Heptathela tonkinensis ( Bristowe, 1933 )

Schwendinger, Peter J. & Ono, Hirotsugu, 2011, On two Heptathela species from southern Vietnam, with a discussion of copulatory organs and systematics of the Liphistiidae (Araneae: Mesothelae), Revue suisse de Zoologie 118 (4), pp. 599-637 : 611-612

Heptathela tonkinensis ( Bristowe, 1933) Figs 34-38

Liphistius birmanicus Thorell, 1897 .- Simon, 1909: 70-71 (misidentification; description of male).

Liphistius tonkinensis Bristowe in Bristowe & Millot, 1933: 1022, text-fig. 4 (naming of species; illustration of palp of male holotype).- Bristowe, 1976: 4 (listing).

Heptathela tonkinensis ( Bristowe, 1933) .- Haupt, 1983: 284-285, figs 8a-b, d, 13e (transfer; description and illustration of palp of male holotype); Platnick & Sedgwick, 1984: 3 (transfer).

Vinatela tonkinensis ( Bristowe, 1933) .- Ono, 2000: 150 (transfer).

Nanthela tonkinensis ( Bristowe, 1933) .- Haupt, 2003: 69, 71, figs 51a-b (transfer; illustration of palp of male holotype).

Here transferred back to Heptathela .

MATERIAL EXAMINED: MNHN 29170 , AR-4104; male holotype; Vietnam, Tonkin, forêt de Khà là; no collecting date; leg. Blaise.

EMENDED DIAGNOSIS: The previously published descriptions of the holotype do not mention some of the following characters: cymbial projection quite broad and distinctly inclined from axis of cymbium (Fig. 34); distoventral zone of cymbium (below subtegulum) pigmented and sclerotised as normal; paracymbium short and exceptionally wide at base, at an acute angle to axis of cymbium (Fig. 35); contrategulum distally with a broad band of denticles (arranged in several irregular rows) running down to near ventro-proximal margin of contrategulum, no sharp distal edge present (Fig. 36); marginal apophysis of tegulum fairly short, compressed and arched, with a sharp distal edge running from prolateral to retrolateral side (Figs 34, 37-38); terminal apophysis of tegulum beak-like, dorsally with a large and broadly arched extension with a coarsely dentate edge (Figs 34, 36-38) not in contact with edge on marginal apophysis; conductor long (about as long as embolus), its distal part fairly distant from embolus (Figs 34, 36). “Tibial spurs” absent on all legs. Posterior margin of genital sternite widely and uniformly rounded, without protruding median part. Anterior margin of sternum not markedly elevated, suture to labium therefore shallow (as in male of H. nui sp. n.).

FIGS 34-38

Heptathela tonkinensis ( Bristowe, 1933) , male holotype. (34) Distal part of left palp, prolateral view. (35) Paracymbium of left palp, ventral view. (36) Left palpal organ, distal view. (37) Marginal and terminal apophysis of tegulum of left palp, ventral view. (38) Same, right palp. Abbreviations as in Figs 1-15. Scale lines 1.0 mm.

REMARKS: The retrolateral view of the right palp of the holotype given by Bristowe ( Bristowe & Millot, 1933: text-fig. 4) is detailed and correct, but it gives the false impression of a quite long and pointed marginal tegular apophysis, as present in H. australis and H. nui sp. n. A comparison of these three species showed that all of them have a fairly sharp distal edge on their marginal tegular apophysis, and in pro- and retrolateral view this apophysis always looks pointed (see also Fig. 34). Ventral and dorsal views show that in H. tonkinensis this apophysis is actually scale-like, fairly short and moderately arched (Figs 37-38; Haupt, 1983: fig 8b; Haupt, 2003: fig. 51B), whereas in H. australis and H. nui sp. n. it is long, triangular and truly pointed (Figs 3, 5, 10, 23, 25, 28-29).

RELATIONSHIPS: Among the hepthatheline species of which males are known, H. tonkinensis currently appears most closely related to H. tomokunii ; both are more distantly related to H. australis and H. nui sp. n. Heptathela cucphuongensis (known only from females), which also occurs in northern Vietnam (south of Hanoi), is geographically closer and possibly also more closely related to H. tonkinensis and H. tomokunii than to H. australis and H. nui sp. n. from the south of the country.

DISTRIBUTION: Heptathela tonkinensis is known only from the holotype collected in a forest near Khà là (this spelling is given on the laeser-printed label in the tube with the specimen; in the original description the name of the locality is spelled “Kha-lé”), in the valley of the Song (= river) Luc Nam , northeast of Hanoi ( Simon, 1909: 69, 71). This locality probably corresponds to the village of Kha Le, about 15 km east of the township of Luc Nam in Bac Giang Province, northern Vietnam .