Patu xiaoxiao Miller, Griswold & Yin, 2009

Miller, Jeremy, Griswold, Charles & Yin, Chang, 2009, The symphytognathoid spiders of the Gaoligongshan, Yunnan, China (Araneae: Araneoidea): Systematics and diversity of micro-orbweavers, ZooKeys 11 (11), pp. 9-195 : 67-68

Patu xiaoxiao Miller, Griswold & Yin , sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3EED308E-7422-43B9-AF4F-338663452785

Figs 67 G-H, 99

Material Examined. Holotype: CHINA: Yunnan: Lushui Co., Pianma Township, Chang Yan He , 9.3 km ESE Pianma, 25.99363°N, 98.66651°E, 2470 m, 12 May

2005, mixed broadleaf deciduous and evergreen forest, winkler extraction of sifted leaf litter, C. Griswold, D. Kavanaugh, K. Guo, CGY102 (CASENT 9022329, HNU), 1♀.

Paratypes: [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9022327, CAS), 1♀ ; [same data as holotype] (CASENT 9029325, HNU), 1♀ .

Etymology. Formed from the Chinese word for very small (xiǎo xiǎo); this is the smallest spider known from the Gaoligongshan.

Diagnosis. Among Patu species with only one cheliceral tooth, female P. xiaoxiao and P. qiqi are distinguished from P. woodwardi (female unknown in P. marplesi ) by the internal genitalia, spermathecae round and juxtaposed in P. woodwardi ( Forster 1959: fig. 123), spermatheca/duct complexes clearly separated in P. xiaoxiao ( Fig. 67H ) and P. qiqi ( Fig. 67F ); distinguished from P. jidanweishi by the absence of a scape ( Fig. 67B ); P. xiaoxiao distinguished from P. qiqi by the elongate longitudinal axis of the spermatheca/duct complex in P. xiaoxiao ( Fig. 67H ; looped path in P. qiqi : Fig. 67F ). In ventral view, the epigynum of P. xiaoxiao has two indistinct comma-shaped structures showing through the integument ( Fig. 67G ; two juxtaposed dark circles showing through the integument in P. qiqi : Fig. 67E ).

Description. Carapace light brown with darker patches. Six eyes in three doublets. Sternum dark brown. Chelicerae fused for about half their length, with single prolateral tooth, fang furrow absent. Female palp absent. Legs brown. Abdomen mottled dark gray, lighter dorsally.

Vulva : Scape absent, two comma-shaped structures visible through integument near epigastric furrow ( Fig. 67G ). Spermatheca/duct complex longitudinal leading to pair of curved atria diverging anteriorly ( Fig. 67H ).

Female (CASENT 9022329): Total length 0.61, carapace 0.26 long, 0.28 wide, clypeus 0.04, sternum 0.19 long, 0.18 wide, coxa IV separated by 2.10 times their width. Leg I: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg II: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg III: patella d1, tibia d1; Leg IV: patella d1, tibia d1. Metatarsal trichobothria: TmI: 0.44; TmII: 0.48; TmIII: 0.47. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Male unknown.

Figures

Figure 67. A-D, Patu jidanweishi sp. n. from Chang Yan He; E, F, Patu qiqi from QiQi He; G, H; Patu xiaoxiao sp. n. from Chang Yan He; I, Crassignatha pianma sp. n. from Chang Yan He. A, E, G, I, epigynum, ventral view; B, epigynum, lateral view; C, F, H, cleared vulva, dorsal view; D, eggs.

Figure 99. Distribution map, inset map shows study area. White: Maymena paquini sp. n.; purple: Maymena kehen sp. n.; red: Gaiziapis zhizhuba sp. n.; yellow: Patu qiqi sp. n.; blue: Patu xiaoxiao sp. n.