Spheropistha pingshan Lin & Li, 2022

Lin, Yejie, Zhao, Huifeng, Koh, Joseph K H & Li, Shuqiang, 2022, Taxonomy notes on twenty-eight spider species (Arachnida: Araneae) from Asia, Zoological Systematics 47 (3), pp. 198-270 : 261-265

Spheropistha pingshan Lin & Li , sp. nov. ( Figs 56–58 )

Diagnosis. Males of the new species can be easily distinguished by the long and slender conductor, the ventrallydirected median apophysis, and the middle with a lamellar apophysis. Females are similar to S. nigroris (Yoshida, Tso & Severinghaus, 2000) but can be distinguished by the epigyne field being 3 times longer than wide and the copulatory ducts are Z-shaped (vs. equal length and width and copulatory duct with one turn in S. nigroris ).

Description. Male (holotype, Figs 57C–D , 58 ). Total length 1.61. Carapace 0.81 long, 0.69 wide, abdomen 0.91 long, 0.70 wide. Carapace brown, anterior part of ocular area with two distinct processes. Chelicerae brown, with 2 promarginal teeth and 1 retromarginal tooth. Sternum brown. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.07, PME 0.08, PLE 0.08; AME–AME 0.13, AME–ALE 0.04, AME–PME 0.03, ALE–PLE 0.02, PME–PLE 0.03. Leg measurements: I 2.48 (0.77, 0.82, 0.45, 0.44), II 1.70 (0.51, 0.57, 0.30, 0.32), III 1.45 (0.44, 0.44, 0.27, 0.30), IV 1.92 (0.63, 0.61, 0.36, 0.32). Legs yellow-brown. Abdomen oval, black.

Palp ( Fig. 56 ) brown. Median apophysis directed ventrally, serrated at base, lamellar apophysis at middle, hooked end; embolus slender. Theridiid tegular apophysis triangular, conductor long, belt-shaped, terminus serrated.

Female (IZCAS-Ar43324, Fig. 57E ). Total length 2.70. Carapace 0.84 long, 0.74 wide, abdomen 1.82 long, 1.88 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.09, PME 0.07, PLE 0.07; AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.03, AME–PME 0.05, ALE–PLE 0.01, PME–PLE 0.03. Leg measurements: I 2.26 (0.76, 0.65, 0.45, 0.40), II 1.85 (0.62, 0.56, 0.32, 0.35), III 1.33 (0.45, 0.39, 0.22, 0.27), IV 2.01 (0.73, 0.58, 0.33, 0.37). Habitus similar to that of male.

Epigyne ( Figs 57A–B ). Oval, long, slightly elevated in middle; spermatheca spherical, copulatory duct Z-shaped, terminating at middle of spermatheca. Fertilization ducts small.

Material examined. Holotype ♂ (IZCAS-Ar43322), China: Guangdong: Shenzhen City, Pingshan District , Pingtouling , on the web of Psechrus rani Wang & Yin, 2001 (114.4220°E, 22.6625°N), 19 April 2020, Q. Lu leg. Paratypes. 1♂ 1♀ (IZCAS-Ar43323, Ar43324), same data as holotype .

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

Figures

Figure 56. Spheropistha pingshan Lin & Li, sp. nov., holotype male, left palp. A. Prolateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Retrolateral view.Abbreviations: C—conductor; E—embolus; MA—median apophysis; TTA—theridiid tegular apophysis. Scale bars=0.1mm.

Figure 57. Spheropistha pingshan Lin & Li, sp. nov., holotype male (C–D) and paratype female (A–B, E). A. Epigyne, ventral view; B. Vulva, dorsal view; C. Male habitus, dorsal view; D. Same, lateral view; E. Female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviations: CD— copulatory duct; CO—copulatory opening; FD—fertilization duct; S—spermatheca. Scale bars: A–B=0.1mm; C–E=0.5mm.

Figure 58. Spheropistha pingshan Lin & Li, sp. nov., live specimen, holotype male. Photo: Qianle Lu.