Theridion circuitum, Gao & Li, 2014

Gao, Cai-Xia & Li, Shu-Qiang, 2014, Comb-footed spiders (Araneae: Theridiidae) in the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China, Zoological Systematics 39 (1), pp. 1-135 : 98

Theridion circuitum sp. nov. ( Figs 78–80 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun Nature Reserve , primary tropical seasonal rainforest (21º54.725'N, 101º13.261'E), 8 August 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective circuitus and means revolving, in reference to the winding embolus.

Diagnosis. The new species differs from other species of the genus by the embolus curving; conductor winding, with distal furcation.

Male. Total length 1.45. Prosoma 0.63 long, 0.50 wide, flat, grey, with black stripes, without seta. Sternum 0.38 long, 0.38 wide, grey. Opisthosoma 0.88 long, 0.75 wide, grey, with pale spots, without seta, with colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.08, ALE 0.06, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME-AME 0.09, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.10, PME-PLE 0.05. Clypeus height about 2.00 times AME diameter, yellow, with apophysis. Chelicerae: yellow, without spot or tooth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.25 long, 0.10 wide, grey, with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.08 long, 0.18 wide, with 2 setae, grey. Leg measurements: I 2.50 (0.75, 0.23, 0.63, 0.46, 0.43); II 1.90 (0.65, 0.19, 0.43, 0.33, 0.30); III 1.09 (0.38, 0.13, 0.19, 0.19, 0.20); IV 1.60 (0.61, 0.15, 0.31, 0.28, 0.25). Leg I yellow to grey, without spines, with only soft setae. Legs II–IV similar to leg I. Pedipalpus ( Figs 78A–B , 79A–B , 80A–D ): tibia yellow to black, with 2 trichobothria; cymbium yellow to black; paracymbium hooded; subtegulum broad; tegulum smooth, without apophysis; median apophysis smooth, without protrusion; embolus long, curved; conductor long, winding, with 2 apophyses; tegular apophysis with distal branches.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 78. Theridion circuitum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bar = 0.05mm.

Fig. 79. Theridion circuitum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.05mm.

Fig. 80. Theridion circuitum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.05 mm.