Pseudopoda spiculata ( Wang, 1990 )

Jäger, Peter & Vedel, Vincent, 2007, Sparassidae of China 4. The genus Pseudopoda (Araneae: Sparassidae) in Yunnan Province, Zootaxa 1623, pp. 1-38 : 32-34

Pseudopoda spiculata ( Wang, 1990)

Figs 120–127 , 137

Heteropoda spiculata Wang, 1990: 8 , figs 13–14 (male holotype from Mt. Xishan, 24°29'N, 102°02' E [see note below], Yunnan Province, China, 24 October 1978, Wang, HNU, Sparassidae # 42, examined). — Song, Zhu and Chen 1999: 468, fig. 268Q.

Pseudopoda spiculata . —Jäger 2001b: 100, figs 57c–d (transfer from Heteropoda ).

Other material examined. CHINA: Yunnan Province: 3 females (PJ 1922–1924), 1 subadult female (PJ 2256), 2 juveniles (PJ 2257–2258), Kunming, Mt. Xishan Forest Park, moist valley, leaf and pine needle litter, 24°58'32.18''N, 102°37'31.86''E, 19 April 1999, P. Jäger (2 females, 1 subadult female, 2 juveniles SMF; 1 female IOZ).

Note. Although no male was found together with the females examined, both sexes can be recognised as conspecific due to their colour pattern and their occurrence in the same locality. GPS data listed in the original description for the type locality seem to be wrong, as the given coordinates are located about 80 kilometres SW of Mt. Xishan. There is no other Xishan known in the surrounding area than that close to Kunming (Li, pers. comm.).

Diagnosis. Small-sized Heteropodinae. The species may be recognised by the following combination of characters: Males ( Figs 120–122 ) — 1. Very short and hook-shaped embolus, 2. Long dorsal RTA in combination with the claw-shaped ventral RTA. Females ( Figs 123–125 ) — 1. Lateral lobes extending only very slightly beyond epigastric furrow, 2. Internal duct system different from other Pseudopoda spp., i.e. running roughly longitudinal from anterior situated openings in three loops to posterior.

Description. Female: PL 3.4–3.6, PH 1.3–1.5, PW 3.1–3.3, AW 1.7–1.8, OL 3.9–4.1, OW 2.1–2.9. Eyes: AME 0.19–0.20, ALE 0.26–0.29, PME 0.21–0.24, PLE 0.27, AME–AME 0.17–0.18, AME–ALE 0.05, PME–PME 0.25–0.28, PME–PLE 0.29–0.31, AME–PME 0.26, ALE–PLE 0.22–0.23, CH –AME 0.29–0.36, CH –ALE 0.23–0.31.

Leg formula: 2143. Spination: PP 131, 0 0 1, 2121, 1004; FE I–III 323(2), IV 331; PA 001; TI I 2126, II 2(3)12(3)6, III–IV 2126; MT I–II 2024, III 3024, IV 3036. Measurements of palps and legs (in brackets PJ 1922): PP 4.6–4.8 [1.4, 0.8, 1.0, 1.6], I 12.6–12.7 [3.6, 1.5, 3.5, 3.0, 1.1], II 13.7–13.9 [4.0, 1.7, 3.7, 3.2, 1.3], III 10.7–11.1 [3.3, 1.5, 2.9, 2.5, 0.9], IV 12.4–12.6 [3.8, 1.3, 3.0, 3.3, 1.2].

Copulatory organ as in diagnosis. Epigynal field slightly longer than wide, anterior margin rounded, without anterior bands. Median margins of lateral lobes slightly curved touching each other in posterior half ( Fig. 123 ). Internal ducts forming wide tubes, clearly visible in dorsal view, i.e. not hidden by lateral lobes in their posterior part ( Fig. 124 ).

Colour: Yellowish- to reddish-brown with distinct and vivid pattern. DS with radial markings consisting of single dots; anterior half with marble-like pattern; submarginal bright band in posterior half. CC, ST ( Fig. 126 ), CX and GC pale yellowish-brown with brown patches, these larger and more distinct on frontal CC. Appendages with brown spine patches and numerous spots ( Fig. 127 ), in contrast to other species also distinctly in TI and MT. Dorsal OS variable in colouration: one female almost entirely dark only with slightly recognisable chevron-like lines in posterior half (PJ 1923), another female with bright parts in anterior half (PJ 1922), the third female with bright anterior half and large bright patch in dark posterior half (PJ 1924); lateral OS with irregular pattern; ventral OS bright with irregular brown patches, these larger along two converging lines.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality (13 in Fig. 137 ).

Relationships. Copulatory organs in both sexes are unique for the genus. No statements on their systematic position can be drawn presently.

Figures

FIGURE 137. Localities of Pseudopoda spp. in Yunnan and adjacent regions. 1 — Wengshang, 55 km N Zhongdian (shuqiangi); 2 — Tuguancun, 51 km SSE Zhongdian (yinae), 3 — Qiqi He (contentio), 4 — Bridge Camp (No. 12) (contentio, gongschana), 5 – 6 — Danzhu He (5 — 15.7 – 16.0 air km SW of Gongshan: contentio, saetosa; 6 — 13.5 air km SSW of Gongshan: contentio, gongschana), 7 — Pianma (amelia, digitata, sinapophysis), 8 — Zhon Lushui Xian (interposita), 9 — Luoshuidong (obtusa, sinapophysis), 10 — Nankang (contraria, sinapophysis), 11 — Yangbi (yunnanensis), 12 — Dali (cangschana, daliensis, rivicola), 13 — Xishan (bibulba, roganda, spiculata), 14 — Hsiao Meng Lun (cf. bibulba). Open square — Adung Valley; N Myanmar (platembola, biapicata). Filled square — Emei Shan, Sichuan Province, China (rivicola). Inset: Position of Yunnan Province in China.

FIGURES 120 – 127. Pseudopoda spiculata (Wang, 1990) from Kunming, Mt. Xishan Forest Park (120 – 122 holotype male, PJ 2548; 123 – 125 female, PJ 1922; 126 – 127 female, PJ 1923). 120 Tegulum, ventral; 121 – 122 Left male palpal tibia (121 ventral, 122 retrolateral); 123 Epigyne, ventral; 124 Vulva, dorsal; 125 Schematic course of internal duct system, dorsal; 126 Sternum, ventral; 127 femur, left leg I, prolateral.