Psechrus mulu Levi, 1982

Bayer, Steffen, 2012, The lace-sheet-weavers — a long story (Araneae: Psechridae: Psechrus), Zootaxa 3379 (1), pp. 1-170 : 24-27

Psechrus mulu Levi, 1982

Figs 7a–f , 8a–h , 82n , 84e , 87c , 90c

Psechrus mulu Levi 1982: 128 , figs 58–61 ( Description and illustration of ♂ and ♀). [Holotype ♂ ( SB 242 ) from MALAYSIA: Borneo, Sarawak Province: Mulu National Park, Deer cave, Gua Payau; P. Chapman leg. 25.IV.1978, ‘ R. Geogr. Soc. - Sarawak Govt. Gunung Mulu Expedition’; NHM 1981˙4˙10˙1–4; Paratypes: 1 ♂ ( SB 241 ), 2 ♀♀ ( SB 239–240 ), same data as for holotype; NHM 1981˙4˙10˙1–4, all type material examined].

Additional material examined (4 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀). MALAYSIA: Borneo, Sarawak Province: Mulu National Park, Deer cave, Gua Payau; P. Chapman leg. 07.III.1978, ‘ R. Geogr. Soc. - Sarawak Govt. Gunung Mulu Expedition’; Wanless det. Psechrus sp. ; 2 ♂♂ ( SB 243–244 ), 2 ♀♀ ( SB 245–246 ), NHM. Deer cave , boulder & way up, Main Arexenia bat guano pile; P. Chapman leg. 25.IV.1978; 2 ♂♂ ( SB 251–252 ), 6 ♀♀ ( SB 247–249 , 253–255 ), NHM .

Revised diagnosis (see also diagnosis for mulu -group above). Males with three apophyses close to embolus (E). One at embolus base (EB), another more basally in the area of EB and one apically at tegulum (T), next to E. Females similar to P. borneo Levi, 1982 in diagnostic character states described for mulu -group (see above). Distinguished by the lateral margins of median septum (MS) running less steep than in borneo and by the copulatory openings (CO), which are larger than in borneo and facing each other medially ( Fig. 7f , 8g –h ). Consequently, copulatory duct (CD) of vulva running transversally and straight ( Figs 7e , 8d–e ).

Description. Male (measurements of holotype first, those of other specimens given as ranges in parentheses): Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 5.7 (5.0–6.3), carapace width 4.3 (3.5–4.5), anterior width of carapace 2.0 (1.8–2.2), opisthosoma length 7.6 (7.2–8.5), opisthosoma width 3.6 (3.0–3.6). Eyes: AME 0.30 (0.29–0.36), ALE 0.32 (0.31–0.39), PME 0.32 (0.32–0.37), PLE 0.35 (0.34–0.42), AME–AME 0.18 (0.17–0.18), AME–ALE 0.08 (0.06–0.08), PME–PME 0.24 (0.23–0.24), PME–PLE 0.29 (0.28–0.31), AME–PME 0.34 (0.27–0.40), ALE–PLE 0.29 (0.26–0.32), clypeus height at AME 0.76 (0.53–0.76), clypeus height at ALE 0.48 (0.44–0.60).

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp 6.7 (6.7–7.6) [2.0 (2.0–2.2), 1.5 (1.4–1.8), 0.9 (0.8–0.9), 2.3 (2.3–2.8)], I 61.8 (58.8–88.8) [16.4 (15.6–23.6), 2.5 (2.2–3.1), 16.6 (16.0–23.4), 17.6 (16.7–26.6), 8.7 (8.3–12.1)], II 49.6 (45.9–68.3) [13.9 (12.5–18.9), 2.3 (2.1–2.7), 12.8 (11.9–17.1), 13.9 (12.9–20.4), 6.7 (6.5–9.2)], III 34.1 (31.6–44.2) [9.9 (9.3–12.8), 1.8 (1.6–2.0), 8.4 (7.7–11.1), 9.4 (8.9–12.5), 4.6 (4.1–5.8)], IV 52.3 (48.4–70.7) [14.5 (12.7–19.4), 2.2 (1.9–2.4), 13.1 (12.3–17.6), 15.0 (14.3–21.3), 7.5 (7.2–10.0].

Spination. Palp: 021 (021), 110 (110), 1101 (0100); legs (—except for patella— variable, in parentheses only most common states noted): femur I 747 (646,655), II 656 (646) III 556 (656), IV 545 (555); patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3036 (3036,3038), III 3136 (3135), IV 3135 (3136); metatarsus I–III 3035 (3035), IV 3034 (3035).

