Nesticella huomachongensis, Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016

Lin, Yucheng, Ballarin, Francesco & Li, Shuqiang, 2016, A survey of the spider family Nesticidae (Arachnida, Araneae) in Asia and Madagascar, with the description of forty-three new species, ZooKeys 627, pp. 1-168 : 37

Taxon classification Animalia Araneae Nesticidae

Nesticella huomachongensis sp. n. Figs 42, 43, 83

Type material.

Holotype ♂ and paratypes 2♀ (IZCAS), CHINA: Hunan Province, Chenxi County, Huomachong Town, Yanzi Cave (27.85746°N, 110.26079°E, 439 m), 3.V.2011, Z. Zha leg.

Etymology.

The specific name is derived from the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis.

Nesticella huomachongensis sp. n. is closely related to Nesticella wanzaiensis sp. n. (see Figs 45 A–D, 46 A–G) and Nesticella fuliangensis sp. n. (see Figs 40 A–D, 41 A–G). Males can be separated from those of Nesticella wanzaiensis sp. n. by the shorter and more ovate cymbium (Fig. 42B vs. Fig. 45B), the shorter process of the conductor (Cp) (Fig. 42D vs. Fig. 45D) and the different shape of the distal process of the paracymbium (Dp) which appears stockier in Nesticella wanzaiensis sp. n. (Fig. 42A vs. Fig. 45A). The wider process of the conductor (Cp) and the more squared distal process of the paracymbium (Dp) (Fig. 42A, D vs. Fig. 40A, D) allow the separation of males of the new species from those of Nesticella fuliangensis sp. n. Females can be recognized by the wider and squarer scape (Sp) (narrower in Nesticella wanzaiensis sp. n.) and by the truncate posterior margin (curved in Nesticella fuliangensis sp. n.) (Fig. 43 F–G vs. Fig. 46 F–G vs. Fig. 41 F–G). The same combination of characters allows easy separation of Nesticella huomachongensis sp. n. from the other species of the mogera -group.

Description.

Habitus as in Fig. 43 A–D. Carapace yellowish. Ocular area slightly protruding in males. Cervical groove and fovea indistinct. Mouthparts yellowish, darker in females than in males. Sternum pale yellow. Legs uniformly yellowish. Female palpal femur pale yellow, tibia and tarsus brown-yellowish. Opisthosoma grey in males, grey-yellowish in females.

Male palp (Fig. 42 A–D): cymbium relatively shorter and rounder then usual, paracymbium strongly sclerotized, with a row of short setae (Fig. 42D), a sharp ventral apophysis and a stout, broad, distinctly sclerotized distal process (Fig. 42A, D). Terminal apophysis broad and distinctly sclerotized, with a granulate surface (Fig. 42A, C). Conductor ending with a strongly sclerotized, horn-like process (Fig. 42A, C–D).

Epigyne (Fig. 43 E–G): brown-reddish (Fig. 43 D–E). Scape very short and stumpy, posterior margin straight, about as wide as the spermathecae (Fig. 43F). Spermathecae globular, separated by about 1.2 diameters (Fig. 43 F–G). Fertilization ducts short, swollen. Copulatory ducts long and coiled (Fig. 43G).

Male (holotype). Total length 2.66. Carapace 1.38 long, 1.21 wide. Opisthosoma 1.44 long, 1.02 wide. Clypeus height 0.18. Sternum 0.71 long, 0.75 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Female (one of the paratypes). Total length 3.28. Carapace 1.44 long, 1.22 wide. Opisthosoma 1.88 long, 1.43 wide. Clypeus height 0.24. Sternum 0.81 long, 0.78 wide. Leg measurements: see Appendix A.

Habitat.

Cave.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 83).