Baalzebub rastrarius, Zhao, Qingyuan & Li, Shuqiang, 2012

Zhao, Qingyuan & Li, Shuqiang, 2012, Eleven new species of theridiosomatid spiders from southern China (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae), ZooKeys 255, pp. 1-48 : 5-8

Baalzebub rastrarius sp. n. Figs 68

Material examined.

Holotype:CHINA, Guizhou: Bijie City, Chengguan Town, Xiaohe Village, Xiniu Cave, 27°21.231'N, 105°17.186'E, elevation ca 1515 m, 30 April 2007, J. Liu & Y.C. Lin (IZCAS), 1 male.

Paratypes: [same data as holotype] (IZCAS), 1 male, 7 females. CHINA, Guizhou: Xishui County, Sangmu Town, Tuhe Village, Dongkouwan Cave, 28°15.679'N, 106°18.355'E, elevation ca 1271 m, 16 March 2011, Z.G. Chen & Z.W. Zha (IZCAS), 4 males, 8 females; Dafang County, Wenge Town, Taibai Village, Yelaoda Cave, 27°10.869'N, 105°28.289'E, elevation ca 1398 m, 12 March 2011, Z.G. Chen & Z.W. Zha (IZCAS), 2 males, 2 females.

Etymology.

The epithet comes from Latin word ‘rastrarius’ which means 'of a hoe’, referring to the hoe-shaped conductor in prolateral view; adjective.

Diagnosis.

The presence of small, cleft median apophysis and blunt, spatulate processes of embolic apophysis in males, and tip-fused spermathecae in females indicates that this species belongs to the genus Baalzebub . Conductor in males envelopes the entire embolic apophysis (Fig 6A), which is similar to Baalzebub albinotatus , butthe rectangular conductor and the small, pointed cymbium apophysis are different from other described Baalzebub species. Females distinguished by the triangular epigynal plate, similar to Baalzebub baubo ( Coddington 1986: figs 183, 184), but distinguished by the narrower, arcade-shaped spermathecae (Fig. 7B).

Description.

Carapace yellow tan. Sternum yellow with dark orange margins and setae. Legs yellow, dark brown distally at joints, especially tibiae. Abdomen tan with 2-4 rows of dark grey patches, the first two of which are connected by a perpendicular grey patch at midline, and two pairs of small dorsal brown spots (Figs 7 C–F).

Male pedipalp: Patella with strong sinuous macroseta. Tibia with two trichobothria. Cymbium with a row of short regular bristles at its junction with cymbial lamella. Paracymbium with a long, pointed distal end (Fig. 6B). Cymbium apophysis small and pointed (Fig. 6B). Median apophysis triangular, strongly sclerotized (Figs 6A, 8A). Conductor a sub-rectangular translucent theca covering the complex embolic division and embolic apophysis. Embolic apophysis a spatulate arching structure with abruptly acuminated distal ends (Fig. 6C).

Vulva: Epigyne with a smooth triangular scape protruding from posterior margin of epigyne plate (Figs 7 A–B). A deep pit lies on the epigynal mesal anterior edge. Spermathecae long, narrow, meeting at the tip to form an arcade-shaped structure. Copulatory ducts follow simple curve (Figs 7B, 8D).

Male: Total length 1.75, carapace 0.94 long, 1.09 wide, clypeus 0.25, sternum 0.53 long, 0.56 wide, coxae IV separated by their width. Posterior median eyes separated by less than half their diameter. Macrosetae: Leg I: femur p 1, patella d 1, tibia d 3, r 1; Leg II: femur r 1, patella d 2, tibia d 1, r 1; Leg III: patella d 2, tibia d 1; Leg IV: patella d 2, tibia d 1. Metatarsal trichobothria: Tm I: 0.25; Tm II: 0.29; Tm III: 0.23; Tm IV: 0.26. Leg measurements: I 4.66 (1.50, 0.50, 1.26, 1.00, 0.40); II 3.45 (1.10, 0.40, 0.80, 0.80, 0.35); III 2.50 (0.75, 0.30, 0.50, 0.50, 0.45); IV 3.10 (0.75, 0.60, 0.75, 0.70, 0.30).

Female: Total length 2.24, carapace 0.93 long, 0.93 wide, clypeus 0.11, sternum 0.5 long, 0.5 wide, coxae IV separated by their width. Posterior median eyes separated by less than half their diameter. Macrosetae as in male. Metatarsal trichobothria: Tm I: 0.28; Tm II: 0.25; Tm III: 0.45; Tm IV: 0.27. Leg measurements: I 4.17 (1.38, 0.48, 0.98, 0.88, 0.45); II 3.39 (1.10, 0.43, 0.73, 0.75, 0.38); III 2.50 (0.75, 0.35, 0.50, 0.55, 0.35); IV 3.11 (1.00, 0.33, 0.65, 0.75, 0.38).