Prosoponoides corneus, Irfan & Zhang & Peng, 2022

Irfan, Muhammad, Zhang, Zhi-Sheng & Peng, Xian-Jin, 2022, Survey of Linyphiidae (Arachnida: Araneae) spiders from Yunnan, China, Megataxa 8 (1), pp. 1-292 : 215-219

Prosoponoides corneus sp. nov. (ssAEƦ)

Figures 258–260 , 269

Types. Holotype ♂, CHINA, Yunnan, Tengchong County, Wuhe Township, Tongjia dauzhuang Village , Longchuanjiang river (Longjiang bridge), 24.89284ºN, 98.67439ºE, alt. 1210m, 24 May 2005, Heng-mei Yan and Ke-ji Guo leg. ( GKJ020 ) . Paratypes: 2♀, same data as holotype ( GKJ020 ) .

Etymology. This epithet derives from the Latin adjective “ corneus ”, meaning “horn” and refers to the distal tip of lateral projection of lamella characteristca horn-like in male palp.

Diagnosis. The new species resembles Prosoponoides hamatum Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992 ( Fig. 258A–D , 259A–C ; Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992, figs 3, 8, 9), but can be distinguished by the paracymbium with a short transparent distal arm in the new species ( Fig. 258B, D ), whereas distal arm absent in P. hamatum ( Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992, fig. 8). The anterior projection of lamella characteristca present closer to the lateral projection of lamella characteristca in P. corneus sp. nov. ( Fig. 258A, B, D ), whereas closer to the distal projection of lamella characteristca in P. hamatum ( Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992, figs 8, 9). The lower margin of lateral projection of lamella characteristca broad and round in P. corneus sp. nov. ( Fig. 258B, D ), whereas not round in P. hamatum ( Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992, fig. 8). Distal suprategular apophysis tip without knob in retrolateral view in P. corneus sp. nov. ( Fig. 258B ), whereas with a knob in P. hamatum ( Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992, fig. 8). Entrance grooves with one and half coils in epigyne in P. corneus sp. nov. ( Fig. 259B, C ), whereas with half coil in P. hamatum ( Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992, fig. 3). Spermathecae present dorso-mesally and slightly overlapping each other in P. corneus sp. nov. ( Fig. 259C ), whereas present dorso-laterally and separated from each other by a distance of 1.5 length of spermathecae in P. hamatum ( Millidge & Russell-Smith, 1992, fig. 3).

Description. Male (holotype, Fig. 260A, B ): Total length: 2.50. Carapace 1.11 long, 0.91 wide; cephalic region slightly elevated, brown; cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.29 high. Sternum longer than wide, dark brown,, sparsely covered with microsetae. Labium wider than long. Maxillae long, distal end broad with scopulae. Chelicerae with three promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Eyes: AER recurved, PER straight, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.09, PME 0.07, PLE 0.09, AME–AME 0.03, PME–PME 0.08, AME–ALE, 0.05, PME–PLE 0.07, AME–PME 0.08, ALE–ALE 0.43, PLE–PLE 0.45, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 4.91 (1.28, 1.52, 1.34, 0.77), II 4.38 (1.24, 1.31, 1.19, 0.64), III 2.74 (0.76, 0.79, 0.72, 0.47), IV 3.83 (1.04, 1.09, 1.08, 0.62). Leg formula I-II-IV-III. Tm I 0.37 and Tm IV 0.26. Tibial spine formula: 2-2-2-2. Abdomen 1.51 long, 0.95 wide, cylindriform, grayish brown, with transverse bands extending posteriorly followed by the white patches dorso-laterally on each side; ventral side grayish brown and ventro-lateral sides also with white patches.

Palp ( Fig. 258A–D ): Patella shorter than tibia with a long dorsal spine; tibia with two retrolateral and one dorsal trichobothria; with long spines on all surfaces; paracymbium sclerotized, distal arm short and transparent, with pointed end; tegulum sclerotized, excavated ventrally; distal suprategular apophysis tomb-shaped with blunt end in retrolateral view. Lamella characteristca with well developed four apophyses; lateral projection with round lower margin and horn-shaped tip; the anterior, dorsal and the posterior projections relatively shorter with blunt end. Embolic membrane relatively broader and with a prolateral branch running parallel with embolus. Embolus sclerotized and curved, extending forward.

Female (one of paratypes, Fig. 260C, D ): Total length: 3.06. Carapace 1.17 long, 0.97 wide; cephalic region slightly elevated, brown; cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.17 high. Sternum longer than wide, dark brown,, sparsely covered with microsetae. Labium wider than long. Maxillae long, distal end broad with scopulae. Chelicerae with two promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Eyes: AER recurved, PER straight, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.07, ALE 0.10, PME 0.08, PLE 0.09, AME–AME 0.05, PME–PME 0.07, AME–ALE, 0.05, PME–PLE 0.08, AME–PME 0.08, ALE–ALE 0.44, PLE–PLE 0.47, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 5.11 (1.38, 1.66, 1.28, 0.79), II 4.78 (1.28, 1.52, 1.20, 0.78), III 2.86 (0.79, 0.90, 0.69, 0.48), IV 4.12 (1.15, 1.22, 1.10, 0.65). Leg formula I-II-IV-III. Tm I 0.43 and Tm IV 0.31. Tibial spine formula: 2-2-2-2. Abdomen 2.07 long, 1.51 wide, the other characteristics same as in male.

Epigyne ( Fig. 259A–C ): Posteriorly with two openings of entrance grooves separated by median septum, margins curved and sclerotized. The entrance groove opening blocked with copulatory plug (distal suprategular apophysis of male palp broken into the both openings in this paratype female). Triangular parmula projecting posteriorly from the dorsal plate, with a large pit ventrally. Vulva slightly longer than wide, entrance grooves started from ventral wall, with one and half coils, turning points and spermathecae present dorso-mesally on apices; spermathecae long, slightly overlapping each others; fertilization ducts long, present dorso-laterally, extending mesally.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 269 ).

Figures

FIGURE 258. Prosoponoides corneus sp. nov., male palp of holotype. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C dorsal view D ventral view.

FIGURE 259. Prosoponoides corneus sp. nov., female (one of paratype). A, B Epigyne, ventral view C Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURE 260. Prosoponoides corneus sp. nov., male holotype (A, B) and female paratype (C, D). A, C Habitus, dorsal view B, D Habitus, ventral view.

FIGURE 269. Distribution of Prosoponoides species.