Uroctea compactilis L. Koch, 1878

Yang, Zi-Zhong, Yang, Zhi-Bin, Zhao, Yu & Zhang, Zhi-Sheng, 2019, Review of the tent-web spider genus Uroctea Dufour, 1820 in China, with descriptions of two new species (Araneae: Oecobiidae), Zootaxa 4679 (1), pp. 126-138 : 128-129

Uroctea compactilis L. Koch, 1878

Figures 1–2 , 8

Uroctea compactilis L. Koch, 1878: 749 , pl. 15, fig. 11 (♀ holotype from Saga, Japan, deposited in Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (SWF), unexamined); Bösenberg & Strand 1906: 126, pl. 6, fig. 70, pl. 15, fig. 444 (♀ ♂); Chen & Zhang 1991: 80, figs 71.1–3 (♀ ♂); Kim & Lee 1998: 53, figs 3.1, 5.1–2, 7.1–2, 8.1, 9–13; Song et al. 1999: 78, figs 32A–B, F (♀ ♂); Kim & Cho 2002: 62, figs 25–30 (♀ ♂); Namkung 2003: 68, figs 10.3a–b (♀ ♂); Ono 2009: 148, figs 1–5 (♀ ♂); Yin et al. 2012: 206, figs 57a–f (♀ ♂). For full list of publications concerning this species, see World Spider Catalog (2019).

Diagnosis. The species can be distinguished from other Uroctea species by three pairs of large white markings on the dorsum of the opisthosoma, the right and left anterior markings connected centrally, the same as the posterior ones ( Fig. 1 A–B). Conductor of male palp transparent, nearly flat and racket-shaped, with a thin, curved stalk ( Fig. 1 D–E). Median apophysis with three branches, the anterior branch (b1) thin and long, with a blunt, inflated end, the retrolateral branch (b2) with a wide base and pointed tip, the third branch (b3) short and blunt, located under the anterior part of conductor ( Fig. 2A ). Posterior margin of epigyne with a wide notch centrally and copulatory openings widely separated ( Figs 1 F–G, 2B–C).

Description. Males: total length 5.10–9.70. Females: total length 7.00–12.00. Habitus of both sexes as shown in Fig. 1 A–B. For full description, see Ono (2009) and Yin et al. (2012).

Male palp ( Figs 1 C–E, 2A). Embolus originating proximally, elongated, with a pointed tip near the racketshaped conductor. Conductor semi-transparent, almost flat, originating centrally in the tegulum ( Fig. 1D ). Median apophysis with three branches. Sperm duct distinct in prolateral and retrolateral view of genital bulb and ventral view of embolic base.

Epigyne ( Figs 1 F–G, 2B–C). Posterior epigynal margin with a median notch, length two times the width. Copulatory openings small, near posterior margin and widely separated from each other. Copulatory ducts strongly sclerotized and rounded, with a pair of transparent bursae. Spermathecae small, almost centrally located. Fertilization ducts extremely long, extending postero-mesally.

