Fecenia protensa Thorell, 1891,

Bayer, Steffen, 2011, Revision of the pseudo-orbweavers of the genus Fecenia Simon, 1887 (Araneae, Psechridae), with emphasis on their pre-epigyne, ZooKeys 153, pp. 1-56 : 16-20

Fecenia protensa Thorell, 1891, stat. n. Figs 55 –7098–99108– 110119

Fecenia protensa Thorell, 1891: 31 (Description of immature ♀), [Holotype s.a. ♀ (SB 620) from INDIA: Nicobar Islands: Nancowry; Bille, Kjellerup, Behn and Reinhardt leg. 1845-1847, Galathea Expedition; ZMUC 13091, examined]; Kulczyński 1908: 570; Reimoser 1936: 406; Lehtinen 1967: 234; Levi 1982: 136 (Synonymy with Fecenia macilenta , rejected); Murphy 1986: 65 (Statement concerning synonymy with Fecenia macilenta ).

Fecenia sumatrana Kulczyński, 1908: 568, pl. 23, fig. 20 (Description of ♀), [Holotype ♀ (SB 357) from INDONESIA: Sumatra: Lampung Prov.: Palembang; Dr S. Libelt leg.; MIZ 212∙322, examined]; Reimoser 1929: 132 (Listing of first record from Mentawai islands); Reimoser 1936: 407; Lehtinen 1967: 234 (Synonymy with Fecenia macilenta , rejected by subsequent author); Murphy 1986: 65 (Synonymy with Fecenia travancoria , rejected). Syn. n.

Psechrus nicobarensis Tikader, 1977: 208, fig. 27 A–E (Description and illustration of ♂ and ♀), [Holotype ♀ as well as 8 ♀♀ paratypes and 2 ♂♂ paratypes from INDIA: West Bengal Province: Nicobar Islands, Car-Nicobar Isl., Kakana village; B.K. Tikader leg. 9.III.1970; NZSI, not available on request, thus not examined]; Jose and Sebastian 2001: 304 (genus name misapplied). Syn. n.

Fecenia nicobarensis - Levi 1982: 138 (Transfer from Psechrus ).

Fecenia macilenta - Levi 1982: 136, figs 83-87, ad part, figs 83, 86-87 misidentified (figs 83 and 87: Illustration of s.a. ♀ and ♀); Koh 1989: 76, fig. embedded in text, misidentified (Illustration of ♀).

Psechrus alticeps - Jose and Sebastian 2001: 304, fig. 1, misidentified. Note: Jose and Sebastian (2001) copied the illustrations of fig. 27 in Tikader (1977), pasted them in their fig. 1 and partly modified them. In their fig. 1a they changed the eye arrangement and colour pattern of the carapace as well as the colour pattern of the opisthosoma " Psechrus "-like. Their figs 1b and 1g show the female and male copulatory organs of Fecenia protensa after Tikader (1977, there sub Psechrus nicobarensis ). Their fig. 1f is a misinterpretation and definitely shows neither the vulva of Fecenia protensa nor the one of Psechrus alticeps Pocock, 1899, which is a junior synonym of Psechrus torvus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869) ( Levi 1982).

Additional material.

