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Research Article
Five new Platocoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in southern China
expand article infoLu Chen‡, Shuqiang Li§, Zhe Zhao§
‡ Hebei University, Baoding, China
§ Chinese Academy of sciences, Beijing, China

Corresponding author: Shuqiang Li ( lisq@ioz.ac.cn )

Academic editor: Yuri Marusik
© 2015 Lu Chen, Shuqiang Li, Zhe Zhao.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Chen L, Li S, Zhao Z (2015) Five new Platocoelotes species (Araneae, Agelenidae) from caves in southern China. ZooKeys 512: 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.512.9989
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:61A24AAF-9947-44FC-893A-A31211E86682
Open Access

Abstract

Five new Platocoelotes species are described based on both sexes collected from caves in southern China. They are: P. luoi sp. n. from Jiangxi, P. qinglinensis sp. n. from Yunnan, P. shuiensis sp. n. from Guizhou, P. tianyangensis sp. n. from Sichuan and P. xianwuensis sp. n. from Hubei.

Keywords

Taxonomy, Coelotinae, description, diagnosis, etymology

Introduction

The spider genus Platocoelotes was established by Wang (2002) for one coelotine from Hunan, China: Coelotes impletus Peng & Wang, 1997. Additionally, Wang (2003) described one new species: P. kailiensis Wang, 2003 and revised three species: P. impletus (Peng & Wang, 1997), P. icohamatoides (Peng & Wang, 1997) and P. lichuanensis (Chen & Zhao, 1998) that were transferred from the genus Coelotes, and revised three species in detail: the species diagnosis and the descriptions of epigynes and male palps. Currently, there are seventeen valid Platocoelotes species, sixteen of which are known from southern China and one, P. uenoi (Yamaguchi & Yaginuma, 1971), is from Japan (World Spider Catalog 2015).

This paper provides descriptions of five new Platocoelotes species collected from caves in southern China. Three of them, P. qinglinensis sp. n., P. shuiensis sp. n. and P. tianyangensis sp. n., have simple, looped spermathecae, indistinct copulatory ducts, distinct epigynal hoods, and a slender anterior apophysis, they are congeneric with P. ampulliformis Liu & Li, 2008, P. brevis Liu & Li, 2008, P. latus Xu & Li, 2008, P. paralatus Xu & Li, 2008 and others, so these three new species are easily classified as Platocoelotes. The other two new species have the main characters: a posterior conductor apophysis on the male palp, the presence of a large atrium, and the absence of epigynal teeth on the female epigyne, which indicate that they are congeneric with the type species of Platocoelotes.

Material and methods

Specimens were examined with a LEICA M205C stereomicroscope. Images were captured with an Olympus C7070 wide zoom digital camera (7.1 megapixels) mounted on an Olympus SZX12 dissecting microscope. Epigynes and male palps were examined after dissection from the spiders’ bodies.

All measurements were obtained using a LEICA M205C stereomicroscope and are given in millimeters. Leg measurements are shown as: Total length (femur, patella + tibia, metatarsus, tarsus). Only structures (palp and legs) of the left body side were described and measured. The terminology used in the text and the figure legends follows Wang (2002). Abbreviations used in this paper and in the figure legends: A = epigynal atrium; ACA = anterior conductor apophysis; ALE = anterior lateral eye; AME = anterior median eye; AME-ALE = distance between AME and ALE; AME-AME = distance between AME and AME; ALE-PLE = distance between ALE and PLE; CD = copulatory duct; CDA = dorsal conductor apophysis; CF = cymbial furrow; E = embolus; EB = embolic base; FD = fertilization duct; H = epigynal hood; LTA = dorso-retrolateral tibial apophysis; OC = outgrowth of anterior conductor apophysis; PA = patellar apophysis; PCA = posterior conductor apophysis; PLE = posterior lateral eye; PME = posterior median eye; PME-PLE = distance between PME and PLE; PME-PME = distance between PME and PME; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; S = spermatheca; SH = spermathecal head; SL = spermathecal lobe; SST = spermathecal stalk; ST = subtegulum; T = tegulum; VPA = ventral patellar apophysis.

