Tekellina helixicis, Gao & Li, 2014

Gao, Cai-Xia & Li, Shu-Qiang, 2014, Comb-footed spiders (Araneae: Theridiidae) in the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, Zoological Systematics 39 (1), pp. 1-135 : 90

Tekellina helixicis sp. nov. ( Figs 71–74 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun , tropical evergreen rainforest (21º56.206'N, 101º16.204'E), 1 December 2009, Guo Tang and Zhi-Yuan Yao leg.

Paratypes: 2♂, 3♀, same data as holotype .

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective helixicis and means spiral, in reference to the copulatory ducts long, wreathe spermathecae.

Diagnosis. The new species is very similar to T. archboldi , but can be distinguished by having the conductor straight, with a dentate apophysis; copulatory ducts curled, surrounded spermathecae; spermathecae indistinct. The latter species with a curved conductor, without apophysis; copulatory ducts from bottom of spermathecae, coiled; spermathecae distinct (Levi, 1957b).

Male (measurements of holotype). Total length 0.94. Prosoma 0.41 long, 0.40 wide, flat, pale yellow, without spot. Sternum 0.25 long, 0.25 wide, pale yellow. Opisthosoma 0.53 long, 0.50 wide, pale yellow, with white spots, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.06, ALE 0.06, PME 0.107, PLE 0.07, AME-AME 0.05, AME-ALE 0.02, PME-PME 0.05, PME-PLE 0.03. Clypeus height about 1.92 times AME diameter, pale yellow. Chelicerae: pale yellow, without tooth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.13 long, 0.06 wide, pale yellow, with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.04 long, 0.08 wide, with 3 setae, pale yellow. Leg measurements: I 1.78 (0.56, 0.14, 0.50, 0.36, 0.22); II 1.76 (0.56, 0.16, 0.48, 0.31, 0.25); III 1.27 (0.41, 0.13, 0.27, 0.25, 0.21); IV 1.60 (0.56, 0.13, 0.41, 0.28, 0.22). Leg I pale yellow, without spot; femur with 1 spine, patella with 1 distal spine; tibia with 2 spines; metatarsus with row of spines; tarsus without spine. Legs II–IV similar to leg I. Pedipalpus ( Figs 71A–B , 72A–C , 74A–D ): tibia pale yellow, with 2 trichobothria; cymbium pale yellow, without spot; paracymbium hooked; subtegulum indistinguishable; tegulum large; median apophysis indistinguishable; embolus long, flagelliform, surrounding tegulum; conductor with trifurcate apophysis; tegular apophysis distinct, tip acute.

Variation. Male paratypes. Total length 0.96–1.06; prosoma 0.41–0.43 long, 0.41–0.44 wide; sternum 0.25–0.26 long, 0.25–0.26 wide; opisthosoma 0.56–0.60 long, 0.63–0.86 wide.

Female (measurements of paratypes). Total length 1.18–1.53. Prosoma 0.41–0.50 long, 0.40–0.41 wide, flat, pale yellow, without spot. Sternum 0.30–0.31 long, 0.30–0.31 wide, pale yellow. Opisthosoma 0.75–0.96 long, 0.78–1.15 wide, pale yellow, with white spots. Legs pale yellow, similar to male. Epigynum ( Figs 71C–D , 73A–B ): epigynum flat, pale yellow; copulatory openings distinguishable; spermathecae indistinct; copulatory ducts long, curved, surrounding spermathecae, opening to anterior margin of atrium; fertilization ducts short, from bottom of spermathecae.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 71. Tekellina helixicis sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view; C. Epigynum (vulva), ventral view; D. Epigynum (vulva), dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.05mm.

Fig. 72. Tekellina helixicis sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Conductor and TTA, ventral view; C. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.05 mm.

Fig. 73. Tekellina helixicis sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A. Epigynum (vulva), ventral view; B. Epigynum (vulva), dorsal view; C. Male habitus, dorsal view; D. Male habitus, lateral view; E. Female habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B = 0.05mm, C–E = 0.50mm.

Fig. 74. Tekellina helixicis sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.