Theridion squamosum, 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 : 122

Theridion squamosum sp. nov. ( Figs 101–103 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun , primary tropical seasonal rainforest (21º55.035'N, 101º16.500'E), 22 July 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective squamosus and means scaly, in reference to the median apophysis with scaly protuberance.

Diagnosis. The new species is somewhat similar to T. hotanense , but can be distinguished by the median apophysis with scaly protuberance; conductor smooth, without acute apophysis.

Male. Total length 1.38. Prosoma 0.75 long, 0.50 wide, foreside high, yellow, with many setae, without spot. Sternum 0.25 long, 0.30 wide, yellow with black edge. Opisthosoma 0.83 long, 0.50 wide, pale, with large black, tiny white spots, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.08, ALE 0.06, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME-AME 0.06, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.04, PME-PLE 0.09. Clypeus height about 0.92 times AME diameter, yellow, without spot. Chelicerae: yellow, with 2 anterior teeth, 3 long spines; fangs long. Endites: 0.19 long, 0.09 wide, yellow, with brown pro-edges, long setae. Labium fused with sternum, 0.05 long, 0.11 wide, with 4 setae, yellow without spot. Leg measurements: I 1.37 (0.45, 0.14, 0.30, 0.28, 0.20); II 1.26 (0.31, 0.15, 0.31, 0.21, 0.28); III 1.23 (0.38, 0.15, 0.29, 0.21, 0.20); IV 1.64 (0.45, 0.19, 0.38, 0.31, 0.31). Leg I yellow, without spot; femur with 2 rows of spines; patella with 2 spines; tibia with 2 spines; metatarsus without spine; tarsus without spine. Legs II–IV similar to leg I, yellow without spot. Pedipalpus ( Figs 101A–B , 102A–B , 103A–D ): tibia pale yellow, with 1 trichobothrium; cymbium pale yellow, without spot; paracymbium hooded; subtegulum large; tegulum confined; median apophysis with scaly protuberance; embolus long, curved; conductor surrounding tip of embolus.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 101. Theridion squamosum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bar = 0.10mm.

Fig. 102. Theridion squamosum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.

Fig. 103. Theridion squamosum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.05mm.