K. mulu Maddison & Ruiz, sp. nov.

K. mulu species group:

Kelawakaju mulu Maddison & Ruiz, sp. nov.

Kelawakaju intexta Maddison & Ruiz, sp. nov.

K. singapura species group:

Kelawakaju singapura Maddison & Ng, sp. nov.

K. frenata species group:

Kelawakaju frenata (Simon, 1901)

Kelawakaju leucomelas Maddison & Ng, sp. nov.

Kelawakaju sahyadri Vishnudas, Maddison, & Sudhikumar, sp. nov.

The name means tree spider in the Berawan language from the area of Long Terawan, Sarawak (kelawak = spider; kaju or kajuh = tree; Syria Lejau Malang, pers. comm.), where the first specimens of K. mulu were found. To be treated grammatically as feminine.

Elongate and flat-bodied salticids, unusual among marpissines for the elongated or enlarged male chelicerae. Retrolateral tibial apophysis of palp long, blade-like, more or less straight and parallel to axis of palp. Embolus relatively short among marpissines, arising more or less terminally on the bulb (9–12 o’clock in ventral view of left palp). Markings cryptic on tree trunks, either mottled or with low-contrast longitudinal bands.

Carapace flat, narrower (K. mulu group, Figs 10, 11) to broader (K. leucomelas, Fig. 14). Lower part of the thorax in some species with 1–3 distinct narrow vertical lines of pale scales (K. mulu: Fig. 27; K. intexta: Fig. 32; K. singapura: Figs 43, 45), resembling similar stripes in the baviine Piranthus Thorell, 1895 (Maddison et al. 2020: fig. 263) and the gophoine Cotinusa Simon, 1900 (Rubio and Baigorria 2016). Chelicerae with seta-bearing tubercles on paturon of males and some females (Figs 2–4). Males of all but two species have narrow stripes of white scales on the front face of the chelicerae, forming an inverted V (Figs 3, 4, 74, 79, 83). Two promarginal teeth and one retromarginal tooth (sometimes with a second cusp, Fig. 6). Palp’s RTA a long blade. Embolus appears freely movable, separate from functional tegulum. Cymbium modified at ventral-retrolateral-proximal corner (e.g., Figs 17, 21, 47). Abdomen long and narrow.

We recognize three species groups in the genus.

Holotype : male (SWK12-2610) in UBCZ from Malaysia: Sarawak: Mulu Nat. Pk., Summit Trail near Camp 1, 4.0486°N, 114.8610°E to 4.0483°N, 114.8614°E, 270 m elev., 21 March 2012, Maddison/Piascik/Ang WPM#12-072. Paratype: female (SWK12-2639) in UBCZ from Malaysia: Sarawak: Mulu Nat. Pk., Summit Trail near Camp 1, 4.0480°N, 114.8626°E to 4.0478°N, 114.8630°E, 290–320 m elev., 22 March 2012, Piascik/Ang/Andyson WPM#12-077.

From the name of the type locality (a noun in apposition).

Dark with only a dusting of golden scales, unlike the similar but more thoroughly scale-covered K. intexta (Figs 23–28 vs. 29–34). Embolus shorter than that of K. intexta, arising at 11 o’clock (Figs 16 vs. 22).

Figures 2–9. 

Chelicerae of Kelawakaju species 2–4 oblique view with carapace 5–9 ventral view 2 K. mulu male holotype 3 K. intexta male holotype 4 K. frenata male from Guangxi 5 K. mulu male holotype 6 K. intexta male holotype 7 K. singapura male holotype 8 K. frenata male from Guangxi 9 K. frenata female from Guangxi. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Male (based on holotype). Carapace length 2.85; abdomen length 3.05. Carapace dark brown, with white scales around cephalic region, between AME and sparse on thoracic region. Clypeus very narrow. Chelicera dark brown, elongate and projected, with a line of white scales on the prolateral face. Retromarginal tooth with two cusps, the more lateral long and curved (Fig. 5). Palp with elongate RTA. Embolus narrow and curved, but short, arising distally on the tegulum. Endite subrectangular, with no projection, dark brown. Labium dark brown and sternum light brown, with depressions along coxae I. Leg I light brown, with mid patella, mid tibia, proximal area of metatarsus and entire tarsus yellow. Legs II–IV yellow. Length of femur I 2.10, II 1.70, III 1.40, IV 1.65; patella + tibia I 3.10, II 2.40, III 1.65, IV 2.35; metatarsus + tarsus I 1.85, II 1.75, III 1.50, IV 1.70. Leg spination reduced: femur I d0, p0-0-1-0 (or p0-0-2-0), II d1-1-0, p0-0-1-0, III 0, IV d1-1-0, r0-0-1-0; patella I–IV 0; tibia I v2-2-2 (asymmetrical), II v1r-1r-1p, III–IV 0; metatarsus I–II v2-2, III 0, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen dorsally dark brown, with two transverse wide light stripes, and a third over anal tubercle; ventrally gray.

