Bifidocoelotes primus ( Fox, 1937 )

Zhou, Yan-Chen, Yuen, Yan Ling & Zhang, Zhi-Sheng, 2017, A new Bifidocoelotes species, with the description of the male of B. primus from Hong Kong, China (Agelenidae: Coelotinae), Zootaxa 4232 (3), pp. 429-436 : 433-435

Bifidocoelotes primus ( Fox, 1937) (ŔǠDZĦ)

Figures 3 A–E, 4A–G, 5

Wadotes primus Fox, 1937: 1 , figs 1–2 (♀); Bennett 1987: 126, figs 109–110 (♀).

Coelotes primus: Wang, Tso & Wu 2001: 129 (♀).

Bifidocoelotes primus: Wang 2002: 37 (♀); Wang 2003: 503, figs 2A–B, 97G (♀); Wang & Jäger 2010: 1170, fig. 1A (♀).

Diagnosis. The species can be distinguished from B. bifidus ( Wang 2002: 38, figs 86–89) and B. obscurus ( Figs 1 A–E, 2C–G) by the spiral conductor with the tip only weakly bifurcated (strongly or distinctively bifurcated in other two species), wider-than-long embolic base (longer than wide or subequal in others), relatively broad and blunt lateral tibial apophysis (other than peaked and narrow in others) of the male pedipalp ( Figs 3 D–E, 4F–G, 5); the deeply bifurcated epigynal tooth (for about a half-length of epigynal tooth, other than less or slightly bifurcated), large, widely separated copulatory openings ( Figs 3 A, 4C) (tiny pole or slit-like in others).

Description. Male ( Fig. 4 A). Total length 7.24–8.27. Total length 7.68. Prosoma 3.79 long, 2.50 wide; opisthosoma 3.52 long, 2.13 wide. Dorsum of prosoma yellow brown. Eye region dark. Cervical groove and radial furrows distinct. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.17, PME 0.19, PLE 0.19; AME–AME 0.11, AME–ALE 0.05, PME–PME 0.11, PME–PLE 0.10, ALE–PLE 0.05. MOA 0.39 long, front width 0.30, back width 0.45. Clypeus height 0.23. Chelicerae yellow brown, with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth.

Gnathocoxae yellow brown, longer than wide. Labium yellow brown, longer than wide. Sternum slightly yellow brown and scutiform, with sparse brown hairs. Legs yellow brown, with dark pigmentation. Leg measurements: I 11.18 (2.94, 3.70, 2.82, 1.72); II 9.58 (2.60, 3.15, 2.18, 1.65); III 9.06 (2.47, 2.71, 2.51, 1.37); IV 12.18 (3.32, 3.71, 3.55, 1.60). Leg formula: 4123. Opisthosoma oval. Dorsum yellowish brown, with dark markings and some light chevron-like markings. Venter yellow brown, with some dark markings.

Male pedipalp ( Figs 3 C–E, 4E–G). Patellar apophysis well developed, finger-like. RTA wide, extending distally, slightly beyond the distal end of tibia. Lateral tibial apophysis small, with a bluntly rounded end. Embolus proximally originated, very slender and long. Conductor spiraled, with small lamella prolaterally and with distal tip very shallowly bifurcated. Median apophysis relatively large and spoon-like.

Female ( Fig. 4 B). Total length 8.24. Prosoma 3.83 long, 2.39 wide; opisthosoma 4.69 long, 2.75 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.16, PME 0.17, PLE 0.21; AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.04, PME– PME 0.06, PME–PLE 0.09, ALE–PLE 0.07. MOA 0.35 long, front width 0.28, back width 0.42. Clypeus height 0.18. Leg measurements: I 7.16 (2.19, 2.32, 1.58, 1.07); II 7.11 (2.05, 2.28, 1.63, 1.15); III 6.47 (1.87, 1.97, 1.63, 1.00); IV 9.08 (2.44, 2.95, 2.38, 1.31) Leg formula: 4123.

Epigyne ( Figs 3 A–B, 4C–D) with a long and deeply bifurcated epigynal tooth (length variable among individuals). Copulatory openings very small, inconspicuous, well separated on either side of epigynal tooth. Copulatory ducts long, strongly convoluted, difficult to differentiate from spermathecae. Spermathecal heads located distally and in close proximity to each other. Fertilization ducts originating ventrally on spermathecae.

Material examined. China, Hong Kong: 3 males and 3 females, Lead Mine Pass Stream, 22°23′51′′N, 114°09′05′′E, 5 December 2013, Y.L. Yuen leg. ; 2 males and 1 female, Lead Mine Pass Stream , 22°23′51′′N, 114°09′05′′E, 10 January 2014, Y.L. Yuen leg. ; 1 females, Lead Mine Pass Stream , 22°23′51′′N, 114°09′05E ′ 29 January 2014, Y.L. Yuen leg. ; 1 male and 1 female, Tai Po Kau Forest Stream , 22°25′24′′N, 114°10′48′′E, 12 December 2013, Y.L. Yuen leg. ; 4 males and 3 females, Tai Po Kau Forest Stream , 22°25′24′′N, 114°10′48′′E, 9 January 2014, Y.L. Yuen leg. ; 1 female, Tai Po Kau Forest Stream , 22°25′24′′N, 114°10′48′′E, 24 January 2014, Y.L. Yuen leg.

Distribution. Known only from Hong Kong ( China).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Bifidocoelotes obscurus sp. nov., male holotype (C – E) and female paratype (A – B). A. Epigyne, ventral view; B. Same, dorsal view; C. Left male pedipalp, prolateral view; D. Same, ventral view; E. Same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CD, copulatory ducts; CF, cymbial furrow; Co, conductor; CO, copulatory opening; E, embolus; ET, epigynal tooth; FD, fertilization duct; LTA, lateral tibial apophysis; MA, median apophysis; PA, patellar apophysis; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; SB, spermathecae base; SH, spermathecae head.

FIGURE 3. Bifidocoelotes primus (Fox, 1937), male (C – E) and female (A – B). A. Epigyne, ventral view; B. Same, dorsal view; C. Left male pedipalp, prolateral view; D. Same, ventral view; E. Same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CD, copulatory ducts; CF, cymbial furrow; Co, conductor; CO, copulatory opening; E, embolus; ET, epigynal tooth; FD, fertilization duct; LTA, lateral tibial apophysis; MA, median apophysis; PA, patellar apophysis; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; SB, spermathecae base; SH, spermathecae head.

FIGURE 4. Bifidocoelotes primus (Fox, 1937), male (A, E – G) and female (B, C – D). A. Male habitus, dorsal view; B. Females habitus, dorsal view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Same, dorsal view; E. Left male pedipalp, prolateral view; F. Same, ventral view; G. Left male pedipalp, retrolateral view.