Nesticella yanbeiensis, Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016

Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, A survey of the spider family Nesticidae (Arachnida, Araneae) in Asia and Madagascar, with the description of forty-three new species, ZooKeys 627, pp. 1-168 : 39-41

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella yanbeiensis sp. n. Figs 47, 48, 83

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 3♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Lingchuan County, Yanbei Village, Yanbei Cave (25.51294°N, 110.24344°E, 175 m), 7.XII.2012, Z. Chen & Z. Zhao leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

Males can be separated from other species of the mogera -group by the relatively slim and wavy shape of the process of the conductor (Cp) and by the solid, rectangular distal process of the paracymbium (Dp) (Fig. 47A, D); diagnostic characters for the females are the short, lightly protruding scape (Sp) and the copulatory ducts (Cd) close to each other (Fig. 48 E–G). Nesticella fuliangensis sp. n. (see Figs 40 A–D, 41 A–G) seems to be more closely related to Nesticella yangbeiensis sp. n., but the males can be distinguished by the thicker and more undulate process of the conductor (Cp) and by the wider and rectangular distal process of the paracymbium (Dp) (slimmer in males of Nesticella fuliangensis sp. n.) (Fig. 47A, D vs. Fig. 40A, D). Females of the new species can be recognized by the relatively narrower and more protruding scape (Sp) and by the copulatory ducts which are closer to each other (Cd) (Fig. 48 E–G vs. Fig. 41 E–G).

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 48 A–D. Carapace pale yellow in the male, yellow in females. Cervical groove and fovea distinct. Mouthparts brown-yellowish in males, brownish in females. Sternum pale in males, yellowish in females. Legs uniformly pale yellow. Female tibia and tarsus brown. Opisthosoma greyish, covered with long setae, with four faint greyish dorsal marks. Epigastric area pigmented in males.

Male palp (Fig. 47 A–D): paracymbium with a sharp ventral apophysis and a rectangular, stumpy, strongly sclerotized distal process (Fig. 47 A–B, D). Well-developed terminal apophysis weakly sclerotized, with a granulate surface (Fig. 47A, C). Conductor with a short and thick, horn-like, strongly sclerotized apophysis at the tip (Fig. 47A, D).

Epigyne (Fig. 48 E–G): posterior margin of the scape weakly sclerotized (Fig. 48E). Scape short and square, with a straight posterior margin (Fig. 48F). Fertilization ducts short and swollen, (Fig. 48G). Copulatory ducts wide and twisted, strongly sclerotized and close to each other (Fig. 48G). Spermathecae nearly globular, about as wide as the copulatory ducts and separated by about one diameter (Fig. 48 F–G).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.94. Carapace 1.38 long, 1.25 wide. Opisthosoma 1.66 long, 1.17 wide. Clypeus height 0.21. Sternum 0.86 long, 0.79 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 3.36. Carapace 1.49 long, 1.31 wide. Opisthosoma 2.00 long, 1.41 wide. Clypeus height 0.22. Sternum 0.90 long, 0.82 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 83).