Pseudopoda physematosa Zhang, Jäger and Liu, 2019

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 : 355-359

Pseudopoda physematosa Zhang, Jäger and Liu, 2019

( Figs 7–9 )

Material examined. CHINA: Yunnan Province: 7♂, Jizu Mountain (25°57.47′N, 100°57.40′E, 2406 m), Binchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous prefecture, 2 June 2021, Z.Z. Yang (1♂ in MHBU, 6♂ in DUIER) ; 4♂, 5♀, with same data as above except: 29 April 2021, L.J. Ding ( DUIER) .

Diagnosis (male). The males of P. physematosa share characters of the P. signata -group ( Zhang et al. 2019): short outgrowth on tegulum, embolus arising point in 7-9 o´clock position, and similar shape of the short vRTA. However, the embolus in P. physematosa is thinner and dRTA is shorter than those in other members of the P. signata -group. The males of P. physematosa also resemble those of P. shuqiangi Jäger and Vedel, 2007 (see Jäger & Vedel 2007: 21, figs 73–78) by: the shape of short RTA in retrolateral view; apical embolus filiform, and running three quarter of an oval. It can be distinguished from the latter by the following characters: 1. Tip of dRTA sharp ( Figs 8B , 9B ; blunt in P. shuqiangi ); 2. RTA arising in an acute angle from tibia ( Figs 8B , 9B ; almost right angle in the latter species); 3. Prolateral tegulum distally with a blunt hump ( Figs 8A–B , 9A–B ; absent in the latter species).

Description. Male: Total length 7.20 – 7.24 (n=11). One male: total length 7.22: prosoma 3.79 long, 3.39 wide; opisthosoma 3.47 long, 2.08 wide. Two eye rows slight recurved. Eyes diameters and interdistances: AME 0.17, ALE 0.27, PME 0.24, PLE 0.27; AME–AME 0.18, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.25, PME–PLE 0.37. MOA 0.62 long, anterior width 0.47, posterior width 0.65. Clypeus height 0.12. Chelicerae yellowish, with 3 promarginal teeth and 4 retromarginal teeth, and some denticles between them. Leg measurements: I 12.95 (4.01, 1.29, 2.89, 3.41, 1.35), II 13.82 (4.60, 1.29, 3.11, 3.65, 1.17), III 11.79 (3.95, 1.00, 2.67, 3.19, 0.98), IV 12.33 (3.85, 0.89, 2.22, 4.12, 1.25). Leg formula: 2143. Leg spination: palp 131, 101, 2121; femur I–III 323, IV 331; patella I–IV 001; tibia I–IV 3223; metatarsus I–II 2222, III 2313, IV 3333.

Male palp as in diagnosis ( Figs 8A–C , 9A–C ). Cymbium with distinct retrolateral bulge; RTA arising basally from tibia, dRTA short, horn shaped in ventral view, vRTA broad, shovel-shaped; tegulum with hump, prolateral tegular outgrowth blunt, near the base of the conductor; spermophor and running submarginally in tegulum, slightly S-shaped prolaterally; embolus long, arising from 9 o’clock position on tegulum, basal half of embolus slightly broad; conductor arising from tegulum at 11 o’clock position, slender, bent distally and directed prolaterally.

Coloration in ethanol: Carapace yellowish, with dark spots and two lateral bands, margin with thin dash lines and gray black patterns. Cervical groove and radial furrow obvious. Longitudinal fovea dark brown. Each eye surrounded with circular black patch. Labium, gnathocoxae and sternum yellowish. Margin of sternum with some spots. Legs yellowish with spine patches and many spots. Dorsal opisthosoma yellowish with a wide black median belt, anterior half with black lateral patches; venter yellowish, with black patches ( Fig. 7A, B ).

Diagnosis and Description of female see Zhang et al. (2019).

Distribution. China (Yunnan Province).

Notes. Among the specimens collected in Yunnan, males and females were captured together, and both sexes had the same color pattern of carapaces. This sample and the type material of P. physematosa were collected from similar places. According to the photos of holotype in Zhang et al. (2019), the females were identified as P. physematosa ( Figs 8D–E , 9D–E ). The males can reasonably be expected to be conspecific with P. physematosa .

Figures

FIGURES 7. Pseudopoda physematosa, male (A–B) and female (C–D). Habitus (A, C dorsal, B, D ventral).

FIGURES 8. Pseudopoda physematosa, male (A–C) and female (D–E). A–C Left male palp (A prolateral, B ventral, C retrolateral); D–E. Epigyne/vulva (D ventral, E dorsal).

FIGURES 9. Pseudopoda physematosa, male (A–C) and female (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.