Nesticella baiseensis, 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 : 14-16

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella baiseensis sp. n. Figs 8, 9, 82

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 2♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Baise Prefecture, Lingyun County, Shuiyuan Cave, under rock and stone in caves (24.36656°N, 106.57775°E, 400 m), 27.III.2015, Y. Li & X. Chen leg.

Etymology.

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

Diagnosis.

The new species is closely related to Nesticella nandanensis sp. n., Nesticella songi and Nesticella verticalis . It can be separated from Nesticella nandanensis sp. n. by the longer tegular apophysis (Ta), the larger angle formed by the distal processes of the paracymbium (Dp-I, Dp-II) (Fig. 8A vs. Fig. 22A in Nesticella nandanensis ), by the narrower scape and the closer spermathecae (Fig. 9G vs. Fig. 23G in Nesticella nandanensis ); from Nesticella songi by the stockier distal process I (Dp-I) (Fig. 8B vs. Fig. 33B in Nesticella songi ), the differently bifurcated distal processes (Dp-I, Dp-II) (Fig. 8D vs. Fig. 33D in Nesticella songi ) and the narrower scape (Sp) (Fig. 9E vs. Fig. 34E in Nesticella songi ); from Nesticella verticalis (see Liu and Li 2013b: 522, figs 27-30) by the longer tegular apophysis (Tg), the thicker distal process I (Dp-I) (Fig. 8 A–D vs. figs 27B, 28A, E, D, 29B) and the more coiled fertilization ducts (Fd) (Fig. 9G vs. figs 28C, 30C). The absence of a dorsal apophysis (Da), the different shape of the distal processes of the paracymbium, in particular the Dp-I, the shape of the tegular apophysis (Tg), and, for the females, the narrow scape without a lobe (Sp) clearly distinguish Nesticella baiseensis sp. n. from all the other species of the group.

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 9 A–D. Carapace uniformly pale yellow in males, yellowish with a “V” -shaped dark mark on the cephalic area in females. Ocular area with a long seta between AMEs. Cervical groove and fovea indistinct. Mouthparts brown yellow. Sternum orange in males, faintly dark in females, with sparse long setae in the center, thin and short near the margins. Legs and female palps yellowish, distally darker. Opisthosoma yellowish with faint dark areas.

Male palp (Fig. 8 A–D): paracymbium with Va-I long and laminar, Va-II short and swollen (Fig. 8A, D), distal process wide and bifurcated, strongly sclerotized (Fig. 8B, D); dorsal apophysis absent. Terminal apophysis wide and blunt, finger-like, and granulated (Fig. 8A, C). Tegular apophysis well-developed, triangular, strongly sclerotized and rugose (Fig. 8A). Conductor with a short, sclerotized, finger-like process (Fig. 8A, C–D).

Epigyne (Fig. 9 E–G): light yellow (Fig. 9E). Scape arrow-shaped with a blunt tip and weakly sclerotized sides (Fig. 9 E–G). Spermathecae small, ovoid, separate from each other by approximately 1.5 of their diameters (Fig. 9G). Fertilization ducts long and thin, reaching the spermathecae with 4.5 coils (Fig. 9 F–G). Copulatory ducts short and thick, basally wider and narrower in the middle (Fig. 9 F–G).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.97. Carapace 1.47 long, 1.31 wide. Opisthosoma 1.72 long, 1.27 wide. Clypeus height 0.25. Sternum 0.90 long, 0.83 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 3.28. Carapace 1.37 long, 1.19 wide. Opisthosoma 2.09 long, 1.72 wide. Clypeus height 0.25. Sternum 0.84 long, 0.79 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 82).