Spiricoelotes anshiensis Chen & Li

Chen, Lu, Zhao, Zhe & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, Six new species of the spider genus Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in Jiangxi, China, ZooKeys 561, pp. 1-19 : 3

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Agelenidae

Spiricoelotes anshiensis Chen & Li sp. n. Figs 1, 2, 12

Type material.

Holotype ♂: China: Jiangxi: Ji’an City: Shacun Town, Chayuan Village, Anshi Cave, N26°31'24", E115°06'48", elevation: 332 m, 3.V.2013, Y.F. Luo and J.C. Liu. Paratypes: 5♀, same data as holotype.

Etymology.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The male of the new species can be easily distinguished from all other Spiricoelotes by the long conductor (more than 1/2 length of cymbium, in previously known species subequal to or less than 1/2 length of cymbium) and looped conductor apex (with one loop, conductor of previously known species spiralled, rather than with looped apex), the long and broad outgrowth of the conductor (conductor of previously known species without outgrowth) (Fig. 1 A–C). The female of the new species can be easily distinguished from all of the other Spiricoelotes by the bean-shaped atria (approximately 1/3 of epigynal plate, atria of previously known species obviously less than 1/3 of epigynal plate), the funnel-shaped copulatory ducts, the short spermathecae and the epigynal hoods close to each other (Fig. 2 A–B).

Description.

Male (holotype): Total length 5.59. Carapace 2.78 long, 1.94 wide. Abdomen 2.81 long, 1.63 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.14, ALE 0.15, PME 0.13, PLE 0.11; AME-AME 0.04, AME-ALE 0.02, PME-PME 0.06, PME-PLE 0.08. Leg measurements: I 11.50 (3.35, 3.45, 2.75, 1.95); II 12.24 (3.20, 4.16, 3.12, 1.76); III 10.84 (2.88 3.28, 2.88, 1.80); IV 14.57 (3.92, 4.10, 4.23, 2.32). Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 4 retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis longer than patella, with pointed tip, strongly curved; RTA with pointed tip, extending beyond the tibia; LTA short, approximately 1/4 length of RTA; cymbial furrow long, approximately 1/3 length of cymbium; conductor long, slender, anteriorly extending, and apex looped; with outgrowth, located at the base of conductor; embolus beginning at 5:30 to 6 o’clock position (Fig. 1 A–C).

Female (one of the paratypes): Total length 7.68. Carapace 3.28 long, 2.50 wide. Abdomen 4.40 long, 3.00 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.17, ALE 0.25, PME 0.19, PLE 0.17; AME-AME 0.04, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.09, PME-PLE 0.08. Leg measurements: I 13.21 (3.60, 4.45, 3.12, 2.04); II 11.82 (3.50, 3.96, 2.60, 1.76); III 10.68 (3.04, 3.28, 2.76, 1.60); IV 14.88 (3.96, 4.85, 3.95, 2.12). Chelicerae as in male. Epigyne: atria bean-shaped, approximately 1/3 of epigynal plate, situated anteriorly and separated by septum (narrower than atria); hoods distinct, situated anteriorly, close to each other; spermathecae long and convoluted; copulatory ducts short, funnel-shaped (Fig. 2 A–B).

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 12).