(6 ♂♂, 38 ♀♀, 2 s.a. ♂♂, 5 s.a. ♀♀, 10 juvenile specimens). THAILAND:Nakhon Nayok Prov.: Khao Yai N.P. located ca. 120 km North-East of Bangkok, evergreen tropical rainforest, ca. 150 m; P. Hillyard leg. 12.III.1984; 1 ♀ (SB 393), NHM. Khao Yai N.P., forests surrounding Park Headquarters, 800-900 m; P. Dankittipakul leg. 15.XI.2006; 1 ♂ (SB 218), MHNG. Nakhon Ratchasima Prov.: Khao Yai N.P., rainforest; C.L. and P.R. Deeleman leg. 28.XII.1988; 1 ♂ (SB 128, died directly after adult moult), Deeleman Coll. in RMNH. Chantaburi Prov.: Chantaburi Distr.: Nam Tok Phliu N.P., 50 m; P. Schwendinger leg. 11.IX.1993; 1 ♂ (SB 136), MHNG. Trat Prov.: Koh Chang Isl.: Khlong Chao Luam, 12°06'30"N, 102°17'49"E, 30-150 m, secondary forest along stream, in shrubs; P. Jäger and S. Bayer leg. 3.XI.2009; 1 ♂ (SB 512), 1 ♀ (SB 458), 2 juvs (SB 328, 350), SMF. Surat Thani Prov.: Khao Nan N.P.; P. Dankittipakul leg. 17.VIII.2006; 1 ♀ (SB 202), MHNG; P. Dankittipakul leg. 27.X.2006; 1 ♀ (SB 206), SMF. Krabi Prov.: Krabi Distr.: Thab Khaek, Hang Nak Hill Nature Trail, 8°05'43"N, 98°45'11"E, 300 m, semi-evergreen rainforest; P. Schwendinger leg. 6.VI.2009; 1 ♀ (SB 195), SMF. Phuket Prov.: Phuket, Ton Sai Waterfall, 8°01'N, 98°25'E, 150-200 m; M. Andersen, O. Martin and N. Scharff leg. 12.X.1991; 3 ♀♀ (SB 888-890), 1 s.a. ♂ (SB 891), ZMUC 4536. Song Khla Prov.: Khao Khor Hong, a small mountainous area behind Prince of Song Khla University campus; B. Phongsee leg. 15.IX.2005; 1 ♀ (SB 215), 1 s.a. ♀ (SB 216), 3 juvs (SB 782-784), MHNG. MALAYSIA:Pahang Prov.: Cameron Highlands at Tanah Rata, 4°28'N, 101°23'E; V. and B. Roth leg. 14.-20.IV.1990; 1 ♀ (SB 184), 1 s.a. ♀ (SB 185), USNM, 1 ♀ (SB 949), CAS ENT9032226. Selangor Prov.: Gombak, field station, forest; C.L. Deeleman leg. 6.VII.1992; 1 ♀ (SB 117); C.L. Deeleman and J.C. van Kempen leg. 2.VII.1992, by night; 1 ♀ (SB 112), both Deeleman Coll. in RMNH. Borneo: Sarawak Prov.: Northern Sarawak; P. Nabawi leg.; [ex Coll. Wunderlich]; 1 ♀ (SB 1142), SMF. Gunong Mulu N.P., Environs Camp I, 1150 m, shrubs; F. Wanless leg. by net sweeping, R.G.S. Mulu Exped. 1977-78; 1 ♀ (SB 391), NHM. Gunong Mulu N.P., rain forest; C.L. and P.R. Deeleman leg. 4.X.2003; 1 ♀ (SB 131), s.a. ♀ (SB 897), 1 juv. (SB 898), Deeleman Coll. in RMNH. Kuching: Matang Reserve, primary forest, big old tree in clearing; C.L. and P.R. Deeleman leg. 25.III.1986; 2 ♀♀ (SB 107-108), 1 s.a. ♂ (SB 899), 3 juvs (SB 900-902), Deeleman Coll. in RMNH. Sabah Prov.: Kinabalu N.P., Poring Hot Springs, 5°02'N, 116°42'E, 600-700 m, primary forest; A. Floren leg. 3.III.1996 by canopy fogging “Ridge”; 1 ♀ (SB 519), Deeleman Coll. in RMNH. SINGAPORE: Singapore (no further details); H.N. Ridley leg.; 7 ♀♀ (SB 408-414), 1 s.a. ♀ (SB 407), NHM. Singapore: Sime Road: secondary forest; J. Koh leg. 1998; 1 ♀ (SB 186), USNM. INDONESIA:Sumatra: Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Prov.: Simeulue Isl.; E. Jacobson leg.; 1 s.a. ♀ (SB 462), NHMW 12387. Sumatera Barat Prov.: Lubuk Sikaping, Panti Reserve; C.L. and P.R. Deeleman leg. 14.VIII.1982; 1 ♀ (SB 125), Deeleman Coll. in RMNH. Borneo: Kalimantan Timur Prov.: 40 km NNW of Balikpapan, Sepaku, isolated stand of rainforest; C.L. and P.R. Deeleman leg. 5.VIII.1980; 1 ♀ (SB 126), Deeleman Coll. in RMNH. Bali Prov.: Air Terjung Waterfall, c/o Munduk, 8°15'27.8"S, 115°04'14.1"E, ca. 1000 m; S. Huber leg. 11.IV.2011; 5 ♀♀ (SB 1013-1017), SMF. Ubud, 8°29'51"S, 115°15'18.4"E, ca. 330 m; S. Huber leg. 30.III.2011; 1 ♀ (SB 1028), SMF. Candi Dasa, creek forest, 8°30'13"S, 115°33'47"E; S. Huber leg. 16.-20.III.2009; 1 ♂ (SB 137), 2 ♀♀ (SB 196, 256), 1 juv. (SB 906), SMF. Nusa Tenggara Barat Prov.: Flores Isl., East of Labuan Bajo, rainforest, 8°33'60"S, 120°00'02"E; S. Huber leg. 24.III.2009; 1 ♂ (SB 196, only left palp and a few body parts remained), SMF.

