Psechrus ancoralis Bayer & Jäger, 2010

Bayer, Steffen, 2012, The lace-sheet-weavers — a long story (Araneae: Psechridae: Psechrus), Zootaxa 3379 (1), pp. 1-170 : 47-50

Psechrus ancoralis Bayer & Jäger, 2010

Figs 21a–g , 22a–d , 81a , 82m , 83a , 85a , 88a , 91a

Psechrus ancoralis Bayer and Jäger 2010: 65 , figs 26–40, 44–53, 56, 61–62 ( Description of ♂ and ♀, illustration of ♂ and ♀♀). [Holotype ♀ ( SB 4 ) from LAOS: Luang Nam Tha Province: Nam Ha Protected Area |3|, N 21°08'17.6'', E 101°21'07.3'', 746 m, under bridge; P. Jäger leg. 06.III.2008; SMF; Paratypes: 2 ♀♀ ( SB 3 , 5 ), same data as for holotype; SMF; 2 ♀♀ ( SB 23 , 27 ) from Nam Ha Protected Area |2|, N 21°06'43.0'', E 101°20'36.1'', 693 m, under bridge; P. Jäger leg. 06.III.2008; MHNG; 1 ♂ ( SB 26 ), same data as for SB 23; SMF; 1 ♂ ( SB 24 ), same data as for SB 23; MHNG; 1 ♀ ( SB 55 ) from Nam Ha Protected Area |6|, N 21°03'32.1'', E 101°24'03.0'', 589 m, under bridge; P. Jäger leg. 07.III.2008; RMNH, all type material examined].

Additional material examined (5 ♂♂, 28 ♀♀, 3 s.a. ♀♀, 3 juvs). LAOS: Luang Nam Tha Province: Nam Ha Protected Area |2|, N 21°06'43'', E 101°20'36.1'', 693 m, tubes under street; P. Jäger leg. 06. III .2008; 1 p. s.a. ♂ ( SB 25 ), SMF . Nam Ha Protected Area |3|, N 21°08'17.6'', E 101°21'07.3'', 746 m, tubes under street; P. Jäger leg. 06. III .2008; 2 s.a. ♂♂ ( SB 18–19 ), SMF . Nam Ha Protected Area |4|, N 21°08'48.9'', E 101°21'19.0'', 770 m, tubes under street; P. Jäger and S. Bayer leg. 19.XI.2009; 4 ♀♀ ( SB 314–317 ), 1 s.a. ♂ ( SB 313 ), SMF . Nam Ha Protected Area |5|, N 21°09'07.2'', E 101°19'47.9'', 848 m, tubes under street; P. Jäger and S. Bayer leg. 19.XI.2009; 1 ♂ ( SB 296 ), 3 ♀♀ ( SB 299 , 335 , 394 ), 1 s.a. ♂ ( SB 319 ), 1 juv. ( SB 297 ), SMF . Vieng Phou Kha, Ban Nam Eng, Kao Rao cave , N 20°43'30.5'', E 101°09'14.9'', 729 m, entrance of cave and aphotic zone; P. Jäger leg. 03. III .2008; 3 ♀♀ ( SB SB 33–35 ), 1 juv. ( SB 32 ), SMF . Vieng Phou Kha , Tham Pasat Thia, NW entrance, N 20°46'37.2'', 101°01'00.2'', 705 m, inside cave; P. Jäger leg. 04. III .2008; 2 ♀♀ ( SB 46–47 ), SMF . Tham Pasat Thia |2|, N 20°46'45.2'', E 101°00'49.7'', in cave; H. Steiner leg. 09. II .2006; 1 ♀ ( SB 70 ), RMNH; same data, 1 s.a. ♀ ( SB 71 ), 1 juv. ( SB 72 ), SMF . Oudomxai Province: Namor District, Tham Na Thong, N 20°52'20.6'', E 101°46'57.8''; |F47- 120-003|, ‘ Northern Lao – European Cave Project 2009/2010’; |085/10|; H. Steiner leg. 31.I.2010; 1 ♀ ( SB 457 ), SMF . Luang Prabang Province: Phou Khoun, Tham Seua , N 19°26'55.7'', E 102°26'09.4'', in cave; H. Steiner leg. 04. II .2005; |119/05|, 1 ♀ ( SB 75 ), 1 juv. ( SB 89 ), SMF . Phou Khoun, way to Tham Seua , N 19°26'35.8'', E 102°26'19.1'', 1226 m, slopes at wayside (with escarpments); P. Jäger and S. Bayer leg. by night 13.XI.2009; 3 ♂♂ ( SB 320–322 ), 6 ♀♀ ( SB 324–326 , 383–385 ), 2 s.a. ♀♀ ( SB 386–387 ), SMF , 1 ♂ ( SB 323 ), 1 ♀ ( SB 327 ), DUY. Luang Prabang, Nong Khiao, Tham Pathok , N 20°33'05'', E 102°37'55'', 370 m, outside cave; P. Jäger leg. by night 29. II .2008; 1 ♀ ( SB 88 ), same data but P. Jäger and S. Bayer leg. 16.XI.2009, 1 ♀ ( SB 344 ), both SMF . Houaphan Province: Vieng Thong, Tham Mue, N 20°16'54.7'', E 103°22'18.4''; H. Steiner leg. 15.I.2009; |F48-135-010|, ‘ Northern Lao – European Cave Project 2009’, |50/09|; 1 ♀ ( SB 13 ), SMF . THAILAND: Nan Province: Tha Wang Pha District, Nantaburi National Park , Doi Wao , 1500–1600 m, moist evergreen hill forest; P. Dankittipakul and P. Schwendinger leg. 07.XII.2005; 2 ♀♀ ( SB 211–212 ), MHNG; same data, 1 ♀ ( SB 217 ), SMF .