Female (based on paratype SWK 12-2639). Carapace length 2.7; abdomen length 3.55. Color as in male, except when mentioned. Chelicera light brown. Retromarginal tooth with two cusps, the distal one almost twice the size of the other, both acute. Legs II–IV with narrow stripes of white scales. Length of femur I 1.90, II 1.50, III 1.45, IV 1.85; patella + tibia I 2.60, II 1.90, III 1.75, IV 2.60; metatarsus + tarsus I 1.40, II 1.30, III 1.60, IV 1.90. Leg spines as in male, except for femur III, as in II. Abdomen as in male, except for stripes, medially interrupted; ventrally white, with two longitudinal dark brown stripes extending from booklungs to spinnerets. Epigyne with a pair of small copulatory openings distant from the posterior border, which has a medial excavation; internally, copulatory ducts fuse with glandular portions, spiral backwards and enter the large spermathecae, from which fertilization ducts emerge.

Both specimens were collected on tree trunks on a forested slope.

Holotype : male (SWK12-3752) in UBCZ from MALAYSIA: Sarawak: Lambir Hills Nat. Pk., headquarters area, 4.197 to 4.198°N 114.0400°E to 114.0402°E, 50 m elev., 30 March to 6 April 2012 Maddison/Piascik/Ang WPM#12-104. Paratype: male (SWK12-0523) in UBCZ from MALAYSIA: Sarawak: Bako Nat. Pk. Ulu Assam Trail, 1.712°N, 110.445°E to 1.713°N, 110.448°E, 30–80, m elev., 8 March 2012, Maddison/Piascik/Ang/Lee WPM#12-005.

Latin, interwoven, referring to the textile-like pattern of coloured scales on the body.

Body covered with a dense and intricate pattern of pale scales, white on the abdomen and slightly golden on the carapace (Figs 29, 32), and thus paler in appearance than K. mulu. Embolus arising at 9 to 10 o’clock, longer than in any other Kelawakaju (Fig. 22).

Male (based on holotype). Carapace length 2.45; abdomen length 3.45. Carapace dark brown, with white scales on cephalic region, sparse on thoracic region and with line of white scales along borders of carapace. Clypeus very narrow. Chelicera dark brown, slightly projected, with mastidion. Retromarginal tooth with two cusps, the more lateral larger (Fig. 6). Palp light brown. RTA elongate. Embolus narrow, gently curving from its base, longer than half the length of the tegulum, arising prolaterally from the tegulum. Endite dark brown. Labium dark brown and sternum light brown. Leg I dark brown, with proximal portion of femur, mid tibia and metatarsus light brown, and tarsus yellow; II–IV light brown. Length of femur I 2.10, II 1.70, III 1.40, IV 1.65; patella + tibia I 3.10, II 2.40, III 1.65, IV 2.35; metatarsus + tarsus I 1.85, II 1.75, III 1.50, IV 1.70. Leg spination reduced: Femur I–II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, III d1-1-1, p0-0-1, IV d1-1-1, r0-0-1, patella I–IV 0, tibia I v2-2-2, II v1r-1r-1p, III–IV 0, metatarsus I–II v2-2, III 0, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen dorsally with three pairs of dark marks with dark scales, among light areas with white scales; entirely covered by scutum; ventrally gray, with dark brown ring around spinnerets. Spinnerets yellow.

