Nesticella xixia, Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016

Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, A survey of the spider family Nesticidae (Arachnida, Araneae) in Asia and Madagascar, with the description of forty-three new species, ZooKeys 627, pp. 1-168 : 33-35

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella xixia sp. n. Figs 37, 38, 82

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 3♂5♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Henan Province, Xixia County, Baihe Village, Yunhuabianfu Cave (33.30330°N, 111.42917°E, 373 m), 29.V.2014, Y. Li & J.C. Liu leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

This new species is closely related to Nesticella sanchaheensis sp. n. and Nesticella semicircularis . It can be separated from the former species by the sharper tip of the tegular apophysis (Tg), the much thinner and sharp ventral process I (Va-I) and the smaller and narrower distal process I of the paracymbium (Dp-I) when observed in retrolateral view (Fig. 37A, D vs. Fig. 31A, D); females are separated by the shorter ducts (Fd and Cd), the smaller spermathecae (S) and the almost round posterior margin of the scape (Sp) (Fig. 38G vs. Fig. 32G) which is flat in Nesticella sanchaheensis sp. n.. Nesticella xixia sp. n. can be distinguished from Nesticella semicircularis (see Liu and Li 2013b: 521, figs 19-22) by the slimmer ventral process I of the paracymbium (Va-I), the sharper tegular apophysis (Tg) and the different shape of the distal processes (Dp-I, Dp-II) (Fig. 37A, D vs. figs 19A, 20 A–B, 21 A–B, D) for the males; females instead are recognized by the wider scape (Sp), the smaller spermathecae (S) and the larger distance between the copulatory ducts (Cd) (Fig. 38 E–G vs. figs 20 C–E, 22 C–E). The general shape of the ventral and distal processes of the paracymbium (Dp-I and Dp-II), the short copulatory ducts (Cd) and the lobed scape (Sp) allow easy separation from all the other species of the brevipes -group.

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 38 A–D. Carapace pale yellow. Cervical groove faint, fovea distinct. Mouthparts slightly darker than the carapace. Legs uniformly pale yellow. Female palpal femur and patella yellowish, tibia and tarsus darker yellow. Opisthosoma uniformly greyish with faint dark marks. Dorsum darker than venter.

Male palp (Fig. 37 A–D): paracymbium with Va-I long, very thin and sharp, Va-II shorter and with a blunt tip (Fig. 37A, D); distal process strongly sclerotized, bifurcated (Fig. 37B, D). Dorsal apophysis wide and blunt (Fig. 37B). Terminal apophysis blunt, wrinkled and with a thick protuberance (Fig. 37C). Tegular apophysis short, strongly sclerotized with a sharp tip (Fig. 37A). Conductor with a short, spout-shaped, sclerotized process at the apex (Fig. 37A, D).

Epigyne (Fig. 38 E–G): wrinkled and translucent (Fig. 38E). Scape short, translucent, lobed with an almost round posterior margin, about two times wider than long (Fig. 38E). Spermathecae approximately round, separated by about their diameter (Fig. 38F). Fertilization ducts thin and long, reaching the spermathecae with more than three coils (Fig. 38 F–G). Copulatory ducts thick and short, basally constricted (Fig. 38G).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.84. Carapace 1.48 long, 1.33 wide. Opisthosoma 1.50 long, 1.06 wide. Clypeus height 0.26. Sternum 0.88 long, 0.82 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 2.97. Carapace 1.42 long, 1.25 wide. Opisthosoma 1.88 long, 1.56 wide. Clypeus height 0.27. Sternum 0.84 long, 0.80 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 82).