Psechrus ghecuanus Thorell, 1897

Bayer, Steffen, 2012, The lace-sheet-weavers — a long story (Araneae: Psechridae: Psechrus), Zootaxa 3379 (1), pp. 1-170 : 75-80

Psechrus ghecuanus Thorell, 1897

Figs 37a–g , 38a–f , 39a–h , 40a–d , 82e , 85j , 88k , 91k

Psechrus ghecuanus Thorell 1897: 101 (Description of s.a. ♀). [Syntypes: 2 s.a. ♀♀ (SB 221–222) from MYANMAR ( BIRMA): Kayin Province: Ghecu, Mt. Carin (presently near Dedako), ca. N 19°17', E 96°42'30'', 500–1000 m; Leonardo Fea leg. 1885–1889; Thorell det. 20.X.1896; Thorell Coll. No. 68; Mus. civ. Gen. ded.; NRS; 1 p. s.a. ♀ (SB 772) with same data as above; ZMUC 13112; 1 p. s.a. ♀ (SB 773) with same data as above; ZMH, all type material examined]. Pocock 1900: 211. Kulczyṅski 1908: 567. Berland and Berland 1914: 133. Fage 1929: 360. Lehtinen 1967: 260 (Syn. with Psechrus torvus , rejected by subsequent authors). Levi 1982: 123, figs 29–33, ad part, figs 32–33 misidentified (Description of ♀, figs 29–31: illustration of s.a. ♀ and ♀). Yin et al. 1985: 19, figs 1A–I (Description of ♂ and ♀, illustration of ♂ and ♀). Song et al. 1999: 397, figs 232A–B, M–N (Illustration of ♂ and ♀). Wang and Yin 2001: 333, figs 5–8 (Description of ♂ and ♀, illustration of ♂ and ♀). Jäger 2007: 45. Sebastian and Peter 2009: 528.

Additional material examined (6 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀, 7 s.a. ♂♂, 5 s.a. ♀♀, 4 juvs). MYANMAR: Kayin Province: Tenasserim, Mulayit Taung ( Mt. Mooleyit ), 1600–1900 m; L. Fea leg. 1885–1889; T. Thorell det. 1898; 2 ♀♀ ( SB 820–821 , checked via photos of dorsal and ventral habitus and epigyne, kindly provided by Pakawin Dankittipakul ), MCSN . LAOS: Luang Nam Tha Province: Muang Sing, Nam Det , N 21°10'11.6'' – 21°09'59'', E 101°14'26.7'' – 101°14'44.5'', 820–1100 m, secondary forest, along path; P. Jäger & V. Vedel leg. 06.XI.2004; 3 s.a. ♀♀ ( SB 2 , 837–838 ), 4 s.a. ♂♂ ( SB 832–835 ), 3 juvs ( SB 60 , 836 , 839 ), SMF . Vieng Phoukha , N of V.P., N 20°41'36.9'', E 101°02'17.5'', ca. 700 m, between villages, slope at wayside; P. Jäger leg. 05. III .2008; 2 ♂♂ ( SB 28 , 36 ), 5 ♀♀ ( SB 29–31 , 37 , 39 ), 1 s.a. ♀ ( SB 37 , with fully developed adult epigyne underneath cuticle) SMF . THAILAND: Mae Hong Son Province: Sop Pong, Tham Lot Cave (8 km N of S.P.), ca. N 19°34', E 98°18'; V. & B. Roth leg. 05.–11. III .1990; 1 ♂ ( SB 780 ), 2 s.a. ♂♂ ( SB 779 , 781 ), USNM . Chiang Mai Province: Chiang Mai District, Mae Rim (near Chiang Mai ), secondary Ficus forest on a ridge of hill, in a small tree hole; H. Ono leg. 14.X.2009 as immature, reared, adult III .2010; 1 ♂ ( SB 613 ), NSMT. Chiang Mai District, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park , N 18°48'46'', E 98°56'34'', 450 m, evergreen rainforest; P. Schwendinger leg. 30.XII.2009; 1 s.a. ♂ ( SB 421 ), SMF . Chiang Rai Province: Phan District, Doi Luang National Park, Poo Kaeng Waterfalls , 500 m, 50 m W of WF, trail through evergreen forest; P. Dankittipakul leg. 20. II .2007; 1 ♂ ( SB 207 ), 1 s.a. ♀ ( SB 208 ), MHNG . Lam Pang Province: Ban Dong District , Tham Pha Thai, 300 m, secondary forest in front of cave entrance; P. Dankittipakul leg. 24.VI.2002; 1 ♀ ( SB 201 ), 1 juv. ( SB 786 ), SMF . Lamphun Province: Mae Tha District, Doi Khuntan National Park , 750 m; P. Schwendinger leg. 30.I.1997; 1 ♂ ( SB 145 ), MHNG .

