Spiricoelotes chufengensis Chen & Li

Chen, Lu, Zhao, Zhe & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, Six new species of the spider genus Spiricoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in Jiangxi, China, ZooKeys 561, pp. 1-19 : 4-6

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Agelenidae

Spiricoelotes chufengensis Chen & Li sp. n. Figs 3, 4, 12

Type material.

Holotype ♂: China: Jiangxi: Ganzhou City: Ningdu County: Huangguan Village, Chufeng Cave, N26°29'35", E115°55'45", elevation: 395 m, 29.IV.2013, Y.F. Luo and J. Liu. Paratypes: 6♀, same data as holotype.

Etymology.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The male of the new species has a uniquely shaped male palp and can be easily distinguished from all other Spiricoelotes by the more slender, needle-like conductor (conductor spiralled or with looped apex in other species) and the shorter cymbial furrow (approximately 1/4 length of cymbium, in other species approximately 1/2 length of cymbium) (Fig. 3 A–C). The female of the new species can be easily distinguished from all of the other Spiricoelotes by the smaller (subequal to hoods) and posterolaterally situated epigynal atria, the bulb-shaped copulatory ducts and the broader spermathecae (Fig. 4 A–B).

Description.

Male (holotype): Total length 8.05. Carapace 4.25 long, 3.00 wide. Abdomen 3.80 long, 2.25 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.20, ALE 0.14, PME 0.18, PLE 0.18; AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.14, PME-PLE 0.13. Leg measurements: I 15.05 (4.23, 5.12, 3.45, 2.25); II 13.55 (3.85, 4.30, 3.35, 2.05); III 12.85 (3.75, 4.05, 3.25, 1.80); IV 16.80 (4.65, 4.95, 4.75, 2.45). Chelicerae with three promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis long, subequal to width of patella, with pointed tip, strongly curved; RTA with pointed tip, extending slightly beyond the tibia; LTA short; cymbial furrow short, approximately 1/4 length of cymbium; conductor long, needle-like, anteriorly extending; embolus, beginning at 6 o’clock to 6:30 position (Fig. 3 A–C).

Female (one of the paratypes): Total length 7.52. Carapace 3.60 long, 2.48 wide. Abdomen 3.92 long, 2.36 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.19, PME 0.14, PLE 0.18; AME-AME 0.06, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.11, PME-PLE 0.09. Leg measurements: I 13.15 (3.75, 4.45, 3.03, 1.92); II 11.24 (3.23, 3.80, 2.49, 1.72); III 10.62 (2.85, 3.32, 2.60, 1.85); IV 14.05 (3.80, 4.54, 3.80, 2.00). Chelicerae as in male. Epigyne: atria small, located posterolaterally; hoods distinct, located anterolaterally; spermathecae broad, convoluted; copulatory ducts bulb-shaped (Fig. 4 A–B).

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 12).