A partial fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was amplified and sequenced for Platocoelotes luoi sp. n., P. qinglinensis sp. n., P. shuiensis sp. n., P. tianyangensis sp. n. and P. xianwuensis sp. n. following the protocol in Miller et al. (2009). Primers used in this study are: LCO1490 (5’-CWACAAAYCATARRGATATTGG-3’) (Folmer et al. 1994) and HCO2198zz (5’-TAAACTTCCAGGTGACCAAAAAATCA-3’) (this study). All sequences were blasted in GenBank, and the genus is confirmed for each species, and the accession numbers are provided in Table 1.

Table 1.
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Voucher specimen information

Species GenBank accession number Sequence length Collection localities
Platocoelotes luoi sp. n. KR065578 638 bp Ciping Village, Jinggangshan City, Jiangxi Province, China
Platocoelotes qinglinensis sp. n. KR065579 557 bp Qinglin Village, Daguang County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, China
Platocoelotes shuiensis sp. n. KR065580 638 bp Yushexianggantang Village, Shuicheng County, Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province, China
Platocoelotes tianyangensis sp. n. KR065581 629 bp Pingzhai Village, Xingwen County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, China
Platocoelotes xianwuensis sp. n. KR065577 629 bp Xiejiaba Village, Xuanen County, Hubei Province, China

All of the specimens (including molecular vouchers) are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing (IZCAS).

Taxonomy

Family Agelenidae C.L. Koch, 1837
Subfamily Coelotinae F.O.P.-Cambridge, 1893

Platocoelotes Wang, 2002

Platocoelotes: Wang 2002: 122. Type species Coelotes impletus Peng & Wang, 1997, from Hunan, China.

Diagnosis

Male palp with two conductor apophyses (anterior conductor apophysis and posterior conductor apophysis) (Fig. 1B); only one conductor apophysis in other similar genera. There are two patellar apophyses (one or both of them are highly reduced in size in some species) in Platocoelotes species; other coelotines usually have only one. The female can be distinguished from other coelotines by the large epigynal atrium, the absence of epigynal teeth, simple spermathecae and indistinct copulatory ducts (Fig. 2A–B).

Figure 1. 

Platocoelotes luoi sp. n., holotype male. A Left palp, prolateral view B Left palp, ventral view C Left palp, retrolateral view. ACA = anterior conductor apophysis; CDA = dorsal conductor apophysis; CF = cymbial furrow; LTA = dorso-retrolateral tibial apophysis; OC = outgrowth in anterior conductor apophysis; PCA = posterior conductor apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; VPA = ventral patellar apophysis. Scale bar: Equal for A, B, C.

Figure 2. 

Platocoelotes luoi sp. n., one paratype female. A Epigyne, ventral view B Vulva, dorsal view C Male habitus, dorsal view. D Female habitus, dorsal view E Female habitus, ventral view. A = epigynal atrium; FD = fertilization duct; S = spermathecae; SH = spermathecal head. Scale bars: Equal for A, B, equal for C, D, E.

Platocoelotes luoi Chen & Li, sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/689CE1F6-D99C-4794-A6E1-4AB8A0054FDA
Figs 1, 2, 11

Type material

Holotype ♂: China: Jiangxi: Jinggangshan City: Ciping Village, Shiyan Cave, N26°36'11", E114°12'46", elevation: 977 m, 3.I.2013, Y.C. Li. Paratypes: 5♀, same data as holotype; 2♀, China: Jiangxi: Jinggangshan City: Ciping Village, Shiyan Cave, N26°36'11", E114°12'46", elevation: 977 m, 4.V.2013, Y.F. Luo and J.C. Liu.

Etymology

The specific name is a patronym in honor of the collector Yufa Luo; noun (name) in genitive case.

