Luthela yuncheng, Xu & Yu & Liu & Li, 2022

Xu, Xin, Yu, Li, Liu, Fengxiang & Li, Daiqin, 2022, Delimitation of the segmented trapdoor spider genus Luthela gen. nov., with comments on the genus Sinothela from northern China (Araneae, Mesothelae, Liphistiidae), Zootaxa 5091 (1), pp. 131-154 : 150-152

Luthela yuncheng sp. nov.

( Fig. 14A–M )

Holotype. Male (XUX-2011-235, matured on 10 July 2012 at CBEE), Wulipo Park , Linyi County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, China, 35.157°N, 110.758°E, 441 m, collected on 30 November 2011, by H.Z. Li, F.X. Liu, X.Y. Wang, and X. Xu, CBEE.

Paratypes. 7 females (XUX-2011-229/230/231/232/233/234/236, and 231, 232, 236 matured on 10 July 2012 at CBEE), same data as for holotype. All in CBEE .

Diagnosis. The male of L. yuncheng sp. nov. can be distinguished from those of L. yiyuan sp. nov., and L. schensiensis by tegulum having a regular serrated marginal apophysis and a regular dorsal extension of terminal apophysis ( Fig. 14G ); from that of L. dengfeng sp. nov. by the conductor with a longer lower spine; from that of L. handan sp. nov. by the contrategulum with smaller marginal teeth ( Fig. 14D ); from those of L. badong s p. nov. and L. taian sp. nov. by the conductor with a small middle spine ( Fig. 14E–G ). Females of L. yuncheng sp. nov. differ from those of L. badong sp. nov., and L. yiyuan sp. nov. by the bases of middle receptacular clusters being separated from each other ( Fig. 14H, 14I ); from those of L. dengfeng sp. nov., L. handan sp. nov., L. schensiensis , and L. taian sp. nov. by the similar-sized receptacular clusters ( Fig. 14H–M ); from those of L. luotianensis by the posterior margin of genital sternite being slightly incurved ( Fig. 14K, 14L ).

Description. Male (Holotype). Carapace dark brown; opisthosoma brown, with dark brown tergites; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; few long pointed hairs running over ocular mound in longitudinal row; chelicerae robust with promargin of groove with 10 denticles of variable size; legs with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, the second to fifth larger than others and the others small; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 16.85, CL 7.35, CW 6.95, OL 8.75, OW 6.35; ALE> PLE> PME> AME; leg I 21.00 (6.15 + 2.85 + 4.15 + 5.10 + 2.75), leg II 20.65 (5.65 + 2.75 + 3.95 + 5.35 + 2.95), leg III 22.70 (5.45 + 2.95 + 4.00 + 6.50 + 3.80), leg IV 29.70 (7.65 + 3.35 + 5.30 + 8.75 + 4.65).

Palp: Prolateral paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotized, numerous setae and spines at tip of paracymbium ( Fig. 14A–C ). Contrategulum with 8 teeth along the margin, distal tooth with 3 serrations ( Fig. 14D, 14F ). Marginal apophysis of tegulum with regular serrations, dorsal extension of terminal apophysis of tegulum with regular serrations basally and irregular serrations distally, and terminal apophysis of tegulum smooth ( Fig. 14G ). Conductor situated ventro-proximally on embolus, with two long spines, upper one fits to furrow of embolus, lower one pointed to contrategulum, and one small tooth situated at middle of two long spines ( Fig. 14D–G ). Embolus largely sclerotized, with a flat opening and several longitudinal ribs retrolaterally ( Fig. 14D, 14G ).

Female (XUX-2011-229). Carapace reddish brown; opisthosoma brown, with dark brown tergites; chelicerae robust with promargin of groove with 10–11 strong denticles of variable size; legs with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, similar to male; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 25.55, CL 9.55, CW 8.00, OL 13.85, OW 11.65; ALE> PLE> PME> AME; palp 16.45 (5.65 + 2.55 + 3.50 + 4.75), leg I 18.45 (6.50 + 2.85 + 3.80 + 3.15 + 2.15), leg II 18.20 (5.85 + 2.80 + 3.35 + 3.85 + 2.35), leg III 18.90 (5.55 + 2.75 + 3.25 + 4.50 + 2.85), leg IV 26.90 (7.15 + 3.15 + 5.25 + 7.65 + 3.70).

Genitalia: Posterior margin of genital sternite slightly incurved, two pairs of receptacular clusters similar-sized, middle ones with stalks, separated from each other basally, situated at anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, lateral ones situated at slightly dorsolateral position of bursa copulatrix with inconspicuous stalks ( Fig. 14H–M ).

Etymology. The species epithet, a noun in apposition, refers to the type locality.

Distribution. Shanxi Province (Yuncheng)

Remarks. Females vary in body size: (N = 7): BL 15.65–25.55, CL 7.75–10.75, CW 6.95–9.55, OL 7.75–11.05, OW 5.90–11.65.

Intraspecific genetic distance is between 0% and 3.4% based on the K2P substitution model and COI nucleotide sequences (N = 7, including juveniles). The GenBank accession code of the holotype (XUX-2011-235) is MH172738 .

Figures

FIGURE 14. Male and female genital anatomy of Luthela yuncheng sp. nov. A, D, palp prolateral view. B, E, palp ventral view. C, F, palp retrolateral view. G, palp distal view. H–J, vulva dorsal view. K–M, vulva ventral view. A–G, XUX-2011-235 (holotype). H, K, XUX-2011-230. I, L, XUX-2011-234. J, M, XUX-2011-229. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.