taxonID	type	description	language	source
E00578BA7DB45B90A80EB4440B5F45D7.taxon	description	Figs 1, 2, 4 A, B, 7 A, B, 8	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
E00578BA7DB45B90A80EB4440B5F45D7.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name is derived from “ Metyr ”, a character in the myth of Elden Ring, written by George R. R. Martin. Metyr is depicted as having a massive, finger-shaped body and living in an underground cave; this name refers to the shape of the spermathecae and the habitat of this new species. It is treated as a noun in genitive case.	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
E00578BA7DB45B90A80EB4440B5F45D7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. The males of Spiricoelotes metyr sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from all other congeners in 1) having a leaf-shaped conductor in dorsal view, with the distal tip of the conductor thin, long, and pointed downward (Fig. 1 A, B), versus being not leaf-shaped, sometimes coiled, but always pointed upward in other congeners (Fig. 3 B, E; fig. 25 in Shimojana 1989; figs 1 B, 3 B, 5 B, 7 B, 9 B in Chen et al. 2016); 2) the patellar apophysis extremely strong and long (Fig. 1 B, C), versus being relatively thin and short in other congeners (Fig. 3 C, F; fig. 25 in Shimojana 1989; figs 1 C, 3 C, 5 C, 7 C, 9 C in Chen et al. 2016); 3) the cymbial furrow extremely long, approximately 4 / 5 the length of the cymbium (Fig. 1 C), versus being subequal to or less than 1 / 2 the length of the cymbium in other congeners (Fig. 3 C, F; fig. 25 in Shimojana 1989; figs 1 C, 3 C, 5 C, 7 C, 9 C in Chen et al. 2016). The females of the new species resemble those of S. xiongxinensis in 1) having laterally situated copulatory openings that are far apart, and extremely short copulatory ducts (Fig. 2 A, B; fig. 11 A, B in Chen et al. 2016); 2) shallow and wide hoods (Fig. 2 A; fig. 11 A in Chen et al. 2016); 3) spermathecae that are not coiled, with the length of the spermatheca being subequal to the length of the epigynal plate (Fig. 2 B; fig. 11 B in Chen et al. 2016). In other congeners, the copulatory openings are situated relatively medially and are close to each other (Figs 5 A, B, 6 A, B; figs 28, 29 in Shimojana 1989; figs 2 A, B, 6 A, B, 8 A, B, 10 A, B in Chen et al. 2016), or laterally situated but with long copulatory ducts in S. chufengensis (fig. 4 A, B in Chen et al. 2016); the hoods deep and thin (figs 5 A, 6 A; fig. 28 in Shimojana 1989; figs 2 A, 4 A, 6 A, 8 A, 10 A in Chen et al. 2016); the spermathecae coiled (Figs 5 B, 6 B; fig. 29 in Shimojana 1989), or not coiled but less than half the length of the epigynal plate (figs 2 B, 4 B, 6 B, 8 B, 10 B in Chen et al. 2016). But the new species can be differentiated from S. xiongxinensis in having relatively thin, regularly shaped spermathecae (Fig. 2 B), versus thick and irregularly shaped in S. xiongxinensis (fig. 11 B in Chen et al. 2016).	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
E00578BA7DB45B90A80EB4440B5F45D7.taxon	description	Description. Male holotype (Fig. 7 A). Carapace yellowish, cervical and radial grooves indistinct. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal teeth and 5 retromarginal teeth, condyle weak. Sternum longer than wide. Abdomen nearly white, without patterns, covered by blueish gray hairs. Legs yellowish. Total length 6.70. Carapace 3.86 long, 2.69 wide. Abdomen 2.78 long, 1.82 wide. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.13, PME 0.15, PLE 0.12; AME – AME 0.07, AME – ALE 0.08, PME – PME 0.14, PME – PLE 0.10. Measurements of legs: I 14.81 (4.06, 1.27, 3.50, 3.68, 2.30), II 13.04 (3.68, 1.14, 3.26, 2.73, 2.23), III 13.00 (3.49, 0.68, 2.92, 3.74, 2.17), IV 16.25 (4.32, 0.82, 4.38, 4.16, 2.57). Palp (Fig. 1). Patellar apophysis long, as twice long as the length of patella. Retrolateral tibial apophysis subequal to the length of tibia. Lateral tibial apophysis short, subequal to 1 / 5 the length of retrolateral tibial apophysis. Cymbial furrow long, subequal to 4 / 5 the length of cymbium. Conductor leaf-shaped from ventral view; ventral margin short and strongly sclerotized; dorsal margin wide, distal tip thin and long, pointed downward, with developed membranous ridge; apophysis of dorsal margin broad and ridge-shaped. Tegular ridge slice-shaped and situated retroalterally, matched with the ridge-shaped dorsal apophysis of conductor. Embolus arising in a 4: 00 – 4: 30 o’clock-position, extremely long. Median apophysis reduced. Female paratype (Fig. 7 B). Same in colour, abdominal patterns, and chelicera teeth as male. Total length 7.89. Carapace 3.99 long, 2.56 wide. Abdomen 3.67 long, 2.61 wide. