Leptothele Raven & Schwendinger, 1995

Schwendinger, Peter J., Lehmann-Graber, Christina, Hongpadharakiree, Komson & Syuhadah, Nurul, 2020, New euagrid spider species from Thailand and Malaysia, and new localities of Leptothele bencha (Arachnida: Araneae), Revue suisse de Zoologie 127 (2), pp. 423-453 : 425-428

Leptothele Raven & Schwendinger, 1995

Leptothele Raven & Schwendinger, 1995: 636-637 .

Type species: Leptothele bencha Raven & Schwendinger, 1995 by monotypy and by designation.

Species included: Leptothele bencha Raven & Schwendinger, 1995 and L. chang sp. nov.

Revised diagnosis: Distinguished from Phyxioschema by males lacking a prolateral band of elongated spinules and by possessing a much shorter ventral spur ( Figs 3B, E , 5E , 6G cf. Raven, 1981: fig. 7; Schwendinger, 2009: figs 2D, 4C, 5C, 9C, 12C, 15C) and a low transversal subdistal ventral ridge on tibia II ( Figs 3 B-C, E-F, I-J, 5E, 6G-K), and by possessing a single, widely conical or mound-like ventral process instead of 2-3 longitudinal ridges on metatarsus II ( Figs 3 B-C, E-F, I-J, 5E, 6G-I cf. Raven, 1981a: fig. 7; Schwendinger, 2009: figs 2D, 6J, 10J, 13J, 16K, 19L). Females with

Key to the genera of Euagridae in Asia:

1A Males with a band of elongated spinules on prolateral side of tibia II ( Raven, 1981a: fig. 7), with a distinct, quite long spur (carrying megaspines) on ventral side of tibia II, and with 2-3 longitudinal keels on ventral side of metatarsus II (proventral one reduced to a small cone in P. sayamense Schwendinger, 2009 : fig. 13I-J); patella I with a row of short, sigmoid or (rarely) curved retroventral-distal spines ( Schwendinger, 2009: figs 3L, 6F, 10F, 13F, 16F); femur II with a long proventral band of hooked spinules (almost or actually reaching distal margin of leg article; Schwendinger, 2009: figs 2B, 4E, 5E, 9E, 12E, 15E, 18E); palpal tarsus with strong distal bristles (not spines; Schwendinger, 2009: fig. 2C). Females with or without secondary receptacles, if present then situated posterior of median receptacles ( Schwendinger, 2009: figs 3A-I, 7, 11, 14, 17, 20; Schwendinger & Zonstein, 2011: figs 4-5, 8). Both sexes usually with spines on tarsi of posterior legs (most males of P. suthepium Raven & Schwendinger, 1989 and some P. eripnastes Schwendinger, 2009 without). Central Asia and all over Thailand..... ............................................................................................................................................................. Phyxioschema

1B Males without a band of elongated spinules on prolateral side of tibia II ( Figs 5E , 12G ), with a rather indistinct short spur (carrying megaspines) on ventral side of tibia II, and with 1-2 mound-like, conical or tooth-shaped processes on ventral side of metatarsus II (exception: a short retroventral keel in M. cameronensis sp. nov., Fig. 11 G-J); patella I with a row of long, not sigmoid bristles ( Figs 6F , 8F , 11F , 13I ) or with only a single curved spine retroventrally-distally ( Fig. 15E ); femur II with a short proventral band of hooked spinules (distant from distal margin of leg article; Figs 5F , 10B ); palpal tarsus with distinct distal spines ( Figs 3A, D, H , 6 B-E, 8A-E, 11A-D, 15A-C). Females without secondary receptacles ( Figs 4 , 7 , 9 , 11K , 16 ), if exceptionally present, then situated anterior of median receptacles ( Fig. 7C ). Both sexes without spines on tarsi of posterior legs. Southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia........................................................................................................................................... 2

2A Small body size (carapace length in males 1.52-2.73), distal article of PLS pseudosegmented ( Fig. 5I ), no metatarsal preening combs in both sexes. Males with at least two megaspines and with a transversal subdistal ridge on ventral side of tibia II ( Figs 3 B-C, E-F, I-J, 5E, 6G-K); metatarsus II with a single conical or mound-like process on ventral side ( Figs 3 B-C, E-F, I-J, 5E, 6G-I); tarsi I-II not ventrally bulged ( Fig. 5H ). Females with quite long spermathecal trunks; stalks of median receptacles not sclerotised ( Figs 4 , 7 ). Southern Thailand................................ Leptothele

