Psechrus clavis, Bayer, 2012

Bayer, Steffen, 2012, The lace-sheet-weavers — a long story (Araneae: Psechridae: Psechrus), Zootaxa 3379 (1), pp. 1-170 : 119-123

Psechrus clavis sp. nov.

Figs 66a–e , 67a–j , 86f , 89h , 92h

Psechrus torvus — Kayashima 1962: 9, figs 1–4 (Description of ♀, illustration of ♀, misidentified).

Psechrus sp. — Yoshida 1978: 24, fig. 2 (Illustration of ♂).

Psechrus sinensis — Chen 1996: 134 (Listed as fauna element of Taiwan, misidentified). Chen 1999: 426, 427, 431, misidentified. Chen 2001: 243–244, figs integrated in the text (Photos of dorsal and ventral habitus of ♂, misidentified).

Psechrus taiwanensis — Ono 2009: 140, figs 2.2.24.1–3 (Description of ♀, illustration of ♀, misidentified). Yoshida 2009: 7, figs 1–7 (Description of ♂ and ♀, illustration of ♂ and ♀, misidentified).

Type material. Holotype ♀ ( SB 1021 ), TAIWAN: Taichung county: Dong-Shi (Dongshih), N 24°15'04'', E 120°51'03'', ca. 450 m, secondary forest; R.C. Cheng leg. XI.2010; SMF . Paratypes (2 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀, 4 s.a. ♀♀): 1 ♀ ( SB 276 ), 3 s.a. ♀♀ ( SB 1018 , 1024 , 1027 ) , with same data as for holotype; SMF; 1 s.a . ♀ ( SB 276 ) , TAIWAN: Taichung county: Wushihkeng , N 24°16'30'', E 120°56'56'', 950–1000 m, mixture of broadleaf forest and plantation forest, edge of a trail; R.C. Cheng leg. IX.2009; SMF ; 1 ♀ ( SB 614 ) , TAIWAN: Taoyuan county: Ssuleng , N 24°37', E 121°23', ca. 1300 m, mountainous forest, bush on rocky surface (roadside); H. Ono leg. 030. X.2003; NSMT 8507 ; 1 ♂ ( SB 616 ) , 1 ♀ ( SB 617 ) , TAIWAN: Nantou county: Penpuchi , ca. N 24°00', E 121°05', ca. 800 m; H. Yoshida leg. 02. IV.1979; NSMT 8379 ; 1 ♂ ( SB 1008 ) , 1 ♀ ( SB 1010 ) , TAIWAN: Nantou county: Yuchih (Yu-Chi) township , Lian-Hua-Chih, N 23°55'07'', E 120°53'02'', ca. 700 m, secondary forest; R.C. Cheng leg. II.2011; SMF ; 2 ♀♀ ( SB 793 , 879 ) , TAIWAN: Nantou county: Chitou Forest Recreation Area , ca. N 23°42', E 120°48', ca. 1600 m; J. Haupt leg. 08. IV.2004; ZMB ( SB793 ) ; H. Yoshida leg. 20.VII.1977; YPM ( SB 879 , at N 23°41') ; 1 ♀ ( SB 831 ) , TAIWAN: Chiayi county: Alishan ; H. Yoshida leg. 11.VII.1977; NSMT 8380 .

Additional material examined (1 ♂, 4 ♀♀, 6 s.a. ♂♂, 1 p. s.a. ♂, 1 p. s.a. ♀, 2 juvs). TAIWAN: Taipei City: Yangmingshan ; H. Yoshida leg. 07. IV.1979; 2 ♀♀ ( SB 877–878 ), YPM. Miaoli county: Kuan-Wu, N 24°24'20'', E 120°58'32'', ca. 1200 m, secondary forest ; R.C. Cheng leg. XI.2009; 1 s.a. ♂ ( SB 1011 ), 1 p. s.a. ♂ ( SB 1012 ), SMF . Taichung county: Wushihkeng, N 24°16'30'', E 120°56'56'', 950–1000 m, mixture of broadleaf forest and plantation forest, edge of a trail ; R.C. Cheng leg. IX.2009; 2 juvs ( SB 277–278 ), SMF. Dong-Shi (Dongshih), N 24°15'04'', E 120°51'03'', ca. 450 m, secondary forest; R.C. Cheng leg. XI.2010; 4 s.a. ♂♂ ( SB 1019 , 1022–1023 , 1026 ), 1 p. s.a. ♀ ( SB 1020 ), SMF . Nantou county: Tsuifeng, ca. N 24°06', E 121°12', ca. 2200 m ; H. Yoshida leg. 23.VII.1977; 1 ♂ ( SB 876 ), YPM. Yuchih (Yu-Chi) township , Lian-Hua-Chih, N 23°55'07'', E 120°53'02'', ca. 700 m, secondary forest ; R.C. Cheng leg. II.2011 ; 1 s.a. ♂ ( SB 1009 ), SMF. Meichi; H. Yoshida leg. 30. III.1979; 1 ♀ ( SB 619 ), NSMT 8377. Chiayi county: Alishan ; H. Yoshida leg. 11.VII.1977; 1 ♀ ( SB 880 ), YPM .