Diagnosis

The male can be distinguished from all other Platocoelotes by the distinct dorsal conductor apophysis and two sheet-shaped outgrowths of the anterior conductor apophysis (Fig. 1A–C). The female can be distinguished from all of the other Platocoelotes, except P. globosus Xu & Li 2008, by having a rounded epigynal atrium and can be distinguished from P. globosus by anteriorly located epigynal hoods and distinct spermathecal heads (Fig. 2A–B; Xu and Li 2008: figs 9–10).

Description

Male (holotype): Total length 7.92. Carapace 3.92 long, 2.80 wide. Abdomen 4.00 long, 2.36 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.22, PME 0.19, PLE 0.20; AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.13, PME-PLE 0.15. Leg measurements: I: 17.37 (4.49, 5.51, 4.61, 2.76); II: 15.45 (4.10, 4.81, 4.10, 2.44); III: 14.07 (3.72, 4.33, 3.97, 2.05); IV: 19.42 (4.87, 5.77, 5.96, 2.82). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis absent, ventral patellar apophysis short; RTA with pointed tip; LTA long, about 1/2 length of RTA; cymbial furrow long, about 1/3 length of cymbium; anterior conductor apophysis short; posterior conductor apophysis long, about 1/2 length of cymbium; dorsal conductor apophysis present, with two distinct apophyses; embolus filiform, with pointed tip (Fig. 1A–C).

Female (one of paratypes): Total length 9.25. Carapace 4.80 long, 2.80 wide. Abdomen 4.45 long, 3.00 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.14, ALE 0.19, PME 0.16, PLE 0.20; AME-AME 0.06, AME-ALE0.03, PME-PME 0.07, PME-PLE 0.10. Leg measurements: I: 12.10 (3.20, 4.10, 2.85, 1.95); II: 10.80 (2.90, 3.55, 2.60, 1.75); III: 9.60 (3.10, 3.15, 2.10, 1.25); IV: 13.05 (3.65, 4.20, 3.45, 1.75). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Epigyne: atrium medium-sized, occupying 1/3 of epigyne; hoods absent; spermathecae simple, spermathecal heads small, located anteriorly; copulatory ducts indistinct; fertilization ducts widely separated by at least their width (Fig. 2A–B).

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 11).

Platocoelotes qinglinensis Chen & Li, sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/ECCCEC68-EFB6-45D8-9434-483E4C518677
Figs 3, 4, 11

Type material

Holotype ♂: China: Yunnan: Zhaotong City: Daguang County: Mohan Town, Qinglin Village, Qinglong Cave, N27°41'37", E103°44'52", elevation: 1289 m, 18.III.2014, Y.C. Li & J.C. Liu. Paratypes: 1♀1♂, same data as holotype.

Etymology

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis

The male can be distinguished from all other Platocoelotes species, except P. ampulliformis Liu & Li, 2008, P. brevis Liu & Li, 2008, P. latus Xu & Li, 2008, P. paralatus Xu & Li, 2008 and P. strombuliformis Liu & Li, 2008, by having a thinner anterior conductor apophysis and can be distinguished from these five species by the presence of a broader cavity on the anterior conductor apophysis (Fig. 3A–C). The female can be distinguished from other Platocoelotes species, except P. latus, by the large epigynal atrium and the medially situated epigynal hoods and can be distinguished from P. latus by the distinct copulatory ducts, the absence of spermathecal heads, and the spermathecae together with the copulatory ducts, looks like an M (Fig. 4B; Xu and Li 2008: fig. 16).

Figure 3. 

Platocoelotes qinglinensis sp. n., holotype male. A Right palp (inverted), prolateral view B Right palp (inverted), ventral view C Right palp (inverted), retrolateral view. ACA = anterior conductor apophysis; CF = cymbial furrow; LTA = dorso-retrolateral tibial apophysis; PA = patellar apophysis; PCA = posterior conductor apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; VPA = ventral patellar apophysis. Scale bar: Equal for A, B, C.

