Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran, 2023

Tripathi, Rishikesh, Sankaran, Pradeep M., Kuni, Nikhil & Sudhikumar, Ambalaparambil V., 2023, New species of Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Palpimaninae), with a catalogue of the Indian palpimanid fauna, European Journal of Taxonomy 891, pp. 26-50 : 28-36

Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F45C2F21-DE06-44CA-8DCA-05CF4EF9CE04

Figs 1A–B, G , 2–6 , 13

Diagnosis

Males of P. godawan sp. nov. are similar to those of P. persicus Zamani & Marusik, 2021 as they both share the embolic stalk originating in the proximal half of the bulb and broad prolateral arm of the embolic stalk, but can be separated from the latter species by embolic stalk with sharp prolateral curvature in ventral view (vs smoother curvature in P. persicus ), dorsal arm of embolic stalk with sharply pointed distomedian process (vs less prominent in P. persicus ), and retrolaterally directed median arm of embolic stalk in ventral view (vs prolaterally in P. persicus ) (cf. Figs 5B , 6A–C ; Zamani & Marusik 2021: figs 15d–f, 16a–d). Females of the new species resemble those of P. narsinhmehtai as both share elongate-oval and wrinkled receptacles, and accessory glands, but can be separated by receptacles with flat and highly twisted posterior parts (vs cylindrical and weakly twisted in P. narsinhmehtai ), and accessory glands originate distolaterally to posterior parts of receptacles (vs medial in P. narsinhmehtai ) (cf. Figs 5F , 6E , 12D ; Prajapati et al. 2021: fig. 20). Females of P. godawan sp. nov. can be distinguished from those of P. vultuosus by the absence of long whitish setae on the sternum (vs present in P. vultuosus ; Simon 1897).

Etymology

The specific epithet ‘Godawan’ is the vernacular name of the Great Indian Bustard or Indian Bustard ( Ardeotis nigriceps (Vigors, 1831)) in Rajasthan, the state bird of Rajasthan State. It is the flagship species of the arid grassland ecosystems in the Thar Desert. The population of this bird has drastically declined and is thus currently considered as a Critically Endangered species ( IUCN 2022). It is now protected in the Desert National Park Wildlife Sanctuary of Thar Desert, where the type locality of the new species is located. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition.

Type material

Holotype INDIA • ♂; Rajasthan, Jaisalmer, Thar Desert, Desert National Park Wildlife Sanctuary , Gajaimata area ; 26.68922° N, 70.59791° E; 235 m a.s.l.; 14 Nov. 2018; R. Tripathi and A.K. Jangid leg.; from under rock; by hand; NRC-AA-4169 .

Paratypes

INDIA • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype except Sudasri area ; 26.7304° N, 70.61888° E; 247 m a.s.l.; 15 Mar. 2018; NRC-AA-4171 .

INDIA • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype except Chauhani area ; 26.63413° N, 70.58211° E; 265 m a.s.l.; 2 Jan. 2020; NRC-AA-4172–4175 .

INDIA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype except Myajlar area ; 26.281° N, 70.40755° E; 269 m a.s.l.; 1 Dec. 2020; NRC-AA-4170 .

Description

Male (holotype, NRC-AA-4169; Figs 2 , 4A–D )

COLOUR. In alcohol: prosoma, leg I and scuta maroon; opisthosoma creamy-white; legs II–IV and spinnerets yellowish brown.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY. Carapace, clypeus, dorsum of chelicerae, coxae and trochanters of legs and abdominal scuta thickly clothed with fine white setae; carapace, sternum, chelicerae and leg I clothed with scattered black setae. Carapace rugose, broad-oval in dorsal view, with indistinct cephalic groove ( Fig. 2A, C ); cephalic part noticeably elevated than thoracic part ( Fig. 2A, C ); thoracic part gently sloping ( Fig. 2C ). Fovea short, prominent, bipartite, with two separate sulci closely located side by side ( Fig. 2F ). Clypeus rugose. Chelicerae lack prolateral concavity, surface covered with numerous small tubercles ( Fig. 4A ); cheliceral promargin with a broad keel, with a single row of short setae, retromargin without tooth or keel ( Fig. 4A ). Sternum rugose, rebordered, clothed with fine setae, with coxal and intercoxal extensions, truncated between coxae IV ( Fig. 2H ); intercoxal extensions fused with carapace ( Fig. 2H ). Femur, patella and tibia of leg I prolaterally with numerous tubercles, scattered on femur, clustered along entire length on patella, restricted to proximal part of tibia ( Fig. 4B ), tibia, metatarsus and tarsus with well-developed prolateral scopula, that on tarsus proximally restricted ( Fig. 4C ); patella I very long, longer than tibiae I–III and metatarsi I–III ( Fig. 4B ); all tibiae and metatarsi provided with scattered long and short trichobothria; metatarsi II–IV with distal preening brush ( Fig. 4D , arrow); tarsi with paired claws, scopulate, with less-developed claw tufts ( Fig. 4D ). Pedicel completely encircled with collar that is fused with abdominal scuta ( Fig. 2B–C, H, J ). Opisthosoma oval, hirsute ( Fig. 2I ); abdominal scuta remain fused together; dorsal part of abdominal scuta small, restricted anteriorly, with irregular posterior margin ( Fig. 2I ; DS). Epigastral scutum nearly circular, with strongly sclerotised posterior edge, partly encircled by six thin scuta, two stripe-like laterals and two tiny and two slightly large dot-like medians ( Fig. 2J ; ES, SS, DMS). Tracheal spiracle prominent ( Fig. 2K ). AMS short, bi-segmented, cylindrical, not encircled by sclerotised ring ( Fig. 2K ).