Figures 10–15. 

Carapaces of Kelawakaju males 10 K. mulu holotype 11 K. intexta holotype 12 K. singapura holotype 13 K. frenata from Guangxi, Dongxing 14 K. leucomelas holotype 15 K. sahyadri holotype. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Figures 16–22. 

Kelawakaju mulu species group, genitalia 16–20 K. mulu 16 holotype male palp, ventral 17 same, retrolateral 18 paratype female SWK12-2639 epigyne, ventral 19 same, vulva, dorsal 20 same, ventral 21, 22 K. intexta holotype male palp 21 retrolateral 22 ventral. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Figures 23–28. 

Kelawakaju mulu 23–25 holotype male SWK12-2610 26–28 paratype female SWK12-2639. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Figures 29–34. 

Kelawakaju intexta 29–31 holotype male SWK12-3752 32–34 paratype male SWK12-0523. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Female unknown.

The paratype from Bako was found along a trail in a forest.

Holotype : male (JK.21.08.02.0001) in LKCNHM from Singapore: Labrador Nature Reserve, 1.2653°N, 103.8019°E, J.K.H. Koh & P.Y.C. Ng, 2 August 2021. Paratypes: One female (JK.21.05.14.0001) in LKCNHM from Singapore: Labrador Nature Reserve, 1.2664°N, 103.8014°E, J.K.H. Koh & P.Y.C. Ng, 14 May 2021. One male (90.10.21.0002) in LKCNHM from Singapore: Simpang, 1.44°N, 103.85°E, J.K.H. Koh, 21 October 1990. One female (AS19.0023) in UBCZ from Singapore: Adam Road, 1.336°N, 103.816°E, 10 m elev., 1–2 June 2019, W. Maddison & P.Y.C. Ng WPM#19-030.

From name of the type locality, Singapura in the Malay language, a noun in apposition.

Distinctive for the abdomen’s central pale longitudinal band with wavy edge (Figs 41, 43, 45), short and stout embolus (Figs 35, 36), long tibia on the male palp (Figs 36, 40), and broad rounded retromarginal tooth on the male chelicera (Fig. 7). The male’s chelicerae are relatively more robust than in other species, which in contrast have narrower and more projecting or diverging chelicerae.

Male (based on holotype). Carapace length 3.1, width 2.3; abdomen length 3.9. Carapace (Figs 12, 41, 42): Distinctly wider just behind PLE. Depressed around fovea. Integument black to very dark brown. Thorax with dark setae near lower margin, interrupted by a fine vertical line of pale scales on each side at posterior corner; upper thorax clothed with pale scales; a few scales in ocular quadrangle. Narrow band of white scales along margin posterior to PLE. Clypeus narrow, dark, with black hairs. Chelicerae projecting only slightly, robust. Dark brown, with black hairs, many of which arise from tubercles. Retromarginal tooth a broad rounded flange, broadening from base. Palp tibia long. Embolus erect but short, broad, bifid at tip (Fig. 35). Integument black to brown, with black setae except white setae on last third of femur. Long black setae project laterally along length of tibia (not as a narrow brush). Endite subrectangular, with no projection, dark brown. Legs medium to dark brown. First leg dark brown except slightly paler at base of patella, which has white setae, and the honey-coloured tarsus. Patella with some white scales above and fringe of white hairs below, which continues onto the distal portion of the femur. Posterior legs with somewhat annulate markings. Length of femur I 2.0, II 1.5, III 1.5, IV 1.6; patella + tibia I 3.0, II 2.1, III 1.7, IV 2.5; metatarsus + tarsus I 1.8, II 1.4, III 1.6, IV 1.8. Leg spination reduced: femur I d0-1-0 (or 0-1-1), p0-2-0, II d1-1-1, p0-0-1, III d1-1-1, p0-0-1, IV d1-1-0, r0-0-1; patella I–IV 0; tibia I v2-2-2 (asymmetrical), II v1r-1r-2, III v0-0-1p, IV v0-0-1p; metatarsus I–II v2-2, III v0-0-3, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen narrow. Dorsum with a medial pale band having scalloped edges; darker laterally.

