Phycosoma crenatum, Gao & Li, 2014

Gao, Cai-Xia & Li, Shu-Qiang, 2014, Comb-footed spiders (Araneae: Theridiidae) in the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, Zoological Systematics 39 (1), pp. 1-135 : 70

Phycosoma crenatum sp. nov. ( Figs 55–57 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Mengla County, Menglun Town , Paramichelia baillonii plantation (about 20 years) (21º54.772'N, 101º16.043'E), 6 February–2 March 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective crenatus and means cratered, in reference to the vas deferens with lots of dents.

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to P. flavomarginatum , but can be distinguished having by the vas deferens similar to inverted “U” in median apophysis and the conductor embedded in embolus.

Male. Total length 1.80. Prosoma 0.93 long, 0.85 wide, high, columned, pale, with black stripes, dorsal grooves in the middle. Sternum 0.50 long, 0.50 wide, pale. Opisthosoma 0.85 long, 0.83 wide, pale, with black spots, large black stripes, long bristles, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.11, ALE 0.06, PME 0.09, PLE 0.09, AME-AME 0.10, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.06, PME-PLE 0.06. Clypeus height about 4.55 times AME diameter, pale with large black spot. Chelicerae: yellow, with dark spots, without tooth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.21 long, 0.11 wide, yellow, with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.08 long, 0.10 wide, without seta, grey. Leg measurements: I 2.69 (0.85, 0.28, 0.65, 0.58, 0.33); II 2.42 (0.73, 0.28, 0.58, 0.54, 0.29); III 2.45 (0.78, 0.29, 0.50, 0.55, 0.33); IV 3.08 (1.00, 0.31, 0.69, 0.68, 0.40). Leg I pale yellow, femur, patella and tibia with black spots; patella with 1 strong spine; tibia with 2 strong spines. Legs II–IV similar to leg I, femur IV, patella and tibia IV with black rings. Pedipalpus ( Figs 55A–B , 56A–D , 57A–D ): tibia with 2 trichobothria; cymbium yellow, without process; paracymbium hooked; subtegulum broader than tegulum; median apophysis smooth, without processes; tegulum narrow, conjoined with median apophysis and embolus; embolus short, with two small and one long protrusion, tip with long membranous outgrowth; conductor short, without sawtooth, imbedded in embolus.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 55. Phycosoma crenatum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bar = 0.10mm.

Fig. 56. Phycosoma crenatum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Embolus, ventral view; C. Conductor, ventral view; D. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), apical view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.

Fig. 57. Phycosoma crenatum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.