from Some Pacific Islands, III The Kingdom of Tonga

B. J. MARPLES!

THE KINGDOM OF TONGA consists of some parisons can be made. 200 islands occupying an area in the south­ No Uloboridae are known (not even U. west Pacific bounded by latitudes 15°S. and geniculatus, which is commonly found in 23°31'S., and by longitudes 173°W. and houses), as compared with three in Fiji and 177°W. The islands fall into three groups, six in Samoa. There are five species of Vava'u in the north, Ha'apai in the centre, Thomisids, against one in Samoa and one in and Tongatabu in the south, the overall Fiji, D . praetexta occurring in all three. The length being about 175 miles. All the islands three Epeirid genera Gasteracantha, Argiope, are small ; Tongatabu Island , 25 by 10 miles, and Nephila occur in Fiji and the islands to is much the largest, and the total area is about the west. Gasteracantha is not known in 385 square miles. Most of them are elevated Tonga, but one species of Argiope is recorded coral reefs and so are very low and flat. The from Tongatabu; this is the most eastern highest point of Tongatabu Island is only 60 record for the in the southwest Pacific. feet above the sea. A few are volcanic islands, Five species of Nephila are present, and the and one of these reaches a height of 3,380 genus occurs also in Niue, some 200 miles to feet. During the year the maximum tempera­ the east of Tonga, and doubtfully in Samoa. ture varies between about 75°F. and 85°F., Of the 49 species recorded from Tonga 32 and there is a rainfall of about 80 inches . occur also in Fiji, and 32, not all the same Hurricanes occasionally occur. The principal species, occur also in Samoa. adjacent island groups are Fiji to the west and I am indebted to my wife and son for col­ Samoa to the north, each 200 or 300 miles lections of 14 species from each ofthe islands, from Tonga. Tongatabu and Vava'u, The greater part of Spiders have been described previously the collection was made on various islands by from Tonga by Koch (1872), Berland (1934), Dr. N. 1. H . Krauss, and I am grateful to him and Marples (1955). Apparently, no spiders for the opportunity of examining it. The have been collected on the high islands . The specimens will be deposited in the Bernice present collection consists of 34 species, and P. Bishop Museum in Honolulu. brings the total now recorded from 31 to 49 In the descriptions the measurements were species. Ofthe fauna ofadjacent island made with an eyepiece micrometer and are groups that of Samoa with 128 species is the given in millimetres . The leg indices are de­ best known. Sixty-six are recorded from Fiji, rived by dividing the length of each leg by and, though unpublished records bring the the length of the carapace, and the tibial total to 92, there are very many more to be indices, which give a measu re ofthe stoutness found. The present list for Tonga is also of the legs, by dividing the combined lengths doubtless far from complete, but a few com- of the patella and tibia by the proximal breadth of the patella . The eye measurements 1 Department of Zoology, Uni versity of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. M anu script received July are given in direct scale readings, so they 14, 1958. indicate proportions only .

362 Tongan Spiders- M ARPLES 363

LIST OF THE SPECIES RECORDED LYCOSIDAE FROM TONGA Lycosa tongatabuensis. T. (T = Toogatabu, H =Ha'apai, V = Vava' u) THERIDIIDAE DICTYNIDAE Conopistha samoensis. T. Dictyna bifasciata. V. C. unimaculata. T. Rhomphaea cometes. T,V. OONOPIDAE Tberidion adamsoni. T. Gamasomorpha loricata ? V. T. albostriatum. T,V. T. aleipata. T,V. SCYTODIDAE TETRAGNATHIDAE Scytodes marmorata. T,V. S. striatipes. T,H,V. Leucauge tuberculata. T,H,V. Tetragnatha macilenta. T,H,V. PHOLCIDAE T. panopea. T. Pholcus ancoralis. T,V. T. keyserlingi. T. Physocyclus globosus. T. EPEIRIDAE Smeringopus elongatus. T. Cyclosa litoralis. V. CLUBIONIDAE Cyrtophora moluccensis. T,V. Chiracanthium diversum. T,V. Argiopeplana. T. C. furax. T,H,V. Epeiraplebeja. T,H. C. longimanum. T. E. tbeisi. T,V. Clubiona aloeolata, T,V. Nephila flagellans. T. N. durvilla. T. SPARASSIDAE N. prolixa. T. Heteropoda venatoria. T,V. N . vitiana. T.

