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Research Article
Four new species of Tapinocyba Simon, 1884 (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from Jiangjin District of Chongqing, China
expand article infoMuhammad Irfan‡, Dai Yun§, Wang Lu-Yu‡, Zhang Zhi-Sheng‡
‡ Southwest University, Chongqing, China
§ Forestry Bureau of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, China

Corresponding author: Wang Lu-Yu ( wangluyu1989@163.com )

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

Academic editor: Dragomir Dimitrov
© 2024 Muhammad Irfan, Dai Yun, Wang Lu-Yu, Zhang Zhi-Sheng.
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: Irfan M, Yun D, Lu-Yu W, Zhi-Sheng Z (2024) Four new species of Tapinocyba Simon, 1884 (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from Jiangjin District of Chongqing, China. ZooKeys 1219: 195-214. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.133899
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:40631DBF-34FF-4C81-A6A4-8C940FBA1E69
Open Access

Abstract

Four new species of the genus Tapinocyba Simon, 1884 are described from Jiangjin, Chongqing: T. centralis sp. nov. (♂), T. denticulata sp. nov. (♂♀), T. triangularis sp. nov. (♂♀), and T. virga sp. nov. (♂♀). The new species exhibit distinctive genital features, such as a bifurcated embolus tip in the male palp of T. denticulata sp. nov. and T. virga sp. nov., and embolus tip unbifurcated in T. centralis sp. nov. The epigynes display more unique characteristics, such as epigynal plate with a pit ventrally on its frontal face in T. triangularis sp. nov. and T. virga sp. nov., which is absent in all other known Tapinocyba species. Detailed descriptions, along with photographs of genital characters, somatic features, and a distribution map, are provided.

Key words

Description, Erigoninae, morphology, sheet-web, taxonomy

Introduction

The family Linyphiidae is one of the most diverse spider families worldwide, comprising 634 extant genera and 4,858 species, including 11 fossil genera and 62 species (WSC 2024). Currently, 532 species in 175 genera have been reported from China (Tanasevitch 2024), of which 37 species in 22 genera have been recorded in Chongqing Municipality (Irfan et al. 2022, 2023a, 2023b). Tapinocyba Simon, 1884, is a small genus consisting of 41 species, primarily distributed across Nearctic and Palearctic regions (WSC 2024). In the Chinese fauna, three species have been recorded, specifically from the provinces of Jilin, Sichuan, and Taiwan (Sha et al. 1994; Tanasevitch 2011, 2018).

Jiangjin District is located in the southwest of Chongqing, China, along the upper section of the Yangtze River. This work is the first study on Linyphiidae spiders collected in Jiangjin. As a result, four new species belonging to the genus Tapinocyba have been identified and described here.

Materials and methods

The specimens were collected using Malaise traps and sieving leaf litter methods. All specimens were preserved in 75% ethanol. Left male palps were examined and photographed after dissection. After dissection, epigynes were cleared in trypsin enzyme solution before examination and photography. The specimens were examined and measured using Leica M205A stereomicroscope equipped with Leica DFC450 camera and LAS v. 4.6 software. All the photos of habitus and genitalia were taken with Kuy Nice CCD mounted on an Olympus BX53 compound microscope. Compound focus images were generated using Helicon Focus v. 6.7.1. Eye sizes were measured at the maximum dorsal diameter. Leg measurements are shown as total length (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus). All measurements are given in millimeters. Map was created using the online mapping software SimpleMappr (Shorthouse 2010) (Fig. 12). Specimens are deposited in the School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing (SWUC), China. The terminology used in figures legend follows Hormiga (2000). In text “Fig.” and “Figs” refer to figures herein, while “fig.” and “figs” refer to figures published elsewhere.