Revised diagnosis (see also diagnosis for ancoralis -group above). Males similar to P. antraeus Bayer & Jäger, 2010 in having embolus (E) about as long as width of tegulum (T). Distinguished by the broad conductor (C) (more than 1/3 width of T, Fig. 21b ). Females with typical short median septum (MS) (at least twice as broad as long) ( Fig. 21d ). Vulva with spermatheca located anteriolaterally, copulatory ducts (CD) posteriomedially ( Fig. 21e ) and spermathecal heads (SH) upon anterior, distal part of CD.

Description. Male:

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 4.5–7.3, carapace width 3.2–5.4, anterior width of carapace 1.8–2.8, opisthosoma length 5.7–8.6, opisthosoma width 2.9–3.6. Eyes: AME 0.27–0.37, ALE 0.31–0.41, PME 0.32–0.43, PLE 0.31–0.41, AME–AME 0.14–0.18, AME–ALE 0.05–0.08, PME–PME 0.19–0.25, PME–PLE 0.29–0.34, AME–PME 0.42–0.53, ALE–PLE 0.29–0.38, clypeus height at AME 0.50–0.96, clypeus height at ALE 0.48–0.86.

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and five retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp: 6.0–9.2 [2.1–3.3, 1.0–1.7, 0.9–1.4, 2.0–2.8]; Legs: I 40.1–57.5 [9.7–15.4, 2.0–3.4, 11.0–16.1, 11.8–16.3, 5.6–6.3], II 30.7–46.1 [8.1–12.8, 1.9–3.0, 8.0–12.5, 8.6–12.7, 4.1–5.1], III 20.8–31.2 [5.8–9.0, 1.4–2.4, 5.0–7.7, 5.7–8.3, 2.9–3.8], IV 31.6–47.6 [8.3–13.4, 1.7–2.6, 8.0–12.3, 9.0–13.4, 4.6–5.9].

Spination (most common pattern, in parentheses the second most common one).

Palp: 131, 110 (prolateral one very small), 0000; legs: femur I 555 (656), II 555 (556) III 555 (556), IV 554; patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3038, III–IV 3034 (3036); metatarsus I–III 3035, IV 3036 (3035).

Palpal femur without modification, distally slightly broader than proximally (see fig. 30 in Bayer and Jäger 2010). MC-I and MT-I present as apical row ( Fig. 82m ).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description for ancoralis -group). Flange of C folded retrolaterad to ventrad ( Fig. 21c ). Basal section of T broader than distal section ( Fig. 21b ). Palpal tibia in lateral view medium-sized ( Fig. 21a,c ).

Female: (Measurements of holotype first, those of other specimens as range in parentheses).

