2007; Sanap & Mirza 2011). The genus Idiops Perty 1833 is the most widespread trapdoor genus, being represented by seven species in India (Siliwal et al. 2005; Siliwal et al. 2010). This genus was originally placed in the Ctenizidae; but Raven (1985) transferred it to the Idiopidae, differentiating males of the Idiopidae from those of the ctenizids in having a distal haematodocha extending almost down to the embolus, transforming the distal sclerite into an open scoop, and also by the bilobed palpal tarsus with one blunt and one acutely pointed lobe. Many species of Acanthodon Guérin 1838 were transferred to Idiops (see Platnick 2011). Recently, Siliwal et al. (2010) transferred two species, I. biharicus and I. barkudensis, from Idiops to Heligmomerus. Idiops bombayensis Siliwal et al. 2005 was described by Pocock (1899) from the 'Bombay region' as Acanthodon opifex and later was transferred to Idiops by Roewer (1942). This transfer created a homonymy with Idiops opifex Simon 1899; thus to stabilize the nomenclatural conflict, Siliwal et al. (2005) provided a replacement name for I. bombayensis. This species was known from the Bombay (5 Mumbai) region without any precise locality, and the original description was based on few prominent morphological characters, lacking information like leg morphometry, spermathecae and natural history. While conducting surveys in and around Mumbai, we collected specimens of two species of the genus Idiops. We identified one of them as I. bombayensis, and the other one represents a hitherto undescribed species. In the present paper, we provide detailed taxonomic descriptions of both sexes of I. bombayensis based on the fresh collection along with the description of the new species.

Full text

A new species of the genus Idiops and notes on Idiops bombayensis Siliwal et al. 2005
(Araneae: Idiopidae) from Northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India
Zeeshan A. Mirza: 1-13 Shiv Colony, Marol Police Camp, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400058, Maharashtra, India. E-mail:
snakeszeeshan@gmail.com
Rajesh V. Sanap: D-5/2, Marol Police Camp, M.M. Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai, 400059, Maharashtra, India
Abstract. A new species of trapdoor spider, Idiops rubrolimbatus sp. nov., is described from the northern part of the
Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Idiops bombayensis Siliwal et al. 2005 was originally described based on only a female
specimen. Here, a description of the male is provided for the first time, along with a female description based on fresh
collections from Mumbai and Matheran, Maharashtra state, India. Natural history information is provided for both
species.
Keywords: Trapdoor spider, male, natural history, burrow
In India, trapdoor spiders are represented by four families,
and the most widespread and species-rich family is the
Idiopidae (Siliwal et al. 2005, Siliwal et al. 2009). Worldwide,
this family is represented by 22 genera and 303 species in three
subfamilies (Platnick 2011) and in India by three genera,
namely Heligmomerus Simon 1892, Idiops Perty 1833 and
Scalidognathus Karsch 1891, totaling 12 species (Siliwal et al.
2007; Sanap & Mirza 2011). The genus Idiops Perty 1833 is the
most widespread trapdoor genus, being represented by seven
species in India (Siliwal et al. 2005; Siliwal et al. 2010). This
genus was originally placed in the Ctenizidae; but Raven
(1985) transferred it to the Idiopidae, differentiating males of
the Idiopidae from those of the ctenizids in having a distal
haematodocha extending almost down to the embolus,
transforming the distal sclerite into an open scoop, and also
by the bilobed palpal tarsus with one blunt and one acutely
pointed lobe. Many species of Acanthodon Gue´rin 1838 were
transferred to Idiops (see Platnick 2011). Recently, Siliwal
et al. (2010) transferred two species, I. biharicus and I.
barkudensis, from Idiops to Heligmomerus.
Idiops bombayensis Siliwal et al. 2005 was described by
Pocock (1899) from the ‘Bombay region’ as Acanthodon opifex
and later was transferred to Idiops by Roewer (1942). This
transfer created a homonymy with Idiops opifex Simon 1899;
thus to stabilize the nomenclatural conflict, Siliwal et al.
(2005) provided a replacement name for I. bombayensis. This
species was known from the Bombay (5Mumbai) region
without any precise locality, and the original description was
based on few prominent morphological characters, lacking
information like leg morphometry, spermathecae and natural
history. While conducting surveys in and around Mumbai, we
collected specimens of two species of the genus Idiops.We
identified one of them as I. bombayensis, and the other one
represents a hitherto undescribed species. In the present paper,
we provide detailed taxonomic descriptions of both sexes of I.
bombayensis based on the fresh collection along with the
description of the new species.
METHODS
Spiders were collected during biodiversity surveys conduct-
ed in 2010 in Mumbai and Matheran, Maharashtra. The
specimens are deposited at the Wildlife Information Liaison
Development Society, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Measure-
ments of body parts except for the eyes were taken with a
Mitutoyo
TM
Dial Caliper. Eye measurements were done with
a calibrated ocular micrometer. All measurements are in mm.