2B Very small body size (carapace length in males 1.11-1.44), distal article of PLS not pseudosegmented ( Fig. 12 J-K), metatarsal preening combs present on legs II-IV in both sexes. Males with only one ventral megaspine and without a subdistal ridge on ventral side of tibia II ( Figs 8 H-K, 10B, 11G-J, 12G, 13J-M, 15F-H); metatarsus II with two small conical processes, a proventral and a retroventral one ( Figs 13 J-K, M, 15F-H), or with only a small conical retroventral process ( Fig. 8 I-J), or with a small conical proventral and a keel-shaped retroventral processes ( Fig. 11 G-J); tarsi I-II ventrally bulged ( Fig. 10D ). Females with rather short spermathecal trunks; stalks of median receptacles sclerotised ( Figs 9 , 11K , 14 , 16 ). Peninsular Malaysia........................................ Malayathele gen. nov.

Key to the species of Leptothele :

1A Small body size (carapace lengths in males 1.52-2.04). Males normally with two ventral megaspines ( Fig. 3C, F ; single asymmetrical exception, Fig. 3J ) and always without wrinkles behind and in front of subdistal-ventral ridge on tibia II ( Fig. 3C, F, J ); ventral process on metatarsus II widely conical ( Fig. 3B, E, I ); bulbous part of palpal organ as long as wide or wider than long ( Fig. 3A, D, H, G ). Females with quite long and narrow spermathecal trunks; stalks of median receptacles mostly shorter than corresponding heads ( Fig. 4 A-D), except for females from Ko Siray ( Fig. 4 E-F) .................................................................................................................................. L. bencha

1B Larger body size (carapace lengths in males 2.30-2.73). Males with 2-3 ventral megaspines and with wrinkles behind and in front of subdistal ridge on tibia II ( Fig. 6 H-K); ventral process on metatarsus II less distinct, developed as a low, wide mound ( Fig. 6G ); bulbous part of palpal organ longer than wide ( Fig. 6 A-E). Females with relatively shorter and wider spermathecal trunks; stalks of median receptacles very long and thin, almost twice of corresponding head lengths ( Fig. 7 ) ................................................................................. L. chang sp. nov. vulvae quite similar to those of Phyxioschema females, but stalks of receptacles not sclerotised and usually no secondary receptacles present [one exception – unsymmetrical and situated anterior of median receptacle – in L. chang sp. nov. ( Fig. 7C ); secondary receptacles in Phyxioschema , if present, posterior of or at same level as median receptacle, see Schwendinger, 2009: figs 3A-I, 11, 17 and Schwendinger & Zonstein, 2011: figs 4-5, 8]. Metatarsal preening combs absent (present in P. suthepium and P. erawan Schwendinger, 2009 , but not in other Phyxioschema ). Distinguished from Malayathele gen. nov. by distal article of PLS with a pseudosegmentation ( Fig. 5I cf. Fig. 12 J-K) and by lacking metatarsal preening combs in both sexes; males with 2-3 ( Figs 3C, F , 6 H-K; exceptionally more, Fig. 3J ) megaspines (only one in Malayathele gen. nov., Figs 8 I-J, 11I-J, 13J, 15F) and a transversal subdistal ridge ( Figs 3 B-C, E-F, I-J, 6G-K; absent in Malayathele gen. nov.) on ventral side of tibia II, and with a single, widely conical or mound-like median process on metatarsus II ( Figs 3 B-C, E-F, I-J, 6G-I; 1-2 small conical processes or one conical process plus a short keel-shaped process in Malayathele gen. nov., Figs 8 H-K, 11G-J, 13J-M, 15F-H); tarsi I-II not ventrally bulged ( Fig. 5H cf. Fig. 10D ). Females distinguished from those of Malayathele gen. nov. by possessing median receptacular stalks with unsclerotised walls ( Figs 4 , 7 cf. Figs 9 , 11K , 14 , 16 ). Revised character: teeth on unpaired leg claws either all sessile ( Fig. 1 F-G) or proximal teeth raised on indistinct common base ( Fig. 1E, H ).

Distribution: Southern Thailand ( Fig. 2 , localities 1-11).

Figures

Fig. 3. Leptothele bencha; males from Ko Sirey (A-B), Ko Tarutao (C-F, G, showing two specimens), Ko Libong (H) and Ko Sukon (I- J). (A, D, H) Distal part of palp, ventral view. (B, E) Right tibia and metatarsus II, prolateral view. (C) Left tibia and metatarsus II, ventral view. (F) Right tibia and metatarsus II, ventral view. (G) Palpal organ, ventral view. (I) Left tibia and metatarsus II of aberrant specimen, prolateral view. (J) Same, ventral view. Scale line 1.0 mm.

