Araneus complanatus sp. nov.

Figs 7, 8, 18I, J

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (IZCAS-Ar43105), China: Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Mengla County, Menglun Township, 48 km from Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve (21°58.70'N, 101°19.75'E, ca 1090 m), 12.VIII.2011, G. Zheng leg. Paratype: 1♀ (IZCAS-Ar43106), Mohan Township, Shanggang Village, Xiaolongha, secondary tropical forest (21°24.33'N, 101°37.02'E, ca 800 m), 30.VI.2012, Q.Y. Zhao & Z.G. Chen leg.

Etymology.

The specific name comes from the Latin word “complanatus”, meaning “flattened”, referring to the shape of the abdomen.

Diagnosis.

The new species resembles A. arcuatus sp. nov. in appearance, but can be distinguished from the latter in the following: 1) epigyne with a triangular scape vs scape absent (Fig. 1A, B); 2) copulatory openings located at the posterior surface vs ventral surface (Fig. 1A, B); 3) median apophysis with 1 tapered tip vs 2 tapered tips (Fig. 2A, C, D); and 4) 1 patellar bristle vs 2 patellar bristles (Fig. 2A-C).

Description.

Male (holotype, Figs 7D, E, 8). Total length 2.75. Carapace 1.40 long, 1.25 wide. Abdomen 1.60 long, 1.45 wide. Clypeus 0.13 high. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.10, PME 0.13, PLE 0.08, AME-AME 0.13, AME-ALE 0.13, PME-PME 0.15, PME-PLE 0.13, MOA length 0.33, anterior width 0.30, posterior width 0.30. Leg measurements: I 3.95 (1.15, 1.35, 0.95, 0.50), II 3.65 (1.10, 1.20, 0.90, 0.45), III 2.60 (0.80, 0.85, 0.60, 0.35), IV 3.50 (1.10, 1.15, 0.85, 0.40). Carapace pear-shaped, brown with pale patches around PMEs and dark brown patches on thoracic edges, with gray setae, cervical groove slightly distinct. Chelicerae brown, 4 promarginal and 3 retromarginal teeth. Endites and labium brown at base, paler distally, endites square, labium triangular. Sternum cordiform, yellowish brown with brown setae. Legs reddish brown, with yellowish green patches, tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus of legs I and II with a cluster of dense macrosetae. Abdomen oval, about 1.1 times longer than wide, covered with sparse, dark setae, dorsum yellow with 4 pairs of sigillae, flattened in lateral view; venter yellowish brown with light yellowish-green patch medially. Spinnerets yellow.

Palp (Fig. 8): with 1 patellar bristle; median apophysis stout at base, claw like at tip; embolus slender, slightly curved; conductor broad at base, tapering to narrow tip; terminal apophysis long, membranous distally.

Female (paratype IZCAS-Ar43106, Figs 7A-C, F, G, 18I, J). Total length 4.95. Carapace 2.35 long, 2.15 wide. Abdomen 3.30 long, 3.30 wide. Clypeus 0.13 high. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.13, PME 0.13, PLE 0.10, AME-AME 0.20, AME-ALE 0.30, PME-PME 0.23, PME-PLE 0.28, MOA length 0.45, anterior width 0.40, posterior width 0.43. Leg measurements: I 6.20 (1.85, 2.20, 1.45, 0.70), II 6.00 (1.85, 2.10, 1.40, 0.65), III 4.20 (1.40, 1.35, 0.95, 0.50), IV 6.25 (2.05, 2.10, 1.50, 0.60). Habitus similar to that of male but green patch on ventral abdomen more distinct.

Epigyne (Fig. 7A-C): about 1.5 times wider than long; scape triangular, about 2.3 times wider than long; copulatory openings narrow, at posterior surface; copulatory ducts shorter than the spermatheca diameter; spermathecae globular, touching each other.

Distribution.

Known only from type localities (Yunnan, China).