Pseudopoda interposita, Jäger, Peter & Vedel, Vincent, 2007

Jäger, Peter & Vedel, Vincent, 2007, Sparassidae of China 4. The genus Pseudopoda (Araneae: Sparassidae) in Yunnan Province, Zootaxa 1623, pp. 1-38 : 5-6

Pseudopoda interposita sp. n.

Figs 7–9 , 137

Type material: Holotype: male (PJ 2161), Nujiang County, Zhon Lushui Xian [Yunnan Province, China], 5 June 1981, Yao Jiaping (IOZ).

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the Latin participle ‘interpositus, -a, -um’, meaning ‘being situated in between’, and refers to its assumed systematic position between P. gongshana and P. sinapophysis ; adjective.

Diagnosis. Medium-sized Heteropodinae. The species may be recognised by the following combination of characters: Males ( Figs 7–9 ) — 1. Cymbium elongated in comparison to other Pseudopoda spp., but slightly wider than in P. sinapophysis , 2. Embolus thin, base straight, tip bent at a right angle, distal part separated into two parts, 3. RTA with long and thin finger-like dorsal part.

Description. Male (measurements of the holotype): PL 4.5, PH 1.8, PW 4.1, AW 2.2, OL 5.6, OW 3.3. Eyes: AME 0.23, ALE 0.35, PME 0.26, PLE 0.33, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.03, PME–PME 0.23, PME–PLE 0.31, AME–PME 0.26, ALE–PLE 0.22, CH –AME 0.23, CH –ALE 0 21.

Leg formula: 2143. Spination: PP 131, 101, 2101; FE I 323, II–III 322, IV 331; PA I–III 101, IV 000; TI I–II 2228, III 2226, IV2126; MT I–II 3034, III–IV 3036. Measurements of palps and legs: PP 7.8 [2.3, 1.3, 1.6, 2.6], I 25.3 [6.0, 2.3, 7.4, 7.6, 2.0], II 27.2 [6.3, 2.5, 8.0, 8.2, 2.2], III 19.7 [5.5, 2.1, 5.1, 5.3, 1.7], IV 21.2 [5.8, 2.0, 5.5, 6.1, 1.8].

Palp as in diagnosis. Cymbium slightly elongated but not as strong as in P. sinapophysis . Embolus, arising from 10-o’clock-position on tegulum and slightly “S” curved. Distal part bent at right angle pointing retrolaterally, tip bifurcate. Sperm duct running submarginally on retrolateral tegulum, becoming narrower at the embolus. RTA arising medially from TI, ventral finger-like part pointing retrolaterally ( Figs 7–9 ).

Colour: DS yellowish-brown, with fovea slightly darker. ST without distinct pattern. CC same colour as DS. OS uniformly bright brown, brighter in anterior half, without distinct pattern. Legs yellowish-brown, brighter at FE, getting darker towards distal segments (especially TA). Appendages with some irregular dark spine patches.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality (8 in Fig. 137 ).

Relationships. According to the shape of the embolus and RTA this new species may be closely related to P. gongschana sp. n. The degree of elongation of the cymbium places this species intermediate between P. sinapophysis sp. n. and P. gongschana sp. n. If the elongation would be due to adaptation to cave habitats, it had to be considered only as a secondary character for a phylogenetic analysis.

Figures

FIGURE 137. Localities of Pseudopoda spp. in Yunnan and adjacent regions. 1 — Wengshang, 55 km N Zhongdian (shuqiangi); 2 — Tuguancun, 51 km SSE Zhongdian (yinae), 3 — Qiqi He (contentio), 4 — Bridge Camp (No. 12) (contentio, gongschana), 5 – 6 — Danzhu He (5 — 15.7 – 16.0 air km SW of Gongshan: contentio, saetosa; 6 — 13.5 air km SSW of Gongshan: contentio, gongschana), 7 — Pianma (amelia, digitata, sinapophysis), 8 — Zhon Lushui Xian (interposita), 9 — Luoshuidong (obtusa, sinapophysis), 10 — Nankang (contraria, sinapophysis), 11 — Yangbi (yunnanensis), 12 — Dali (cangschana, daliensis, rivicola), 13 — Xishan (bibulba, roganda, spiculata), 14 — Hsiao Meng Lun (cf. bibulba). Open square — Adung Valley; N Myanmar (platembola, biapicata). Filled square — Emei Shan, Sichuan Province, China (rivicola). Inset: Position of Yunnan Province in China.

FIGURES 1 – 9. 1 – 6 Pseudopoda sinapophysis sp. n. from Gaoligongshan, Pianma (1 – 3 holotype male, PJ 2073, 4 – 6 paratype female, PJ 2076). 7 – 9 Pseudopoda interposita sp. n. from Nujiang Zhou (holotype male, PJ 2161). 1 – 3, 7 – 9 Left male palp (1 prolateral; 2, 7 ventral; 3, 8 retrolateral; 9 dorsal); 4 Epigyne, ventral; 5 Vulva, dorsal; 6 Schematic course of internal duct system, dorsal.