Leptoneta exilocula, Tong & Li, 2008

Tong, Yanfeng & Li, Shuqiang, 2008, Six new cave-dwelling species of Leptoneta (Arachnida, Araneae, Leptonetidae) from Beijing and adjacent regions, China, Zoosystema 30 (2), pp. 371-386 : 378

Leptoneta exilocula n. sp.

( Fig. 2 )

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: China, Beijing City, Fangshan District, Hebeizhen Town (39°48’N, 115°54’E), Bianfu Cave , leg. H. Chen & Y. Tong, ♂ ( MNHN).

Paratypes: same data as holotype, 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ ( IZCAS) ; 2 ♀♀ ( MNHN) .

ETYMOLOGY. — The specific name is from Latin, exil, small and ocul, eyes, in reference to the relatively smaller sized eyes of this species.

DIAGNOSIS. — The new species is similar to L. miaoshiensis Chen & Zhang, 1993 , but can be distinguished by having six eyes, instead of two eyes as in L. miaoshiensis ; carapace hairless, instead of with rows of hairs from eyes to median furrow as in L. miaoshiensis ; male palpal tibia with a strong short spine disto-laterally, but without the two long hairs presented on ventral surface as in L. miaoshiensis ; abdomen without patterns; and also by the different shape of lamina of palpal bulb.

DESCRIPTION

Male (holotype)

Body length 2.20. Carapace 0.92 long, 0.78 wide; abdomen 0.95 long, 0.89 wide. Carapace yellow, hairless. Cervical grooves and radial furrows evident and light brown. Median groove dark brown and needle-shaped.Clypeus 0.24 high. Eyes six.Eye sizes: ALE 0.03, PLE 0.03, PME 0.02. Distance between eyes:ALE-PME 0.08, PLE-PLE0.05, PLE-PME 0.06. AER 0.07, PER 0.10. Major axes of PLE convergent behind. PME continuous, axes parallel. Chelicera ( Fig.2E ) light brown, with eight teeth on promargin of fang furrow and five small teeth on retromargin. Endites and labium light brown. Sternum ( Fig. 2D ) and legs yellow.Measurements of palp and legs:palp 1.85 (0.72, 0.33, 0.37, –, 0.43); I 8.24 (2.28, 0.31, 2.51, 2.03, 1.11); II 6.13 (1.75, 0.30, 1.79, 1.40, 0.89); III 5.05 (1.43, 0.27, 1.38, 1.24, 0.73); IV 6.91 (2.03, 0.27, 2.10, 1.63, 0.88). Leg formula: I-IV-II-III. Femur I with some relatively thicker setae on middle part of anterior surface.Tibia I with rows of fine hairs on ventral surface ( Fig. 2F ). Abdomen haired, pale gray, and oval in shape,no distinct pattern on the dorsum. Palpal femur with many long spines. Palpal tibia with three long trichobothria on the dorsal surface and with a strong short spine disto-laterally ( Fig. 2 A-C). Cymbium distally branched.

Female

Similar to male in coloration and general features, but legs shorter. Body length 1.69. Carapace 0.75 long, 0.69 wide; abdomen 0.95 long, 0.74 wide. Clypeus 0.17 high. Eye sizes: ALE 0.04, PLE 0.04, PME 0.03. Distance between eyes: ALE-PME 0.07, PLE-PLE 0.05, PLE-PME 0.04. AER 0.06, PER 0.11. Measurements of palp and legs: palp 1.66 (0.58, 0.19, 0.39, –, 0.50); I 6.48 (1.77, 0.26, 1.97, 1.52, 0.96); II 4.98 (1.42, 0.25, 1.42, 1.11, 0.78); III 4.17 (1.19, 0.24, 1.08, 1.01, 0.65); IV 5.65 (1.62, 0.24, 1.68, 1.34, 0.77). Leg I without special hairs as in male. Internal genitalia with a pair of spermatheca and sperm duct, atrium visible ( Fig. 2G, H ).

Figures

FIG. 2. — Leptoneta exilocula n. sp.: A, male right palp in retrolateral view; B, male right palp in prolateral view; C, tibial apophyses of male right palp, dorsal view; D, female sternum in ventral view; E, male chelicera in ventral view; F, male right leg I in anterior view; G, female genitalia in ventral view;H, female genitalia in dorsal view.Abbreviations:C, E, M, conductor,embolus and median apophysis of male palpal organ respectively. Scale bars: A, B, D, 0.2 mm; C, E, G, H, 0.1 mm; F, 0.4 mm.