Rhene lingularis explained

Rhene lingularis is a species of jumping spider in the genus Rhene that can be found in South Africa. The male was first identified in 2011. It is typical of the genus, and is small, dark brown and hairy. The spider is distinguished by its tongue-shaped embolus, from which its species name derives.

Taxonomy

Rhene lingularis was first identified by Charles Haddad and Wanda Wesołowska in 2011.[1] It was allocated to the genus Rhene, which is named after the Greek female name, shared by mythological figures.[2] The species name derives from the Latin lingula, meaning tongue, and refers to the distinctive shape of the embolus.[3]

Description

Rhene lingularis is typical for the genus. It small and dark brown with numerous white hairs over its body. It has an abdomen that is 2.6mm long and a carapace that is 1.9mm long. The distinctive embolus is longer than other members of the genus and extends from an oval palpal bulb.[3]

Distribution

The species has been found in South Africa, in both Free State and Western Cape.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: World Spider Catalog. 2017. Rhene lingularis (Haddad & Wesolowska, 2011). World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum. Bern. 18.0. 20 August 2017.
  2. Book: Thorell, Tamerlan. On European Spiders, Part 1: Review of the European Genera of Spiders, Preceded by Some Observations on Zoological Nomenclature. 1869. 37.
  3. Haddad. C. R.. Wesołowska. W.. 2011. New Species and New Records of Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from Central South Africa. African Invertebrates. 52. 1. 51–134. 10.5733/afin.052.0105. 20 August 2017. free.
  4. Wesołowska. W.. Haddad. 2013. C. R.. New data on the jumping spiders of South Africa (Araneae: Salticidae). African Invertebrates. 54. 1. 224–225. 10.5733/afin.054.0111. 59450669. 22 August 2017. free.