Nesticella baobab, 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 : 42

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella baobab sp. n. Figs 49, 83

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratype 1♂ (CASC), MADAGASCAR: Fianarantsoa Province, Parc National Ranomafana, Vohiparara, 3.6 km West of Ranomafana, primary montane rain forest (21.23738°S, 47.39737°E, 1150 m), 13-14.I.2009, C. Griswold, A. Saucedo & H. Wood leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from from the word " baobab ", the common name for trees of the genus Adansonia which are common in Madagascar; noun in apposition.

Diagnosis.

The new species is similar to Nesticella benoiti (see Hubert 1970: 364, figs 5-8) and Nesticella griswoldi sp. n. (Figs 53 A–D, 54 A–B), although the barcode can be used to separate the latter species (see Appendix B). It can be distinguished from Nesticella benoiti by the longer terminal apophysis (Ta), the absence of a clearly serrated tegular apophysis (Tg) and the different shape of the distal processes of the paracymbium (Dp-I, Dp-II) (Fig. 49 C–D vs. fig. 6). Nesticella baobab sp. n. can be distinguished from Nesticella griswoldi sp. n. by the slightly protruding process II of the ventral apophysis (Va-II) and the slightly shorter distal process II (Dp-II) (Fig. 49 C–D vs. Fig. 53 C–D). The same combination of characters allows separation of this species from all the others of the nepalensis -group.

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 49 E–G. Carapace pale yellow. Cervical groove indistinct, fovea deep. Thoracic area faintly pigmented around the radial furrows. Mouthparts pale yellow. Sternum faintly pigmented, grey, with sparse setae. Legs uniformly yellowish. Opisthosoma greyish, covered with long setae.

Male palp (Fig. 49 A–D): paracymbium strongly sclerotized, Va-I elongate with an almost round tip, Va-II short and triangular. Bifurcated distal process with two branches, Dp-I blunt and stocky, Dp-II elongate and sharp (Fig. 49A, B). Terminal apophysis long and sharp, wrinkled and mesially curved (Fig. 49C), basally wide and gradually thinning (Fig. 49A). Tegular apophysis short and strongly sclerotized, located at the base of terminal apophysis and protruding outward (Fig. 49A, C–D); Tg-II barely visible (Fig. 49D). Conductor distally with a sclerotized, short beak-shaped process (Fig. 49A, D).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.96. Carapace 1.03 long, 0.96 wide. Opisthosoma 1.02 long, 0.80 wide. Clypeus height 0.18. Sternum 0.60 long, 0.57 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female. Unknown.

Habitat.

Rain forest leaf litter.

Distribution.

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