Pseudonesticus dafangensis, 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 : 57-59

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Pseudonesticus dafangensis sp. n. Figs 70, 71, 81

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 8♂14♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Guizhou Province, Dafang County, Sanhe Village, Yelaoda Cave (27.18167°N, 105.47130°E, 1438 m), 3.V.2007, J. Liu & Y. Lin leg.

Etymology.

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

Diagnosis.

The new species is closely related to Pseudonesticus spinosus sp. n. (Figs 74 A–D, 75 E–H) and Pseudonesticus wumengensis sp. n. (Fig. 76 D–G). Males of this species can be distinguished from those of Pseudonesticus spinosus sp. n. by the longer dorsal apophysis (Da) (Fig. 70 A–B, D vs. Fig. 74 A–B, D), the compact distal process (Dp) lacking any serrated margin (Fig. 70D vs. Fig. 74D), the absence of a clear additional tegular apophysis (Tg-II) (Fig. 70A vs. Fig. 74A), the sharper and longer terminal apophysis (Ta) (Fig. 70A vs. Fig. 74A) and the wider conductor with two clear processes (Cp-I and Cp-II) (Fig. 70 C–D vs. Fig. 74 C–D). Females can be distinguished from those of Pseudonesticus spinosus sp. n. by the smaller, triangular scape (Sp), the ducts (Fd and Cd) closer to each other and the darker coloration (Fig. 71E, H vs. Fig. 75E, H); from those of Pseudonesticus wumengensis sp. n. by the narrower epigynal plate (EP) (Fig. 71 E–F vs. Fig. 76 D–E) and the shorter and more triangular scape (Sp) (Fig. 71 G–H vs. Fig. 76 F–G). The narrow, triangular shape of the scape (Sp) with a sharp tip and the general configuration of the ducts (Fd and Cd), strongly coiled, allow an easy separation of Pseudonesticus dafangensis sp. n. from all other species in this genus.

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 71 A–D. Carapace pale yellow, with dark marks at margins and around cephalic area. Eyes ALE>PLE>PME>AME. Cervical groove and fovea distinct. Thoracic area with faint radial furrows. Mouthparts pale yellow, darker in females. Sternum yellowish, lightly pigmented. Legs and female palps yellowish, distally darker in metatarsi and tarsi. Opisthosoma very dark, especially in males, with lighter horizontal strips.

Male palp (Fig. 70 A–D): paracymbium complex, with very long and sharp distal process and dorsal apophysis (Fig. 70 A–B, D). Sharp, hook-like terminal apophysis (Fig. 70A). Tegular apophysis flat and wide (Fig. 70A, 70C). Conductor concave in the middle, with two processes, Cp-I proximal, sclerotized and hooked, Cp-II apical and laminar (Fig. 70 C–D). Embolus long, coiled with 3.5 loops in the apical side of the bulb (Fig. 70A, C–D).

Epigyne (Fig. 71 E–H): broad, slightly ventrally protruded, weakly sclerotized (Fig. 71 E–F). Scape small, triangular, with a sharp tip (Fig. 71E). Spermathecae small and globular, separated by at least two diameters (Fig. 71G). Fertilization and copulatory ducts thin, long and coiling into at least three loops (Fig. 71 G–H). Vulval pockets wide, located near the spermathecae and the fertilization and copulatory ducts (Fig. 71 G–H).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.76. Carapace 0.95 long, 0.81 wide. Opisthosoma 0.92 long, 0.71 wide. Clypeus height 0.20. Sternum 0.58 long, 0.55 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 2.07. Carapace 1.01 long, 0.80 wide. Opisthosoma 1.23 long, 0.92 wide. Clypeus length 0.18. Sternum 0.62 long, 0.48 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 81).