Teutamus orthogonus, Dankittipakul, Pakawin, Tavano, Maria & Singtripop, Tippawan, 2012

Dankittipakul, Pakawin, Tavano, Maria & Singtripop, Tippawan, 2012, Seventeen new species of the spider genus Teutamus Thorell, 1890 from Southeast Asia (Araneae: Liocranidae), Journal of Natural History 46, pp. 1689-1730 : 1690-1696

Teutamus Thorell, 1890

Type species: Teutamus politus Thorell, 1890 by original designation.

Diagnosis

A somatically homogeneous ant-mimicking phrurolithine easily distinguished from all other Asian genera by the following combination of characters: the elongated prosoma strongly undulated, provided with four pairs of elevated submarginal lobes ( Figure 1 ); the anteriorly protruded epigastric scutum forming a collar tube ( Figure 2 ); the femora of leg I carrying long, prolateral spines (two to four) situated on distinct sockets; the ventrally flattened anterior tibiae and metatarsi armed with several long, erect spines; the thin, elongated posterior metatarsi and tarsi spineless; the dorsal and postepigastric scuta of males fusing together, covering a truncate opisthosoma ( Figure 2I ); legs I longest, with lengthened tibiae and metatarsi.

Remarks

Most of the generic and specific descriptions given by Thorell (1890) rely mainly on structural characters; this is also the case in his definitions of Teutamus . The wider concept of Thorell’s interpretation, which was redefined by Deeleman-Reinhold (2001), is retained in the present study. Although Teutamus is one of the most somatically distinctive genera, the simplicity of the male palps and female genitalia closely resembles other phrurolithines. It is difficult to specify a detailed genitalic synapomorphy distinguishing the males and females of Teutamus from other genera. In Teutamus and Jacaena Thorell, 1897 the conical conductor is situated at the tip of the tegulum to accommodate an apex of the embolus ( Figures 4 A, 5 D,E), the DTA is digitiform and weakly sclerotized ( Figures 4 A, 5 A) or greatly reduced ( Figure 7C ), whereas in Sesieutes Simon, 1897 the lanceolate conductor is elongated and lies parallel with the adjacent embolus, its DTA is heavily sclerotized and greatly extended. Palpal similarity between these three genera is only recognized by the large, triangular RTA provided with a colourless, transparent lamina ( Figure 5A ) and a deep anterior groove ( Figure 5C ).

The female spermathecae are not separate structures but distal continuations of the ducts in Sesieutes and most Jacaena species, whereas in Teutamus and a few species of Jacaena the spermathecae are significantly larger, generally with a clear boundary between anterior convoluted ducts and heavily sclerotized, elliptic spermathecae ( Figures 4 E, 10 E). However, in T. serrulatus sp. nov., T. spiralis sp. nov. and T. sumatranus sp. nov. their spermathecae are not typical of the genus: they are relatively small, terminally situated but not clearly subdivided from the ducts ( Figures 6 F, 17 B,D). This form is common among the females of Sesieutes . It becomes apparent that although these three genera have diverged greatly in somatic characters, their genitalia are closely similar and identification of Teutamus alone can be made only on the basis of somatic characters.

The presence of transparent, anteriorly situated receptacles (= anterior bursae sensu Deeleman-Reinhold 2001) has been recorded in several Asian phrurolithine genera including Sphingius Thorell, 1890 , Plynnon Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 , and Sudharmia Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 . These receptacles vary greatly, from spherical to elongated oval, and from thin, membranous to heavily sclerotized. In Teutamus , Sesieutes and Jacaena the receptacles are completely absent; they have digitiform ( Figure 4E ) or spherical ( Figure 7E,F ) ampullae originating on the dorsal surface of the insemination ducts. The wall of these ampullae is penetrated by numerous gland ductules of variable sizes ( Figure 17B ). Each ampulla consists of a single-layered epithelium with an inner lining of cuticle and gland cells ( Figure 3G, arrowed) around the outer orifices. These secretory glands are probably responsible for a production of dark, hardening secretion filling the epigynal atrium ( Figure 3B,C) . Unfortunately, much of the epithelial gland tissue was removed or damaged during histological procedures. The ampullae are absent in T. orthogonus sp. nov. but a group consisting of spherical glands is situated near a border between the insemination ducts and the spermathecae ( Figures 3 E, 11 E).