Spermathecae were dissected and cleared in clove oil using
teasing needles. Specimens were examined using a Labo-
med
TM
CSM2 stereo-binocular microscope. Descriptive style
follows Siliwal et al. (2009). All illustrations were prepared
using a camera lucida attached to a CETII
TM
stereomicro-
scope by MS. The description was compared with available
literature by Pocock (1900) and Tikader (1977).
Abbreviations: ALE 5anterior lateral eye, AMC 5Aarey
Milk Colony, AME 5anterior median eye, MOQ 5median
ocular quadrate, PLE 5posterior lateral eye, PME 5
posterior median eye, PLS 5posterior later spinnerets, PMS
5posterior median spinnerets, WILD 5Wildlife Information
Liaison Development Society, RS 5Rajesh Sanap, ZM 5
Zeeshan Mirza. Abbreviations used for hair and spine counts
are d 5dorsal, fe 5femur, mt 5metatarsus, p 5prolateral,
pa 5patella, r 5retrolateral, ta 5tarsus, ti 5tibia and v 5
ventral.
TAXONOMY
Idiops Perty 1833
Idiops Perty 1833:197; Gravely 1915:261; Gravely 1935:69;
Raven 1985:138; Dippenaar-Schoeman 2002: 68.
Acanthodon Gue´rin 1838:10; Simon 1892:91; Pocock 1900:161;
Tikader 1977:306.
Type species.—Idiops fuscus Perty 1833.
Diagnosis.—ALE set far in advance of others, making eye
group much longer than wide; chelicerae medially normal;
dorsal abdomen soft, lacking chitinized shield; two rows of
cheliceral teeth and posterior sternal sigilla absent (Raven
1985).
Idiops bombayensis Siliwal, Molur & Biswas 2005
(Figs. 1–15)
Acanthodon opifex Pocock 1899:750, 1900:162.
Idiops bombayensis Siliwal, Molur & Biswas 2005:2004.
2012. The Journal of Arachnology 40:85–95
85

Type material.—Holotype, female, Bombay, coll. H.M.
Phipson, Museum of Natural History, London (not examined).
Material examined.—INDIA: Maharashtra: Raighad dis-
trict, Matheran, 19u009N, 73u179E, 19 February 2010, coll.
Rajesh Sanap, Ashish Jadhav & Zeeshan Mirza, 1 female,
WILD-10-ARA-401; Mumbai, Aarey Milk Colony,
19u079310N, 72u529760E, 26 February 2010, coll. Rajesh Sanap
& Zeeshan Mirza, 1 female, WILD-10-ARA-402; 1 male, 27
June 2010, coll. Rajesh Sanap & Zeeshan Mirza, WILD-10-
ARA-545.
Figures 1–8.—Idiops bombayensis male from Aarey Milk Colony. 1. Cephalothorax and abdomen, dorsal view; 2. Eyes; 3. Sternum, labium,
maxillae and chelicerae; 4. Chelicerae prolateral view; 5. Lateral view of carapace; 6. Palp tarsi and tibia, retrolateral view; 7. Palp bulb, ventral
view; 8. Metatarsi and tibia of leg I. Scale bar 1mm.
86 THE JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY

Figures 9–15.—Idiops bombayensis female from Aarey Milk Colony. 9. Cephalothorax and abdomen, dorsal view; 10. Eyes; 11. Sternum,
labium, maxillae and chelicerae; 12. Chelicerae prolateral view; 13. Carapace lateral view; 14. Spinnerets; 15. Spermathecae. Scale bar 1 mm.
MIRZA & SANAP—A NEW SPECIES OF IDIOPS FROM INDIA 87

Diagnosis.—Idiops bombayensis males differ from those of I.
fossor,I. designates,I. rubrolimbatus and I. garoensis in
possessing a prominent tubercle below the tibial apophysis.
Females differ from those of I. fortis and I. constructor in
lacking a band of spinules below coxa IV and in having the
tibia of leg III longer than wide, and from those of I.
madrasensis in spermathecae shape.
Description.—Male from Aarey Milk Colony (WILD-10-
ARA-545). Total length 8.06; carapace 3.54 long, 2.74 wide;
chelicerae 3.18 long. Abdomen 4.52 long, 3.12 wide. Spinner-
ets: PMS, 0.18 long, 0.10 wide, 0.30 apart; PLS, 0.76 total
length (0.38 basal, 0.24 middle, 0.14 distal; midwidths 0.38,
0.30, 0.18 respectively). Morphometry of legs and palp are
given in Table 1.
Color in life (Fig. 36):overall blackish; carapace deep glossy
black, abdomen reddish brown. Anterior legs blackish brown,
except for the tarsi and distal portion of the metatarsi;
posterior legs paler and more brownish.
