Nesticella griswoldi, Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016

Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, A survey of the spider family Nesticidae (Arachnida, Araneae) in Asia and Madagascar, with the description of forty-three new species, ZooKeys 627, pp. 1-168 : 44-46

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella griswoldi sp. n. Figs 53, 54, 83

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 1♂1♀ (CASC), MADAGASCAR: Toliara Province, Forest Classee Tsitongambarika, Cascade hiking trail, 7.5 km Northwest of Taolagnaro, primary montane rain forest (24.98664°S, 46.92631°E, 100 m), 24.XII.2008, F. Alvarez-Padilla & H. Wood leg.

Etymology.

The new species is named after Dr. Charles Griswold, a leading spider taxonomist from the USA; noun (name) in genitive case.

Diagnosis.

The new species is similar to Nesticella benoiti (see Hubert 1970: 364, figs 5-8), Nesticella baobab sp. n. (see Fig. 49 A–G) and Nesticella vanlang sp. n. (see Fig. 61 A–F). Males can be distinguished from those of Nesticella benoiti by the longer terminal apophysis (Ta), the shorter tegular apophysis (Tg) lack of a deep serration, and by the longer, sharper distal process II of the paracymbium (Dp-II) (Fig. 53 A–B, D vs. fig. 6). Males of Nesticella griswoldi sp. n. can be separated from those of Nesticella baobab sp. n. by the slightly wider process II of the ventral apophysis (Va-II) and the slightly longer distal process II (Dp-II) (Fig. 53 A–B, D vs. Fig. 49 A–B, D). Females can be recognized from those of Nesticella benoiti and Nesticella vanlang sp. n. by the short, rectangular scape (Sp) (narrower and pointed in Nesticella benoiti , shorter and less evident in Nesticella vanlang sp. n.) and by the distance between the spermathecae (S) (close to each other in Nesticella vanlang sp. n.) (Fig. 54 E–G vs. figs 7-8 vs. Fig. 61 D–F). The same combination of characters allows separating this species from all the others belonging to the nepalensis -group.

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 54 A–D. Carapace pale yellow in males, yellow in females. Cervical groove and fovea distinct. Mouthparts yellow. Sternum yellow, dark ish pigmented in males. Legs and female palps pale yellow, distally darker in metatarsi and tarsi. Opisthosoma pale yellow, with faint grey dark and covered with long setae.

Male palp (Fig. 53 A–D): paracymbium wide, Va-I elongate and an almost round tip, Va-II short and triangular with a double point; bifurcated distal process with two branches, Dp-I blunt and stocky, Dp-II elongate and sharp. Terminal apophysis long and twisted, basally laminar and distally sharp, weakly sclerotized (Fig. 53A). Tegular apophysis located at the base of the terminal apophysis, sclerotized and protruding outward, apically lightly serrated, tegular apophysis II small (Fig. 53A, D). Conductor with a short, sclerotized hooked distal process (Fig. 53A, D).

Epigyne (Fig. 54 E–G): faintly pigmented with a translucent tegument (Fig. 54E). Scape short and rectangular (Fig. 54E, G). Spermathecae ovate (slightly compressed after treated with lactic acid) (Fig. 54 F–G). Fertilization ducts thin and coiled, forming only one loop before reaching the spermathecae (Fig. 54G). Copulatory ducts thick, ventrally oriented in spermathecae, distally bent outward (Fig. 54G).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.93. Carapace 1.05 long, 0.98 wide. Opisthosoma 1.00 long, 0.76 wide. Clypeus height 0.19. Sternum 0.65 long, 0.63 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 2.00. Carapace 1.06 long, 0.90 wide. Opisthosoma 1.18 long, 0.90 wide. Clypeus height 0.18. Sternum 0.65 long, 0.59 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Rain forest leaf litter.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 83).