Etymology. The specific name refers to the similarity of the epigynal median septum of the female type specimens with a keyhole (Latin “clavis” means “key, lock, keyhole”); term (noun) in apposition.

Diagnosis (see also diagnosis for sinensis -group above). Males with relatively simple embolus base (EB), without apophyses or special structures, except a few ridges ( Fig. 66c ). Tegulum (T) protruding baso-retrolaterally ( Fig. 66b ). Palpal femur only with very indistinct ventral modification ( Fig. 66d ), almost not recognisable as such. Epigyne of females similar to P. senoculatus in having elongated median septum (MS) broadest in anterior half. Distinguished by the shorter MS (at most 1.5x longer than broad) ( Fig.67a ). Vulva with initial section of copulatory duct (CD) already included in kidney-shaped bulbous section ( Fig. 67b ). The latter clearly longer than broad and not in direct contact with the spermathecae.

Description. Male:

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 6.3–10.2, carapace width 4.3–7.0, anterior width of carapace 2.7–3.9, opisthosoma length 7.7–11.6, opisthosoma width 4.6–6.1. Eyes: AME 0.31–0.41, ALE 0.38–0.49, PME 0.39–0.51, PLE 0.38–0.51, AME–AME 0.18–0.27, AME–ALE 0.08–0.11, PME–PME 0.28–0.37, PME–PLE 0.39–0.44, AME–PME 0.60–0.76, ALE–PLE 0.43–0.57, clypeus height at AME 0.87–1.20, clypeus height at ALE 0.79–1.15.

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1243. Palp: 7.4–11.5 [2.7–3.9, 1.2–1.9, 1.1–1.8, 2.4–3.9]; Legs: I 49.2–70.0 [12.7–17.8, 3.0–4.7, 14.1–19.3, 13.5–19.9, 5.9–8.3], II 38.9–52.8 [10.6–14.6, 2.7–4.2, 10.4–13.5, 10.4–14.5, 4.8–6.0], III 27.7–37.6 [8.0–10.7, 2.2–3.3, 6.8–9.4, 7.2–9.8, 3.5–4.4], IV 38.8–52.6 [10.4–14.7, 2.4–3.6, 10.0–13.8, 11.0–14.3, 5.0–6.2].

Spination. Palp: 131 (121), 110(prolateral one small), 1101(all spines small); legs: femur I 546 (546,525), II 546 (546,526) III 545 (545,525,565), IV 544 (544,524); patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3038, III 2034 (2034,3034), IV 3036 (3036,3034); metatarsus I–III 3035, IV 3035 (3035,3036).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description for sinensis -group). Embolus slightly serrated ventrally ( Fig. 66b ). Conductor apically with folding and dorsally with small spines ( Figs 66a–b ). Sperm duct with transversal section in retrolateral half of T and with distinct loop in prolateral half. Palpal tibia short ( Figs 66a–c ).

Female (Measurements of holotype first, those of paratype females as range in parentheses).

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 8.2 (7.2–8.5), carapace width 5.7 (4.7–6.0), anterior width of carapace 3.8 (3.3–3.9), opisthosoma length 9.7 (7.3–11.6), opisthosoma width 3.9 (3.6–6.8). Eyes: AME 0.41 (0.37–0.44), ALE 0.50 (0.46–0.51), PME 0.51 (0.47–0.51), PLE 0.49 (0.46–0.50), AME–AME 0.22 (0.17–0.24), AME–ALE 0.06 (0.05–0.06), PME–PME 0.31 (0.29–0.36), PME–PLE 0.43 (0.40–0.48), AME–PME 0.66 (0.63–0.73), ALE–PLE 0.48 (0.51–0.61), clypeus height at AME 1.03 (0.91–1.05), clypeus height at ALE 1.03 (0.85–1.03).

