Research Article |
Corresponding author: Ke-Ke Liu ( liukeke_1986@126.com ) Academic editor: Peter Michalik
© 2024 Bin-Lu Liu, Yan-bin Yao, Zi-Min Jiang, Yong-hong Xiao, Ke-Ke Liu.
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:
Liu B-L, Yao Y-b, Jiang Z-M, Xiao Y-h, Liu K-K (2024) Midget cave spiders (Araneae, Leptonetidae) from Jiangxi and Fujian Province, China. ZooKeys 1189: 287-325. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1189.111041
|
Eleven leptonetid species belonging to four genera collected in Jiangxi and Fujian Provinces, China are presented. Ten new species of midget cave spiders from southern China are diagnosed, described, and illustrated: Leptonetela dawu Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. yuanhaoi Yao & Liu, sp. nov. and L. zuojiashanensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov. from Jiangxi; Longileptoneta guadunensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. huboliao Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. jiaxiani Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. letuensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. renzhouensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., L. tianmenensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov., and Pararana mingxuani Yao & Liu, sp. nov. from Fujian. Furthermore, Falcileptoneta monodactyla (Yin, Wang & Wang, 1984) is recorded from Jiangxi province for the first time. Distributions records are given for all investigated species.
Asia, biodiversity, distribution, leptonetid spiders, new species, taxonom
The midget cave spider family Leptonetidae Simon, 1890 is one of the smallest taxa in haplogyne spider families, with 374 species belonging to 22 genera (
Most records and descriptions of this family from China were contributed by the Chinese arachnologist Shu-Qiang Li and his team, such as of the genera Jingneta Wang & Li, 2020, Leptonetela, Longileptoneta Seo, 2015, Pararana Lin & Li, 2022 and Rhyssoleptoneta Tong & Li, 2007 (
While working on the leptonetid fauna of the Jiangxi and Fujian provinces, southern China, we discovered and examined in detail eleven species including one known and ten new leptonetids. The goal of this paper is to formally describe the new species and to report the first species of Falcileptoneta Komatsu, 1970 from Jiangxi Province.
Specimens were examined using a Zeiss Stereo Discovery V12 stereomicroscope with a Zoom Microscope System. Both male palps and female genitalia were detached and examined in 80% ethanol, using a Zeiss Axio Scope A1 compound microscope with a KUY NICE CCD. The female genitalia were cleared in trypsin enzyme solution to dissolve soft tissues. For SEM photographs, specimens were dried under natural conditions, coated with gold using a small ion-sputtering apparatus ETD-2000, or without coating, and examined with a ZEISS EVO LS15 scanning electron microscope. Specimens including detached male palps and female genitalia were stored in 75% ethanol after examination. All the specimens are deposited in Animal Specimen Museum, Life Science of College, Jinggangshan University (ASM-JGSU).
To maintain uniformity of genitalia terminology within these genera, including Falcileptoneta, Leptonetela, Longileptoneta, and Pararana, the terms that are used are primarily from the Spider Anatomy Ontology on BioPortal (
Genus Falcileptoneta Komatsu, 1970
Leptoneta monodactyla
Yin, Wang & Wang, 1984: 366, fig. 2a−d (holotype male, not examined; Hunan, Yanling); Song 1987: 104, fig. 67 (♂); Song et al. 1999: 51, fig. 21H−I (♂); Yin et al. 2012: 156, fig. 26a−d (♂);
Falcileptoneta monodactyla Wang, Li & Zhu, 2020: 689 (transferred from Leptoneta).
1 ♂, 26°30'41.64"N, 115°59'19.02"E, 346 m, Jinjing Cave, Cuiweifeng Forest Park, Ningdu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China, 23 January 2021, K. Liu, D. Zhao & Z. Meng leg. (Lep-3).
See
Known from Jiangxi (new record) and Hunan (
Holotype : ♂, China: Jiangxi Province, Ji’an City, Qingyuan District, Donggu Town, Dawu Mountain, 26°40'48.69"N, 115°25'07.79"E, 1031 m, 25.X.2020, K. Liu, Y. Ying & S. Yuan leg. (Lep-8). Paratype: 7 ♂, 2 ♀, the same data as the holotype (Lep-8).
The male of this species is similar to Leptonetela sexdentata Wang & Li, 2011 (see
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female (paratype). Total length 1.85. Carapace 0.89 long, 0.73 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances (Fig.