The following abbreviations are used in the text and figures: a.s.l. = above sea level; AER = anterior eye row; ALE = anterior lateral eyes; AME = anterior median eyes; AME–ALE = the distance between AME and ALE; AME–AME = the distance between AMEs; ARP = anterior radical process; CD = copulatory ducts; CO = copulatory openings; DP = dorsal plate; DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; DTA = dorsal tibial apophysis; E = embolus; FD = fertilization ducts; MM = median membrane sensu van Helsdingen (1965) = embolic membrane sensu van Helsdingen (1986) and Hormiga (1994); MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; PC = paracymbium; PER = posterior eye row; PLE = posterior lateral eyes; PME = posterior median eyes; PME–PLE = distance between PME and PLE; PME–PME = distance between PMEs; PT = protegulum; R = radix; S = spermatheca; SPT = suprategulum; ST = subtegulum; T = tegulum; TmI = position of trichobothrium on metatarsus I; TP = tailpiece; VP = ventral plate.

Taxonomy

Family Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859

Subfamily Erigoninae Emerton, 1882

Tapinocyba Simon, 1884

(盾大蛛属)

Type species

Walckenaera praecox O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873; gender feminine.

Tapinocyba centralis sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/101F9F9F-3E08-47D8-A050-6C5A6ABFC7BA
Figs 1, 2, 12 (中盾大蛛)

Type material

Holotype : China • ♂; Chongqing Municipality, Jiangjin District, Zhuyang Town, Yunwuping, Guanyin Valley; 29°9′1.38″N, 105°57′28.18″E, 558 m a.s.l., 2023.I.7, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-26-01. Paratypes: 3♂; same location data as holotype; SWUC-T-LIN-26-02 to SWUC-T-LIN-26-04 • 2♂; same location data as holotype; SWUC-T-LIN-26-02 & SWUC-T-LIN-26-03 • 1♂; Zhuyang Town, Yunwuping, Dashibao; 29°9′6.99″N, 105°57′34.51″E; 542 m a.s.l.; 2023.I.7; Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-26-04.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective centralis, meaning “median” and referring to the dorsal tibial apophysis, which is located dorsally in almost median of the tibia in dorsal view of the male palp.

Diagnosis

The male of Tapinocyba centralis sp. nov. resembles T. praecox (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873) in having the similar cephalic lobe and embolic division (Figs 1A–D, 2A–C; Hormiga 2000: fig. 27A–E, pl. 62A–F) and can be distinguished by the dorsal tibial apophysis located almost in median of tibia in dorsal view in T. centralis sp. nov. (Fig. 1C; vs located at the tip of tibia); anterior radical process present in T. centralis sp. nov. (Fig. 1C; vs absent).

Figure 1. 

Tapinocyba centralis sp. nov., male holotype A palp, prolateral view B palp, retrolateral view C palp, dorsal view D palp, ventral view. Abbreviations: ARP = anterior radical process; DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; DTA = dorsal tibial apophysis; E = embolus; MM = median membrane; MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; PC = paracymbium; PT = protegulum; R = radix; SPT = suprategulum; ST = subtegulum; T = tegulum; TP = tailpiece.

Figure 2. 

Tapinocyba centralis sp. nov., male paratype (A–C) and male holotype (D–F). A–C Embolic division D habitus, dorsal view E habitus, lateral view F habitus, ventral view. Abbreviations: ARP = anterior radical process; DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; E = embolus; MM = median membrane; MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; R = radix; SPT = suprategulum; TP = tailpiece.

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 2D–F): total length: 1.40. Carapace 0.76 long, 0.53 wide, brown, cephalic region strongly elevated, cephalic pits present behind the PLEs, fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.20 high. Chelicerae with five promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Sternum yellowish brown as long as wide, shield-like, with microsetae. Eyes: AER recurved, PER procurved, slightly wider than AER, PMEs present on cephalic lobe. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.03, ALE 0.06, PME 0.05, PLE 0.05, AME–AME 0.01, PME–PME 0.05, AME–ALE, 0.02, PME–PLE 0.06, AME–PME 0.08, ALE–ALE 0.24, PLE–PLE 0.25, ALE–PLE 0.01. Length of legs: I 1.93 (0.55, 0.20, 0.48, 0.38, 0.32), II 1.73 (0.47, 0.19, 0.40, 0.36, 0.31), III 1.46 (0.43, 0.17, 0.29, 0.32, 0.25), IV 1.97 (0.54, 0.18, 0.50, 0.41, 0.34). TmI 0.41 and TmIV absent. Tibial spine formula: 1-1-1-1. Opisthosoma 0.81 long, 0.52 wide, oval, greenish.

