Karstia nitida, 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 : 8-10

Karstia nitida sp. n. Figs 1112

Material examined.

Holotype: CHINA, Guangxi: Hechi City, Hechi County, Laba Village, Shoushui Cave, 24°41.229'N, 107°52.609'E, elevation ca 268 m, 31 March 2011, Z.G. Chen & Z.W. Zha (IZCAS), 1 female.

Paratypes: [same data as holotype] (IZCAS), 14 females.

Etymology.

This specific name comes from the Latin word ‘nitidus’ which means 'shinning and elegant’, referring to the glossiness of the swollen tip of the epigynal scape; adjective.

Diagnosis.

Females distinguished by the following combination of characters: the structure of the scape, the stout, overlapped spermathecae (Fig. 11B), and the habitus of this species (Figs 11 C–E). Spermathecae oval-shaped with vertically longer diameter, slightly detached from each other along their inner margin. The abdomen large, contrasted with distinctly small epigynal area. The scape structure is quite different from other Karstia or Baalzebub species: the tip of scape is swollen and shimmery, and the lateral margins of the plate extend toward the scape tip to form a arm et-shaped conformation (Fig. 11A). Generic placement tentative pending discovery and examination of the male.

Description.

Carapace pale yellow with yellow ocular region. Sternum yellow with tan margins. Legs yellow, brown distally at joints. Abdomen dark grey mottled with white patches (Figs 11 C–E).

Vulva: Epigyne small, with short, distally spherical scape protruding from posterior margin of epigyne plate. Epigyne plate extends posteriorly, together with scape to form a barbute-shaped conformation (Figs 11A, 12A). End of scape glossy with black purfle (Fig. 11A). Spermathecae peanut-shaped, juxtaposed, slightly detached from each other (Figs 11B, 12B). Copulatory ducts follow simple rout to form small loops and one turning before connected with spermathecae at the bottom (Figs 11B, 12B).

Female: Total length 3.25, carapace 1.38 long, 1.13 wide, clypeus 0.10, sternum 0.70 long, 0.65 wide, coxae IV separated by their width. Posterior median eyes separated by less than half their diameter. Macrosetae: Leg I: femur p 1, r 1, patella d 1, tibia d 2, p 2, v 2, r 1, metatarsus d 1, v 2, r 1; Leg II: femur d 2, patella d 2, tibia d 4, p 1, v2, metatarsus p 1, v 2; Leg III: femur d 1, patella d 2, tibia d 1, v 1, metatarsus d 3; Leg IV: patella d 2, tibia d 1, v 1, r 1, metatarsus d 2. Metatarsal trichobothria: Tm I: 0.23; Tm II: 0.21; Tm III: 0.16; Tm IV 0.22. Leg measurements: I 4.00 (0.56, 0.63, 1.09, 1.09, 0.63); II 4.16 (1.25, 0.50, 0.94, 0.94, 0.53); III 2.98 (0.78, 0.47, 0.63, 0.63, 0.47); IV 3.66 (1.25, 0.38, 0.78, 0.78, 0.47).

Male unknown.