THOMISIDAE N. tetragnathoides. T. Diaeapraetexta. T,H,V . DICTYNIDAE D. septempunctata. T. Dictyna bifasciata 1. Koch D. tongatabuensis. T. Hedana subtilis. T. 4 Vava'u, New record, previously recorded H. pallida. T. from Samoa.

SALTICIDAE OONOPIDAE Ascyltuspterygodes. T,H,V. Gamasomorpha loricata 1. Koch Bavia aericeps. T,V. 1 Female. Neiafu, Vava' u, The female is not Erasmia nigrovittata. T,V. ' specifically identifiable but those found Hasarius insularis. T. throughout the Pacific are taken to be of H. albocircumdatus ? T. this species. It is recorded from widespread Menemerus bivittatus. T. localities, this being the first from Tonga. M ollicia micropbtbelma. T,H,V. Plexippus payculli. V. SCYTODI DAE Thorellia ensifera. T,V. Scytodes marrnorata 1. Koch Trite longipalpis. T. Vitia albipalpis. T. 3 Female, 1 male. Neiafu, Vava'u. This has 364 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XIII, October, 1959

been previously recorded from Tongatabu from Samoa and Fiji, C. longimanum from and is Widespread in the Pacific. these islands and also from Tonga, New Hebrides, and . Two males, one Scytodes striatip es 1. Koch from Tongatabu and one from Vava'u , re­ 1 Female and 1 imm. Neiafu, Vava'u , 1 Fe­ semble the others in palps and chelicerae but male, 1 male. Ohonua, Eua Island , Ha'apai, are considerably smaller, havin g a carapace Previously recorded from Tongatabu and length about 4.5 mm . instead of 7.5 mm . widespread in the Pacific. Chiracanthium diversum 1. Koch PHOLCIDA E 1 Female, 2 males. Nuku'alofa, Tongatabu. 1 Male. Neiafu, Vava'u . One male from PhoIcus ancoralis 1. Koch Tongatabu is somewhat larger and has three 1 Female and 3 imm ., 2 male and 1 imm . teeth on the promargin of the groove, as has Nuku'alofa, Tongatabu. 1 Male. Neiafu, the female. The female has not previou sly Vava'u, First records from Tonga, widespread been described. in the Pacific.

Physocyclus globosus Taczanowski

1 Male. Nuku'alofa, Tongatabu . 2 imm . pos­ sibly this species. Vava'u . First records from Tonga, widespread in the Pacific.

Smeringopus elongatus Vinson ----_----=:~~----- 2 Female. Nuku 'alofa, Ton gatabu , whence it has been recorded. With the exception of a FI G. 1. Chiracanthium diversum. Epig ynum. record from the Marquesas this species is known from the islands in the western and FEMALE. Length 7.36 mm. Pale yellowish central regio ns of the south Pacific. brown. Carapace: Length 3.60 mm ., breadth 2.40 CLUBIONIDAE mm . Low and smooth truncated in front . Eyes: Eight. From above both rows slightly Ch iracanthium furax 1. Koch recurved , the anterior eyes project anteriorly 5 Female, 2 male. Nuku 'alofa, Tongatabu . beyond the carapace . Clypeus very low, about 1 Female, 2 male. Neiafu, Vava'u. 1 Female, the diameter of AME . Breadth of eyegroup 2 male. Ohonua, Eua Island , Ha'apai. Ber­ 1.60 mm . Ratio of eyes and of their distances land (1929), who described the male of C. apart: AM , 80; AL, 85; PM , 77; PL, 80; furax , states that it differs from that of AM-AM, 160; AM-AL, 236; AM-PM, 115; C. longimanum in having a hooked central PM-PM, 186; PM-PL, 268; L-L , 46. apoph ysis on the palp, a condition found in Chelicerae: Large and projecting forwards, all the present specimens. These two species boss present, groove oblique. Three teeth on are very similar and it seems highl y likely that the promargin , the middle the largest . Three they are synonymous, in which case C. longi­ teeth on the retromargin , the most dorsal the manum has page precedence. A difference largest. The dorsal promarginal tooth op ­ mentioned by Koch (1872) is a dark streak on posite to the ventral retromarginal one. the carapace of C. furax , which is absent in Maxillae: Much longer than the lip. Semi­ the present specimens. C. furax is recorded circular ant eriorly, concave laterally. Tongan Spiders - MARPLES 365