Palpal femur extremely bulky and modified with two ventral extensions. Distal femur extension (actually located centrally) quite pointed, with its tip slightly shifted distally ( Fig. 7d ). Proximal femur extension broader, also pointed and more strongly sclerotised. Palpal patella also very bulky. Palpal tibia distinctly short and with ventral process. The latter with long bristles directed retrolaterally ( Fig. 7b ).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description for mulu -group). T more than two times longer than broad and distinctly constricted in apical half. Cymbium dorsally with very dense scopula, covering almost ½ of cymbium.

Female:

Body and eye measurements. Carapace length 5.6–6.5, carapace width 4.1–4.9, anterior width of carapace 2.4–2.7, opisthosoma length 9.8–11.1, opisthosoma width 4.3–5.9. Eyes: AME 0.32–0.35, ALE 0.38–0.39, PME 0.39–0.40, PLE 0.40–0.42, AME–AME 0.18–0.23, AME–ALE 0.08–0.09, PME–PME 0.21–0.26, PME–PLE 0.28–0.36, AME–PME 0.39–0.48, ALE–PLE 0.32–0.38, clypeus height at AME 0.97–1.23, clypeus height at ALE 0.71–0.94.

Cheliceral furrow with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth.

Measurements of palp and legs. Leg formula: 1423. Palp: 7.8–8.4 [2.5–2.8, 1.1–1.2, 1.5–1.6, 2.7–2.9]; Legs: I 42.4–48.4 [11.4–13.3, 2.4–2.8, 11.3–13.1, 11.1–12.4, 6.2–6.8], II 33.5–37.8 [9.5–11.1, 2.2–2.5, 8.4–9.8, 8.6–9.3, 4.8–5.1], III 24.8–28.3 [7.2–8.5, 1.7–2.0, 6.0–6.8, 6.4–7.2, 3.5–3.8], IV 35.2–39.0 [9.8–11.4, 2.0–2.3, 8.9–10.1, 9.3–9.8, 5.2–5.4].

Palpal claw with 12–14 teeth.

Spination. Palp: 121 (131), 110 (120), 1101, 1013 (1014); legs (except for variable patella length, only most common states noted): femur I 757 (747,657), II 656 (736,647) III 646 (656), IV 556 (645,665); patella I–IV 000; tibia I–II 3036, III 3134, IV 3136 (3134,3133); metatarsus I–III 3035, IV 3034 (3035).

Copulatory organ (see also diagnosis and general description of mulu -group). MS posteriorly ca. three times broader than anteriorly, transversally generally with slightly curved ridge ( Fig. 7f , 8g –h , 87c ). MS-section posterior to that ridge generally lighter than anterior section. Epigynal muscle sigilla within or associated with epigynal field (EF), slit sense organs within EF or close by. Spermathecal heads (SH) with ‘stalks’ distinctly shorter than those of females belonging to argentatus -group.

Colouration of male and female. See description for mulu -group and Psechrus .

Variation of copulatory organs. In males the two apophyses proximal to E may vary in length ( Figs 7a–c , 8a–c ). In females the size of anterior width of MS may differ ( Figs 7f , 8g –h ). In some specimens an additional SH arises at base of SH-stalk ( Figs 7e , 8f ). Mostly this applies to only one vulva-half. Lengths of SH-stalks may differ slightly ( Figs 7e , 8d ).

Distribution. Malaysia [Borneo, Sarawak Province] ( Fig. 100 ).

Figures

FIGURES 7a–f. Psechrus mulu from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. a–d ♂ holotype SB 242. e–f ♀ paratype SB 240. a–c ♂ palp (a prolateral, b ventral, c retrolateral view). d ♂ left palpal femur, retrolateral view. e Vulva, dorsal view. f Epigyne, ventral view.

FIGURES 8a–h. Psechrus mulu from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. a–c ♂ paratype SB 241. d–e, g ♀ paratype SB 239. f, h ♀ SB 253. a–c ♂ palp (a prolateral, b ventral, c retrolateral view). e–f Vulva, dorsal view. g–h Epigyne, ventral view.

