Punctus, Mu, Yannan & Zhang, Feng, 2023

Mu, Yannan & Zhang, Feng, 2023, Further additions to the guardstone spider fauna from China (Araneae: Phrurolithidae), Zootaxa 5338 (1), pp. 1-104 : 80

Punctus gen. nov. (Ɖflffƌ)

Etymology. The generic name “ punctus ” is a Latin word meaning short spine, referring to the short spines in the middle of the ventral surface of metatarsus Ⅰ. The gender is masculine.

Diagnosis. This new genus can be distinguished from all other phrurolithid genera by absence of teeth on promargin and retromargin of chelicerae and presence of short, stout spines in the ventral, middle surface of metatarsus Ⅰ. The new genus is similar to Phrurolithus C.L. Koch, 1839 in having a large retroventral tibial apophysis, but can be distinguished by: 1) the presence of a dorsal tibial apophysis (vs without dorsal tibial apophysis, compare Figs 71C , 76E with figs 2C, 3C, 4C in Zamani & Marusik 2020); 2) the small, blunt, triangular-shaped tegular apophysis (vs rod-shaped, compare Figs 71B , 76B with figs 3B, 4B in Zamani & Marusik 2020); 3) the large copulatory openings with sclerotized anterior margin, located in the middle of the epigynal plate (vs small, located at posterior of plate, compare Figs 72A , 77A with fig. 2B in Kamura 2021); and 4) the presence of iridescent scales on the dorsal body surfaces (vs without iridescent scales, compare Figs 68 , 75 with fig. 15A, B in Wang et al. 2015).

Description. Small, total length 2.26–3.68 mm. Carapace smooth, blackish-brown, widest at coxae II, highest near fovea, with sparse iridescent scales. Cervical groove inconspicuous. Fovea longitudinal, dark-red. PER slightly wider than AER. Eyes moderate in size. Chelicerae yellow, promargin and retromargin without teeth, with one long spine on anterior surface. Endites longer than wide, labium wider than long. Sternum yellow, smooth, without pattern, longer than wide, shield-shaped; precoxal triangles and intercoxal sclerites absent. Legs yellow to black; all femora with one spine and tibia tips with nearly white annuli; tibiae I–II usually with five to six proventral and retroventral spines; metatarsus I–II usually with three to four proventral spines and two to three retroventral spines; posterior legs lack spines; metatarsi III with distal preening brush. Leg formula: 4123. Abdomen oval, dorsum black, with dorsal scutum in males; venter yellow; colulus absent.

Male palp: femur with well-developed femoral apophysis near middle; tibia with wide, large, strong retroventral tibial apophysis and strong dorsal tibial apophysis; embolus acicular-shaped; tegulum oval, tegular apophysis small; conductor present. Female epigyne: epigynal plate sclerotized; copulatory openings large and far apart, anterior margin sclerotized, located at middle of plate; median septum absent; spermathecae small, located posteriorly; glandular appendages absent; pair of round or oval bursa anteriorly.

Type species. Punctus taibai sp. nov. (ÁHƉflff)

Composition. Two species, Punctus taibai sp. nov. and Punctus maoxian sp. nov..

Figures

FIGURE 68. Iridescent scales of Punctus taibai sp. nov.: A. Male, carapace, dorsal view; B. Same, abdomen, dorsal view; C. Female, carapace, dorsal view; D. Same, abdomen, dorsal view.

FIGURE 71. Male left palp of Punctus taibai sp. nov.: A. Prolateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Retrolateral view; D. Dorsal view; E. Retro-dorsal view; F. Femur, prolateral view; G. Same, retrolateraal view; H. Same, ventral view.Abbreviations: E—embolus; C—conductor; DTA—dorsal tibial apophysis; FA—femoral apophysis; SD—sperm duct; RvTA—retroventral tibial apophysis.

FIGURE 72. Epigyne of Punctus taibai sp. nov.: A. Ventral view; B. Dorsal view. Abbreviations: B—bursa; CO—copulatory opening; CD—copulatory duct; CT—connecting tube; FD—fertilization duct; S—spermathecae.

FIGURE 75. Iridescent scales of Punctus maoxian sp. nov.: A. Male, carapace, dorsal view; B. Same, abdomen, dorsal view; C. Female, carapace, dorsal view; D. Same, abdomen, dorsal view.

FIGURE 76. Male left palp of Punctus maoxian sp. nov.: A. Prolateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Retrolateral view; D. Dorsal view; E. Retro-dorsal view; F. Femur, prolateral view; G. Same, retrolateraal view.Abbreviations: E—embolus; C—conductor; DTA—dorsal tibial apophysis; FA—femoral apophysis; RvTA—retroventral tibial apophysis; SD—sperm duct.

FIGURE 77. Epigyne of Punctus maoxian sp. nov.: A. Ventral view; B. Dorsal view.Abbreviations: B—bursa; CO—copulatory opening; CD—copulatory duct; FD—fertilization duct; S—spermathecae.