Diagnosis.

Females distinguished from other Fecenia species except Fecenia travancoria by having anterior margins of lateral lobes (AML) anteriorly more or less converging and surrounding epigynal pit partly and the anterior part of median septum (AS) comprising a longitudinal, anteriorly pointed folding (Fig. 55); moreover, by having a notched transversal edge (TR) of median septum. Distinguished from Fecenia travancoria by borderline (BL) between strongly sclerotised section of internal duct system (SSI) and transparent section (TSI) running almost transversal (Fig. 56). In males RTA short, at most ½ the width of palpal tibia, and knobbed, almost as broad as long (Figs 62-63, 98). Median apophysis (MA) almost semicircular and shorter than width of tegulum (T) (Fig. 62, 98). In contrast to the similar male of Fecenia cylindrata embolus (E) without basal apophysis (bEA) and ventral patellar apophysis (VPA) arising proximally on patella (Figs 60-61, 99).

Description.

MALE:Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 3.1-4.4, carapace width 2.1-3.0, anterior width of carapace 1.4-1.9, opisthosoma length 4.1-6.4, opisthosoma width 1.6-2.6. Eyes: AME 0.25-0.27, ALE 0.17-0.18, PME 0.18-0.19, PLE 0.17-0.19, AME–AME 0.14-0.22, AME–ALE 0.07-0.19, PME–PME 0.18-0.25, PME–PLE 0.25-0.34, AME–PME 0.13-0.19, ALE–PLE 0.10-0.18, clypeus height at AME 0.29-0.35, at ALE 0.21-0.26. Measurements of palp and legs. Palp 4.0-5.2 [1.5-2.1, 0.7-0.9, 0.5-0.7, 1.3-1.6], I 34.7-52.5 [9.1-14.2, 1.4-2.1, 9.5-14.6, 10.6-16.2, 4.1-5.4], II 16.3-25.1 [4.3-6.7, 1.2-1.6, 4.5-7.0, 4.3-7.0, 2.0-2.8], III 9.2-14.0 [2.6-4.0, 0.9-1.3, 2.2-3.6, 2.3-3.4, 1.2-1.7], IV 15.5-23.1 [4.1-6.3, 1.1-1.6, 4.1-6.2, 4.4-6.5, 1.8-2.5]. Leg formula: 1243. Copulatory organ. Retrolateral patellar apophysis (RPA) rather inconspicuous (Figs 61-63, 98-99). Median apophysis (MA) with tip in ca. 1:00-o'clock-position (Fig. 62) and in retrolateral view almost straight (Figs 61, 99). Embolus (E) arising in ca. 7:30-o'clock-position on tegulum (T), distally thicker than in Fecenia cylindrata and at most as long as width of T. The latter almost round. Membranous process of tegulum (MP) reaches far up, mostly 10:00-10:30-o'clock-position. Conductor (C) small, size and shape similar like in Fecenia ochracea , arises medially in upper third of T.