In T. leptothecus sp. nov. and T. deelemanae sp. nov. the surface of spermathecae is clearly marked with numerous gland ductules ( Figure 3H ), whereas in the remaining Teutamus species treated here ( T. rama sp. nov., T. serrulatus sp. nov., T. lioneli sp. nov., T. apiculatus sp. nov., T. calceolatus sp. nov., T. brachiatus sp. nov., T. secculatus sp. nov., T. tortuosus sp. nov., T. rollardae sp. nov., T. poggii sp. nov., T. deelemanae sp. nov. and T. sumatranus sp. nov.) each spermatheca is provided with one or two large glandular pore(s) ( Figures 6 F, 7 E, 8 F). These pores are sealed by a mucus plug ( Figure 3D,F ). The presence of a surface glandular pore on spermathecae also occurs in Sesieutes nitens Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) and two undescribed Sesieutes species from Vietnam as well as in a female of Jacaena from southern China (unpublished data). Not much information is known about the glands of the spermathecal epithelium and the secretions that they pass into the spermathecal lumen in spiders ( Lopez 1987; Berendonck and Greven 2002). Although these characters are of interest and common among Teutamus species, their taxonomic value cannot be established at this stage.

Description

Medium-sized, ant-mimicking spider ( Figure 2 ). Prosoma ( Figure 1 ) elongate-ovoid, widest at coxae II; in profile smoothly convex, highest between PME and fovea; lateral margins strongly modified, undulated, carrying four pairs of elevated submarginal lobes; posterior margin extended, terminally straight, strongly rebordered. Fovea obsolete, replaced by shallow depression. Carapace integument smooth and shiny, usually punctate, forming radiating striae, bristles presented on clypeal area only. Clypeal height equal to AME diameter. Chilum triangular, clearly separated. Chelicerae thin and moderately long, frontal surface spineless; three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth on cheliceral fang grooves; fangs small. Gnathocoxae rectangular, longer than wide, lateral margin excavated medially, with oblique depression. Labium triangular, rebordered distally. Sternum triangular, longer than wide; anterior margin slightly excavated, anterior lateral margin strongly invaginated to accommodate coxae I, lateral margin with chitinous extensions between coxae, connecting with carapace; posterior portion greatly extended, fused with pedicel, a short, elevated ridge running mid-longitudinally; surface punctate. Eight eyes in two procurved rows, PER slightly wider than AER; AME circular, dark, large, slightly larger than other eyes; other eyes sub-equal in size, oval, light, circled by black ring; eyes relatively evenly spaced except AME separated about one-third of their diameter, PME separated by more than their diameter apart. MOQ slightly longer than wide or as wide as long, slightly wider behind than in front. Leg formula 1423. Femora I with two to four prolateral spines situated on distinct sockets; anterior tibiae and metatarsi ventrally flattened, carrying several long, sinuate spines on prolateral and retrolateral margins; other leg segments spineless; ventral surface of metatarsi with distal brush; tarsi with single row of long trichobothria; femora I always with a row of at least 10 featherlike bristles situated at base of prolateral spines; three claws and reduced claw tufts.

Opisthosoma ( Figure 2 ) ovoid, usually widening posteriorly. Epigastric scutum greatly extended anteriorly, forming tube with collar rings ( Figure 2I ); post-epigastric scuta represented by two triangular sclerites situated laterally just below epigastric furrow, sexually metamorphosed, well-developed in males ( Figure 2B,I ); dorsal scutum covering at least two-thirds of opisthosoma length, extending ventrally and fusing with post-epigastric scuta in males ( Figure 2I ), dorsal scutum absent in female. Six spinnerets; anterior lateral spinnerets short, conical, separated by roughly their diameter at base; posterior median spinnerets flattened, strongly compressed laterally, carrying two rows of cylindrical gland spigots in females; posterior lateral spinnerets with distinct and conical distal segment, carrying two cylindrical gland spigots.

Male palp. Palpal tibia rather short, usually excavated retrolaterally. PTA ( Figure 5B ) minute, triangular, heavily sclerotized in some species. RTA ( Figure 5A ) triangular in ventral view, broad at base, directed ectad, anteriorly with deep concavity and transparent lamina. DTA digitiform ( Figure 6C ), weakly sclerotized or greatly reduced ( Figure 7C ). Tegulum bulbous, generally wider posteriorly, gradually narrowing towards apex, weakly sclerotized or colourless on baso-retrolateral side, with simple looping sperm duct. Embolic base disc-like, situated pro-apically. Embolus filiform, elongated, obliquely crossing behind tegulum to apex. Conductor conical, situated apically, its base tightly fused with tegulum. Median apophysis absent. Accessory sclerotized apophysis ( Figure 13A,B ) or fold ( Figure 14C ), if present, situated posterior to conductor.

Female genitalia. Epigynal area heavily sclerotized, usually elevated, internal genitalia visible through integument. Epigynal atrium presented in few species ( Figure 3A ). Copulatory orifices situated anteriorly or medially, frequently filled with dark, hardening secretion. Insemination ducts elongated, descending posteriorly. Secretory ampullae digitiform or spherical, heavily perforated, originating on dorsal surface of insemination ducts. Spermathecae situated posteriorly, variable in shape, surface perforated, penetrated by numerous gland ductules and large glandular pore. Fertilization ducts lanceolate, connecting to posterior part of spermathecae via distinct projections formed by spermathecal walls.

