Draposa, Kronestedt, Torbjörn, 2010

Kronestedt, Torbjörn, 2010, Draposa, a new wolf spider genus from South and Southeast Asia (Araneae: Lycosidae), Zootaxa 2637, pp. 31-54 : 33-34

Draposa gen. nov.

Type species: Lycosa nicobarica Thorell , 1891.

Etymology. The name is an anagram of the name Pardosa . The gender is feminine.

Diagnosis. Males of Draposa gen. nov. differ from other lycosids by the presence of a subpaleal sclerite with two processes partly hidden by the palea in the terminal part of the bulbus, as well as by the tegular apophysis being transverse with wide basal part carrying variously shaped projections and narrow distal part carrying small subapical protrusion before evenly curved tip (e.g., Figs 13 & 16); females differ by the epigyneal cavity being only partly divided by a tongue-like septum (e.g., Figs 19 & 40).

Description. Lycosid spiders of small to medium size (carapace length approx. 2.00-4.55).

Carapace brownish with light brownish to yellowish median and lateral bands. Eye row I considerably shorter than eye row II. Eye row I slightly procurved, anterior median eyes slightly larger than anterior laterals (0AME/0ALE 1.15-1.25). Chelicerae with rows of three retromarginal and three promarginal teeth, distalmost tooth in latter row small and knob-like (Fig. 36). Labium slightly wider than long. Leg lengths IV>I>II>III or IV>I>III>II. Mt IV as long as or shorter than Pt + Ti IV (measured dorsally). Ti I with three pairs of ventral spines (of which three are placed in an oblique line prolaterally). Male palp with subtegulum covered by wrinkled integument confluent with basal haematodocha (no lunar plate). Tegular apophysis prominent, transverse, without anteriorly directed branch as present in Pardosa sensu stricto . [A transverse tegular apophysis is also present in other Pardosa sensu lato groups, like the speciose Old World Pardosa nebulosa-group (Alderweireldt & Jocqué 1992, Yin et al. 1997). In the latter, it differs from that of Draposa by being shorter and without protrusions as well as by terminating in a sclerotised hook-like tip]. Wide basal half of tegular apophysis with variously shaped projections, in several species tooth-like and more or less pointed. Narrow distal part with small subapical protrusion (e. g., Figs 13 & 16) and distally tapering into narrow evenly curved tip. [A conductor as recognized in Pardosa (Kronestedt 1975; Dondale 1986; Dondale & Redner 1990) is not present in Draposa .] Palea with retrolateral paleal apophysis (Fig.12; topological term not implying homology with somewhat similar condition, e.g., in Acantholycosa Dahl, 1908 cf. Marusik et al. 2003). Palea more or less covering subpaleal sclerite protruding into two prominent processes (Fig. 12), presumably unique feature for Draposa . Epigyne with deep central cavity (e. g., Figs 19 & 40). Lateral elevations partly protruding over central cavity (in ventral view). Tongue-like septum protruding from in front into epigyneal cavity. Bottom of cavity extending laterad, covering all or most of spermathecae (in dorsal view: Figs 20, 22, 41, 43).

Species of Draposa gen. nov. have a 'pardosoid' appearance (i. e. being thin-legged, agile and diurnal, similar to species of Pardosa sensu stricto ).

Remarks. Published illustrations indicate that there are species other than those treated in detail in this paper, which may qualify for transfer to Draposa : the males of both Pardosa aciculifera Chen , Song & Li, 2001 (figs 4-7) from Hainan (China), and P. burasantiensis Tikader & Malhotra , 1976 (fig. 12; Tikader & Malhotra 1980, fig. 186) from West Bengal (India) apparently possess a subpaleal sclerite with apophyses mostly hidden by the palea in the terminal part of the bulbus as well as the shape of the tegular apophysis that is characteristic for species now placed in Draposa gen. nov. [The species referred to as P. burasantiensis from Yunnan and Hunan (China) in Yin et al. (1997: 239, fig. 112 ♂ ♀) and Song et al. (1999: fig. 194C ♀), however, appears to belong to some species in the Pardosa nebulosa-group .] Pardosa amkhasensis Tikader & Malhotra , 1976 (fig. 2; Tikader & Malhotra 1980, fig. 177) and P. minutus Tikader & Malhotra , 1976 (fig. 4; Tikader & Malhotra 1980, fig. 147), both known only from females, should also be studied from the aspect of belonging in Draposa gen. nov.

Distribution. Indomalayan region: Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Malaysia, Indonesia.