Vulva
(Fig.
Known only from the type locality in Jiangxi Province, China (Fig.
The name is taken from the type locality; noun in apposition.
Holotype : ♂, China: Jiangxi Province, Ji’an City, Taihe County, Zhonglong Town, Zhonglong Village, Ziyao Mountain, 26°43'23.15"N, 115°13'31.70"E, 388 m, 28.X.2020, K. Liu, Y. Ying, K. Huang & S. Yuan leg. (Lep-7). Paratype: 4 ♀, the same data as the holotype (Lep-7); 1 ♂, 26°42'58.10"N, 115°13'39.00"E, 206 m, other data as same as holotype (Lep-5); 1 ♂, 26°43'15.05"N, 115°13'37.85"E, 332 m other data same as holotype (Lep-6); 1 ♀, 26°43'05.30"N, 115°13'36.28"E, 228 m, other data same as holotype (Lep-1).
The male of this species is similar to that of Leptonetela sexdentata Wang & Li, 2011 (
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female (paratype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Vulva
(Fig.
Known only from the type locality in Jiangxi Province, China (Fig.
The species is named after Mr Yuanhao Ying, who collected the type specimens.
We compared the palps of the new species with that of the very similar species L. dawu sp. nov. several times. This similarity is probably because the males of these two species have very similar characters: tibial spines, cymbial spine, and embolus. The distance between Dawu Mountain and Ziyao Mountain is approximately 25 km (linear distances), which is very close. Despite the close distance, we consider them as different species based on the morphological differences listed. This hypothesis will be confirmed or rejected in the future when molecular data and analysis can be provided.
Holotype : ♂, China: Jiangxi Province, Yichun City, Wanzai County, Luocheng Town, Jiulongshan Forest Park, Zuojiashan Village, 28°21'07.52"N, 114°30'27.58"E, 164 m, 6.II.2021, K. Liu, D. Zhao, Z. Meng, Z. He & W. Li leg. (Lep-4).
The male of this species is similar to that of Leptonetela gubin Wang & Li, 2017 (in
SEM micrographs of male palps, Leptonetela spp. A Leptonetela dawu sp. nov., left palp, ventral view B same, ventral view C same, detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view D same, detail of conductor and embolus, ventral view E L. yuanhaoi sp. nov., left palp, ventral view F same, ventral view G same, detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view H same, detail of conductor and embolus, ventral view I L. yuanhaoi sp. nov., right palp, ventral view J same, ventral view K same, detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view L same, detail of conductor, ventral view M L. zuojiashanensis sp. nov., right palp, tibial spine, prolateral view N same, detail of the tip, prolateral view O same, bulb, ventral view P same, detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis, PS – prolateral sclerite.
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female. Unknown.
Known only from the type locality in Jiangxi Province, China (Fig.
The name is taken from the type locality.
Holotype : ♂, China: Fujian Province, Nanping City, Wuyishan County Level City, Xingcun Town, Guadun Village, 27°43'56.88"N, 117°39'30.29"E, 3.X.2023, Y. Yao, J. Gong & M. Wu leg. (Lep-13). Paratype: 1 ♂, same data as the holotype (Lep-13).
This species is similar to that of Longileptoneta shenxian Wang & Li, 2020 (in
Longileptoneta guadunensis sp. nov., male holotype A habitus, dorsal view B same, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D same, ventral view, slightly retrolateral E same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis, PL – prolateral lobe. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C–E).
SEM micrographs of Longileptoneta guadunensis sp. nov., right palp, male holotype A ventral view B tibial apophysis, ventral view C detail of the tip of tibial apophysis, ventral view D detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view E same, ventral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis.
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female. Unknown.
Known only from the type locality in Fujian Province, China (Fig.
The name is taken from the type locality.
Holotype : ♂, China: Fujian Province, Zhangzhou City, Nanjing County, Huboliao Nature Reserve, Huboliao area, 24°31'2.88"N, 117°14'53.47"E, 08.XI.2023, Y. Yao, J. Gong, R. Zhao & M. Wu leg. (Lep-15). Paratype: 1 ♀, the same data as the holotype (Lep-15); 1 ♂, 24°31'20.98"N, 117°17'32.01"E, 09.XI.2023, Y. Yao, J. Gong, R. Zhao & M. Wu leg. (Lep-15).
The male of this species is similar to that of Longileptoneta shenxian Wang & Li, 2020 (in
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female (paratype). Habitus as in Fig.