Natural history

Teutamus species were collected by sifting decomposed leaves and organic litter in primary forests with relatively high humidity.

Distribution

Most of the species are from the Sundaland sub-region of Southeast Asia ( Figure 18), with only a single species ( T. christae ) recorded from the Indo-Burma sub-region.

Figures

Figure 1. Teutamus orthogonus sp. nov., male holotype (A). Teutamus jambiensis, male paratype (MHNG) (B). Teutamus rama sp. nov., male holotype (C). Teutamus seculatus sp. nov., male holotype (D). Teutamus brachiatus sp. nov., male holotype (E). Teutamus lioneli sp. nov., male paratype (F). (A – F) Prosoma, dorsal.

Figure 2. Teutamus orthogonus sp. nov., male holotype (A). Teutamus jambiensis, male paratype (MHNG) (B). Teutamus andrewdavisi, male paratype (MHNG) (C). Teutamus politus, male (D, I) from southern Thailand, female holotype (MSNG) (E). Teutamus brachiatus sp. nov., male paratype (F). Teutamus lioneli sp. nov., male paratype (G). Teutamus hirtellus sp. nov., male holotype (H). (A – G) Habitus, dorsal and (H) ventral; (I) opisthosoma, ventral. Abbreviations: ES, epigastric scutum; PS, post-epigastric scutum; SM, submarginal lobe.

Figure 3. Teutamus serrulatus, female paratype (A, B, G). Teutamus globularis, female paratype (C). Teutamus apiculatus, female paratype (D, F). Teutamus orthogonus, female paratype (E). Teutamus leptothecus, female holotype (H). (A – C) Epigastric region, ventral; (D) anterior portion of spermatheca showing glandular pore and mucus plug; (E) secretory glands; (F) mucus plug; (G) secretory ampulla surrounded by epithelial gland cells (arrowed); (H) gland ductules on spermathecal wall. Abbreviations: MP, mucus plug; PS, post-epigastric scutum.

Figure 4. Teutamus politus, female holotype (D), male (A – C) and female (E) from southern Thailand. Teutamus fertilis, male paratype (MHNG) (F). (A, F) Male palp, ventral and (B) retrolateral; (C) conductor, prolateral; (D) epigastric region, ventral; (E) internal genitalia, dorsal. Abbreviations: C, conductor; DTA, disto-retrolateral tibial apophysis; EB, embolic base; FD, fertilization duct; ID, insemination duct; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; S, spermatheca; SA, secretory ampulla; SD, sperm duct; ST, subtegulum. Scale bars 0.25 mm.

Figure 5. Teutamus rama sp. nov., male holotype (A – E), female paratype (F, G). (A) Male palp, ventral, (B) prolateral and (C) retrolateral; (D) apex of tegulum showing conductor and embolic tip, prolateral; (E) retrolateral; (F) epigastric region, ventral; (G) internal genitalia, dorsal. Abbreviations: AC, anterior concavity on RTA; E, embolus; L, transparent lamina on RTA; PTA, prolateral tibial apophysis; ST, subtegulum. Scale bars 0. 2 5 mm.

Figure 6. Teutamus serrulatus sp. nov., male holotype (A – D), female paratype (E, F). (A) Male palp, ventral, (B) prolateral and (C) retrolateral; (D) conductor, proventral; (E) epigastric region, ventral; (F) internal genitalia, dorsal. Abbreviations: G, glandular pore; PS, post-epigastric scutum; SA, secretory ampulla. Scale bars 0. 2 5 mm.

Figure 7. Teutamus brachiatus sp. nov., male holotype (A – C), female paratype from Thailand (E), from Malaysia (F). (A) Male palp, ventral, (B) prolateral and (C) retrolateral; (D) epigastric region, ventral; (E, F) internal genitalia, dorsal. Scale bars 0. 2 5 mm.

Figure 13. Teutamus seculatus sp. nov., male holotype (A – C), female paratype (D, E). (A) Male palp, ventral, (B) prolateral and (C) retrolateral; (D) epigastric region, ventral; (E) internal genitalia, dorsal. Scale bars 0.25 mm.

Figure 14. Teutamus hirtellus sp. nov., male holotype (A). Teutamus andrewdavisi, male paratype (MHNG) (B). Teutamus jambiensis, male paratype (MHNG) (C). (A – C) Male palp, ventral. Scale bars 0.25 mm.

Figure 17. Teutamus spiralis sp. nov., female holotype (A, B). Teutamus sumatranus sp. nov., female holotype (C, D). (A, C) Epigastric region, ventral; (B, D) internal genitalia, dorsal. Scale bars 0. 2 5 mm.