Araneus semiorbiculatus sp. nov.

Figs 15, 19I, J

Type material.

Holotype ♀ (IZCAS-Ar43127), China: Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Mengla County, Menglun Township, Menglun Nature Reserve, XTBG, 26.XII.2006, S.Q. Li leg. Paratypes: 1♀ (IZCAS-Ar43128), same data as holotype; 1♀ (IZCAS-Ar43129), Menglun Township, 55 km from Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, valley rainforest (21°57.68'N, 101°12.03'E, ca 720 m), 12.VI.2013, Q.Y. Zhao & Z.G. Chen leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is from the Latin word “semiorbiculatus”, meaning “semicircle”, referring to the shape of the scape.

Diagnosis.

The new species resembles A. bidentatus sp. nov., but it can be distinguished from the latter by the following: 1) copulatory openings situated lateral to posterior surface vs at lateral end of the scape groove (Fig. 3A, B); 2) distal end of the scape not grooved vs grooved (Fig. 3A, B); and 3) scape width equal to 2 diameters of a spermatheca vs width about 1.3 times of a spermatheca diameter (Fig. 3D).

Description.

Female (holotype, Figs 15, 19I, J). Total length 3.25. Carapace 1.75 long, 1.30 wide. Abdomen 2.40 long, 1.90 wide. Clypeus 0.05 high. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.10, PME 0.13, PLE 0.13, AME-AME 0.13, AME-ALE 0.18, PME-PME 0.13, PME-PLE 0.25, MOA length 0.33, anterior width 0.35, posterior width 0.35. Leg measurements: I 4.80 (1.45, 1.70, 1.00, 0.65), II 4.15 (1.25, 1.45, 0.85, 0.60), III 3.00 (0.95, 1.00, 0.55, 0.50), IV 4.20 (1.40, 1.40, 0.85, 0.55). Carapace pear-shaped, brown with yellow patches around the fovea and laterally on thoracic region, ALEs, PMEs, and PLEs with black base, with pale setae, cervical groove distinct. Chelicerae yellowish brown, 5 promarginal teeth, 3 retromarginal teeth. Endites and labium brown at base, paler distally, endites square, labium triangular. Sternum cordiform, yellow with dark brown edges, with dark setae. Legs yellow with inconspicuous grayish-brown annuli. Abdomen elliptical, about 1.25 times longer than wide, covered with gray setae, dorsum grayish yellow with large white spot anteriorly and irregular black markings; venter yellow with dark brown patches. Spinnerets yellow.

Epigyne (Fig. 15A-D): about 1.8 times wider than long, with a semicircular scape, round copulatory openings at lateral to posterior surface; copulatory duct length about equal to the spermatheca diameter, slightly curved; spermathecae globular, less than half the spermathecae diameter apart.

Variation. Total length: ♀♀ 3.20-3.25.

Distribution.

Known only from type localities (Yunnan, China).