Songthela longbao, Chen & Liu & Li & Xu, 2022

Chen, Zhaoyang, Liu, Fengxiang, Li, Daiqin & Xu, Xin, 2022, Four new species of the primitively segmented spider genus Songthela (Mesothelae, Liphistiidae) from Chongqing Municipality, China, Zootaxa 5091 (4), pp. 546-558 : 551-553

Songthela longbao sp. nov.

Figure 4

Holotype. Male (XUX-2012-252, matured on 18 July 2013), China, Chongqing Municipality, Wanzhou City , Mt. Longbao , 30.76ºN, 108.38ºE, 226 m a.s.l., 18 November 2012, collected by D Li, FX Liu, X Xu.

Paratypes. 1 male (XUX-2012-251A) and 10 females (XUX-2012-247/249/250/251/253/254A/255/256/257/2 58), same data as for holotype, 221–226 m a.s.l.

Diagnosis. Males of S. longbao sp. nov. can be distinguished from S. ciliensis by conductor with a curved margin retrolaterally ( Fig. 4B, E ); from S. pyriformis by apical spine of conductor straight and slender ( Fig. 4A, B, D, E ), by marginal apophysis of tegulum semielliptic ( Fig. 4C, G ); from S. jinyun sp. nov. and S. wangerbao sp. nov. by apical spine of conductor slightly shorter and thicker ( Fig. 4A, B ), by marginal apophysis of tegulum helicoid ( Fig. 4C, F ); from S. serriformis sp. nov. by conductor with smooth margin ( Fig. 4A–G ); from other Songthela species by smooth conductor with one apical spine ( Fig. 4A, B, E ). Females of S. longbao sp. nov. differ from S. ciliensis by lateral genital stalks shorter ( Fig. 4H–J ); from S. jinyun sp. nov. by distance between bases of middle and lateral genital stalks larger ( Fig. 4H–J ); from S. wangerbao sp. nov. by middle genital stalks longer and close to each other ( Fig. 4H–J ); from S. bristowei by bases of four receptacular clusters separated from each other ( Fig. 4H–J ); from S. serriformis sp. nov. by middle receptacular clusters situated on anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, lateral receptacular clusters similar to or slightly larger than middle ones, posterior margin of bursa copulatrix weakly sclerotised ( Fig. 4H–J ); from other Songthela species by middle receptacular clusters situated on anterior margin of bursa copulatrix with long genital stalks, similar or smaller than lateral pair, lateral ones situated dorsolaterally ( Fig. 4H–M ).

Description. Male holotype (XUX-2012-252). In alcohol, carapace reddish brown with a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; opisthosoma pale yellow, with 12 dark reddish brown tergites, close to each other with two pointed hairs on tergites from second to fourth, second to sixth larger than remaining, fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 11 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs/spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 14.08, CL 6.15, CW 5.70, OL 7.20, OW 4.72; ALE> PLE> PME> AME; leg I 17.02 (4.88 + 1.97 + 3.52 + 4.20 + 2.45), leg II 17.58 (4.78 + 2.30 + 3.35 + 4.60 + 2.55), leg III 19.73 (5.00 + 2.23 + 3.55 + 5.85 + 3.10), leg IV 24.65 (6.20 + 2.60 + 4.60 + 7.20 + 4.05).

Palp: Paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotized prolaterally, with numerous setae and spines distally ( Fig. 4A–C ). Contrategulum with denticulate margin, dentations sparse proximally and dense distally ( Fig. 4A, D ). Marginal apophysis of tegulum and dorsal extension of terminal apophysis of tegulum with helicoid edges, with a small terminal apophysis of tegulum ( Fig. 4C, F, G ). Conductor smooth, fused with embolus basally, with one apical spine ( Fig. 4A, B, D, E ). Embolus with a transparent, wide and flat opening and several ribbed ridges distally ( Fig. 4A, B, D, E, G ).

Female paratype (XUX-2012-251). In alcohol, carapace slight red-brown covered with a few hairs running over ocular area; opisthosoma slight brown with 12 dark brown tergites, close to each other with two pointed hairs on tergites from second to fourth, second to sixth larger than remaining, fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 11 denticles of variable size; legs with hairs/ spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 13.92, CL 5.25, CW 5.18, OL 7.32, OW 6.25; ALE> PLE> PME> AME; palp 8.60 (3.15 + 1.15 + 1.89 + 2.41), leg I 10.66 (3.40 + 1.90 + 2.07 + 1.98 + 1.31), leg II 10.50 (3.20 + 1.88 + 1.85 + 2.22 +1.35), leg III 11.00 (3.06 + 1.83 + 1.83 + 2.68 + 1.60), leg IV 16.74 (4.68 + 2.25 + 3.06 + 4.45 + 2.30).

Female genitalia: Four receptacular clusters separated from each other basally; median pair situated on anterior margin of bursa copulatrix with long genital stalks, similar to or slightly smaller than lateral pair; lateral ones situated dorsolaterally; posterior margin of bursa copulatrix weakly sclerotised ( Fig. 4H–M ).

Variation. Males and females vary in body size. The range of measurements in males (N = 2): BL 10.37–14.08, CL 5.04–6.15, CW 4.43–5.70, OL 4.95–7.20, OW 3.30–4.72; females (N = 10): BL 11.00–17.12, CL 4.72–6.63, CW 4.19–5.50, OL 6.88–9.75, OW 5.30–7.61. The number of promargin of cheliceral groove varies from 10 to 12 (N = 12). In addition, female genitalia show intraspecific variation: middle receptacular clusters separated from each other ( Fig. 4H, I ), or fused together basally ( Fig. 4J ); lateral ones similar to middle ones ( Fig. 4H, I ), or slightly larger than middle ones ( Fig. 4J ).

Etymology. The species epithet, a noun in apposition, refers to the type locality.

Distribution. Chongqing (Wanzhou), China.

GenBank accession number. Holotype: XUX-2012-252: OL982299 .

Figures

FIGURE 4. Male and female genital anatomy of Songthela longbao sp. nov. A, D, palp prolateral view; B, E, palp ventral view; C, F, palp retrolateral view; G, palp distal view; H–J, vulva dorsal view; K–M, vulva ventral view; A–G, XUX-2012-252 (holotype); H, K, XUX-2012-251; I, L, XUX-2012-257; J, M, XUX-2012-258. Scale bars: 0.3 mm.