Figure 4. 

Platocoelotes qinglinensis sp. n., paratype female. A Epigyne, ventral view B Vulva, dorsal view. C Male habitus, dorsal view D Female habitus, dorsal view E Female habitus, ventral view. A = epigynal atrium; CD = copulatory duct; FD = fertilization duct; H = epigynal hood; S = spermatheca. Scale bars: Equal for C, D, E.

Description

Male (holotype): Total length 7.35. Carapace 3.45 long, 2.35 wide. Abdomen 3.90 long, 2.75 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.18, ALE 0.23, PME 0.19, PLE 0.21; AME-AME 0.06, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.09, PME-PLE 0.10. Leg measurements: I: 12.85 (3.60, 4.30, 3.00, 1.95); II: 10.80 (3.10, 3.50, 2.50, 1.70); III: 9.80 (2.75, 3.05, 2.50, 1.50); IV: 16.45 (4.00, 3.90, 3.81, 1.80). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis long, its length almost equal to patellar width; ventral patellar apophysis short, with rounded tip; RTA with pointed tip, slightly extending beyond distal margin of tibia; LTA short, approximately less than 1/5 length of RTA; cymbial furrow about 1/3 length of cymbium; conductor with long, canoe-like, blunt tip; posterior conductor apophysis long, about 1/2 length of cymbium; dorsal conductor apophysis absent; embolus filiform, beginning at 6-o’clock position, forming a semicircular shape (Fig. 3A–C).

Female (paratype): Total length 6.41. Carapace 3.33 long, 2.56 wide. Abdomen 3.08 long, 1.92 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.19, ALE 0.18, PME 0.16, PLE 0.18; AME-AME 0.05, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.07, PME-PLE 0.10. Leg measurements: I: 15.86 (4.10, 5.26, 4.05, 2.45); II: 13.75 (3.50, 4.45, 3.60, 2.20); III: 12.25 (3.25, 3.60, 3.65, 1.75); IV: 16.45 (4.25, 4.90, 4.95, 2.35). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Epigyne: atrium large, occupying 3/4 of epigyne; hoods distinct, located mediolaterally on epigynal plate; copulatory ducts broad; spermathecae simple; spermathecae together with the copulatory ducts, M-shape (Fig. 4A–B).

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 11).

Platocoelotes shuiensis Chen & Li, sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/7A08050F-C46B-4F5A-8220-9130DFE25F48
Figs 5, 6, 11

Type material

Holotype ♂: China: Guizhou: Liupanshui City: Shuicheng County: Yushexianggantang Village, Wuming Cave, N26°25'35", E104°48'55", elevation: 1345 m. 28.III.2013, H.F. Zhao and J.C. Liu. Paratypes: 10♀2♂, same data as holotype.

Etymology

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis

The male can be distinguished from all other Platocoelotes species, except P. ampulliformis, P. brevis, P. latus, P. paralatus, P. qinglinensis sp. n. and P. strombuliformis, by having a slender anterior conductor apophysis and a long posterior conductor apophysis and can be distinguished from these six species by the anterior conductor apophysis being concave mesally (Fig. 5A–C). The female can be distinguished from all other Platocoelotes species, except P. latus, by having a large epigynal atrium and can be distinguished from P. latus by the posteriorly situated epigynal hoods and twined spermathecae, forming quadrate structure (Fig. 6B; Xu and Li 2008: figs 15–16).

Figure 5. 

Platocoelotes shuiensis sp. n., holotype male. A Left palp, prolateral view B Left palp, ventral view C Left palp, retrolateral view. ACA = anterior conductor apophysis; CF = cymbial furrow; LTA = dorso-retrolateral tibial apophysis; PA = patellar apophysis; PCA = posterior conductor apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; VPA = ventral patellar apophysis. Scale bar: Equal for A, B, C.

Figure 6. 