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 7.66. Carapace 3.86 long, 3.10 wide. Opisthosoma 3.80 long, 2.68 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.09, AME 0.18, PLE 0.08, PME 0.06; AME–ALE 0.12, AME–AME 0.07, AME–PME 0.52, PME–PLE 0.55, PME–PME 0.44. Clypeus height at ALEs 0.30, at AMEs 0.35. Chelicerae 1.30 long. Measurements of palp and legs: palp 2.21 [0.82, 0.21, 0.48, 0.70], I 7.81 [2.62, 1.96, 1.81, 0.75, 0.67], II 6.69 [2.09, 1.20, 1.68, 1.07, 0.65], III 5.70 [1.82, 0.85, 1.39, 1.07, 0.57], IV 7.72 [2.33, 1.18, 1.89, 1.61, 0.71].

PALP ( Figs 5A–C , 6A–C ). Tibia swollen, as wide as long. Cymbium narrow ( Figs 5A–C , 6A–C ; Cy). Bulb oval ( Figs 5A–C , 6A–C; B ). Embolic stalk originates in proximal half of bulb ( Figs 5B–C , 6B–C ; ES), with nearly same width along entire length in retrolateral view ( Figs 5C , 6C ), with sharp prolateral curvature in ventral view ( Figs 5B , 6B ), with dorsal, prolateral, retrolateral and median arms ( Fig. 6B ; DAE, PAE, RAE, MAE); dorsal arm broad, slightly folded laterally, with one long distomedian and two short distolateral processes ( Fig. 6B ); prolateral arm broad with sharply pointed edges ( Fig. 6A– C ); retrolateral arm hyaline, semi-circular and wrinkled, with smooth edges ( Fig. 6B–C ); median arm tongue-shaped, hyalin, flat, retrolaterally directed ventrally ( Fig. 6B–C ).

Female (paratype, NRC-AA-4170; Figs 3 , 4E–H )

Like male except for the following:

COLOUR. In alcohol: legs light brown.

GENERAL MORPHOLOGY. Opisthosoma elongate-oval ( Fig. 3I ); venter with two dot-like median scuta ( Fig. 3J ).

MEASUREMENTS. Body length 7.32. Carapace 3.60 long, 2.69 wide. Opisthosoma 3.72 long, 2.46 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.08, AME 0.16, PLE 0.07, PME 0.06; AME–ALE 0.12, AME–AME 0.07, AME–PME 0.47, PME–PLE 0.49, PME–PME 0.40. Clypeus height at ALEs 0.26, at AMEs 0.31. Chelicerae 1.25 long. Measurements of palp and legs: palp 1.98 [0.72, 0.21, 0.43, 0.62], I 7.03 [2.29, 1.75, 1.65, 0.88, 0.46], II 5.58 [1.73, 1.11, 1.30, 0.87, 0.57], III 4.87 [1.49, 0.79, 1.21, 0.85, 0.53], IV 6.72 [2.01, 1.01, 1.70, 1.44, 0.56].

GENITALIA ( Figs 5D–F , 6D–E ). Epigastral scutum hirsute ( Fig. 5D ), with mediolateral and posterior folds, former one incomplete ( Figs 5D–E , 6D ; MFE, PFE); posterior edge of epigastral scutum thick, W-shaped ( Figs 5E , 6D ). Endogyne with large receptacles, elongate-oval, wrinkled, sac-like, longer than wide, lying adjacent to each other, with flat, twisted posterior parts ( Figs 5F , 6E ; RE, PRE). Accessory glands elongate-oval, arise distolaterally to posterior parts of receptacles, with thin stalks, with varying number from four to five ( Figs 5F , 6E ; AG).

