Platnickina fritilla, Gao & Li, 2014

Gao, Cai-Xia & Li, Shu-Qiang, 2014, Comb-footed spiders (Araneae: Theridiidae) in the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, Zoological Systematics 39 (1), pp. 1-135 : 77-82

Platnickina fritilla sp. nov. ( Figs 61–64 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun Nature Reserve , secondary tropical seasonal moist forest (21º54.390'N, 101º16.811'E), 10 August 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Paratypes: 5♂, 5♀, same data as holotype .

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective fritillus and means spotted, in reference to the opisthosoma with many dark and white spots.

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to P. qionghaiensis , but can be distinguished from the latter by the cymbium with strong spines; tegular apophysis with many apophyses; embolus base broader than in the latter species; copulatory ducts short, without coil.

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

Male (measurements of holotype). Total length 1.78. Prosoma 0.88 long, 0.69 wide, flat, yellow, with black stripes and edge. Sternum 0.43 long, 0.46 wide, yellow with black stripes. Opisthosoma 1.00 long, 0.70 wide, pale, with black, white spots, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.09, ALE 0.08, PME 0.08, PLE 0.08, AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.06, PME-PLE 0.06. Clypeus height about 1.80 times AME diameter, yellow, with black spot, setae. Chelicerae: yellow, with 1 posterior tooth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.26 long, 0.13 wide, yellow to grey, with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.06 long, 0.17 wide, with 6 setae, yellow with black stripes. Leg measurements: I 7.51 (2.63, 0.33, 2.50, 1.55, 0.50); II 4.91 (1.75, 0.28, 1.43, 1.00, 0.45); III 2.80 (0.95, 0.25, 0.60, 0.60, 0.40); IV 3.52 (1.13, 0.25, 0.88, 0.88, 0.38). Leg I coxa yellow, without spot; femur-metatarsus yellow, with black spots; tarsus yellow, without spot; femur with row of spines; patella without spine; tibia with row of spines; metatarsus and tarsus

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135 without spines. Legs II–IV similar to leg I. Pedipalpus ( Figs 61A–B , 62A–C , 64A–D ): tibia yellow, with 2 trichobothria; cymbium yellow, with 2 strong spines; paracymbium hooded; subtegulum broad; tegulum confined; median apophysis crimpled, without protrusion; embolus short, triangular, with slender apophysis; conductor membranous; tegular apophysis long, with tiny apophyses.

Variation. Male paratypes. Total length 1.63–2.00; prosoma 0.75–0.80 long, 0.63–0.68 wide; sternum 0.43–0.44 long, 0.43–0.44 wide; opisthosoma 0.94–1.08 long, 0.63–0.93 wide.

Female (measurements of paratypes). Total length 2.20–2.80. Prosoma 0.81–0.88 long, 0.78–0.88 wide, flat, yellow, with black stripes. Sternum 0.44–0.50 long, 0.44–0.50 wide, grey. Opisthosoma 1.19–1.56 long, 0.83–1.06 wide, pale, with black, white spots. Legs yellow, similar to male. Epigynum ( Figs 61C–D , 63A–B ): epigynum flat; copulatory openings distinguishable; spermathecae spherical; copulatory ducts short, from bottom of spermathecae, opening to anterior margin of atrium; fertilization ducts short, curved, from posterior spermathecae.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 61. Platnickina fritilla sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view; C. Epigynum (vulva), ventral view; D. Epigynum (vulva), dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.

Fig. 62. Platnickina fritilla sp. nov. holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Conductor, ventral view; C. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.05mm.

Fig. 63. Platnickina fritilla sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A. Epigynum (vulva), ventral view; B. Epigynum (vulva), dorsal view; C. Male habitus, dorsal view; D. Male habitus, lateral view; E. Female habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B= 0.10mm, C–E= 1.00mm.

Fig. 64. Platnickina fritilla sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.10 mm.