Platocoelotes shuiensis sp. n., one paratype female. A Epigyne, ventral view B Vulva, dorsal view C Male habitus, dorsal view D Female habitus, dorsal view E Female habitus, ventral view. A = epigynal atrium; FD = fertilization duct; H = epigynal hood; S = spermatheca; SH = spermathecal head. Scale bars: Equal for A, B; Equal for C, D, E.

Description

Male (holotype): Total length 4.75. Carapace 2.45 long, 2.15 wide. Abdomen 2.30 long, 1.50 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.17, ALE 0.15, PME 0.19, PLE 0.16; AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.06, PME-PLE 0.12. Leg measurements: I: 11.46 (2.81, 3.92, 2.81, 1.92); II: 9.44 (2.40, 3.20, 2.24, 1.60); III: 9.28 (2.56, 2.80, 2.40, 1.52); IV: 12.32 (3.28, 3.68, 3.52, 1.84). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis long; ventral patellar apophysis short, with blunt tip; RTA with pointed tip extending slightly beyond distal margin of tibia; dorso-retrolateral tibial apophysis short, about 1/3 length of RTA; cymbial furrow about 1/4 length of cymbium; anterior conductor apophysis long, approximately 1/3 length of cymbium, with blunt tip; posterior conductor apophysis long, about twice the length of cymbial furrow; dorsal conductor apophysis undeveloped; embolus filiform, arising at 6-o’clock position, forming a semicircle (Fig. 5A–C).

Female (one of paratypes): Total length 5.96. Carapace 2.96 long, 2.80 wide. Abdomen 3.00 long, 2.04 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.14, PME 0.14, PLE 0.13; AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.04, PME-PME 0.07, PME-PLE 0.04. Leg measurements: I: 8.84 (2.38, 2.66, 2.20, 1.60); II: 7.57 (2.19, 2.50, 1.75, 1.24); III: 6.83 (1.80, 2.10, 1.73, 1.20); IV: 9.36 (2.50, 3.00, 2.50, 1.36). Epigyne: atrium large, occupying 4/5 of epigyne; hoods situated posteriorly, near the lateral atrial margins; spermathecae simple, convoluted, forming a square; spermathecal heads medium-sized, situated posteriorly and widely separated from each other; copulatory ducts absent (Fig. 6A–B).

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 11).

Platocoelotes tianyangensis Chen & Li, sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/997FEC88-C19B-459D-904C-0A7258B26BF7
Figs 7, 8, 11

Type material

Holotype ♂: China: Sichuan: Yibin City: Xingwen County: Shihaidong, Pingzhai Village, Tianyang Cave, N28°11'46", E105°8'24", elevation: 835 m. 16.XII.2014, Y.C. Li and Z. G. Chen. Paratypes: 16♀5♂, same data as holotype; 1♀: China: Sichuan: Yibin City: Xingwen County: Shihaidong, Pingzhai Village, Tianyang Cave, N28°11'46", E105°8'24", elevation: 835 m. 25.IV.2014, Y.C. Lin, H.F. Zhao, Y.C. Li, F.Y. Li and J.L. Wu.

Etymology

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis

The male can be distinguished from all of the other Platocoelotes species, except P. ampulliformis, P. brevis, P. latus, P. paralatus, and P. strombuliformis, by having a thinner anterior conductor apophysis and a longer posterior conductor apophysis and can be distinguished from these five species by the large tegulum and broader distal end of the anterior conductor apophysis (Fig. 7A–C). The female can be distinguished from all of the other Platocoelotes species, except P. ampulliformis, by the presence of a small anterior epigynal atrium and a large posterior epigynal atrium (Fig. 8A; Liu and Li 2008: fig. 1E), and can be distinguished from P. ampulliformis by fused spermathecae and the absence of copulatory ducts (Fig. 8B; Liu and Li 2008: fig. 1F).

Figure 7. 

