Platocoelotes icohamatoides ( Peng and Wang, 1997 )

Yin, Haiqiang, Xu, Xiang & Yan, Hengmei, 2010, A new Platocoelotes species and first description of the male of Platocoelotes icohamatoides from Hunan, China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae: Coelotinae), Zootaxa 2399, pp. 42-50 : 45-49

Platocoelotes icohamatoides ( Peng and Wang, 1997)

Figs 2A–D , 4A–G , 5 .

Coelotes icohamatoides Peng & Wang, 1997: 328 , f. 5-1 (holotype female from Huangsang, Suining, Hunan, China, deposited in HNU, not examined, may have been lost)

Coelotes icohamatoides Song, Zhu & Chen, 1999: 375 , f. 219Q-R (only female was described) Platocoelotes icohamatoides Wang, 2002: 122 ; Wang, 2003: 562, f. 76A-B (only female was described)

Material examined (all specimens in HNU): CHINA: Hunan. Fenghuang County (27.56ºN, 109.36ºE), Mt. Naershan, 1 female paratype, no date or collector; Shuangfeng County, Hongshandian Town, Yangliu Village, the entrance of Mingshanyoudong Cave (27.62ºN, 112.04ºE), 8 males and 3 females, 11 October 2008; Shuangfeng County, Hongshandian Town, Nanxi Village, unnamed cave (27.61ºN, 111.99ºE), 2 males and 6 females, 12 October 2008; Lengshuijiang City, Heqing Town, Dashengshan Mt. (27.60ºN, 111.42ºE), 1 male, 14 October 2008; Lengshuijiang City, Yanshi Town, Jinxing Village, unnamed cave (27.64ºN, 111.53ºE), 1 male, 13 October 2008; Xinhua County, Youxi Town, Meishanlonggong Cave (27.96ºN, 111.29ºE), 1 female, 14 October 2008, all collected by Xiang Xu and Xiaoqi Mi leg.

Diagnosis: The male of this species is similar to Platocoelotes impletus (Peng and Wang) in having similar patellar apophyses (two apophysis present, far separated from each other) and ventral conductor apophysis (similar shapes and length), but can be distinguished by the slightly blunt finger–shaped apophysis on the distal margin of conductor (which is very sharp in Platocoelotes impletus ), long cymbial furrow, wide and flat lateral tibial apophysis, and especially by the presence of a large KP (basal margin of conductor strongly curved toward distal margin and forming a distinct apophysis) ( Figs 2A–C , 4B–D ). The female resembles Platocoelotes kailiensis Wang in having a similar atrium (atrium longitudinally elongated), but can be separated by the spermathecal stalks with about 3 loops ( Figs 4F–G ) (at least 5 in P. kailiensis ).

Description. Male: Total length 9.2–11.8. The specimen measured in total length 9.2. Carapace length 4.8, width 3.5; abdomen length 4.4, width 2.8 ( Fig. 4A ). Eye measurements and interdistances: AME 0.33; ALE 0.33; PME 0.28; PLE 0.28; AME–AME 0.08; AME–ALE 0.05; AME–PME 0.05; ALE–PLE 0.23; PME–PME 0.20; PME–PLE 0.30. Leg formula: IV, I, II, III; leg measurements: I: total 21 (femur 5.4, patella + tibia, 7.0, metatarsus 5.4, tarsus 3.2); II: 17.1 (4.8, 5.4, 4.4, 2.5); III: 16.2 (4.3, 5.0, 4.5, 2.4); IV: 21.7 (5.7, 6.6, 6.5, 2.9). Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth ( Fig. 2D ). Palp with two patellar apophyses; RTA distally slightly extending beyond distal margin of tibia; lateral tibial apophysis flat and wide, far separated from RTA; cymbial furrow elongate, occupying at least half of cymbial length; conductor lamella strongly sclerotized; distal margin of conductor with a blunt finger-like apophysis; dorsal conductor apophysis broad; ventral conductor apophysis long, and reaching the end of RTA; median apophysis absent; embolus long, arising at approximately 6–o’clock-position ( Figs 2A–C , 4B–D ).

Female: Abdomen with chevron pattern ( Fig. 4E ). Epigynum with atrium large, becoming strongly narrower posteriorly (posterior one-third width of anterior); opening of atrium elongated longitudinally; epigynal hoods distinct, situated close to epigastric furrow and widely separated from lateral atrial margins; spermathecal bases situated closed to each other; with their distal ends separated from each other; spermathecal heads small, situated anteriorly; spermathecal stalks with about three loops; copulatory ducts indistinct ( Figs 4F–G ).

Distribution: China (Hunan) ( Fig. 5 ).

Figures

FIGURES 5. Collection localities of 11 cave-associated Platocoelotes species.

FIGURES 2 A – E. Platocoelotes icohamatoides: A. Male left palp, prolateral view; B. Ditto, ventral view; C. Ditto, retrolateral view; D. Male cheliceral teeth, ventral view; E. Tibia of male left palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm. Abbreviations: C = conductor; CDA = conductor dorsal apophysis; CF = cymbial furrow; CL = conductor lamella; CVA = conductor ventral apophysis; E = embolus; KP = “ keratose plate ” of conductor; LTA = lateral tibial apophysis; PA = patellar apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis.

FIGURES 4 A – G. Platocoelotes icohamatoides: A. Male habitus, dorsal view; B. Male left palp, prolateral view; C. Ditto, ventral view; D. Ditto, retrolateral view; E. Female habitus, dorsal view; F. Female epigynum, ventral view; G. Ditto, vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm. Abbreviations: A = atrium; FD = fertilization duct; H = epigynal hood; OA = opening of atrium; SB = spermathecal base; SH = spermathecal head; SST = spermathecal stalk.