Material examined. China, Yunnan Province: 5 females, Lushui County, Luzhang Town , 27 Jul. 1999, Jianping Zha leg. ( DUIER) ; 4 females, Lijiang City, Longpan Town, Longpan , 2 Aug. 1999, Yiwen He leg. ( DUIER) ; 4 females, Malipo County, Mengdong Town, Yakou Village , 9 Aug. 1999, Jiayou Wang leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Lincang City, Juannei Town, Douge Village , 20 Aug. 1999, Zurao Wang leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Zhongdian County, Economic Development Zone , 29 Sep. 1999, Zhengguo Yin leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Jiangcheng County, 4 Feb. 2001, Lanchun Zhou leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Fengqing County, Xinhua Town , 10 Feb. 2001, Qinglong Luo leg. ( DUIER) ; 4 females, Guangnan County, Libang Town, Erzu , 25 Jul.2001, Zhixiang Li leg. ( DUIER) ; 3 females, Yunlong County, Jiancao Town, Shijin Village , 26 Jul. 2001, Erbing Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Mojiang County, 10 Aug. 2001, Xueying Jiang leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Jianchuan County, Manxianlin , 21 Jul. 2002, Hongjun Zhang leg. ( DUIER) ; 4 females, Lushui County, 27 Jul. 2002, Yun Jiang leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 male, Yunlong County, 5 Aug. 2003, Jinsong Ma leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Jinggu County, 5 Aug. 2003, Shifeng Dong leg. ( DUIER) ; 6 females, Luxi County, 8 Aug. 2003, Xuewen Gu leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Midu County, 10 Aug. 2002, Yunfen Bai leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Longchuan County, 10 Aug. 2002, Yanzhen Li leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Lufeng County, Guangtong Town , 6 Jul. 2003, Zizhong Yangleg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, East of Cangshan Mountains, Dali City , 2 Oct. 2003, Yingju Pu leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Wuhe Town , Tengchong County, 20 Jan. 2004, by Shengzhong Chen leg. ( DUIER) ; 3 females, Maoshui Cave , Luliang County, 25 Jan. 2004, Conghua Gao leg. ( DUIER) ; 8 females, Shuangbai County, 15 Feb. 2004, Huibao Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Luoping County, 15 Feb. 2004, Baochuan Wan leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Lushui County, Pianma Town, Elev. 2070–2150m, 5 Nov. 2004, Zizhong Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Luliang County, Maoshui Cave , 8 Jul. 2004, Conghua Gao leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Ludian County, Wenping Town , 20 Jul. 2004, Lianbing Zhou leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Lvchun County, Pinghe Town , 29 Jul. 2004, Zizhong Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; 17 females, Tengchong County, Wuhe Town , 10 Aug. 2004, Shengzhong Chen leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Wenshan County, Kaihua Town , 29 Apr. 2005, Zizhong Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female, Wenshan County, Maguan Town, Gulinqing , 20 Jul. 2006, Zizhong Yang, Yulong Wang leg. ( DUIER) ; 14 females and 3 males, Qiubei County, Shuanglongying Town, Songmaodi Village , 6 Jul. 2006, Lifang Wu leg. ( DUIER) ; 17 females and 1 male, Fengqing County, Xinhua Town , 22 Feb. 2007, Fengshu Zha leg. ( DUIER) ; 1 female and 1 male, Fengqing County, Xinhua Town , 20 May 2007, Fengshu Zha leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Guangnan County, Ba- bao Town , 24. VII. 2007, Zizhong Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; 11 females and 3 males, Nanjian County, Fenghuangshan , 10 May 2008, Guanghong Li leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Guangnan County, Bamei Town, Tangna Village , 16 Jul. 2008, Youliang Zhang leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Jingdong County, Wenlong , 18 Jul. 2010, Zizhong Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; 2 females, Yunlong County, Jiangcao Town, Jiancao , 28 May 2016, Zizhong Yang leg. ( DUIER) ; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region : 25 females and 1 male, Xincheng County, Oudong Town, Lengshui Tun of Oudong Village , 5 Jan. 2010, Liugui Wei leg. ( DUIER) .

Distribution: China (Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangxi, Yunnan) ( Fig. 8 ; Song et al. 1999); South Korea ( Kim & Lee 1998); Japan ( Ono 2009).

Biology. Often found in old houses in villages or small towns, on the walls or wood. This species has presumably spread with the migration of humans. This is a common species from South China, South Korea and Japan.

Remarks. This species was originally described on the basis of female holotype, with a rough illustration of epigyne by L. Koch (1878). Bösenberg and Strand (1906) redescribed the female holotype and described the male firstly. They gave a better drawing of habitus, epigne and malp palp, which has become the most important reference on the identification of Uroctea species from South China, South Korea and Japan. Recently, some publications gave more photos or drawings of it and make the identification of this species much easier.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Uroctea compactilis L. Koch, 1878, A. Male habitus, dorsal view; B. Female habitus, dorsal view; C. Left male palp, prolateral view; D. Same, ventral view; E. Same, retrolateral view (the red arrow indicates the retrolateral projection of tibia); F. Epigyne, ventral view; G. Same, dorsal view.

FIGURE 2. Uroctea compactilis L. Koch, 1878, A. Left male palp, SEM photo, ventral view; B. Epigyne, ventral view; C. Same, dorsal view.

FIGURE 8. Distribution records of Chinese Uroctea specimens examined.