FEMALE: Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 3.3-4.7, carapace width 1.9-3.1, anterior width of carapace 1.6-2.3, opisthosoma length 5.5-8.1, opisthosoma width 2.4-4.2. Eyes: AME 0.22-0.28, ALE 0.15-0.21, PME 0.17-0.22, PLE 0.16-0.19, AME–AME 0.19-0.26, AME–ALE 0.10-0.14, PME–PME 0.23-0.29, PME–PLE 0.29-0.40, AME–PME 0.23-0.24, ALE–PLE 0.16-0.19, clypeus height at AME 0.33-0.41, at ALE 0.29-0.38. Measurements of palp and legs. Palp 3.5-5.1 [1.2-1.7, 0.6-0.9, 0.6-1.0, 1.1-1.5], I 19.2-26.8 [4.8-7.0, 1.5-2.0, 5.4-7.8, 5.1-7.2, 2.4-2.8], II 11.3-16.5 [3.0-4.3, 1.1-1.6, 3.1-4.7, 2.7-4.0, 1.4-1.9], III 7.1-10.6 [2.1-3.1, 0.8-1.3, 1.8-2.6, 1.5-2.3, 0.9-1.3], IV 10.7-16.0 [2.8-4.4, 1.1-1.7, 3.1-4.6, 2.5-3.6, 1.2-1.7]. Leg formula: 1243. Palpal claw with 8-11 teeth. Spination (immature holotype of Fecenia protensa from Nicobar Islands in poor condition! spination of holotype of Fecenia sumatrana from Palembang, Sumatra listed instead). Palp: 110, 110, 0100, 1004 (spines on patella, tibia and tarsus with only half the size as those of femur!); legs: femur I 310, II 320, III 011, IV 020; patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3006, III 0023, IV 0024; metatarsus I 2025, II–III 2015, IV 1015. Copulatory organ: Epigyne in general appearance characteristically rounded- “W” -shaped (Figs 55, 64, 108). AML mostly strongly sclerotised, converging anteriorly and surrounding epigynal pit partly. AS clearly broader than PS. Epigynal muscle sigilla (EM) integrated in epigynal field or at least located very close by, same for slit sense organs (SO) (Figs 55, 64). Vulva with medium sized (longer than in Fecenia ochracea , Fecenia macilenta and Fecenia travancoria , shorter than in Fecenia cylindrata ) and broad TSI (56, 65, 109). SSI more slender than in all other Fecenia species, duct with 2-3 curves (Fig. 57). Primordial copulatory organ: Pre-epigyne: “Crown” -like (Figs 58, 66, 69, 110). Primordium of AS already recognisable, broad “W” -like. Epigynal field not or only poorly developed, EM far outside epigynal field (Fig. 69). Pre-pre-epigyne: Prongs of the “crown” small (Fig. 70). Pre-vulva: Pre-receptacula bulbous/spherical (Figs 59, 67-68). Distance between centres of pre-receptacula more than three times diameter of one pre-receptaculum. Variation of copulatory organs: Cymbium length of male palp differing slightly among specimens examined (Figs 60-63, 98-99), MA may be extending further beyond retrolateral cymbium margin (Figs 63, 98). T in some specimens slightly broader (Fig. 98) than in others. RPA may be slightly larger (Fig. 63) than in general. In females the shape of AS may vary, e.g. the posterior notch is larger and the anteriorly pointed longitudinal folding is as such hardly recognisable (Fig. 64). Number of SO among specimens varying without geographical dependence. TSI varying in length (Fig. 56, 65). In dorsal view BL direction of vulva varies from 8:30 (Fig. 65) to almost 9:30-o'clock-position (Fig. 56). Pre-epigynes differing in shape of TR (Figs 58, 66). The most frequent shape seems to be the one of SB 216 (Fig. 69) and holotype SB 620 (Figs 58, 110). Number of SO varying strongly.

Pre-vulva may be slightly more structured (Fig. 67).

Remarks.

The reasons for revalidation of Fecenia protensa and the synonymy of Fecenia sumatrana with the former are as follows: In Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and on Bali at several localities subadult Fecenia females were collected together with adult females respectively, which showed the characteristic rounded- “W” -shaped epigyne. The pre-epigyne of the subadult female holotype of Fecenia protensa (SB 620) matches the ones of the subadult females mentioned above. In 1908 Kulczyński described Fecenia sumatrana. The (adult) female holotype of this species exhibits the characteristic rounded- “W” -shaped epigyne. The adult females mentioned above match the holotype of Fecenia sumatrana . Fecenia protensa is the oldest name available and hence the valid name for this taxonomical species. It is distinguished from Fecenia travancoria by the BL of the vulva running almost transversal. Consequently, Fecenia sumatrana is not a junior synonym of Fecenia travancoria as postulated in Murphy (1986), but a junior synonym of Fecenia protensa . Both, Fecenia protensa and Fecenia travancoria are regarded as valid species (see also remarks sub species description of Fecenia travancoria ).

Reason for synonymy of Fecenia nicobarensis with Fecenia protensa : Although the types of Psechrus nicobarensis were not available on request it became obvious that Tikader (1977) dealt with Fecenia protensa . The drawing of the female epigyne in Tikader (1977: 208, fig. 27B) is not very informative, however, the rounded- “W” -shaped character of the epigyne is very clear. His fig. 27E of the right male palp is more detailed. However, the proportions probably do not reflect the real situation. Additionally, this illustration does not represent an exact ventral view of the palp. If the left palps of the males examined herein (SB 128, 136, 137, 218, 219, 512) were arranged in the same way/position, they would match the (mirrored) drawing in Tikader (1977).

Disribution.

India [Nicobar Islands], Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia [Sumatra, Borneo, Bali].