Theridion acanthopodum, 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 : 92-96

Theridion acanthopodum sp. nov. ( Figs 75–77 )

Holotype ♂, China, Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menglun , bamboo plantation (21º53.640'N, 101º16.940'E), 3 December 2009, Guo Tang and Zhi-Yuan Yao leg.

Paratypes 2♂, same data as holotype .

Etymology. The specific name derives from the Latin adjective acanthopodus and means “of thorny foot”, in reference to the tegulum with a long spined outgrowth.

Diagnosis. The new species is very similar to T. pyrenaeum , but can be distinguished by the tegulum with spined outgrowth; the latter species has a long outgrowth on the median apophysis ( Knoflach et al., 2009).

Male (measurements of holotype). Total length 1.33. Prosoma 0.58 long, 0.50 wide, flat, yellow, with dark striae, stripes in middle. Sternum 0.35 long, 0.35 wide, pale. Opisthosoma 0.75 long, 0.50 wide, pale, with large black, tiny white spots, without colulus. Eye measurements: AME 0.06, ALE 0.05, PME 0.06, PLE 0.05, AME-AME 0.05, AME-ALE 0.01, PME-PME 0.03, PME-PLE 0.03. Clypeus height about 2.08 times AME diameter, pale. Chelicerae: yellow, without spot, with 2 anterior teeth; fangs long and slender. Endites: 0.23 long, 0.09 wide, yellow to grey, with brown pro-edges. Labium fused with sternum, 0.05 long, 0.16 wide, with 4 setae, yellow. Leg measurements: I 3.17 (0.95, 0.25, 0.81, 0.70, 0.46); II 2.32 (0.73, 0.21, 0.55, 0.54, 0.29); III 1.60 (0.54, 0.14, 0.31, 0.33, 0.28); IV 2.33 (0.75, 0.20, 0.50, 0.50, 0.38).

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

Leg I pale yellow, coxa without spot; femur, patella, tibia and metatarsus with black spots; femur with row of spines; patella with 2 distal spines; tibia with 3 spines; metatarsus with 2 spines; tarsus without spines. Legs II–IV similar to leg I. Pedipalpus ( Figs 75A–B , 76A–B , 77A–D ): tibia yellow, with black spots, 2 trichobothria; cymbium yellow, with large black spot; paracymbium hooded; subtegulum covering most of tegulum; tegulum with long outgrowth; median apophysis smooth, without protrusion; embolus short, triangular; conductor membranous, with small sclerotized apophysis; tegular apophysis acerose.

Variation. Male paratypes. Total length 1.25–1.30; prosoma 0.55–0.60 long, 0.45–0.50 wide; sternum 0.35–0.38 long, 0.35–0.38 wide; opisthosoma 0.75–0.80 long, 0.60–0.63 wide.

© Zoological Systematics, 39 (1): 1–135

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Only known from type locality (Yunnan).

Figures

Fig. 75. Theridion acanthopodum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; B. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bar = 0.10mm.

Fig. 76. Theridion acanthopodum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus, ventral view; B. Embolus, ventral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.

Fig. 77. Theridion acanthopodum sp. nov., holotype male. A. Pedipalpus (cymbium removed), ventral view; B. Pedipalpus, ventral view; C. Pedipalpus, prolateral view; D. Pedipalpus, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.10mm.