First record of the genus Vailimia Kammerer, 2006 from India, with the description of two new species (Araneae: Salticidae: Plexippina)

Abstract

The genus Vailimia Kammerer, 2006 is recorded for the first time from India. Two new species, Vailimia ajmerensis Caleb & Jangid sp. nov. (♂), and V. jharbari Basumatary, Caleb & Das sp. nov. (♂♀), are described and illustrated in detail. Presently, the genus is known only by the males, which means that the female of V. jharbari described herein is the first female known in the genus.

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https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4790.1.11
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B56FEEEF-BB82-4FE4-AA84-1A0F2EA1F869
178 Accepted by G. Ruiz: 5 May 2020; published: 10 Jun. 2020
Article ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
Zootaxa 4790 (1): 178–186
https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/
Copyright © 2020 Magnolia Press
First record of the genus Vailimia Kammerer, 2006 from India, with the description
of two new species (Araneae: Salticidae: Plexippina)
PARIS BASUMATARY 1, JOHN T.D. CALEB 2,6, SANGEETA DAS 3, ASHISH KUMAR JANGID 4, JATIN KA-
LITA 5 & DULUR BRAHMA 1
1 Department of Zoology, Bodoland University, Assam, 783370, India
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parishbasumatary@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0636-162X
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brahmadulur@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2620-8665
2 Zoological Survey of India, Prani Vigyan Bhavan, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata, 700053, West Bengal, India
�
caleb87woodgate@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9471-9467
3 Department of Zoology, Assam Don Bosco University, Assam, 782402, India
�
sangeetadasccss@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0585-4609
4 Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, Uttarakhand, India
�
ashishjangid22@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6225-1900
5 Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Assam, 781014, India
�
kalitaj@live.com; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5927-8934
6 Corresponding author
Abstract
The genus Vailimia Kammerer, 2006 is recorded for the first time from India. Two new species, Vailimia ajmerensis Caleb
& Jangid sp. nov. (♂), and V. jharbari Basumatary, Caleb & Das sp. nov. (♂♀), are described and illustrated in detail.
Presently, the genus is known only by the males, which means that the female of V. jharbari described herein is the first
female known in the genus.
Key words: taxonomy, jumping spider, Assam, Rajasthan
Introduction
The oriental jumping spider genus Vailimia was originally erected as Vailima by Peckham & Peckham (1907), with
Vailima masinei Peckham & Peckham, 1907 as its type. Since the generic name was preoccupied, a replacement
name was proposed (Kammerer 2006). Vailimia was placed within subtribe Plexippina (tribe Plexippini of the
Salticinae) by Maddison (2015). It presently comprises four described species, of which three, namely V. masinei
(Peckham & Peckham, 1907), V. bakoensis Prószyński & Deeleman-Reinhold, 2013 and V. jianyuae Prószyński
& Deeleman-Reinhold, 2013, are known from Borneo, and one species (V. longitibia Guo, Zhang & Zhu, 2011) is
known from China (World Spider Catalog 2020). In the present paper we record the genus for the first time in India
with the description of two new species, Vailimia ajmerensis sp. nov., and V. jharbari sp. nov., from Rajasthan and
Assam states, respectively.
Materials and methods
Specimens were hand collected and live specimens were photographed in the field with a Nikon COOLPIX L310.
Specimens were preserved in 80% ethanol and were later examined under a Leica EZ4 HD stereomicroscope. De-
tailed microphotographs were obtained using a Leica M205A stereomicroscope attached with Leica DFC500 HD
camera enabled with a Leica Application Suite (LAS) version 3.8. Epigyne was dissected and macerated in 10%
KOH to clear soft tissue. All measurements are in millimeters. Leg measurements are given as total length (femur,