Carapace (Figs. 1, 5):reddish-brown, granules/tubercles,
dense, throughout carapace; two long and several short
bristles on caput; few lines of depression along interstitial
ridges. Caput with distinct mound between fovea and eyes,
rough. Fovea deep, procurved, U-shaped.
Eyes (Fig. 2):eight, ALE situated far in advance of rest.
Posterior row slightly procurved, ocular group 1.60 long, 0.56
wide; diameter AME 0.14, PME 0.10, ALE 0.14, PLE 0.12;
distance between ALE–AME 0.22, AME–AME 0.08, PLE–
PME 0.06, PME–PME 0.20; MOQ not square, 0.38 long, 0.34
front width, 0.36 back width.
Maxillae (Fig. 3):0.98 long in front and 1.10 long in back,
0.68 wide; cuspules absent, anterior lobe distinct.
Labium (Fig. 3):0.42 long, 1.48 wide; labiosternal groove
shallow, cuspules absent.
Chelicerae (Fig. 4):5 promarginal teeth and 6 retromarginal
teeth; rastellum conspicuous on distinct process; 10 large and
small spines on dorso-prolateral; ventral face and up.
Sternum (Fig. 3):yellowish-green, with elevated anterior
and lateral sides, sloping posteriorly, 1.60 long, 1.54 wide,
covered with long black hair, row of these radiating out of
borders, posterior angle acute.
Sigilla (Fig. 3):anterior 0.8 in diameter and 0.84 apart,
situated 0.02 from margin; middle ca. 0.10 in diameter and
1.20 apart and 0.06 away from margin; posterior sigilla
absent.
Legs: leg I clearly thicker than rest, greenish-brown above
and light yellowish-green below. Metatarsi of all legs longer
than tarsi. Two conspicuous hairless bands running for length
of femora, patellae and tibiae. Tibia I, with apophysis with a
triangular stout spine below, with a tubercle with a pointed
spine; mt I deeply incrassate in basal 3/4, with indistinct
prolateral process (Fig. 8). Scopulae, tibia I–III present, full
length, ti IV absent; claw tufts absent. Leg formula 1423.
Spines: curved, thick thorn-like or stout spike-like spines. ti
I, p 52, r 52; mt I, r 58; ta I, r 55; ti II, p 52, r 53; mt II,
p52, r 55; ta II, p 51, r 51; pa III, r 52; ti III, r 52, v 5
2; mt III, r 55, v 52; fe III, r 52; pa IV, p 59; ti IV, v 54;
mt IV, p 52, v 54; ta IV, p 53, v 52; palp, ti, r 525; ta,
d56.
Coxae: yellowish-green; coxa IV wider than rest; coxa I
longer than rest.
Claws: all legs with three claws, paired claws I–III with 5
small teeth and IV with 3 teeth.
Abdomen (Fig. 1):glossy reddish-brown with silvery golden
spike-like hairs in life; in alcohol, grayish-brown with
yellowish dots dorsally; covered with short and long black
hairs; ventrally yellowish-green covered with black hairs.
Spinnerets: PMS digitiform; PLS, apical segment dome-
shape. Overall covered with brown hair and with numerous
spigots on all segments.
Palp (Fig. 6, 7):tibia inflated with ventral concavity,
crescent band of 26 spines on retrolateral side of concavity.
Tarsus bilobed, one lobe blunt and another digitiform, dorso-
distally four spines. Palp simple, embolus broad at base
tapering abruptly at distal end; distal end twisted and embolus
tip facing towards the retrolateral aspect and forward;
terminates in scoop-like structure.
Description.—Female from Aarey Milk Colony (WILD-10-
ARA-402). Total length 15.88; carapace 5.88 long, 7.02 wide;
chelicerae 3.68 long. Abdomen 10.0 long, 7.02 wide. Spinner-
ets: PMS, 0.72 long, 0.20 wide, 0.08 apart; PLS, 2.06 total
length (0.68 basal, 0.92 middle, 0.46 distal; midwidths 0.94,
0.80, 0.68 respectively). Morphometry of legs and palp are
given in Table 1.
Color in life (Fig. 37):glossy blackish brown all over.
Chelicerae and dorsal aspect of legs black. Abdomen dark
brown.
Carapace (Figs. 9, 13):yellowish-brown, glabrous except
for two long and short spine-like hairs on caput, few lines of
Table 1.—Morphometry of legs and palp of the female (WILD-07-ARA-401), (WILD-07-ARA- 402) and male (WILD-07-ARA- 545) of
Idiops bombayensis. All measurements in mm (60.02 mm).