Palp (holotype, Fig. 1A–D; a paratype, Fig. 2A–C). Femur unmodified, almost as long as both patella and tibia. Patella longer than tibia. Tibia widest at distal end, with one retrolateral and one dorsal trichobothria, dorsal tibial apophysis half the length of tibia, tapering towards tip with blunt end; paracymbium U-shaped, basally with setae, distal arm tip with blunt end; tegulum almost round, ventrally bulging above subtegulum, protegulum distinct, membranous; suprategulum small, with small median suprategular apophysis, invisible on unexpanded palp, distal suprategular apophysis membranous; embolic division simple, consisting of a radix longer than wide; tailpiece round; median membrane short; anterior radical process somewhat triangular with pointed end; embolus short, horn-shaped, slightly curved with pointed end.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 12).

Tapinocyba denticulata sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/F4C75A35-DB03-4B3F-9F54-4F640463163F
Figs 3, 4, 5, 12
(齿盾大蛛)

Type material

Holotype : China • ♂; Chongqing Municipality, Jiangjin District, Simian Mountain, Zhengtian Valley, 28°36′46.97″N, 106°25′54.77″E, 1170 m a.s.l., 2023.III.02, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-27-01. Paratypes: 1♀; same location data as holotype; SWUC-T-LIN-27-02 • 1♀: Simian Mountain, Chaoyuanguan, 28°38′53.38″N, 106°20′23.84″E, 920 m a.s.l., 2023.I.22, Wang B. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-27-03 • 1♂; Simian Mountain, Qinjiagou, 28°37′6.32″N, 106°23′53.40″E, 1131 m a.s.l., 2023.III.2, Zhang Z.G. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-27-04.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective denticulatus, meaning “teeth” and referring to the small teeth at the tip of dorsal tibial apophysis of the male palp.

Diagnosis

The male of Tapinocyba denticulata sp. nov. resembles T. praecox (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873) in having the similar embolic division (Fig. 3A–D; Hormiga 2000: fig. 27A–E, pl. 62A–F) and can be distinguished by the ocular region strongly curved, making right-angle with cephalothorax, extending above the clypeus in T. denticulata sp. nov. (Fig. 5B; vs ocular region not modified); dorsal tibial apophysis as long as cymbium, tip with small teeth, extending above the cymbium in T. denticulata sp. nov. (Fig. 3C; vs half the length of tibia, with blunt tip, extending away from cymbium); retrolateral tibial apophysis present in T. denticulata sp. nov. (Fig. 3C; vs absent); embolus curved clockwise with bifurcated tip in T. denticulata sp. nov. (Fig. 3A, B, E; vs slightly curved with blunt tip). The female of T. denticulata sp. nov. resembles T. affinis Lessert, 1907 in having the similar copulatory ducts and spermathecae (Fig. 4A–E; Wiehle 1960: figs 984a, b, 985) and can be distinguished by the tapering part of ventral plate as long as wide in T. denticulata sp. nov. (Fig. 4A, B, E; vs somewhat triangular). The epigyne of Tapinocyba denticulata sp. nov. can be distinguished from T. praecox by the dorsal plate ventrally grooved in T. denticulata sp. nov. (Fig. 4A–C; vs not grooved).

Figure 3. 

Tapinocyba denticulata sp. nov., male holotype A palp, prolateral view B palp, retrolateral view C palp, dorsal view D palp, ventral view E embolus, ventral view. Abbreviations: DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; DTA = dorsal tibial apophysis; E = embolus; MM = median membrane; MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; PC = paracymbium; PT = protegulum; PTA = prolateral tibial apophysis; R = radix; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; SPT = suprategulum; ST = subtegulum; T = tegulum; TP = tailpiece.

Figure 4. 

