Nesticella rongtangensis, 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 : 38-39

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella rongtangensis sp. n. Figs 44, 83

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (IZCAS), CHINA: Hainan Province, Haikou City, Xiuying District, Rongtang Village, nearby Volcano Geological Park, Wolong Cave (19.92847°N, 110.21794°E, 143 m), 16.III.2005, collector unknown.

Etymology.

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

Diagnosis.

The lack of eyes is a clear, diagnostic character that allows the distinction of Nesticella rongtangensis sp. n. from all other species of the mogera -group (Fig. 44E, G). Furthermore, the new species can be recognized by the shorter and stockier distal process of the paracymbium (Dp), by the different shape of the process of the conductor (Cp) and the terminal apophysis (Ta) and by the narrower ventral apophysis (Va) (Fig. 44 A–D).

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 44 E–G. Carapace pale yellow, with sparse short setae. Ocular area with few long setae, eyes completely lacking (Fig. 44E, G). Cervical furrow and fovea indistinct. Mouthparts pale yellow. Sternum pale yellow. Legs uniformly pale yellowish. Opisthosoma grey with long setae.

Male palp (Fig. 44 A–D): paracymbium with a sharp, straight, ventral apophysis and a blunt, strongly sclerotized distal process (Fig. 44 A–B, D). Terminal apophysis well-developed with granulate surface (Fig. 44A). Conductor ending with a strongly sclerotized, finger-like process (Fig. 44A, C–D).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.60. Carapace 0.92 long, 0.88 wide. Opisthosoma 0.70 long, 0.64 wide. Clypeus height 0.15. Sternum 0.62 long, 0.45 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female. Unknown.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 83).