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.14, PME 0.16, PLE 0.15; AME – AME 0.09, AME – ALE 0.11, PME – PME 0.11, PME – PLE 0.10. Measurements of legs: I 13. 56 (3.53, 1.16, 3.04, 3.56, 2.27), II 12. 52 (3.37, 1.31, 3.12, 2.92, 1.80), III 11. 42 (3. 17, 0.48, 2.90, 3.30, 1.57), IV 16. 13 (4.14, 0.97, 3.82, 4.81, 2.39). Epigyne (Fig. 2). Epigynal plate wider than long. Copulatory openings situated laterally and separated from each other. Hoods located anteriorly. Copulatory ducts extremely short. Spermathecal heads small, situated near the beginning of spermathecal stalks; spermathecae curved-finger-shaped, with smooth surface and with extremely coiled duct inside. Fertilization ducts short, posteriorly situated.	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
E00578BA7DB45B90A80EB4440B5F45D7.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Only known from the type localities (Fig. 8).	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
76B1518798CD51F3950C46FE43E6955F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. With the inclusion of additional species in Spiricoelotes, the diagnostic characteristics of the genus are revised in this study. The males can be identified by the hook-shaped patellar apophysis, the slender, elongate conductor, the presence of a tegular ridge that is matched with the dorsal ridge (apophysis) of the conductor, and the reduction or absence of the median apophysis. The females can be identified by the absence of epigynal teeth, the reduction of the atrium, and deep hoods.	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
37DCE5E00DB8590FBBEB81E88C81F0CD.taxon	description	Figs 3 A – C, 4 C, D, 5, 7 C, D, 8	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
37DCE5E00DB8590FBBEB81E88C81F0CD.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific name is dedicated to Yuandong Zheng, in appreciation of his specimen donations to our research group; this name is treated as a noun (name) in the genitive case.	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
37DCE5E00DB8590FBBEB81E88C81F0CD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Spiricoelotes zhengi sp. nov. resembles S. zonatus and S. urumensis. The males resemble those of the latter in 1) having a spiculate and spiral distal part of the dorsal margin of the conductor (Figs 3 B, E, 4 D, F; figs 25, 26 in Shimojana 1989); 2) the cymbial furrow being deep and relatively long, measuring no less than 1 / 3 or subequal to 1 / 2 the length of the cymbium (Fig. 3 C, F; fig. 26 in Shimojana 1989). In other congeners, the conductor is thick and short (fig. 7 in Chen et al. 2016), or long and sometimes coiled but not spiral (figs 1 B, 3 B, 5 B, 9 B in Chen et al. 2016); the cymbial furrow is less than 1 / 3 the length of the cymbium (figs 1 C, 3 C, 5 C, 7 C, 9 C in Chen et al. 2016), or extremely long, subequal to 4 / 5 the length of the cymbium (Fig. 1 C). However, S. zhengi sp. nov. can be distinguished from the latter by 1) having a relatively short cymbial furrow, less than 1 / 2 the length of the cymbium (Fig. 3 C), versus being subequal to 1 / 2 the length of the cymbium in S. zonatus (Fig. 3 F); 2) the patellar apophysis is shorter than the patella (Fig. 3 C), versus being subequal to the length of the patella in S. zonatus (Fig. 3 F), or obviously longer than the patella in S. urumensis (fig. 26 in Shimojana 1989); 3) the dorsal margin of the conductor is broad, with the spiral part of the dorsal margin of the conductor relatively short (Fig. 3 A – C), versus being relatively thin in S. zonatus (Fig. 3 D – F), or having an extremely long spiral part in S. urumensis (figs 25, 26 in Shimojana 1989); 4) the embolus is relatively short (Figs 3 A, B, 4 C, D), versus being long in S. zonatus (Figs 3 D, E, 4 E, F). The females of the new species resemble those of S. zonatus in 1) lacking an atrium and having large, round copulatory openings (Figs 5 A, 6 A); 2) spermathecal stalk being long and coiled (Figs 5 B, 6 B). In other congeners, the atria are weak and separated, and the copulatory openings are small or large, but irregularly shaped (fig. 2 A; fig. 28 in Shimojana 1989; figs 2 A, B, 4 A, B, 6 A, B, 8 A, B, 10 A, B, 11 A, B in Chen et al. 2016); the spermathecal stalks are short and not coiled (fig. 29 in Shimojana 1989; figs 2 B, 4 B, 6 B, 8 B, 10 B, 11 B in Chen et al. 2016). However, S. zhengi sp. nov. can be distinguished from S. zonatus in having 1) relatively short copulatory ducts, which are almost covered by the coiled spermathecal stalk (Fig. 5 B), versus are relatively long in S. zonatus (Fig. 6 B); 2) thick spermathecal stalks and the posterior part of the spermathecal stalk with a right-angled turn (Fig. 5 B), versus spermathecal stalks relatively thin and the posterior part of the spermathecal stalk has a U-shaped turn in S. zonatus (Fig. 6 B); 3) the spermathecal bases are nearly capsule-shaped (Fig. 5 B), versus are mildly curved and kidney-shaped in S. zonatus (Fig. 6 B).	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
