Spermophora falcata, Yao, Zhiyuan & Li, Shuqiang, 2013

Yao, Zhiyuan & Li, Shuqiang, 2013, New and little known pholcid spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Laos, Zootaxa 3709 (1), pp. 1-51 : 43-51

Spermophora falcata sp. nov.

Figs 38–41

Type material. Holotype: Male ( IZCAS), Sinopoda Cave [17°26.953′N, 104°52.518′E, alt. 150 m], 9.66 km north of Thakhek Town, Ban Kouanphavang Khammouane, Laos, 23 November 2012, leg. Z. Yao (Yao-LA 053– 056). Paratypes: 1 male and 2 females ( IZCAS), same data as holotype.

Etymology. The specific name is from Latin falcatus (sickle-shaped), in reference to the shape of serrated ventral flap of procursus; adjective.

Diagnosis. The species resembles S. kaindi ( Huber 2005b: 69, figs 10 and 69–71), but can be distinguished by presence of a long apophysis accompanying a serrated, sickle-shaped, ventral flap on procursus ( Figs 38 A–D and 40A–B) and different distal elements of procursus ( Figs 38 A–D and 40A–B).

Description. Male (holotype): Total length 1.46 (1.55 with clypeus), prosoma 0.59 long, 0.65 wide, opisthosoma 0.87 long, 0.62 wide. Leg I: – (3.04 + 0.25 + 3.20 + – + –), leg II: 8.54 (2.50 + 0.23 + 2.25 + 2.78 + 0.78), leg III: 6.52 (1.81 + 0.23 + 1.70 + 2.15 + 0.63), leg IV: 9.89 (2.88 + 0.26 + 2.75 + 3.36 + 0.64); tibia I L/d: 58. Habitus as in Fig.

39C. Dorsal shield of prosoma and sternum yellowish, without marks. Legs yellowish, without darker rings. Opisthosoma yellowish, without spots. Distance ALE-ALE 0.25, diameter ALE 0.03, AME, PLE and PME absent. Ocular area not elevated. Thoracic furrow absent. Sternum wider than long (0.50/0.43). Chelicerae as in Fig. 40 C, with a pair of small apophyses proximally and a pair of short apophyses distally (distance between tips: 0.12). Pedipalpi as in Figs 38 A–B and 40A–B; trochanter with a short retrolatero-ventral apophysis; procursus simple proximally but complex distally, with a long apophysis accompanying a serrated, sickle-shaped, ventral flap; bulb with a large serrated apophysis provided with a hooked tip and a small apophysis, with a simple embolus. Retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia I at 8%; legs with short vertical hairs on tibiae and metatarsi, without spines and curved hairs.

Variation: Tibia I in another male: 2.72.

Female: Similar to male, habitus as in Figs 39 D–E. Tibia I (n=2): 2.63, 2.80 (mean: 2.72). One of the specimens measured: Total length 1.66 (1.75 with clypeus), prosoma 0.59 long, 0.63 wide, opisthosoma 1.07 long, 0.75 wide; tibia I: 2.63. Distance ALE-ALE 0.17, diameter ALE 0.04, AME, PLE and PME absent. Epigynum ( Figs 39 A and 40D) simple and flat externally, with dark internal shade, a pair of pockets 0.12 apart, and a posterior median pocket. Vulva ( Figs 39 B and 40E) with a wavy arch anteriorly and a pair of bent pore plates. Tarsus I with about 6 distinct pseudosegments.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 41 ).

Figures

FIGURE 38. Spermophora falcata sp. nov., male holotype. A – B. Pedipalpus (A. Prolateral view; B. Retrolateral view); C – D. Distal part of procursus (C. Prolateral view; D. Retrolateral view).

FIGURE 39. Spermophora falcata sp. nov., male holotype (C) and female paratype (A – B, D – E). A. Epigynum, ventral view; B. Vulva, dorsal view; C – E. Habitus (C – D. Dorsal view; E. Ventral view).

FIGURE 40. Spermophora falcata sp. nov., male holotype (A – C) and female paratype (D – E). A – B. Pedipalpus (A. Prolateral view; B. Retrolateral view); C. Chelicerae, frontal view; D. Epigynum, ventral view; E. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.10.

FIGURE 41. Known distribution of new species of Pholcidae from Laos. 1. Belisana champasakensis sp. nov.; 2. B. crystallina sp. nov.; 3. B. gigantea sp. nov.; 4. B. khanensis sp. nov.; 5. B. lancea sp. nov.; 6. B. martensi sp. nov.; 7. B. tadetuensis sp. nov.; 8. B. xiangensis sp. nov.; 9. Calapnita longa sp. nov.; 10. Khorata circularis sp. nov.; 11. K. dupla sp. nov.; 12. Pholcus arcuatilis sp. nov.; 13. P. sublaksao sp. nov.; 14. Spermophora falcata sp. nov.