FIGURES 82a–r. Psechrus spp., photos of carapace (a–g), sternum (h–k) and ventral view of coxae of legs I–II (l-r). a P. libelti. b P. khammouan. c P. kenting. d P.fuscaisp. nov. e P. ghecuanus. f P.elachys sp. nov. g, k P. tauricornis sp. nov. h, o P. antraeus. i P. annulatus. j, p P.hartmanni sp. nov., l P. himalayanus, m P. ancoralis, n P.mulu, q P. senoculatus, r P. marsyandi. a ♀ SB 969 from Brunei Darussalam. b ♀ SB 382 from Laos, Khammouan Prov. c ♀ holotype SB 615 from Taiwan, Pingtung County. d ♀ holotype SB 954 from China, Yunnan Prov. e s.a. ♀ syntype SB 222 from Myanmar, Kayin Prov. f ♀ holotype SB 861 from Thailand, Satun Prov. g ♀ paratype SB 849, k juv. SB 851, both from Sri Lanka, Central Prov. h ♀ holotype SB 8 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. i ♀ paralectotype SB 830 from Indonesia, Jawa Barat Prov. j ♀ SB 630 from Sri Lanka. l ♂ lectotype SB 14 from India, Uttarakhand Prov. m ♂ paratype SB 26 from Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov. n ♂ paratype SB 241 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. o ♂ paratype SB 7 from Laos, Vientiane Prov. p ♂ SB 624 from Sri Lanka. q ♂ paratype SB 537 from China, Hunan Prov. r ♂ holotype from Nepal, Gandaki Prov.

FIGURES 84a–i. Psechrus spp., photos of left ♂ palp, ventral view. a P. argentatus. b–c P. libelti. d P. kinabalu. e P.mulu. f P. ulcus sp. nov. g P. decollatus sp. nov. h P. singaporensis. i P.elachys sp. nov. a ♂ SB 1107 from Papua New Guinea. b s.a. ♂ syntype SB 339 from Indonesia, Sumatera Selatan Prov. c ♂ SB 203 from Thailand, Song Khla Prov. d ♂ holotype SB 237 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sabah Prov. e ♂ holotype SB 242 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. f ♂ holotype SB 141 from Indonesia, Kalimantan Selatan Prov. g ♂ paratype SB 857 from Indonesia, Jawa Timur Prov. h ♂ SB 507 (syntype of P. curvipalpis) from Malaysia, Selangor Prov. i ♂ paratype SB 862 from Thailand, Satun Prov.

FIGURES 87a–k. Psechrus spp., photos of epigyne, ventral view. a P. argentatus. b P. libelti. c P. mulu. d P. borneo. e P. annulatus. f P. aluco sp. nov. g P. decollatus sp. nov. h P. singaporensis. i P. elachys sp. nov. j P.norops sp. nov. k P. arcuatus sp. nov. a ♀ SB 608 from Indonesia, Maluku Prov. b ♀ SB 969 from Brunei Darussalam. c ♀ paratype SB 239 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. d ♀ holotype SB 279 from Indonesia, Kalimantan Timur Prov. e ♀ lectotype SB 829 from Indonesia, Jawa Tengah Prov. f ♀ holotype SB 123 from Indonesia, Jawa Barat Prov. g ♀ holotype SB 501 from Indonesia, Jawa Timur Prov. h ♀ SB 864 from Malaysia, Selangor Prov. i ♀ holotype SB 861 from Thailand, Satun Prov. j ♀ holotype SB 860 from Malaysia, Pahang Prov. k ♀ holotype SB 333 from Indonesia, Sumatera Barat Prov.

FIGURES 90a–k. Psechrus spp., photos of vulva, dorsal view. a P. argentatus. b P. libelti. c P. mulu. d P. borneo. e P. annulatus. f P. aluco sp. nov. g P. decollatus sp. nov. h P. singaporensis. i P. elachys sp. nov. j P.norops sp. nov. k P. arcuatus sp. nov. a ♀ SB 551 from Papua New Guinea, Morobe Prov. b ♀ SB 87 from Indonesia, Sumatra, Mentawei Islds. c ♀ SB 253 from Malaysia, Borneo, Sarawak Prov. d ♀ holotype SB 279 from Indonesia, Kalimantan Timur Prov. e ♀ lectotype SB 829 from Indonesia, Jawa Tengah Prov. f ♀ holotype SB 123 from Indonesia, Jawa Barat Prov. g ♀ holotype SB 501 from Indonesia, Jawa Timur Prov. h ♀ SB 220 from Singapore. i ♀ holotype SB 861 from Thailand, Satun Prov. j ♀ holotype SB 860 from Malaysia, Pahang Prov. k ♀ holotype SB 333 from Indonesia, Sumatera Barat Prov.

FIGURE 100. Distribution of Psechrus in eastern Malaysia and central Indonesia. Symbols (unicoloured): species belonging to the annulatus-group. Symbols (black, filled with light colour): species belonging to the mulu-group. Arrows: species belonging to the argentatus-group.