Female (based on specimen AS19.0023). Carapace length 3.2, width 2.2; abdomen length 3.9. Carapace: As in male, but not quite so wide, and with two fine vertical lines of pale scales on lower posterior thorax (Figs 43, 45). Clypeus narrow, dark, with black hairs. Chelicerae black to brown, with black hairs. Two promarginal and one unident retromarginal tooth, similar to those of K. frenata (Fig. 9). Legs honey-coloured to dark brown, first pair darker, posterior somewhat annulate. Length of femur I 1.7, II 1.5, III 1.4, IV 1.7; patella + tibia I 2.4, II 1.9, III 1.7, IV 2.6; metatarsus + tarsus I 1.5, II 1.4, III 1.5, IV 1.8. Leg spination reduced: femur I d1-1-0, p0-1-0, II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, III d1-1-1, p0-0-1, IV d1-1-0, r0-0-1; patella I–IV 0; tibia I v2-2-2 (asymmetrical), II v1r-1r-2, III v0-0-1p, IV v0-0-1p; metatarsus I–II v2-2, III v0-0-2, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen as in male. Epigyne with openings crescent-shaped, at posterior and medial side of pale desclerotized patch.

Figures 35–45. 

Kelawakaju singapura 35 holotype male JK.21.08.02.001 embolus, ventral 36 paratype male JK.90.10.21.0002 palp, ventral 37 same, retrolateral 38 paratype female AS19.0023 epigyne, ventral 39 same, vulva, dorsal 40–42 holotype male 43 paratype female JK.21.05.14.0001 44, 45 paratype female AS19.0023. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

The holotype and females from the type locality were found under bark of both small and large trees in open areas at the edge of coastal forest. Female AS19.0023 was found under bark of large tree in roadside clearing.

The type specimen of Ocrisiona frenata Simon, 1901 has not been found, neither in the Oxford Natural History Museum (O. Pickard Cambridge collection; Simon 1901b) nor in the MNHN (Paris). Nonetheless, the application of the name is reasonably secure, as Simon’s figure (1901a: fig. 730, shown here in Fig. 50 reversed so that the right palp appears as the left) and description (1901b) match well specimens from the type locality here illustrated (Hong Kong, Fig. 49) and nearby Guangxi (Figs 46–48). Simon’s figure shows clearly the distinctive tibial apophysis of Kelawakaju, and the general conformation of this species group. The critical details of the embolus are unclear in Simon’s figure, and thus there remains the possibility of two very similar species at the type locality. However, at no locality have we seen two different species sympatric from the same species group, and the many photographs on iNaturalist labeled as “Ocrisiona frenata” from Hong Kong are credibly conspecific. Because a good case can be made for the identity of the species, and there is still hope that the type may be found, we will not designate a neotype at this time. This species was labelled “marpissine indet. [China]” in Bodner and Maddison’s (2012) molecular phylogeny; that specimen (voucher d224) was lost in the Butantan fire.

Differs from other Kelawakaju in the embolus bending suddenly toward the retrolateral, the epigynal atria with sclerotized edge both anteriorly and posteriorly (not just medially or posteriorly), and posterior notch of epigyne narrow and distinct.

Male (based on specimen from Dongxing City). Carapace length 3.1; abdomen length 4.1. Carapace dark brown, with sparse white scales. Clypeus very narrow. Chelicera dark brown, with a line of white scales on the prolateral face. One retromarginal tooth (Fig. 8). Palp dark brown, with long white scales on tibia. RTA elongate. Embolus short, from base leans slightly toward the prolateral, then twists so that its terminal part leans toward the retrolateral. Legs dark brown to yellow. First leg reddish dark brown, with sparse short white scales. Tibia with three pairs of ventral macrosetae. Legs II–IV yellow except dark brown femur, brown joints, and sparse short white scales; III and IV additionally have prolateral and retrolateral sides of tibiae and metatarsi dark brown. Abdomen dorsally cream colored, with a longitudinal, irregular, dark brown stripe, and almost entirely covered by a light brown scutum; laterally dark brown, with a pale stripe on the posterior fourth; ventrally dark brown, with a longitudinal pale stripe. Spinnerets dark brown.