Leg I Leg II Leg III Leg IV Palp
#401 #402 #545 #401 #402 #545 #401 #402 #545 #401 #402 #545 #401 #402 #545
Femur 4.42 3.26 2.94 3.68 2.74 2.58 3.56 2.68 1.96 5.22 3.86 2.86 3.98 2.60 1.72
Patella 2.42 1.68 1.12 2.36 1.90 0.98 2.56 1.56 0.84 3.30 2.02 1.28 2.18 1.48 0.68
Tibia 2.52 1.94 1.92 2.30 1.36 1.74 1.82 1.54 1.14 3.32 2.15 2.04 2.44 2.04 1.58
Metatarsus 2.18 1.28 1.94 2.18 1.52 1.50 2.18 1.20 1.28 2.94 1.48 1.92 – – –
Tarsus 1.08 0.94 0.98 1.42 1.28 0.76 1.52 0.84 0.76 1.68 1.15 1.06 2.70 1.66 0.50
Total 12.64 9.1 8.9 11.94 8.8 7.56 11.64 7.82 5.98 16.64 10.66 9.16 11.3 7.78 4.48
Midwidth
Femur 1.42 1.14 0.60 1.38 1.40 0.62 1.68 1.16 0.78 1.96 1.30 0.72 1.42 1.02 0.32
Tibia 1.06 0.84 0.84 1.04 0.82 0.44 1.30 0.88 0.44 1.40 0.78 0.44 1.04 0.82 0.76
88 THE JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY

depression along interstrial ridges. Caput with distinct mound
between fovea and eyes. Fovea deep, procurved, U-shaped.
Eyes (Fig. 10):eight, ALE situated far in advance of rest.
Posterior row slightly procurved, ocular group 0.88 long, 0.86
wide; diameter AME 0.20, PME 0.08, ALE 0.14, PLE 0.16;
distance between ALE–AME 0.30, AME–AME 0.12, PLE–
PME 0.08, PME–PME 0.22, ALE–ALE 0.08, ALE–PLE 0.58;
MOQ not square, 0.40 long, 0.46 front width, 0.58 back width.
Maxillae (Fig. 11):1.98 long in front and 1.23 long in back,
1.26 wide; ca. 75 cuspules on anterior edge larger than rest.
Anterior lobe distinct.
Labium (Fig. 11):0.96 long, 1.08 wide, labiosternal groove
shallow anteriorly, cuspules arranged in two, 5 large in first
row and 4 small in a row behind the large cuspules.
Chelicerae (Fig. 12):6 promarginal and 6 retromarginal
teeth, basomesal teeth absent; rastellum conspicuous on
distinct process, 20 spines dorso-prolateral, vertical face and
up.
Sternum (Fig. 11):yellowish-brown, with elevated anterior
and lateral sides, sloping posteriorly, 3.26 long, 2.62 wide,
covered with long black hair, row of these radiating out of
borders, posterior angle acute.
Sigilla (Fig. 11):anterior 0.18 in diameter and 2.10 apart,
situated on margin; middle about 0.22 in diameter and 2.40
apart; posterior sigilla absent.
Legs: leg III clearly thicker than rest, brownish-green above
and yellowish-green below, except tarsi of palp and metatarsi
and tarsi of all legs darker above. Metatarsi of all legs longer
than tarsi. Two conspicuous hairless bands running for length
of femora, patellae and tibiae. Scopulae and claw tufts absent
on tarsi of all legs and palp. Leg formula 4123.
Spines: curved, thick thorn-like and normal spines. ti I, p 5
14, r 514; mt I, p 518, r 520; ta I, p 510, r 59; ti II, p 58,
r54; mt II, p 519, r 57; ta II, p 57, r 54; pa III, p 51, r
52; ti III, p 59, r 53; mt III, p 57, r 55; ta III, p 56, v 5
6; pa IV, p 532; mt IV, p 58, v 51; ta IV, p 510, v 52;
palp, fe, p 51, pa, p 51; ti, p 518, r 515; ta, p 521, r 524.
Coxae: coxae of legs yellowish-brown; coxae IV wider than
rest; coxae I longer than rest.
Claws: all legs with three claws, paired claw I with single
tooth; II–IV with two teeth. Palp with single claw bearing
single unequal tooth. Claws of leg IV longer than rest, claws of
leg I & II equal, claw of leg III smallest. Claw tufts absent.
Abdomen (Fig. 9):glossy blackish-brown with silvery-
golden spike-like hairs in life, grayish-brown dorsally; covered
with short and long setae; ventrally yellowish-grey covered
with brown hairs.
Spinnerets (Fig. 14):PMS digitiform; PLS, covered with
brown hair, apical segment dome-shape. Covered with brown
hair and numerous spigots.
Spermathecae (Fig. 15):globular apical lobe on stalk,
resembling button mushroom.
Variation.—morphometry of specimen from Matheran
(WILD-10-ARA-401). Total length 16.84; carapace 6.74 long,
5.72 wide; chelicerae 4.02 long, 8 retromarginal and 9
promarginal teeth. Sternum 3.98 long, 3.44 wide. Labium
1.12 long, 1.68 wide, 4 large cuspules in 2 rows (2 +2).