Tapinocyba denticulata sp. nov., female paratype A, C epigyne, ventral view B epigyne, lateral view D vulva, dorsal view E vulva, anterior view A–D red arrow indicating epigynal plate mid ventrally with a conspicuous round patch anteriorly. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; DP = dorsal plate; FD = fertilization duct; S = spermathecae; VP = ventral plate.

Figure 5. 

Tapinocyba denticulata sp. nov., male holotype (A–C) and female paratype (D, E) A, D habitus, dorsal view B habitus, lateral view C, E habitus, ventral view.

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 5A–C): total length 1.74; carapace 0.87 long, 0.60 wide, brown, cephalic region slightly elevated, cephalic pits absent, fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.20 high. Chelicerae with five promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Sternum yellowish brown, as long as wide, shield-like, with microsetae. Ocular region strongly curved, extending above clypeus, eyes: AER recurved, PER procurved, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.03, ALE 0.06, PME 0.04, PLE 0.05, AME–AME 0.02, PME–PME 0.07, AME–ALE, 0.02, PME–PLE 0.03, AME–PME 0.06, ALE–ALE 0.19, PLE–PLE 0.20, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 1.97 (0.59, 0.21, 0.48, 0.36, 0.33), II 1.82 (0.56, 0.19, 0.43, 0.35, 0.29), III 1.68 (0.58, 0.15, 0.45, 0.28, 0.22), IV 2.00 (0.58, 0.19, 0.48, 0.38, 0.39). TmI 0.63 and TmIV absent. Tibial spine formula: 1-1-1-1. Opisthosoma 0.97 long, 0.71 wide, oval, greenish.

Palp (Fig. 3A–D). Femur unmodified, almost as long as both patella and tibia. Patella as long as tibia. Tibia widest at distal end, with one retrolateral and one dorsal trichobothria, with three apophyses; dorsal tibial apophysis almost as long as cymbium, slightly curved, tip with teeth; prolateral tibial apophysis (PTA) small, somewhat triangular in dorsal view; retrolateral tibial apophysis sclerotized, tip with serrated margin; paracymbium J-shaped, basally with setae, distal arm tip with blunt end; tegulum almost round, ventrally bulging above the subtegulum, protegulum distinct, membranous; suprategulum small, with small median suprategular apophysis, distal suprategular apophysis membranous; embolic division simple, consisting of a radix longer than wide; tailpiece slightly curved with blunt tip; median membrane short, present in between embolus and distal suprategular apophysis; embolus curved, with bifurcated tip.

Female (paratype SWUC-T-LIN-27-02, Fig. 5D, E): total length 1.64; carapace 0.76 long, 0.51 wide, cephalic region slightly elevated, brown, fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.11 high. Chelicerae with six promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Sternum shield-shaped, as wide as long, greenish brown, with microsetae. Eyes: AER recurved, PER straight, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.04, ALE 0.06, PME 0.04, PLE 0.05, AME–AME 0.01, PME–PME 0.04, AME–ALE, 0.01, PME–PLE 0.02, AME–PME 0.05, ALE–ALE 0.21, PLE–PLE 0.23, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 1.73 (0.40.53, 0.20, 0.42,0.30, 0.28), II 1.59 (0.50, 0.19, 0.35, 0.29, 0.26), III 1.32 (0.39, 0.16,0.28, 0.27, 0.22), IV 1.74 (0.53, 0.16, 0.42,0.34, 0.29). TmI 0.64 and TmIV absent. Tibial spine formula: 1-1-1-1. Opisthosoma 0.96 long, 0.64 wide, oval, greenish.

Epigyne (Fig. 4A–E). Epigynal plate twice as wide as long, anteriorly with round patch; ventral plate tapering ventrally; dorsal plate almost rectangular, with small groove at the center; copulatory opening located mid-ventrally at the junction of dorsal and ventral plates; copulatory ducts large, curving into one loop; spermathecae large and kidney-shaped, located anterior to the epigynal transverse slit, spaced by two diameters; fertilization ducts large and sinuous.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 12).

