Nesticella wanzaiensis, 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 : 39

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella wanzaiensis sp. n. Figs 45, 46, 83

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (IZCAS), CHINA: Jiangxi Province, Wanzai County, Dongkou Village, Zhushan Cave (28.04813°N, 114.36958°E, 125 m), 14.V.2013, Y. Luo & J. Liu leg. Paratypes 5♀ (IZCAS), Jiangxi Province, Wanzai County, Dongkou Village, Shihu Cave (27.03603°N, 114.35468°E), 19.IX.2015, G. Zhou & Z. Chen leg.

Etymology.

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

Diagnosis.

This new species is closely related to Nesticella huomachongensis sp. n. (see Figs 42 A–D, 43 A–G) and Nesticella fuliangensis sp. n. (see Figs 40 A–D, 41 A–G). Males can be separated from those of the former species by the longer cymbium (shorter and rounder in Nesticella huomachongensis sp. n.), by the different shape of the process of the conductor (Cp) and by the narrower distal process of the paracymbium (Dp) (Fig. 45A, D vs. Fig. 42A, D). Nesticella wanzaiensis sp. n. can be easily distinguished from Nesticella fuliangensis sp. n. by the stockier and thicker process of the conductor (Cp) (Fig. 45A, D vs. Fig. 40A, D). Females are distinguished by the narrower and protruding scape, which is shorter and stockier in females of the other two species, and by the narrower part of where the fertilization ducts (Fd) coils reach the spermathecae, much slimmer than the copulatory ducts (Cd) (almost of the same diameter in females of the other species) (Fig. 46 E–G vs. Fig. 43 E–G vs. Fig. 41 E–G).

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 46 A–D. Carapace yellowish. Cervical furrow and fovea indistinct. Mouthparts uniformly yellowish, darker in females. Sternum yellowish. Legs uniformly pale yellow. Opisthosoma uniformly grey in males, with a longitudinal lighter strip and two pairs of black dots in females.

Male palp (Fig. 45 A–D): paracymbium with several sparse setae, ventral apophysis elongate and sharp, distal process broad, strongly sclerotized with a blunt tip (Fig. 45 A–B, D). Terminal apophysis well-developed, nearly square and with a granulate surface (Fig. 45A). Conductor with a triangular stocky process, strongly sclerotized, with a tiny furcation at the tip (Fig. 45 C–D).

Epigyne (Fig. 46 E–G): posterior margin of the scape weakly sclerotized (Fig. 46E). Scape short and narrow, lightly protruding out of the epigynal posterior margin, about as wide as the diameter of the spermathecae (Fig. 46E). Fertilization ducts short and swollen, reaching the spermathecae with two loops; this area considerably narrower than the copulatory ducts (Fig. 46G). Copulatory ducts short and swollen, strongly sclerotized (Fig. 46G). Spermathecae small and globular, as wide as the copulatory ducts, separated by about two diameters.

Male (holotype). Total length 2.66. Carapace 1.27 long, 1.19 wide. Opisthosoma 1.50 long, 0.94 wide. Clypeus height 0.22. Sternum 0.83 long, 0.71 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 3.15. Carapace 1.34 long, 1.25 wide. Opisthosoma 1.82 long, 1.63 wide. Clypeus height 0.21. Sternum 0.76 long, 0.73 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Jiangxi, China (Fig. 83).