Agelena cuspidata, Zhang & Zhu & Song, 2005

Zhang, Zhi-Sheng, Zhu, Ming-Sheng & Song, Da-Xiang, 2005, On Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck, 1757) and some allied species, with descriptions of two new species of the genus Agelena from China (Araneae: Agelenidae), Zootaxa 1021 (1), pp. 45-63 : 52-54

Agelena cuspidata sp. nov. ( Figs. 13–18 )

Type material: Holotype male, Haba , Zhongdian (Shangri­La) (27°48’N, 99°42’E), Yunnan, China, 8 August 2002, B.Y. Mao and J.S. Xu leg. ( MHBU) ; Paratypes: 1 male, 3 females, same data as holotype; Zhongdian, Sanba , 2 males, 6 females, 8 August 2002, Z.Z. Yang leg. ( MHBU) .

Etymology: The specific name is derived from the cuspidal tips of the ventral and distal apophyses of conductor; adjective.

Diagnosis: The new species resembles A. limbata ( Figs. 25–31 ), but can be distinguished by the small patellar apophysis, the small and peak­like lateral tibial apophysis, the slightly bifid tip of embolus, the cuspidal conductor apophyses (ventral and distal), indistinct conductor median apophysis, and the slender tegular median apophysis of male palp, as well as the slender spermathecal heads of female epigynum.

Description: Male (holotype): Total length 12.24: prosoma 6.22 long, 4.90 wide; opisthosoma 7.04 long, 4.59 wide. Fovea longitudinal. Cervical groove and radial furrow

distinct. Both eye rows strongly procurved, posterior row wider than anterior one. AME 0.25, ALE 0.25, PME 0.20, PLE 0.25. AME–AME 0.30, AME–ALE 0.18, PME–PME 0.33, PME–PLE 0.35. MOA 0.78 long, front width 0.70, back width 0.70. Clypeus height 0.73. Two margins of chelicerae with 3 teeth, respectively. Two segments of the posterior spinnerets equal in length. Leg formula: 4123.

Measurements of legs:

femur patella+ tibia metatarsus tarsus total

I 6.22 7.65 6.34 2.86 23.07

II 6.12 7.45 5.81 2.65 22.03

III 5.51 6.12 5.50 2.35 19.48

IV 6.63 7.65 7.14 2.65 24.07

Coloration: Prosoma light yellow brown, lateral margin yellow. Chelicerae yellow brown. Lateral condyle red yellow. Labium and endites yellow. Sternum red yellow. Legs yellow. Dorsum of the opisthosoma grey brown, with two longitudinal stripes and four grey chevron­like markings. Spinnerets yellowish.

Male palp ( Figs. 16–18 ), with a small patellar apophysis and two tibial apophyses. Lateral tibial apophysis small and peak­like. Tip of embolus slightly bifid. The conductor ventral and distal apophyses cuspidal and the median one indistinct. Median apophysis membranous, thin and long.

Female (one paratype): Total length 11.22; prosoma 4.89 long, 3.57 wide; opisthosoma 6.63 long, 4.59 wide. Legs with yellow brown annulate patches on the tips of femora, tibiae and metatarsi. Other characters as in male.

Measurements of legs:

femur patella+ tibia metatarsus tarsus total

I 3.88 4.79 3.16 1.63 13.46

II 3.88 4.49 2.86 1.53 12.76

III 3.47 3.77 2.75 1.33 11.32

IV 4.49 4.90 3.98 1.63 15.00

Epigyne ( Figs. 14–15 ), with a big atrium and a slightly wide median septum. Copulatory openings large and distinct. Copulatory ducts saccate, anterior parts broad, gradually decreasing backwards in width. Spermathecal heads slender and long, its bases bulging. Spermathecal stalks distinct. Spermathecal apophysis anteriorly originated. Fertilization ducts situated behind the bases of spermathecal heads.

Distribution: China (Yunnan).

Figures

FIGURES 13–18. Agelena cuspidata sp. nov. 13. Male, dorsal view. 14. Female, epigynum, ventral view. 15. Same, vulva, dorsal view. 16. Left palp of the male, prolateral view. 17. Same, ventral view. 18. Same, retrolateral view. Scale bar: 13, 1.0mm; 14–18, 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 25–30. Agelena limbata Thorell, 1897. 25. Male, dorsal view. 26. Female, epigynum, ventral view. 27. Same, vulva, dorsal view. 28. Left palp of the male, prolateral view. 29. Same, ventral view. 30. Same, retrolateral view. Scale bar: 25, 1.0mm; 26–30, 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 31–39. Agelena silvatica Oliger, 1983. 31. Male, dorsal view. 32–35. Female, epigynum, ventral view. 36. Same, vulva, dorsal view. 37. Left palp of the male, prolateral view. 38. Same, ventral view. 39. Same, retrolateral view. Scale bar: 31, 1.0mm; 32–39, 0.2 mm.