Pinelema bailongensis Wang & Li, 2012 from Guangxi, China.

Pinelema is similar to Telema Simon, 1882 and can be distinguished from Telema by the presence of a distinct cymbial apophysis that is lacking in Telema (Wang et al. 2012, figs 2C, 4A).

Pinelema species are small (0.97–1.80). Carapace 0.48–0.75 long, yellow, with long thin legs relative to body length; tibia I 0.94–2.08 long. Six eyes are normally developed, vestigial, or in some species are completely absent. If eyes are present, they are encircled by black rings. Male palps are large relative to their body, with a distinct cymbial apophysis; embolus is long, medium or short in comparison to the cymbium; the REC varies from 0.28 to 0.90. The receptacle is unpaired as in other telemids and has spiral ducts inside.

China, Vietnam.

Pinelema species inhabit karst caves or leaf litter of tropical rainforests.

Holotype ♂: Vietnam: Vinh Phuc Province: Dam Tao National Park: N21°27.62', E105°38.91', 999 m, leaf litter, 1.XI.2012, H.F. Zhao & Z.G. Chen leg. Paratypes 3♂ and 5♀, same data as holotype.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

The new species is similar to P. huobaensis and P. yaosaensis by having a short, triangular embolus, but can be distinguished from them by a distinct brown spiral ridge (Figs 1B, 1D, 2C–D) and droplet-shaped bulb (Figs 1C–D, 2A–B) vs. an indistinct spiral ridge of the embolus and an egg-shaped bulb in P. huobaensis and P. yaosaensis, as well as by a beak-shaped embolus (Figs 1B, 1D, 2D) vs. an equilateral triangular embolus in related species.

Figure 1. 

Pinelema damtaoensis sp. n., male holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Embolus, apical view C Palp, prolateral view D Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A), 0.01 mm (B), 0.1 mm (C–D). Green line indicates the length of embolus; blue line indicates the length of cymbium.

Male (holotype). Total length 1.28. Carapace 0.53 long, 0.48 wide. Abdomen 0.68 long, 0.53 wide. Carapace light brown with a black spot and radial stripes (Fig. 2A). Sternum dark brown. Six eyes encircled by black rings, well-developed, clypeus 0.08 long, ocular quadrangle 0.18 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.55 (1.01, 0.19, 1.05, 0.74, 0.56); II 2.97 (0.86, 0.19, 0.85, 0.59, 0.48); III 2.12 (0.64, 0.16, 0.56, 0.37, 0.39); IV 2.61 (0.81, 0.18, 0.71, 0.51, 0.40). Abdomen blue-green, with sparse long hairs.

Palp: femur 2.7 times longer than patella, tibia 2.5 times longer than patella, cymbial apophysis brown and spine-like (Figs 1C, 2A); REC 0.40; bulb droplet-shaped; embolus beak-shaped (Figs 1C–D, 2A–D), spiral ridge dark brown, continuing approximately 180° around embolus (Figs 1B–D, 2B–D), opening of embolus slit-like, extending from the base to the tip (Fig. 2D).

Figure 2. 

Pinelema damtaoensis sp. n., male. A Palp, prolateral view B Palp, retrolateral view C Embolus, prolateral view D Embolus, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (A–B), 0.02 mm (C–D).

Female. Total length 1.39. Carapace 0.59 long, 0.55 wide. Abdomen 0.71 long, 0.59 wide. Coloration same as in male (Figs 3A–B). Six eyes, well-developed, clypeus 0.14 long, ocular quadrangle 0.21 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.77 (1.13, 0.19, 1.14, 0.75, 0.56); II 3.00 (0.92, 0.17, 0.90, 0.56, 0.45); III 2.28 (0.73, 0.16, 0.63, 0.40, 0.36); IV 2.92 (0.96, 0.16, 0.82, 0.57, 0.41). Receptacle globular, with long insemination duct, almost 2 times longer than receptacle diameter, and 5 times thinner than receptacle, receptacle diameter 0.14 wide (Fig. 3C).

Figure 3. 

Pinelema damtaoensis sp. n., female paratype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view C Endogyne, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A–B), 0.05 mm (C).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 22).

Holotype ♂: Vietnam: Quang Binh Province: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: Nuoc Nut Cave, N17°29.62', E106°17.65', 143 m, 25.V.2016, Z.G. Chen & Q.Y. Zhao leg. Paratypes 2♂ and 5♀, same data as holotype.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

This new species is similar to P. pacchanensis sp. n., but can be distinguished by the vestigial eyes (Figs 4A, 6A) (eyes completely reduced in P. pacchanensis sp. n.), beak-shaped embolus (Figs 4B–D, 5A–D) (boomerang-shaped in P. pacchanensis sp. n.), and the U-shaped receptacle (Fig. 6C) (globular in P. pacchanensis sp. n.).

Figure 4. 

