Sphingius elongatus sp. nov.

Figures 17–21

Type material. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND: Prachuab Kiri Khan Province: Thab Sakae District, Huay Yang NP, 750 m, evergreen gallery forest, 10 January 1995, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MHNG, Sph-34243) . Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 1♂ (THNM) . Ranong Province: Ka-pur District, Khlong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary, Phaya Nak Waterfall, 600 m, semi-evergreen rainforest, 5 December 1997, leg. P.J. Schwendinger, 2♀ (MHNG, TH- 9; THNM) .

Diagnosis. Males of S. elongatus sp. nov. can be recognized by the rostrated median apophysis and by the short, elliptic conductor (Figs 17–18); females by the elongate insemination ducts running mid-longitudinally and by the bilobular, digitiform spermathecae (Figs 20–21).

Etymology. The specific epithet, a nominative of an adjective, is derived from Latin ( elongatus, -a, -um = elongate) and refers to the elongate insemination ducts of the female internal genitalia.

Description. Male (holotype): Total length 3.76. Prosoma 1.84 long, 1.32 wide. Opisthosoma 1.92 long, 1.18 wide. Spination: femora I–III 1 d, IV 1-1 d; tibia I 1-1 - 2v, II 1-1v, III–IV 2-2 -2, 1p, 1-1r; metatarsi III–IV 1 pv, 1-0- 1v. Eye size and interdistances: AME 1/3 d of ALE; PME 3/4 d of PLE; AME-AME 2/3 d apart; AME-ALE 1/3 d of AME; PME-PME 1/2 d of AME; PME-PLE 1/2 d of AME; PME-PLE 4/5 d of AME; ALE-PLE 3/4 d of AE. MOQ longer than wide, narrower in front than behind.

Prosoma yellowish brown; lateral margin rebordered, posterior margin slightly excavated; carapace integument smooth. Fovea deep, longitudinal. Sternum yellowish brown; integument smooth. Chelicerae dark brown. Labium and gnathocoxae yellowish brown. Legs yellowish.

Opisthosoma elongate-ovoid. Dorsal scutum covering approximately 4/5 length of opisthosoma, yellowish brown, clothed with fine pubescence. Epigastric scutum extending anteriorly, represented by V-shaped collar in dorsal view. Ventral scutum smaller than dorsal one, weakly sclerotized, clearly separated from epigastric scutum.

Palp (Figs 17–19): RTA triangular, narrowing anteriorly, reaching half length of cymbium. Embolus filiform, elongated, abruptly twisted subapically; embolic base digitiform, originating posterior medially. Conductor elliptic. Median apophysis rostrated, with distinct elevation probasally.

Female (paratype, MHNG, TH-9): Total length 4.02. Prosoma 1.96 long, 1.40 wide. Opisthosoma 2.06 long, 1.26 wide. Spination: femora I–III 1 d, IV 1-1 d; tibia I–III 1 -0v, 1p, IV 1-1 - 2v, 1-1r; metatarsi III–IV 1pv, 2v. Eye size and interdistances: AME 1/2 d of ALE; PME 2/3 d of PLE; AME-AME their d apart; AME-ALE 1/5 d of AME; PME-PME 1/3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1/3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1/2 d of AME; ALE-PLE 4/5 d of AE. MOQ longer than wide, narrower in front than behind.

General appearance as in male except prosoma slightly wider posteriorly; dorsal and ventral scuta on opisthosoma absent.

Genitalia (Figs 20–21): Epigynal plate heavily sclerotized. Atrium large, rectangular, situated medially. Copulatory orifices situated on anterior lateral margin of epigynal atrium. Insemination ducts long, curving anteriorly then descending in parallel mid-longitudinal axis. Bursae ovoid, stalks indistinct, originating on subproximal portion of insemination ducts. Spermathecae more or less digitiform, bilobular, aligned horizontally. Fertilization ducts more or less linear-shaped.

Natural history. Types of S. elongatus sp. nov. were collected from lowland evergreen gallery and semi-evergreen forests.

Distribution. Southern Thailand (Fig. 40).