Theridion cygneum, 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 : 98-99

Theridion cygneum sp. nov. ( Figs 81–83 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun Nature Reserve , secondary tropical seasonal moist forest (21º54.607'N, 101º17.005'E), 28 July 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective cygneus and means cygneous, in reference to the embolus curved, shape like a swan.

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to T. iramon , but can be distinguished the huge tegulum and membranous conductor.

Male. Total length 1.80. Prosoma 0.85 long, 0.63 wide, flat, yellow, without spot. Sternum 0.50 long, 0.50 wide, yellow with setae. Opisthosoma 0.88 long, 0.88 wide, pale, with black, white spots, long setae, colulus represented by 2 setae. Eye measurements: AME 0.07, ALE 0.07, PME 0.08, PLE 0.07, AME-AME 0.03, AME-ALE 0.05, PME-PME 0.04, PME-PLE 0.04. Clypeus height about 1.43 times AME diameter, yellow. Chelicerae: pale yellow, without spot or tooth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.25 long, 0.13 wide, pale yellow to grey, with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.13 long, 0.19 wide, with 2 setae, yellow. Leg measurements: I 3.74 (1.25, 0.38, 1.05, 0.63, 0.43); II 3.07 (0.88, 0.33, 0.88, 0.60, 0.38); III 1.96 (0.63, 0.25, 0.38, 0.40, 0.30); IV 2.63 (0.80, 0.30, 0.63, 0.55, 0.35). Leg I yellow, coxa without spot; femur with 2 rows of spines; patella with 1 distal spine; tibia with 1 spine; metatarsus and tarsus without spine. Legs II–IV similar to leg I. Pedipalpus ( Figs 81A–B , 82A–B , 83A–D ): tibia yellow, with 2 trichobothria; cymbium yellow, without spot; paracymbium hooded; subtegulum broad; tegulum huge; median apophysis smooth, without protrusion; embolus short, curved, with apophysis shaped like cockscomb; conductor membranous.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

Figures

Fig. 81. Theridion cygneum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bar = 0.10mm.

Fig. 82. Theridion cygneum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.

Fig. 83. Theridion cygneum 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.