Doubtful material examined. MYANMAR: Sagaing Province: Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Log Cabin , N 22°19'08'', E 94°28'32''; J. Coddington & R. Babtista leg. 20.–25.X.1998; 1 p. s.a. ♀ ( SB 774 ), 4 juvs ( SB 775–778 ), USNM . CHINA: Yunnan Province: Baoshan Prefecture, Bawan , N 24°57', E 98°50', 950 m, weedy vegetation and road cuts; C. Griswold & D. Kavanaugh leg. 08.XI.1998; 2 s.a. ♀♀ ( SB 957–958 ), 1 p. s.a. ♂ ( SB 956 ), CAS 9023974 .

Revised diagnosis (see also diagnosis for himalayanus -group above). Males similar to P. pakawini sp. nov. in having a quite strongly sclerotised, semicircular extension apically on tegulum (T) (see asterisk in Fig. 39g ). Distinguished by the shorter embolus (E) and conductor (C) (the former with proximal section in ventral view compress) and the less proximally extending sperm duct ( Fig. 37b ). Moreover, E arising distal to arising point of C. Females similar to P. pakawini in shape of epigyne and vulva. Distinguished by the margins of lateral lobes (LL), which are at most 100° curved anteriorly and point medially ( Fig. 37d ) or at least almost medially, and by the shorter copulatory ducts (should be viewed from frontal, Fig. 37g ) extending less medially.

Description. Male:

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 6.2–9.4, carapace width 4.4–7.3, anterior width of carapace 2.3–3.3, opisthosoma length 7.7–12.9, opisthosoma width 2.6–5.1. Eyes: AME 0.32–0.38, ALE 0.35–0.46, PME 0.39–0.47, PLE 0.37–0.47, AME–AME 0.13–0.17, AME–ALE 0.04–0.06, PME–PME 0.22–0.28, PME–PLE 0.24–0.35, AME–PME 0.53–0.57, ALE–PLE 0.38–0.54, clypeus height at AME 0.69–0.99, clypeus height at ALE 0.58–0.93.

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp: 7.8–10.4 [2.9–3.7, 1.3–2.1, 1.2–1.5, 2.4–3.1]; Legs: I 46.0–61.3 [12.0–16.9, 2.8–4.4, 12.4–16.6, 12.8–16.4, 6.0–7.0], II 37.5–49.1 [10.0–14.3, 2.6–3.9, 9.8–12.9, 10.2–12.6, 4.9–5.4], III 26.3–34.3 [7.6–10.2, 2.0–3.1, 6.4–8.1, 6.9–8.8, 3.4–4.1], IV 39.5–51.3 [10.5–14.7, 2.4–3.6, 9.9–12.6, 11.3–14.0, 5.4–6.4].

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

Palp: 131, 110 (010), 1101 (0000); legs: femur I 566 (666), II–III 555, IV 555 (565); patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3038, III 3034 (3134), IV 3036 (3034); metatarsus I 3035 (4035,4037), II–IV 3035.

Palpal femur without modification, broadest distally ( Fig. 39d ).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description for himalayanus -group). Conductor slightly Sshaped medially, with flat protrusion subdistally ( Figs 37a–c ). Tegulum in lateral view apically pointed ( Figs 37a,c , 39f,h ). Palpal tibia in lateral view short to medium sized ( Figs 37a,c ). Cymbium dorsally without scopula.

Female:

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 8.1–11.2, carapace width 5.5–7.8, anterior width of carapace 3.2–4.4, opisthosoma length 10.2–13.1, opisthosoma width 4.7–7.5. Eyes: AME 0.38–0.46, ALE 0.42–0.51, PME 0.47–0.53, PLE 0.46–0.53, AME–AME 0.20–0.29, AME–ALE 0.07–0.08, PME–PME 0.24–0.38, PME–PLE 0.40–0.48, AME–PME 0.71–0.81, ALE–PLE 0.52–0.64, clypeus height at AME 0.92–1.14, clypeus height at ALE 0.86–1.13.

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp: 9.4–11.2 [3.1–4.0, 1.4–1.8, 1.8–2.0, 3.1–3.4]; Legs: I 47.3–53.6 [13.1–15.1, 3.6–4.6, 12.8–14.7, 12.3–13.4, 5.5–5.8], II 39.2–44.8 [11.4–13.3, 3.2–4.2, 10.2–11.6, 9.9–10.8, 4.5–4.9], III 28.2–32.3 [8.6–9.8, 2.6–3.3, 6.8–7.6, 6.9–7.8, 3.3–3.8], IV 40.1–46.0 [11.6–13.3, 2.8–3.6, 10.2–11.8, 10.3–12.0, 4.9–5.3]. Thus, legs in females, in relation to other Psechrus species , short: FEM-I+MTT-I/ CL: 2.5–3.1.

Palpal claw with 12–15 teeth.

Spination. Palp: 131, 110, 1101, 1014; legs: femur I 566 (556,667), II 566, III–IV 555; patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3038, III 3036 (3035,3026), IV 3036; metatarsus I–III 3035, IV 3035 (3024).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description of himalayanus -group). Epigyne with bulges in the regions of the CO. Median septum with fine transversal ridge with both ends curved anteriorly ( Fig. 37d ). Slit sense organs and epigynal muscle sigilla outside epigynal field (EF). Anterior to epigyne many slightly curved wrinkles.