Maxillae 1.12 long back, 1.98 long front, 1.26 wide, cuspules
60–80 of varying size, larger near the promarginal region.
Abdomen 10.10 long and 7.34 wide. Spinnerets: PMS, 0.60
long, 0.40 wide, 0.28 apart; PLS, 1.74 total length (0.66 basal,
0.96 middle, 0.12 distal; midwidths 0.88, 0.78, 0.68 respective-
ly). Morphometry of leg and palp given in Table 1.
Eyes: eight, ALE situated far in advance of rest. Posterior
row slightly procurved, ocular group 1.34 long, 1.28 wide;
diameter AME 0.22, PME 0.10, ALE 0.24, PLE 0.18;
distance between ALE–AME 0.74, AME–AME 0.18, PLE–
PME 0.12, PME–PME 0.50, ALE–ALE 0.16, ALE–PLE
0.86; MOQ not square, 0.54 long, 0.56 front width, 0.62 back
width.
Natural history and distribution.—Spiders were collected
from Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai and Matheran, Raighad
district in Maharashtra state (Fig. 35). Burrows of this species
have also been observed in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park
in Mumbai. Habitat in Mumbai is of typical mixed moist
deciduous forest and that in Matheran of semi-evergreen type.
The flora in Mumbai region is composed of Tectona grandis,
Butea monosperma,Cassia sp., Bombax sp., Acacia spp.,
Ziziphus spp. and several exotic species. Most of the burrows
(especially of juveniles) were found on roadside mud bunds
and a few under shrubs or at the base of trees (large
individuals). The density of these spiders was about 8–20 per
m
2
. The burrow structure was a simple trapdoor, a single or
sometimes double entrance leading to a tubular burrow, which
was wider at base than at its entrance. The burrow and the
inner side of the door were lined with a thick layer of white
silk. The ‘D’ shaped doors were made up of thick layer (5 mm)
of mud, moss or lichen, which were supported by a thick layer
of silk, making them well camouflaged with their surrounding.
The diameter of the burrow of the specimen from Matheran at
the door was about 13 mm and the chamber 15 mm inside. All
the burrows were observed to be perpendicular to the angle of
the slope of the roadside bunds. The burrows ranged from 60–
200 mm in total length. Several burrows were found empty
with an empty egg sac (probably juveniles had hatched out
and dispersed) in the first week of May, and two burrows had
females with intact egg sacs. The eggs sacs were dissected to
estimate brood size. The first egg sac contained 32 juveniles
collected from the burrow of a small female and the other with
155 juveniles excavated from the burrow of a large female.
This species is presently known with certainty from only three
localities: Matheran (Raighad district), Mumbai and Bhima-
shankar (Pune district). After heavy rains in June in Mumbai,
several female specimens were found in leaf litter. Soil erosion
and removal of soil for brick making is the major threat to this
species at the collection localities.
Idiops rubrolimbatus new species
(Figs. 16–34)
Type specimens.—INDIA: Maharashtra: holotype male,
Aarey Milk Colony near Royal Palms, Mumbai,
19u07931.940N, 72u52976.870E, 12 May 2010, Rajesh Sanap
and Zeeshan Mirza (WILD-10-ARA-1108); one female
paratype, same data as holotype (WILD-10-ARA-1109).
Diagnosis.—Idiops rubrolimbatus male differs from those of
I. constructor and I. bombayensis in lacking a large tubercle
below the tibial spur, differs from I. designatus in having a
slender and distinctly concave metatarsus of leg I, from I.
garoensis and I. bombayensis in possessing cuspules on the
maxillae and labium. Differs from I. fossor in having moderate
MIRZA & SANAP—A NEW SPECIES OF IDIOPS FROM INDIA 89

concavity on metatarsi that exceeds half the length of the
segment (strong concavity in basal half of metatarsi in I.
fossor), tip embolus faces outward and toward the retrolateral
face (tip of embolus faces forward and toward the retrolateral
face in I. fossor).
Females of I. rubrolimbatus differ from those of I.
constructor and I. fortis in lacking a band of spinules under
coxae IV. Spermathecae emerging from distal ends of each
leaf-like sclerotized structure fused at base supporting an
inverted bell on a stalk distinguishing it from I. bombayensis
and I. madarasensis.
Description.—Holotype male from Aarey Milk Colony
(WILD-10-ARA-1108). Total length 10.88; carapace 5.38
long, 4.84 wide; chelicerae 2.84 long. Abdomen 5.50 long,
Figures 16–27.—Idiops rubrolimbatus sp. nov. male from Aarey Milk Colony. 16. Cephalothorax and abdomen, dorsal view; 17. Eyes; 18.