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 7.7 (5.0–8.4), carapace width 5.6 (3.3–5.8), anterior width of carapace 3.2 (2.1–3.5), opisthosoma length 10.2 (6.6–10.4), opisthosoma width 5.2 (3.6–5.8). Eyes: AME 0.41 (0.31–0.40), ALE 0.45 (0.38–0.47), PME 0.53 (0.42–0.53), PLE 0.49 (0.39–0.49), AME–AME 0.19 (0.15–0.21), AME–ALE 0.03 (0.03–0.06), PME–PME 0.26 (0.18–0.33), PME–PLE 0.38 (0.28–0.45), AME–PME 0.56 (0.47–0.67), ALE–PLE 0.46 (0.32–0.58), clypeus height at AME 1.21 (0.72–1.41), clypeus height at ALE 1.04 (0.69–1.24).

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and five retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp: 9.0 (6.1–9.8) [3.1 (2.0–3.3), 1.4 (0.9–1.5, 1.6 (1.1–1.8), 2.9 (2.1–3.2)]; Legs: I 40.0 (29.9–45.7) [11.0 (8.0–12.3), 3.1 (2.1–3.5), 11.2 (8.2–12.8), 10.0 (7.8–11.7), 4.7 (3.8–5.4)], II 32.5 (24.0–36.4) [9.5 (6.8–10.1), 2.7 (1.8–3.1), 8.5 (6.3–9.8), 7.9 (5.9–9.0), 3.9 (3.2–4.4)], III 23.7 (16.9–24.4) [7.0 (5.0–7.2), 2.2 (1.4–2.2), 5.8 (4.1–6.2), 5.8 (4.1–5.7), 2.9 (2.3–3.1)], IV 32.8 (24.2–38.1) [9.5 (6.9–10.4), 2.4 (1.7–2.7), 8.6 (6.0–10.2), 8.1 (6.1–9.9), 4.2 (3.5–4.9)].

Palpal claw with 16 (13–15) teeth.

Spination. Palp: 131 (131), 110 (110), 1101 (1101), 1014 (1014,1013); legs (—except for patella— variable, only most common states noted): femur I 556 (556,566), II 556 (556) III 556 (555,566), IV 555 (555,554,553); patella I–IV 000; tibia I 3038 (3038), II 3038 (3038), III 3034 (3034,3036), IV 3036 (3034,3036); metatarsus I–III 3035 (3035), IV 3034 (3034,3036).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description of ancoralis -group). Epigyne with flat depressions in front of copulatory openings (CO) ( Figs 21d , 88a ). Slit sense organs and epigynal muscle sigilla outside epigynal field.

Primordial copulatory organ. Pre-epigyne: Pre-MS with transversal foldings medially in anterior half ( Fig. 22a ).

Pre-vulva: Pre-copulatory ducts, in contrast to CD of adult ♀, anterior to (pre-) receptacula ( Fig. 22b ).

Colouration of male and female (see also description for ancoralis -group and Psechrus ). Median bands on carapace slightly serrated or serrated ( Fig. 81a ). Lateral bands narrow (ca. 1/2 diameter of PME) and slightly serrated. Light longitudinal line ventrally on opisthosoma continuous, its width medium-sized. If measured centrally on opisthosoma, its width is ca. 2/3 the width of one half of the cribellum.

Variation of copulatory organs. Males with only slight variation (not illustrated). In females the variation is high (see description and illustrations in Bayer and Jäger 2010). Length of MS and the distances between copulatory openings vary. In the vulva, the distance between spermatheca varies, copulatory ducts extend differently posteriorly.

Remarks: The specimens SB 211–212 and 217 ( Figs 22c,d ) from Nan Province, Thailand differ from specimens recorded in Laos. Their vulvae seem shifted, hence CD are located almost as far anterior as the spermatheca ( Fig. 22c ). Additionally, the SH are on average shorter than in the specimens from Laos (which means that there are also Laotian specimens with rather flat SH). The epigynes of the specimens SB 211–212 and 217 fit in with the variation range of P. ancoralis . Unfortunately no male was recorded from Nan Province. Because of those rather slight differences (in interspecific regard) and the lack of material, especially males, I do not consider those specimens as belonging to a different species.

Distribution. Laos, Thailand ( Fig. 98 ).

