Sarax batuensis

Natural history This troglobitic species appears to be restricted to the dark zone of the Batu Caves, as no specimens were found in other parts of the cave. Sarax rimosus occurs in the entrance of the cave.

Figs 103 – 104; Table 8

Redescription CARAPACE. Curved carina between ocular triads and carapace margin (Fig. 104 A); six anterior setae (Fig. 104 A); frontal process triangular. Small granules densely scattered between ocular triads and among sulci. Median eyes and median ocular tubercle well developed (Fig. 104 A); pair of setae on median tubercle; lateral eyes well developed, pale, with seta lateral to lateral ocular triad; lateral ocular triad near margin of carapace. STERNUM. Tritosternum projected anteriorly with typical setation, long, surpassing base of pedipalp coxae (Fig. 104 B); other sternal platelets narrow and projected, with pair of setae anteriorly and some smaller setae posteriorly; pentasternum with four setae anteriorly and four setae near membranous region. OPISTHOSOMA. Ventral sacs and ventral sac cover present. GENITALIA. Female genital operculum with short setae posteromedially; pair of white bulges with slender setae apically, in median region; gonopod finger-like, unsclerotized basally. Male genitalia unknown. CHELICERAE. Short, broad projection on retrolateral surface of basal segment, opposite to bifid tooth; retrolateral surface of claw with row of setae basally to medially; claw with five teeth; more than two rows of several setae on prolateral surface of basal segment; bifid tooth on basal segment with dorsal cusp larger than ventral cusp. PEDIPALPS. Coxae without seta encircled by round carina and three setae on margin. Femur with four dorsal spines and four or five ventral spines (Fig. 104 C – D); three prominent setiferous tubercles between first dorsal spine and proximal margin; long spine between ventral spine 1 and proximal margin, twothirds length of spine 1; ventral spine between spines 1 and 2 (Fig. 104 D). Patella with 4 – 6 dorsal spines in primary series (Fig. 104 C); two prominent setiferous tubercles distal to spine I; three or four ventral spines; small setiferous tubercle between spine I and distal margin. Tibia with ventral spine distally and four setae between spine and distal margin. Tarsus with two dorsal spines, distal spine long, about onethird length of tarsus, proximal spine one-third length of distal spine; cleaning organ with 29 – 31 setae in ventral row. LEGS. Tibia of leg I with 29 articles; tarsus incomplete; first tarsal article similar in length to second article. Leg IV basitibia with four pseudo-articles, with sclerotized, denticulate margin at apex of articles; trichobothrium bt situated in proximal third of pseudo-article; distitibia trichobothrium bc situated closer to bf than to s bf, sc and sf series each with five trichobothria. Measurements See Table 8.

Diagnosis This species may be separated from other species of Sarax in Southeast Asia and Oceania by the following combination of characters: sternal platelets narrow and projecting; pedipalp patella with four to six dorsal spines in primary series and two prominent setiferous tubercles distal to spine I.

Remarks The vial of paratypes comprises three adult females and five juveniles, but the holotype male is missing. The unique morphological characters of S. batuensis, including the large size of the adults and the basitibia of leg IV with four pseudo-articles, justify its recognition as a distinct species, as proposed by Kraus (1970). Accordingly, this species is removed from synonymy with S. buxtoni. The vial of paratypes contains five juveniles, and three adult females, but the male holotype is missing.

Distribution Sarax batuensis is endemic to the Batu Caves. Previous reports of S. brachydactylus and S. sarawakensis from these caves (Fage 1929; McClure et al. 1967) are misidentifications. Only S. batuensis and S. rimosus are known from the Batu Caves.

Etymology The species name refers to the caves inhabited by this species (Roewer 1962).

Type material Holotype MALAYSIA • ♂; Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves; [03 ° 14 ′ 16.19 ″ N, 101 ° 41 ′ 02.5 ″ E]; Feb. – Dec. 1959 – 60; H. E. McClure leg.; SMF RII / 13906 / 51 [not examined]. Paratypes MALAYSIA • 3 ♀♀, 5 juv.; same collection data as for holotype; SMF. Additional material MALAYSIA • 2 juv.; Batu caves; 2001; P. Schwendinger leg.; captive bred; AMCC [LP 1927].