Chthonopes jaegeri Wunderlich, 2011

Yang, Weicheng, Yu, Hao & Lin, Yucheng, 2022, A review of the spider genus Chthonopes (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae), with descriptions of two new species from China, ZooKeys 1124, pp. 147-160 : 147

Chthonopes jaegeri Wunderlich, 2011

Figs 3 , 4 , 6

Chthonopes jaegeri Wunderlich, 2011: 435, fig. 18a-f (♂♀).

Material examined.

2♀, Laos: Khammouan Province: Thakek area, Ban Phoungam-Mai , 17.55°N, 104.81°E, elevation 495 m, 25.XI.2012, S. Li leg ; 7♀, Bolikhamxay Province: Khamkeut area , 18.22°N, 104.81°E, elevation 495 m, 27.XI.2012, Z. Yao leg ; 1♂ 2♀, Bolikhamxay Province: Lak Sao , 17.22°N, 104.81° E, elevation 501 m, 3.III.2010, H. Steiner leg.

Diagnosis.

The male of C. jaegeri resembles those of C. cavernicola (Wunderlich, 2011: 433, figs 8-18) in having a large and flat, laminar median apophysis which bears a tiny needle-shaped distal horn (Fig. 4A-C ) (vs. median apophysis relatively small, consisting of triangular base and biforked distal horn in C. bifidum sp. nov.; Fig. 2C ), but differs in the combination of genitalic and somatic characters: distal apophysis of the tegulum is erect, apex relatively sharp, pointing distally (Fig. 4C ; Wunderlich 2011: 435, fig. 18b) (vs. curved, apex truncated, pointing proximally; Wunderlich 2011: 433, fig. 17); cymbium apically-ventrally with a pair of long and bristle-shaped hairs on a hump (Fig. 4C ; Wunderlich 2011: 435, fig. 18b) (vs. cymbium bearing apically four tiny hairs which are not situated on a hump; Wunderlich 2011: 433, fig. 17); both anterior and posterior eye rows with 4 eyes (Fig. 3A ) (vs. anterior eye row with 6 eyes, posterior eye row with 2 eyes; Wunderlich 2011: 433, figs 8-10). Females of C. jaegeri are similar to those of C. thakekensis ( Lin et al. 2014: 98, figs 17A-E, 18A-C) by the epigynal plate with a long, rugose scape, and by the similar configurations of vulva, but they can be differentiated by the circular main spermathecae separated by about 1/3 of their diameter (Fig. 3G ) (vs. semi-circular main spermathecae separated by about 1.2 × their width; Lin et al. 2014: 98, figs 17C, E, 18C), the accessory spermathecae consisting of a tubular stalk and globular head (vs. accessory spermathecae claviform, not subdivided; Lin et al. 2014: 98, figs 17C, E, 18C), and by the strongly sclerotized fertilization ducts (Fig. 3G ) (vs. membranous FDs; Lin et al. 2014: 98, figs 17C, E, 18C).

Description.

See Wunderlich (2011). Habitus as in Fig. 3A-D , male palp as in Fig. 4A-D , epigyne as in Fig. 3E-G .

Distribution.

Laos (Fig. 6 ).

Figures

Figure 2. Male palp of the holotype of Chthonopes bifidum sp. nov. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C ventral view D dorsal view. Abbreviations: Co = conductor; CL = cymbial lobe; DA = distal apophysis on tegulum; DH = distal horn on median apophysis; ED = embolic distal end; Em = embolus; MA = median apophysis; Pc = paracymbium; St = subtegulum; Te = tegulum; TTr = tibial trichobothium. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A-D).

Figure 3. Chthonopes jaegeri, male habitus (A, B), female habitus (C, D) and epigyne (E-G) A dorsal view B ventral view C dorsal view D ventral view E intact, ventral view F cleared, ventral view G cleared, dorsal view. Abbreviations: Asp = accessory spermathecae; CD = copulatory duct; FD = fertilization duct; Sc = scape; SP = spermatheca. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A-D); 0.2 mm (E, F, G).

Figure 4. Male palp of Chthonopes jaegeri A prolateral view B retrolateral view C ventral view D dorsal view. Abbreviations: Co = conductor; CL = cymbial lobe; DA = distal apophysis on tegulum; DH = distal horn on median apophysis; ED = embolic distal end; Em = embolus; MA = median apophysis; Pc = paracymbium; St = subtegulum; Te = tegulum. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A-D).

Figure 6. Distribution records of five species of the genus Chthonopes: C. bifidum sp. nov. (scarlet circle: 1. China, Yunnan Province, Xishuangbanna, Mengla County, Menglun Town, Shenmi cave; 2. China, Yunnan Province, Dehong, Luxi City, Mangliu village, Xianfo cave); C. jimudeng sp. nov. (yellow circle: 1. China, Yunnan Province, Gongshan County, Dulongjiang Town, Jimudeng village; 2. China, Yunnan Province, Gongshan County, Dulongjiang Town, Maku village); C. jaegeri Wunderlich, 2011 (carmine circle: 1, 2. Laos, Bolikhansay Province ,, Lak Sao, Tham Mang Kone; 3. Laos, Khammouan Province, Thakek area, Ban Phoungam-Mai; 4. Laos, Bolikhamxay Province: Khamkeut area); C. cavernicola Wunderlich, 2011 (light blue circle: Laos, Khammouan Province, Tham Boumlou, inside cave); C. thakekensis Lin, Li & Jaeger, 2014 (green circle: Laos, Khammouan Province, Thakek area, Ban Phoungam-Mai, Tham Phayat, limestone cave).