Lip: Free. Longer than broad, concave males. 4 males. Vava'u. 1 Female. Ononua, anteriorly. Ha'apai, This species was described from Sternum: Length 1.73 mm ., breadth 1.37 Samoa, where it is very variable in colour, be­ mm . Convex. Lateral margi ns not ched for the ing frequently without the dark markings. bases of the last three legs, anterior margin The very similar D. septempunctata was de­ slightly concave. scribed by Koch from Tonga. The present Palp: Long and slender. Minute claw. specimens are pale, or sometimes with three Legs: I II IV III Palp pairs of small spots, but their reproductive organs resemble those of specimens from 4.1 3.2 3.2 2.2 1.3 Samoa and they seem to belong to this species. PAT ELLA META- FEMUR AND TA RSUS TOTAL SALTICIDAE TAR SUS TIBI A Palp .. ... 1.69 1.55 1.34 4.59 Ascyltus pterygodes (1. Koch ) 1...... 4.18 5.26 4.14 1.17 14.76 11...... 3.42 4.00 3.13 0.95 11.51 3 Females, 3 males, 14 imm . Tongatabu. III...... 2.34 2.81 2.20 0.76 8.11 1 Male, 2 imm . Eua Island, Ha'apai. 7 Fe­ IV ...... 3.38 4.00 3.31 0.95 11.64 males, 5 males, 24 imm . Vava 'u, Widespread Tibial Index I 10.2 Tib ial Index IV 80 2 species, not previo usly recorded from Vava'u, Claws: Two , pectin ated about 12. Tenent Bavia aericeps Simon hairs in dense tufts on the feet and extending 1 Male, 3 imm. To ngatabu. 1 imm . Vava'u, along the ventral surface of each tarsus and First records for the Tonga group. A wide­ metatarsus, and sparsely on tibiae I and II. spread species. Spines: I. One pair at the proximal end of the tibia. II. None. III. One retrolateral-distal Erasmia nigrovittata Keyserling on the tibia ; 2 median and 4 distal on the 1 Female. Vava 'u, Th is species was described metatarsus. IV. One rerrolateral-distal on the from a single female from Tonga. Keyserling tibia; 1 ventral-proximal, 2 median and 4 does not mention the cheliceral teeth, but distal on the meta tarsus. Berland (1934) places the species amongst the Abdomen: Length 4.33 mm ., breadth 2.48 Fissidenrati, Petrunkevitch (1928) lists it as a mm . Epigynum as in figure. synonym of Iona Peckham, one of the uni ­ dentate species . The ptesent specimen agrees Clubio na alveolata 1. Koch well with Keyserling's description, and has 1 Female. Nuku'alofa, Tongatabu. 1 Male. four distinct teeth on each of the margins of Neiafu, Vava'u. Several immature specimens the cheliceral groove. which may belong to this species, which is Menemerus bivittatus Dufour widespread in the Pacific but not previously recorded from Tonga. 1 Female. Nuku'alofa, Tongatabu.