Figures 46–72. 

Kelawakaju frenata species group, genitalia 46–54 K. frenata 46 male from Dongxing, palp, ventral 47 same, retrolateral 48 same, dorsal 49 male from Hong Kong, embolus, ventral 50 Simon’s (1901a) figure, reversed 51 female d224 from Dongxing, epigyne, ventral 52 second female from Dongxing, epigyne, ventral 53 same, vulva, ventral 54 same, dorsal 55–63 K. leucomelas 55 holotype male palp, ventral 56 same, retrolateral 57 same, embolus, oblique 58 paratype male JK13.12.10.0001, embolus, oblique 59 male JK.19.08.18.0010, embolus, oblique 60 same, palp, retrolateral 61 same, ventral 62 female paratype JK.20.11.13.0001, epigyne, ventral 63 same, vulva, dorsal 64–72 K. sahyadri 64 holotype male, palp, ventral 65 same, retrolateral 66 same, embolus, oblique 67 paratype male from Kerala, embolus, oblique 68 same, ventral 69 same, palp, ventral 70 same, retrolateral 71 paratype female AS19.4934 epigyne, ventral 72 same vulva, dorsal. Oblique views of embolus are between ventral and prolateral. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Figures 73–78. 

Kelawakaju frenata 73, 74 male from Tai Tam County Park, Hong Kong (© 2020 Artur Tomaszek) 75 female from Guangdong, Gaotan Town 76 male from Guangxi, Dongxing, dorsal 77 female from Dongxing, dorsal 78 same, ventral. Specimen in 73, 74 not examined microscopically; inferred as K. frenata by appearance and locality.

Female (based on specimen from Dongxing City). Carapace length 3.45; abdomen length 5.55. Color as in male, except when mentioned. Chelicerae dark. One retromarginal tooth. Leg I light brown, with median third of femur, distal of patella and proximal and distal of tibia dark brown; tarsus yellow; II yellow, with same markings as I; III and IV as II, but with patellae entirely yellow and prolateral side of tibia dark brown. Tibia with three pairs of ventral macrosetae. Abdominal pattern as in male; no scutum. Epigyne with a pair of small copulatory openings distant from the posterior border, which has a medial excavation; internally, copulatory ducts fuse with glandular portions, spiral backwards and enter the large spermathecae, from which fertilization ducts emerge.

One male and two females in UBCZ from China: Guangxi: Dongxing City, Wanwei Village. 21.5217°N, 108.1383°E, 3 m elev., 23 May 2006, J.X. Zhang, M.S. Zhu, W.G. Lian, H.Q. Ma JXZ06#013. One male (IDWM.20018) in UBCZ from Hong Kong: Mai Po Nature Reserve, 22.2799°N, 113.9296°E, 5 July 2020, Cheuk Lun Alex Ng. One female ZRC_ENT00053870) in LKCNHM from China: Guangdong: Huidong County, Gaotan Town, Y.X. Lim, 1 October 2018. Photographs on iNaturalist suggest the species is also in Taiwan.

Holotype : male (JK.20.11.13.003) in LKCNHM from Singapore: Lorong Pang Sua 1.3833°N, 103.7567°E, 13 xi 2020, J.K.H. Koh & P. Y. C. Ng. Paratypes: Two females (JK.20.11.13.0001 and JK.20.11.13.0002) with same data as holotype. One male (JK.13.12.10.0001) from Singapore: Pulau Tekong, 1.4072°N, 104.0283°E, 10 December 2013, J.K.H. Koh.

Refers to the longitudinal bands of white scales (leuco, Greek for white) on either side of the body contrasting against the black median (melas, Greek for black), formed not as an adjective but more simply as the two colours themselves (and thus without an expectation of agreement with the genus name).

Carapace wider and ocular quadrangle shorter (Fig. 14) than in other species. Embolus differs in shape from that of the similar K. sahyadri: embolus tip with retrolateral flange more distinct and larger (Figs 55, 57–59, 61), and prolateral edge of embolus curves abruptly to the distal to make the embolus appear more erect (Figs 55, 61). Long brush of white hairs projecting prolaterally from male palp tibia is lacking (present in K. frenata and K. sahyadri). In the specimens we have, the body’s white side bands are more distinct than in K. frenata and K. sahyadri, and the posterior legs more uniform coloured, lacking distinct annulate markings.

