Sinopoda triangula, Liu, Jie, Li, Shuqiang & Jäger, Peter, 2008

Liu, Jie, Li, Shuqiang & Jäger, Peter, 2008, New cave-dwelling huntsman spider species of the genus Sinopoda (Araneae: Sparassidae) from southern China, Zootaxa 1857, pp. 1-20 : 13-15

Sinopoda triangula sp. nov.

Figs 7A–H , 10I –L and 12

Type material: Holotype male, 3 males, 8 females ( IZCAS) and 1 male, 2 females ( SMF) paratypes, CHINA: Guizhou Province, Panxian County, Biyundong Cave (25º46.527’N, 104º38.278’E, Alt: 1468m, T: 14°C, H: 92%), 13 April 2007, Yucheng Lin, Jie Liu leg.

Etymology: The specific name is derived from the Latin triangulus, -a, -um, meaning “triangular”, referring to the shape of the embolus tip; adjective.

Diagnosis: This new species can be distinguished from other Sinopoda species by its unique triangular embolus tip and the distinctly ovate posterior parts of the internal duct system ( Figs 7A–F, 7H ). There are two males known to the third author that exhibit a similar triangular structure at their embolus tips, one from Bailongdong Cave in Mile County, Yunnan, and another from Kangding, Sichuan. A differential diagnosis will be given, if these forms are recognised as new species.

Description: Male (holotype). Measurements (in mm): PL 6.9, PW 6.7, AW 3.3, PH 5.2, OL 9.0, OW 4.6. Eyes: AME 0.29, ALE 0.42, PME 0.41, PLE 0.64, AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.12, PME–PME 0.08, PME–PLE 0.21, AME–PME 0.32, ALE–PLE 0.09, CH AME 0.28, CH ALE 0.38. Leg and palp measurements: Pp 12.7 (4.5, 2.1, 2.4, -, 3.7), I 45.6 (11.9, 4.2, 12.5, 13.9, 3.1), II 50.9 (13.9, 4.2, 14.2, 14.9, 3.7), III 38.2 (11.2, 3.7, 10.1, 10.4, 2.8), IV 42.8 (11.9, 3.6, 11.2, 12.4, 3.7). Leg formula: II-I-IV-III. Spination: Pp 131, 101, 2011; Fe 323; Pa 101; Ti 2326; Mt I–II 1014, III 2026, IV 3036.

Palp as in diagnosis. Embolus tip slightly shorter than embolic apophysis, embolus curving parallel along the embolic apophysis basally, slightly diverging in the distal part, proximal part of embolus only partly visible in ventral view. Distal embolic apophysis wide and membranous. Sperm duct distinctly curved in ventral view. Dorsal RTA slender, curved distally; ventral RTA stout, blunt and concave in retrolateral view. Cymbium longer than tibia ( Figs 7A–F ).

Female (paratype). Measurements (in mm): PL 8.7, PW 7.9, AW 4.5, PH 6.0, OL 11.6, OW 7.2. Eyes: AME 0.42, ALE 0.58, PME 0.39, PLE 0.73, AME–AME 0.32, AME–ALE 0.12, PME–PME 0.38, PME–PLE 0.37, AME–PME 0.33, ALE–PLE 0.30, CH AME 0.26, CH ALE 0.37. Leg and palp measurements: Pp 12.7 (3.7, 2.1, 3.0, -, 3.9), I 36.9 (10.4, 3.7, 10.4, 9.7, 2.7), II 38.9 (11.2, 4.5, 10.6, 10.1, 2.5), III 32.7 (9.7, 3.7, 8.4, 8.2, 2.7), IV 33.1 (10.3, 3.3, 8.8, 8.2, 2.5). Leg formula: II-I-IV-III. Spination: Pp 131, 101, 2121 1014; Fe 323; Pa 101; Ti I–II 2126, III–IV 2226; Mt I–II 1014, III 2026, IV 3036.

Copulatory organ as in diagnosis. Median part of epigyne long, narrow and diverging posteriorly. Posterior margin of epigyne slightly bilobate. Internal ducts running parallel along median line, anterior appendices long, slender and distinctly narrower than posterior part, spermathecae large and ovate ( Figs 7G–H ). Distribution: China (Guizhou) ( Fig. 12 ).

Figures

FIGURE 12. Collection localities of nine new Sinopoda species, described in this paper.

FIGURES 7 A – H. Sinopoda triangula sp. nov., holotype (A – F), paratype (G – H). A. Left male palp, prolateral view; B. Same, ventral view; C. Same, retrolateral view; D. Embolus and embolic apophysis, dorsal view; E. Same, ventral view; F. Same, prolateral view; G. Epigyne, ventral view; H. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale lines: 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 10 A – L. A – D. Sinopoda nuda sp. nov. (A – B. Male holotype, C – D. Female paratype from Hejiaodong Cave); E – H. Sinopoda semicirculata sp. nov. (E – F. Male holotype, G – H. Female paratype); I – L. Sinopoda triangula sp. nov. (I – J. Male holotype, K – L. Female paratype) (A, C, E, G, I, K, dorsal view; B, D, F, H, J, L, ventral view.). Scale lines: 3 mm.