Heteropoda dagmarae, Jäger, Peter & Vedel, Vincent, 2005

Jäger, Peter & Vedel, Vincent, 2005, Heteropoda dagmarae sp. nov. from Laos — a close relative of Heteropoda javana (Simon 1880) from Indonesia (Arachnida: Araneae: Sparassidae), Zootaxa 1044, pp. 17-26 : 18-25

Heteropoda dagmarae sp. nov.

Figs. 1 – 23

Type material. ɗ holotype (PJ 2177), with label: Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov., 5 km N of Luang Nam Tha, 597m, N 21°01.201´, E 101°24.632, secondary forest, vegetation, rocks, soil, beside road, at night, by hand, P. Jäger & V. Vedel leg. 8.11.2004. 1 ɗ paratype (PJ 2178), with same data as holotype. 1 Ψ paratype (PJ 2179), with same data as holotype.

6 Ψ paratypes (PJ 2180–2185), with same data as holotype. 1 ɗ paratype (PJ 2186), with same data as holotype except for: 7.11.2004, SD 132. 1 Ψ paratype (PJ 2187), with label: Laos, Vientiane Prov., N Vang Vieng, Ban Phoxay, 260m, N19°00.731´, E102°26.766´, vegetation on slopes along the road, at night, by hand, P. Jäger & V. Vedel leg. 17.11.2004, SD 147. 1 Ψ paratype (PJ 2188), with same data as holotype, except for: 7.11.2004, SD 134. 1 Ψ paratype (PJ 2189), with same data as holotype, except for: 7.11.2004, SD 135. 1 ɗ paratype (PJ 2193), with label: Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov., Muang Sing, Nam Ha Protected Area, 745m, N21°08.075´, E101°11.991´, secondary forest, along path, at night, by hand, P. Jäger & V. Vedel leg. 6.11.2004, SD 130. 1 Ψ paratype (PJ 2190), with label as previous, but: slope at street, leave litter, bank at stream, under stones, day and night, P. Jäger & V. Vedel leg. 4.11.2004, SD 123. All types in SMF.

Additional material examined: Heteropoda javana— 25 Ψ syntypes (PJ 1675, 1679 – 1702), 2 subadult Ψ (PJ 1703 – 1704) and 4 ɗ specimens (PJ 1674, 1676 – 1678) (both latter series are not considered types), with label: Club[ionidae]. Heteropodeae, Panaretus javanus E. S. Java, Zueda, M. Palabuan etc. (Fr[ruehstorfer?], MNHN 1677­290. 1 Ψ (PJ 141), with label: Sumatra: Fort de Kock, XII. 1912, leg. E. Jacobson, SMF. 1 Ψ (PJ 648), with label: Sumatra, Balighe, 0 0 3., Sparassidae , NHMW. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 100), with label: Serapai Kerintji [Mount Kerinci], Sumatra, leg. E. Jacobson, SMF 8559. 4 ɗ (PJ 590 – 593), with label: Sumatra, Fort de Kock, Jacobson [sub H. venatoria ], NHMW. 1 ɗ (PJ 890), with label: Indonesia, Sumatra, Padang, the hill with the Chinese cemtery, 21.5.1994, P. Beron et V. Beshkov leg., Coll. Deeleman. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 84), with label: Sumatra, Fort de Kock, SMF 12974. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 1741), with label: Penang, March 1898, Heteropoda sp., BM 98.9.15.15, 43, NHM. Heteropoda sp. — 2 Ψ (PJ 288), with label: Vietnam, Hang Bai Khang Island, 2.4.1987, in a hollow, leg. V.V. J a n u s h e v, Z M U M. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 2191), Malaysia, Cameron Highlands, Frank Schneider ded. 2004, SMF. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 624), with label: Sereinu, Mentavei­Inseln, 0 0 2., NHMW. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 625), with label: Sereinu, Mentavei­Inseln, 0 0 2., NHMW. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 622), with label: Sereinu, Mentavei­Inseln, 0 0 2., NHMW. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 53), with label: Siberut, Sumatra, Mentawai­Inseln, SMF. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 112), with label: Sumatra, geschenkt vom Lipp[ischen] Lande[es]mus[eum] Detmold, 17.6.1954, Postdirektor Mecke leg., SMF. Heteropoda sp. — 3 ɗ (PJ 473 – 475), with label: Sumatra, Si Rambé, Modigliani, NHMW. 1 ɗ (PJ 632) with label: Sumatra, Si Rambé, 0 16, NHMW. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 658), with label: Si Rambé, Sumatra, 0 30, NHMW. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 2192), with label: Gunong Pulai, Coll. Rae Sherriffs, Tilg. Nr. 27.9.1962, 302, ZMUC. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 1747), 2 Ψ (PJ 1748 – 1749), with label: Sumatra, Benkalis, Maurice Maindron, 1885, Heteropoda , MNHN. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 1750), 4 Ψ (PJ 1751 – 1754), 2 subadult ɗ, 7 immatures, with label: Benkalis, Maurice Maindron, 1885, sub: Heteropoda mediocris E. Simon , val. sp. aff., E. Simon det., MNHN. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 1755), with label: Benkalis, Maurice Maindron, 1885, sub: Heteropoda mediocris E. Simon , val. sp. aff., E. Simon det., MNHN. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 589), with label: Sumatra, Fort de Kock, Jacobson, sub: Heteropoda venatoria , NHMW. Heteropoda sp. — 1 ɗ (PJ 155), with label: Sumatra, Fort de Kock, RII 13663/ 225, SMF. Heteropoda sp. — 1 Ψ (PJ 644), with label: Sumatra, Padang, 0 31, NHMW.

