Spiralembolus, Wang & Li, 2023

Wang, Cheng & Li, Shuqiang, 2023, Notes on twelve species of jumping spiders from Hainan Island, China (Araneae, Salticidae), ZooKeys 1167, pp. 159-197 : 159

Genus Spiralembolus gen. nov.

Type species.

Spiralembolus yinggeling sp. nov. from Hainan, China designated herein.

Etymology.

The specific name is a combination of spiral and embolus, referring to the species that has spiral embolus. The gender is masculine.

Diagnosis.

Spiralembolus gen. nov. can be recognized as a member of the tribe Euophryini Simon, 1901 for the same reasons as Logunattus gen. nov. It is remarkable for the thick, spiral embolus. It above diagnosed with Logunattus gen. nov. It also resembles that of Euochin Prószyński, 2018 in having similar habitus and palpal structure, especially the presence of white setae on the dorsum of palpal tibia and cymbium, and the oval or round spermathecae, but it can be easily distinguished by the following: (1) the thick, spiralled embolus, not forming a disc at base, vs. flagelliform, coiled embolus, and mostly forming a disc at base in Euochin ( Zha et al. 2014: figs 5, 8, 16, 19; Metzner 2023); (2) the presence of a cluster of white setae on clypeus, and dorsal abdominal scutum in males, vs. absent in Euochin ( Zha et al. 2014: figs 2, 13; Metzner 2023); (3) the epigyne lacking pair of oval or round transparent atria, and the concomitant lateral ridges, vs. present in Euochin ( Zha et al. 2014: figs 3, 10, 14, 21; Metzner 2023). The genus also somewhat resembles that of Chalcovietnamicus Marusik, 1991 in having similar epigyne, but it can be easily distinguished by the presence of clusters of white setae on clypeus, and the dorsum of tibia and cymbium of palp, the spiralled embolus lacks lamellar basal apophysis, vs. without clusters of white setae on clypeus, and the dorsum of tibia and cymbium of palp, non-spiralled embolus with lamellar basal apophysis in Chalcovietnamicus ( Żabka 1985: figs 71-74; Wang and Li 2022a: figs 3A-C, 4F).

Description.

Small-sized jumping spider. Sexual dimorphism scarcely evident. Carapace darker in males and, covered with cluster of white setae on clypeus that only presents in males, with elevated, sub-square cephalic region bearing thin setae, and sloped thorax with dark brown stripes; fovea dark red, longitudinal. Chelicerae each with two promarginal teeth and one retromarginal tooth. Endites widened distally, with paler inner margins bearing dense brown setae. Labium tapered, almost linguiform. Sternum longer than wide, with straight anterior margin, bearing brown and pale setae of various lengths. Legs yellow to dark brown, spinous, with clusters of white setae on femora and tibiae that only present in males. Abdomen darker in males, dorsum covered with dense white setae and with antero-median scutum, those only present in males, and with several transverse, pale stripes posteriorly in both sexes; venter setose.

Palp. Tibia very short, covered with dorsal white setae; RTA short, curved medially or distally, with rather blunt tip; cymbium longer than wide, covered with dorsal white setae on proximal half; bulb swollen; embolus thick, strongly sclerotized, originates from the prolatero-apical portion of bulb, spiralled into coils.

Epigyne. Wider than long, without distinct atrium; copulatory openings located anteriorly or medially, round or oval, separated from each other at least their width; copulatory ducts short, strongly curved anteriorly; spermathecae oval or spherical, with distinct Bennett’s glands; fertilization ducts originate from the anterior portions of spermathecae, extending transversely.

Composition.

The genus only contains two species, the generotype, and S. yui sp. nov.

Distribution.

Known only from Hainan Island, China.