Tapinocyba triangularis sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/423E1D35-63A9-4C2A-ACDC-B5675DE3F080
Figs 6, 7, 8, 12
(三角盾大蛛)

Type material

Holotype : China • ♂; Chongqing Municipality, Jiangjin District, Tanghe Town, Gunziping Jianshanzi, Dayuandong, 28°55′46.81″N, 106°5′13.45″E, 752 m a.s.l., 2023.III.25, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-28-01. Paratypes: 6♂6♀; same location data as holotype; SWUC-T-LIN-28-02 to SWUC-T-LIN-28-13 • 5♂4♀; Tanghe Town, Gunziping, Jianshanzi, Dayuandong, 28°55′46.81″N, 106°5′13.45″E, 752 m a.s.l., 2023.4.15 and 2023.IV.30., Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-28-14 to SWUC-T-LIN-28-22 • 1♂; Simian Mountain, Tudi Yan Guard Management Station, 28°37′24.45″N, 106°24′6.69″E, 1126 m a.s.l., 2023.IV.27, Zhang Z.G et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-28-23.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin adjective triangularis, meaning “triangular” and referring to the somewhat triangular ventral part of the dorsal tibial apophysis of the male palp in retrolateral view.

Diagnosis

The male of Tapinocyba triangularis sp. nov. resembles T. emei Tanasevitch, 2018 in having the similar cephalic lobe, tibial apophyses, distal suprategular apophysis (Figs 6A–D, 7A–C; Tanasevitch 2018: figs 1–5) and resembles T. algirica Bosmans, 2007 in having the similar anterior radical process and embolus in male palp (Bosmans 2007: figs 153–156), but it can be distinguished by the horn-shaped embolus in T. triangularis sp. nov. (Fig. 8A; vs claw-shaped in T. emei), anterior radical apophysis present in T. triangularis sp. nov. (Figs 6B, 7B; vs absent in T. emei), and tibial apophyses present in T. triangularis sp. nov. (Fig. 8A; vs absent in T. algirica). The female of T. triangularis sp. nov. resembles T. virga sp. nov. in having the similar ventral and dorsal plate (Figs 7D–H, 10D–H) and can be distinguished by the spermathecae globular in T. triangularis sp. nov. (Fig. 7G, H; vs oval); copulatory opening as long as wide in T. triangularis sp. nov. (Fig. 7D vs longer than wide).

Figure 6. 

Tapinocyba triangularis sp. nov., male holotype A palp, prolateral view B palp, retrolateral view C palp, dorsal view D palp, ventral view. Abbreviations: DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; DTA = dorsal tibial apophysis; E = embolus; MM = median membrane; MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; PC = paracymbium; PT = protegulum; R = radix; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; SPT = suprategulum; ST = subtegulum; T = tegulum; TP = tailpiece.

Figure 7. 

Tapinocyba triangularis sp. nov., male paratype (A–C), female paratype (D–H) A–C embolic division D, F epigyne, ventral view E epigyne, lateral view G vulva, dorsal view H vulva, anterior view. Abbreviations: ARP = anterior radical process; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; DP = dorsal plate; DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; MM = median membrane; MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; R = radix; S = spermathecae; SPT = suprategulum; TP = tailpiece; VP = ventral plate.

Figure 8. 

Tapinocyba triangularis sp. nov., male holotype (A–C) and female paratype (D, E) A, D habitus, dorsal view B habitus, lateral view C, E habitus, ventral view.

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 8A–C): total length 1.98; carapace 0.94 long, 0.75 wide, brown, cephalic lobe 0.35 long, 0.15 wide, strongly elevated, cephalic pits present at the base of cephalic lobe, fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.29 high. Chelicerae with five promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Sternum yellowish brown as long as wide, shield-like, with microsetae. Eyes: AER recurved, PER procurved, slightly wider than AER, PMEs present on cephalic lobe. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.05, ALE 0.07, PME 0.05, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.01, PME–PME 0.11, AME–ALE, 0.07, PME–PLE 0.15, AME–PME 0.13, ALE–ALE 0.37, PLE–PLE 0.39, ALE–PLE 0.01. Length of legs: I 2.49 (0.72, 0.25, 0.61, 0.50, 0.41), II 2.23 (0.66, 0.22, 0.54, 0.45, 0.36), III 1.9 (0.56, 0.22, 0.41, 0.40, 0.31), IV 2.51 (0.72, 0.23, 0.62, 0.55, 0.39). TmI 0.43 and TmIV absent. Tibial spine formula: 1-1-1-1. Opisthosoma 0.98 long, 0.72 wide, oval, greenish.

