Leclercera zhaoi Li et Li, 2018

Xu, Mingjie, Li, Fengyuan & Li, Shuqiang, 2018, Four new species of the spider genus Leclercera Deeleman-Reinhold (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae) from Nepal, Zootaxa 4461 (4), pp. 558-572 : 561-562

Leclercera zhaoi Li et Li sp. nov.

Figs 6–8

Material examined. Holotype: Male (IZCAS-Ar 34335), Nepal, Mechi District, Mai Pokhari , 27°00’40”N, 87°55’57”E, altitude 2099 m, 25 November 2016, Q. Y. Zhao leg. Paratypes: 2 females and 2 males, same data as holotype (IZCAS-Ar 34336–34339).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Dr Qingyuan Zhao who collected the types; noun (name) in genitive case.

Diagnosis. Males of this new species are similar to those of L. niuqu Li et Li sp. nov. in having the conductor with two divisions of different sizes, but can be distinguished by the broad, bent distal part of the larger one ( Fig. 6A ) and the longer retrolateral tibial apophysis on the palp ( Fig. 6C ).

Description. Male (holotype): Measurements: Total length 3.46; carapace length: 0.80, width: 0.92; abdomen length: 2.28, width: 0.91. Legs brown; measurements: I 12.04 (3.39, 0.35, 3.53, 3.52, 1.25), II 8.89 (2.56, 0.32, 2.69, 2.38, 0.94), III 6.42 (1.84, 0.31, 1.90, 1.62, 0.75), IV 9.88 (2.89, 0.32, 2.88, 2.66, 1.13). Carapace subcircular, yellow, with one broad middle band and two narrow marginal bands ( Fig. 7C ). Anterior margin of thoracic region distinctly elevated. Six eyes. Chelicerae brown. Cheliceral promargin with lamina and one tooth, retromargin with two small teeth ( Fig. 8C ), the posterior surface of fang with 25 small denticles. Labium brown. Sternum brown. Abdomen slender with complex patterns dorsally. Palp ( Figs 6A–D ): femur slender with three long spines retrolaterally; tibia with two slightly curved spines and one retrolateral apophysis bearing a short spine distally, and a clump of bristles basally; bulb pale yellow, ovate ( Fig. 6A ); conductor arising distally from bulb, divided into two unequal parts, one sharp and the other broad; embolus arising distally from bulb, oblique, sigmoid. Embolus and conductor slightly separated ( Fig. 6D ).

Female: Measurements: total length 2.68; carapace length: 0.84, width: 0.88; abdomen length: 1.82, width: 0.97. Leg measurements: I 9.05 (2.34, 0.32, 2.75, 2.60, 1.04), II 6.82 (1.92, 0.25, 2.05, 1.75, 0.85), III 5.35 (1.50, 0.25, 1.47, 1.38, 0.75), IV 8.13 (2.32, 0.25, 2.34, 2.19, 1.03). Similar to male in coloration and general features ( Figs 7E–F ). Genital area modified. External genitalic area with a pair of translucent apophyses laterally ( Fig. 7B ). Internal genitalia with a pair of short, transparent copulatory ducts and spermathecae ( Fig. 7A ).

Variation. Males: carapace length: 0.80, 1.02, width: 0.92, 0.98, tibia I 3.12, 3.39; Females: carapace length: 0.76, 0.84, width: 0.88, 0.90, tibia I 2.34 (leg I lost in other specimens).

Natural history. Collected in broad leaved forest leaf litter near a lake, at an altitude of 2099 m.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 9 ).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Leclercera zhaoi Li et Li sp. nov., male holotype. A. Left palpal bulb, ventral view; B. Left palp, ventral view; C. Left palp, retrolateral view; D. Left palp, dorsal view. CO = conductor; EM = embolus. The scale bar in figures 6B and 6C as in figure 6D.

FIGURE 7. Leclercera zhaoi Li et Li sp. nov., male holotype and female paratype. A. Internal genitalia, dorsal view; B. Female epigastric furrow, ventral view; C. Male habitus, dorsal view; D. Male habitus, ventral view; E. Female habitus, dorsal view; F. Female habitus, ventral view. SP = spermatheca. The scale bar in figure 7C as in figure 7D. The scale bar in figure 7F as in figure 7E.

FIGURE 8. Retromargin of chelicerae. A. Leclercera nagarjunensis Li et Li sp. nov.; B. L. sidai Li et Li sp. nov.; C. L. zhaoi Li et Li sp. nov.; D. L. niuqu Li et Li sp. nov. RT = retromarginal teeth.

FIGURE 9. Locality records for four new species of the genus Leclercera from Nepal.