Psechrus crepido, Bayer, 2012

Bayer, Steffen, 2012, The lace-sheet-weavers — a long story (Araneae: Psechridae: Psechrus), Zootaxa 3379 (1), pp. 1-170 : 137-140

Psechrus crepido sp. nov.

Figs 76a–d , 77a–h , 83g , 86j , 89k , 92k

Psechrus torvus — Reimoser 1934: 467, misidentified (record of ♀ from Pumbarai, India).

Psechrus ghecuanus — Levi 1982: 122, figs 29–33, ad part, figs 32–33 misidentified (figs 32–33: illustration of ♀).

Type material. Holotype ♂ ( SB 644 ), INDIA: Tamil Nadu Province: Thiruchirappali (‘Trichinopoly’), ca. N 10°49', E 78°42', ca. 70 m; Noualhier (?) leg. 1895 (?); MNHN AR176 ; Paratypes (1 ♂, 10 ♀♀, 6 s.a. ♀♀): 1 ♂ ( SB 645 ) , 5 ♀♀ ( SB 646 , 649 , 650–652 ), 1 s.a . ♀ ( SB 647 ), with same data as for holotype; MNHN AR176 ; 3 ♀♀ ( SB 635–636 , 641 ), 3 s.a . ♀♀ ( SB 637 , 640 , 642 ), INDIA: Tamil Nadu Province: Kodaikanal , ca. N 10°14', E 77°29', ca. 2100 m; Noualhier (?) leg. 1895 (?); MNHN AR175 ; 2 ♀♀ ( SB 984–985 ), INDIA: Tamil Nadu Province: Kodaikanal , ca. N 10°14', E 77°29', 2130 m; V. Roth & B. Roth leg. 30.XII.1989; CAS 9032229; 2 s.a . ♀♀ ( SB 980–981 ), INDIA: Tamil Nadu Province: Kodaikanal, Silver Cascade roadside forest below Kodaikanal , N 10°15', E 77°31', ca. 1700 m; V. Roth & B. Roth leg. 31.XII.1989; CAS 9032228 .

Additional material examined (3 s.a. ♂♂, 1 p. s.a. ♀, 2 juvs). INDIA: Tamil Nadu Province: Kodaikanal , ca. N 10°14', E 77°29', ca. 2100 m; Noualhier (?) leg. 1895 (?); 1 p. s.a. ♀ ( SB 643 ), 1 s.a. ♂ ( SB 638 ), 1 juv. ( SB 639 ), MNHN AR175. Kodaikanal , ca. N 10°14', E 77°29', 2130 m; V. Roth & B. Roth leg. 30.XII.1989; 1 juv. ( SB

983), CAS 9032229. Thiruchirappali (‘Trichinopoly’), ca. N 10°49', E 78°42', ca. 70 m; Noualhier (?) leg. 1895 (?); 2 s.a. ♂♂ ( SB 648 , 653 ), MNHN AR176 .

Etymology. The specific name refers to the ventral protrusion at the embolus base of the male type specimens (Latin “crepido” means “protrusion, pedestal”; term (noun) in apposition.

Diagnosis. Males with an elongated embolus base (EB) possessing a distinct ventral protrusion basally ( Figs 76a–c ). Tegulum (T) basally with rounded section possessing numerous wrinkles and ridges ( Figs 76a–c ). Females with median septum (MS) continously diverging anteriorly and with a flat large-area bulge in front of MS ( Figs 77a,e , 89k ). Spermatheca with small, corner-like structure dorso-anterio-laterally and fused with distal winding of copulatory duct (CD) ( Figs 77b,d,f , 92k ).

Description. Male (Measurements of holotype first, those of partatype in parentheses behind; paratype male misses both legs IV):

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 9.4 (7.0), carapace width 6.9 (4.8), anterior width of carapace 3.6 (2.8), opisthosoma length 11.4 (8.2), opisthosoma width 5.5 (3.8). Eyes: AME 0.43 (0.34), ALE 0.49 (0.44), PME 0.50 (0.44), PLE 0.48 (0.42), AME–AME 0.29 (0.14), AME–ALE 0.07 (0.06), PME–PME 0.34 (0.17), PME–PLE 0.46 (0.30), AME–PME 0.75 (0.53), ALE–PLE 0.67 (0.46), clypeus height at AME 1.28 (0.69), clypeus height at ALE 1.08 (0.65).

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp: 11.3 (8.6) [4.3 (3.3), 1.9 (1.5), 1.8 (1.2), 3.3 (2.6)]; Legs: I 61.5 (47.4) [17.2 (12.7), 4.4 (3.1), 17.5 (13.0), 16.9 (12.4), 7.5 (6.2)], II 48.5 (36.0) [14.1 (10.1), 3.9 (2.9), 12.8 (9.3), 12.3 (9.1), 5.4 (4.6)], III 34.7 (25.8) [10.3 (7.8), 3.2 (2.3), 8.3 (6.1), 8.9 (6.5), 4.0 (3.1)], IV 51.0 [14.4, 3.6, 12.9, 14.1, 6.0]. Thus, legs in males, in relation to other Psechrus species , short: FEM-I+MTT-I/CL: ca. 3.6.