37DCE5E00DB8590FBBEB81E88C81F0CD.taxon	description	Description. Male holotype (Fig. 7 C). Carapace yellowish, cervical and radial grooves indistinct, with weak patterns. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal teeth and 5 retromarginal teeth, condyle weak. Sternum longer than wide. Abdomen dark, with 6 yellowish chevron-shaped patterns, covered by blueish gray hairs. Legs yellowish. Total length 6.82. Carapace 3.43 long, 2.50 wide. Abdomen 3.20 long, 2.16 wide. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.11, ALE 0.16, PME 0.16, PLE 0.16; AME – AME 0.08, AME – ALE 0.03, PME – PME 0.10, PME – PLE 0.09. Measurements of legs: I 13. 72 (3.83, 1.07, 3.66, 3.35, 1.81), II 13. 31 (3.74, 0.93, 3.70, 2.80, 2.14), III 12. 30 (3.27, 0.58, 2.69, 3.37, 1.64), IV 15. 25 (3.79, 0.92, 3.65, 4.67, 2.22). Chelicera with 3 promarginal and 5 retromarginal teeth. Palp (Fig. 3 A – C). Patellar apophysis approximately 2 / 3 length of patella, hook-shaped, and with distal tip strongly curved backward. Retrolateral tibia apophysis with semicircular tip. Lateral tibial apophysis short, approximately 1 / 3 length of retrolateral tibia apophysis. Cymbial furrow long, approximately 2 / 5 the length of cymbium. Conductor pointed upward, ventral margin short and sclerotized; dorsal margin consisted with a smooth basal part and a spiral distal part, and with a membranous ridge; apophysis of dorsal margin of conductor ridge-shaped. Tegulum with a large slice-shaped ridge situated retrolaterally, matched with the ridge-shaped dorsal apophysis of conductor. Embolus arising in a 5: 00 – 5: 30 o’clock-position. Median apohysis absent. Female paratype (Fig. 7 D). Same in abdominal patterns and chelicera teeth as male but in darker colour. Total length 7.48. Carapace 3.62 long, 2.68 wide. Abdomen 3.78 long, 2.30 wide. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.13, PME 0.17, PLE 0.15; AME – AME 0.07, AME – ALE 0.12, PME – PME 0.10, PME – PLE 0.10. Measurements of legs: I 13. 59 (3.17, 0.98, 3.83, 3.41, 2.20), II 12. 79 (3.45, 1.31, 2.89, 3.16, 1.89), III 11. 37 (3.16, 0.83, 3.34, 2.36, 1.68), IV 15. 04 (4.03, 1.10, 3.08, 4.70, 2.13). Epigyne (Fig. 5). Epigynal plate wider than long. Atrium absent. Copulatory openings large and distinct, located antero-medially. Hoods distinct, located laterally, above copulatory openings. Copulatory ducts short and membranous, nearly hidden by spermathecal stalks. Spermathecal heads small, situated near the beginning of spermathecal stalks; spermathecal stalks long and coiled twice, posterior part with a U-shaped turn; spermathecal bases capsule-shaped. Fertilization ducts short, posteriorly situated.	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
37DCE5E00DB8590FBBEB81E88C81F0CD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Only known from the type localities (Fig. 8).	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
B40A1FCD32EA563A82467B71559DAEDC.taxon	description	Figs 3 D – F, 4 E, F, 6, 7 E, F, 8	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
B40A1FCD32EA563A82467B71559DAEDC.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Spiricoelotes zonatus resembles S. urumensis and S. zhengi sp. nov. See diagnosis of S. zhengi sp. nov. above.	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
B40A1FCD32EA563A82467B71559DAEDC.taxon	description	Description. See Zhu et al. (2017: fig. 350 A – E) for detailed description.	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
B40A1FCD32EA563A82467B71559DAEDC.taxon	distribution	Distribution. China (Anhui, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shanxi, Sichuan) (Fig. 8), introduced to Japan (Nagasaki) (Okumura, 2008).	en	Chen, Hailun, Liu, Jie, Wei, Mian (2025): Two new cave-dwelling Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from Hubei, China. ZooKeys 1245: 383-397, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1245.145389
