Theridiosoma plumaria, Zhao, Qingyuan & Li, Shuqiang, 2012

Zhao, Qingyuan & Li, Shuqiang, 2012, Eleven new species of theridiosomatid spiders from southern China (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae), ZooKeys 255, pp. 1-48 : 16-17

Theridiosoma plumaria sp. n. Figs 2223

Material examined.

Holotype: CHINA, Hainan: Mt. Jianfengling National Nature Reserve: Tianchi watershed 18°44.383'N, 108°51.062'E, elevation ca 888 m, 19 July 2007, S. Li (IZCAS), 1 male.

Paratype: CHINA: Hainan: Mt. Bawangling National Nature Reserve, 5 kilometers past Dongerjianchazhan, 19°05.186'N, 109°11.802'E, elevation ca 1010 m, 25 July 2007, S. Li (IZCAS), 1 male.

Etymology.

The specific name was taken from the Latin word ‘plumarius’ which means 'of feathers’. It refers to the plumose branching of its conductor theca (Figs 22 B–C); adjective.

Diagnosis.

Males, similar to Theridiosoma gemmosum (L. Koch) ( Coddington 1986: figs 134, 135), distinguished from any other known male Theridiosoma from Asia by the following characters: broader, slightly groovy median apophysis with an acuminated tip, and the exposed branchings of embolic apophysis (Fig. 22A).

Description.

Carapace yellow tan. Sternum yellow with brown margins. Legs yellow. Abdomen tan with sparse silver specks and symmetric dark grey patches.

Male pedipalp: Patella with strong macroseta. Tibia with two trichobothria. Paracymbium hooked with pointed distal end. Tegulum large with tuberculate mesal lobe (Figs 22A, D). Median apophysis a curved lobe attenuate distally. Conductor a translucent theca covering fragmented embolic apophysis, with plumose branching and erect tip near tegulum (Fig. 22B). Embolic apophysis fragment tips protruding out of the conductor (Figs 22 A–C). Embolic apophysis fragments long, slim (Figs 22D, 23B).

Male: Total length 1.60, carapace 0.80 long, 0.80 wide, clypeus 0.20, sternum 0.40 long, 0.40 wide, coxae IV separated by their width. Posterior median eyes separated by less than half their diameter. Macrosetae: Leg I: femur p 1, patella d 1, tibia d 1, p 1, r 1; Leg II: femur r 1, patella d 1, tibia d 1, p 1, r 1; Leg III: patella d 1, tibia p 1, r 1, metatarsus p 1; Leg IV: patella d 2, tibia d 1. Metatarsal trichobothria: Tm I: 0.0.25; Tm II: 0.19. Leg measurements: I 3.16 (0.93, 0.35, 0.75, 0.75, 0.38); II 2.80 (0.88, 0.28, 0.63, 0.63, 0.38); III 1.66 (0.50, 0.18, 0.35, 0.38, 0.25); IV 1.83 (0.50, 0.25, 0.38, 0.45, 0.25).

Female unknown