Palp (holotype, Fig. 6A–D, a paratype SWUC-T-LIN-28-02, Fig. 7A–C). Femur unmodified, almost as long as both patella and tibia. Patella longer than tibia. Tibia widest at distal end, with one retrolateral and one dorsal trichobothria, with two apophyses; dorsal tibial apophysis broad, tip curved ventrally pointing towards paracymbium in retrolateral view; retrolateral tibial apophysis small, somewhat triangular; paracymbium J-shaped, basally with setae, distal arm tip with blunt end; tegulum almost round, ventrally bulging above the subtegulum, protegulum distinct, membranous; suprategulum small, with distinct median suprategular apophysis, distal suprategular apophysis membranous; embolic division simple, consisting of a radix longer than wide; tailpiece tapering with blunt tip; anterior radical process half the length of embolus, sharp with pointed end; median membrane short, present in between embolus and distal suprategular apophysis; embolus slightly curved, with pointed tip.

Female (paratype SWUC-T-LIN-28-03, Fig. 8D, E): total length 1.76; carapace 0.84 long, 0.60 wide, cephalic region slightly elevated, brown, fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.10 high. Chelicerae with six promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Sternum shield-shaped, longer than wide, yellowish brown, with microsetae. Eyes: AER recurved, PER slightly procurved, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.03, ALE 0.06, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.02, PME–PME 0.04, AME–ALE, 0.03, PME–PLE 0.04, AME–PME 0.04, ALE–ALE 0.26, PLE–PLE 0.29, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 2.1 (0.57,0.22, 0.51, 0.43, 0.37), II 1.94 (0.56, 0.18,0.47,0.39, 0.34), III 1.68 (0.51,0.21, 0.32,0.36,0.28), IV 2.21 (0.64,0.20, 0.57,0.44, 0.36). TmI 0.46 and TmIV absent. Tibial spine formula: 1-1-1-1. Opisthosoma 1.10 long, 0.75 wide, oval, greenish, dorsally with a pair of sigillae.

Epigyne (Fig. 7D–H). Epigynal plate twice as wide as long; ventral plate tapering ventrally, posteriorly with round hole followed by sclerotized ventral pit on it frontal face; dorsal plate almost rectangular, longer than wide; copulatory opening located posteriorly at the base of dorsal plate; copulatory ducts large, curving into two loops; spermathecae located dorsolaterally, spaced by three diameters; fertilization ducts large and sinuous.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 12).

Tapinocyba virga sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/6C72739C-2035-4788-B65B-1E72FCB0520A
Figs 9, 10, 11, 12
(棒盾大蛛)

Type material

Holotype : China • ♂; Chongqing Municipality, Jiangjin District, Tanghe Town Gunziping Jianshanzi, Dayuandong, 28°55′46.81″N, 106°5′13.45″E, 752 m a.s.l., 2023.III.5, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-29-01. Paratypes: 1♂3♀; same location data as holotype; SWUC-T-LIN-29-02 to SWUC-T-LIN-29-05 • 1♂; Tanghe Town Gunziping Jianshanzi, Dayuandong, 28°55′46.81″N, 106°5′13.45″E, 752 m a.s.l., 2023.III.25, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-29-06 • 2♂; Baisha Town, Zhang Gongshan, Xiannu Cave, 28°57′10.27″N, 106°8′57.34″E, 809 m a.s.l., 2023.III.5, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-29-07 & SWUC-T-LIN-29-08 • 2♂; Tanghe Town Gunziping Jianshanzi, Dayuandong, 28°55′46.81″N, 106°5′13.45″E, 752 m a.s.l., 2023.II.5, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-29-09 & SWUC-T-LIN-29-10 • 1♀; Tanghe Town, Longyuemen, Dayuandong, Gunziping Management Station, 28°55′43.93″N, 106°5′20.81″E, 773 m a.s.l., 2023.II.5, Wang L.Y. et al. leg.; SWUC-T-LIN-29-11.

