Microlinyphia spirala, Irfan & Zhang & Peng, 2022

Irfan, Muhammad, Zhang, Zhi-Sheng & Peng, Xian-Jin, 2022, Survey of Linyphiidae (Arachnida: Araneae) spiders from Yunnan, China, Megataxa 8 (1), pp. 1-292 : 170-174

Microlinyphia spirala sp. nov. (ṚÄḿƉƦ)

Figures 199–201

Types. Holotype ♀, CHINA, Yunnan, Gongshan County, Cikai Township , 3.3 km NW of Gongshan on Pula River at hydropower diversion dam, 27.77175°N, 98.64924°E, alt. 1530m, 24 September 2002, D. H. Kavanaugh leg. ( PEM012 ) . Paratypes: 2♀, same data as holotype female ( PEM012 ) .

Etymology. This epithet derives from the Latin adjective “ spiralis ”, meaning “spiral” and referring to spiral tubes in epigyne.

Diagnosis. The new species resembles Microlinyphia pusilla ( Sundevall, 1830) in having a similarly rounded scape ( Fig. 199A–C ; Fig. 195A–C ), but can be distinguished by the spiral tubes with 8.5 coils in M. spirala sp. nov. ( Fig. 199B, C ), whereas with 6.5 to 7.5 coils in M. pusilla ( Fig. 195B, C ). Spermathecae pointing away from each other in M. spirala sp. nov. ( Fig. 199B, C ), whereas towards each other in M. pusilla ( Fig. 195B, C ).

Description. Female (holotype, Fig. 200A, B ): Total length: 2.86. Carapace 1.18 long, 0.80 wide, brown, lateral margin dark brown; fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.18 high. Sternum longer than wide, brownish black, sparsely covered with microsetae. Labium wider than long. Maxillae long, distal end broad with scopulae. Chelicerae with five promarginal and four retromarginal teeth. AER recurved, PER straight, slightly wider. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.07, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE 0.07, AME–AME 0.05, PME–PME 0.12, AME–ALE, 0.10, PME–PLE 0.08, AME–PME 0.09, ALE–ALE 0.44, PLE–PLE 0.45, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 5.90 (1.67, 1.77, 1.55, 0.91), II 5.04 (1.41, 1.56, 1.31, 0.76), III 3.57 (1.09, 1.06, 0.91, 0.51), IV 5.10 (1.59, 1.46, 1.37, 0.68). Leg formula I-IV-II-III. Tm I 0.77 and Tm IV 0.41. Tibial spine formula: 2-2- 2-2. Abdomen 1.93 long, 1.29 wide, oval, pale, densely covered with white patches, proximal end with a brown arch-shaped marking followed by a yellowish brown distinct pattern: ventral side dark brown with two pairs of white patches posteriorly.

Epigyne ( Fig. 199A–C ): Scape rounded and curved in ventral direction, arising from a triangular incision of anterior margin of epigastric furrow. Vulva: entrance of spiral tubes presents in lateral walls of triangular incision. Spiral tubes with 8.5 coils. Spermathecae small, pointing away from each other. Fertilization duct running through the axis of coils, forming a complete loop near entrance, then curving to the dorsal side of the complex.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 201 ).

Genus Molestia Tu, Saaristo & Li, 2006 (ĢƦø)

Figures

FIGURE 195. Microlinyphia pusilla (Sundevall, 1830). A, B Epigyne, ventral view C Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURE 199. Microlinyphia spirala sp. nov., female holotype. A, B Epigyne, ventral view C Vulva, dorsal view.

FIGURE 200. Microlinyphia spirala sp. nov., female holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view.

FIGURE 201. Distribution of Microlinyphia species.