Gaoligonga changya Miller, Griswold & Yin, 2009

Miller, Jeremy, Griswold, Charles & Yin, Chang, 2009, The symphytognathoid spiders of the Gaoligongshan, Yunnan, China (Araneae: Araneoidea): Systematics and diversity of micro-orbweavers, ZooKeys 11 (11), pp. 9-195 : 48-50

Gaoligonga changya Miller, Griswold & Yin , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:591AC0CB-500B-495B-A744-A3C9F5FA1CFB

Figs 26 B-D, 38-42 , 43 A-C, 98

Material Examined. Holotype: CHINA: Yunnan: Gaoligongshan, Shibali forest station, 27.16636°N, 98.77667°E, 2563 m, 3-11 May 2004, good forest, pitfall traps, C. Griswold, D. Kavanaugh, CGY21 (CASENT 9020452, HNU), 1 ♁.

Paratypes: [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9020449, CAS), 3 ♁, 6 ♀ ; [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9020454, HNU), 2 ♁, 9 ♀, 12 juvs ; [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9020448, HNU), 3 ♁, 6 ♀ ; [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9020450, HNU), 3 ♁, 6 ♀ ; [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9020451, CAS), 3 ♁, 6 ♀ ; [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9020453, CAS), 1 ♁, 8 ♀ ; Gaoligongshan, Shibali forest station, 27.16519°N, 98.77891°E, 2525 m, 1 May 2004, general collecting, C. Griswold, D. Kavanaugh, CGY20 (CASENT 9011592, HNU), 1 ♀ ; Gaoligongshan, 0.5 km radius of Shibali forest station, 27.16519°N, 98.77891°E, 2525 m, 1-9 May 2004, dusting webs in forest, C. Griswold, CGY25 (CASENT 9020651, CAS), 1 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019879, CAS), 2 ♁, 8 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9020653, CAS), 4 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9020655, HNU), 2 ♀, 3 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9019878, HNU), 2 ♁, 8 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019880, CAS), 1 ♁, 4 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019881, HNU), 1 ♁, 4 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019883, HNU), 4 ♀, 15 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9020652, HNU), 4 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019882, CAS), 4 ♀, 12 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9020654, CAS), 2 ♀, 3 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9024141, HNU), 1 ♁, 7 ♀, 2 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9024142, HNU), 4 ♀, 1 juv ; Gaoligongshan , 0.4 km SSE Shibali forest station, 27.16337°N, 98.78208°E, 2475 m, 5 May 2004, dusting webs in understory of good forest, C. Griswold, CGY29 (CASENT 9019870, HNU), 8 ♀, 8 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9019871, CAS), 8 ♀, 8 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9019868, HNU), 1 ♁, 4 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019865, HNU), 2 ♁, 8 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019866, CAS), 2 ♁, 8 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019869, CAS), 1 ♁, 4 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9019867, HNU), 1 ♁, 4 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9024140, HNU), 1 ♁, 8 ♀, 2 juvs ; Fugong Co., Lishadi , 500 m W of Shibali, 27.16650°N, 98.77936°E, 2537 m, 4 August 2005, deciduous forest litter, P. Paquin, PP-2005 (CASENT 9022573, HNU), 1 ♀ ; [same locality] 18 August 2005, sifting deciduous forest litter, P. Paquin, PP-4405 (CASENT 9022509, CAS), 1 ♁, 1 ♀, 1 juv ; Fugong Co., Lishadi , 3 km W of Shibali (first waterfall), 27.17312°N, 98.76764°E, 3019 m, 9 August 2005, scree slope and moist ravine with rocky cliffs, P. Paquin, D. Kavanaugh, PP-2905 (CASENT 9022593, HNU), 1 ♀ ; Shibali forest station, 27.16636°N, 98.77667°E, 2563 m, 4 May 2004, good forest, sifting leaf litter, C. Griswold, D. Kavanaugh, CGY28 (CASENT 9020059, CAS), 2 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9020062, HNU), 1 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9020061, HNU), 1 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9020060, HNU), 2 ♀ ; Gaoligong Shan, Nujiang Prefecture: Nujiang State Nature Reserve , QiQi He , 9.9 airkm W of Gongshan, 27.715°N, 98.565°E, 2000 m, 9-14 July 2000, H.-M. Yan, D. Kavanaugh, C.E. Griswold, H.-B. Liang, D. Ubick, & D.-Z. Dong (CASENT 9016244, CAS), 1 ♁, 20 ♀, 4 juvs ; [same data] (CASENT 9016241, CAS), 1 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9016242, CAS), 1 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9016240, CAS), 1 ♀ ; Gaoligong Shan, Nujiang Prefecture: Nujiang State Nature Reserve , No. 12 Bridge Camp area , 16.3 airkm W of Gongshan, 27.715°N, 98.502°E, 2775 m, 15-19 July 2000, H.-M. Yan, D. Kavanaugh, C.E. Griswold, H.-B. Liang, D. Ubick, & D.-Z. Dong (CASENT 9016250, CAS), 1 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9016248, CAS), 1 ♀ ; Gongshan Co., Bingzhongluo Township, Guocai He at Fucai , 28.00858°N, 98.51894°E, 2800 m, 16 August 2006, forest, rocky outcrops, night, J.A. Miller, JM06081602 (CASENT 9024314, CAS), 1 ♀ ; Gongshan Co., Bingzhongluo Township, Guocai He at Fucai , 28.00858°N, 98.51894°E, 2800 m, 23 August 2006, forest, rocky outcrops, night, J.A. Miller, D.H. Kavanaugh, JM06082301 (CASENT 9024439, HNU), 2 ♀ ; [same data] (CASENT 9024311, CAS), 1 ♀ .

