Tricholathys xizangensis sp. nov. (西藏毛隐蛛)

Wang, Lu-Yu, Peng, Xian-Jin & Zhang, Zhi-Sheng, 2023, The first record of Tricholathys Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935 (Araneae, Dictynidae) from China, with a new combination and descriptions of seven new species, ZooKeys 1185, pp. 255-267 : 255

Tricholathys xizangensis sp. nov. (西藏毛隐蛛)

Figs 14 , 15 , 16

Type materials.

Holotype male: China, Tibet, Coqen County, Meiduo Village, 30°39′19.43′′N, 85°7′54.62′′E, elev. 4751 m, 29 July 2020, L.Y. Wang et al, leg. (SWUC-T-DI-13-01). Paratypes (1 male and 5 females): 4 females (SWUC-T-DI-13-02~05), with same data as holotype; 1 male and 1 female, Ge’gyai County, 32°31′17.51′′N, 82°28′47.63′′E, elev. 4321 m, 29 July 2020, L.Y. Wang et al. leg. (SWUC-T-DI-13-06~07).

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the type locality the location of the type locality in Tibet; Xizang is a Chinese name for Tibet.

Diagnosis.

This species can be distinguished from all other congeners in having the posterior arm of conductor short and with a hook-shaped end, the anterior arm of the conductor terminating at about the 9 o’clock position, the embolus originated at about 7:30 o’clock (Figs 14A, B , 15C-E ), the copulatory ducts long, with 3 turns, and with an indistinct membranous part (Figs 14C, D , 15F, G ).

Description.

Male (holotype). Habitus as (Fig. 15A ) total length 4.95. Total length of males 4.95-5.50. Prosoma 2.52 long, 1.90 wide; opisthosoma 2.70 long, 1.74 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.11, PME 0.08, PLE 0.11; AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.06, PME-PME 0.15, PME-PLE 0.12, ALE-PLE 0.04. MOA 0.25 long, anterior width 0.25, posterior width 0.31. Clypeus height 0.13. Chelicerae with 4 promarginal and 2 retromarginal teeth. Leg measurements: I 5.59 (1.63, 2.05, 1.11, 0.80); II 4.93 (1.43, 1.68, 1.07, 0.75); III 4.44 (1.34, 1.41, 0.95, 0.74); IV 5.86 (1.66, 1.96, 1.37, 0.87).

Palp (Figs 14A, B , 15C-E ). Tibia with retrolateral apophysis with broad, rounded tip. Tip of Cymbium with 3 spines. Anterior arm terminating at about 9:00 o’clock; posterior arm terminating in digitiform, uncinate tip. Embolus originating at about 7:30 o’clock position.

Female (paratype). Habitus as in Fig. 15B . Total length 4.35 (4.35-5.91 in other paratype females). Prosoma 2.26 long, 1.67 wide; opisthosoma 2.48 long, 1.53 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.11, PME 0.08, PLE, 0.09; AME-AME 0.09, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.14, PME-PLE 0.12, ALE-PLE 0.06. MOA 0.27 long, anterior width 0.27, posterior width 0.31. Clypeus height 0.17. Leg measurements: I 4.88 (1.43, 1.65, 1.08, 0.72); II 4.58 (1.37, 1.52, 1.00, 0.69); III 4.08 (1.16, 1.27, 1.00, 0.65); IV 5.49 (1.49, 1.92, 1.26, 0.82).

Epigyne (Figs 14C, D , 15F, G ). Copulatory openings almost semicircular. Spermathecae small. Weakly sclerotized part indistinct; strongly sclerotized part spiral, with 3 turns.

Distribution. China (Tibet) (Fig. 16 ).

Figures

Figure 14. Tricholathys xizangensis sp. nov. A, B holotype male C, D paratype female A left male palp, ventral view B same, retrolateral view C Epigyne, ventral view D same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: AA = anterior arm of conductor; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; DP = digitiform process; Em = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; PA posterior arm of conductor; RTA = retrolaterial tibial apophysis; Sp spermatheca.

Figure 15. Tricholathys xizangensis sp. nov. A, C-E holotype male B, F, G paratype female A male habitus, dorsal view B Female habitus, dorsal view C left male palp, prolateral view D same, ventral view E same, retrolateral view F epigyne, ventral view G same, dorsal view.

Figure 16. Distribution of Tricholathys in China.