Platocoelotes tianyangensis sp. n., holotype male. A Left palp, prolateral view B Left palp, ventral view C Left palp, retrolateral view. ACA = anterior conductor apophysis; CDA = dorsal conductor apophysis; CF = cymbial furrow; LTA = dorso-retrolateral tibial apophysis; PA = patellar apophysis; PCA = posterior conductor apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; VPA = ventral patellar apophysis. Scale bars: Equal for A, B, C.

Figure 8. 

Platocoelotes tianyangensis sp. n., one paratype female. A Epigyne, ventral view B Vulva, dorsal view C Male habitus, dorsal view D Female habitus, dorsal view E Female habitus, ventral view. A = epigynal atrium; FD = fertilization duct; H = epigynal hood; S = spermatheca; SH = spermathecal head; SL = spermathecal lobe. Scale bars: Equal for C, D, E.

Description

Male (holotype): Total length 5.44. Carapace 2.80 long, 2.16 wide. Abdomen 2.64 long, 1.66 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.17, PME 0.16, PLE 0.16; AME-AME 0.03, AME-ALE 0.02, PME-PME 0.08, PME-PLE 0.06. Leg measurements: I: 14.85 (3.80, 4.65, 3.90, 2.50); II: 12.20 (3.20, 3.75, 3.25, 2.00); III: 10.84 (2.92, 3.00, 3.16, 1.76); IV: 15.42 (3.92, 4.45, 4.65, 2.40). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis long; ventral patellar apophysis short, with blunt tip; RTA with pointed tip extending slightly beyond distal margin of tibia; LTA short, about 1/3 length of RTA; cymbial furrow short, about 1/5 length of cymbium; anterior conductor apophysis broad and long, with blunt tip; posterior conductor apophysis thin, shorter than anterior conductor apophysis, length subequal to cymbial furrow (Fig. 7A–C).

Female (one of paratypes): Total length 5.77. Carapace 2.82 long, 1.92 wide. Abdomen 2.95 long, 2.10 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.16, PME 0.17, PLE 0.20; AME-AME 0.06, AME-ALE 0.05, PME-PME 0.07, PME-PLE 0.09. Leg measurements: I: 10.80 (2.88, 3.50, 2.56, 1.86); II: 9.03 (2.56, 2.88, 2.05, 1.54); III: 8.21 (2.44, 2.56, 1.99, 1.22); IV: 11.10 (2.89, 3.35, 3.21, 1.47). Epigyne: atrium large, occupying 1/2 of epigynal plate; hoods located in the anterior part of epigyne, near each other; spermathecae simple and medially fused to each other; spermathecal stalks broad; spermathecal heads small, located at posterior part of spermathecae; copulatory ducts absent. (Fig. 8A–B).

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 11).

Platocoelotes xianwuensis Chen & Li, sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/BC80792A-D0A5-46A8-A86D-F58263B3315B
Figs 9, 10, 11

Type material

Holotype ♂: China: Hubei: Enshi Prefecture: Xuanen County: Zhushan Town, Park, Xiejiaba Village, Xianwu Cave, N29°57'06", E109°29'49", elevation 853 m., 14.XII.2014, Y.C. Li and Z.G. Chen. Paratypes: 16♀5♂, same data as holotype; 1♀, China: Hubei: Enshi Prefecture: Xuanen County: Zhushan Town, Park, Xiejiaba Village, Xianwu Cave, N29°57'06", E109°29'49", elevation 853 m., 18.I.2014, Y.C. Li and J.C. Liu.

Etymology

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

Diagnosis

The male can be distinguished from all other Platocoelotes species, except P. icohamatoides Peng & Wang, 1997, P. impletus Peng & Wang, 1997, P. lichuanensis Chen & Zhao, 1998 and P. kailiensis Wang, 2003, by the presence of a branch in the anterior conductor apophysis and can be distinguished from these four species by the long anterior conductor branch, with a wide base that is spiky distally, and the hyaline part in the middle of the anterior conductor apophysis (Fig. 9A–C). The female can be distinguished from all other Platocoelotes species, except P. impletus and P. icohamatoides, by the presence of a long, narrow epigynal septum and can be distinguished from P. impletus by the rectangular epigynal atrium, and the longer, thinner copulatory ducts (Fig. 10A–B; Wang 2003: fig. 75A–B). It can be distinguished from P. icohamatoides by having fewer loops in the copulatory ducts (with 2 loops) (Fig. 10B; Wang 2003: fig. 76B).