Fig. 5. Leptothele chang sp. nov.; male holotype (A-B, E-H), female allotype (C-D) and male paratype (I). (A, C) Habitus, dorsal view. (B, D) Habitus, ventral view. (E) Femur to metatarsus of right leg II, prolateral view. (F) Right femur II, proventral view. (G) Right femur I, retrodorsal view. (H) Tarsus I, lateral view. (I) Distal part of median article and entire distal article of PLS, lateral view; arrow indicating pseudosegmentation. Not to scale.

Fig. 6. Leptothele chang sp. nov.; male paratype (A-B, J-K) and male holotype (C-I). (A) Right palpal organ, ventral view. (B) Left palpal organ and palpal tarsus, prolateral view. (C) Right palpal organ and palpal tarsus, ventral view. (D) Left palpal organ and palpal tarsus, ventral view. (E) Right palpal organ and palpal tarsus, prolateral view. (F) Patella to metatarsus of left leg I, ventral view. (G) Patella to metatarsus of left leg II, prolateral view. (H) Same, ventral view. (I) Same of right leg II, ventral view. (J) Right tibia II, ventral view. (K) Left tibia II, ventral view. Scale lines 1.0 mm (A-E; F-K).

Fig. 12. Malayathele maculosa sp. nov., female paratype from Genting Highlands (A-D), M. kanching sp. nov., male holotype (E-G), female allotype (H-I) and male paratype (J-K). (A, E, H) Habitus, dorsal view. (B, F, I) Habitus, ventral view. (C) Habitus, dorsolateral view. (D) Opisthosoma, posteroventral view. (G) Tibia and metatarsus of right leg II, prolateral view. (J) Distal part of proximal article and entire median and distal articles of PLS, lateral view. (K) Same, ventral view. Not to scale.

Fig. 11. Malayathele cameronensis sp. nov., male holotype (A-J) and female allotype (K). (A) Distal part of left palp, prolateral view. (B) Same, ventral view. (C) Distal part of right palp, proventral and slightly distal view. (D) Same, prolateral view. (E) Patella to metatarsus of right leg I, prolateral view. (F) Patella to tibia of right leg I, ventral view. (G) Patella to metatarsus of right leg II, prolateral view. (H) Same of left leg II, prolateral view. (I) Patella to metatarsus of left leg II, ventral view. (J) Same of right leg II, ventral view. (K) Vulva, dorsal view. Arrows indicate keel-shaped retroventral process on metatarsus II. Scale lines 0.5 mm (A-J), 0.1 mm (K).

Fig. 8. Malayathele ulu sp. nov.; male paratype (A-B, J-K) and male holotype (C-I). (A, C) Distal part of left palp, prolateral view. (B, D) Same of right palp, prolateral view. (E) Distal part of left palp, ventral view. (F) Patella to metatarsus of right leg I, prolateral view. (G) Right tibia I, ventral view. (H) Patella to metatarsus of right leg II, prolateral view. (I) Same, retroventral view. (J) Patella to metatarsus of left leg II, ventral view. (K) Same, prolateral view. Scale line 0.5 mm.

Fig. 13. Malayathele maculosa sp. nov., male holotype (A-C, H-L) and two male paratypes (D-E; F-G, M). (A) Distal part of left palp, prolateral view. (B) Same, ventral view. (C, E, G) Palpal organ of right palp, prolateral view. (D, F) Palpal organ of left palp, prolateral view. (H) Patella to metatarsus of left leg I, prolateral view. (I) Patella to tibia of left leg I, ventral view. (J) Patella to metatarsus of right leg II, ventral view. (K) Same of left leg II, prolateral view. (L) Same of right leg II, retrolateral view. (M) Same of left leg II, retrodorsal view. Scale line 0.5 mm.

Fig. 15. Malayathele kanching sp. nov.; male holotype (A-B, D-G) and male paratype (C, H). (A) Distal part of right palp, ventral view. (B-C) Same of left palp, prolateral view. (D) Patella to metatarsus of left leg I, prolateral view. (E) Patella and tibia of left leg I, ventral view. (F) Patella to metatarsus of left leg II, ventral view. (G-H) Same, prolateral view. Arrow indicates single spine retroventrally-distally on patella I. Scale line 0.5 mm.

