Eurychoera banna Zhang, Zhu & Song 2004

Jäger, Peter, 2007, Spiders from Laos with descriptions of new species (Arachnida: Araneae), Acta Arachnologica 56 (1), pp. 29-58 : 41-42

Eurychoera banna Zhang, Zhu & Song 2004

Figs. 21-25, 35-38

Material examined. 1 subadult female ( SMF 56681 ), L13, sweeping, 5.III.2006 . 1 juvenile ( SMF 56225 ), L14, sweeping . 5 females, 4 immatures ( SMF 56204 ), L15, overhanging branches over the stream, at night, 7.III.2006 . 1 male, 5 immatures ( SMF 56203 ), L15, overhanging branches over the stream, at night, 8.III.2006 .

Extended diagnosis: The species may be recognised by the following combination of characters: Males ( Figs. 26- 28 ) - 1. Embolus long and semi-circular, extending to the proximal half of bulbus (embolus distinctly shorter in E. quadrimaculata , extending exclusively in distal half of bulbus); 2. Distal apophysis (sensu Zhang et al. 2004) short and sharply pointed, its tip not reaching tip of embolus (longer and blunt in E. quadrimaculata , its tip reaching/extending slightly beyond tip of embolus); 3. RTA slender at its base in ventral view, slightly bent, i.e. its tip pointing more distad (RTA broader, strongly bent, i.e. its tip pointing more prolaterad in E. quadrimaculata ). Females ( Figs. 29- 34 ) - 1. Median margins of lateral lobes (“lateral margins of lateral lobes” in Zhang et al. 2004) almost straight and running parallel (slightly to strongly undulating and posteriorly more widely separated than anteriorly in E. quadrimaculata ); 2. Mesal longitudinal ridge of median field (sensu Zhang et al. 2004) extending to the posterior margin of epigynum (ending in anterior half of median field or rarely extending into posterior half, but never reaching posterior margin of epigynum in E. quadrimaculata ).

Description: See Zhang et al. (2004). Colour pattern of living specimens see Figs. 35- 37.

This species was described from Yunnan, Menglun (Xishuangbanna N.P.). There are slight differences between the present specimens and those illustrated by Zhang et al. (2004): the present male exhibits four teeth at the distal margin of the tegulum, whereas the males from China have only one ( Zhang et al. 2004: figs. 68, 70). The shape of the distal apophysis is slightly different. In the internal duct system the anterior parts of the copulatory ducts are broader in the females from Laos. Inspite these differences the specimens are considered conspecific. Thus, the specimens from Luang Prabang Prov. represent the first record for Laos. In epigyna broken emboli were found on one side ( Fig. 23) as well as on both sides.

Specimens were sitting in rolled leafs in the centre of their webs ( Fig. 38), holding just the legs outside even in the dawn and at night. One female was fed in the field and it was running under the web to the prey ( Fig. 36). This is the first observation in this regard and may be the first evidence for a Pisauridae hanging and running under its sheet web.

Figures

Figs. 26 - 34. Eurychoera quadrimaculata Thorell 1897. Male (26 - 28) and females (29 - 34) from Singapore (26 - 29: Mac Ritchie Reservoir; 30: Peirce Reservoir; 31 - 33, 34: syntypes, not specified). 26 - 27 male pedipalpus (26 ventral, 27 retrolateral view); 28 eye arrangement, dorsal view; 29 - 30, 31 - 32, 34 epigynum (29 - 30, 31, 34 ventral view, 32 posterior view); 33 internal duct system, dorsal view, da — distal apophysis, e — embolus.