Carniella forficata, 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 : 20

Carniella forficata sp. nov. ( Figs 16–18 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun , secondary tropical seasonal rainforest (21º55.428'N, 101º16.441'E), 19–25 September 2007, Guo Zheng leg.

Paratypes 2♂, same data as holotype .

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective forficatus and means forked, in reference to bifurcate embolar apophysis.

Diagnosis. The new species is similar to C. schwendingeri , but can be distinguished by the embolus with a forked apophysis; males of the latter species have an embolus with 2 apophyses ( Knoflach, 1996).

Male (measurements of holotype). Total length 0.95. Prosoma 0.40 long, 0.38 wide, high, yellow, with 6 long setae, membranous brims. Sternum 0.26 long, 0.28 wide, yellow, with black spots. Opisthosoma 0.50 long, 0.35 wide, grey, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.03, ALE 0.05, PME 0.03, PLE 0.04, AME-AME 0.02, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.05, PME-PLE 0.03. Clypeus height about 5.17 times AME diameter, yellow. Clypeal projection conspicuous, with many little setae. Chelicerae: yellow, with 1 anterior tooth, 2 spines; fangs long, slender. Endites: 0.15 long, 0.08 wide, yellow with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.05 long, 0.11 wide, with 4 long setae, yellow with black spots. Leg measurements: I 1.19 (0.34, 0.13, 0.28, 0.19, 0.25); II 0.90 (0.26, 0.09, 0.16, 0.14, 0.25); III 0.91 (0.25, 0.13, 0.18, 0.14, 0.21); IV 1.29 (0.46, 0.13, 0.31, 0.16, 0.23). Leg I pale yellow, without spot; femur with row of spines; patella with 1 distal spine; tibia with many spines; metatarsus shorter than tarsus, with many spines; tarsus with many spines. Legs II–IV similar to leg I. Pedipalpus ( Figs 16A–B , 17A–B , 18A–D ): tibia pale yellow, without trichobothrium; cymbium yellow, with distal divarication; paracymbium hooked, distinguishable in retrolateral view; subtegulum broad; tegulum confined, without apophysis; median apophysis smooth, without protrusion; embolus similar to head of snake, with forked apophysis.

Variation. Male paratypes. Total length 0.94–0.96; prosoma 0.48–0.50 long, 0.38–0.39 wide; sternum 0.24–0.25 long, 0.24–0.26 wide; opisthosoma 0.44–0.48 long, 0.38–0.40 wide.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 16. Carniella forficata sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bar = 0.05mm.

Fig. 17. Carniella forficata sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.05mm.

Fig. 18. Carniella forficata sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view. C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.05mm.