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Research Article
Altimella gen. nov., a new genus of Cicurinidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Xizang, China, with description of two new species
expand article infoLu-Yu Wang‡, Yan-Nan Mu‡, Yong-Qiang Xu§|, Feng Zhang, Zhi-Sheng Zhang‡
‡ Southwest University, Chongqing, China
§ Medog Biodiversity Observation and Research Station of Xizang Autonomous Region, Medog, China
| Institute of Plateau Biology of Xizang Autonomous Region, Lhasa, China
¶ Hebei University, Baoding, China

Corresponding author: Feng Zhang ( dudu06042001@163.com )

Corresponding author: Zhi-Sheng Zhang ( zhangzs327@qq.com )

Academic editor: Sarah Crews
© 2024 Lu-Yu Wang, Yan-Nan Mu, Yong-Qiang Xu, Feng Zhang, Zhi-Sheng Zhang.
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: Wang L-Y, Mu Y-N, Xu Y-Q, Zhang F, Zhang Z-S (2024) Altimella gen. nov., a new genus of Cicurinidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Xizang, China, with description of two new species. ZooKeys 1210: 133-142. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1210.127910
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7FE70E8C-BCA5-4D92-9FEF-0D1087A28FE5
Open Access

Abstract

Altimella Wang & Zhang, gen. nov., a new genus belonging to Cicurinidae, is established, and two new species are described, Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. (♂♀, type species) and A. ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. (♂♀), from Xizang, China. Detailed descriptions of somatic features and genital characteristics, photos of the habitus, photos and drawings of the copulatory organs, and a distribution map are provided.

Key words

description, distribution, morphology, taxonomy, Tibet

Introduction

The spider family Cicurinidae F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1893 was restored and three genera (Cicurina Menge, 1871, Brommella Tullgren, 1948, and Chorizomma Simon, 1872) were confirmed by Gorneau et al. (2023). Currently, the type genus, Cicurina, comprises 144 species, most of which are distributed in North America and Asia, but with a few recorded from Europe. The genus Brommella includes 22 species, of which 17 have been reported from China, one from South Korea and Japan, three from the USA, and two from Europe. The third genus, Chorizomma, found in Spain and France, is monotypic and was once considered a subgenus of Cicurina (WSC 2024).

Gorneau et al. (2023) proposed synapomorphies for Cicurinidae: the absence of a cribellum, replaced by a reduced colulus with several setae; three tarsal claws, and legs without scopulae or claw tufts; the male palp with a variable retroventral tibial apophysis (RvTA); and the RTA enlarged (in some cases as long as the cymbium length), usually with an RTA-conductor. However, some Chinese Brommella species like B. baiseensis Li, 2017 and B. casseabri Li, 2017 possess obvious cribella (Li and Wang 2017: figs 6D, 8D).

We describe a new genus to accommodate two new species of Cicurinidae from Xizang, China, which also possess a cribellum like Brommella species, but they differ from Brommella by having a longer retrolateral tibial apophysis.

Materials and methods

All specimens are preserved in 75% ethanol and were examined, illustrated, photographed, and measured using a Leica M205A stereomicroscope equipped with a drawing tube, a Leica DFC450 Camera, and LAS v. 4.6 software. Male palps and epigynes were examined and illustrated after they were dissected. Epigynes were cleared by immersing them in pancreatin for about 1 h (Álvarez-Padilla and Hormiga 2007). Eye sizes were measured as the maximum dorsal diameter. Leg measurements are shown as: total length (femur, patella and tibia, metatarsus, tarsus). All measurements are in millimeters. Specimens examined here are deposited in the Collection of Spiders, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China (SWUC).

Abbreviations used in the text: ALE = anterior lateral eye; AME = anterior median eye; PLE = posterior lateral eye; PME = posterior median eye; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis.

