Pseudopoda uncata Yang & Zhang, 2022

Yang, Zi-Zhong, Wu, Ya-Ying, Li, Zhi-Min & Zhang, Bao-Shi, 2022, Two new species of the genus Pseudopoda Jäger, 2000 and first description of the male of Pseudopoda physematosa (Araneae, Sparassidae) from Yunnan Province China, Zootaxa 5188 (4), pp. 347-360 : 352-354

Pseudopoda uncata Yang & Zhang sp. nov.

( Figs 4–6 )

Type material. Holotype: ♂, CHINA : Yunnan Province: Mengjiao Township , Cangyuan County (23°16.38′N, 99°11.21′E, 1769 m), 11 May 2021, Z.Z. Yang & Z.M. Li ( MHBU) . Paratypes: 1♂, 5♀, with same data as for holotype (1♀ in MHBU, 1♂ 4♀ in DUIER) ; 2♂, 1♀, with same data as for holotype except: 23 May 2017, Z.Z. Yang ( DUIER) .

Etymology. The specific name is a Latin adjective—derived from uncus (=hook), referring to the shape of embolus in ventral view.

Diagnosis. According to the morphology of genital organs (for details see Jäger 2001), P. uncata sp. nov. belongs to the diversipunctata species-group, which, up to now, was comprised of six species: P. confusa , P. diversipunctata , P. intermedia , P. lutea , P. marsupia and P. serrata . Both sexes of this new species are most similar to P. confusa Jäger, Pathoumthong and Vedel, 2006 (see Jäger et al. 2006: 220, figs 1–13, 29–32) in: embolus hook-shaped in ventral view, with similar arising point and length; U-shaped median septum; spherical structures of internal duct system. It can be distinguished from the latter species by the following combination of characters: 1. Embolus tip inversely U-shaped in ventral view (embolus bent at right angles in P. confusa ); 2. Finger-like dRTA longer than in P. confusa ; 3. Median septum narrower than in P. confusa ; 4. First windings of internal duct system close to each other (far away from each other in P. confusa ). Females of this new species also resemble those of P. lutea ( Thorell, 1895) (see Jäger 2002: 57, figs 184–185) by: anterior and median margins of lateral lobes goblet-shaped, internal duct system with distinct lateral loops visible through cuticle in ventral view as oval patches on anterior part of epigyne. It can be distinguished from the latter species by the following combination of characters: 1. Anterior margin trilobate ( Figs 5D , 6D ; bilobate in P. lutea ); 2. Loops of internal duct system bending laterally ( Figs 5E , 6E ; loops bending medially in P. lutea ).

Description. Male: Total length 9.39–9.46 (n=4). Holotype total length 9.46: prosoma 4.63 long, 4.36 wide; opisthosoma 4.97 long, 3.10 wide. Two eye rows slightly recurved. Eyes diameters and interdistances: AME 0.23, ALE 0.33, PME 0.24, PLE 0.30, AME–AME 0.13, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.29, PME–PLE 0.35. MOA 0.73 long, anterior width 0.59, posterior width 0.76. Clypeus height 0.31. Chelicerae furnished with 3 promarginal teeth and 4 retromarginal teeth, and some denticles between them. Leg measurements: I 23.03 (6.10, 1.97, 5.90, 6.62, 2.44), II 25.38 (7.57, 2.60, 5.95, 6.92, 2.34), III 18.77 (6.60, 1.74, 3.71, 5.03, 1.69), IV 15.44 (6.60, 1.22, 3.05, 2.08, 2.09). Leg formula: 2134. Leg spination: palp 131, 101, 2121; femur I 323, II–III 313, IV 323; patella I–III 101, IV 100; tibia I 4314, II 3124, III 3213, IV 2323; metatarsus I–III 2222, IV 3333.

Palp as in diagnosis ( Figs 5A–C , 6A–C ). Cymbium slender, with distinct retrolateral bulge; subdistal tibia with a retrolaterad hump; RTA arising proximally to medially from tibia, vRTA obviously broader than dRTA; tegulum oval, upper part of tegulum with upfold; retrolateral part of spermophore almost straight, and running submarginally in tegulum; embolus arising from tegulum at 10 to 11 o’clock position; terminal embolus with groove (visible in retrolateral view); subapical part of embolus with two small teeth; conductor arising from tegulum at 1 o’clock position, slender, bent medially and then directed prolaterally.

Coloration in ethanol ( Figs 4A, B ): Carapace yellowish, with some dark spots, two lateral bands inconspicuous, margin with gray black patterns. Cervical groove and radial furrow obvious. Fovea dark brown. Each eye surrounded with circular black patch. Chelicerae, labium, gnathocoxae and sternum yellowish. Legs yellowish, with small spots and slightly larger spine patches. Dorsal abdomen with lots of black dots; venter yellowish, with black patches.

Female: Total length 8.97–9.91 (n=6). One paratype: total length 8.97; prosoma 4.12 long, 4.09 wide; opisthosoma 4.86 long, 3.59 wide. Eyes diameters and interdistances: AME 0.21, ALE 0.27, PME 0.22, PLE 0.27; AME–AME 0.18, AME–ALE 0.15, PME–PME 0.28, PME–PLE 0.41. MOA 0.67 long, anterior width 0.56, posterior width 0.70. Clypeus height 0.09. Leg measurements: I 17.64 (4.97, 2.13, 4.72, 4.18, 1.64), II 19.10 (5.92, 2.22, 4.94, 4.37, 1.65), III 13.81 (4.09, 1.84, 3.80, 2.55, 1.53), IV 15.51 (4.76, 1.59, 3.36, 3.64, 2.16). Leg formula: 2143. Leg spination: palp 131, 101, 2121, 2112; femur I–IV 323; patella I–IV 101; tibia I 3423, II 3323, III 3213, IV 3323; metatarsus I–III 2222, IV 3433.

Epigyne as in diagnosis ( Figs 5 D-E, 6D-E). Epigynal field wider than long, with trilobate anterior margin, anterior bands absent; lateral lobes longer than wide, anterior margin of lateral lobes converged on the central axis, anterior and median margins of lateral lobes goblet-shaped; posterior incision of lateral lobes indistinct, near the meeting point of lateral lobes; laterad loops of internal duct system appearing as oval dark patches in ventral view. Coloration in ethanol: Color and markings of body as in male, but generally lighter ( Figs 4C, D ).

Distribution. China (Yunnan Province).

Figures

FIGURES 4. Pseudopoda uncata sp. nov., male holotype (A–B) and female paratype (C–D). Habitus (A, C dorsal, B, D ventral).

FIGURES 5. Pseudopoda uncata sp. nov., male holotype (A–C) and female paratype (D–E). A–C Left male palp (A prolateral, B ventral, C retrolateral); D–E Epigyne/vulva (D, ventral, E dorsal).

FIGURES 6. Pseudopoda uncata sp. nov., male holotype (A–C) and female paratype (D–F). A–C Left male palp (A prolateral, B ventral, C retrolateral); D–E. Epigyne/vulva (D ventral, E dorsal); F. schematic course of internal duct system.