Etymology. Formed from the Chinese word for tusk (cháng yá), referring to the prominent macrosetae on the front of the male chelicerae.

Diagnosis. Male distinguished by the presence of two strong macrosetae near the base of each chelicerae ( Figs 38A , 40 E-F); further distinguished by the shape of the embolic tip (tapered in G. changya , Fig. 40C ; expanded in G. zhusun , Fig. 46B ) and by the presence of a cymbial tooth ( Fig. 40B ; absent in G. zhusun ). Female distinguished by the well sclerotized ventral plate of the epigynum with ridges radiating out from a raised knob (Figs 41A, 43A), reniform spermathecae, and sinuous ducts ( Fig. 43B ; epigynum and raised knob less strongly sclerotized in G. zhusun , spermathecae not strongly differentiated from nearly longitudinal ducts; Figs 43 D-E, 47D).

Description. Carapace brown with darker patches in thoracic and head regions, male covered with elongate, flat tubercles, head region raised, sulci absent ( Fig. 40E ). Male chelicerae each with a pair of very strong macrosetae rooted near the base ( Fig. 38A , 40 E-F). Labrum weakly sclerotized; labral tongue present, base not produced into a labral spur (Fig. 41E-F). Sternum yellow with broad dusky margin. Legs yellow with dark rings distally on tibiae and metatarsi. Femoral spots absent. Abdomen brown with tan and white spots; posterior tubercle absent ( Fig. 38 ).

Male palp: Embolus spiral, follows margin of cymbium to tip, embolus tip wrapped by distal part of cymbium ( Fig. 40C ). Cymbium with a tooth-like process on retrolateral part ( Fig. 40B ).

Vulva: Epigynum with semicircular ridges radiating out from raised knob (Fig. 41A). Ventral plate heavily sclerotized, red ( Fig. 43A ). Spermathecae and ducts all heavily sclerotized ( Fig. 43B ). Spermathecae reniform. Copulatory ducts thick, follow simple curved path. Fertilization ducts run posteriorly and mesally, then turn anteriorly near tips.