Figures

FIGURES 21a–g. Psechrus ancoralis, from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. a–c ♂ paratype SB 26. d–f ♀ holotype SB 4. g ♀ paratype SB 27. a–c ♂ palp (a prolateral, b ventral, c retrolateral view). d Epigyne, ventral view. e Vulva, dorsal view. f Schematic course of internal duct system. g right palpal claw, retrolateral view.

FIGURES 22a–d. Psechrus ancoralis, ♀ primordial and adult copulatory organ. a–b s.a. ♀ SB 386 from Laos, Luang Prabang Prov. c–d ♀ SB 217 from Thailand, Nan Prov. a Pre-epigyne, ventral view. b Pre-vulva, dorsal view. d Epigyne, ventral view. c Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURES 81a–j. Psechrus spp., photos of dorsal habitus (a–d) and ventral view of opisthosoma (e–j). a P. ancoralis. b P. hartmanni sp. nov. c P. sp. out of mulu-group. d P. luangprabang. e P. singaporensis. f P. annulatus. g P. jaegeri sp. nov. h P. marsyandi. i P. kunmingensis. j P. tauricornis sp. nov. a ♀ SB 75 from Laos, Luang Prabang Prov. b ♀ holotype SB 1007 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. c ♂ from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. d ♀ SB 508 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. e s.a. ♀ SB 559 from Indonesia, Sumatera Utara Prov. f ♀ paralectotype SB 830 from Indonesia, Jawa Barat Prov. g ♀ holotype SB 530 from Laos, Champasak Prov. h s.a. ♀ SB 748 from Nepal, Dhawalagiri Prov. i ♀ SB 953 from China, Yunnan Prov. j ♀ SB 633 from Sri Lanka. Photos 81a by Helmut Steiner, Hanau, 81c by Peter Koomen, Leeuwarden (copyright owner).

FIGURES 82a–r. Psechrus spp., photos of carapace (a–g), sternum (h–k) and ventral view of coxae of legs I–II (l-r). a P. libelti. b P. khammouan. c P. kenting. d P.fuscaisp. nov. e P. ghecuanus. f P.elachys sp. nov. g, k P. tauricornis sp. nov. h, o P. antraeus. i P. annulatus. j, p P.hartmanni sp. nov., l P. himalayanus, m P. ancoralis, n P.mulu, q P. senoculatus, r P. marsyandi. a ♀ SB 969 from Brunei Darussalam. b ♀ SB 382 from Laos, Khammouan Prov. c ♀ holotype SB 615 from Taiwan, Pingtung County. d ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. e s.a. ♀ syntype SB 222 from Myanmar, Kayin Prov. f ♀ holotype SB 861 from Thailand, Satun Prov. g ♀ paratype SB 849, k juv. SB 851, both from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. h ♀ holotype SB 8 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. i ♀ paralectotype SB 830 from Indonesia, Jawa Barat Prov. j ♀ SB 630 from Sri Lanka. l ♂ lectotype SB 14 from India, Uttarakhand Prov. m ♂ paratype SB 26 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. n ♂ paratype SB 241 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. o ♂ paratype SB 7 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. p ♂ SB 624 from Sri Lanka. q ♂ paratype SB 537 from China, Hunan Prov. r ♂ holotype from Nepal, Gandaki Prov.

FIGURES 83a–g. Psechrus spp., photos of left (b–g) and right (a) ♂ palp, prolateral view. a P. ancoralis. b P. luangprabang. c P. jaegeri sp. nov. d P.elachys sp. nov. e P. kinabalu. f P. hartmanni sp. nov. g P. crepido sp. nov. a ♂ paratype SB 24 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. b ♂ holotype SB 1030 from Laos, Luang Prabang Prov. c ♂ paratype SB 302 from Laos, Champasak Prov. d ♂ paratype SB 862 from Thailand, Satun Prov. e ♂ holotype SB 237 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sabah Prov. f ♂ SB 624 from Sri Lanka. g ♂ holotype SB 644 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. Remark: cymbium dorsally with moderate dense- (a–b), very dense-scopula (d–g) or without any scopula (c).