Taxonomy

Family Cicurinidae F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1893

Altimella Wang & Zhang, gen. nov.

https://zoobank.org/22CB1EAD-C4FC-4860-8C5F-F98F21ABC763
高朗蛛属

Type species

Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis

Altimella Wang & Zhang, gen. nov. species resemble those of Brommella (Li and Wang 2017: 126, figs 1–61) in having an undivided cribellum, a large, simple retrolateral tibial apophysis with a single fold (Figs 2C, 3E, 4C, 5E), a tibial apophysis (spur) arising from the base of the tibia retro-ventrally, a long and filiform embolus, and long and complexly winding copulatory ducts, but they differ from Brommella by the long retrolateral tibial apophysis, as long as the cymbium (Figs 2B, C, 3D, E, 4B, C, 5D, E; vs shorter than the cymbium), the simple distal part of the conductor (Figs 2B, 3D, 4B, 5D; vs complex, spiral-shaped, or with three branches), and the obvious spermathecae (Figs 2E, 3G, 4E, 5G; vs inconspicuous).

Figure 1. 

Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. B, D, F holotype male A, C, E, G paratype female A male eyes and chelicerae, frontal view B, C metatarsus of Leg I, lateral view D, E eyes, front view F, G cribellum ventral view.

Figure 2. 

Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. A–C holotype male D, E paratype female A left male palp, ventral view B same, retrolateral view C same, dorsal view D epigyne, ventral view E epigyne, dorsal view. Abbreviations: CA = anterior arm of conductor; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = posterior arm of conductor; E = embolus; Eb = embolic base; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; Sd = sperm duct; Sp = spermathecal; TA = tibial apophyses.

Figure 3. 

Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. A, C–E holotype male B, F, G paratype female A male habitus, dorsal view B female habitus, dorsal view C left male palp, ventral view D same, retrolateral view E same, dorsal view F epigyne, ventral view G same, dorsal view.

Figure 4. 

Altimella ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. A–C holotype male D, E paratype female A left male palp, ventral view B same, retrolateral view C same, dorsal view D epigyne, ventral view E epigyne, dorsal view. Abbreviations: CA = anterior arm of conductor; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; CP = posterior arm of conductor; E = embolus; Eb = embolic base; FD = fertilization duct; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; Sd = sperm duct; Sp = spermathecal; TA = tibial apophyses.

Figure 5. 

Altimella ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. A, C–E holotype male B, F, G paratype female A male habitus, dorsal view B female habitus, dorsal view C left male palp, ventral view D same, retrolateral view E same, dorsal view F epigyne, ventral view G same, dorsal view.

Etymology

The generic name is composed of the prefix “alti-” (high) and the suffix “-mella” (from Brommella), referring to the high-altitude type locality and similarity to Brommella. The gender is feminine.

Description

Small size (male (n = 2): 2.30–3.55, female (n = 11): 2.70–5.19). Carapace yellowish brown to brown. Eight eyes (Fig. 1A, D, E). Cervical groove and radial furrows distinct. Chelicerae yellowish brown, with 3 promarginal and 3–4 retromarginal teeth. Labium and endites yellowish brown. Sternum yellowish brown and scutellate with sparse black setae. Legs yellowish brown. Calamistrum absent in male and weak (10 setae) in female (Fig. 1B, C). Opisthosoma oval, dorsum and venter yellowish brown, with small (about 0.2 mm) and undivided cribellum (Fig. 1F, G). Leg formula: 1423 or 4123.

Male palp (Figs 2A–C, 3C–E, 4A–C, 5C–E): tibia with two apophyses, ventral (TA) and retrolateral (RTA): ventral lobe originates from base of tibia, longer than tibia, slightly bent near tip; retrolateral apophysis as long cymbium, with fold along entire apophysis. Bulb longer than wide. Anterior part of tegulum rounded, posterior part hidden by conductor (C), sperm duct (Sd) narrow, running along margin of tegulum; conductor with two arms, posterior claw-like (CP) and anterior spine-like (CA); embolus with large base (Eb), long and filiform, originating at 6–7 o’clock position, its anterior part resting in a long groove of anterior part of conductor.

Epigyne (Figs 2D, E, 3F, G, 4D, E, 5F, G): epigynal plate wider than long or as long as wide. Copulatory openings wide, located anteriorly or posteriorly. Copulatory ducts long and complex, winding. Spermathecae convoluted or kidney-shaped. Fertilization ducts hook-like.