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from the Latin noun virga, meaning “rod” and referring to the somewhat rod-like dorsal tibial apophysis of the male palp.

Diagnosis

The male of Tapinocyba virga sp. nov. resembles T. praecox (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873) in having the similar embolic division (Figs 9A–D, 10A–C; Hormiga 2000: fig. 27A–E, pl. 62A–F) and can be distinguished by the ocular region modified in T. virga sp. nov. (Fig. 11B; vs not modified); tibia with three apophyses (DTA, PTA and RTA) in T. virga sp. nov. (Fig. 9A, B, D; vs tibia with one apophysis); anterior radical apophysis present in T. virga sp. nov. (Figs 10A, C; vs absent); and embolus as long as radix with bifurcated tip in T. virga sp. nov. (Figs 9A, 10A; vs much shorter than radix with pointed tip). The female of T. virga sp. nov. resembles T. triangularis sp. nov. in having the similar ventral and dorsal plate (Fig. 10D–H; Fig. 7D–H) and can be distinguished by the spermathecae oval in T. virga sp. nov. (Fig. 10G, H; vs globular); copulatory opening longer than wide in T. virga sp. nov. (Fig. 10D vs as long as wide).

Figure 9. 

Tapinocyba virga sp. nov., male holotype A palp, prolateral view B palp, retrolateral view C palp, dorsal view D palp, ventral view. Abbreviations: DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; DTA = dorsal tibial apophysis; E = embolus; MM = median membrane; MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; PC = paracymbium; PT = protegulum; PTA = prolateral tibial apophysis; R = radix; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; SPT = suprategulum; ST = subtegulum; T = tegulum; TP = tailpiece.

Figure 10. 

Tapinocyba virga sp. nov., male paratype (A–C), female paratype (D–H) A–C embolic division D, F epigyne, ventral view E epigyne, lateral view G vulva, dorsal view H vulva, anterior view. Abbreviations: ARP = anterior radical process; CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; DP = dorsal plate; DSA = distal suprategular apophysis; E = embolus; FD = fertilization duct; MM = median membrane; MSA = marginal suprategular apophysis; R = radix; S = spermathecae; SPT = suprategulum; TP = tailpiece; VP = ventral plate.

Figure 11. 

Tapinocyba virga sp. nov., male holotype (A–C) and female paratype (D, E) A, D habitus, dorsal view B habitus, lateral view C, E habitus, ventral view.

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 11A–C): total length 1.69; carapace 0.79 long, 0.59 wide, brown, cephalic region slightly elevated, cephalic pits absent, fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.20 high. Chelicerae with six promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Sternum yellowish brown longer than wide, shield-like with microsetae. Ocular region strongly curved, extending above clypeus, eyes: AER recurved, PER procurved, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.03, ALE 0.04, PME 0.06, PLE 0.05, AME–AME 0.03, PME–PME 0.07, AME–ALE, 0.01, PME–PLE 0.02, AME–PME 0.07, ALE–ALE 0.19, PLE–PLE 0.21, ALE–PLE contiguous. Length of legs: I 1.88 (0.55, 0.21,0.46, 0.39,0.27), II 1.73 (0.52, 0.19, 0.41,0.33, 0.28), III 1.44 (0.41, 0.17, 0.31, 0.30, 0.25), IV 2.51 (0.56, 0.20, 0.48, 0.36,0.29). TmI 0.54 and TmIV absent. Tibial spine formula: 1-1-1-1. Opisthosoma 0.96 long, 0.66 wide, oval, greenish.

