Theridion falcatum, Gao & Li, 2014

Gao, Cai-Xia & Li, Shu-Qiang, 2014, Comb-footed spiders (Araneae: Theridiidae) in the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, Zoological Systematics 39 (1), pp. 1-135 : 103-105

Theridion falcatum sp. nov. ( Figs 87–89 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun Nature Reserve , secondary tropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest (21º54.767'N, 101º11.431'E), 6 August 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective falcatus and means sickle-shaped, in reference to the conductor with a long outgrowth, shaped like a sickle.

Diagnosis. The new species is very similar to T. longipili , but can be distinguished by the conductor with a long

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

outgrowth; tegular apophysis straight; embolus with a basal apophysis.

Male. Total length 2.00. Prosoma 1.04 long, 0.81 wide, brown, with black stripes. Sternum 0.44 long, 0.44 wide, grey, without seta. Opisthosoma 1.13 long, 0.81 wide, grey, with 2–3 black stripes, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.10, ALE 0.09, PME 0.08, PLE 0.09, AME-AME 0.09, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.08, PME-PLE 0.07. Clypeus height about 2.00 times AME diameter, brown, with black edge. Chelicerae: brown, with 2 anterior teeth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.31 long, 0.15 wide, brown, with dark pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.10 long, 0.20 wide, with 6 setae, brown. Leg measurements: I 3.91 (1.05, 0.38, 1.00, 0.98, 0.50); II 2.76 (0.84, 0.34, 0.65, 0.53, 0.40); III 1.96 (0.58, 0.25, 0.38, 0.44, 0.31); IV 2.67 (0.81, 0.31, 0.50, 0.65, 0.40). Leg I coxa yellow, with black edge; femur yellow, with black spot; patella yellow, with black spot; tibia-tarsus yellow, without spot; femur with 2 rows of spines; patella with 2 spines; tibia with 2 spines, many trichobothria; metatarsus and tarsus without spine, with many trichobothria. Leg II similar to leg I, leg III, leg IV pale, metatarsus with 2 spines. Pedipalpus ( Figs 87A–B , 88A–D , 89A–D ): tibia yellow, with 2 trichobothria; cymbium yellow, without spot; paracymbium hooked; subtegulum broad; tegulum confined; median apophysis large, crinkled on surface, without protrusion; embolus long, with basal apophysis; conductor crinkled, with long outgrowth; tegular apophysis with tiny processes.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

Figures

Fig. 87. Theridion falcatum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bar = 0.10mm.

Fig. 88. Theridion falcatum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Conductor, ventral view; C. TTA, ventral view; D. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.

Fig. 89. Theridion falcatum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.