Nesticella songi Chen & Zhu, 2004

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 : 32

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella songi Chen & Zhu, 2004 Figs 33, 34, 82

Nesticella songi Chen & Zhu, 2004: 87, figs 1-7 (♂♀).

Material examined.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 1♂2♀ (MHBU), CHINA: Guizhou Province, Libo County, Maolan National Nature Reserve, Shuipa Village, Shuipashui Cave (25.40000°N, 107.80000°E), 7.VII.2001, H. Chen leg.

Diagnosis.

Nesticella songi is closely related to Nesticella nandanensis sp. n., Nesticella baiseensis sp. n. and Nesticella yao sp. n. Males of the new species can be separated from those of Nesticella nandanensis sp. n. by the blunter tip of the tegular apophysis (Tg) (Fig. 33A vs. Fig. 22A), by the narrower distal process I of the paracymbium (Dp-I) in dorsal view (Fig. 33B vs. Fig. 22B), by the shorter ventral process I (Va-I) and the blunter ventral process II (Va-II) (Fig. 33A, D vs. Fig. 22A, D). They can be separated from males of Nesticella baiseensis sp. n. by the shorter and thicker tegular apophysis (Tg), by the more squared distal process I (Dp-I), by the longer ventral process I (Va-I) and the thicker ventral process II (Va-II) (Fig. 33 A–B, D vs. Fig. 8 A–B, D). Females of Nesticella songi can be recognized from those of Nesticella nandanensis sp. n. by the narrower space between the spermathecae (S) and the more parallel ducts (Fd and Cd) rather than ducts that are oriented outward (Fig. 34 F–G vs. Fig. 23 F–G). They are distinguished from females of Nesticella baiseensis sp. n. by the wider scape (Sp) and the narrower and more twisted ducts (Fd and Cd) (Fig. 34G vs. Fig. 9G). Females of Nesticella songi are distinguished from those of Nesticella yao sp. n. by the almost round scape (Sp) with a convex and smooth posterior margin rather than an almost flat and wrinkled scape, by less straight ducts (Fd and Cd) (Fig. 34 E–G vs. Fig. 39 D–F).

Description.

See Figs 33 A–D, 34 A–G and Chen and Zhu (2004).

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

China (Guizhou) (Fig. 82).