Araneus lihaiboi, Mi & Wang & Gan, 2023

Mi, Xiaoqi, Wang, Cheng & Gan, Jiahui, 2023, Six new species of the orb-weaver spider genus Araneus Clerck, 1757 (Araneae, Araneidae) and a redescription of A. colubrinus Song & Zhu, 1992 from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China, ZooKeys 1173, pp. 243-273 : 243

Araneus lihaiboi sp. nov.

Figs 5 , 6 , 15I-J , 17

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (TRU- Araneidae -191), China: Guizhou Province, Tongren City, Yinjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Ziwei Township, Dayuanzhi Village, Mianxüling (27°54.89'N, 108°40.17'E, ca 1690 m), 14.VI.2020, C. Wang & J.H. Gan leg. Paratypes: 1♂3♀ (TRU- Araneidae -192-195), same data as for holotype; 1♂ (TRU- Araneidae -196), Huguosi (27°54.72'N, 108°28.62'E, ca 1500 m), 25.IV.2020, X.Q. Mi & C. Wang leg.

Diagnosis.

The new species resembles A. falcatus Guo, Zhang & Zhu, 2011 in somatic and genital structures, but differs in: 1) embolus slightly curved in prolateral view (Fig. 6A ) vs strongly curved into a C-shape ( Guo et al. 2011: fig. 4); 2) embolus close to terminal apophysis (Fig. 6A ) vs widely seperated ( Guo et al. 2011: fig. 4); 3) subterminal apophysis present (Fig. 6A, C-E ) vs absent ( Guo et al. 2011: fig. 4); 4) female abdomen lacking anterolateral white bands (Fig. 5A ) vs present ( Guo et al. 2011: fig. 1); and 5) chelicerae with four promarginal teeth vs three promarginal teeth.

Description.

Male (holotype, Figs 5G, H , 6 , 15I-L ). Total length 2.90. Carapace 1.45 long, 1.25 wide. Abdomen 1.70 long, 1.23 wide. Clypeus 0.05 high. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.08, AME-AME 0.09, AME-ALE 0.11, PME-PME 0.06, PME-PLE 0.18, MOA length 0.23, anterior width 0.23, posterior width 0.25. Leg measurements: I 5.15 (1.55, 1.80, 1.20, 0.60), II 4.65 (1.40, 1.65, 1.05, 0.55), III 2.95 (1.00, 0.95, 0.60, 0.40), IV 3.90 (1.25, 1.30, 0.90, 0.45). Carapace pear-shaped, yellow with pale, longitudinal patch anterior to fovea, cervical groove slightly distinct. Chelicerae yellow, four promarginal teeth and three retromarginal teeth. Endites square, yellowish brown, with tooth-like process laterally, labium triangular, brown with paler tip. Sternum cordiform, yellowish brown with pale setae. Legs yellow without annulus, tibia I with ten macrosetae, tibia II with ten macrosetae, tibia III with six macrosetae, and tibia IV with eight macrosetae. Abdomen oval, ~ 1.4 × longer than wide, covered with pale setae, dorsum yellow to scaly white, with five pairs of lateral dark patches; venter grayish brown. Spinnerets brown.

Pedipalp (Fig. 6 ): with basal femoral protrusion; patella with two bristles; median apophysis large, bifurcated, dorsal ramus long, curved, pointed at tip, ventral ramus short with serrated tip; embolus slender, slightly anti-clockwise curved in prolateral view; conductor weakly sclerotized, wider at tip; terminal apophysis arched, heavily sclerotized distally; subterminal apophysis heavily sclerotized, somewhat rounded in prolateral view.

Female (paratype TRU- Araneidae -192, Fig. 5A-F ). Total length 4.70. Carapace 1.95 long, 1.45 wide. Abdomen 3.20 long, 2.65 wide. Clypeus 0.05 high. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.09, PME 0.11, PLE 0.09, AME-AME 0.10, AME-ALE 0.20, PME-PME 0.10, PME-PLE 0.25, MOA length 0.28, anterior width 0.28, posterior width 0.30. Leg measurements: I 5.65 (1.65, 2.10, 1.30, 0.60), II 5.00 (1.50, 1.80, 1.15, 0.55), III 3.10 (1.00, 1.05, 0.65, 0.40), IV 4.60 (1.45, 1.65, 1.00, 0.50). Habitus similar to that of male but cervical groove more distinct.

Epigyne (Fig. 5A-D ): ~ 1.4 × wider than long; scape twisted into an S-shape; copulatory openings strongly concave, located at lateral sides of ventral surface; copulatory ducts coiled 360° medially; spermathecae kidney-shaped, less than 1/4 the spermatheca width apart.

Variation.

Total length: ♂♂ 2.60-2.90 (n = 3); ♀♀ 3.75-4.70 (n = 3).

Distribution.

Known only from type locality.

Comments.

The oval abdomen, the long, twisted, and ridged scape, and the male pedipalp with a bifurcated median apophysis and arched terminal apophysis indicate that the new species belongs to the A. sturmi group.

Etymology.

The species is named after Mr. Haibo Li (Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau), who provided tremendous support during fieldwork; noun in genitive case.

Figures

Figure 5. Araneus lihaiboi sp. nov. A-F female paratype TRU- Araneidae - 192 G, H male holotype A epigyne, ventral view B ibid., posterior view C ibid., lateral view D vulva, posterior view E habitus, dorsal view F ibid., ventral view G ibid., dorsal view H ibid., lateral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (A-D); 1 mm (E-H). Abbreviations: CD copulatory duct, CO copulatory opening, FD fertilization duct, Sc scape, Sp spermatheca.

Figure 6. Araneus lihaiboi sp. nov. male holotype A pedipalp, prolateral view B ibid., retrolateral view C ibid., ventral view D ibid., apical view E part of expanded bulb. Scale bars: 0.1 mm. Abbreviations: C conductor, E embolus, MA median apophysis, ST subterminal apophysis, TA terminal apophysis.

Figure 15. Legs of Araneus spp., male, prolateral view A-D A. chenjingi sp. nov., holotype E-H Araneus colubrinus Song & Zhu, 1992 TRU- Araneidae - 182 I-L A. lihaiboi sp. nov., holotype M-P A. shii sp. nov., holotype A, E, I, M legs I B, F, J, N legs II C, G, K, O legs III D, H, L, P legs IV. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 17. Distribution map of the species.