Figure 9. 

Platocoelotes xianwuensis sp. n., holotype male. A Left palp, prolateral view B Left palp, ventral view C Left palp, retrolateral view. ACA = anterior conductor apophysis; CDA = dorsal conductor apophysis; CF = cymbial furrow; LTA = dorso-retrolateral tibial apophysis; PA = patellar apophysis; PCA = posterior conductor apophysis; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; VPA = ventral patellar apophysis. Scale bar: Equal for A, B, C.

Figure 10. 

Platocoelotes xianwuensis sp. n., one paratype female. A Epigyne, ventral view B Vulva, dorsal view C Male habitus, dorsal view D Female habitus, dorsal view E Female habitus, ventral view. A = epigynal atrium; CD = copulatory duct; FD = fertilization duct; H = epigynal hood; S = spermatheca. Scale bars: Equal for C, D, E.

Description

Male (holotype): Total length 7.50. Carapace 4.10 long, 3.05 wide. Abdomen 3.40 long, 2.45 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.19, ALE 0.25, PME 0.19, PLE 0.20; AME-AME 0.05, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.11, PME-PLE 0.14. Leg measurements: I: 19.41 (5.19, 6.47, 4.93, 2.82); II: 16.85 (4.68, 5.38, 4.29, 2.50); III: 15.31 (4.29, 4.48, 4.36, 2.18); IV: 20.44 (5.45, 6.15, 6.28, 2.56). Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Palp: patellar apophysis long; ventral patellar apophysis short, about 1/5 length of patellar apophysis, with pointed tip; RTA with pointed tip, extending beyond the tibia; LTA short, about 1/5 length of RTA; cymbial furrow long, about 1/2 length of cymbium; anterior conductor apophysis long, with middle part hyaline, with pointed tip; posterior conductor apophysis long, subequal to the length of cymbial furrow; dorsal conductor apophysis absent; embolus filiform, elongate (Fig. 9A–C).

Female (one of paratypes): Total length 7.80. Carapace 3.70 long, 2.25 wide. Abdomen 4.10 long, 2.45 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.20, PME 0.16, PLE 0.14; AME-AME 0.08, AME-ALE 0.03, PME-PME 0.09, PME-PLE 0.10. Leg measurements: I: 10.89 (3.14, 3.50, 2.60, 1.65); II: 9.75 (2.95, 3.25, 2.00, 1.55); III: 8.65 (2.50, 2.80, 2.25, 1.10); IV: 11.90 (3.25, 3.75, 3.15, 1.75). Epigyne: atrium medium size, occupying 1/4 of epigynal plate, anterior part of atrium oblong, posterior part longitudinally elongate, about 4/5 length of epigyne; epigynal hoods situated posteriorly, near the lateral atrial margin; spermathecae simple, located in posterior of epigyne; spermathecal head absent; copulatory ducts long, broad and looped (Fig. 10A–B).

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 11).

Figure 11. 

Localities of new Platocoelotes species from China. 1 P. luoi sp. n. 2 P. qinglinensis sp. n. 3 P. shuiensis sp. n. 4 P. tianyangensis sp. n. 5 P. xianwuensis sp. n.

Acknowledgement

The manuscript benefited greatly from comments by Yuri M. Marusik (IBPN, Russia) and one anonymous reviewer. Sarah C. Crews (UC Berkeley, USA) and Xinping Wang (University of Florida, USA) kindly checked the English. The first author is grateful to Feng Zhang (Hebei University, China) for providing the possibility to study spiders in Hebei University. This study was supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (31471960, 31272280).

References

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