Etymology. In honour of Mrs Dagmar Rhomberg for supporting the systematic research, description of biodiversity and nature conservation in Laos; noun in genitive case.

Diagnosis. Large spiders (15 – 20 mm body length). Distinguishable from other representatives of the Heteropoda javana ­group by the following combination of characters: Male with RTA broad, pointing retrolatero­distally, without additional apophysis on its proximal part. Basal apophysis of conductor about as half as long as conductor length. Embolus arising in a 6­o’clock­position on tegulum. Female internal duct system with only one winding before turning point; lateral lobes distinctly extended beyond epigastric furrow; median septum somewhat penta­ to hexagonal (not anchorshaped as in H. javana ).

Description. Male (holotype first, paratype PJ 2178 in parantheses). Prosoma length 7.6 (7.5), prosoma width 6.7 (6.7), anterior width of prosoma 3.9 (3.8), prosoma height 3.0 (2.9), opisthosoma length 8.1 (8.2), opisthosoma width 4.9 (4.8). Eyes: AME 0.43 (0.41), ALE 0.56 (0.56), PME 0.43 (0.40), PLE 0.53 (0.54), AME – AME 0.31 (0.30), AME – ALE 0.08 (0.08), PME – PME 0.42 (0.43), PME – PLE 0.56 (0.54), AME – PME 0.51 (0.53), ALE – PLE 0.50 (0.51), clypeus height at AME 0.42 (0.39), clypeus height at ALE 0.41 (0.38).

Leg formula: 2143. Spination: Palp: 131, 101, 2101 legs: femur I – III 323, IV 331, patella II – III 101, IV 0 0 1, tibia I – II 2226, III – IV 2126, metatarsus I – II 1014, III 2014, IV 3036. Measurements of palp and legs: Palp 10.9 (10.7) [3.9, 1.8, 1.6, 3.6], I 32.3 (31.9) [8.9, 4.1, 8.8, 8.2, 2.3], II 34.1 (34.5) [9.6, 4.1, 9.4, 8.4, 2.6], III 27.1 (26.6) [7.4, 3.7, 7.4, 6.6, 2.0], IV 28.7 (28.8) [8.3, 3.1, 7.5, 7.5, 2.3].

Male palp with RTA arising basally to medially on tibia, with dorsal incision in distal half; its distal part with blunt tip; its proximal part ventrally with long furrow. Cymbium with distinct retrolateral bulge. Conductor arising in an 11­o’clock­position on tegulum. Embolus running a semi­circle. Conductor with acute apophysis at its base. Sperm­duct distinctly sinuous. Cheliceral furrow with denticles extended to distal part close to distal retromarginal tooth. Colouration: Generally greyish­brown with darker or brighter pattern, which consisting of hairs. Chelicerae with distal half black, with only few hairs and bristles; proximal half with bright hairs. Legs with dark patches on dorsal femora around the spines, mostly fused. Bright spine patches within the dark pattern. Posterior half of opisthosoma with scarce long white hairs and a triangular white patch. Sternum, coxae, labium and median band of ventral opisthosoma black.

Female (measurements of 2 paratypes: PJ 2179, 2187). Prosoma length 9.1, prosoma width 7.5 – 8.3, anterior width of prosoma 4.9 – 5.6, prosoma height 2.9 – 3.3, opisthosoma length 8.2 – 11.0, opisthosoma width 6.3 – 7.2. Eyes: AME 0.41, ALE 0.62 – 0.64, PME 0.41 – 0.46, PLE 0.58 – 0.61, AME­AME 0.33, AME­ALE 0.99 – 0.10, PME­PME 0.46 – 0.52, PME­PLE 0.56 – 0.61, AME­PME 0.59 – 0.61, ALE­PLE 0.59 – 0.63, clypeus height at AME 0.41 – 0.52, clypeus height at ALE 0.34 – 0.44.

