Heteropoda steineri, Bayer & Jager, 2009

Bayer, Steffen & Jäger, Peter, 2009, Heteropoda species from limestone caves in Laos (Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae), Zootaxa 2143 (1), pp. 1-23 : 7-11

Heteropoda steineri sp. nov.

Figs 29–50 , 113–114

Type material: Holotype ( PJ 2847 ): ♁, LAOS: Khammouane Province: Ban Nong Ping , N 17°22'19.8", E 105°50'18.6", Tham Xe Bangfai cavesystem, midsection, sample 014/08, 25 February 2008, H. Steiner ( SMF 58903) . Paratypes (4 ♁, 17 ♀♀): LAOS: Khammouane Province: Same cave system as holotype, all material leg. H. Steiner if not indicated otherwise. 1 ♀ ( PJ 2846 ) , lower level at balcony, sample 015/08, 18 February 2008 ( SMF 58904) . 1 ♂ ( PJ 2853 ) , 3. portage, topmost animal, sample 060/07, 14 February 2007 ( SMF 58905) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 2854 ) , passage to balcony and lower level, sample 061/07, 13 February 2007 ( SMF

58906). 1 ♀ ( PJ 3076 ) , same data as for preceding specimen ( SMF 58915) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3033 ) , passage to balcony, sample 112/07, 13 February 2007 ( NSMT) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3041 ) , same data as for preceding specimen, ( SMF 58909) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3036 ) , 1. landing right, sample 106/07, 13 February 2007 ( SMF 58907) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3037 ) , Tham Peung , N 17°22'52.5'', E 105°50'19.9'', sample 045/07, 16 February 2007 ( SMF 58908) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3040 ) , 3. Portage , sample 030/07, 20 February 2007 ( AMNH) . 1 ♂ ( PJ 3042 ) , Galerie du Sables , sample 115/07, 12 February 2007 ( SMF 58910) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3043 ) , Grotte de Nuages , clay tunnel, N 17°22'53.7'', E 105°53'05.1'', sample 031/07, 18 February 2007 ( SMF 58911) . 1 ♂ ( PJ 3071 ) , 1 ♀ ( PJ 3056 ) , Tham Koy , N 17°22'51'', E 105°49'47.3'', sample 011–010/08, 24 February 2008 ( RMNH) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3064 ) , Tham Pong , end of clay tunnel, N 17°21'53.3'', E 105°54'07.8'', sample 017/08, 21 February 2008 ( SMF 58912) . 2 ♀ (PJ 3067–3068), Grotte de Nuages , N 17°22'53.7'', E 105°53'05.1'', sample 012/08, 22 February 2008 ( SMF 58913) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3069 ) , Tham Ene , near guano-patch, middle of the cave, N 17°23'17.7'', E 105°49'38.4'', sample 013/08, 22 February 2008 ( NHM) . 1 ♀ ( PJ 3072 ) , midsection, sample 016/08, 22 February 2008, J.-M. Ostermann ( SMF 58914) . 1 ♂ ( PJ 3075 ) , 2 ♀ (PJ 3073–3074), 3. Portage , sample 060/07, 14 February 2007 ( MHNG) .

Additional material examined (26 juveniles). LAOS: Khammouane Province: Same cave system as holotype, all material leg. H. Steiner if not indicated otherwise . 1 juv. ( PJ 3034 ) , passage to balcony, sample 112/07, 13 February 2007 ( SMF 58916) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3078 ) , same data as for preceding specimen ( SMF 58926) . 1 juv. ♀, 1 juv. (PJ 3038, 3039), Tham Peung , N 17°22'52.5'', E 105°50'19.9'', sample 045/07, 16 February 2007 ( SMF 58917) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3044 ) , midsection, sample 020/08, 25 February 2008 ( SMF 58918) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3047 ) , midsection, sample: 024/08, 22 February 2008, J.-M. Ostermann ( SMF 58919) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3050 ) , midsection, sample 041/08, 18 February 2008 ( SMF 58920) . 2 juv. (PJ 3054–3055), lower level, sample 045/ 08, 18 February 2008 ( SMF 58921) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3057 ) , grand balcony, sample 021/08, 18 February 2008 ( SMF 58922) . 3 juv. (PJ 3058–3060), (passage to) balcony, sample 022/07, 22 February 2007 ( SMF 58923) . 2 juv. (PJ 3062–3063), midsection, sample 031/08, 25 February 2008 ( SMF 58924) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3077 ) , passage to balcony and lower level, sample 061/07, 13 February 2007 ( SMF 58925) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3052 ) , Tham Ene , near guano-patch, middle of the cave, N 17°23'17.7'', E 105°49'38.4'', sample 022/08, 22 February 2008 ( SMF 59097) . 5 juv. (PJ 3053, 3118–3121), same data as for preceding specimen, sample 027/08, 19 February 2008 ( SMF 59098) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3051 ) , Tham Pong , N 17°21'53.3'', E 105°54'07.8'', sample 025/08, 21 February 2008 ( SMF 59100) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3045 ) , Tham Pha Leusi , N 17°22'23.4'', E 10550'28.4'', sample 023/08, 18 February 2008, J. Rolin ( SMF 59099) . 1 juv. ( PJ 3061 ) , same data as for preceding pecimen, sample 082/07, 15 February 2007 ( SMF 59096) . 1 juv. ♀ ( PJ 3035 ) , Grotte de Nuages , N 17°22'53.7'', E 105°53'05.1'', sample 030/08, 22 February 2008 ( SMF 59101) .