Vulva
(Fig.
The right spermathecal stalk and spermathecae were extruded deformation after covering cover slip when we took a photo under microscope.
Known only from the type locality in Fujian Province, China (Fig.
The name is taken from the type locality, noun in apposition.
Holotype : ♂, China: Fujian Province, Fuzhou City, Cangshan District, Jinshan campus in Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 26°2'21.12"N, 119°19'56.66"E, 29.IV.2023, Y. Yao, J. Gong & M. Wu leg. (Lep-10). Paratype: 1 ♀, the same data as the holotype (Lep-10).
The male of this species is similar to that of L. shenxian Wang & Li, 2020 (in
Longileptoneta jiaxiani sp. nov., male palp, holotype A habitus, dorsal view B same, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D same, ventral view, slightly prolateral E same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, PL – prolateral lobe, PS – prolateral sclerite. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
SEM micrographs of Longileptoneta jiaxiani sp. nov., right male palp, holotype A right palp, retrolateral view B same, detail of tegular apophysis, retrolateral view C same, retrolateral view D same, detail of tegular apophysis, prolateral view, E same, detail of conductor, prolateral view F same, detail of embolus, ventral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, PL – prolateral lobe, PS – prolateral sclerite.
Female (paratype). Habitus as in Fig.
Vulva
(Fig.
Known only from the type locality in Fujian Province, China (Fig.
The species is named after Mr Jiaxian Gong, who collected the type specimens.
Holotype : ♂, China: Fujian Province, Zhangzhou City, Nanjing County, Huboliao Nature Reserve, Letu Rainforest area, 24°54'11.82"N, 117°13'15.3"E, 11.XI.2023, Y. Yao, J. Gong, R. Zhao & M. Wu leg. (Lep-16).
The male of this species can be easily distinguished from other members of this genus by the very large curved tibial apophysis armed with a short spine-like tip (Fig.
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
SEM micrographs of Longileptoneta letuensis sp. nov., male right palp A femur, retrolateral view B tibial apophysis, retrolateral view C detail of the tip of tibial apophysis, retrolateral view D bulb, ventral view E same, detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view F same, detail of conductor, ventral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, PS – prolateral sclerite.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female. Unknown.
Known only from the type locality in Fujian Province, China (Fig.
The name is taken from the type locality.
Holotype : ♂, China: Fujian Province, Fuzhou City, Minhou County, Jingxi Town, Renzhou Village, Sandiejing Forest Park, 26°16'3.31"N, 119°09'5.08"E, 24.X.2023, Y. Yao, J. Gong, R. Zhao & M. Wu leg. (Lep-14). Paratype: 2 ♂, 2 ♀, the same data as the holotype (Lep-14); 1 ♂, 29.X.2023, other data as same as the holotype (Lep-14).
The male of this species can be easily distinguished from other members of this genus by the very long curved spine-like prolateral sclerite with a feathery tip (Figs
Longileptoneta renzhouensis sp. nov., male holotype A habitus, dorsal view B B habitus, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D same, ventral view E same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis, PL – prolateral lobe, PS – prolateral sclerite. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C–E).
SEM micrographs of Longileptoneta renzhouensis sp. nov., male palp A palp, prolateral view B detail of tegular apophysis, prolateral view C palp, ventral view D same, detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view E same, ventral view F same, detail of conductor and prolateral sclerite, ventral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis, PS – prolateral sclerite.
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female (paratype). Habitus as in Fig.
Vulva
(Fig.
Known only from the type locality in Fujian Province, China (Fig.
The name is taken from the type locality.
Holotype : ♂, China: Fujian Province, Fuzhou City, Yongtai County, Geling Town, Yangxi Village, Tianmen Mountain, 25°49'5.34"N, 119°00'40.79"E, 10.IV.2023, J. Gong, R. Zhao & M. Wu leg. (Lep-11). Paratype: 2 ♀, 14.X.2023, Y. Yao & M. Wu leg, other data as same as the holotype (Lep-11).
The male of this species is similar to that of L. huboliao sp. nov. in having the femur with three rows of strong spines, one columnar tibial apophysis, armed with a short spine-like tip on palp and a needle-like prolateral sclerite, but can be easily distinguished from it by the rod-like median apophysis (vs lacking) the membranous conductor lacking a serrulate tip (vs present) (Figs
Longileptoneta tianmenensis sp. nov., male holotype A habitus, dorsal view B same, ventral view C femur, retrolateral view D same, prolateral view E palp, prolateral view F same, ventral view G same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis, PL – prolateral lobe, PS – prolateral sclerite. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C–G).
