Pseudonesticus ziyunensis, 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 : 63-64

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Pseudonesticus ziyunensis sp. n. Figs 77, 78, 81

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 2♂12♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Guizhou Province, Ziyun County, Mt. Wufeng, Wufeng Cave (25.75607°N, 106.07243°E, 1165 m), 25.XII.2010, H. Chen & Z. Zha leg.

Etymology.

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

Diagnosis.

The new species is closely related to Pseudonesticus miao sp. n. (Figs 72 A–D, 73 F–H) and Pseudonesticus clavatus (see Liu and Li 2013a: 790, figs 1-14). Males can be distinguished from those of the former species by the shorter and undulate terminal apophysis (Ta), the longer process I of the conductor (Cp-I) and the pointed distal process of the paracymbium (Dp) (Fig. 77 A–B, 77D vs. Fig. 72 A–B, D). Females can be distinguished from those of Pseudonesticus miao sp. n. by the shorter and wider scape (Sp) (Fig. 78 E–G). Males of Pseudonesticus ziyunensis sp. n. can be separated from those of Pseudonesticus clavatus by the shorter terminal apophysis (Ta), the longer distal process of the paracymbium (Dp), the shorter process I of the conductor (Cp-I), the lack of a ventral apophysis (Va); females are distinguished by the shorter and wider scape (Sp), the smaller spermathecae (S), the coiled ducts (missing any coil in the other species) and the wider and cystiform vulval pockets (Vp) (Figs 77A, 78 E–G vs. figs 1, 12-14). The general shape of the paracymbium (P), the long terminal apophysis (Ta) and the general shape of the scape (Sp) allow an easy separation from all other species of Pseudonesticus .

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 78 A–D. Carapace pale yellow. Eyes absent. Legs and female palps pale yellowish, distally darker in each tarsus. Cervical groove and fovea indistinct. Mouthparts pale yellow, darker in females. Sternum pale yellow. Opisthosoma ovoid, greyish.

Male palp (Fig. 77 A–D): cymbium sub-rectangular in dorsal view (Fig. 77B). Paracymbium with a flat and pointed distal process and a granulate and reticulate surface (Fig. 77 A–B, D). Tegulum compressed and posteriorly protruding (Fig. 77A). Terminal apophysis sclerotized, long and bent, finger-like (Fig. 77A, C). Tg-I wide, Tg-II small (Fig. 77A, C–D). Conductor with a long, sharp apex and two small, flat processes (Fig. 77A, C–D). Embolus long, coiled in only one loop near the apex of the palp (Fig. 77A, C–D).

Epigyne (Fig. 78 E–G): broad (Fig. 78E). Inner structure partially visible through the tegument (Fig. 78E). Scape short and very wide. Lateral grooves distinct and curved (Fig. 78E). Spermathecae small, globular, separated by less than 2.5 diameters (Fig. 78G). Fertilization ducts thin, long and proximally coiled into less than two loops and distally straight (Fig. 78G). Copulatory ducts broad, divided into two parts, the ovoid inner part shorter than the compressed outer part (Fig. 78G).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.72. Carapace 1.19 long, 1.06 wide. Opisthosoma 1.64 long, 1.00 wide. Sternum 0.66 long, 0.70 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 3.16. Carapace 1.27 long, 1.06 wide. Opisthosoma 1.82 long, 1.24 wide. Sternum 0.70 long, 0.74 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 81).