Leg formula: 2143. Spination: Palp: 131, 101, 2121, 1014 legs: femur I – II 323, III 322(3), IV 331, Patella I 0(1)01, II – III 101, IV 0(1)01, tibia 2026, metatarsus I – II 1014, III 2014, IV 3036. Measurements of palp and legs: Palp 11.7 – 12.2 [3.6 – 3.8, 1.9 – 2.0, 2.4 – 2.6, 3.8], I 28.4 – 29.8 [8.1 – 8.5, 4.1 – 4.3, 7.7 – 8.0, 6.4 – 6.8, 2.1 – 2.2], II 30.7 – 31.4 [9.1 – 9.5, 4.2, 8.2 – 8.5, 7.0 – 7.1, 2.1 – 2.2], III 25.5 – 25.8 [7.7 – 7.9, 3.3 – 3.6, 6.7 – 6.8, 5.6, 2.0 – 2.1], IV 26.4 – 27.7 [8.2 – 8.4, 3.0 – 3.4, 6.8 – 7.0, 6.3 – 6.7, 2.1 – 2.2].

Female with anterior bands of epigyne included in epigynal field, the latter with a number of muscle attachment points. Median septum freely visible, of somewhat penta­ to hexagonal shape and pointed at its posterior margin ( Figs. 11, 15 – 16 ). Lateral lobes running diagonally, pointing to median line behind epigastric furrow. Epigyne without slit sense organs close to or within epigynal field. First windings of internal duct system running from the median line anterolaterally. Cheliceral furrow with denticles extended to intrasegmental membrane of fang. Palpal claw with 5 teeth. Colouration: As in male, but with less distinct pattern.

Variation. Prosoma length of females varies between 6.7 and 9.3, prosoma of the third paratype male is 8.2. Dorsal margin of male RTA may vary in shape ( Figs. 2, 7 ). Epigynal field of female may vary in shape and may exhibit a different number of muscle attachment points as well as differently shaped anterior bands ( Figs. 11, 15 – 16 ). Median septum of epigyne may vary in shape and relative position, thus lateral lobes may appear longer or shorter. Anterior width of median septum may vary also. Slight variation may occur in the internal duct system ( Figs. 13, 17 ). Bright patch in posterior half of opisthosoma can be less conspicuous or missing.

Biology. Individuals of Heteropoda dagmarae sp. nov. are nocturnal spiders. They were found in (secondary) forests ambushing in most cases on leaves of shrubs, trees or bamboo usually 2 – 4 metres above the ground. However, one female (PJ 2190) was found in the night close to the ground between the stalks of a smaller bamboo plant. In contrast to other Heteropoda species caught in Laos, individuals of the new species were quite aggressive and have bitten the two authors in their fingers, which was moderately painful but without any serious symptoms afterwards except for a small redness.

Distribution. Northern and Central Laos: Luang Nam Tha Prov. (Luang Nam Tha = type locality; Muang Sing), Vientiane Province (Vang Vieng).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 10. Heteropoda dagmarae sp. nov. (1 – 6 ɗ holotype, 7 ɗ paratype PJ 2178, 8 – 9 Ψ paratype PJ 2179, 10 Ψ paratype 2188). 1 left palp, prolateral view; 2 left palp, ventral view; 3 left palp, retrolateral view; 4 left palp, tibia, dorsal view; 5, 8 eye arrangement, dorsal view; 6, 9 chelicerae, ventral view; 7 retrolateral tibial apophysis showing variation, ventral view; 10 palpal claw, retrolateral view.

FIGURES 11 – 19. Heteropoda dagmarae sp. nov., Ψ paratypes (11 – 14 PJ 2179, 15 PJ 2187, 16 – 19 PJ 2188). 11, 15 – 16 epigyne, ventral view; 12 – 13 vulva, (12, 17 dorsal view, 13 frontal view, 18 laterofrontal view); 14, 19 schematic course of internal duct system (14 frontal view, 19 laterofrontal view).

FIGURES 20 – 21. Heteropoda dagmarae sp. nov., Ψ paratype (PJ 2190) from Muang Sing, Laos. 20 Habitus with characteristic leg position, dorsal view; 21 Frontal view showing the black distal half of chelicerae and palps. Photos: P. Jäger.

FIGURES 22 – 23. Heteropoda dagmarae sp. nov. 22 Ψ paratype (PJ 2190), 23 % paratype (PJ 2193), both from Muang Sing, Laos. 22 Ventral view showing black sternum, coxae, labium and median band of opisthosoma. 23 Dorsal habitus showing bright patch and long hairs on posterior opisthosoma and the more distinct colouration in comparison with female. Photos: P. Jäger.