Lineacoelotes nitidus ( Li & Zhang, 2002 ) Li & Zhang, 2002

Xu, Xiang, Li, Shuqiang & Wang, Xin-Ping, 2008, Lineacoelotes, a new genus of Coelotinae from China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae), Zootaxa 1700, pp. 1-20 : 12-16

Lineacoelotes nitidus ( Li & Zhang, 2002) comb. nov.

Figs 25–32 , 39

Coelotes nitidus Li & Zhang 2002: 466 , figs 1–4 (female holotype from Lichuan, Hubei, China, deposited in IZCAS, examined).

Additional material examined: China: Hubei: Lichuan County (30.2°N, 108.6°E), Tenglongdong Cave, October 26, 2005, 8 females and 7 males (Xiang Xu & Xiufeng Zhang, IZCAS).

Diagnosis: The females of this species are similar to those of L. bicultratus and L. funiushanensis in spermathecal shape and in having anteriorly extending spermathecal heads. The widely separated epigynal teeth ( Fig. 25 ) easily distinguish them from L. bicultratus , but can be separated from L. funiushanensis by the relatively large atrium, which is separated from the epigastric furrow by less than its length ( Fig. 25 ), whereas L. funiushanensis has a narrow atrium that is separated from the epigastric furrow by approximately its length ( Fig. 5 ). Males of L. nitidus are also similar to those of L. funiushanensis and can be distinguished by the modifications of the conductor dorsal edge. The conductor dorsal edge of L. nitidus has a relatively small distal apophysis (C2) and a prolaterally extending apophysis and without a sharp tooth on top (C3) ( Figs 29, 31 ), whereas L. funiushanensis has slightly large distal apophysis (C2) and retrolaterally extending apophysis (c3) and a sharp tooth on top ( Figs 8, 10 ).

Description: See Li and Zhang (2002) for detailed somatic description.

Female: Eye measurements (one female from Tenglongdong Cave): AME 0.18; ALE 0.20; PME 0.18; PLE 0.20; AME-AME 0.10; ALE-PLE 0; PME-PME 0.10; PME-PLE 0.15. Chelicera with 3 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth. Epigynum with two long, strong, widely separated teeth, originating from anterior margin of atrium, separated by at least twice their basal width; atrium large, transversely extended, separated from epigastric furrow by approximately half its length; epigynal teeth reaching almost posterior margin of atrium; atrium extending into epigynum, forming broad copulatory duct; spermathecal heads long, originating medially on spermathecae, extending anteriorly and laterally; spermathecae small, oval-shaped, close together ( Figs 25, 26 ).

First description of male (one male from Tenglongdong Cave in Lichuan County): Total length 8.40. Prosoma length 4.40, width 3.05; opisthosoma length 4.00, width 2.70. Eye measurements: AME 0.23; ALE 0.23; PME 0.18; PLE 0.23; AME-AME 0.08; ALE-PLE 0; PME-PME 0.10; PME-PLE 0.14. Chelicera with 3 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth. Leg formula: IV, I, II, III; leg measurements: I: 16.0 (4.1 + 5.3 + 4.2 + 2.4); II: 14.2 (3.8 + 4.6 + 3.7 + 2.1); III: 13.3 (3.2 + 4.2 + 3.9 + 2.0); IV: 17.6 (4.3 + 5.6 + 5.3 + 2.4). Palpal patellar apophysis long, with more or less sharp distal end; RTA occupies most of tibial length, with distal end pointed; cymbial furrow slightly less than half of cymbial length; conductor distinctly separated into broad, short ventral apophysis (C1) and strongly modified dorsal edge; in addition to small, indistinct distal apophysis (C2) on retrolateral side of conductor dorsal edge, another small, prolaterally directed apophysis (C3) being situated on conductor dorsal edge; median apophysis spoon-shaped, rounded; embolic base originating more or less proximally, immediately extending distally; embolus moderately long, filiform ( Figs 27–32 ).

Distribution: China (Hubei) ( Fig. 39 ).

Figures

FIGURE 39. Records of species of Lineacoelotes gen. nov.

FIGURES 25 – 28. Lineacoelotes nitidus (Li & Zhang, 2002), male and female from Tenglongdong Cave, Lichuan, Hubei, China. 25 Epigynum, ventral view. 26 Epigynum, dorsal view. 27 Palp, conductor dorsal edge, prolateral view. 28 Palp, prolateral view.

FIGURES 29 – 32. Lineacoelotes nitidus (Li & Zhang, 2002), male from Tenglongdong Cave, Lichuan, Hubei, China, palp (29 Showing conductor dorsal edge, ventral view; 30 Showing conductor dorsal edge, retrolateral view; 31 Ventral view; 32 Retrolateral view).

FIGURES 5 – 7. Lineacoelotes funiushanensis (Hu, Wang & Wang, 1991), male and female from Qiliping, Neixiang, Henan, China. 5 – 6 Female, epigynum (5 ventral view; 6 dorsal view). 7 Male palp, prolateral view.

FIGURES 8 – 10. Lineacoelotes funiushanensis (Hu, Wang & Wang, 1991), male from Qiliping, Neixiang, Henan, China, palp (8 ventral view; 9 retrolateral view; 10 conductor dorsal edge, ventral view).