Neriene decormaculata Chen & Zhu, 1988

Li, Jian Yong, Liu, Jie & Chen, Jian, 2018, A review of some Neriene spiders (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from China, Zootaxa 4513 (1), pp. 1-90 : 25-26

Neriene decormaculata Chen & Zhu, 1988

Figs 24–26 , 69

Neriene decormaculata Chen & Zhu, 1988: 346 , f. 1–12 (Dmf); Song, Zhu & Li, 1993: 864, f. 23A–E (mf); Song, Zhu & Chen, 1999: 193, f. 109D–E, L–M (mf).

Material examined. Hubei: Shennongjia Forestry District, Sancha , 31.74°N, 110.48°E, 1200m, 18.viii.1986, J.

Chen leg., 5M and 3FF ( CBEE); Hubei: Shennongjia Forestry District, Yanziya Village , 31.73°N, 110.48°E, 2090m, 24.viii.2005 , J. Chen leg., 1M and 2FF ( CBEE); Hubei: Shennongjia Forestry District, Yanziya Village , 31.73°N, 110.48E, 2090m, 22.ix.2006 , J. Chen leg. 1M and 2FF ( CBEE) .

Diagnosis: This species is similar to Neriene limbatinella ( Bosenberg & Strand, 1906) . These two species can be distinguished from other Neriene species by the following combined characters: simple and U-shaped paracymbium, simple and heavily chitinous terminal apophysis with about two coils, the apical appendage of embolic tip with serrated margin, the vulva wider than long ( Figs 24–25 , 26 C–E, 36–37, 38C–E). This species can be distinguished from N. limbatinella by the following characters: 1, the lateral projection of lamella significantly long, almost extending beyond the tegulum in the ventral view, with a sharp end in N. limbatinella , but not in N. decormaculata ; 2, the parmula triangular with rounded tip, and with a small semi-covered depression on its ventral surface in N. limbatinella , but the parmula short without depression in N. decormaculata ( Figs 24–25 , 26 C–E, 36– 37, 38C–E).

Description: For measurements see Chen & Zhu (1988). Male palp ( Figs 24 A–C, 24E–F, 25): Tibia shorter than cymbium. Paracymbium simple, reduced, with slender end. Distal suprategular apophysis short and wide, distally bifurcate, dorsal part with narrow hooked tip, ventral part membranous, significantly broader than dorsal part. Lamella well-developed, with four projections: lateral one short, with flat and sheet-shaped end; posterior one slightly long and wide; anterior one large, blunt, with round margin; dorsal one significantly short, almost reduced. Terminal apophysis heavily chitinous, spiral, with about two coils. Embolus with long and wide appendage distally of spermduct-tooth, appendage pigmented at most part but without second tooth, with serrated margin apically. Male habitus as in Fig. 26B .

Epigynum ( Figs 24D , 26C ): In ventral view, atrium opening large, semicircular. Parmula arising from dorsal wall, significantly short, almost reduced. Vulva ( Figs 24 G–H, 26D–E): Vulva strongly wider than long; copulatory grooves started mesally, with about one and a half coils; fertilization grooves enter the spermathecae, with about one and a half coils; turning-points short, situated laterally, pointing towards laterally; spermathecae long, slender, significantly curved, pointing towards laterally. Female habitus as in Fig. 26A .

Distribution: China (Hubei) ( Fig. 69 ).

Figures

FIGURE 24. Neriene decormaculata Chen & Zhu, 1988, drawings based on specimens from Yanziya Village, Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei. A, Pedipalp, prolateral. B, Suprategulum, retrolateral. C, Pedipalp, retrolateral. D, Epigynum, ventral. E, Embolus, retrolateral. F, Terminal apophysis, retrolateral. G–H, Epigynum, cleared. G, Ventral. H, Dorsal. Scale bars, A, B, C, D, E, F, 0.2 mm; G, H, 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 25. Neriene decormaculata Chen & Zhu, 1988, photos based on specimen from Yanziya Village. A–C, Pedipalp. A, Prolateral. B, Retrolateral. C, Ventral. D, Embolus, retrolateral. E, Terminal apophysis, retrolateral. F, Suprategulum, retrolateral. Scale bars, 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 26. Neriene decormaculata Chen & Zhu, 1988, photos based on specimens from Yanziya Village, Hubei. A, Female habitus, dorsal. B, Male habitus, dorsal. C–E, Epigynum. C, Ventral, on the body. D, Ventral, cleared, white arrow indicating the start of copulatory goove. E, Dorsal, cleared. Scale bars, A, B, 0.5 mm; C, D, E, 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 69. Map with sampling localities for each Neriene species. TTZ: Tiantangzai National Forest Park, Luotian County, Hubei Province; BWL: Bawangling Mountain National Nature Reserve, Hainan Province.