Primordial copulatory organ. Pre-epigyne: In general shape cross rectangular ( Figs 38a–b,d ) and similar to P. pakawini sp. nov. Distinguished by the presence of an imhomogeneous pre-EF consisting of two parts ( Figs 38a–b,d ).

Pre-vulva: Pre-vulva similar to P. pakawini sp. nov. Distinguished by the further developed pre-SH ( Fig. 38c ).

Pre-pre-epigyne ( Fig. 38f ) resembles already the pre-epigyne, but pre-pre-EF ( Fig. 38f ) far less distinct than pre-EF ( Fig. 38b ).

Pre-pre-vulva: Less structured ( Fig. 38e ) than pre-vulva.

Colouration of male and female (see also description for himalayanus -group and Psechrus ). Median bands on carapace serrated ( Fig. 82e ). Some specimens with narrow, dark extensions connecting them (median bands) with the lateral bands. Lateral bands narrow (ca. diameter of PME) and serrated ( Fig. 82e ). Light longitudinal line ventrally on opisthosoma continuous, its width medium-sized. If measured centrally on opisthosoma, its width is less than the width of one half of the cribellum (ca. 0.5–0.8 of one half of the cribellum).

Variation of copulatory organs. In males E and C may be a bit longer ( Figs 39a–c ) than is generally found ( Figs 37a–c ). Direction of semicircular extension of T slightly differs ( Figs 37b , 39b,e,g ). Females: Distal parts of margins of LL may be extending less medially ( Fig. 40c ). MS may be slightly longer ( Fig. 40a ). In vulva SH may be longer ( Fig. 40b ) than is generally found ( Figs 37e , 40d ).

Remarks: Levi (1982) was the first to illustrate the female copulatory organ of this species. He examined an adult female from Doi Suthep, Thailand and considered it conspecific with the subadult syntypes of P. ghecuanus . As a reason for that, he stated that “The leg proportions were identical...” and “...the recording localities of the mature females from Thailand are close to the type locality in Burma ” ( Levi 1982). In the present study eight females and five subadult females were examined. In some cases subadults and adults from exactly the same recording locality. In one case (SB 37) a subadult female was close to adult moult and the epigyne was already fully developed underneath the old cuticle. The pre-epigynes of all five subadults corresponded to those of the syntypes. Moreover, Thorell himself identified adult females from (the present) Kayin Prov., Myanmar sub P. ghecuanus . This material still exists, was examined for the present study (see SB 820–821 in material list, above) and the epigynes corresponded to the ones of the other females examined herein. So the females examined in Levi (1982, figs 30–31), Yin et al. (1985), Song et al. (1999), Wang and Yin (2001) and in the present study unambiguously belong to P. ghecuanus . Yin et al. (1985) first described and illustrated the male of P. ghecuanus . They identified female Psechrus specimens collected together with —at that time— unknown males from Southern China as P. ghecuanus by using the revision of Levi (1982). In the present study (among others) material from Chiang Rai Province, Thailand was checked, a subadult female and an adult male from exactly the same locality. As the subadult female could be identified as P. ghecuanus , it is certain, that the males examined in Yin et al. (1985), in Song et al. (1999), in Wang and Yin (2001) and in the present study unambiguously belong to P. ghecuanus .

Distribution. Myanmar, China, Laos, Thailand ( Fig. 98 ).

Figures

FIGURES 37a–g. Psechrus ghecuanus. a–c ♂ SB 613 from Thailand, Chiang Mai Prov. d–g ♀ SB 201 from Thailand, Lampang Prov. 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 Vulva, frontal view.

FIGURES 38a–f. Psechrus ghecuanus, ♀ primordial copulatory organ. a s.a. ♀ syntype SB 222, e–f p.s.a. ♀ syntype SB 773, both from Myanmar, Kayin Prov. b–c s.a. ♀ SB 208 from Thailand, Chiang Rai Prov. d s.a. ♀ SB 2 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. a–b, d Pre-epigyne, ventral view. c Pre-vulva, dorsal view. f Pre-pre-epigyne, ventral view. e Pre-pre-vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURES 39a–h. Psechrus ghecuanus, ♂ palp and palpal femur. a–d ♂ SB 780 from Thailand, Mae Hong Son Prov. e–f ♂ SB 36 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. g–h ♂ SB 207 from Thailand, Chiang Rai Prov. a–c, e–h ♂ palp (a prolateral, b, e, g ventral, c, f, h retrolateral view). d ♂ left palpal femur, retrolateral view. The asterisk indicates the quite strongly sclerotised, semicircular extension apically on tegulum.

FIGURES 40a–d. Psechrus ghecuanus, from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov., ♀ copulatory organ. a–b ♀ SB 30, c–d ♀ SB 39. a, c Epigyne, ventral view. b, d Vulva, dorsal view.

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 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.