Palp (holotype, Fig. 9A–D, a paratype SWUC-T-LIN-29-02, Fig. 10A–C). Femur unmodified, almost as long as both patella and tibia. Patella longer than tibia. Tibia widest at distal end, with one retrolateral and one dorsal trichobothria, with two apophyses; dorsal tibial apophysis rod-like, two-third length of tibia; prolateral tibial apophysis (PTA) thumb-shaped with tapering tip in dorsal view; retrolateral tibial apophysis D-shaped; paracymbium J-shaped, basally with setae, distal arm tip hook-shaped with blunt end; tegulum almost round, ventrally bulging above the subtegulum, protegulum distinct, membranous; suprategulum small, with distinct median suprategular apophysis, distal suprategular apophysis membranous; embolic division simple, consisting of a radix longer than wide; tailpiece slightly curved with blunt tip; anterior radical process one-third the length of embolus, with blunt tip; median membrane short, present in between embolus and distal suprategular apophysis; embolus almost as long as radix, with bifurcated tip.

Female (paratype SWUC-T-LIN-29-03, Fig. 11D, E): total length 1.86; carapace 0.91 long, 0.62 wide, cephalic region slightly elevated, brown, fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.10 high. Chelicerae with six promarginal and five retromarginal teeth. Sternum shield-shaped, longer than wide, yellowish brown with microsetae. Eyes: AER recurved, PER slightly procurved, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.03, ALE 0.06, PME 0.06, PLE 0.05, AME–AME 0.03, PME–PME 0.06, AME–ALE, 0.02, PME–PLE 0.02, AME–PME 0.05, ALE–ALE 0.26, PLE–PLE 0.28, ALE–PLE 0.01. Length of legs: I 2.1 (0.57,0.22, 0.51, 0.43, 0.37), II 1.99 (0.60, 0.23, 0.45, 0.38, 0.33), III 1.67 (0.52, 0.18, 0.36,0.35, 0.26), IV 2.22 (0.66, 0.19, 0.55, 0.46, 0.33). TmI 0.50 and TmIV absent. Tibial spine formula: 1-1-1-1. Opisthosoma 1.10 long, 0.75 wide, oval, greenish, dorsally with a pair of sigillae, ventral side greenish black.

Epigyne (Fig. 10D–H). Epigynal plate two times wider than long; ventral plate tapering ventrally, posteriorly with round hole followed by sclerotized ventral pit on its frontal face; dorsal plate almost rectangular, longer than wide; copulatory opening located posteriorly at the base of dorsal plate; copulatory ducts large, curving into two loops; spermathecae located dorsolaterally, spaced by three diameters; fertilization ducts large and sinuous.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 12).

Figure 12. 

Distribution of Tapinocyba species in Jiangjin, Chongqing.

Habitat

The specimens of the species described here were collected from leaf litter in broad-leaved and coniferous forests.

Remarks

After examining and comparing the new species with the type species of the genus Tapinocyba and other related species, we conclude that they share both somatic and genital similarities. The male palps exhibit comparable embolic divisions, featuring a small embolus and an anterior radical process, as described by Millidge (1979). The epigynes also display almost identical structures and shapes, except for the epigynal plate with a pit ventrally on its frontal face in T. triangularis sp. nov. and T. virga sp. nov. that is absent in all other known Tapinocyba species. Based on these structural and morphological affinities, we propose that all the new species presented here belong to the genus Tapinocyba.

Acknowledgements

The manuscript benefited greatly from comments by Andrei V. Tanasevitch (Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia). We are thankful to Zhang Zheng-Gui, Cai You-Guo, Yuan Zhi-Hui, Cheng Lei, Wang Bo, Cheng Jun, Luo Ping, Lu Qian-Le, Chen Xu-Long, and Ren Tian-Yu for help in specimen collection.

Additional information

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ethical statement

No ethical statement was reported.

Funding

This study is supported by the Chongqing Provincial Funding Postdoc Award 2021 to Muhammad Irfan (cstc2021jcyj-bsh0237), National Natural Sciences Foundation of China Research Fund for International Young Scientists to Muhammad Irfan (W2433063) and fund in survey of wild protected animals of Jiangjin District.

Author contributions

All authors have contributed equally.

Author ORCIDs

Muhammad Irfan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0445-9612

Dai Yun https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2709-5788

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

Zhang Zhi-Sheng 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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Muhammad Irfan and Dai Yun contributed equally to this work.
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