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1243 (1243,1423). Palp: 9.4 (9.0–10.2) [3.3 (3.1–3.3), 1.3 (1.2–1.6), 1.7 (1.7–1.9), 3.1 (3.0–3.4)]; Legs: I 48.3 (42.9–48.7) [13.2 (11.7–13.2), 3.6 (3.0–3.6), 13.8 (11.9–13.7), 12.3 (11.1–12.7), 5.4 (5.2–5.7)], II 38.7 (32.6–39.0) [11.3 (9.4–10.8), 3.3 (2.7–3.3), 10.3 (9.2–10.5), 9.4 (8.2–9.8), 4.4 (3.1–4.6)], III 27.2 (24.3–28.1) [8.3 (7.3–8.3), 2.4 (2.2–2.6), 6.6 (6.0–6.9), 6.7 (5.9–7.1), 3.2 (2.9–3.2)], IV 38.3 (34.3–38.9) [11.4 (9.9–11.2), 2.8 (2.3–2.9), 10.1 (9.1–10.2), 9.5 (8.6–9.9), 4.5 (4.3–4.7)].

Palpal claw with 15 (13–15) teeth.

Spination. Palp: 131 (131), 110 (110), 1101 (1101), 1014 (1014); legs (—except for patella— variable, only most common states noted): femur I 546 (536,526), II 546 (546,436,636) III 545 (555,536,445), IV 544 (554,544,434); patella I–II, IV 000 (000), III 000{100} (000); tibia I 3038 (3038), II 3038 (3038,3037), III 2036 {2024} (2036,2035,2026), IV 2036 (3036,2036,3027); metatarsus I 3035 (3035), II 3035 (3035,3037), III 3035 (3035), IV 3035 (3035,3025,3036).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description of sinensis -group). Margins of MS at least slightly S-shaped. Slit sense organs outside and epigynal muscle sigilla within epigynal field ( Fig. 67a ). Bulbous parts of CD ( Figs 67b,i ) laterally convex, medially concav, separated from receptacula by a gap.

Primordial copulatory organ. Pre-epigyne: Similar to P. senoculatus in shape of pre-MS. The latter (at least slightly) longer than broad and with (almost) parallel margins ( Fig. 67d ). Distinguished by the shorter pre-MS whose margins anteriorly bordered by transversal edges ( Fig. 67d ).

Pre-vulva: Similar to P. senoculatus . Distinguished by the shorter pre-CD ( Fig. 67e ).

Colouration of male and female (see also description for sinensis -group and Psechrus ). Median bands on carapace slightly serrated. Lateral bands very narrow (at most 0.7 diameter of PME) and not serrated. Light longitudinal line ventrally on opisthosoma may be broken subdistally or strongly constricted subdistally and broad. If measured centrally on opisthosoma, its width is ca. 0.7–1.2 times the width of one half of the cribellum. Distal part (patch) mostly broader than main section.

Variation of copulatory organs. In males T may be a bit shorter and the spines on C may be more indistinct (not illustrated) than in SB 616 ( Figs 66a–c ). In females MS may be slightly narrower ( Fig. 67h ) or broader ( Fig. 67j , 89h ) than in holotype. Posterior part of MS straight in holotype ( Fig. 67a ) and very slightly concave medially in SB 793 from Chitou, Nantou County ( Fig. 67h ). In vulvae the shapes of bulbous section of CD may be broader ( Fig. 67f ) or narrower ( Fig. 67i ) than in holotype ( Fig. 67b ) or in SB 793 from Chitou ( Fig. 67g ). Spermathecal head in some specimens with additional, small outgrowth ( Fig. 67g ).

Remarks: Ono (2009) and Yoshida (2009) regarded this species as P. taiwanensis . However, a comparison of the females of this new species examined in the present study with the female P. taiwanensis holotype, showed that their copulatory organs are clearly different.

Distribution. Taiwan ( Fig. 97 ).