Fig. 10. Malayathele cameronensis sp. nov., male holotype. (A) Left leg I, retrolateral view; one ventral spine on tibia fallen off. (B) Left leg II, prolateral view. (C) Unpaired claw and scopuliform hairs of left leg II, prolateral view. (D) Ventrally bulged tarsus of left leg II, prolateral view. (E) Scopuliform hair on left tarsus II. Not to scale.

Fig. 4. Leptothele bencha; vulvae of six females, dorsal view. (A) Female from Ko Libong. (B-C) Two females from Ko Tarutao. (D) Female from Ko Lanta. (E-F) Two females from Ko Siray. Scale lines 0.1 mm.

Fig. 7. Leptothele chang sp. nov.; vulvae of female allotype (A) and of three female paratypes (B-D), dorsal view. (A) Drawn from exuvia of allotype; cuticular gland duct bases visible. (B-D) Drawn from dissected paratypes; gland duct bases not visible but gland pores instead. (C) Right lateral receptacle carrying a tiny secondary receptacle. Scale lines 0.1 mm.

Fig. 9. Malayathele ulu sp. nov.; vulvae of seven females (all drawn from dissected specimens), dorsal view. (A) Allotype. (B-C) Paratypes from the type locality (Ulu Groh). (D-G) Paratypes from the Cameron Highlands: Parit Falls, 26.IV.2009 (D); Tanah Rata, 7.VIII.1972 (E); Gunung Perdah, 2.-14.V.2009 (F); trails 4 & 13, 23.III.1993, heads of median receptacles collapsed and right lateral receptacle torn off (G). Scale lines 0.1 mm.

Fig. 16. Malayathele kanching sp. nov.; vulvae of four female paratypes, dorsal (A-B) to increasingly more postero-dorsal view (C- D). (A, C-D) Specimens from the Templer Park. (B) Specimen from Ulu Gombak. Scale lines 0.05 mm.

Fig. 14. Malayathele maculosa sp. nov., vulvae of three females (all drawn from dissected specimens), dorsal view. (A) Allotype. (B) Paratype from Genting Highlands. (C) Juvenile female paratype from Fraser’s Hill. Scale lines 0.1 mm.

Fig. 1. Photos of unpaired leg claws, lateral view (A-J), and of serrula on palpal coxa, anteroventral view (K-L). (A) Masteria cf. cavicola (Simon, 1892), female (in MHNG; 13.IV.1977; leg. P. Strinati & V. Aellen) from a cave near Bagio, Luzon, the Phillipines, leg II. (B) Same, leg IV.(C) Phyxioschema huberi Schwendinger, 2009, exuvia of female paratype, leg I. (D) Same, leg IV. (E) Leptothele bencha, female from Ko Sirey, leg I. (F) Same, leg III. (G) Leptothele chang sp. nov., exuvia of female paratype, leg I. (H) Same, leg III. (I) Malayathele ulu sp. nov., exuvia of female paratype, leg I. (J) Same, leg IV. (K) Leptothele chang sp. nov., exuvia of female paratype. (L) Malayathele kanching sp. nov., exuvia of female paratype. Not to scale.

Fig. 2. Localities of Leptothele spp. and Malayathele spp. on the Thai-Malay Peninsula. The coast of Sumatra is omitted. 1 - Ko Sirey (L. bencha); 2 - Ko Yao Noi (L. bencha); 3 - Khao Phanom Bencha (L. bencha, type locality); 4 - Thab Khaek - Hang Nak Hill and Khlong Jilat (L. bencha); 5 - Ban Chong Phlie (L. bencha); 6 - Ko Lanta (L. bencha); 7 - Ko Muk (L. bencha); 8 - Ko Libong (L. bencha); 9 - Ko Sukon (L. bencha); 10 - Ko Tarutao (L. bencha); 11 - Tham Khao Chang Hai (L. chang sp. nov., type locality); 12 - Ulu Groh (M. ulu sp. nov., type locality); 13 - Chenderiang (Malayathele sp.); 14 - Cameron Highlands (M. cameronensis sp. nov., type locality; M. ulu sp. nov.); 15 - Fraser’s Hill (M. maculosa sp. nov., type locality); 16 - Genting Highlands (M. maculosa sp. nov.); 17 - Templer Park (M. kanching sp. nov.; type locality); 18 - Ulu Gombak (M. kanching sp. nov.); 19 - Jeram Pasu Waterfall (Malayathele sp.); 20 - Singapore (Euagridae/Dipluridae gen. sp.).