Composition

Comprises two new species, A. nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. and A. ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov.

Biology

Found in high altitude areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Xizang). They construct sheet webs under stones.

Distribution

China (Xizang) (Fig. 6).

Figure 6. 

Distribution of Altimella in China.

Remarks

This is the fourth genus of Cicurinidae and has a cribellum similar to species of Brommella. The epigynes of all four cicurinid genera are very similar, while male palps have more differences. Additionally, Cicurina and Chorizomma do not have cribella, while Brommella and Altimella gen. nov. do.

Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/205BC42B-3D4A-43A3-9EEF-AA43AB0384F7
Figs 1, 2, 3, 6 乃东高朗蛛

Type material

Holotype ♂ (SWUC-T-CI-08-01), China, Xizang, Shannan City, Nedong District, Zedang Town, 29°13'56′′N, 91°46'36′′E, elev. 3616 m, 25.08.2002, M.S. Zhu leg. (SWUC). Paratypes: 6♀ (SWUC-T-CI-08-02 to 07) with same data as for holotype (SWUC) • 2♀ (SWUC-T-CI-08-08 to 09), Zedang Town, 21.08.2002, F.X. Liu leg.

Etymology

The specific name is derived from the type locality; a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis

The new species differs from those of A. ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. (Figs 4, 5) by the ventral tibial apophysis as long as tibia (Figs 2A–C, 3C, D; vs short and with claw-like tip); posterior part of conductor (Cc) bifurcated (Figs 2B, 3D; vs pocket-like); copulatory openings located in anterior half of epigyne (Figs 2D, 3F, vs near epigastral fold); spermathecae convoluted (Figs 2E, 3G, vs kidney-shaped).

Description

Male holotype (Fig. 3A) total length 3.55. Carapace 1.69 long, 1.33 wide; opisthosoma 1.92 long, 1.10 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.06, ALE 0.14, PME 0.10, PLE, 0.11; AME–AME 0.05, AME–ALE 0.03, PME–PME 0.12, PME–PLE 0.08, ALE–PLE 0.03. MOA 0.24 long, anterior width 0.19, posterior width 0.31. Clypeus height 0.19. Chelicerae with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth. Leg measurements: I 7.32 (2.06, 2.64, 1.62, 1.00); II 5.69 (1.68, 1.97, 1.27, 0.77); III 4.80 (1.38, 1.53, 1.18, 0.71); IV 6.14 (1.74, 2.06, 1.54, 0.80). Leg I longer than leg IV.

Palp (Figs 2A–C, 3C, D). Patella as long as tibia. Tibia: ventral tibial apophysis (TA) originates from base of tibia, longer than tibia, distal half partially grooved and bent posteriorly; retrolateral apophysis (RTA) as long as cymbium, almost six times longer than maximal width. Posterior arm of conductor (CP) claw-like, anterior arm (CA) membranous and groove-like. Embolus long filiform, with a broad base, originating at 6 o’clock position, anterior part resting in long groove of conductor.

Female (paratype, Fig. 3B, SWUC-T-CI-08-02) total length 4.79. Carapace 1.74 long, 1.32 wide; opisthosoma 3.32 long, 2.41 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.08, ALE 0.13, PME 0.10, PLE, 0.12; AME–AME 0.05, AME–ALE 0.03, PME–PME 0.08, PME–PLE 0.03, ALE–PLE 0.04. MOA 0.29 long, anterior width 0.20, posterior width 0.34. Clypeus height 0.15. Chelicerae with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth. Leg measurements: I 5.86 (1.75, 2.05, 1.26, 0.80); II 5.00 (1.47, 1.72, 1.09, 0.72); III 4.39 (1.27, 1.39, 1.06, 0.67); IV 5.74 (1.59, 1.97, 1.45, 0.73).

Epigyne (Figs 2D–E, 3F–G). Epigynal plate 1.5 times wider than long. Copulatory openings located in anterior hood (Ah). Copulatory ducts long and complexly winding. Spermathecae convoluted.

Variation

Females (n = 8): total length 3.60–5.19.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality, Xizang, China (Fig. 6).