Spination. Palp: 151{141} (141), 110 (110), 1101 (1101); legs: femur I 556 (547), II 655{555} (556), III 555{545} (555), IV 554; patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3036 (3038), III 3036 (3036), IV 3036{3037}; metatarsus I–III 3035 (3035), IV 3037.

Palpal femur without modification and broadest distally ( Fig. 76d ). MC-I–II & MT-I absent.

Copulatory organ. Embolus (E) thin, not filiform, but somewhat compressed and conductor (C) thin, fleshy, membranous most distally and slightly curved proximally ( Figs 76a–b ). Subtegulum barely visible in ventral view. Sperm duct broad U-shaped ( Fig. 76b ). Cymbium dorsally with very dense scopula, covering 1/2 of cymbium ( Fig. 83g ). Palpal tibia short and strangely shaped ( Figs 76a–c ).

Female:

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 8.5–11.2, carapace width 6.1–8.0, anterior width of carapace 3.6–4.6, opisthosoma length 11.9–14.2, opisthosoma width 6.1–6.9. Eyes: AME 0.38–0.49, ALE 0.47–0.54, PME 0.47–0.51, PLE 0.49–0.52, AME–AME 0.23–0.33, AME–ALE 0.06–0.11, PME–PME 0.31–0.45, PME–PLE 0.43–0.58, AME–PME 0.76–0.84, ALE–PLE 0.57–0.80, clypeus height at AME 1.29–1.68, clypeus height at ALE 1.06–1.49.

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp: 9.7–13.6 [3.3–4.8, 1.4–2.0, 1.9–2.4, 3.1–4.4]; Legs: I 46.2–63.9 [12.8–17.4, 3.6–5.1, 12.9–17.5, 11.5–16.8, 5.4–7.1], II 36.3–51.1 [10.5–14.8, 3.3–4.6, 9.6–13.1, 8.6–13.0, 4.3–5.6], III 26.4–36.2 [8.1–10.9, 2.6–3.5, 6.2–8.6, 6.3–9.1, 3.2–4.1], IV 37.3–51.9 [10.6–15.0, 2.9–4.1, 9.8–13.2, 9.4–13.7, 4.6–5.9]. Thus, legs in females, in comparison to other Psechrus species , rather short: FEM- I+MTT-I/CL: 2.8–3.1.

Palpal claw with 14–16 teeth.

Spination. Palp: 141, 110, 1201 (1301), 1014; legs: femur I 556 (546), II 556 (556,546,657), III 555 (555,545), IV 554 (554,555); patella I–IV 000; tibia I 3036, II 3036 (3036,3037), III 3036 (3036,3034), IV 3036 (3036,3037); metatarsus I 3035 (3035), II 3035 (3037), III 3035 (3035), IV 3035 (3037).

Copulatory organ. Epigynal field (EF) somewhat indistinct but large ( Fig. 77a ). Epigynal muscle sigilla associated with EF, slit sense organs may be outside or within EF. Spermathecal heads bulbous, arising anteriomedial on receptacula-CD-complex ( Fig. 77b ).

Primordial copulatory organ. Pre-epigyne: Pre-septum (pre-MS) slightly broader than long, distal endings of its lateral margins not or just slightly extending medially ( Fig. 77h ). Pre-epigynal field small but continous.

Pre-vulva: Distal part of pre-CD larger than pre-receptacula ( Fig. 77g ).

Colouration of male and female (see also description for Psechrus ). Sternum light yellowish brown at lateral margins and with light brown to red-brown, tapered patch centrally. Median bands on carapace slightly serrated. Lateral bands broad to very broad (2–3x diameter of PME) and serrated. Light longitudinal line ventrally on opisthosoma continuous, meduim-sized in width. If measured centrally on opisthosoma, its width is 0.4–0.8 times the width of one half of the cribellum.

Variation of copulatory organs. The two males examined showed no significant variation. Females: Lateral margins of MS may be less diverging anteriorly ( Fig. 77e ). In one specimen they are just slightly diverging ( Fig. 89k ). Receptaculum-CD-complex may be narrower and/or basally with additional, smaller spermathecal head ( Figs 77f , 92k ).

Distribution. India ( Fig. 94 ).

Remarks: This species was already examined by Reimoser (1934), who obtained a ♀ from Pumbarai (presently Poombarai, Tamil Nadu Province, India), collected by J. Carl and K. Escher, XI.1926 – IV.1927, subsequently deposited in MHNG. He identified the specimen as P. torvus without providing an illustration. The respective female was not available for the present study (all material of Psechridae deposited in the arachnid collection of MHNG was provided by the curator, P. Schwendinger; there was no female from Pumbarai, India among the material; this specimen may have been mislaid or lost.). Nevertheless, according to his material list, Levi (1982) had examined and illustrated this specimen and identified it as P. ghecuanus . However, Levi denoted this female as “doubtful specimen”. His accurate illustrations ( Levi 1982, figs 32–33) of the copulatory organ unambiguously show that it is conspecific with P. crepido sp. nov. Moreover, Poombarai is only nine km West of Kodaikanal, where some of the paratypes of P. crepido sp. nov. designated herein, had been recorded.

