Asceua adunca, Zhang & Zhang, 2018

Zhang, Bao-Shi & Zhang, Feng, 2018, Two new species of the spider Family Zodariidae from Laos, Zootaxa 4459 (2), pp. 285-300 : 286-290

Asceua adunca sp. nov.

( Figs 1–3 )

Type material. Holotype male (Z-Laos-11-21), LAOS, Champasak Province: Pakse City, Tad Etu (N 15°11', E 106°06'), 17 Nov. 2011, Z.Z. Gao leg . Paratypes: 3 males (Z-Laos-11-22 - Z-Laos-11-24) and 6 females (Z-Laos- 11-25 - Z-Laos-11-30), same data as holotype ; 2 males (Z-Laos-11-60,Z-Laos-11-61) and 2 females (Z-Laos-11- 62, Z-Laos-11-63), Pakse City, Tad Etu (N 15°11', E 106°06'), 21 Nov. 2011, Z.Z. Gao leg.

Diagnosis. The males of Asceua adunca sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Asceua species by the combination of the following characters: membranous conductor long and parallel to the terminal part of embolus, the median apophysis with a very long and thin hook-like extension; the shape of tegulum, the RTA bifurcate ( Figs 2A–C , 3A–C ). Asceua adunca sp. nov. resembles to Asceua quadrimaculata Zhang, Zhang & Jia, 2012 by the shape of tegulum and the RTA bifurcate, two small epigynal copulatory openings and a small central epigynal pocket, but it differs from the latter by the hook-like extension of the median apophysis, the two distant copulatory openings and the smaller spermathecae ( Figs 2D, E , 3D, E ).

Etymology. The specific name is from Latin word “ adunca ”, in reference to the hook-like extension of the median apophysis; adjective.

Description. Male (holotype): Total length 2.03: prosoma 1.07 long, 0.73 wide; opisthosoma 0.82 long, 0.70 wide. Carapace ( Fig. 1A ) longer than wide, brown, median part with faint black patch in front of black fovea, margins black, thorax elevated, tegument smooth and shiny. Clypeus 0.24 high, brown. Anterior eye row slightly procurved, posterior eye row strongly procurved in dorsal view. Each eye ringed with black. Eye diameters: AME 0.08, ALE 0.08, PME 0.07, PLE 0.09. Eye interdistances: AME–AME 0.02, AME–ALE 0.08, ALE–ALE 0.30, AME–PME 0.07, PME–PME 0.08, PME–PLE 0.08, PLE–PLE 0.41, ALE–PLE 0.07. MOQ 0.22 long, anterior width 0.18, posterior width 0.21. Chilum poorly defined. Mouthpart ( Fig. 1B ): chelicerae brown, with two anterior and one posterior teeth on margins of fang furrows, terminal part with row of black scopulae, fangs short; endites brown, apices paler and provided with dense black scopula; labium triangular, 0.16 long, 0.15 wide, brown, median part with semi-orbicular dark band. Sternum ( Fig. 1B ) 0.51 long, 0.50 wide, brown, lateral margin dark, provided with sparse black setae, its lateral margin with inter- and intra-coxal triangles. Legs ( Figs 1A, B ) yellow-brown, each femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus with some black patches at extremities. Leg measurements: leg?3.10 (0.86 + 0.53 + 0.50 + 0.76 + 0.45),? 2.42 (0.67 + 0.29 + 0.44 + 0.65 + 0.37),? 1.63 (0.63 + 0.17 + 0.21 + 0.38 + 0.24),? 3.19 (0.89 + 0.18 + 0.57 + 1.05 + 0.50). Leg formula: 4123. Opisthosoma ( Figs 1A, B ) oval, longer than wide, covered with black short hair. Dorsum of opisthosoma slightly sclerotized, dark brown, with three pairs of lighter brown patches, posterior one connected by narrow transversal median light band; anterior part of venter yellow. Spinnerets ( Fig. 1B ) yellow pale, laterally with two blackish patches.

Male palp ( Figs 2A–C , 3A–C ): Median apophysis wide and strong, retrolaterally with long and thin hook-like extension; palpal tibia with strong ventral and retrolateral blunt process, retrolateral tibial apophysis wide, triangular and dorsal tibial apophysis finger-shaped. Cymbium with terminal spine and with pro- and retrolateral folds not reaching tip.

Female. One of the specimens (Z-Laos-11-25) measured: Total length 2.74: prosoma 1.14 long, 0.85 wide; opisthosoma 1.61 long, 1.26 wide. Carapace brown. Clypeal height 0.20. Eye diameters: AME 0.07, ALE 0.06, PME 0.08, PLE 0.08. Eye interdistances: AME–AME 0.03, AME–ALE 0.04, ALE–ALE 0.35, AME–PME 0.16, PME–PME 0.10, PME–PLE 0.09, PLE–PLE 0.47, ALE–PLE 0.14. MOQ 0.31 long, front width 0.19, back width 0.23. Mouthpart ( Fig. 1D ): labium 0.19 long, 0.25 wide. Sternum 0.55 long, 0.57 wide. Leg measurements: I 2.67 (0.63 + 0.23+ 0.65 + 0.68 + 0.48), II 2.22 (0.55 + 0.25 + 0.54 + 0.57 + 0.31), III 2.60 (0.60 + 0.30 + 0.58 + 0.71 + 0.41), IV 3.70 (0.78 + 0.29 + 0.88 + 1.16 + 0.59). Leg formula: 4132. Dorsum of opisthosoma black, without dorsal scutum, with two pairs of white anterior patches, followed posteriorly by four transversal median bands; venter yellowish-white. Other color as in male ( Figs 1C, D ).

Female genitalia ( Figs 2D, E , 3D, E ) with central epigynal pocket, copulatory openings situated in posterior part of epigyne; long and winding copulatory ducts visible through integument; spermathecae small and oval, situated posteriorly and well separated.

Distribution. Laos (Champasak).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Asceua adunca sp. nov., male holotype (A–B) and female paratype Z-Laos-11-25 (C–D). A–D. Habitus (A, C, dorsal view; B, D, ventral view).

FIGURE 2. Asceua adunca sp. nov., male holotype (A–C) and female paratype Z-Laos-11-25 (D–E). A–C. Left male palp (A, ventral view; B, retrolateral view; C, prolateral view); D. Epigyne, ventral view; E. Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURE 3. Asceua adunca sp. nov., male holotype (A–C) and female paratype Z-Laos-11-25 (D–E). A–C. Left male palp (A, ventral view; B, retrolateral view; C, prolateral view); D. Epigyne, ventral view; E. Vulva, dorsal view.