Pseudopoda fengtongzhaiensis Jäger & Liu, 2024

Wu, Yanrong, Zhong, Rui, Zhu, Yang, Jäger, Peter, Liu, Jie & Zhang, He, 2024, Description of three new species of the spider genus Pseudopoda Jäger, 2000 (Araneae, Sparassidae) from China, Laos and Thailand, and the female of P. kavanaughi Zhang, Jäger & Liu, 2023, ZooKeys 1202, pp. 287-301 : 287-301

Pseudopoda fengtongzhaiensis Jäger & Liu sp. nov.

Figs 3 , 4 , 9

Type material.

Holotype female: China, Sichuan Province: Ya’an City, Baoxing County, Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve , 30 ° 34 ′ 17 ″ N, 102 ° 52 ′ 58 ″ E, 1604 m, 5 May 2016, Y. Zhong leg. ( CBEE, LJ 2215 ) . Paratypes: 3 females, with same data as for holotype ( CBEE, LJ 2216 – LJ 2218 ) .

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the type locality, the Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The female of P. fengtongzhaiensis Jäger & Liu , sp. nov. is similar to that of P. emei Zhang, Zhang & Zhang, 2013 ( Zhang et al. 2013) by: 1) LL large, and the length of the lateral margin of LL almost equal to that of median margin in ventral view; and 2) FW well developed. It can be distinguished by: 1) S with a distinct turning in ventral view; and 2) posterior margins of LL rounded and smooth in ventral view (S simple and close to anterior margins of LL, posterior margins of LL with distinct posterior incisions in P. emei ).

Female ( LJ 2215): Measurements: Medium sized. Body length 15.8, DS length 7.8, width 6.5, OS length 8.0, width 4.9. Eyes: AME 0.22, ALE 0.37, PME 0.24, PLE 0.31, AME – AME 0.13, AME – ALE 0.07, PME – PME 0.18, PME – PLE 0.44, AME – PME 0.27, ALE – PLE 0.23, CH AME 0.38, CH ALE 0.25. Spination: Pp 131, 101, 2121, 1014; Fe I – II 323, III – IV 322; Pa I – III 101, IV 100; Ti I 1016, II – IV 2026; Mt I – II 2024, III 3025, IV 3036. Measurement of palps and legs: Pp 8.8 (2.5, 1.2, 1.9, –, 3.2); I 25.3 (7.6, 2.3, 7.4, 6.2, 1.8), II 27.9 (8.0, 2.9, 8.3, 6.6, 2.1), III 20.4 (6.8, 1.6, 5.6, 4.9, 1.5), IV 24.7 (7.8, 1.7, 6.8, 6.4, 2.0). Leg formula: II-I-IV-III. Promargin of chelicerae as in P. baimai Jäger & Liu , sp. nov., cheliceral furrow with c. 24 denticles.

Epigyne (Fig. 3 A – C ): As in diagnosis. EF wider than long, with distinct AB. Anterior margins of LL distinctly curved and forming a broad V-shaped, and resembling a heart, in ventral view. FW of IDS well developed, covering entire S, large parts of FW covered by LL in dorsal view. FD long and narrow, suited medially.

Colouration (Fig. 4 A, B ): DS reddish-brown with dark spots, margin with distinct marks. Fovea and striae distinctly marked and with a few dark dots. OS dorsally dark brown, with lots of yellow and small dots, and several big dots in anterior part, with a transversal yellow line in posterior part. OS ventrally brown, margins with dark hairs, with a yellow region in middle part.

Male: Unknown.

Variation.

Females (N = 3): body length 15.1–16.3, DS length 7.1–8.0, OS length 8.0–8.3.

Remarks.

This species may potentially be conspecific with P. acutiformis Zhang, Jäger & Liu, 2023 ( Zhang et al. 2023), as they share the same habitat. However, there are notable differences in the coloration and patterns on the dorsal side of the females compared to the males of P. acutiformis , suggesting they might be distinct species. Additionally, another species, P. flexa Zhang, Jäger & Liu, 2023 ( Zhang et al. 2023), is also located in this Reserve. Resolution of these ambiguities will depend on future research and findings.

Distribution.

China (Sichuan Province) (Fig. 9 ).

Figures

Figure 3. Pseudopoda fengtongzhaiensis Jäger & Liu, sp. nov., holotype, female A epigyne, ventral B schematic course of IDS, dorsal C vulva, dorsal. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figure 4. Pseudopoda fengtongzhaiensis Jäger & Liu, sp. nov., female habitus (A dorsal B ventral). Scale bars: 2 mm.

Figure 9. Distribution map of the four species from the genus Pseudopoda. The numbers represent the different species. 1 P. baimai Jäger & Liu, sp. nov. 2 P. fengtongzhaiensis Jäger & Liu, sp. nov. 3 P. inthanonensis Jäger & Liu, sp. nov. 4 P. kavanaughi Zhang, Jäger & Liu, 2023.