Figures

FIGURES 66a–e. Psechrus clavis sp. nov. a–d ♂ paratype SB 616 from Taiwan, Nantou County. e s.a. ♂ SB 1026 from Taiwan, Taichung County. a–c ♂ palp (a prolateral, b ventral, c retrolateral view). d ♂ left palpal femur, retrolateral view. e Left cheliceral furrow, orthogonal view.

FIGURES 67a–j. Psechrus clavis sp. nov., ♀ adult and primordial copulatory organ. a–c ♀ holotype SB 1021, d–e s.a. ♀ paratype SB276, both from Taiwan, Taichung County. g–h ♀ paratype SB 793, i–j ♀ SB 619, both from Taiwan, Nantou County. f ♀ SB 877 from Taiwan, Taipei County. a, h, j Epigyne, ventral view. b, f–g, i Vulva, dorsal view. c Schematic course of internal duct system. d Pre-epigyne, ventral view. e Pre-vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURES 86a–o. Psechrus spp., photos of left ♂ palp. a P.sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P. senoculatus. f P. clavis sp. nov. g P. torvus. h P. hartmanni sp. nov. i P. zygon sp. nov.? j P. crepido sp. nov. k P. schwendingeri sp. nov. l P.cebu. m–o P. kunmingensis. a ♂ syntype SB 521 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♂ paratype SB 882 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♂ SB 529 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♂ paratype SB 1150 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♂ paratype SB 537 from China, Hunan Prov. f ♂ paratype SB 1008 from Taiwan, Nantou County. g ♂ paralectotype SB 264 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. h ♂ SB 624 from Sri Lanka. i ♂ SB 848 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. j ♂ holotype SB 644 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. k ♂ holotype SB 143 from Philippines, Luzon, Mountain Prov. l ♂ holotype SB 149 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m–o ♂ from China, Yunnan Prov., Kunming. a–m, o ventral, n prolateral view.

FIGURES 89a–p. Psechrus spp., photos of epigyne, ventral view. a P. sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P.fuscaisp. nov. f P. kunmingensis. g P. senoculatus. h P.clavis sp. nov. i P. kenting. j P. taiwanensis. k P. crepido sp. nov. l P. cebu. m P. torvus. n P. hartmanni sp. nov. o P. zygon sp. nov. p P. tauricornis sp. nov. a ♀ paratype SB 524 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♀ holotype SB 881 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♀ paratype SB 194 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♀ paratype SB 1153 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. f ♀ SB 953 from China, Yunnan Prov. g ♀ SB 886 from China, Sichuan Prov. h ♀ paratype SB 614 from Taiwan, Taoyuan County. i ♀ paratype SB 618 from Taiwan, Taitung County. j ♀ holotype SB 238 from Taiwan. k ♀ paratype SB 984 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. l ♀ paratype SB 151 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m ♀ SB 941 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 845 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. o ♀ holotype SB 846 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. p ♀ paratype SB 849 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov.

FIGURES 92a–p. Psechrus spp., photos of vulva, dorsal view. a P. sinensis. b P. triangulus. c P. tingpingensis. d P. obtectus sp. nov. e P.fuscaisp. nov. f P. kunmingensis. g P. senoculatus. h P.clavis sp. nov. i P. kenting. j P. taiwanensis. k P. crepido sp. nov. l P. cebu. m P. torvus. n P. hartmanni sp. nov. o P. zygon sp. nov. p P. tauricornis sp. nov. a ♀ paratype SB 524 from China, Guizhou Prov. b ♀ holotype SB 881 from China, Yunnan Prov. c ♀ paratype SB 194 from China, Hunan Prov. d ♀ paratype SB 1155 from Vietnam, Bac Thai Prov. e ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. f ♀ SB 953 from China, Yunnan Prov. g ♀ SB 886 from China, Sichuan Prov. h ♀ paratype SB 831 from Taiwan, Chiayi County. i ♀ paratype SB 618 from Taiwan, Taitung County. j ♀ holotype SB 238 from Taiwan. k ♀ paratype SB 984 from India, Tamil Nadu Prov. l ♀ paratype SB 151 from Philippines, Cebu Prov. m ♀ SB 941 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. n ♀ paratype SB 845 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. o ♀ holotype SB 846 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. p ♀ paratype SB 849 from Sri Lanka, Central Prov.

FIGURE 97. Distribution of Psechrus on Taiwan. All species belong to the sinensis-group.