Psechrus sinensis Berland & Berland, 1914

Bayer, Steffen, 2012, The lace-sheet-weavers — a long story (Araneae: Psechridae: Psechrus), Zootaxa 3379 (1), pp. 1-170 : 97-100

Psechrus sinensis Berland & Berland, 1914

Figs 52a–d , 53a–d , 86a , 89a , 92a

Psechrus sinensis Berland, J. and Berland, L. 1914: 131 , figs 1–3 (Description of ♂, illustration of ♂). [Syntypes: 2 ♂ (SB 521–522) from CHINA: Guizhou Province (“Kouy-Tchéou”): region of Guiyang (“Env. de Kouy-Yang”), ca. N 26°30' –26°40’, E 106°30' –106°40', 1100–1350 m; P. Cavalerie leg. 1909, 1913; MNHN AR171, all type material examined]. Fage 1929: 360. Schenkel 1963: 20, fig. 3 (Description of s.a. ♀ [?], illustration of s.a. ♀ [?]). Lehtinen 1967: 261 (Syn. with P. singaporensis , rejected by subsequent authors), fig. 474 (illustration of ♂). Levi 1982: 123, figs 34–39, ad part, figs 36–39 misidentified (Description of ♂, figs 34–35: illustration of ♂). Song et al. 1999: 397, figs 232G–H, S (illustration of ♂ and ♀). Wang and Yin 2001: 339, figs 24–28 (Description of ♂ and ♀, illustration of ♂ and ♀). Silva 2003: 45, fig. 16a (Non SEM photo of ♂ palp, misidentification, see P. rani ). Yang et al. 2003: 44.

Psechrus guiyangensis Yin, Wang and Zhang 1985: 24 , figs 4A–D (Description of ♀, illustration of ♀). [Holotype ♀ from CHINA: Guizhou Province: Guiyang; Y.J. Zhang leg. 04.VII.1983; HBI; Paratypes: 4 ♀♀ (one of which SB 524), with same data as for holotype; HBI, only 1 paratype (SB 524) examined, remaining type material not available on request, thus not examined]. Song et al. 1999: 397 (Syn.).

Additional material examined. CHINA: Guizhou Province: Guiyang ; X.P. Wang leg. 30.IX.1997; 1 ♀ ( SB 1176 ), AMNH. Anshun, dryland of Giyangio; X. Xu leg. 02.VII.1999; 1 ♀ ( SB 523 ), HBI .

Doubtful material examined. CHINA: Guizhou Province (“Kouy-Tchéou”): Reg. de Pin-Fa; P. Cavalerie leg. 1908; E. Schenkel det. 1946; 1 s.a. ♀ ( SB 15 ), 1 p. s.a. ♂ ( SB 606 ), MNHN AR186 .

Revised diagnosis (see also diagnosis for sinensis -group above). Males similar to P. triangulus Yang, Zhang, Zhu & Song 2003 in having long embolus base (EB) (longer than conductor [C]), possessing numerous tubercles distally ( Figs 52a–c , 54a–c ). Distinguished by the filiform distal part of embolus (E) and by the tip of C pointing prolaterally ( Fig. 52b ). Females similar to P. triangulus in having median septum (MS) with posterior part at least four times broader than anterior part ( Figs 53a , 54e ). Copulatory ducts (CD) without twist, the bulbous sections of CD about as broad as spermatheca ( Figs 53b , 54f ). Distinguished by the anteriorly rounded posterior section of MS ( Fig. 53a ), the broader copulatory ducts and the spermathecae laterally just slightly extending beyond CD ( Fig. 53b ).

Description. Male (both male syntypes in bad condition and cut in many pieces; one [SB 521] was in a slightly better condition than the other and all limbs were still available, could be assigned respectively and could be measured; for SB 522 carapace measurements are listed in parentheses):

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 11.1 (11.0), carapace width 8.0 (7.3), anterior width of carapace 4.5 (4.2), opisthosoma length 12.7 (11.8), opisthosoma width 6.6 (6.0). Eyes: AME 0.56, ALE 0.54, PME 0.61, PLE 0.56, AME–AME 0.26, AME–ALE 0.10, PME–PME 0.40, PME–PLE 0.43, AME–PME 0.71, ALE–PLE 0.57, clypeus height at AME 1.39, clypeus height at ALE 1.22.

