Clubiona abnormis Dankittipakul

Dankittipakul, Pakawin & Singtripop, Tippawan, 2008, Five new species of the spider genus Clubiona Latreille (Araneae: Clubionidae) from Thailand, Zootaxa 1747, pp. 34-60 : 44-45

Clubiona abnormis Dankittipakul sp. n.

( Figs 28–29 , 61–68 )

Type material. Holotype: ɗ, Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai [Pak Chong District, Nakhorn Ratchasima Province, Northeastern Thailand], forests surrounding park headquarters, 800–1000 m, 14.xi.2006, P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG).

Paratypes: 1Ψ, same data as holotype ( MHNG); 1ɗ, 1Ψ, Loei Province, Phu Ruea District, Phu Ruea National Park, 1100 m, 16.x.2006 P. Dankittipakul ( TNHM).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Latin noun abnorme (= deviating from a rule; irregular).

Diagnosis. The males of the japonica -group (known for C. melanosticta , C. scandens and C. suthepica sp. n.) share the following distinctive suite of characters, here contrasted with the corresponding condition in this new species: (1) beak-shaped conductor distinctly sclerotized ( C. abnormis sp. n.: heavily sclerotized hook-shaped distal apex of conductor expanding retrolaterally but its basal portion being membranous, Figs 28 , 62 ); (2) tegulum with sinuate sperm duct, generally forming a double loop ( C. abnormis sp. n.: sperm duct U-shaped, Fig. 62 ); (3) dorsum of opisthosoma with a pattern consisting of dark blotches and stripes ( C. abnormis sp. n.: with a lightly sclerotized dorsal scutum and a reduced opisthosomal pattern, Fig. 61 ). Female genital structure is remarkable in which the epigyne represented by a large depression, and by a small posterior U-shaped epigynal atrium with indistinct genital orifices ( Fig. 65 ). Furthermore, spermathecal heads are differently formed ( Figs 66–68 ): the terminal part carrying fertilization ducts but in other females belonging to the japonica -group the fertilization ducts are surrounded by the curved spermathecal bases. There remains considerable uncertainty about placing this new species in the japonica -group. The general shape and appearance of this new species is fairly typical of a patterned, dark-colored member of the japonica -group. In spite of the fact that has just been mentioned, it is impossible to discern any obvious derived features (i.e., sclerotized conductor) that would indicate a close relationship to the japonica -group found in Southeast Asian today.

Description. Male (holotype): Total length 5.1; prosoma 2.2 long, 2.2 wide; opisthosoma 2.9 long, 1.5 wide.

Prosoma ( Fig. 61 ). Long-oval, pars cephalica distinctly narrowed, in profile strongly raised, highest just behind fovea; integument smooth, covered with numerous fine hairs. Dorsal shield of prosoma bright yellow, pars cephalica dark yellow in ocular area, without markings. Chelicerae dark brown. Labium and endites yellowish brown. Sternum yellow.

Eyes. Eyes with black rings. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.11, ALE 0.13, PME 0.13, PLE 0.11, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.03, PME–PME 0.11, PME–PLE 0.13; MOQ: 0.31 long, 0.33 anterior width, 0.46 posterior width.

Legs. Legs yellow; anterior tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi brown; without dark annulations. Leg formula 4213. Leg measurements

I II III IV

Femora 1.85 2.20 1.72 2.30

Patellae + tibiae 2.85 3.28 1.95 3.25

Metatarsi 1.45 1.72 1.72 2.90

Tarsi 0.73 0.81 0.62 0.65

Total 6.88 8.01 6.01 9.10

Opisthosoma ( Fig. 61 ). Elongate-oval; dorsal scutum ovoid, lightly sclerotized, furnished with a thick tuft of hairs anteriorly; dorsum pale yellow, with dark purplish coloring which is formed into U-shaped pattern; a butterfly-shaped marking situated underneath the dorsal scutum. Spinnerets white, except ALS brown.

Male palp ( Figs 28–29 , 62–64 ). Retrolateral tibial apophysis reddish, strongly excavated ventrally, gradually tapering towards its sharply pointed apex. Cymbium with basal concavity on retrolateral side accommodating tibial apophysis. Bulb with anterior flange lightly sclerotized; sperm duct U-shaped. Conductor beakshaped, situated on apical part of the tegulum, basal part membranous, terminal part strongly sclerotized, directed retrolaterad then abruptly bending distad. Embolus thin, filiform; embolic base arising mesolaterally. Tegular apophysis strongly sclerotized, situated anterio-retrolaterally.

Female (paratype): Total length 6.5; prosoma 3.0 long, 2.2 wide; opisthosoma 3.5 long, 2.0 wide. Not strikingly different from the males but slightly larger in size; prosoma less convex, broader anteriorly; chelicerae orange-brown; dorsum of opisthosoma without dorsal scutum; spinnerets all white in color.

Eyes. Eyes with black rings. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.16, PME 0.16, PLE 0.13, AME–AME 0.15, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.30, PME–PLE 0.21; MOQ: 0.30 long, 0.41 anterior width, 0.61 posterior width.

Legs. Leg measurements:

I II III IV

Femora 1.98 2.45 1.86 2.78

Patellae + tibiae 2.95 3.15 2.45 3.59

Metatarsi 1.45 1.76 1.46 2.95

Tarsi 0.65 0.85 0.62 0.78

Total 7.03 8.21 6.39 10.10

Epigyne and vulva ( Figs 65–68 ). Epigynal plate a very large lightly sclerotized depression, longer than wide. Epigynal atrium U-shaped, situated posteriorly, margin not rebordered. Genital orifices entering vulva via posterior part, above epigastric furrow. Spermathecal stalks short, longitudinal tube, located posteriorly and connected to spherical membranous bursae; spermathecal bases carrying extraordinary large fertilization ducts; spermathecal heads elongated, extending anteriorly, dilated terminal portion ovoid, with numerous pores.

Natural history. Clubiona abnormis sp. n. inhabits evergreen hill forest with densely covered canopy. The localities situate on high altitude mountains (above 1000 m asl) in northeastern Thailand.

Distribution. Northeastern Thailand (Khao Yai and Phu Reua National Parks, Fig. 69 ), but there are indications that this new species may well have a wider range.

Figures

FIGURE 69. Records of Clubiona species treated in the present study: * C. filicata; C. suthepica sp. n.; C. melanosticta; C. octoginta sp. n.; C. campylacantha sp. n.; Ο C. filifera sp. n.; C. abnormis sp. n.

FIGURES 24 – 29. Clubiona suthepica sp. n., female paratype (24 – 27). 24 epigyne, ventral; 25 vulva, dorsal; 26 spermathecal base; 27 dilated terminal apparatus of spermathecal head. Clubiona abnormis sp. n., male holotype (28, 29). 28 male palp, dorsal; 29 ditto, retrolateral. Scale bars = 0.1 mm (24 – 25, 28 – 29).

FIGURES 61 – 68. Clubiona abnormis sp. n., male holotype (61 – 64) and female paratype (65 – 68). 61 habitus, dorsal; 62 male palp, ventral; 63 ditto, prolateral; 64 ditto, retrolateral; 65 epigyne, ventral; 66 left part of vulva in lactic acid, dorsal; 67 schematic diagram of vulva, dorsal; 68 vulva, caudal. Scale bars = 1.0 mm (61); 0.1 mm (62 – 68).