Asthenargus conicus, Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2006

Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2006, On some Linyphiidae of China, mainly from Taibai Shan, Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province (Arachnida: Araneae), Zootaxa 1325, pp. 277-311 : 289

Asthenargus conicus sp. n.

Figs 35–38

Material. Holotype ♂ ( SMF), China, Quinghai Prov., Bei Shan National Park, 120 km NE Xining, 2300–2700 m, 23.V.–8.VI.1996, leg. J. Martens. Paratypes: 4 Ψ ( SMF), together with holotype.

Diagnosis. The new species seems to be most closely related to the Middle Asian A. edentulus Tanasevitch 1989 , but differs clearly by the expanded club­like tibial lateral process (narrow and pointed in A. edentulus ), as well as by the strongly protruding, conical epigyne.

Etymology. The species name describes the shape of the epigyne; adjective.

Description. Male. Total length––1.83. Carapace 0.90 long, 0.75 wide, unmodified, pale reddish brown. Chelicerae 0.38 long. Legs pale yellowish red. Leg I, 2.57 long (0.73+0.23+0.65+0.53+0.43), IV––2.56 long (0.75+0.23+0.65+0.55+0.38). Chaetotaxy 2.2.2.1. Mt I–III each with a trichobothrium. TmI––0.32. Palp (Figs 35, 36): Tibia with a dark, lateral, distally knobbed process. Suprategular apophysis elongated, stout, rounded distally. Embolus black, highly sclerotised. Opisthosoma 1.00 long, 0.63 wide, grey.

Female. Total length––2.75. Carapace 1.20 long, 0.88 wide. Chelicerae 0.50 long. Leg I, 3.44 long (0.98+0.30+0.88+0.78+0.50), IV––3.56 long (1.03+0.33+0.90+0.80+0.50). TmI––0.38. Opisthosoma 1.58 long, 1.13 wide. Epigyne (Figs 37, 38) strongly protruding, conical. Body and leg colouration, chaetotaxy as in male.