Lineacoelotes, Xu, Xiang, Li, Shuqiang & Wang, Xin-Ping, 2008

Xu, Xiang, Li, Shuqiang & Wang, Xin-Ping, 2008, Lineacoelotes, a new genus of Coelotinae from China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae), Zootaxa 1700, pp. 1-20 : 4-5

Lineacoelotes gen. nov.

Type species: Lineacoelotes longicephalus sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is a compound word with the prefix “linea” and the generic name of Coelotes . “Linea” means a thread, referring to the long, coiled spermathecal head and is masculine in gender.

Diagnosis: Members of this genus can be separated from other Coelotinae by their unusually long, coiled spermathecal heads ( Figs 2, 4 , 6 , 12 , 26 , 38 ), the large patellar apophysis, the absence of a lateral tibial apophysis (a small apophysis situated on retrolateral side of tibia in most Coelotinae and separated slightly from RTA dorsal side, see Wang 2002: Fig 73), the strongly modified short conductor ( Figs 8, 9 , 14, 15 , 31, 32 , 34 , 35 ), and the absence of a conductor dorsal apophysis.

Description: Medium sized ecribellate spiders, with total length 6.40–8.39. Somatic morphology is similar to other Coelotinae ( Fig 16 ). From dorsal view, anterior eye row straight or slightly procurved, posterior row procurved; AME smallest, ALE and PLE largest and subequal, PME can be slightly larger than AME or as large as ALE and PLE ( Fig 17 ); chilum undivided, hairless. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal teeth and 2 retromarginal teeth; tibiae with about four rows of trichobothria; metatarsi and tarsi with one row of trichobothria; trichobothria with large hood transversely striated and small hood smooth, ( Fig 24 ). Tarsal organ with simple opening ( Fig 22 ). Leg spination also similar to other Coelotinae. Trachea not examined. Colulus represented by clusters of hairs ( Fig 23 ); ALS short, apex of ALS with 2 major ampullate gland spigots (MAP) and approximately 15–20 piriform gland spigots (PI); PMS small, with 2 minor ampullate gland spigots (mAP), approximately 15 aciniform gland spigots (AC), 2 cylindrical gland spigots (CY); PLS second segment long, with approximately 30 aciniform gland spigots, and only 1 cylindrical gland spigot visible from the examined spinneret ( Figs 19–21 ). Female epigynum simple, atrium large, situated anteriorly, distinctly separated from epigastric furrow; copulatory ducts broad; spermathecae with bases relatively small, situated close together (except L. strenuus sp. nov.); spermathecal heads extremely long, strong looped and extended anteriorly or laterally ( Figs 11–12 ). Male palp with large patellar apophysis which can be as long as patellar length; RTA, which is the only apophysis on retrolateral side of tibia, extending along most of tibial length (in most Coelotinae, there is another small apophysis called lateral tibial apophysis by Wang, 2002. Lateral tibial apophysis is usually slightly separated from RTA); cymbial furrow can be shorter, as long as, or longer than cymbial length; conductor short ( Figs 14 , C1), conductor dorsal edge strongly modified to a retrolaterally directed distal apophysis ( Figs 14 , C2) and another apophysis (C3) that is directed either prolaterally ( Figs 14 ) or retrolaterally ( Figs 8–10 ); median apophysis spoon-shaped, rounded; embolus filiform, with base directed proximally and then curved distally ( Figs 13–15 ).

Natural history: Species of Lineacoelotes gen. nov. build small funnel webs, usually close to the ground. The spiders can be found under objects, such as logs and stones. Some of them are found in caves. L. funiushanensis , for example, has been collected both inside and outside caves, whereas L. nitidus is known exclusively from caves. Judging from the somatic appearance, neither presents particular adaptations to cavernicolous life.

Adults of Lineacoelotes gen. nov. have been collected from early May to late November, but our collecting experience shows that adults of Lineacoelotes gen. nov., particularly the adult males, are only abundant in October and November, which is also observed by Wang et al. (2001) in their year-round pitfall trap sampling.

Compositon: Five species: Lineacoelotes bicultratus ( Chen, Zhao & Wang, 1991) , L. funiushanensis ( Hu, Wang & Wang, 1991) , L. longicephalus sp. nov., L. nitidus ( Li & Zhang, 2002) , and L. strenuus sp. nov.

Distribution: China (Henan, Hubei, Sichuan) ( Fig 39 ).

Figures

FIGURE 39. Records of species of Lineacoelotes gen. nov.

FIGURES 1 – 4. Lineacoelotes bicultratus (Chen, Zhao & Wang, 1991), females from Mt. Wudangshan, Hubei, China, epigynum (1, 3 ventral view; 2, 4 dorsal view; 1 – 2 Holotype; 3 – 4. Non-type).

FIGURES 5 – 7. Lineacoelotes funiushanensis (Hu, Wang & Wang, 1991), male and female from Qiliping, Neixiang, Henan, China. 5 – 6 Female, epigynum (5 ventral view; 6 dorsal view). 7 Male palp, prolateral view.

FIGURES 11 – 13. Lineacoelotes longicephalus sp. nov., female holotype and male paratype from Xindu, Sichuan, China. 11 Female epigynum, ventral view. 12 Female epigynum, dorsal view. 13 Male palp, prolateral view.

FIGURES 25 – 28. Lineacoelotes nitidus (Li & Zhang, 2002), male and female from Tenglongdong Cave, Lichuan, Hubei, China. 25 Epigynum, ventral view. 26 Epigynum, dorsal view. 27 Palp, conductor dorsal edge, prolateral view. 28 Palp, prolateral view.

FIGURES 35 – 38. Lineacoelotes strenuus sp. nov., male holotype and female paratype from Shenlongjia, Hubei, China. 35 Palp, retrolateral view. 36 Palp, conductor dorsal edge, prolateral view. 37 Epigynum, ventral view. 38 Epigynum, dorsal view.

FIGURES 8 – 10. Lineacoelotes funiushanensis (Hu, Wang & Wang, 1991), male from Qiliping, Neixiang, Henan, China, palp (8 ventral view; 9 retrolateral view; 10 conductor dorsal edge, ventral view).

FIGURES 14 – 15. Lineacoelotes longicephalus sp. nov., male paratype from Xindu, Sichuan, China, palp (14. Ve n tr a l view; 15. Retrolateral view).

FIGURES 29 – 32. Lineacoelotes nitidus (Li & Zhang, 2002), male from Tenglongdong Cave, Lichuan, Hubei, China, palp (29 Showing conductor dorsal edge, ventral view; 30 Showing conductor dorsal edge, retrolateral view; 31 Ventral view; 32 Retrolateral view).

FIGURES 33 – 34. Lineacoelotes strenuus sp. nov., male holotype from Shennongjia, Hubei, China, palp (33 Prolateral view; 34 Ventral view).

FIGURES 16 – 18. Lineacoelotes longicephalus sp. nov., female holotype from Xindu, Sichuan, China. 16 Habitus. 17 Eyes, dorsal view. 18. Chelicerae, ventral view.

FIGURES 23 – 24. Lineacoelotes longicephalus sp. nov., female paratype from Xindu, Sichuan, China. 23 Colulus, represented by two clusters of setae (indicated by two arrows). 24 Trichobothrium base, tarsus of leg 4 (hair is absent).

FIGURES 19 – 22. Lineacoelotes longicephalus sp. nov., female paratype from Xindu, Sichuan, China. 19 Anterior lateral spinneret. 20 Posterior median spinneret. 21 Posterior lateral spinneret. 22 Tarsal organ.