Cheiracanthium rupicolum ( Thorell, 1897 )

Dankittipakul, Pakawin & Beccaloni, Janet, 2012, Validation and new synonymies proposed for Cheiracanthium species from South and Southeast Asia (Araneae, Clubionidae), Zootaxa 3510, pp. 77-86 : 82-83

Cheiracanthium rupicolum ( Thorell, 1897)

Figs 14–15

Eutittha rupicola Thorell, 1897: 253 ; description of female.

Cheiracanthium trivialis Gravely, 1931: 265 , f. 17J (Himalaya form). Misidentification Cheiracanthium gyirongense Hu & Li, 1987: 306 , f. 34.1–2; description of female. Song, Zhu & Chen, 1999: 413, figs 241Q–R. New Synonymy

Cheiracanthium gyirongensis Hu, 2001: 283 , figs 161.3–4. Misspelled name (incorrect gender).

Type material. Holotype: Ƥ, MYANMAR, Kayin Division: Carin Asciuii-Cheba, Yado, leg. L. Fea, 1885–1889 ( MSNG). Original label: / Eutittha ; repicola Thor.; Birmania: Yado; Fea/.

Remarks. The female holotype of C. rupicolum ( Thorell, 1895) can be easily recognized by the dark internal genitalia, which is visible through the integument, and consists of strongly convoluted insemination ducts that form 7 entwined loops situated anteriorly to spherical spermathecae ( Fig. 14 ). The epigynal atrium is shallow and is recognized by its curved, rebordered anterior margin.

The female of C. gyirongense Hu & Li, 1987 closely resembles that of the female holotype of C. rupicolum in having the strongly convoluted insemination ducts and the posteriorly situated spermathecae, as well as the poorly defined posterior margin on the epigynal atrium. No significant differences were detected between the female holotype of C. rupicolum and that of C. gyirongense . Cheiracanthium rupicolum is here proposed as a senior synonym of C. gyirongense .

The ‘Himalaya form’ of C. triviale ( Thorell, 1895) illustrated by Gravely (1931, fig. 17J) was misidentified. It was actually the female of C. rupicolum . Females of C. rupicolum are very similar to those of C. triviale in having strongly convoluted insemination ducts but can be distinguished from the latter species through the larger and darker ducts and a less complex vulva (insemination ducts forming 10 entwined loops in that of C. triviale ), with poorly defined posterior margin of the epigynal atrium (atrium is represented by clearly defined elongate-oval aperture in C. triviale ; Fig. 16 ). These two species are physically separated by different habitat where C. rupicolum has a clear preference for high altitude forests ( Burma: 1,200–1,300 m asl; India, Darjeeling: 1,350–1,500; China, Tibetan plateau; Fig. 19 ).

Diagnosis. Females of C. rupicolum are easily recognized by the strongly convoluted insemination ducts which form 7 entwined loops, in combination with a rebordered anterior margin of the epigynal atrium and a sclerotized posterior median margin of the epigyne slightly protruding over an epigastric furrow.

Distribution. High altitudes species known from Burma, India and China (Tibet).

Figures

FIGURE 19. Records of C. truncatum (Thorell, 1895) and C. rupicolum (Thorell, 1897).

FIGURES 14 – 17. Cheiracanthium rupicolum (Thorell, 1897), 14 Female holotype deposited at MSNG. 16 C. triviale (Thorell, 1895), female holotype deposited at NHML. 14, 16 Epigyne, ventral. 15, 17 Original labels of Thorell.