Asiagone, Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2014

Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2014, New species and records of linyphiid spiders from Laos (Araneae, Linyphiidae), Zootaxa 3841 (1), pp. 67-89 : 69

Asiagone new genus

Type species Asiagone signifera n. sp.

Etymology. The genus name Asiagone is a combination of the words “Asia” and “ Erigone ”, the gender is feminine.

Diagnosis. This new genus is distinguished from all other linyphiids by its peculiar structure of the embolic division, notably, by the long embolus forming a wide loop that is partly covered by a large, flat and complex convector (after Tanasevitch 1998, 2011). The embolus has a structure in the middle or in the distal part, which resembles an exfoliated chitinous tunic of a special, “flag-like” shape (“F” in Figs 5, 6 , 13 ).

Phylogenetics. Monophyly of Asiagone is supported by two putative synapomorphies, derived from the morphology of the male palp, i.e., the coiled embolus partly covered with chitinous tunic and the presence of the large, flat and complex convector, which holds and protects the embolus. Unfortunately, the peculiar structure of the palp, coupled with the absence of corresponding female material makes it difficult yet to hypothesize the closest relatives of this genus. Such are likely to be found among other Southeast Asian erigonines.

Description. Medium - sized Erigoninae , total length 2.00–2.46. Carapace modified or not, eyes normal, or somewhat enlarged, pits presence or not ( Figs 1 , 7 ). Chelicerae unmodified, mastidion absent, stridulatory furrows fine. Chaetotaxy: 2.2.1.1, length of spines about 1.5–2 diameter of segment. All metatarsi with a trichobothrium, TmI, 0.41–0.44. Palp ( Figs 2–6 , 8–14 ): Patella without special setae. Tibia and cymbium unmodified. Paracymbium simple, L-shaped. Distal suprategular apophysis and median membrane present, both welldeveloped. Radical part of embolic division very small, with a membranous tissue around which connects the convector to the radix. Convector a flat sclerite of variable shape, with its outer margin folded to sheath the distal part of the embolus. Embolus long, thin to thick, forming a loop, near middle or distally bearing a structure (“flag”) of variable shape. Opisthosoma variegated, dorsal pattern present.

Composition. Asiagone signifera n. sp. (the type species) and A. perforata n. sp.

Distribution. Laos.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. Asiagone signifera n. sp. male paratype (from Tad Itou, Laos). 1, Carapace, lateral. 2, Right palp, retrolateral. 3, Palpal tibia, dorsal. 4, Distal suprategular apophysis, lateral. 5, Embolic division and part of distal suprategular apophysis, lateral. 6, Embolus, lateral.

FIGURES 7 – 14. Asiagone perforata n. sp. male paratypes (from Ban Keng Koung, Laos). 7, Carapace, lateral. 8, Right palp, retrolateral, 9, prolateral. 10, Palpal tibia, dorsal. 11, Paracymbium, lateral. 12, Distal suprategular apophysis, lateral. 13, Embolic division, lateral. 14, Median membrane of other paratype, lateral.