Myrmarachne kuan sp. nov.

Figs 12, 13, 48

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (TRU - JS 0744), China: • Yunnan Province, Pingbian Miao Autonomous County, around Tuanpo Reservoir (22°58.33'N, 103°41.25'E, ca 1560 m), 15. V. 2024, C. Wang et al. leg . Paratypes • 2 ♂ 5 ♀ (TRU - JS 0745–0751), same data as for holotype; • 1 ♀ (IZCAS - Ar 45282), Hainan, Lingshui County, Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve, Power Station (18°39.84'N, 109°55.81'E, ca 100 m), 20. IV. 2009, G. Tang leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is a noun and comes from Chinese Pinyin ‘ kuan ’, meaning broad, which refers to the broadened thoracic part.

Diagnosis.

The male of Myrmarachne kuan sp. nov. resembles that of M. salaputium Yamasaki, 2018 in general shape of the palp, but can be easily distinguished by the flat cephalon that is lower than thoracic part in lateral view (Fig. 13 E) vs elevated cephalon that is much higher than thoracic part (Yamasaki et al. 2018: fig. 45). The female resembles those of M. lambirensis Yamasaki & Ahmad, 2013 in having a similar epigyne, but can be easily distinguished by the presence of an epigynal hood (H), and by the sclerotized portions of copulatory ducts curved into circles at base (Fig. 13 A, B) vs epigynal hood absent, and sclerotized portions of copulatory ducts slightly curved into C-shapes (Yamasaki and Ahmad 2013: fig. 23 D – F).

Description.

Male (Figs 12, 13 C – E, G). Total length 3.72. Carapace 1.80 long, 0.98 wide. Abdomen 1.61 long, 0.83 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.15, PLE 0.14, AERW 0.89, PERW 0.98, EFL 0.65. Legs: I 2.91 (0.83, 0.40, 0.88, 0.50, 0.30), II 2.32 (0.65, 0.38, 0.58, 0.43, 0.28), III 2.39 (0.70, 0.33, 0.53, 0.53, 0.30), IV 3.19 (0.95, 0.43, 0.80, 0.68, 0.33). Carapace flat, covered with sparse white scales, with laterally broadened thoracic part. Chelicerae elongated, with six promarginal and five tiny retromarginal teeth. Legs slender, with one, eight, and four ventral spines on patellae, tibiae, and metatarsi I, respectively. Abdomen slightly constricted at anterior 1 / 5, dorsum mainly dark, covered with several white scales; venter dark brown.

Palp (Fig. 12 A – C): femur length / width ratio ca 2.5; patella ~ 1.4 × longer than wide in retrolateral view; tibia broad, with prolateral projected portion, and tapered retrolateral apophysis (RTA) approximately as long as tibia, slightly curved inward distally, and with rather pointed tip; cymbium length / width ratio ca 1.37, tapered at distal 1 / 4; tegulum flat and round, with sperm duct extending along submargin circularly; embolus (E) originating at ca 6 o’clock position of tegulum, making ca 540 ° course and terminating at ca 1: 30 o’clock position.

Female (Fig. 13 A, B, F, H). Total length 4.33. Carapace 1.88 long, 0.86 wide. Abdomen 1.96 long, 1.12 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.15, PLE 0.14, AERW 0.87, PERW 0.92, EFL 0.61. Legs: I 2.44 (0.68, 0.40, 0.68, 0.40, 0.28), II 2.02 (0.58, 0.38, 0.50, 0.33, 0.23), III 2.12 (0.60, 0.33, 0.48, 0.48, 0.23), IV 3.03 (0.90, 0.45, 0.75, 0.63, 0.30). Habitus (Fig. 13 F) similar to that of male except less-developed chelicerae (Fig. 13 H) with six larger retromarginal teeth.

Epigyne (Fig. 13 A, B) longer than wide, with posterior, bell-shaped hood (H); atrium (At) paired, almost round; copulatory openings (CO) invisible; sclerotized portions of copulatory ducts slender, forming complicated coils, and with short accessory glands (AG) on position of proximal 2 / 5; spermathecae (S) elongated, folded twice; fertilization ducts (FD) originating from antero-inner portions of spermathecae.

Distribution.

China (Hainan, Yunnan; Fig. 48).