Variation

Male (n = 3): body length 6.44–7.66. Female (n = 4): body length 6.06–7.36.

Distribution

Currently known only from Rajasthan ( Figs 1G , 13 ).

Natural history

Palpimanus godawan sp. nov. is found under rocks or occasionally under cattle dung. It moves slowly, is shy by nature and always tries to hide under stones when disturbed.

Figures

Fig. 1. Field photographs of Palpimanus spp. (A–F) and images of their collecting localities (G–H). A–B, G. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. A–B. Female. G. Distant view of collecting locality (Myajlar). C–F, H. Palpimanus maldhok Kuni, Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov. C–D. Male. E– F. Female. H. Distant view of collecting locality (Boramani). Figures are not to scale. Photo credits: A–B, G, Rishikesh Tripathi, C–F, H, Nikhil Kuni.

Fig. 2. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (NRC-AA-4169). A–D. Habitus. A. Dorsal view. B. Ventral view. C. Retrolateral view. D. Frontal view. E. Eye group, dorsal view. F. Fovea, dorsal view. G. Labium and endites, ventral view. H. Prosoma showing sternum, ventral view. I. Opisthosoma, dorsal view.J. Same, showing ventral scuta, ventral view.K. Posterior part of opisthosoma showing spinnerets, ventral view. Abbreviations: DMS = dot-like median scutum; DS = dorsal scutum; ES = epigastric scutum; SS = stripe-like scutum. Scale bars: A–C = 1 mm; D–K = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 3. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., paratype, ♀ (NRC-AA-4170). A–D. Habitus. A. Dorsal view. B. Ventral view. C. Retrolateral view. D. Frontal view. E. Eye group, dorsal view. F. Fovea, dorsal view. G. Labium and endites, ventral view. H. Prosoma showing sternum, ventral view. I. Opisthosoma, dorsal view. J. Same, showing various ventral scuta, ventral view. K. Posterior part of opisthosoma showing spinnerets, ventral view. L. Left palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: DMS = dot-like median scutum; ES = epigastral scutum; SS = stripe-like scutum. Scale bars: A–C, J = 1 mm; D–I, K–L = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 4. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., chelicera and legs of holotype, ♂ (NRC- AA-4169) (A–D) and paratype, ♀ (NRC-AA-4170) (E–H). A, E. Left chelicera showing keel, retrolateral view. B. Enlarged view of left leg I showing tubercles, prolateral view.C, G. Left leg I showing prolateral scopula on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus, prolateral view. D, H. Left leg II showing preening brush. F. Left leg I, prolateral view. Arrows indicate preening brush. Scale bars: A, E = 0.2 mm; B, D, G–H = 0.5 mm; C, F = 1 mm.

Fig. 5. Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., left palp of holotype, ♂ (NRC-AA-4169) (A–C) and epigastral scutum and endogyne of paratype, ♀ (NRC-AA-4170) (D–F). A. Prolateral view. B. Ventral view. C. Retrolateral view. D. Epigastral scutum intact, ventral view. E. Same, after clearing, ventral view. F. Endogyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–C, F = 0.2 mm; D–E = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 6.Palpimanus godawan Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov., left palp of holotype, ♂ (NRC-AA-4169) (A–C) and epigastral scutum and endogyne of paratype, ♀ (NRC-AA-4170) (D–E). A. Prolateral view. B. Ventral view. C. Retrolateral view. D. Epigastral scutum, ventral view. E. Endogyne, dorsal view. Abbreviations: AG = accessory gland; B = bulb; Cy = cymbium; DAE = dorsal arm of embolic stalk; ES = embolic stalk; MAE = median arm of embolic stalk; MFE = mediolateral fold of epigastral scutum; PAE = prolateral arm of embolic stalk; PFE = posterior fold of epigastral scutum; PRE = posterior part of receptacle; RAE = retrolateral arm of embolic stalk; RE = receptacle. Scale bars: A–C, E = 0.2 mm; D = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 13. Distribution of the genera Boagrius, Palpimanus and Sarascelis in India. ○ Boagrius tenuisus Sankaran, 2022; ● Palpimanus godawan sp. nov.; ★ P. maldhok sp. nov.; ♦ P. narsinhmehtai Prajapati, Hun & Raval, 2021; ■ P. vultuosus Simon, 1897 and ▲ Sarascelis namratae (Pillai, 2006).

Fig. 12. Palpimanus narsinhmehtai Prajapati, Hun & Raval, 2021, copulatory organs of the holotype, ♂ (A–C) and paratype, ♀ (D). A–B. Left palp. A. Ventral view. B. Retrolateral view. C. Left bulb, ventroretrolateral view. D. Endogyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B = 0.5 mm; C–D = 0.1 mm. © Dhruv A. Prajapati.