Pseudonesticus spinosus, Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016

Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, A survey of the spider family Nesticidae (Arachnida, Araneae) in Asia and Madagascar, with the description of forty-three new species, ZooKeys 627, pp. 1-168 : 61-63

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Pseudonesticus spinosus sp. n. Figs 74, 75, 81

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 4♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Guizhou Province, Suiyang County, Guihua Village, Mahuang Cave (28.24365°N, 107.28908°E, 730 m), 13.V.2007, J. Liu & Y. Lin leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the Latin word " spinosus " = spiny, thorny, and it is related to the spiked shape of the distal process of the paracymbium in the male; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The new species is closely related to Pseudonesticus dafangensis sp. n. (Figs 70 A–D, 71 E–H) and Pseudonesticus wumengensis sp. n. (Fig. 76 A–G). Males can be easily separated from those of the former species by the spiked distal process of the paracymbium (Dp), the shorter dorsal apophysis (Da) (Fig. 74 A–B, D vs. Fig. 70 A–B, D), the presence of a secondary tegular apophysis (Tg-II) (Fig. 74A vs. Fig. 70A) and the stouter, terminal apophysis (Ta) (Fig. 74A vs. Fig. 70A). Females can be distinguished from those of Pseudonesticus dafangensis sp. n. by the wider arrow-like scape (Sp), the ducts (Fd and Cd) closer to each other and the lighter coloration (Fig. 75 A–H vs. Fig. 71 A–H). They can be recognized from those of Pseudonesticus wumengensis sp. n. by the wider and more triangular scape (Sp) with a more pointed tip (Fig. 75 E–H vs. Fig. 76 D–G). The spiny distal process of the paracymbium (Dp) and the triangular, pointed epiginal scape (Sp) allow easy separation from all the other species of Pseudonesticus .

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 75 A–D. Carapace with sparse setae, pale yellow. Cephalic area flat. Eyes reduced to white eyespots. ALE=PLE=PME>AME. ALE and PLE adjoined. Cervical groove and fovea indistinct. Mouthparts and sternum pale yellow. Legs and female palps yellowish. Opisthosoma uniformly pale yellowish.

Male palp (Fig. 74 A–D): paracymbium with a short dorsal apophysis (Fig. 74B, D) and a long distal process bearing long and thick spines at the distal and dorsal margins (Fig. 74D). Terminal apophysis stout, hook-like, located at the tip of the tegular apophysis (Fig. 74A). Tegular apophysis wide (Fig. 74A, C). Conductor curved in the middle, with a finger-like apex (Fig. 74A, C–D). Embolus long, coiled into four loops at apex of bulb (Fig. 74A, C–D).

Epigyne (Fig. 75 E–H): broad and slightly, ventrally protruded, weakly sclerotized and partially translucent (Fig. 75 E–F). Scape wide, arrowhead-like, basally strongly sclerotized (Fig. 75E). Inner structures nearly perpendicular to the opisthosoma (Fig. 75 G–H). Spermathecae small, globular, separated by almost two diameters (Fig. 75H). Fertilization and copulatory ducts thin, long and coiled into three loops (Fig. 75 G–H). Vulval pockets wide, located around the spermathecae and the fertilization and copulatory ducts (Fig. 75 G–H).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.78. Carapace 0.84 long, 0.73 wide. Opisthosoma 1.03 long, 0.83 wide. Clypeus height 0.17. Sternum 0.54 long, 0.47 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 1.82. Carapace 0.74 long, 0.69 wide. Opisthosoma 1.00 long, 1.08 wide. Clypeus length 0.15. Sternum 0.50 long, 0.45 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 81).