Spiricoelotes xianheensis Chen & Li

Chen, Lu, Zhao, Zhe & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, Six new species of the spider genus Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in Jiangxi, China, ZooKeys 561, pp. 1-19 : 9

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Agelenidae

Spiricoelotes xianheensis Chen & Li sp. n. Figs 9, 10, 12

Type material.

Holotype ♂: China: Jiangxi: Ganzhou City: Chongyi County: Niedu Village, Xianhe Cave, N25°28'40", E114°06'56", elevation: 402 m, 23.IV.2013, Y.F. Luo and J.C. Liu. Paratypes: 1♂1♀, same data as holotype.

Etymology.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The male of the new species is similar to Spiricoelotes anshiensis sp. n. and Spiricoelotes nansheensis sp. n. but can be distinguished from them by the less modified conductor (conductor without outgrowth at base in this species, with one outgrowth in Spiricoelotes anshiensis sp. n. and 2 outgrowths in Spiricoelotes nansheensis sp. n.) and having more loops in conductor (2 loops in this species, 1 loop in Spiricoelotes anshiensis sp. n. and Spiricoelotes nansheensis sp. n.) (Fig. 9 A–C). The female of the new species has a uniquely shaped epigyne and can be distinguished from all of the other Spiricoelotes species by the medially situated and U-shaped atrium and the copulatory ducts that are looped around the spermathecal heads (Fig. 10 A–B).

Description.

Male (holotype): Total length 6.90. Carapace 3.20 long, 2.25 wide. Abdomen 3.70 long, 2.13 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.14, PME 0.15, PLE 0.17; AME-AME 0.05, AME-ALE 0.02, PME-PME 0.08, PME-PLE 0.06. Leg measurements: I 14.76 (3.96, 4.95, 3.55, 2.30); II 14.23 (3.88, 4.80, 3.40, 2.15); III 13.08 (3.60, 3.80, 3.40, 2.28); IV 17.32 (4.50, 5.13, 5.13, 2.56). Chelicerae with 3 promarginal and 4 retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis shorter than patellar width, strongly curved; RTA with blunt tip, extending beyond tibia; LTA short, about 1/4 length of RTA; cymbial furrow long, approximately 1/3 length of cymbium; conductor long, anteriorly extending, with looped apex; embolus beginning at 6 o’clock position; base of embolus rather small, ovoid, almost vertically directed (Fig. 9 A–C).

Female (one of paratypes): Total length 7.87. Carapace 3.32 long, 2.28 wide. Abdomen 4.55 long, 3.00 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.14, PME 0.13, PLE 0.12; AME-AME 0.05, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.09, PME-PLE 0.11. Leg measurements: I 14.12 (3.60, 4.60, 3.68, 2.24); II 12.32 (3.40, 3.92, 3.00, 2.00); III 12.38 (3.32, 3.76, 3.20, 2.10); IV 15.32 (4.17, 4.68, 4.17, 2.30). Chelicerae as in male. Epigyne: atrium small, situated medially, U-shaped; hoods distinct, located anterolaterally; spermathecae long, convoluted; spermathecal heads small; copulatory ducts broad, looped around spermathecal heads (Fig. 10 A–B).

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 12).