Pseudopoda bibulba (Xu and Yin, 2000)

Figs 44-54, 137

Heteropoda bibulba Xu and Yin, 2000: 37, figs 1–3 (female holotype, PJ 2547, #40, National Village, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China, 30 June 1999, Xu Xiang, HNU, examined).

Pseudopoda bibulba — Jäger and Yin 2001: 126 (transfer from Heteropoda).

Other material examined. CHINA: Yunnan Province: 1 male (PJ 1714), 1 female (PJ 1715), Kunming, Mt. Xishan Forest Park, secondary forest, dry leaf litter of oak and others, 24°58'32.18''N, 102°37'31.86''E, 18 April 1999, P. Jäger (SMF). 1 female (PJ 1716), 1 subadult male (PJ 1868), same data as above, leaf litter, 2 April 1999, P. Jäger (IOZ).

Diagnosis. Small-sized Heteropodinae. This species can be recognised by the following combination of characters: Males (Figs 44–46) — 1. Embolus long sickle-shaped, with same width over its entire length, 2. Dorsal RTA pronounced, its tip like a bird-head. Females (Figs 47–49, 52–54) — 1. Anterior margins of lateral lobes distinctly bent mediad, 2. Internal duct system with distinct lateral loops, visible in ventral view.

Description. Male (measurements of PJ 1714): PL 3.9, PH 1.5, PW 3.6, AW 2.0, OL 4.4, OW 2.5. Eyes: AME 0.22, ALE 0.30, PME 0.27, PLE 0.34, AME–AME 0.16, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.26, PME–PLE 0.32, AME–PME 0.26, ALE–PLE 0.23, CH –AME 0.32, CH –ALE 0.23.

Leg formula: 2413. Spination: PP 131, 101, 2101; FE I–II 323, III 322, IV 331; PA 001; TI I 1026, II–III 2026, IV 2126; MT I–II 1014, III 3024, IV 3036. Measurements of palps and legs: PP 6.2 [1.9, 0.9, 1.2, 2.2], I 15.4 [4.1, 1.9, 4.2, 3.8, 1.4], II 17.1 [5.1, 1.9, 4.4, 3.9, 1.8], III 13.4 [4.2, 1.6, 3.3, 3.1, 1.2], IV 15.5 [4.4, 1.6, 3.7, 4.1, 1.6].

Palp as in diagnosis. Embolus arising from 9-o’clock-position on tegulum, long, semi-circular, pointing prolaterally. Tegulum with large basal projection extending beyond cymbium. Sperm duct not visible in basal part of tegulum (ventral view). RTA arising basally on TI, ventral part reduced (Fig. 45).

Colour: Yellowish-brown with distinct pattern. DS with bright median band and dark lateral bands, these with bright longitudinal bands, the latter being intersected by radial markings (cf. Fig. 50). ST with dark spots especially in posterior half (cf. Fig. 51). CC slightly darker than DS, with dots. Legs pale yellowish-brown with spine patches and dots (cf. Fig. 59). Additional patches at PA and basal TI becoming larger and more distinct from leg I to leg IV. Dorsal OS dark with bright patch above heart, posterior half with bright transversal line; lateral OS with dark irregular patches; ventral OS with irregular patches and spots.

Female (Redescription, PJ 1715–1716): PL 3.5, PH 1.4, PW 3.0, AW 2.0–2.1, OL 3.8, OW 2.3–2.4. Eyes: AME 0.17–0.18, ALE 0.31–0.32, PME 0.22, PLE 0.32, AME–AME 0.14–0.15, AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PME 0.25–0.26, PME–PLE 0.31–0.32, AME–PME 0.22–0.23, ALE–PLE 0.21, CH –AME 0.25–0.29, CH –ALE 0.20.

Leg formula: 2413. Spination: PP 131, 101, 2121, 1014; FE I–II 323, III 322, IV 32 (3)1; PA 001; TI I 1026, II–III 2026, IV 2126; MT I–II 1014, III 3024, IV 3036 (+1 apical median ventral). Measurements of palps and legs: PP 4.8–5.0 [1.5, 0.9, 1.1, 1.5], I 10.1–10.2 [2.8, 1.2, 2.8, 2.3, 1.0], II 11.9–12.1 [3.6, 1.7, 3.0, 2.5, 1.1], III 9.8–10.0 [2.9, 1.2, 2.5, 2.4, 0.8], IV 11.4 [3.2, 1.4, 2.8, 2.9, 1.1].

Internal ducts varying in additional female examined (Figs 47–49): all three elements are roughly paraxial (diagonal medially in holotype: Figs 52–54), anterior lateral part not bent mediad (bent mediad in holotype).

Colour: As in male, but with more distinct pattern on DS and appendages; median part of ventral OS brighter.

Distribution. Known from the type locality (Xu & Yin 2000) and the Xi Shan, Kunming, Yunnan Province (13 in Fig. 137).

Relationships. The embolus of this new species has a similar course as P. yinae sp. n., but is equably narrow almost along its entire length (widened distally in P. y i n a e sp. n.). Females are characterised by the elongated ventral part of the internal duct system and its lateral coils. In this respect they resemble P. parvipunctata Jäger, 2001 from Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai: Doi Suthep, Doi Pui). As males of the latter species are distinctly different in their general palpal conformation, it is doubtful whether the two species are closely related or represent two different lineages with convergently developed similar female copulatory organs. Another undescribed species belonging to this category was recorded from Yunnan and is listed below.