Meotipa luoqiae Lin & Li, 2021

Lin, Yejie, Marusik, Yuri M., Gao, Caixia, Xu, Hao, Zhang, Xiaoqing, Wang, Ziyi, Zhu, Wenhui & Li, Shuqiang, 2021, Twenty-three new spider species (Arachnida: Araneae) from Asia, Zoological Systematics 46 (2), pp. 91-152 : 146

Meotipa luoqiae Lin & Li , sp. nov. ( Figs 47A–C , 48A–B, 53G–H )

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to M. spiniventris (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869) but can be distinguished by the presence of 2 distal spines on the opisthosoma (vs. 4 distal spines in M. spiniventris ), 2 conductor apophysis, and the straight Sp in ventral view (vs. curved in M. spiniventris ).

Description. Male (holotype, IZCAS-Ar42467, Figs 47A–C , 48A–B, 53G–H ). Total length 2.65. Prosoma 0.93 long, 0.83 wide, pale yellow, flat. Sternum 0.50 long, 0.50 wide, pale yellow. Opisthosoma 0.93 long, 0.83 wide, pale yellow, with large white and tiny dark spots; with 2 strong spines on distal part. Eyes developed: AME 0.09, ALE 0.08, PME 0.09, PLE 0.08, AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.09, PME–PLE 0.06. Clypeus height about 3.33 times AME diameter. Chelicerae with 1 promarginal tooth, retromarginal tooth absent. Leg I femur 2.65, patella 0.45, tibia 2.15, metatarsus 2.75, tarsus 0.85. Patella and tibia II–IV: 1.60, 0.85, 1.75. Leg I pale yellow, femur with a disto-ventral spine; patella with a distodorsal spine; tibia with 2 dorsal spines. Legs II–IV same as leg I in spination.

Palp ( Figs 47A–C , 48A–B) patella with a strong spine; tibia with a strong retrolateral spine; Sp linear in ventral view; C coiled at end, with 3 small outgrowths; E with 2 apophyses at middle.

Female. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype ♂, China: Yunnan, Menglun Nature Reserve (21.9589°N, 101.2050°E; elev. ca. 816 m), 4 August 2007, leg. Guo Zheng (IZCAS-Ar42467) . Paratype. 1♂ (IZCAS-Ar42468), same data as holotype .

Distribution. Only known from type locality.

Etymology. The species name is honoring the Chinese rock singer Mrs. Qi Luo, which encouraged the author by her courage, freedom and spirit of exploration; noun (name) in apposition.

Variation. Male (paratype). Total length 2.05–2.65; prosoma 0.88–0.93 long, 0.73–0.83 wide; sternum 0.50–0.55 long, 0.44–0.50 wide; opisthosoma 0.93–1.13 long, 0.63–0.83 wide.

Figures

Figure 47. Meotipa luoqiae Lin & Li, sp. nov., holotype male, left palp. A. Prolateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Retrolateral view. Scale bars=0.1mm.

Figure 53. Habitus of six new Theridiidae species, male dorsal view (A–C, E, G–L), lateral view (H, J, L) and female dorsal view (B, D, F, H). A–B. Episinus bonjovi Lin & Li, sp. nov.; C–D, E. jiangweni Lin & Li, sp. nov.; E–F. E. tongyani Lin & Li, sp. nov.; G–H. Meotipa luoqiae Lin & Li, sp. nov.; I–J. M. menglun Lin & Li, sp. nov.; K–L. M. zhengguoi Lin & Li, sp. nov. Scale bars= 1.0mm.