Note: Juveniles could readily be identified by means of reduced eyes and the absence of a colour pattern as in adult specimens.

Etymology. The specific name is given in honour of the cave scientist and friend Helmut Steiner, who collected the type material of this species; noun (name) in genitive case.

Diagnosis. Eyes exceptionally small in contrast to all other Heteropoda species known so far ( Fig. 114 ). dRTA of male palp broadest subdistally. Spines on palpal tibia exceptionally short ( Figs 29–30 , 42–43 ). Position of bulb not centrally in cymbium, but shifted a bit prolaterally ( Figs 30 , 43 ). Ventral flange of conductor turning prolaterally not before the basal third of conductor ( Figs 34 , 45 ). Sperm-duct more or less straight. Epigynal field wider than long (basal length/width <0,8) and anterior bands very narrow and in many cases not continuous but separated from epigynal field ( Figs 41 , 50 ). Median septum slightly longer than broad. Anterior, narrow part of septum between copulatory openings far less than half as broad as median, broadest part. Anterior part of internal duct system covering at least half of the length of posterior part ( Figs 37 , 47 ); anterior part wider than long ( Figs 37 , 47 ).

Description. Male (n=5):

Prosoma length 8.3 – 9.7, prosoma width 7.2 – 8.2, anterior width of prosoma 3.4 – 3.9, opisthosoma length 8.8 – 11.1, opisthosoma width 3.9 – 5.5. Eyes: AME 0.28 – 0.31, ALE 0.37 – 0.44, PME 0.31, PLE 0.44 – 0.45, AME – AME 0.14, AME – ALE 0.08 – 0.14, PME – PME 0.33 – 0.39, PME – PLE 0.47 – 0.51, AME – PME 0.25 – 0.27, ALE – PLE 0.37 – 0.42, clypeus height at AME 0.77 – 0.78, clypeus height at ALE 0.67 – 0.69.

Cheliceral furrow with denticles situated exclusively close to the three promarginal teeth ( Figs 35–36 ). Retrolateral margin with 4 ( Fig. 35 ), rarely 5 (n=1; Fig. 36 ) teeth.

Spination: Palp: 131, 101, 2101(2111, n=1/2110, n=1); legs: femur I 323, II 323(333, n=1) III 333(332, n=1), IV 331; patella 101; tibia 2226; metatarsus I – II 1014, III 2014, IV 3036. Leg formula: 2143. Measurements of palp and legs: Palp 17.6 – 18.6 [6.6 – 6.9, 2.8 – 3.2, 3.9, 4.3 – 4.6], I 62.6 – 66.6 [16.3 – 17.2, 5.8 – 6.1, 17.8 – 19.0, 16.0 – 20.2, 4.1], II 70.5 – 75.0 [17.0 – 20.1, 6.1 – 6.4, 20.6 – 21.5, 20.6 – 22.6, 4.3 – 4.4], III 56.3 – 57.5 [15.7 – 16.1, 5.3 – 5.7, 16.3 – 17.7, 14.8 – 15.8, 3.2], IV 59.3 – 62.6 [16.3 – 16.7, 5.1 – 5.5, 16.8 – 17.9, 17.8 – 18.9, 3.3 – 3.6].

Pedipalp as in diagnosis, with RTA arising distally on tibia ( Figs 30–31 ), vRTA in some cases slightly humped ( Fig. 31 ), dRTA strongly developed, especially its subdistal part ( Fig. 33 ). Cymbium elongated, almost 3 times as long as tegulum ( Fig. 42 ). Conductor short, i.e. not reaching cymbial margin, arising in a 10- o’clock-position on tegulum, the latter slightly elongated in basal half ( Fig. 34 ). Embolus arising in a 6- o’clock-position on tegulum, running a semi-circle. Palpal tibia with less and shorter spines than in other Heteropoda species known so far.

Colouration. Body uniformly coloured, pale light greyish-yellowish-brown without darker pattern (♀, Fig. 113 ).

Female (n=17):

Prosoma length 7.8 – 11.0, prosoma width 6.9 – 8.8, anterior width of prosoma 3.4 – 5.0, opisthosoma length 8.8 – 13.8, opisthosoma width 4.7 – 9.0. Eyes: AME 0.30 – 0.32, ALE 0.38 – 0.45, PME 0.31 – 0.34, PLE 0.44 – 0.48, AME – AME 0.15 – 0.20, AME – ALE 0.09 – 0.12, PME – PME 0.35 – 0.46, PME – PLE 0.58 – 0.68, AME – PME 0.29 – 0.35, ALE – PLE 0.50 – 0.55, clypeus height at AME 0.92 – 1.03, clypeus height at ALE 0.85 – 0.87.

