Ryojius flosculus, Muhammad & Wang & Zhang, 2023

Muhammad, Irfan, Wang, Lu-Yu & Zhang, Zhi-Sheng, 2023, One new genus and nine new species of Linyphiidae spiders from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, Chongqing of China, Zootaxa 5257 (1), pp. 82-114 : 100

Ryojius flosculus sp. n. (AERĀĦ)

Figures 14 , 16

Type material. Holotype: 1♁, CHINA: Chongqing, Wuxi County, YNR, Guanshan Forest farm, Shizhuzi , 31°32′15.29″N, 109°41′49.82″E, elev. 2147 m, 01.IX.2020, Z.S. Zhang et al. leg. (SWUC-T-LIN-29-01).

Etymology. This epithet derives from the Latin noun “ flosculus ” meaning “flower” and referring to the longer branch of lamella characteristica apex flower-shaped with several petal-like projections.

Diagnosis. The new species resembles R. nanyuensis ( Chen & Yin, 2000) in having the similar short arm of lamella characteristica ( Fig. 14A–D ; Tu et al. 2006, figs 15–23), but can be distinguished by the distal tip of long arm of lamella characteristica flower-shaped with each side with 3 teeth in R. flosculus sp. n. ( Fig. 14B ), vs., each side of the tip with 5 teeth in R. nanyuensis ( Tu et al. 2006, figs 15, 16). Distal arm tip of paracymbium triangular in R. flosculus sp. n. ( Fig. 14B ), vs., V-shaped in R. nanyuensis ( Tu et al. 2006, fig. 15).

Description. Male ( Fig. 16A ): Total length: 2.01. Carapace 0.98 long, 0.74 wide, yellowish-brown; fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.15 high. Chelicerae with 6 promarginal and 6 retromarginal teeth. AER recurved, PER straight, slightly wider. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.04, ALE 0.06, PME 0.05, PLE 0.05, AME–AME 0.02, PME–PME 0.06, AME–ALE, 0.05, PME–PLE 0.03, AME–PME 0.05, ALE–ALE 0.29, PLE–PLE 0.33, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 2.73 (0.81, 0.96, 0.58, 0.43), II 2.55 (0.79, 0.84, 0.51, 0.41), III 2.03 (0.61, 0.69, 0.41, 0.32), IV 2.65 (0.85, 0.88, 0.54, 0.38). Tm I 0.29 and Tm IV 0.16. Tibial spine formula: 2-2-2-2. Abdomen 1.02 long, 0.62 wide, oval, grey; ventral side grey.

Palp ( Fig. 14A–D ): Patella as long as tibia; tibia with with one retrolateral and one dorsal trichobothria and two apophyses; retrolateral tibial apophysis strongly sclerotized, wider than long, pointing laterally in dorsal view, dorsal tibial apophysis wither than long, with round tip. Cymbium with shallow depression at base retrolaterally. Paracymbium strongly scleortized, distal arm tip triangular. Distal suprategular apophysis proximal part covered by tegulum, distal end sclerotized, with narrow hook-shaped tip. Radix C-shaped. Lamella characteristica with 2 branches; posterior horn-shaped and anterior one long, extending towards cymbial apex, tip flower-shaped. Terminal apophysis longer than wide, tip serrated. Embolus conspicuously large, posteriorly curved about half circle, apex strongly sclerotized, finger-shaped with blunt tip; thumb short, covered by the lamella characteristica; embolus proper blunt.

Female. Unknown

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Ryojius flosculus sp. nov., male holotype, left palp. A prolateral view B retrolateral view C dorsal view D ventral view.

FIGURE 16. Ryojius flosculus sp. nov., male holotype (A), Ryojius latus sp. nov., male holotype (B). A, B habitus, dorsal view.