Molestia yaojiapingensis, Irfan & Zhang & Peng, 2022

Irfan, Muhammad, Zhang, Zhi-Sheng & Peng, Xian-Jin, 2022, Survey of Linyphiidae (Arachnida: Araneae) spiders from Yunnan, China, Megataxa 8 (1), pp. 1-292 : 177-179

Molestia yaojiapingensis sp. nov. (ȐỂĤĢƦ)

Figures 210–212

km 350° N Pihe on Nu Jiang, 26.54978°N, 98.89438°E, alt. 1090m, 29 April 2004, Charles Griswold and D. H. Kavanaugh leg. ( CGY19 ) .

Distribution. China ( Fig. 212 ), France.

Remarks. The epigyne resembles Molestia molestus ( Tao, Li & Zhu, 1995) in having a similar reduced scape consisting only of the swollen proscapus, which has a very distinct anteromedian cleft ( Fig. 209A–C ). The scape is partly buried inside the epigynal cavity. Based on

Types. Holotype ♀, CHINA, Yunnan, Lushui County, Yaojiaping, at Pianma Road 44.7 km, 25.97479°N, 98.71027°E, alt. 2516m, disturbed forest; dusting webs in understory, 19–20 May 2005, Charles Griswold leg. ( CGY111 ) . Paratypes: 9♀, same data as holotype ( CGY111 ) .

Etymology. This epithet derives from the type locality.

Diagnosis. The female of the new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by the spermathecae situated dorso-mesally, pointing towards each other and separated by a minimal distance of their diameter ( Fig. 210A–C ); epigynal plate posteriorly with broad lobes on each side ( Fig. 210A–C ).

Description. Female (holotype, 211A, B): Total length: 2.14. Carapace 0.80 long, 0.67 wide, dark brown; fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.22 high. Sternum longer than wide, brown,, sparsely covered with microsetae. Labium wider than long. Maxillae long, distal end broad with scopulae. Chelicerae with five promarginal and three retromarginal teeth.AER recurved, PER straight, slightly wider. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.04, ALE 0.08, PME 0.07, PLE 0.07, AME–AME 0.03, PME–PME 0.04, AME–ALE, 0.05, PME–PLE 0.05, AME–PME 0.06, ALE–ALE 0.33, PLE–PLE 0.36, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 3.96 (1.05, 1.28, 0.97, 0.66), II 3.23 (0.94, 0.99, 0.79, 0.51), III 2.51 (0.72, 0.78, 0.62, 0.39), IV 3.25 (0.88, 1.06, 0.77, 0.54). Leg formula I-IV-II-III. Tm I 0.36, Tm IV absent. Tibial spine formula: 2-2-2-2. Abdomen 1.34 long, 0.91 wide, oval, gray, dorsally with distinct pattern; ventral side brown.

Epigyne ( Fig. 210A–C ): Scape longer than wide, round, with lateral pockets on inner surface. Stretcher absent. Posterior median plate broad, rectangular. Spermathecae situated dorso-mesally, pointing towards each other, separated by minimal distance of their diameter.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 212 ).

Genus Mughiphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 1999 (ƱƉƦø)

Figures

FIGURE 209. Molestia hamifer (Simon, 1884) comb. nov. female. A Epigyne, ventral view B Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURE 210. Molestia yaojiapingensis sp. nov. female holotype. A, B Epigyne, ventral view C Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURE 211. Molestia yaojiapingensis sp. nov., female holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view.

FIGURE 212. Distribution of Molestia species.