Male (based on holotype). Carapace length 3.6, width 2.6; abdomen length 4.2. Carapace: Relatively flat, broad, depressed around fovea. Integument black to dark brown, clothed loosely with white scales in two broad longitudinal bands along sides, below and behind PME. Below these bands, thorax is black, without marginal white scales. Clypeus very narrow, dark, with some black hairs. Chelicerae diverging, projecting forward slightly, with a bulge anteriolaterally (as in K. frenata, Fig. 4, but more prominent). Bulge covered with hair-bearing tubercles. Dark brown to black, with narrow and dense line of white scales appearing as an inverted V (Fig. 79). Two promarginal and one triangular retromarginal teeth, as in K. frenata (Fig. 8). Palp dark brown. Patella and distal part of femur clothed with long white hairs and a few white scales. Embolus erect, with retrolateral flange separated from the tip by a distinct cleft (Figs 57–59). Endite subrectangular, with no projection, dark brown. Legs: First pair dark except tarsus, slightly paler, with some patches of white scales and hairs (Fig. 79). Remaining legs medium brown, lightly dusted with white scales, without annulate markings. Length of femur I 2.7, II 1.9, III 1.6, IV 2.0; patella + tibia I 4.1, II 2.4, III 2.0, IV 2.9; metatarsus + tarsus I 2.4, II 1.6, III 1.7, IV 2.0. Leg spination reduced: femur I d1-1-0, p0-2-0, II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, III d1-1-1, p0-0-1, IV d1-1-0, 0; patella I–IV 0; tibia I v2-2-2 (asymmetrical), II v1r-1r-1p, III v0-0-1p, IV 0; metatarsus I–II v2-2, III v0-0-1p, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen narrow and long, dark above except for band of white scales on either side, continuing the longitudinal band of the carapace (Fig. 81).

Figures 79–81. 

Kelawakaju leucomelas 79–80 male from the type locality 81 female from same locality. Photographs © Chris Ang 2021. Specimens not examined microscopically; inferred as K. leucomelas by appearance and locality.

Female (based on paratype JK.20.11.13.0001). Carapace length 3.2, width 2.4; abdomen length 4.3. Carapace: As in male, but narrower. Clypeus as in male. Chelicerae with bulge and tubercles, but less prominent than in male. Dark, with black setae. Two promarginal and one unident retromarginal tooth, similar to those of K. frenata (Fig. 9). Legs: First pair of legs medium brown; posterior legs honey-brown, without annulate markings. Length of femur I 1.9, II 1.6, III 1.4, IV 1.7; patella + tibia I 2.7, II 1.9, III 1.7, IV 2.5; metatarsus + tarsus I 1.6, II 1.3, III 1.4, IV 1.9. Leg spination reduced: femur I d1-0-0, p0-2-0, II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, III d1-1-0, p0-0-1, r0-0-1, IV d1-1-0, r0-0-1; patella I–IV 0; tibia I v2-2-2 (asymmetrical), II v1r-1r-1p, III 0, IV 0; metatarsus I–II v2-2, III v0-0-1p, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen narrow, long, dark medially but with pale longitudinal bands on either side. Epigyne with two crescent shaped openings posteriomedial to a pale desclerotized area (Fig. 62). (Although this specimen has the openings more medial than shown for K. sahyadri, another female of K. leucomelas, JK.20.11.13.0002, has them placed much as in K. sahyadri.).

Figures 82–89. 

Kelawakaju sahyadri 82–85 male holotype AS19.4895 86–88 female paratype AS19.4934 89 female paratype from Kerala.

Male (JK.19.08.18.0010) in LKCNHM from MALAYSIA: Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Panti Recreational Forest, 1.7872°N, 103.9425°E, 18 August 2019, P.Y.C. Ng.

Approximately ten adult and juvenile specimens were seen on tree bark at the type locality, including the holotype. The male from Kota Tinggi was found on tree bark in a sunny area near the entrance of Panti Recreational Forest.