Cheliceral furrow promarginally with 3 teeth and retromarginally in most cases with 5 (n=12, Fig. 36 ), otherwise 4 (n=4) teeth (rarely 6, n=1), arrangement of denticles as in male.

Palpal claw with 10 (n=10), 9 (n=5, Fig. 32 ) or 11 (n=2) teeth. Arising points of the teeth forming a relatively straight line ( Fig. 32 ).

Spination: Palp: 131, 101, 2121, 101; legs: femur I–II 323, III 333(332, n=2), IV 331; patella I – III 101, IV 101(001, n=2); tibia I 2226 (2126, n=4), II 2226 (2126, n=3), III 2226 (2126, n=2), IV 2126 (2226, n=6); metatarsus I – II 1014, III 2014, IV 3036. Leg formula: 2143(2413). Measurements of palp and legs: Palp 18.9 – 19.1 [6.0 – 6.1, 3.1, 4.0 – 4.2, 5.7 – 5.8], I 56.0 – 57.5 [15.3 – 16.1, 5.9 – 6.2, 16.2 – 16.4, 15.2 – 15.5, 3.2 – 3.4], II 62.4 – 63.5 [17.4 – 17.9, 6.5, 18.5 – 18.8, 16.7 – 17.0, 3.3 – 3.4], III 62.4 – 63.5 [15.0 – 15.5, 5.5 – 5.6, 11.7 – 15.7, 13.3 – 16.0, 2.9 – 3.2], IV 56.8 – 57.2 [15.8 – 16.2, 5.2, 15.8 – 16.2, 16.3 – 16.7, 3.3].

Copulatory organ as in diagnosis, with (mostly) very long and narrow anterior bands of epigynal field (length/basal length 1.43–1.81). Median septum freely visible, barely covered by lateral lobes, and very broad ( Fig. 41 ). Septal pocket moderate in length, never elongated triangular, more or less trapezoid ( Figs 41 , 50 ). Slit sense organs sometimes outside of epigynal field, sometimes included. Anterior part of internal duct system wide, covering clearly posterior part ( Fig. 37 ); anterior and posterior part roughly of same width; anterior part always wider than long and with less than one winding until turning point. Consequently, course of internal duct system is simple ( Figs. 38 , 49 ); posterior part transversely oval. Internal duct system distinctly wider than long.

Colouration. As in male, but in some cases a bit paler ( Fig. 113 ).

Variation of copulatory organs. Basal part of dRTA of male pedipalp sometimes with transversely arranged grooves (n=1, Figs 44, 46 ). In some individuals distal part of dRTA differing in shape ( Fig. 46 ). Tegulum more or less strongly shifted prolaterally ( Figs 30 , 43 ). Number and length of spines on palpal tibia differing strongly ( Figs 29–31 , 42–44 ). Anterior bands of epigynal field with different numbers of gaps, sometimes without gaps. Anterior bands rarely relatively short (n=1). Vulva shape varying barely ( Figs 37 , 47 ).

Figures

FIGURES 29–41. Heteropoda steineri sp. nov. from Khammouan (29–31, 33–35 ♂ holotype, PJ 2847; 32, 36–41 ♀ paratype, PJ 2846). 29–31 Left ♂ palp (29 prolateral; 30 ventral; 31 retrolateral); 32 Right ♀ palpal claw, prolateral; 33 RTA, ventral; 34 Bulb, ventral; 35–36 Right chelicera, ventral; 37 Vulva, dorsal; 38 Schematic course of internal duct system, dorsal; 39 Anterior part of internal duct system, frontal; 40–41 Epigyne (40 posterior, 41 ventral).

FIGURES 42–50. Heteropoda steineri sp. nov. from Khammouan, variation of ♂ and ♀ copulatory organ (42–46 ♂ paratype, PJ 2853; 47–50 ♀ paratype, PJ 2854). 42–44 Left ♂ palp (42 prolateral, 43 ventral, 44 retrolateral); 45 Bulb, ventral; 46 RTA, ventral; 47 Vulva, dorsal; 48 Anterior part of internal duct system, frontal; 49 Schematic course of internal duct system, dorsal; 50 Epigyne, ventral.

FIGURES 112–117. Habitus of Heteropoda species. 112 H. maxima, ♀ from Khammouan Province; 113–114 H. steineri sp. nov., ♀ from Khammouan Province (113 habitus, 114 eye arrangement); 115 H. simplex, ♀ from Luang Prabang Province; 116–117 H. aemulans sp. nov., ♀ from Vang Vieng area, Vientiane Province (116 Habitus, 117 Eye arrangement). Photos by H. Steiner (113) and P. Jäger (112, 114–117).