Psechrus luangprabang, Jäger, Peter, 2007

Jäger, Peter, 2007, Spiders from Laos with descriptions of new species (Arachnida: Araneae), Acta Arachnologica 56 (1), pp. 29-58 : 45-47

Psechrus luangprabang spec. nov.

Figs. 48-53 , 68-72

Type material. Male holotype ( SMF 56389 ), Laos, Luang Prabang Prov., SE Luang Prabang, Nam Khan, Ban Keng Koung (L15), 372 m altitude, N 19°40.963', E 102° 18.442', along stream, disturbed forest, cultivated land, between rocks, at night, by hand , P. Jäger & J. Altmann leg. 7.III.2006 . 1 male paratype, 1 female paratype ( SMF 56390 ), same data as holotype . 1 female paratype ( SMF 56392 ), same data as holotype . 1 male paratype ( SMF 56391 ), same data as holotype, but 8.III.2006 .

Further material examined. 1 female ( SMF 56394 ), Laos, Luang Prabang Prov., S Luang Prabang, Ban Ean, That Se (L13), 304 m altitude, N 19°50.562', E 102°13. 118', waterfall, along stream, secondary forest, in rock crevice, at night, by hand , P. Jäger & J. Altmann leg. 5.III.2006 . 1 subadult male ( SMF 56393 ), same data as holotype .

Etymology. The species is named after Luang Prabang Province, noun in apposition.

Diagnosis. Males ( Figs. 48 ~51, 68~72 ) similar to those of P. himalayanus Simon 1906 in position of embolus and conductor as well as course of sperm duct and presence of short, pointed macrosetae on coxae I, but embolus in the new species longer and distinctly bent (slightly s-shaped; Fig. 49 ), and with additional ridge at its base. Dorsal cymbial scopula covering only the distal third ( Fig. 50 ; distal half in P. himalayanus ). Females similar to those of P. marsyandi Levi 1982 and P. ghecuanus Thorell 1897 in shape of internal duct system, but distinguished from those species by having spermathecae closer to each other ( Fig. 53 ) and epigynal furrows diverging anteriorly ( Fig. 52 ; parallel in P. marsyandi and P. ghecuanus ).

Description. Male (n = 3). PL 5.3-6.0, PW 4.0-4.8, AW 2.0-2.5, OL 7.0-9.0, OW 2.8-3.8. Leg II: 35.5-39.7 (9.6- 10.9, 2.2-2.6, 9.6-10.7, 9.5-10.7, 4.6-4.8). Coxae I with 25-43 short, pointed macrosetae retrolatero-ventrally, 0~5 macrosetae also present at the distal margin of trochanter ( Fig. 51 ); such macrosetae absent in subadult male. Sperm duct running 1.5 windings before entering embolus; conductor sheath-like; embolus arising from about the centre of the tegulum, running in a distinct bend retrolaterally, then straight distally and ending with a slight bend retrolaterodistad ( Fig. 49 ).

Female (n=2). PL 7.9-8.2, PW 5.8-5.9, AW 3.5-3.6, OL 10.5-11.1, OW 4.5-4.8. Leg II: 38.6-40.0 (10.7-11.2, 3.1-3.3, 10.6-11.1, 9.6-9.8, 4.6). Coxae I without short, pointed macrosetae. Epigynal field appearing as rounded trapezoid; muscle sigillae anterior to epigynal field kidneyshaped, separated from the field about 1.5 their length; two pairs of slit sense organs close to sigillae; epigynal furrows building a trapezoid, ending as semi circles at their anterior end; posterior margin of median septum with slight median protuberance ( Fig. 52 ); internal duct system with spherical spermathecae, the latter with glandular appendages in an antero-median position ( Fig. 53 ).

Colour (in ethanol). ( Figs. 68-71 ) Dorsal shield of prosoma with dark median band, this with bright median patches and serrated lateral margins. Sternum with broad lateral bright bands in its posterior half, dark triangle almost not touching posterior margin. Dorsal opisthosoma dark with bright heart patch and darker transversal markings in its posterior half. Ventral opisthosoma dark, with white median line interrupted in front of spinnerets. Legs annulated and with distinct dark spine patches. Colour pattern of living specimens see Fig. 72 .

Distribution. Known so far only from Luang Prabang Province from two places SE of Luang Prabang: Ban Keng Koung (L15) and That Se waterfall (L13).

Figures

Fig. 72. Psechrus luangprabang spec. nov. Male holotype from Ban Keng Koung (L 15), habitus (in original habitat).

Figs. 48 - 53. Psechrus luangprabang spec, nov., male holotype and female paratype from Ban Keng Koung (L 15). 48 - 50 Male pedipalpus (48 prolateral, 49 ventral, 50 retrolateral view); 51 male right coxa I, retrolatero-ventral view; 52 epigynum, ventral view; 53 internal duct system, dorsal view, c — conductor, e — embolus, ga — glandular appendage, ms — muscle sigillum, ss — slit sense organ.

Figs. 64 - 71. 64 - 67 Psechrus khammouan spec, nov., male holotype and female paratype from Ban Keng Koung (L 15). 64 - 65 Male (64 dorsal, 65 ventral view); 66 - 67 female (66 dorsal, 67 ventral view). 68 - 71 Psechrus luangprabang spec, nov., male holotype from Thakek (L 34), female paratype from Tham Kamouk (L 27 - 28). 68 - 69 Male (68 dorsal, 69 ventral view); 70 - 71 female (70 dorsal, 71 ventral view); all in ethanol.