Episinus bonjovi Lin & Li, 2021

Lin, Yejie, Marusik, Yuri M., Gao, Caixia, Xu, Hao, Zhang, Xiaoqing, Wang, Ziyi, Zhu, Wenhui & Li, Shuqiang, 2021, Twenty-three new spider species (Arachnida: Araneae) from Asia, Zoological Systematics 46 (2), pp. 91-152 : 135-138

Episinus bonjovi Lin & Li , sp. nov. ( Figs 38A–C , 39A–B , 40A–D, 53A–B )

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to E. unitus Levi, 1964 , but it can be distinguished by the larger atrium, the nephroid S, the conspicuous CD, and the medially curved FDs.

Description. Male (holotype, IZCAS-Ar42451, Figs 38A–C , 40C–D, 53A ). Total length 2.10. Prosoma 0.88 long, 0.68 wide, flat, pale yellow, with a broad reddish brown stripe at middle, anterior part of ocular area with two distinct processes. Sternum 0.41 long, 0.38 wide, pale yellow. Opisthosoma 1.13 long, 1.13 wide, pale yellow, with 3 protuberances and white spots. Eyes developed: AME 0.09, ALE 0.05, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.02, PME–PME 0.06, PME–PLE 0.03. Clypeus height about 1.64 times AME diameter. Leg I femur 1.55, patella 0.30, tibia 1.33, metatarsus 1.30, tarsus 0.63. Patella and tibia II–IV: 0.88, 0.63, 0.88. Legs pale yellow, tip of femur IV and base of patella reddish brown.

Palp ( Figs 38A–C , 40C–D). ST confined; Sp distinct in ventral view; E long and slender; TTA with tiny tubes and 2 acute protuberances; C huge.

Female (paratypes, IZCAS-Ar42455, Figs 39A–B , 40A–B, 53B ). Total length 3.63. Prosoma 1.03 long, 0.94 wide, flat, pale yellow, with a broad reddish brown stripe at middle, anterior part of ocular area with 2 distinct processes. Sternum 0.61 long, 0.46 wide, pale yellow. Opisthosoma 2.42 long, 3.12 wide, brown or pale, with tiny white spots and 3 protuberances. Eyes developed.

Epigynum ( Figs 39A–B , 40A–B). Atrium large; S nephroid; CD strong sclerotized; FDs bent at middle.

Material examined. Holotype ♂, China: Yunnan, Menglun Nature Reserve (21.9588°N, 101.2064°E; elev. ca. 899 m), 6 August 2007, leg. Guo Zheng (IZCAS-Ar42451) . Paratypes. 3♂ (IZCAS-Ar42452–Ar42454), 3♀ (IZCAS-Ar42455– Ar42457), same data as holotype .

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Etymology. The species name is honoring the American rock band Bon Jovi, composer of the music album "Have a Nice Day" and the singles "Because We Can" and "Living On A Prayer", which encouraged the author by their songs full of romance and freedom; noun (name) in apposition.

Variation. Male (paratypes; n = 3). Total length 1.88–1.93; prosoma 0.68–0.72 long, 0.63–0.65 wide; sternum 0.35–0.38 long, 0.30–0.38 wide; opisthosoma 1.13–1.18 long, 1.13–1.18 wide. Female (paratypes; n = 3). Total length 3.25–3.75. Prosoma 1.00–1.10 long, 0.90–1.00 wide, Sternum 0.60–0.65 long, 0.48–0.50 wide, pale yellow. Opisthosoma 2.25–2.65 long, 3.00–3.25 wide.

Figures

Figure 38. Episinus bonjovi Lin & Li, sp. nov., holotype male, left palp. A. Prolateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Retrolateral view. Scale bars=0.1mm.

Figure 39. Episinus bonjovi Lin & Li, sp. nov., paratype female. A. Epigyne, ventral view; B. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.02mm.

Figure 53. Habitus of six new Theridiidae species, male dorsal view (A–C, E, G–L), lateral view (H, J, L) and female dorsal view (B, D, F, H). A–B. Episinus bonjovi Lin & Li, sp. nov.; C–D, E. jiangweni Lin & Li, sp. nov.; E–F. E. tongyani Lin & Li, sp. nov.; G–H. Meotipa luoqiae Lin & Li, sp. nov.; I–J. M. menglun Lin & Li, sp. nov.; K–L. M. zhengguoi Lin & Li, sp. nov. Scale bars= 1.0mm.