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1243. Palp: 14.0 [4.8, 2.4, 1.9, 4.9]; Legs: I 86.6 [23.3, 5.5, 24.5, 24.1, 9.2], II 69.4 [19.1, 4.8, 18.5, 19.4, 7.6], III 45.9 [13.5, 3.6, 11.3, 12.5, 5.0], IV 69.0 [18.1, 4.3, 17.7, 18.9, 7.4]. Spination. Palp: 131, 000, 0000; legs: femur I 525{525}, II 545{645}, III 545, IV 544; patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3038, III 2035, IV 3036; metatarsus I 2025 {3035}, II 3035, III 3036, IV 4034.

Palpal femur ventrally modified with rounded bulge ( Fig. 52d ).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description for sinensis -group). Conductor (C) with pointed tip ( Figs 52a–c ). Sperm duct with broad V- shaped course. Embolus (E) basally with rounded apophysis, folded retrolaterally ( Fig. 52c ). Palpal tibia short ( Figs 52a–c ).

Female (measurements of paratype SB 524 of P. guiyangensis first, those of specimen SB 523 from Anshun in parentheses behind):

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 8.7 (7.4), carapace width 6.2 (5.3), anterior width of carapace 4.0 (3.6), opisthosoma length 11.9 (11.1), opisthosoma width 6.3 (4.6). Eyes: AME 0.47 (0.45), ALE 0.48 (0.41), PME 0.52 (0.43), PLE 0.48 (0.42), AME–AME 0.23 (0.20), AME–ALE 0.04 (0.04), PME–PME 0.35 (0.34), PME–PLE 0.50 (0.48), AME–PME 0.65 (0.66), ALE–PLE 0.59 (0.59), clypeus height at AME 1.07 (0.82), clypeus height at ALE 1.02 (0.81).

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1243. Palp: 10.3 (9.0) [3.6 (3.0), 1.5 (1.4), 1.9 (1.6), 3.3 (3.0)]; Legs: I 46.6 (40.7) [11.4 (11.3), 3.6 (3.1), 13.5 (11.2), 12.3 (10.3), 5.8 (4.8)], II 37.8 (32.8) [10.4 (9.4), 3.4 (2.9), 10.0 (8.6), 9.4 (8.1), 4.6 (3.8)], III 25.6 (23.5) [6.2 (7.2), 2.6 (2.1), 6.6 (5.6), 6.9 (5.7), 3.3 (2.9)], IV 37.8 (32.2) [10.4 (9.5), 3.0 (2.5, 9.8 (8.2), 9.8 (8.2), 4.8 (3.8)].

Palpal claw with 14 teeth.

Spination. Palp: 131, 110, 1101, 1014; legs: femur I 546 (546), II 546 (545), III 545 (546), IV 545 {544} (544); patella I–IV 000; tibia I– II 3038 (3038), III 2035 {2024} (2035), IV 2034 (2034); metatarsus I– III 3035 (3035), IV 3035 (3036).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description of sinensis -group). Slit sense organs and epigynal muscle sigilla outside epigynal field ( Fig. 53a ). In comparison to P. triangulus spermathecal heads arising a bit more ventrally at spermatheca ( Fig. 53b ).

Colouration of male and female (see also description for sinensis -group and Psechrus ). Median bands on carapace not serrated. Lateral bands extremely narrow or absent (if present, at most 0.2 diameter of PME) and not serrated. Light longitudinal line ventrally on opisthosoma mostly broken subdistally (rarely strongly constricted subdistally) and medium-sized to broad. If measured centrally on opisthosoma, its width is slightly less than the width of one half of the cribellum (ca. 0.6–0.9 of one half of the cribellum). Distal part (patch) broader than main section.

Variation of copulatory organs. Males: The two syntype males examined showed no significant variation. Females: Posterior part of MS a bit longer in SB 523 from Anshun ( Fig. 53d ). Vulvae without significant variation.

Remarks: Schenkel (1963) described a subadult female and a pre-subadult male under P. sinensis . Apparently, he actually intended to describe a new species based on these specimens (as types), which are deposited in the arachnid collection of MNHN: 1 s.a. ♀ (SB 15) and 1 p. s.a. ♂ (SB 606) (both MNHN AR 186). The label of the respective vial contains the note “ Psechrus cavaleriei Schenkel TYPE!”. It goes without saying that this name (and so the “ types ”) is not valid, as Schenkel had never published a description of a “ Psechrus cavaleriei ”. To date the pre-epigyne of P. sinensis is unknown, consequently I cannot confirm if the two specimens really belong to P. sinensis . I have been unable to check subadult females collected at exactly the same locality as adult material of P. sinensis . The same problem concerns P. kunmingensis Yin, Wang & Zhang, 1985 (see respective species description herein). The s.a. ♀ examined by Schenkel shows some similarities to subadult females collected just a few km away from type locality of P. kunmingensis .

