Heteropoda vaginalis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 78B1A7DB-58CE-453E-BB64-7C5B5A3918DC

Figs 9–10

Diagnosis

This new species is similar to Heteropoda amphora Fox, 1936 (Jäger 2001: fig. 16H–J) in having a freely median septum, anterior part of IDS not covering posterior part, but can be distinguished from the latter by the following characters: (1) posterior part of lateral lobes strongly developed and bulged (not strongly developed and not bulged in H. amphora); (2) median part of IDS windings distinctly curved, laterad (straight, anteriad in H. amphora); (3) anterior part of IDS with more than two windings (only one winding in H. amphora) (Fig. 9A–C). Males are unknown.

Etymology

The specific name is derived from the Latin adjective, ʻ vaginalis ʼ (-is, -e), which by itself is derived from the Latin noun ʻ vagina ʼ(-ae), meaning sheath, and it refers to the median septum and median margins of lateral lobes resembling a sheath in ventral view.

Type material

Holotype

CHINA • ♀; Yunnan Province, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Mengla County, Menlun Town, Tropical Botanical Garden; [21°55′12″ N, 101°16′12″ E]; [587 m a.s.l.]; 6 Nov. 2015; Y. Zhu and Y. Zhong leg.; CBEE.

Description

Female (holotype)

MEASUREMENTS. BL 15.7; PL 7.2, PW 6.3; AW 3.5; OL 8.5, OW 6.0. Eyes: AME 0.33, ALE 0.48, PME 0.35, PLE 0.49, AME–AME 0.25, AME–ALE 0.11, PME–PME 0.35, PME–PLE 0.62, AME–PME 0.48, ALE–PLE 0.52, CH AME 0.62, CH ALE 0.52. Spination: Palp 131, 101, 2121, 1014; Fe I–III 323, IV 331; Pa I–IV 101; Ti I–II 1018, III 2026, IV 2126; Mt I–III 1014, IV 3036. Measurements of palp and legs: Palp 10.5 (2.9, 1.6, 2.3, –, 3.6); I 29.0 (8.0, 3.7, 7.6, 7.2, 2.4); II 30.7 (8.8, 3.5, 8.4, 7.5, 2.3); III 25.1 (7.3, 3.0, 6.6, 5.9, 2.0); IV 28.3 (8.0, 2.7, 7.4, 7.6, 2.4). Leg formula: II–I–IV–III. Cheliceral furrow with 3 anterior, 4 posterior teeth and ca 28 intermarginal denticles.

COPULATORY ORGAN. As in diagnosis. Epigynal field as long as wide, with moderately long anterior bands attached to the field. Slit sensilla located outside of epigynal field. Median margins of lateral lobes diverging and exposing sheath-like structure in ventral view. Lateral lobes situated very close to each other in its posterior part. Glandular pores anteriad, but covered by lateral lobes in dorsal view (Fig. 9A–C).

COLOURATION IN ETHANOL. Dorsal shield of prosoma reddish-brown to yellowish-brown, with bright transversal crescent submarginally located at posterior part, and longitudinal stripes covered by hairs around fovea. Fovea a bit darker. Chelicerae deep reddish-brown. Labium, sternum, and gnathocoxae are yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. Opisthosoma dorsally brown with yellowish-brown cardiac marking; ventrally yellowish-brown to brown, with light-dark patches located mostly in the center (Fig. 9D–E).

Distribution

China (Yunnan) (Fig. 10)