Alopecosa volubilis Yoo, Kim et Tanaka, 2004

Yoo, Jungsun, Kim, Joopil & Tanaka, Hozumi, 2004, A new species in the genus Alopecosa Simon, 1885 from Korea (Araneae: Lycosidae), Zootaxa 397 (1), pp. 1-7 : 2-6

Alopecosa volubilis Yoo, Kim et Tanaka n. sp.

( Figs. 1–6, 11 )

Type series: Holotype:, Mt. Ungilsan , Namyangjoo City, Kyonggi­do, 26­vii­1987, Joo Pil Kim . Paratypes 1, Mt. Ungilsan , Namyangjoo City , Kyonggi­do , 26­vii­1987, Joo Pil Kim ; 4, Mt. Ungilsan , Namyangjoo City , Kyonggi­do , 12­xi­1987, Joo Pil Kim ; 1, Mungyongsaejae , Mungyong City , Kyongsangbuk­do, 28­x­1989, Joo Pil Kim .

Diagnosis: Alopecosa volubilis n. sp. is similar to A. hokkaidensis Tanaka, 1985 and A. moriutii in external appearance and pedipalpal structures ( Figs. 7–8 ). However, it can be distinguished from other Alopecosa spiders by its relatively small body size, the longitudinal median band on the sternum, and the presence of three retromarginal teeth on both chelicerae. In addition to the somatic characters, the pedipalpal structures peculiar to this new species are as follows: (1) the lobe shaped terminal apophysis has a different texture and is relatively broad, (2) the tip of the median apophysis protrudes ventrally and coiled downward ( Figs. 3–6 ), (3) the tegular prolateral lobe is weak, (4) the tapering embolus is almost parallel to terminal apophysis. Comparisons in morphological characters among a new species, A. hokkaidensis and A. moriutii , are shown in Table 2 and Figs. 9–11 .

Measurements (based on the holotype): Body length 5.44; carapace width/length 2.94/ 3.02; head width/length 1.28/ 0.94; opisthosoma width/length 1.66/2.55. See Table 1 for leg measurements.

Description (male): Prosoma brown with light median band, this 1/3 width of carapace, slightly narrower at the posterior end ( Figs. 1–2 ). Carapace longer than wide, covered with short white hairs. Its middle part elevated and lateral side sloped steeply. Cephalic part approximately uniform in height between the median furrow and PME. Thoracic part rather trapezoid in shape. Eye area black with long white sparse hairs. Anterior eye row slightly procurved. Width of eye row 1st <2nd <3rd. Eye ratio [AME: ALE: PME: PLE] = 1: 1: 3: 2.25. Chelicerae with three promarginal teeth, the middle tooth largest. Three retromarginal teeth, all approximately the same size. Labium reborded. Sternum brownish, shield shaped with hairs and a yellow longitudinal band in the middle part. Opisthosoma dark brown, long oval shaped, covered with short white hairs. Cardiac mark lanceolate with two longitudinal patterns on both sides. A yellow chevron pattern posterior to the cardiac mark. Anterior margin of opisthosoma with long white hairs and black hairs at both sides of white hairs. Legs brown, long, and stout. Leg formula = 4123. Femora of first and second legs darker than the other segments. Pale annulations on all leg segments except tarsi. Palea on the most apical part of pedipalpal organ ( Fig. 3 ). Terminal apophysis lobe type with a tapering distally and partly concealed by a median apophysis ( Fig. 6 ). When viewed ventrally, the embolus is totally covered by the median apophysis ( Fig. 3 ).

Female is unknown.

Distribution: Alopecosa volubilis n. sp. has been found in the provinces Kyonggi­do and Kyongsangbuk­do, Korea (Map 1).

Comments: All species were found in forests.

Etymology: The specific name is derived from volubilis (Latin, turning) as the tip of the median apophysis turned downwards.

MAP 1. Records of Alopecosa volubilis n. sp. in Korea. A: Mt. Ungilsan, Namyangjoo City, Kyonggi­do. B: Mungyongsaejae, Mungyong City, Kyongsangbuk­do

Figures

FIGURES 1–2. Alopecosa volubilis n. sp.: 1. male body, dorsal view; 2. male body and legs, dorsal view, scale bars = 2 mm.

FIGURES 3–11. Alopecosa spp., right pedipalps and selected aspects: 3. A. volubilis n. sp., ventral view; 4. Dito, ectal view; 5. Dito, mesal view; 6. Pedipalpal organ, ventral view; 7. A. hokkaidensis, bulb of right pedipalp, ventral view; 8. A. moriutii, bulb of right pedipalp, ventral view; 9–11. Comparison of median apophyses in Alopecosa spp., ventral view: 9. A. hokkaidensis; 10. A. moriutii; 11. A. volubilis n. sp. E—embolus; MA—median apophysis; MC—membranous conductor; P— palea; ST—subtegulum; TA—terminal apophysis; TPL—tegular prolateral lobe.