Holotype : male (AS19.4895 = NCBS IBC-BP847) in NCBS from India: Karnataka: Kodagu: Yavakapadi, Honey Valley area, 12.2224°N, 75.6553°E, 1045 m elev., 27 June 2019, W. Maddison WPM#19-083. Paratypes: Female (AS19.4934 = NCBS IBC-BP848) in NCBS with data as holotype except 12.2214°N, 75.6556°E and 1130 m elev. One male and one female in CATE from India: Kerala: along state highway 21 east of Chalakudy, 10.296°N, 76.685°E, 26 June 2021, Vishnudas & Sudhikumar CATE9826705. One female with same data but 17 July 2021.

From the Sanskrit for ’from the Western Ghats mountains’, where this species lives.

Embolus differs in shape from that of the similar K. leucomelas: embolus tip with retrolateral flange less distinct and smaller (Figs 64, 66–69), and prolateral edge of embolus curves gently to the distal to make the embolus appear to be leaning slightly to the retrolateral (Figs 64, 68, 69). Compared to K. leucomelas, the longitudinal pale bands on body less distinct, and the carapace is narrower.

Male (based on holotype). Carapace length 3.0, width 2.1; abdomen length 3.9. Carapace: Relatively flat; area around fovea slightly depressed. Dark brown, loosely clothed with white scales below and behind PLE forming an indistinct longitudinal band on each side. Clypeus very narrow, dark, with black setae. Chelicerae diverging slightly, lacking the distinct bulge of K. frenata and K. leucomelas, but with hair-bearing tubercles. Narrow stripes of white scales form inverted V as in other frenata group species (Fig. 83). Two promarginal and one large triangular retromarginal teeth, as in K. frenata (Fig. 8). Palp dark to light brown, with white scales and long white hairs. The prolateral hairs on the tibia appear as a distinct long brush projecting medially (Figs 83, 84). Embolus with prolateral edge gently curved. Retrolateral flange near tip fairly large, but emerges gradually, without strong cleft near tip (Figs 66, 67). Endite subrectangular, with no projection, dark brown. Legs: First leg dark to light brown, with loose patches of white setae (Figs 82, 85). Posterior legs paler, darker on femora and near the joints. Length of femur I 2.0, II 1.5, III 1.4, IV 1.7; patella + tibia I 3.1, II 2.0, III 1.7, IV 2.3; metatarsus + tarsus I 2.0, II 1.5, III 1.5, IV 1.7. Leg spination reduced: femur I d1-0-0, p1-1-0, II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, III d1-1-2, 0, IV d1-1-0, 0; patella I–IV 0; tibia I v2-2-2 (asymmetrical), II v1r-1r-1p, III 0, IV 0; metatarsus I–II v2-2, III v0-0-1p, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen narrow, dark medially, paler and mottled laterally.

Female (based on specimen NCBS IBC-BP848). Carapace length 4.0, width 2.9; abdomen length 5.0. Carapace, Clypeus as in male. Chelicerae dark, with black hairs arising from small tubercles. Two promarginal and one larger triangular retromarginal teeth. Legs: First leg darkest, but all legs have dark patches, especially the sides of the femora and near the joints. Length of femur I 2.4, II 1.9, III 1.8, IV 2.1; patella + tibia I 3.3, II 2.5, III 2.3, IV 3.3; metatarsus + tarsus I 2.1, II 1.6, III 2.0, IV 2.3. Leg spination reduced: femur I d0-1-0, p0-3-0 or 2-0, II d1-1-0, p0-0-1, III d1-1-0, p0-0-1, IV d1-1-0, 0; patella I–IV 0; tibia I v2-2-2 (asymmetrical), II v1r-1r-1p, III 0, IV 0; metatarsus I–II v2-2, III v0-0-1p, IV v0-0-1p. Abdomen long, narrow, dark medially and pale laterally. Epigyne with two crescent-shaped openings behind a pale desclerotized area (Fig. 71).

The holotype and female paratype from Kodagu were found under loose bark of large trees standing in a field, beside a small road. The specimens from Kerala were found in crevices in the bark of Swietenia mahogany trees.