Platocoelotes tianyangensis Chen & Li

Chen, Lu, Li, Shuqiang & Zhao, Zhe, 2015, Five new Platocoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in southern China, ZooKeys 512, pp. 1-18 : 6-8

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Agelenidae

Platocoelotes tianyangensis Chen & Li sp. n. Figs 7, 8, 11

Type material.

Holotype ♂: China: Sichuan: Yibin City: Xingwen County: Shihaidong, Pingzhai Village, Tianyang Cave, N28°11'46", E105°8'24", elevation: 835 m. 16.XII.2014, Y.C. Li and Z. G. Chen. Paratypes: 16♀5♂, same data as holotype; 1♀: China: Sichuan: Yibin City: Xingwen County: Shihaidong, Pingzhai Village, Tianyang Cave, N28°11'46", E105°8'24", elevation: 835 m. 25.IV.2014, Y.C. Lin, H.F. Zhao, Y.C. Li, F.Y. Li and J.L. Wu.

Etymology.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The male can be distinguished from all of the other Platocoelotes species, except Platocoelotes ampulliformis , Platocoelotes brevis , Platocoelotes latus , Platocoelotes paralatus , and Platocoelotes strombuliformis , by having a thinner anterior conductor apophysis and a longer posterior conductor apophysis and can be distinguished from these five species by the large tegulum and broader distal end of the anterior conductor apophysis (Fig. 7 A–C). The female can be distinguished from all of the other Platocoelotes species, except Platocoelotes ampulliformis , by the presence of a small anterior epigynal atrium and a large posterior epigynal atrium (Fig. 8A; Liu and Li 2008: fig. 1E), and can be distinguished from Platocoelotes ampulliformis by fused spermathecae and the absence of copulatory ducts (Fig. 8B; Liu and Li 2008: fig. 1F).

Description.

Male (holotype): Total length 5.44. Carapace 2.80 long, 2.16 wide. Abdomen 2.64 long, 1.66 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.17, PME 0.16, PLE 0.16; AME-AME 0.03, AME-ALE 0.02, PME-PME 0.08, PME-PLE 0.06. Leg measurements: I: 14.85 (3.80, 4.65, 3.90, 2.50); II: 12.20 (3.20, 3.75, 3.25, 2.00); III: 10.84 (2.92, 3.00, 3.16, 1.76); IV: 15.42 (3.92, 4.45, 4.65, 2.40). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis long; ventral patellar apophysis short, with blunt tip; RTA with pointed tip extending slightly beyond distal margin of tibia; LTA short, about 1/3 length of RTA; cymbial furrow short, about 1/5 length of cymbium; anterior conductor apophysis broad and long, with blunt tip; posterior conductor apophysis thin, shorter than anterior conductor apophysis, length subequal to cymbial furrow (Fig. 7 A–C).

Female (one of paratypes): Total length 5.77. Carapace 2.82 long, 1.92 wide. Abdomen 2.95 long, 2.10 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.16, PME 0.17, PLE 0.20; AME-AME 0.06, AME-ALE 0.05, PME-PME 0.07, PME-PLE 0.09. Leg measurements: I: 10.80 (2.88, 3.50, 2.56, 1.86); II: 9.03 (2.56, 2.88, 2.05, 1.54); III: 8.21 (2.44, 2.56, 1.99, 1.22); IV: 11.10 (2.89, 3.35, 3.21, 1.47). Epigyne: atrium large, occupying 1/2 of epigynal plate; hoods located in the anterior part of epigyne, near each other; spermathecae simple and medially fused to each other; spermathecal stalks broad; spermathecal heads small, located at posterior part of spermathecae; copulatory ducts absent. (Fig. 8 A–B).

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 11).