SPARASSIDAE Mollicia m icrophthalm a 1. Koch 1 Female, 2 imm . Tongatabu. 1 Female. Heteropoda venatoria (Linn.) Panga, Ha'apai. 1 Male. Holonga, Vava'u. 1 Female. Tongatabu. 1 Female, 2 males. A widespread species, first records for the Vava'u, Tonga group. Plexippus payculli Aud uin Diaea praetexta 1. Koch 1 Female. Vava'u . A widespread species, first 4 Females. Nuku 'alofa, Tongarabu. 17 Fe- record for Tonga. 366 PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XIII, October, 1959

Thorellia ensifera Thorell Tetragnatha macilenta L. Koch

9 Females, 3 males. Tongatabu. 2 Females, 2 Females and 2 imm. Tongatabu. 1 Female, 1 male. Vava'u. Widespread in the central 1 male. Ohonua, Ha 'apai. 3 Females and 2 and eastern regions of the Pacific as far west imm . 2 M ales. Vava'u, Widespread species as Fiji. First record for Tongatabu. not previously recorded from Tonga.

Vitia albipalpis Marples T etragnatha panopea L. Koch

1 Male. Nuku'alofa, Tongatabu. Described 1 Male. Tongatabu. Widespread species, first from Fiji, first record for Tonga . record from Tonga.

THERIDIIDAE EPEIRIDAE Conopistha samoensis L. Koch Cyclosa litoralis (L. Koch) 2 Females. Tongatabu . Widespread species. 1 Female. Vava'u . The specimen is smaller Conopistha unimaculata Marples than ones from Samoa and the epigynum is slightly different, but it seems likely to be 1 Female. Tongatabu. Previously recorded this species. It is widespread and occurs in from Samoa and Niue, as well as Tonga. both Fiji and Samoa. This is the first record of a Cyc/osa from Tonga. Rhomphaea cometes L. Koch

1 Male. Tongatabu . 1 Male. Falevau Island , Cyrtophora moluccensis Doleschall Vava'u . New records for Tonga . Known also 13 Females. Tongatabu. 6 Females. Vava'u . from Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti. A very widespread species. Theridion adamsoni Berland Epeira theisi Walckenaer 1 M ale, imm . Tongatabu. Probably belong­ ing to this species, previousl y known from 2 Females . Ton gatabu. 7 Females, 2 males. Tahiti, Austral Island s, and Samoa. Vava'u, Very Widespread species, new record for Vava'u . Theridion albostriatum L. Koch Epeira plebeja L. Koch 1 Male. Vava'u, Widespread species, preVI­ ously recorded from Ton gatabu. 1 Female, 1 male imm. Eua Island , Ha 'apai . 1 Male imm. Tongatabu. This female has a Theridion aleipata Marples mottled brownish abdomen whose shape and 2 Females. Tongatabu. 3 Females. vava'u. pattern do not resemble those of E. tbeisi, New record for Tonga, previousl y known though the epigynum is similar. According from Samoa and Aitutaki. to the distinctions given by Berland (1935) it appears to be E. plebeja, a species already re­ TETRAGNATHIDAE corded from Tonga and from Fiji. The two immature males probably belong to the Leucauge tuberculata Keyserling same species. 2 Females. Tongatabu. 2 Females. Vava'u, N ephila flagellans L. Koch 1 Female. Eua Island , Ha 'apai. Widespread in the central and eastern parts of the Pacific. 3 Females, 1 male. Ton gatabu. Previously Previously recorded from Tongatabu. recorded . Tongan Spiders - MARPLES 367

SUMMARY --- 1934. Les Araignees du Pacifique. IN Contribution a I' etude du peuplement A collection of 34 species from various zoologique et bo tanique des iles du Pa­ islands in the Tonga group includes 18 new cifique. Pub. Soc. Biogeo. 4: 155-180. records, bringing the total to 49. The female - - - 1935. Nouvelles Araignees Marqui­ of the clubionid Chiracanthium diversum is siennes. Bull. Bernice P. Bishop Mus. 142: described. 31- 63. KOCH, 1., and E. K EYSERLING. 1871-1889. REFERENCES Die Arachniden Australiens. N urnburg. M ARPLES, B. J. 1955. Spiders from some Pa­ BERLAND, 1. 1929. Araignees (Araneida). IN cific islands. Pacific Sci. 9(1) :69- 76. Insects of Samoa, Pt. 8: 35- 78. Brit. Mus. PETRUNKEVIT CH, A. 1928. Systema Aranearum, Nat. Hist.London. Trans . Conn. Acad . Arts Sci. 29: 1-270.