Mekonglema kaorao Zhao & Li sp. nov. Figures 14, 15, 33

Type material.

Holotype: ♂ (SMF), Laos, Luang Prabang Province, Vieng Phoukha town, Ban Nam Eng, Kao Rao Cave, 20.7251N, 101.1541E, elevation ca. 729 m, P. Jäger leg. Paratype: 1♀ (SMF), same data as holotype.

Etymology.

The species name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.

Diagnosis.

This species resembles M. walayaku sp. nov. but can be distinguished by the following characters: the bulb is nearly globular (Fig. 14C, D) (vs. ellipsoidal), the tip of the embolus is not sclerotized (Fig. 14B) (vs. well sclerotized). The tip of receptacle is 1.50 times wider than the neck (Fig. 15A) (vs. three times).

Description.

Male (holotype). Total length 1.13. Carapace 0.49 long, 0.44 wide. Abdomen 0.58 long, 0.45 wide. Carapace brown (Fig. 14A). Six vestigial eyes (Fig. 14A). Chelicerae, legs, labium, and endites light brown. Sternum bright brown with sparse setae. Leg measurements: I 3.06 (0.80, 0.18, 0.98, 0.62, 0.48); II 2.84 (0.85, 0.17, 0.84, 0.53, 0.45); III 2.06 (0.63, 0.15, 0.56, 0.37, 0.35); IV 2.73 (0.81, 0.15, 0.81, 0.56, 0.40). Abdomen light brown (Fig. 14A).

Palp. Tibia 2.71 times longer than patella, cymbium 1.65 times longer than tibia, length of cymbial apophysis as wide as cymbial base (Fig. 14C); bulb nearly globular (Fig. 14C, D); embolus 2/3 as long as cymbium, directed dorsally (Fig. 14C, D).

Female. Total length 1.18. Carapace 0.46 long, 0.45 wide. Abdomen 0.65 long, 0.52 wide. Eyes vestigial (Fig. 15B). Coloration as in male (Fig. 15B, C). Leg measurements: I 2.95 (0.88, 0.18, 0.88, 0.56, 0.45); II 2.62 (0.79, 0.17, 0.75, 0.50, 0.41); III 1.92 (0.59, 0.14, 0.53, 0.34, 0.32); IV 2.62 (0.79, 0.15, 0.75, 0.53, 0.40). Abdomen grey. Receptacle membranous, without tubes inside, neck 1.50 times thinner than tip (Fig. 15A).

Distribution.

Laos (Luang Prabang, site 3 in Fig. 33), known only from the type locality.