Sternum, labium, maxillae and chelicerae; 19. Chelicerae prolateral view; 20. Carapace lateral view; 21. Tibial spur; 22. metatarsus and tibia of
leg I; 23. Metatarsus and tibia of leg I; 24. Palp bulb, prolateral view; 25. Palp bulb, frontal view; 26. Palp bulb, retrolateral view; 27. Palp tarsi
and tibia, retrolateral view. Scale bar 1 mm.
90 THE JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY

4.06 wide. Spinnerets: PMS, 0.38 long, 0.20 wide, 0.24 apart;
PLS, 0.79 total length (0.44 basal, 0.18 middle, 0.16 distal;
midwidths 0.58, 0.44, 0.30, respectively). Morphometry of legs
and palp given in Table 2.
Color in life (Fig. 38):carapace brownish with a red tinge
on the periphery, abdomen blackish. Legs reddish brown
overall.
Carapace (Figs. 16, 20):reddish-brown, warty along the
interstitial ridges; two long and several short spine-like hairs
on caput, few lines of depression along interstitial ridges.
Caput with distinct mound between fovea and eyes. Fovea
deep, procurved, U-shaped.
Eyes (Fig. 17):ALE situated far in advance of rest.
Posterior row slightly procurved, ocular group 1.18 long,
Figures 28–34.—Idiops rubrolimbatus sp. nov. female from Aarey Milk Colony. 28. Cephalothorax and abdomen, dorsal view; 29. Eyes; 30.
Sternum, labium, maxillae and chelicerae; 31. Chelicerae prolateral view; 32. Carapace lateral view; 33. Spinnerets; 34. Spermathecae. Scale bar
1 mm.
MIRZA & SANAP—A NEW SPECIES OF IDIOPS FROM INDIA 91

1.18 wide; diameter AME 0.20, PME 0.18, ALE 0.20, PLE
0.24; distance between ALE–AME 0.48, AME–AME 0.22,
PLE–PME 0.08, PME–PME 0.34, ALE–ALE 0.22; MOQ not
square, 0.46 long, 0.62 front width, 0.80 back width.
Maxillae (Fig. 18):1.18 long in front and 1.70 long in back,
0.96 wide; 11 cuspules toward anterior inner edge, anterior
lobe distinct.
Labium (Fig. 18):0.58 long, 0.86 wide, labiosternal groove
shallow, 3 large and 1 small cuspules on anterior edge.
Chelicerae (Fig. 19):7 promarginal teeth and 6 retro-
marginal teeth; rastellum conspicuous on a distinct process,
15 spines on dorso-prolateral and vertical face and up.
Sternum (Fig. 18):yellowish brown, with elevated anterior
and lateral sides, sloping posteriorly, 3.32 long, 2.62 wide,
covered with long black hair, a row of these radiating out of
the borders, posterior angle acute and not separating coxae
IV.
Sigilla (Fig. 18):anterior 0.14 in diameter and 1.32 apart,
situated 0.06 from margin; middle ca. 0.16 in diameter, 1.66
apart and 0.12 away from margin; posterior sigilla absent.
Legs: all legs reddish brown in life and orange in alcohol.
Tibiae and femorae IV wider than rest. Metatarsi of all legs
longer than tarsi. Coxae yellowish-brown. Two conspicuous
hairless bands running for length of femora, patellae and
tibiae. Leg formula 4123. Ti I, prolateral apophysis consists of
a long spine with a small spine below it; mt I 3/4
th
incrassate,
with a distinct short prolateral process (Figure 21–23).
Scopulae present on ta I–III, absent on ta IV; claw tufts
absent.
Spines: curved thick thorn-like or stout spike-like spines.
pa I, v 54; ti I, p 55, r 53, v 510; mt I, p 51, r 56, v 51;
ta I, p 55, r 55; pa II, p 51, d 51; ti II, p 54, r 54, v 57;
mt II, p 54, r 58, v 52; ta II, p 51, r 57; pa III, p 58, r 5
3; ti III, p 58, r 511, v 55; mt III, p 57, r 510, v 53;
Table 2.—Morphometry of legs and palp of holotype male (WILD–07–ARA–1108) and female paratype (WILD–07–ARA–1109) of I.
rubrolimbatus sp. nov. All measurements in mm. (60.02 mm).