Altimella ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/E4E657ED-49D2-44C1-B5FB-293D4437F0DC
Figs 4, 5, 6 昂仁高朗蛛

Type material

Holotype ♂ (SWUC-T-CI-09-01), China, Xizang, Shigatse City, Ngamring County, Kaga Town, Nanma Village, 29°12'41′′N, 87°19'42′′E, elev. 4265 m, 21.07.2020, L.Y. Wang et al. leg. Paratypes: 3♀ (SWUC-T-CI-09-02 to 04) with same data as for holotype (SWUC).

Etymology

The specific name is derived from the type locality; a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis

The new species differs from A. nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. (Figs 2, 3) by the short ventral tibial apophysis, shorter than tibia width (Figs 4B, C, 5D, E; vs longer than tibia, tip with groove); the posterior part of conductor pocket-like (Figs 4B, 5D; vs claw-like); copulatory openings located posteriorly in a joint fovea and not hidden by hood (Figs 4D, 5F; vs located anteriorly and hidden by hood); spermathecae kidney-shaped (Figs 4F, 5G; vs convoluted).

Description

Male holotype (Fig. 5A) total length 2.30. Carapace 1.09 long, 0.88 wide; opisthosoma 1.26 long, 0.88 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.05, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE, 0.08; AME–AME 0.03, AME–ALE 0.01, PME–PME 0.06, PME–PLE 0.05, ALE–PLE 0.02. MOA 0.16 long, anterior width 0.12, posterior width 0.18. Clypeus height 0.11. Chelicerae with three promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Leg measurements: I 3.21 (0.90, 1.07, 0.70, 0.54); II 2.87 (0.84, 0.98, 0.60, 0.45); III 2.54 (0.73, 0.81, 0.56, 0.44); IV 3.24 (0.93, 1.01, 0.87, 0.43).

Palp (Figs 4A–C, 5C, D). Tibia longer than patella. Ventral tibial apophysis (TA) shorter than the tibia, with hook-like tip; retrolateral apophysis (RTA) large and as long as cymbium with single fold; posterior arm of conductor (CP) pocket-like, lamelliform with sharp tip, anterior arm of conductor (CA) unobvious; embolus long, filiform, with a broad base, originating at 6 o’clock position, anterior part resting in the long groove of conductor.

Female (paratype, Fig. 5B, SWUC-T-CI-09-02) total length 2.96. Carapace 1.08 long, 0.85 wide; opisthosoma 1.87 long, 1.32 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.05, ALE 0.09, PME 0.06, PLE, 0.08; AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.02, PME–PME 0.05, PME–PLE 0.06, ALE–PLE 0.03. MOA 0.16 long, anterior width 0.15, posterior width 0.19. Clypeus height 0.08. Chelicerae with three promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Leg measurements: I 2.88 (0.79, 1.05, 0.61, 0.43); II 2.59 (0.72, 0.87, 0.54, 0.46); III 2.33 (0.68, 0.65, 0.55, 0.45); IV 3.19 (0.93, 1.07, 0.75, 0.44).

Epigyne (Figs 4D, E, 5F, G). Epigynal plate longer than wide. Copulatory openings located posteriorly in a wide fovea. Copulatory ducts long, C-shaped in dorsal view, together forming an X-shape. Spermathecae kidney-shaped. Fertilization ducts hook-like.

Variation

Females (n = 3): total length 2.70–2.96.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality, Xizang, China (Fig. 6).

Acknowledgements

Many thanks are given to Mr Tao Yan and Ms Piao Liu (SWUC) and Yan-Meng Hou (College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, China) for their assistance during field work and collection.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Funding

This research was supported by the Science & Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program (Grant No. 2022FY202100) and Survey of Wildlife Resources in Key Areas of Tibet (ZL202203601).

Author contributions

All authors have contributed equally.

Author ORCIDs

Lu-Yu Wang https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5250-3473

Yan-Nan Mu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2504-673X

Yong-Qiang Xu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1889-9531

Feng Zhang https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3347-1031

Zhi-Sheng Zhang https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9304-1789

Data availability

All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text.

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