Nesticella tibetana, 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 : 48

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella tibetana sp. n. Figs 59, 60, 83

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 1♂1♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Tibet Autonomous Region, Bowo County, Yigong Town (30.26715°N, 94.77855°E, 2183 m), 13.VIII.2014, Y. Li leg; paratypes 1♂3♀ (IZCAS): Tibet Antonomous Region, Nyingchi Prefecture, at 80 km of Bomi to Motuo Road (29.68590°N, 95.83965°E, 2290 m), 11.VIII.2013, Y. Li leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The new species is closely related to Nesticella connectens (see Figs 50 A–D, 51 A–G), Nesticella nepalensis (see Figs 55 A–D, 56 A–G) and Nesticella potala sp. n. (see Fig. 57 A–F). Males can be recognized by the curved process II of the ventral apophysis (Va-II), the stockier distal process II (Dp-II) and the different shape of the terminal apophysis (Ta) (Fig. 59 A–B, D vs. Fig. 50 A–B, D vs. Fig. 55 A–B, D). Females can be distinguished from those of Nesticella connectens by the more coiled fertilization ducts (Fd) and the shorter copulatory ducts (Cd) (Fig. 60G vs. Fig. 51G); from those of Nesticella nepalensis by the longer scape (Sp), the wider spermathecae (S) and the more twisted fertilization ducts (Fd) (Fig. 60 E–G vs. Fig. 56 E–G); and finally from those of Nesticella potala sp. n. by the almost round spermathecae (S), the 90° angle of the copulatory ducts (Cd) (approx. 45° in Nesticella potala sp. n.) and by the presence of a clear abdominal pattern which is absent in the other species (Fig. 60 E–G vs. Fig. 57 D–F).

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 60 A–D. Carapace yellowish in males, darker in females. Cervical groove distinct, fovea deep. Thoracic area with weak radial furrows. Mouthparts pale yellow. Sternum greyish. Legs and female palps yellowish, distally darkish in metatarsi and tarsi. Opisthosoma covered with long setae, yellowish with paired dark marks, partially merged each other on the dorsal area and bordering a cross-like light mark.

Male palp (Fig. 59 A–D): paracymbium strongly sclerotized, Va-I elongate and curved with an almost round tip, Va-II short and rectangular. Bifurcated distal process with two branches, Dp-I longer and sharp, Dp-II blunt and stocky. Terminal apophysis elongate, thinner and curved, with a rounded tip (Fig. 59A). Tegular apophysis protruding outward with two sclerotized nodules, Tg-II small and barely visible (Fig. 59A, C–D). Conductor with a sclerotized, short, beak-shaped process (Fig. 59A, D).

Epigyne (Fig. 60 E–G): weakly sclerotized (Fig. 60E). Scape short and translucent, rectangular, with slightly protruding, concaved lateral margins (Fig. 60 E–F). Spermathecae wide, ovoid, separated by about 0.8 diameter (Fig. 60G). Fertilization ducts thin and long, coiled into three loops before reaching the spermathecae (Fig. 60G). Copulatory ducts thick and relatively short, distally bent outward (Fig. 60 F–G).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.08. Carapace 1.09 long, 1.00 wide. Opisthosoma 1.00 long, 0.98 wide. Clypeus height 0.20. Sternum 0.67 long, 0.67 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 2.20. Carapace 1.10 long, 1.01 wide. Opisthosoma 1.20 long, 1.04 wide. Clypeus height 0.20. Sternum 0.66 long, 0.66 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Forest leaf litter.

Distribution.

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