Leg I Leg II Leg III Leg IV Palp
#1108 #1109 #1108 #1109 #1108 #1109 #1108 #1109 #1108 #1109
Femur 5.99 3.66 5.04 3.5 3.57 3.42 5.2 4.55 3.78 3.58
Patella 2.91 2.46 2.37 2.33 2.33 2.53 2.93 3.2 2.11 2.49
Tibia 3.99 2.28 3.38 1.99 2.13 1.84 4.15 3.08 3.13 2.57
Metatarsus 4.56 1.99 3.99 1.64 3.5 2.08 4.71 3.14 0 0
Tarsus 1.65 1.01 2.15 1.06 2.08 1.41 2.22 1.67 3.01 2.73
Total 19.09 11.4 16.93 10.52 13.61 11.28 19.19 15.64 12.03 11.36
Midwidth
Femur 1.5 0.98 1.36 1.1 1.42 1.62 1.46 1.3 0.8 0.76
Tibia 1.36 1.18 1.04 0.96 1.14 1.19 1.06 1.2 1.18 0.98
Figure 35.—Map showing relative position of Aarey Milk Colony (square) and Matheran (circle) in the Western Ghats of India.
92 THE JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY

fe III, d 51; ta III, p 51; fe IV, d 54; pa IV, p 515, d 53;
ti IV, p 51, v 55; mt IV, p 55, v52, v 57; ta IV, p 54,
v54, v 56; palp, fe, d 55; ti, r 517; ta, d 54.
Coxae (Fig. 18):IV wider than rest; I longer than rest.
Claws: all legs with three claws, paired claws of leg I & II
with five teeth; claw of leg III with 2 and of leg IV with 4 teeth.
Claw of leg IV longer than rest, claw of leg I & II equal, claw
of leg III smallest. Claw tufts absent.
Abdomen (Fig. 16):reddish brown above; covered with
short and long black hairs. Ventrally yellowish covered with
black hairs. The preserved specimen wrinkled. Glossy reddish
brown, with silvery golden spike-like setae in life.
Spinnerets: PMS digitiform; PLS, apical segment dome-
shape (Fig. 5). Covered with brown hair and numerous
spigots.
Palp (Figs. 24–27):tibia cylindrical (not inflated as seen in I.
bombayensis and I. constructor) and lacks anterio-ventral
concavity; retolaterally a small band of 16 spines on slightly
elevated area, and one spine slightly away from the band.
Tarsus, dorsally with three spines. Palp simple, embolus broad
at base, gradually tapering and terminating in pointed scoop
with slight twist; tip of embolus directed toward retrolateral
face and projecting downwards.
Description.—Female paratype from Aarey Milk Colony
(WILD-10-ARA-1109). Total length 14.16; carapace 6.10
long, 5.10 wide; chelicerae 3.12 long. Abdomen 8.06 long,
6.40 wide. Spinnerets: PMS, 0.48 long, 0.32 wide, 0.16 apart;
PLS, 1.48 total length (0.24 basal, 0.74 middle, 0.50 distal;
midwidths 0.80, 0.70, 0.54, respectively). Morphometry of legs
and palp are given in Table 2.
Color in life (Fig. 39):Shade of brown overall, chelicerae
deep black. Legs with reddish tinge.
Figure 36.—Idiops bombayensis male from Aarey Milk Colony.
Figure 37.—Idiops bombayensis female from Matheran.
Figure 38.—Idiops rubrolimbatus male holotype.
Figure 39.—Idiops rubrolimbatus female from Sanjay Gandhi
National Park (not collected).
MIRZA & SANAP—A NEW SPECIES OF IDIOPS FROM INDIA 93

Carapace (Figs. 28, 32):yellowish-brown, glabrous except
for two long and short spine-like hairs on caput, few lines of
depression along interstrial ridges. Caput with distinct mound
between fovea and eyes. Fovea deep, procurved, U-shaped.
Eyes (Fig. 29):eight, ALE situated far in advance of rest.
Posterior row slightly procurved, ocular group 1.30 long, 1.04
wide; diameter AME 0.18, PME 0.14, ALE 0.22, PLE 0.22;
distance between ALE–AME 0.48, AME–AME 0.20, PLE–
PME 0.10, PME–PME 0.38; MOQ not square, 0.38 long, 0.44
front width, 0.48 back width.
Maxillae (Fig. 30):1.58 long in front and 2.30 long in back,
1.06 wide; with from ca. 50 cuspules. Cuspules towards
anterior edge larger. Anterior lobe distinct.
Labium (Fig. 30):0.98 long, 1.06 wide, labiosternal groove
shallow; 4 cuspules anteriorly in single row.
Chelicerae (Fig. 31):8 promarginal teeth and 7 retro-
marginal teeth, basomesal teeth absent; rastellum conspicuous
on distinct process, 17 spines on dorso-porlateral, vertical face
and up.
Sternum (Fig. 30):yellowish-brown, with elevated anterior
and lateral sides, sloping posteriorly, 3.74 long, 2.88 wide,
covered with long black hair, row of these radiating out of
borders, posterior angle acute.
Sigilla (Fig. 30):anterior, diameter 0.14 and 1.32 apart,
marginal; middle, diameter ca. 0.22 and 1.86 apart, distance
from margin 0.12; posterior sigilla absent.
