The apiculata -group, new species-group

Diagnosis

Four characters stand out for all members of the apiculata -group: (1) the widely separated PME located at least twice their diameter apart (Figure 2G); (2) the tibiae and metatarsi of the anterior legs carrying pairs of elongated and slender spines (Figure 2H–I); (3) the presence of the tubercle at dorsal cymbium (Figure 1G); and (4) the well-developed retrolateral tibial apophysis (Figure 1A–D). There are three pairs of spines on the ventral surface of tibia I and II (Figure 2H–I, TS), whereas metatarsus has only one pair, but these spines are much longer, with their base originating on proximal part and their apices almost reaching distal margin of metatarsus (Figure 2H–I, MS). Pairs of spines can also be found on the femora (Figure 2H–I, FS). They are curved and elongate, situated on the dorsal side of all femora, whereas those on other leg segments are relatively shorter.

Males of the apiculata -group, the hystrix -group and the pahilistapyasea -group possess a simple, U-shaped sperm duct without additional loop. However, the conformation of the palp is uniform in males of the apiculata -group. They can be differentiated from males of all other species-groups by the embolus emerging from a distinct conical base (compare Figure 1A–D with 1E), which occupies most of the apico-prolateral extent of the palpal tegulum – embolus with broad base, gradually emerges from the tegulum, and tapering towards apex in hystrix -group (Figure 1E) and pahilistapyasea -group (see also Barrion and Litsinger 1995: 145, fig. 79d). The apex of the embolus points apically instead of moving clockwise along the margin of the tegulum base (compare Figure 1A–D with 1E). The conductor represented by a transparent lamina, and is located next to the embolic base on apico-retrolateral portion of the tegulum (Figure 3E) (conductor absent in hystrix -group as per Deeleman-Reinhold 2001). The retrolateral apophysis on the palpal tibia is distinctly enlarged and can vary in shape from broad, heavily sclerotized ridge (Figure 1A–C) to long, thinnish and point (Figure 1D). The ventral tibial apophysis is well developed; it is variable in shape from being an elevated ridge (Figure 1D) to a massive column (Figure 1A,F). The legs are not lengthened and devoid of a large spine (legs distinctly elongate and provided with a very large apical spine on tibia II in the males of pahilistapyasea -group).

The conformation of the female genitalia is uniform and closely resembles that of the hystrix -group in many aspects. Females of both species groups possess sclerotized spermathecae situated anteriorly to hyaline bursae (Figure 2A,D); their epigynal region is marked with posteriorly situated copulatory orifices. However, the concomitantly copulatory ducts are elongate; these ducts are simple and lack convolution (Figure 2A,D) in the apiculata -group (insemination ducts usually with convolution in hystrix -group). All known females also possess an additional, glandular head on each spermatheca (Figure 2C,E).

Included species

Clubiona apiculata sp. nov., Clubiona cylindriformis sp. nov., Clubiona cultrata sp. nov. and Clubiona conica sp. nov.

Distribution

Known only from Borneo.

Remarks

No type specimens of Clubiona hystrix Berland, 1938 are known to exist. The first author could not locate them in the collections of RMHN. The original description and illustrations of this species correspond well with those provided by Deeleman-Reinhold (2001: 104, fig. 14–16, male from Bali) and the specimen examined here, which was collected near the type locality in New Guinea (MHNG, Irian Jaya, Manokwari Province, Manokwari, Gunnung Meja, 200 m, 30 December 2000 – 1 January 2001, A. Riedel leg., Figure 1E) .

The hystrix -group is one of several species-groups in the spider genus Clubiona – for a full listing of species and synonymies see Deeleman-Reinhold (2001: 92). The males of this group have the following characteristics: (1) the palpal tegulum is marked with U-shaped sperm duct without forming additional loop; (2) the conductor is absent (but clearly present in a specimen treated here: Figure 1E); (3) the embolus is situated on the distal margin of tegulum, with its apex pointed retrolaterally. The females can be recognized by: (1) the copulatory orifices located on posterior half of the epigynal region, hidden by fold or hood; (2) the spermathecae and hyaline bursae are distinct.