Distribution. China ( Fig. 96 ).

Figures

FIGURES 52a–d. Psechrus sinensis, ♂ syntype SB 521 from China, Guizhou Prov. a–c ♂ palp (a prolateral, b ventral, c retrolateral view). d ♂ left palpal femur, retrolateral view.

FIGURES 53a–d. Psechrus sinensis, from China, Guizhou Prov., ♀ copulatory organ. a–c ♀ SB 524 (paratype of P. guiyangensis), d ♀ SB 523. a, d Epigyne, ventral view. b Vulva, dorsal view. c Schematic course of internal duct system.

FIGURES 54a–g. Psechrus triangulus, from China, Yunnan Prov. a–d ♂ paratype SB 882. e–g ♀ holotype SB 881. a–c ♂ palp (a prolateral, b ventral, c retrolateral view). d ♂ left palpal femur, retrolateral view. e Epigyne, ventral view. f Vulva, dorsal view. g Schematic course of internal duct system.

FIGURES 86a–o. Psechrus spp., photos of left ♂ palp. a P.sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P. senoculatus. f P. clavis sp. nov. g P. torvus. h P. hartmanni sp. nov. i P. zygon sp. nov.? j P. crepido sp. nov. k P. schwendingeri sp. nov. l P.cebu. m–o P. kunmingensis. a ♂ syntype SB 521 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♂ paratype SB 882 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♂ SB 529 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♂ paratype SB 1150 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♂ paratype SB 537 from China, Hunan Prov. f ♂ paratype SB 1008 from Taiwan, Nantou County. g ♂ paralectotype SB 264 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. h ♂ SB 624 from Sri Lanka. i ♂ SB 848 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. j ♂ holotype SB 644 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. k ♂ holotype SB 143 from Philippines, Luzon, Mountain Prov. l ♂ holotype SB 149 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m–o ♂ from China, Yunnan Prov., Kunming. a–m, o ventral, n prolateral view.

FIGURES 89a–p. Psechrus spp., photos of epigyne, ventral view. a P. sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P.fuscaisp. nov. f P. kunmingensis. g P. senoculatus. h P.clavis sp. nov. i P. kenting. j P. taiwanensis. k P. crepido sp. nov. l P. cebu. m P. torvus. n P. hartmanni sp. nov. o P. zygon sp. nov. p P. tauricornis sp. nov. a ♀ paratype SB 524 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♀ holotype SB 881 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♀ paratype SB 194 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♀ paratype SB 1153 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. f ♀ SB 953 from China, Yunnan Prov. g ♀ SB 886 from China, Sichuan Prov. h ♀ paratype SB 614 from Taiwan, Taoyuan County. i ♀ paratype SB 618 from Taiwan, Taitung County. j ♀ holotype SB 238 from Taiwan. k ♀ paratype SB 984 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. l ♀ paratype SB 151 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m ♀ SB 941 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 845 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. o ♀ holotype SB 846 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. p ♀ paratype SB 849 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov.

FIGURES 92a–p. Psechrus spp., photos of vulva, dorsal view. a P. sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P.fuscaisp. nov. f P. kunmingensis. g P. senoculatus. h P.clavis sp. nov. i P. kenting. j P. taiwanensis. k P. crepido sp. nov. l P. cebu. m P. torvus. n P. hartmanni sp. nov. o P. zygon sp. nov. p P. tauricornis sp. nov. a ♀ paratype SB 524 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♀ holotype SB 881 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♀ paratype SB 194 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♀ paratype SB 1155 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. f ♀ SB 953 from China, Yunnan Prov. g ♀ SB 886 from China, Sichuan Prov. h ♀ paratype SB 831 from Taiwan, Chiayi County. i ♀ paratype SB 618 from Taiwan, Taitung County. j ♀ holotype SB 238 from Taiwan. k ♀ paratype SB 984 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. l ♀ paratype SB 151 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m ♀ SB 941 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 845 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. o ♀ holotype SB 846 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. p ♀ paratype SB 849 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov.

FIGURE 96. Distribution of Psechrus in China and northern Vietnam. All species belong to the sinensis-group except P. inflatus sp. nov. (himalayanus-group) and P.rani (ancoralis-group). Distribution of Psechrus in Taiwan, see Fig. 97. For the distribution of P. ghecuanus in China, see Fig. 98.