FIGURES 85a–o. Psechrus spp., photos of left ♂ palp, ventral view (a, c–o) and retrolatero-ventral view (b). a P. ancoralis. b P.rani. c P.laos sp. nov. d P. antraeus. e P. khammouan. f P. steineri. g P. himalayanus. h P. marsyandi. i P. inflatus sp. nov. j P. ghecuanus. k P.pakawini sp. nov. l P. luangprabang. m P.demiror sp. nov.? n P. jaegeri sp. nov. o P.vivax sp. nov. a ♂ SB 321 from Laos, Luang Prabang Prov. b ♂ SB 122 from Vietnam, Lang Son Prov. c ♂ holotype SB 367 from Laos, Bolikhamsay Prov. d ♂ paratype SB 7 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. e ♂ SB 381 from Laos, Khammouan Prov. f ♂ paratype SB 64 from Laos, Khammouan Prov., Xe Bangfai cave system. g ♂ SB 17 from Nepal, Rapti Prov. h ♂ holotype SB 79 from Nepal, Gandaki Prov. i ♂ holotype SB 952 from China, Yunnan Prov. j ♂ SB 36 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. k ♂ paratype SB 142 from Thailand, Chiang Mai Prov. l ♂ SB 459 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. m ♂ SB 329 from “Indochina”. n ♂ paratype SB 302 from Laos, Champasak Prov. o ♂ holotype SB 367 from Thailand, Trat Prov., Koh Chang.

FIGURES 88a–o. Psechrus spp., photos of epigyne, ventral view. a P. ancoralis. b P.rani. c P.laos sp. nov. d P. antraeus. e P. khammouan. f P. steineri. g P. inflatus sp. nov. h P. himalayanus. i P. marsyandi. j P. pakawini sp. nov. k P. ghecuanus. l P. demiror sp. nov. m P. luangprabang. n P.jaegeri sp. nov. o P. vivax sp. nov. a ♀ SB 324 from Laos, Luang Prabang Prov. b ♀ SB 818 from China, Hongkong. c ♀ paratype SB 372 from Laos, Bolikhamsay Prov. d ♀ SB 294 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. e ♀ SB 382 from Laos, Khammouan Prov. f ♀ holotype SB 65 from Laos, Khammouan Prov., Xe Bangfai cave system. g ♀ paratype SB 961 from China, Yunnan Prov. h ♀ SB 607 from Bhutan, Timphu Prov. i ♀ paratype SB 227 from Nepal, Dhawalagiri Prov. j ♀ paratype SB 213 from Thailand, Chiang Mai Prov. k ♀ SB 39 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. l ♀ holotype SB 331 from “Indochina”. m ♀ SB 424 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 300 from Laos, Champasak Prov. o ♀ paratype SB 366 from Thailand, Trat Prov., Koh Chang.

FIGURES 91a–o. Psechrus spp., photos of vulva, dorsal view. a P. ancoralis. b P. rani. c P.laos sp. nov. d P. antraeus. e P. khammouan. f P. steineri. g P. inflatus sp. nov. h P. himalayanus. i P. marsyandi. j P. pakawini sp. nov. k P. ghecuanus. l P. demiror sp. nov. m P. luangprabang. n P.jaegeri sp. nov. o P. vivax sp. nov. a ♀ SB 324 from Laos, Luang Prabang Prov. b ♀ SB 818 from China, Hongkong. c ♀ paratype SB 374 from Laos, Bolikhamsay Prov. d ♀ SB 294 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. e ♀ SB 382 from Laos, Khammouan Prov. f ♀ holotype SB 65 from Laos, Khammouan Prov., Xe Bangfai cave system. g ♀ paratype SB 951 from China, Yunnan Prov. h ♀ SB 988 from India, Uttarakhand Prov. i ♀ paratype SB 227 from Nepal, Dhawalagiri Prov. j ♀ paratype SB 214 from Thailand, Chiang Mai Prov. k ♀ SB 39 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. l ♀ holotype SB 331 from “Indochina”. m ♀ SB 424 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 300 from Laos, Champasak Prov. o ♀ paratype SB 366 from Thailand, Trat Prov., Koh Chang.

FIGURE 98. Distribution of Psechrus in continental South East Asia. Symbols (unicoloured): species belonging to the himalayanus-group. Symbols (black, filled with light colour): species belonging to the ancoralis-group. Distribution of Psechrus in northern Vietnam, see Fig. 96. The distribution of P. demiror sp. nov. is unclear (see corresponding species description), hence the violet, unicoloured trapezes are depicted with question mark each.