Raveniola bellula, Li, Shuqiang & Zonstein, Sergei, 2015

Li, Shuqiang & Zonstein, Sergei, 2015, Eight new species of the spider genera Raveniola and Sinopesa from China and Vietnam (Araneae, Nemesiidae), ZooKeys 519, pp. 1-32 : 5-6

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nemesiidae

Raveniola bellula sp. n. Figs 3, 4, 5

Type material.

Holotype ♂ - CHINA, Yunnan Province, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna, Menglun Town, primary tropical seasonal rainforest in Menglun Nature Reserve [21°57.445'N, 101°12.997'E, 744 m], January 16-31, 2007, G. Zheng (IZCAS). Paratypes: 26♂, 2♀ (IZCAS), same data as holotype.

Etymology.

The specific name is taken from the Latin adjective “bellulus” (the diminutive form of “bellus”), which means “beautiful” and refers to the perfect shape of the palpal bulb.

Diagnosis.

This new species is similar to Raveniola chayi sp. n. and Raveniola yunnanensis but can be distinguished by having a considerably shorter embolus than that in Raveniola chayi sp. n. (Figs 3 A–C, 5 A–C; cf. Figs 6 A–C, 7 A–C), by possessing a longer cymbium and a less twisted embolus than Raveniola yunnanensis , as well as by having a ventral abdominal pattern and completely reduced PLS (Fig. 3 A–C; cf. Zonstein and Marusik 2012: figs 35, 43). Females are characterised by the unique shape of the receptacles, divided into a long, digitiform inner branch and a short, knob-shaped outer branch (Figs 4A, 5D). The habitus and the abdominal pattern of Raveniola bellula sp. n. resemble that of Sinopesa maculata , but it is distinguished by generic characters, such as well-developed body and leg setation and by much longer and denser tarsal scopula.

Description.

Male (holotype): TL 7.90, CL 3.50, CW 2.55, AL 3.60, AW 2.25. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.20, ALE 0.24, PLE 0.16, PME 0.12, AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PME 0.35, PME–PLE 0.03. Leg lengths: I: 10.04 (2.75+1.65+2.65+1.80+1.55), II: 9.70 (2.75+1.30+2.30+1.85+1.50), III: 9.05 (2.50+1.15+1.65+2.25+1.50), IV: 12.40 (3.25+1.25+3.10+3.15+1.65). Labium, sternum and maxillae as shown in Fig. 3G. Maxillae with ca. 20 cuspules. Prosoma, palps and legs light brown. Spinnerets light grey. Light yellowish grey abdomen with darker (brown) dorsal and ventral pattern (Fig. 3D, G). Metatarsus I very slightly curved (Fig. 3E). PMS absent; apical segment of PLS digitiform (Fig. 3D, G). Palpal tibia moderately long, subcylindrical; bulb long, oval; embolus gradually tapering to a slender point; cymbium with four short, stout spines (Figs 3 A–C, 5 A–C).

Female. TL 6.75, CL 3.25, CW 2.50, AL 2.75, AW 2.40; body and legs colouration as in male. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.22, ALE 0.24, PME 0.10, PLE 0.15, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.05, PME–PME 0.36, PME–PLE 0.04, Leg lengths: I: 10.15 (2.65+1.60+2.55+1.90+1.45), II: 9.55 (2.65+1.45+2.25+1.75+1.45), III: 8.75 (2.45+1.10+1.50+2.25+1.45), IV: 12.00 (3.20+1.15+3.00+3.10+1.55). Genital area as in Fig. 4B. Receptacles divided into a long, digitiform inner branch and a short, knob-shaped outer branch that is bent forward (Figs 4A, 5D).

Variation.

Total length of males and females: 6.75-7.93 (n=8).

Distribution.

The species is known only from the type locality.