FIRST RECORD OF THE GENUS VAILIMIA FROM INDIA Zootaxa 4790 (1) © 2020 Magnolia Press · 179
patella, tibia, metatarsus and tarsus). Type specimens are deposited in National Zoological Collections, Zoological
Survey of India (NZC-ZSI), Kolkata.
Abbreviations used are as follows: AER = anterior eye row, ALE = anterior lateral eye, AME = anterior median
eye, EFL = eye field length, PER = posterior eye row, PLE = posterior lateral eye, PME = posterior median eye, RTA
= retrolateral tibial apophysis.
Taxonomy
Vailimia Kammerer, 2006
Type species: Vailimia masinei (Peckham & Peckham, 1907).
Diagnosis. For detailed diagnosis of males, see Prószyński & Deeleman-Reinhold (2013). Epigyne with a pair
of oval translucent windows, separated by a narrow septum; anteriorly placed copulatory openings; copulatory ducts
less sclerotized, broad, sinuous; spermathecae globular (Figs 24–27).
FIGURES 1–4. Vailimia ajmerensis sp. nov., male. 1 dorsal view; 2 ventral view; 3 frontal view; 4 lateral view. Scale bars: 2
mm (1–2, 4); 1 mm (3).

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180 · Zootaxa 4790 (1) © 2020 Magnolia Press
Vailimia ajmerensis Caleb & Jangid sp. nov.
Figs 1–11
Note: This species was misidentified as Ptocasius strupifer Simon, 1901 in Kaur et al. (2014: 503, figs 2A–G): ♂
from India, Rajasthan, Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Indraprastha University collection, not examined.
Type material. Holotype: ♂ (NZC-ZSI 6590/18): Ajmer (26.50747°N, 74.68112°E), 490 m a.s.l., Rajasthan,
India, 06 June 2017, leg. Ashish K. Jangid.
Etymology. The specific name is derived from the type locality (Ajmer, Rajasthan) from where the holotype
was collected.
Diagnosis. The species is similar to Vailimia jianyuae Prószyński & Deeleman-Reinhold, 2013 in having a
long palpal tibia, but can be distinguished by the thicker distal embolic region pointing retrolaterally (tapering uni-
formly and directed apically in V. jianyuae); shorter and wider apical portion of cymbium and the proportionately
larger bulb, occupying 3/4 of the cymbium (narrower and longer cymbium; bulb occupying 1/2 the cymbium in V.
jianyuae) (cf. Fig. 8 herein with Prószyński & Deeleman-Reinhold 2013: fig. 139); RTA with a ridge at the base and
gently curving distally (RTA with a small notch at the base, sharply bending and slightly curved at the apex in V.
jianyuae) (cf. Figs 9–10 herein with Prószyński & Deeleman-Reinhold 2013: fig. 141).
FIGURES 5–7. Vailimia ajmerensis sp. nov. 5–6 male chelicerae, retrolateral view; 7 chelicerae and fangs, apical view. Scale
bars: 0.5 mm (5); 1 mm (7).
Description. Male (holotype). Total length: 7.06; carapace: 3.56 long, 2.99 wide; abdomen: 3.50 long, 2.18
wide. Carapace dark brown, covered with pale greyish hairs (Fig. 1); two pairs of tubercles present along the margin
of the ocular area, a smaller one between the ALEs and PMEs and a larger one near the PLEs (Fig. 4). Anterior eyes
surrounded by white setae. Clypeal region brown, covered with long dark brownish setae (Fig. 3). Eye measure-
ments: AME 0.69, ALE 0.37, PME 0.11, PLE 0.36, AER 2.42, PER 3.04, EFL 1.36. Clypeus height 0.16. Sternum
oval, brownish. Chelicerae reddish-brown, two teeth (one small and one big) on the promargin and one uneven bifid
tooth on the retromargin, with a small ridge at the base (Figs 5–6); labium and maxillae brown with pale margins.