Figures

FIGURES 76a–d. Psechrus crepido sp. nov., ♂ holotype SB 644 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. a–c ♂ palp (a prolateral, b ventral, c retrolateral view). d ♂ left palpal femur, retrolateral view.

FIGURES 77a–h. Psechrus crepido sp. nov., from India, Tamil Nadu Prov., ♀ adult and primordial copulatory organ. a–d ♀ paratype SB 646, e–f ♀ paratype SB 635, g–h s.a. ♀ paratype SB 647. a, e Epigyne, ventral view. b, f Vulva, dorsal view. c Schematic course of internal duct system. d Vulva, frontal view. g Pre-vulva, dorsal view. h Pre-epigyne, ventral view.

FIGURES 83a–g. Psechrus spp., photos of left (b–g) and right (a) ♂ palp, prolateral view. a P. ancoralis. b P. luangprabang. c P. jaegeri sp. nov. d P.elachys sp. nov. e P. kinabalu. f P. hartmanni sp. nov. g P. crepido sp. nov. a ♂ paratype SB 24 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. b ♂ holotype SB 1030 from Laos, Luang Prabang Prov. c ♂ paratype SB 302 from Laos, Champasak Prov. d ♂ paratype SB 862 from Thailand, Satun Prov. e ♂ holotype SB 237 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sabah Prov. f ♂ SB 624 from Sri Lanka. g ♂ holotype SB 644 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. Remark: cymbium dorsally with moderate dense- (a–b), very dense-scopula (d–g) or without any scopula (c).

FIGURES 86a–o. Psechrus spp., photos of left ♂ palp. a P.sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P. senoculatus. f P. clavis sp. nov. g P. torvus. h P. hartmanni sp. nov. i P. zygon sp. nov.? j P. crepido sp. nov. k P. schwendingeri sp. nov. l P.cebu. m–o P. kunmingensis. a ♂ syntype SB 521 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♂ paratype SB 882 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♂ SB 529 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♂ paratype SB 1150 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♂ paratype SB 537 from China, Hunan Prov. f ♂ paratype SB 1008 from Taiwan, Nantou County. g ♂ paralectotype SB 264 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. h ♂ SB 624 from Sri Lanka. i ♂ SB 848 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. j ♂ holotype SB 644 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. k ♂ holotype SB 143 from Philippines, Luzon, Mountain Prov. l ♂ holotype SB 149 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m–o ♂ from China, Yunnan Prov., Kunming. a–m, o ventral, n prolateral view.

FIGURES 89a–p. Psechrus spp., photos of epigyne, ventral view. a P. sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P.fuscaisp. nov. f P. kunmingensis. g P. senoculatus. h P.clavis sp. nov. i P. kenting. j P. taiwanensis. k P. crepido sp. nov. l P. cebu. m P. torvus. n P. hartmanni sp. nov. o P. zygon sp. nov. p P. tauricornis sp. nov. a ♀ paratype SB 524 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♀ holotype SB 881 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♀ paratype SB 194 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♀ paratype SB 1153 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. f ♀ SB 953 from China, Yunnan Prov. g ♀ SB 886 from China, Sichuan Prov. h ♀ paratype SB 614 from Taiwan, Taoyuan County. i ♀ paratype SB 618 from Taiwan, Taitung County. j ♀ holotype SB 238 from Taiwan. k ♀ paratype SB 984 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. l ♀ paratype SB 151 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m ♀ SB 941 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 845 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. o ♀ holotype SB 846 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. p ♀ paratype SB 849 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov.

FIGURES 92a–p. Psechrus spp., photos of vulva, dorsal view. a P. sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P.fuscaisp. nov. f P. kunmingensis. g P. senoculatus. h P.clavis sp. nov. i P. kenting. j P. taiwanensis. k P. crepido sp. nov. l P. cebu. m P. torvus. n P. hartmanni sp. nov. o P. zygon sp. nov. p P. tauricornis sp. nov. a ♀ paratype SB 524 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♀ holotype SB 881 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♀ paratype SB 194 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♀ paratype SB 1155 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. f ♀ SB 953 from China, Yunnan Prov. g ♀ SB 886 from China, Sichuan Prov. h ♀ paratype SB 831 from Taiwan, Chiayi County. i ♀ paratype SB 618 from Taiwan, Taitung County. j ♀ holotype SB 238 from Taiwan. k ♀ paratype SB 984 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. l ♀ paratype SB 151 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m ♀ SB 941 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 845 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. o ♀ holotype SB 846 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. p ♀ paratype SB 849 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov.

FIGURE 94. Distribution of Psechrus in southern India and Sri Lanka. Symbols: species belonging to the torvus-group. Arrow: Distribution of P. crepido sp. nov.