Parasteatoda palmata, Gao & Li, 2014

Gao, Cai-Xia & Li, Shu-Qiang, 2014, Comb-footed spiders (Araneae: Theridiidae) in the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, Zoological Systematics 39 (1), pp. 1-135 : 57-58

Parasteatoda palmata sp. nov. ( Figs 44–46 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun Nature Reserve , primary tropical seasonal rainforest (21º57.669'N, 101º11.893'E), 5–12 November 2006, Guo Zheng leg.

Paratypes: 1♂, Menglun Nature Reserve , primary tropical seasonal rainforest (21º57.669'N, 101º11.893'E), 19–25 November 2006, Guo Zheng leg. ; 1♂, Menglun Nature Reserve , primary tropical seasonal rainforest (21º57.445'N, 101º12.997'E), 10–20 June 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective palmatus and means palmlike, in reference to the conductor shaped like palm.

Diagnosis. The new species is very similar to P. campanulata , but can be distinguished by the conductor palmlike; tegular apophysis with 2 distal apophyses.

Male (measurements of holotype). Total length 1.60. Prosoma 0.79 long, 0.69 wide, flat, yellow, with black stripes, 3 setae. Sternum 0.44 long, 0.44 wide, grey, with some setae. Opisthosoma 0.86 long, 0.56 wide, pale, with black stripes, long setae, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.09, ALE 0.09, PME 0.09, PLE 0.09, AME-AME 0.09, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.06, PME-PLE 0.05. Clypeus height about 1.43 times AME diameter, yellow. Chelicerae: yellow, with 2 anterior teeth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.21 long, 0.09 wide, yellow, with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.06 long, 0.14 wide, with 6 setae, yellow. Leg measurements: I 4.25 (1.30, 0.25, 1.09, 1.15, 0.46); II 3.36 (1.00, 0.31, 0.81, 0.75, 0.49); III 2.62 (0.81, 0.26, 0.56, 0.59, 0.40); IV 3.04 (0.94, 0.28, 0.71, 0.73, 0.38). Leg I coxa pale yellow, without spot; femur yellow without spot; patella-tarsus pale yellow, without spot; femur with 2 rows of spines; patella with 1 distal spine; tibia with many spines, one of them very strong; metatarsus and tarsus with many spines. Legs II–IV similar

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135 to leg I, femora pale yellow. Pedipalpus ( Figs 44A–B , 45A–C , 46A–D ): tibia pale yellow, with 1 trichobothrium; cymbium pale yellow, with black spot; paracymbium hooded; subtegulum confined; tegulum broad; median apophysis smooth; embolus long, contrarotate; conductor palmated; tegular apophysis with 2 acute apophyses.

Variation. Male paratypes. One male with black edge on prosoma. Opisthosoma grey with pale spots; legs pale yellow, femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus and tarsus with black spot. Total length 1.63–1.65; prosoma 0.75–0.88 long, 0.68–0.81 wide; sternum 0.44–0.45 long, 0.46–0.50 wide; opisthosoma 0.88–1.00 long, 0.64–0.74 wide.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 44. Parasteatoda palmata sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.

Fig. 45. Parasteatoda palmata sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Conductor and TTA, ventral view; C. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.

Fig. 46. Parasteatoda palmata sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.