FIRST RECORD OF THE GENUS VAILIMIA FROM INDIA Zootaxa 4790 (1) © 2020 Magnolia Press · 181
FIGURES 8–11. Vailimia ajmerensis sp. nov., right male palp. 8 ventral view; 9 retrolateral view; 10 dorsal view; 11 retrolateral
view, with tibia and patella. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

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182 · Zootaxa 4790 (1) © 2020 Magnolia Press
Legs reddish-brown; leg I & II with fringe of hairs ventrally on patella, tibia and metatarsus. Leg measurements: I
9.61 (2.71, 2.14, 2.31, 1.59, 0.86); II 6.78 (2.07, 1.57, 1.37, 1.10, 0.67); III 7.48 (2.64, 1.45, 1.39, 1.27, 0.73); IV
6.53 (2.10, 1.22, 1.23, 1.39, 0.59). Leg formula: 1324. Abdomen reddish-brown; covered with pale hairs; mid dorsal
region lighter with chevron-shaped markings; venter dark brown with lateral yellow-brown longitudinal stripes;
spinnerets brown (Figs 1–2). Palps yellow-brown; palpal tibia and patella covered with long white hairs laterally;
cymbium with a dorsal scopula and white hairs present at the base; embolus long arising from the retrolateral margin
encircling the bulb; RTA strong and long, tapering toward the tip, directed anteriorly (Figs 8–11).
Female. Unknown.
Distribution. Known only from Rajasthan (India).
Vailimia jharbari Basumatary, Caleb & Das sp. nov.
Figs 12–27
Type material. Holotype: ♂ (NZC-ZSI 6591/18) from India, Assam, Kokrajhar, Jharbari Forest Range (26.6052°N,
90.2419°E), 74 m a.s.l., 1 February 2017, leg. P. Basumatary. Paratypes: 1 ♂ (NZC-ZSI 6592/18) from Jharbari
Forest Range under Chirang Reserve Forest (26.5970°N, 90.2376°E), 72 m a.s.l., 21 December 2017; 2 ♀ (NZC-
ZSI 6593/18) and (NZC-ZSI 6594/18) from Jharbari Forest Range under Chirang Reserve Forest (26.6045°N,
90.2378°E), 81 m a.s.l., 11 March 2018, all leg. P. Basumatary.
Etymology. The specific name is derived from Jharbari Forest range, from where the species was collected. The
name is used as a noun in apposition.
FIGURES 12–13. Vailimia jharbari sp. nov. 12 female on web; 13 resting position on web.
Diagnosis. The species closely resembles Vailimia longitibia Guo, Zhang & Zhu, 2011 in the habitus and palp
(Figs 14–16, 20–22), but differs in having a relatively shorter palpal tibia and broader apical cymbial region; RTA
with a broad base without a ridge, narrow, directed distally (with a ridge at the base; curved and directed dorsally in
V. longitibia) (cf. Figs 20–22 herein with Guo, Zhang & Zhu 2011: figs 4–5).
Description. Male (holotype). Total length: 6.63; carapace: 3.12 long, 2.77 wide; abdomen: 3.51 long, 2.23
wide. Carapace brown, covered with greyish and whitish hairs; eyes surrounded by blackish region; broad white
band present on lateral margin; two pairs of tubercles present along the margin of the ocular area, one between
the ALEs and PMEs another near the PLEs (Fig. 14). Anterior eyes surrounded by white setae, clypeal region
light brown covered with long hairs; ‘cheek region’ covered with four thin transverse white stripes (Fig. 16). Eye
measurements: AME 0.73, ALE 0.37, PME 0.14, PLE 0.34, AER 2.28, PER 2.54, EFL 1.42. Clypeus height 0.10.
Chelicerae light brown with two promarginal teeth and a bifid retromarginal tooth (Fig. 23). Sternum pale brown
and oval; labium and maxillae pale brown. Legs yellowish brown; leg I & II covered with dense black hairs on ven-
tral region of patellae, tibiae and metatarsi. Leg measurements: I 7.18 (2.11, 1.51, 1.81, 1.03, 0.72); II 5.04 (1.84,