Male (CASENT 9022509): Total length 0.83, carapace 0.38 long, 0.42 wide, clypeus 0.24, sternum 0.28 long, 0.26 wide, coxa IV separated by 1.64 times their width. Macrosetae: Leg I: patella d1, tibia d1, metatarsus p1; Leg II: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg III: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg IV: patella d1, tibia d1. Metatarsal macrosetae kinked beyond center, region beyond macroseta excavated prolaterally ( Fig. 40D ). Metatarsal trichobothria: TmI: 0.25; TmII: 0.26; TmIII: 0.35. Leg measurements: see Appendix A. Epiandrous gland spigots in two widely spaced clusters of three spigots each (Fig. 41C). Posterior lateral spinnerets with flagelliform and aggregate gland spigots reduced to nubbins ( Fig. 42F ).

Female (CASENT 9016244): Total length 1.13, carapace 0.45 long, 0.45 wide, clypeus 0.10, sternum 0.30 long, 0.30 wide, coxa IV separated by 1.75 times their width. Macrosetae: Leg I: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg II: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg III: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg IV: patella d1, tibia d1. Metatarsal trichobothria: TmI: 0.27; TmII: 0.28; TmIII: 0.34. Leg measurements: see Appendix A. Spinnerets ( Fig. 42 A-D).

Natural History. This species builds a three-dimensional spherical web typical of the Mysmenidae ( Fig. 26 B-D; see also page 12).

Figures

Figure 26. Webs of mysmenid spiders. A, Mysmena bizi sp. n. from Pianma, female; B, Gaoligonga changya sp. n. from QiQi He, female with eggs; C, D, Gaoligonga changya sp. n. from Guocai He at Fucai, female with eggs.

Figure 38. Gaoligonga changya sp. n. A, male from Lishadi; B-E, female from QiQi He. A, B, lateral; C, dorsal; D, ventral; E, posterior.

Figure 39. Gaoligonga changya sp. n. from Lishadi, male palp. A, prolateral; B, retrolateral. BK: basal keel; CB: cymbium; CT: cymbial tooth; MK: median keel; T: tegulum.

Figure 40. Gaoligonga changya sp. n. from Lishadi, SEM of male. A, palp, prolateral; B, palp, retrolateral; C, palp, dorsal; D, metatarsus I; E, prosoma, lateral; F, prosoma, dorsal. B: base of cymbium; BK: basal keel; CB: cymbium; CT: cymbial tooth; DL: distal lobe; E: embolus; MK: median keel; T: tegulum.

Figure 42. Gaoligonga changya sp. n., SEM. A-D, female; E, F, male. A, spinnerets; B, ALS; C, E, PMS; D, F, PLS, arrow indicates modified PLS seta. AC: aciniform gland spigot; AG: aggregate gland spigot; AGn: aggregate gland spigot nubbin; ALS: anterior lateral spinneret; CY: cylindrical gland spigot; FL: flagelliform gland spigot; FLn: flagelliform gland spigot nubbin; MAP: major ampullate gland spigot; mAP: minor ampullate gland spigot; n: nubbin; PI: piriform gland spigot; PLS: posterior lateral spinneret; PMS: posterior median spinneret; t: tartipore.

Figure 43. A-C, Gaoligonga changya sp. n. from QiQi He; D, E, Gaoligonga zhusun sp. n. from Shilajia village; F-G, Mosu nujiang sp. n. from Pee He; H, I, Mosu huogou sp. n. from Haban Falls. A, D, F, H, epigynum, ventral view; B, E, G, I, cleared vulva, dorsal view; C, eggs.CD: copulatory duct; FD: fertilization duct; S, spermatheca.

Figure 46. Gaoligonga zhusun sp. n. from Shilajia village, SEM of male.A, palp, prolateral; B, palp, retrolateral; C, palp, dorsal; D, chelicerae, lateral, dorsal to the left; E, prosoma, lateral; F, metatarsus I. B: base of cymbium; BK: basal keel; CB: cymbium; DL: distal lobe; E: embolus; MK: median keel; T: tegulum.

Figure 98. Distribution map, inset map shows study area. White: Simaoa maku sp. n.; blue: Simaoa bianjing sp. n.; red: Gaoligonga changya sp. n.; yellow:Gaoligonga zhusun sp. n.; orange: Crassignatha pianma sp. n.; purple: Crassignatha yinzhi sp. n.