Laufeia eximia sp. nov.

Figs 43–52

Type material. Holotype: male, CHINA: GUANGXI: Tianlin County, Langping Village, from Aokou to Matishi, 24.467° N, 106.367° E, elev. 1260–1454 m, 26 May 2006, coll. J. Zhang, M. S. Zhu, W. G. Lian, H. Q. Ma, JXZ06#014 (UBC-SEM AR00179). Paratype: 1 female, same data as holotype (UBC-SEM AR00180).

Etymology. Latin eximia (special), referring to the extraordinary male palpal structure of the species.

Diagnosis. Differs from other Laufeia species by the unique genital structures: the long and thick embolus, the large process on the embolic disc, and the large retrolateral extension of the cymbium of the male palp (Figs 45–46); the spermatheca anterior to the opening of copulatory duct (Figs 51–52).

Description. Male (holotype, UBC-SEM AR00179). Carapace length 1.3; abdomen length 1.2. Chelicera (Fig. 50): dark brown; promargin with two teeth, retromargin with one bicuspid tooth. Palp (Figs 45–46): reddish brown. Cymbium with a large retrolateral extension; proximal tegular lobe present; embolus relatively wide and coiled for less a circle; embolic disc with a large branched process; retrolateral tibial apophysis long and pointed at the tip. First tibia with one ventral macroseta on prolateral side, two ventral macrosetae on retrolateral side; first metatarsus with two pairs of ventral macrosetae. Measurements of legs: I 2.2, II 1.6, III 1.7, IV 2.1. Color in alcohol (Fig. 43): body dark, with some white scales on carapace; abdomen with a pair of sandy yellow markings laterally; legs brown to sandy yellow.

Female (paratype, UBC-SEM AR00180). Carapace length 1.1; abdomen length 1.1. Chelicera: with two promarginal teeth and one bicuspid retromarginal tooth. First tibia with one ventral macroseta on prolateral side, two ventral macrosetae on retrolateral side; first metatarsus with two pairs of ventral macrosetae. Measurements of legs: I 1.5, II 1.4, III 1.7, IV 1.7. Epigynum (Fig. 51): window relatively small, with a wide median septum. Vulva (Fig. 52): copulatory duct thin, with accessory gland near spermatheca; spermatheca oval. Color in alcohol (Fig. 44): similar to that of male.

Natural history. Specimens were collected by beating dry leaves at the edge of forest.