FIRST RECORD OF THE GENUS VAILIMIA FROM INDIA Zootaxa 4790 (1) © 2020 Magnolia Press · 183
0.76, 1.22, 0.83, 0.39); III 5.97 (2.58, 0.82, 0.80, 1.29, 0.48); IV 5.99 (2.11, 0.93, 1.21, 1.34, 0.40). Abdomen oval,
brownish, covered sparsely with blackish setae, having chevron markings mid-dorsally (Fig. 14); venter brown with
yellow longitudinal lateral margins. Spinnerets brownish. Palps light yellow; palpal tibia with blackish long hairs;
cymbium with a patch of dorsal scopulae and white hairs present at the base; RTA long and narrow, with a broad
base; embolus long and slender (Figs 20–23).
Female (NZC-ZSI 6593/18). Total length: 9.12; carapace: 4.02 long, 3.16 wide; abdomen: 5.10 long, 3.40 wide.
Eye measurements: AME 0.71, ALE, 0.38, PME 0.13, PLE 0.36, AER 2.48, PER 2.93, EFL 1.50. Clypeus height
0.21. Leg measurements: I 6.85 (1.98, 1.47, 1.71, 0.86, 0.83); II 6.19 (2.18, 1.17, 1.18, 0.93, 0.73); III 7.71 (2.99,
1.53, 1.41, 1.12, 0.66), IV 6.82 (2.30, 1.16, 1.46, 1.23, 0.67). Coloration pattern as in male, but differs by following:
abdomen with black patches on lateral sides and a short dark brown mid-dorsal stripe above the chevron pattern
(Fig. 17). Epigyne with a pair of oval translucent windows, separated by a narrow septum; copulatory openings
present at the anterior region; copulatory ducts broad, arching anteriorly (Figs 24, 26); spermathecae globular (Figs
25, 27).
FIGURES 14–19. Vailimia jharbari sp. nov. 14–16 male (14 dorsal view; 15 lateral view; 16 frontal view). 17–19 female (17
dorsal view; 18 lateral view; 19 frontal view). Scale bars: 2 mm (14–15, 17–18); 1 mm (16, 19).

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FIGURES 20–23. Vailimia jharbari sp. nov. 20–22 right male palp (20 ventral view; 21 retrolateral view; 22 dorsal view); 23
chelicerae, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (20–22); 0.5 mm (23).

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FIGURES 24–27. Vailimia jharbari sp. nov. epigyne. 24 cleared, ventral view; 25 vulva, dorsal view; 26 ventral view; 27
vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.
Natural history. The species was found to be active at night, constructing silken retreats between the twigs
found in mixed shrubs (Figs 12–13). Whether the silken construction is used for trapping prey or just for resting is
yet unclear. However, recent observations of a jumping spider tentatively identified as Anarrhotus sp. from south-
western India by Hill et al. (2019) indicate that the orb webs are rather used as nocturnal retreats than for prey
capture.
Distribution. Known only from Assam (India).
Acknowledgements
Our sincere thanks go to the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & Central Head of Department,
Bodoland Territorial Council, Kokrajhar, for granting permission to conduct the study at Ripu-Chirang Reserve
Forest and Department of Zoology, Gauhati University for aiding us with laboratory and equipments. We greatly ac-
knowledge Assam State Biodiversity Board for granting collection permit of spider specimens. We owe our sincere
thanks to Dr Kailash Chandra, the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, for giving access to the facilities
and for his support. We would like to thank the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Kokrajhar, for
granting security permit to conduct study at Ripu-Chirang Reserve Forest. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Niren
Borgoyary, Pabidash Narzary, Bhuban Mushahary, Nirma Basumatary, Jarang Basumatary, Miniswrang Borgoyary,

BASUMATARY ET AL.
186 · Zootaxa 4790 (1) © 2020 Magnolia Press
Chandan Brahma and the forest officials of Jharbari Forest Range office. John Caleb gratefully acknowledges the
American Arachnological Society for the Herb Levi Memorial Fund for Arachnological Research (HLMFAR). We
are grateful to the reviewers for their constructive comments and Dr Gustavo Ruiz for his editorial efforts which
greatly improved the manuscript.
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