Legs: Leg IV clearly thicker than rest, yellowish-brown
above and light yellowish below, except tarsi of palp and
metatarsi and tarsi of all legs darker above. Femora III clearly
wider than rest. Metatarsi of all legs longer than tarsi. Two
conspicuous hairless bands running for length of femora,
patellae and tibiae. Scopulae and claw tufts absent on tarsi of
all legs and palp. Leg formula 4132.
Spines: curved thick thorn-like or stout spike-like spines. ti
I, p 511, r 511; mt I, p 515, r 519; pa 54, ta I, p 55, r 5
6, v 56; ti II, p 56, r 54; mt II, p 514, r 56, v 51; ta II,
p55, r 53, v 52; pa III, p 58, r 53; ti III, p 56, r 57;
mt III, p 510, r 510; ta III, v 510; pa IV, p 514; fe IV, p 5
2; mt IV, p 54, v 53; ta IV, p 55, v 57; palp, fe, p 52, pa,
p51; ti, p 515, r 510; ta, p 518, r 520, v 56.
Coxae: yellowish-brown ventrally, IV wider than rest, I
longer than rest.
Claws: all legs with three claws, paired claw with single
tooth. Palp with single claw bearing single unequal tooth.
Claws of leg IV longer than rest, and of leg I & II equal, claw
of leg III smallest. Claw tufts absent.
Abdomen (Fig. 28):glossy blackish brown with silvery
golden spike-like hairs in life; in alcohol, greyish-brown
dorsally; covered with short and long hairs; ventrally yellowish
covered with black hairs.
Spinnerets (Fig. 33):PMS digitiform; PLS, apical segment
dome-shape. Covered with brown hair and spigots.
Spermathecae (Fig. 34):a pair of spermathecae, emerging
from distal ends of each leaf-like sclerotized structure fused at
base. Stalk on leaf-like structure supports stalk resembling an
inverted bell.
Natural history.—The type specimens were collected near a
small hamlet on the periphery of Aarey Milk Colony from
degraded and barren flat land (Fig. 35). The surrounding area
is dominated by Butea monosperma, which has been cleared at
the collection site for agricultural purposes. All three
specimens were collected within an area of less than 10 m
2
.
The burrows were mostly found near the base of dead B.
monosperma or near large boulders. They were vertical, with a
slant of 20–30uto the surface. The burrows were lined with a
thick layer of silk, as seen in other species of the family
Idiopidae and Ctenizidae (Z.A. Mirza & R.V. Sanap personal
observation). The burrows in this particular area were
constructed in a patch where the soil was dry and very
difficult to dig, as compared to the loose and clay-rich soil
preferred by I. bombayensis. All the burrows of the new species
were vertical in orientation, but otherwise were constructed
similarly to those of I. bombayensis. In less than 1 m
2
, a total
of six to eight large burrows were found, indicating high
density. The collection site receives direct sunlight throughout
the day during summer, but is covered with dense under-
growth throughout the monsoons up to late winter. The
diameter of the entrance of the burrow of the male holotype
was 12.5 mm and that of the female paratype was 14 mm; door
thickness in the center of the male’s burrow was 3.2 mm and
that of the female was 2.7 mm; the door diameters of the male
Figure 40.—Trapdoor burrows of Idiops rubrolimbatus from
Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
94 THE JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY

and female burrows were 16.8 mm and 19.9 mm, respectively.
An unhatched egg sac of this species was found at the base of
the burrow where the types were collected on 4 July 2010, but
a female was not present in the burrow. Careful searching
revealed another burrow in the vicinity (ca. 100 mm away),
which was occupied by a large female. This species is under
threat, at least at the type locality, as it is only known from a
small patch at the locality. The area in this region is degraded
and used by locals for agricultural purpose and bootlegging,
for which the forest is cleared, which adversely loosens the
soil. The loose soil is washed away by the overflowing Vihar
Lake and the seasonal forest streams, which leads to heavy
destruction of the habitat of this and several other species.
This species has also been seen in Sanjay Gandhi National
Park (Fig. 40).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to Manju Siliwal for all her help, which made
this paper possible. ZM wishes to thank the American
Arachnological Society for a Vincent Roth Fund for System-
atics Research grant to carry out surveys in the northern
Western Ghats. ZM and RS would like to thank Ashaih
Jadhav, Vishal Shah, Shardul Bajikar, Amit Panariya and
Simit Bhagat for their help. Agarwal Jan Seva Charitable Trust
is thanked for logistic support. Bhavan’s College and Patkar
College are thanked for constant support and encouragement.
The manuscript greatly benefited from the comments of Dr.
Robert Raven and Manju Siliwal, whom we thank.
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Manuscript received 29 April 2011, revised 20 December 2011.
MIRZA & SANAP—A NEW SPECIES OF IDIOPS FROM INDIA 95