Gongylidioides laqueus, Irfan & Zhang & Peng, 2022

Irfan, Muhammad, Zhang, Zhi-Sheng & Peng, Xian-Jin, 2022, Survey of Linyphiidae (Arachnida: Araneae) spiders from Yunnan, China, Megataxa 8 (1), pp. 1-292 : 90-91

Gongylidioides laqueus sp. nov. (ƬAEƉƦ)

Figures 109 , 110 , 113

Types. Holotype ♀, CHINA, Yunnan, Fugong County,

Lishadi Township , Shibali, 27.10520°N, 98.77980°E, alt. 2530m, 04–10 August 2005, Guo Tang leg. (Tang– 05–02). Paratypes: 2♀, same data as holotype (Tang– 05–02) .

Etymology. This epithet derives from the Latin noun “ laqueus ”, meaning “loop”, referring to the copulatory ducts forming broad loops posteriorly before joining to the spermathecae in epigyne.

Diagnosis. This new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by the two spirals of copulatory ducts posteriorly located ( Fig. 109A–C ), whereas anteriorly located in others ( Tu & Li, 2006, figs 1H–I, 2I, J, 3I, J, 4C–F, 6H–I). Spermathecae present at the apex of dorsal plate ( Fig. 109A–C ), whereas laterally located in others ( Tu & Li, 2006, figs 1H–I, 2I, J, 3I, J, 4C–F, 6H–I).

Description. Female (holotype, Fig. 110A, B ): Total length: 2.26. Carapace 0.81 long, 0.64 wide; cephalic region slightly elevated, brown; fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.13 high. Sternum wider than long, dark brown, sparsely covered with microsetae. Labium wider than long. Maxillae long, distal end broad with scopulae. Chelicerae with four promarginal and four retromarginal teeth. Eyes: AER recurved, PER recurved, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.05, ALE 0.05, PME 0.04, PLE 0.04, AME–AME 0.03, PME–PME 0.08, AME–ALE, 0.01, PME–PLE 0.04, AME–PME 0.07, ALE–ALE 0.22, PLE–PLE 0.25, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 2.80 (0.87, 0.89, 0.64, 0.40), II 2.69 (0.81, 0.87, 0.61, 0.40), III 2.15 (0.67, 0.66, 0.50, 0.32), IV 2.63 (0.76, 0.85, 0.65, 0.37). Leg formula I-II-IV-III. Tm I 0.31 and Tm IV 0.24. Tibial spine formula: 2-2-1-1. Abdomen 1.45 long, 0.96 wide, oval, dark brown, ventral side dark brown.

Epigyne ( Fig. 109A–C ):Ventral plate wider than long; copulatory openings present mid-ventrally at the junction of dorsal and ventral plate on posterior end. Vulva: dorsal plate wider than long, almost exposed; copulatory ducts long, coiled with two spirals posteriorly; spermathecae globular, present at the apex of dorsal plate, pointing towards the anterior margin of ventral plate; fertilization ducts short, extending mesally.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 113 ).

Figures

FIGURE 109. Gongylidioides laqueus sp. nov., female holotype. A, B Epigyne, ventral view C Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURE 110. Gongylidioides laqueus sp. nov., female holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view.

FIGURE 113. Distribution of Gongylidioides species.