Clubiona apiculata sp. nov.

(Figures 1A,F,G, 2D–I, 3A–G)

Diagnosis

Males of C. apiculata sp. nov. can be recognized by the presence of a basal tubercle on the dorso-retrolateral side of the cymbium (Figures 1G, 3C,D), in combination with a colossal, rectangular, sclerotized VTA (Figures 1F, Figure 3B). Males are distinguished from other members of the species-group by the short triangular embolus, and by the heavily sclerotized RTA (compare Figure 1A with Figure 1B–D). Females can be recognized by the oblong spermathecae and the distinctly larger spherical bursae connected to thick-walled insemination ducts (Figure 2D, 3G).

Type material

Holotype. ♂, Malaysia, Borneo, Sabah State, Kinabalu National Park, 2590 m, humid ravine below Layang Layang, cloud forest, 1 May 1987, D. Burckhardt & I. Löbl leg. (MHNG, 10a).

Paratype. One ♂, 2♀, same data as holotype (MHNG, 10a) .

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective apiculatus, referring to the triangular embolus and its conical base, which are situated near the apex of the tegulum.

Description

Male (holotype). Total length 6.9; prosoma 3.3 long, 2.0 wide; opisthosoma 3.6 long, 1.8 wide. Prosoma ovoid, in profile distinctly higher just in front longitudinal fovea; integument smooth; carapace uniform yellow; chelicerae yellowish brown, with three promarginal and three retromarginal teeth; labium and gnathocoxae pale brown; sternum yellow. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.12, PME 0.18, PLE 0.16, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.10, PME–PME 0.32, PME–PLE 0.18; MOQ: 0.42 long, 0.24 anterior width, 0.64 posterior width. Legs pale yellow, anterior metatarsi and tarsi brown, distinctly darker than other segments; scopulae and tufts indistinct. Leg formula 4213. Leg measurements: leg I 6.9 (1.9, 1.0, 1.8, 1.6, 0.6); leg II 7.6 (2.4, 1.0, 2.2, 1.4, 0.6); leg III 6.6 (1.6, 1.4, 1.4, 1.4, 0.6); leg IV 10.0 (2.8, 1.0, 2.4, 2.8, 1.0). Spines on anterior legs elongate and slender; anterior tibiae armed with three pairs of elongated ventral spines; anterior metatarsi armed with a pair of very long spines, originating proximally, apices almost reaching tarsus. Opisthosoma ovoid, pale, without colour marking; lightly sclerotized dorsal scutum extending half length of opisthosoma.

Palp (Figures 1A,F,G, 3A–E). Palpal tibia with distinctly elevated VTA in ventral (Figure 3A) and retrolateral views (Figure 3C), broad and massive rectangular in prolateral view (Figures 1F, 3B); RTA petal-shaped, heavily sclerotized, reaching almost half length of cymbium; cymbium apically with shallow dorsal excavation, covered with thick patch of hairs; digitiform tubercle originating on baso-retrolateral side of cymbium, directed horizontally, pointing ectad; tegulum oblong; conductor digitiform, translucent, originating on apico-retrolateral area of tegulum; sperm duct U-shaped; embolic base conical, situated apico-prolaterally; embolus triangular, minute, apex sharply pointed, directed anteriad, emerging subterminally on embolic base.

Female (paratype). Total length 5.6; prosoma 3.0 long, 2.6 wide; opisthosoma 2.6 long, 1.1 wide. General appearance as in male, including spination on anterior tibiae and metatarsi. AME 0.08, ALE 0.10, PME 0.18, PLE 0.14, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.10, PME–PME 0.30, PME–PLE 0.16; MOQ: 0.38 long, 0.24 anterior width, 0.66 posterior width. Leg measurements: leg I 5.9 (1.7, 0.8, 1.6, 1.2, 0.6); leg II 7.0 (2.2, 0.8, 2.2, 1.2, 0.6); leg III 6.3 (1.6, 1.4, 1.2, 1.5, 0.6); leg IV 9.0 (2.6, 0.8, 2.2, 2.6, 0.8).

Genitalia (Figures 2D–F, 3F,G). Epigynal region circular, yellow, weekly sclerotized; copulatory orifices situated underneath heavily sclerotized, V-shaped ridge protruding over epigastric furrow; insemination ducts thick-walled, twisted proximally to form semicircular loop, with funnel-shaped atrium internally, ducts ascending anteriorly and opening into base of spermathecae; spermathecae oblong, basolaterally with glandular head (Figure 2E); acicular fertilization ducts membranous, located on dorsal side near base of spermathecae (Figure 2F); bursae spherical, hyaline, approximately twice diameter of spermathecae, connected to insemination ducts at mid length between copulatory orifices and spermathecae.

Natural history

Clubiona apiculata sp. nov. is considered a high-altitude species. The type specimens were collected in a cloud forest (2590 m) by sifting decomposing plant and organic material in a humid ravine.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Kinabalu National Park, Borneo; separated from C. conica sp. nov. by altitudinal gradient).