Songthela jinyun, 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 : 547-551

Songthela jinyun sp. nov.

Figure 3

Holotype. Male (XUX-2017-293, matured on 14 August 2019), China, Chongqing Municipality, Beipei District , Mt. Jinyun , 29.83ºN, 106.38ºE; 827 m a.s.l., 12 October 2017, collected by FX Liu, F Li, X Xu.

Paratypes. 2 females (XUX-2017-290/291), same data as for holotype ; 5 females (XUX-2012- 189/193/194/195/200), same data as for holotype, 29.84ºN, 106.40ºE, 713–729 m a.s.l., 14 November 2012, collected by D Li, FX Liu, X Xu ; 2 females (XUX-2012-165/166), China, Chongqing Municipality, Beipei District, Mt. Jinyun , Banzigou , 29.86ºN, 106.38ºE, 253 m a.s.l. 29 November 2012, collected by D Li, FX Liu, X Xu ; 2 females (XUX-2013-129A/133A), China, Chongqing Municipality, Beipei District, Mt. Jinyun , Banzigou , 29.86ºN, 106.38ºE, 266–283 m a.s.l. 29 March 2013, collected by D Li, X Xu , and LY Wang ; 6 females (XUX-2017-282/2 84/285/287/288/289), China, Chongqing Municipality, Beipei District, Mt. Jinyun , 29.84ºN, 106.40ºE, 589–665 m a.s.l., 12 October 2017, collected by FX Liu, F Li, and X Xu.

Diagnosis. Male of S. jinyun sp. nov. can be distinguished from S. ciliensis by conductor with wider base ( Fig. 3B, E ), and by marginal apophysis of tegulum incurved in middle portion ( Fig. 3F, G ); from S. pyriformis and S. longbao sp. nov. by apical spine of conductor slender and longer ( Fig. 3A–G ); from S. wangerbao sp. nov. by apical spine of conductor slightly thicker ( Fig. 3A, B, D, E, G ), and by middle portion of marginal apophysis of tegulum incurved ( Fig. 3F, G ); from S. serriformis sp. nov. by conductor with smooth margin ( Fig. 3A–G ); from other Songthela species by smooth conductor with one apical spine ( Fig. 3A, D ). Females of S. jinyun sp. nov. differ from S. ciliensis , S. longbao sp. nov. and S. wangerbao sp. nov. by distance between bases of middle genital stalks larger, middle genital stalks slightly slender ( Fig. 3H, I ); from S. bristowei by bases of four receptacular clusters separated from each other ( Fig. 3H, I ); from S. serriformis sp. nov. by middle receptacular cluster situated on anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, posterior margin of bursa copulatrix weakly sclerotised ( Fig. 3H–K ); from other Songthela species by middle receptacular clusters situated on anterior margin of bursa copulatrix and lateral receptacular clusters situated dorsolaterally ( Fig. 3H–O ).

Description. Male holotype (XUX-2017-293) ( Fig. 1E ). In alcohol, carapace yellow brown with a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; opisthosoma pale yellow, with 12 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 10 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs/spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 14.78, CL 6.78, CW 6.44, OL 7.09, OW 4.44; ALE> PLE> PME> AME; leg I 21.74 (6.10 + 2.78 + 4.53 + 5.66 + 2.67), leg II 21.45 (5.91 + 2.68 + 4.29 + 5.77 + 2.80), leg III 22.96 (5.73 + 2.93 + 4.16 + 6.93 + 3.21), leg IV 30.45 (7.64 + 2.97 + 6.03 + 9.30 + 4.51).

Palp: Paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised prolaterally, with numerous setae and spines distally ( Fig. 3A–C ). Contrategulum with denticulate margin, dentations sparse proximally and dense distally ( Fig. 3A, D ). Marginal apophysis of tegulum curved in middle portion, dorsal extension of terminal apophysis of tegulum with a helicoid edge, terminal apophysis of tegulum wide and lamellar retrolaterally ( Fig. 3C, F, G ). Conductor smooth, fused with embolus ventro-proximally, with an apical spine ( Fig. 3B, E ). Embolus with a transparent, wide and flat opening, slightly curved margin with numerous longitudinal ribs retrolaterally ( Fig. 3A, B, D, E, G ).

Female paratype (XUX-2017-289). In alcohol, carapace dark red-brown with a few hairs running over ocular area; opisthosoma light 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 12 denticles of variable size; legs with hairs/spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 16.74, CL 7.46, CW 6.80, OL 8.02, OW 6.19; ALE> PLE> PME> AME; palp 13.59 (4.68 + 2.47 + 2.99 + 3.45), leg I 16.08 (4.98 + 2.70 + 3.13 + 3.23 + 2.04), leg II 15.45 (4.70 + 2.71 + 2.90 + 3.25 +1.89), leg III 16.74 (4.61 + 2.89 + 3.25 + 3.67 + 2.32), leg IV 23.15 (6.65 + 3.23 + 4.22 + 6.01 + 3.04).

Female genitalia: Two pairs of receptacular clusters with tubular genital stalks and surrounded by transparent membrane. Middle pair of receptacular clusters situated on anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, separated from each other, smaller than lateral ones. Lateral ones situated slight dorsolaterally with short genital stalks, posterior margin of bursa copulatrix weakly sclerotised ( Fig. 3H–O ).

Variation. Females vary in body size. The range of measurements in females (N = 17): BL 10.70–17.19, CL 4.83–6.75, CW 4.15–5.89, OL 5.56–9.02, OW 3.74–7.01. The number of promargin of cheliceral groove varies from 10–13 (N = 17). The number of spinnerets is 7 or 8. In addition, female genitalia show intraspecific variation: middle genital stalks tilted outward ( Fig. 3H, L ) or paralleled ( Fig. 3I, J ,); four receptacular clusters distinctly separated ( Fig. 3H, I ), or one of middle and lateral genital stalks fused basally ( Fig. 3J, N ), or only three receptacular clusters ( Fig. 3K ).

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

Distribution. Chongqing (Beipei), China.

GenBank accession number. Holotype: XUX-2017-293: OL982296 .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Microhabitat and general somatic morphology of the new Songthela species. A, microhabitat; B, C, the trapdoor with the door closed and open (Songthela longbao sp. nov.); D, E, dorsal view (Songthela jinyun sp. nov.); D, female XUX- 2012-194; E, male XUX-2017-293. Scale bars: 0.3 mm (D, E).

FIGURE 3. Male and female genital anatomy of Songthela jinyun sp. nov. A, D, palp prolateral view; B, E, palp ventral view; C, F, palp retrolateral view; G, palp distal view; H–K, vulva dorsal view; L–O, vulva ventral view; A–G, XUX-2017-293 (holotype); H, L, XUX-2017-289; I, M, XUX-2012-189; J, N, XUX-2017-291; K, O, XUX-2012-165A. Scale bars: 0.3 mm.