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female (paratype). Habitus as in Fig.
Vulva
(Fig.
Known only from the type locality in Fujian Province, China (Fig.
The name is taken from the type locality.
Holotype : ♂, Fujian Province, Fuzhou City, Yongtai County, Geling Town, Xiyang Village, Tianmen Mountain, 25°49'7.6"N, 119°1'5.07"E, 10.IV.2023, R. Zhao, J. Gong & M. Wu leg. (Lep-9). Paratype: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Fujian Province, Fuzhou City, Minhou County, Nanyu Town, 25°58'24.05"N, 119°13'15.87"E, 5.VI.2023, Y. Yao, W. Zhang, M. Wu & R. Zhao leg. (Lep-9).
The male of this species is similar to that of Pararana gaofani Lin & Li, 2022 (
Pararana mingxuani sp. nov., male holotype A habitus, dorsal view B palp, prolateral view C same, ventral view D same, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis, PL – prolateral lobe, RL – retrolateral lobe. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A); 0.1 mm (B–D).
SEM micrographs of Pararana mingxuani sp. nov., male palp A ventral view B patella, retrolateral view C detail of patellar spines, retrolateral view D detail of tegular apophysis, ventral view E detail of conductor and embolus, ventral view. Abbreviations: Con – conductor, Em – embolus, MA – medial apophysis.
Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Palp
(Figs
Female (paratype). Habitus as in Fig.
Coloration
(Fig.
Vulva
(Fig.
Known only from the type locality in Fujian Province, China (Fig.
Records of Falcileptoneta monodactyla (Yin, Wang & Wang, 1984), Leptonetela dawu sp. nov., L. yuanhaoi sp. nov. and L. zuojiashan sp. nov. from Jiangxi; Longileptoneta guadunensis sp. nov., L. huboliao sp. nov., L. jiaxiani sp. nov., L. letuensis sp. nov., L. renzhouensis sp. nov., L. tianmenensis sp. nov., and Pararana mingxuani sp. nov. from Fujian, China.
The species is named after Mr Mingxuan Wu, who collected the type specimens.
At present, China is the most diverse region for Leptonetidae (144 species), followed by the USA (60 species), Korea (58 species), Japan (53 species), France (26), and Greece (16), with few species found in the remaining regions (29 species;
It is interesting to note that the species Falcileptoneta monodactyla has no also been found from Jiangxi Province. Considering the locality of the holotype, Yanling county in Hunan province, it is likely that this species is more widely distributed in the Hunan and Jiangxi provinces.
The Longileptoneta species are very difficult to differentiate as their embolus is hidden in the tegular apophyses. Although the genera Falcileptoneta and Longileptoneta are clearly distinguished from all other leptonetid genera, ambiguity can occur in cave species lacking eyes, such as Falcileptoneta taizhensis (Chen & Zhang, 1993), Longileptoneta gutan Wang & Li, 2020, and L. shenxian (
The genus Pararana Lin & Li, 2022 was monotypic before this work and described based on a single male specimen (
We thank Jia-xian Gong, Wei Zhang, Ming-xuan Wu, and Rui Zhao (from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), and Yuan-hao Ying, Si-liang Yuan, Ke-qiang Huang, Dan-chen Zhao, Ze-yuan Meng, Zi-xi He, Zi-yi Zhao, and Wen-hui Li (from Jinggangshan University) for their assistance during the field work. We also thank Dr Nathalie Yonow for improving the English of the manuscript and the two reviewers Dr Ivan L. F. Magalhaes and Tamas Szuts, as well as the subject editor Dr Peter Michalik and the copy editor Dr Zdravka Zorkova, for providing detailed corrections and suggestions.
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
No ethical statement was reported.
This study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (32000301/32160243) and the Science and Technology Innovation Project for College Students.
Bin-Lu Liu and Yan-bin Yao collected the images and data. Yong-hong Xiao, Zi-Min Jiang designed the study. Keke Liu drafted the MS.
Bin-Lu Liu https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3080-8987
Yan-bin Yao https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2560-9299
Zi-Min Jiang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9044-3312
Yong-hong Xiao https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8074-9366
Ke-Ke Liu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7822-3667
All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.