Pinelema nuocnutensis sp. n., male holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Embolus, apical view C Palp, prolateral view D Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A), 0.02 mm (B), 0.1 mm (C–D).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.20. Carapace 0.53 long, 0.49 wide. Abdomen 0.63 long, 0.53 wide. Carapace, chelicerae, labium, and legs yellow, without any pattern (Fig. 4A). Four vestigial eyes. Leg measurements: I 4.42 (1.30, 0.20, 1.38, 0.90, 0.64); II 3.82 (1.13, 0.20, 1.18, 0.75, 0.56); III 2.73 (0.84, 0.18, 0.77, 0.51, 0.43); IV 3.24 (1.03, 0.18, 0.94, 0.63, 0.46). Abdomen light yellow, with a few long hairs.

Palp: femur 1.8 times longer than patella, tibia 1.5 times longer than patella, cymbial apophysis brown and spine-like (Figs 4C, 5A); REC 0.55; bulb kidney-shaped (Figs 4C–D, 5A–B); embolus beak-shaped, its outer margin forming a brown, spiral ridge (Fig. 4C–D, and arrows on Fig. 5C–D), opening two times shorter than embolus (Fig. 5B, D).

Figure 5. 

Pinelema nuocnutensis sp. n., male. A Palp, prolateral view B Palp, retrolateral view C Embolus, prolateral view D Embolus, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (A–B), 0.02 mm (C–D).

Female. Total length 1.31. Carapace 0.54 long, 0.46 wide. Abdomen 0.81 long, 0.71 wide. Coloration and pattern as in male (Figs 6A–B). Eyes reduced to four vestigial spots. Leg measurements: I 4.18 (1.25, 0.19, 1.31, 0.80, 0.63); II 3.57 (1.06, 0.19, 1.08, 0.68, 0.56); III 2.68 (0.86, 0.16, 0.76, 0.48, 0.42); IV 3.14 (1.01, 0.17, 0.91, 0.59, 0.46). Endogyne J-shaped, with short and broad insemination duct and U-shaped receptacle, insemination duct as wide as receptacle. (Fig. 6C).

Figure 6. 

Pinelema nuocnutensis sp. n., female paratype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view C Endogyne, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A–B), 0.05 mm (C).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 22).

Holotype ♂: Vietnam: Phu Tho Province: Xuan Son National Park: La Cave, N21°08.27', E104°56.35', 424 m, 27.X.2012, H.F. Zhao & Z.G. Chen leg. Paratypes 1♂ and 4♀, same data as holotype.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

This new species is similar to P. xiezi sp. n. by having a trapezoidal embolus but can be distinguished by the marginally sclerotized, hollow embolus (Figs 7B, 8C–D). Pinelema laensis sp. n. is also similar to P. huobaensis and P. yaosaensis but can be distinguished from them by having distinct eyes and a trapezoidal embolus; P. huobaensis and P. yaosaensis have no eyes and their emboli are shaped like equilateral triangles. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the short embolus and axe-shaped endogyne (Fig. 9C).

Figure 7. 

Pinelema laensis sp. n., male holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Embolus, apical view C Palp, prolateral view D Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A), 0.02 mm (B), 0.1 mm (C–D).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.20. Carapace 0.51 long, 0.47 wide. Abdomen 0.67 long, 0.55 wide. Carapace brown with a black spot. Six eyes encircled by black rings, clypeus 0.12 long, ocular quadrangle 0.19 wide. Chelicerae, labium and sternum dark brown. Legs yellow with brown dots and hairs (Fig. 7A), leg measurements: I 3.07 (0.87, 0.19, 0.94, 0.59, 0.48); II 2.66 (0.82, 0.15, 0.75, 0.48, 0.46); III 1.90 (0.56, 0.14, 0.52, 0.34, 0.34); IV 2.32 (0.71, 0.16, 0.64, 0.43, 0.38). Abdomen dark blue.

Palp: femur 2.5 times longer than patella, tibia approximately two times longer than patella, cymbial apophysis brown and thumb-like (Figs 7C, 8A); REC 0.56; bulb egg-shaped; embolus trapezoidal, sclerotized marginally, hollow inside (Figs 7C–D, 8C–D), slit of embolus obscure (Fig. 8D); embolus with vertical groove located retrolaterally (black arrows on Fig. 8B, D), with a pit prolaterally (Figs 7C, 8A, C) and wrinkles at the tip (white arrows on Fig. 8C–D).

Figure 8. 

Pinelema laensis sp. n., male. A Palp, prolateral view B Palp, retrolateral view C Embolus, prolateral view D Embolus, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (A–B), 0.02 mm (C–D). White arrows indicate tiny wrinkles and black ones indicate the groove of embolus.

Female. Total length 1.19 (Figs 9A–B). Carapace 0.46 long, 0.45 wide. Abdomen 0.72 long, 0.69 wide. Coloration darker than male. Six eyes encircled by black rings, clypeus 0.09 long, ocular quadrangle 0.18 wide. Leg measurements: I 2.75 (0.82, 0.17, 0.81, 0.50, 0.45); II 2.41 (0.69, 0.17, 0.69, 0.43, 0.43); III 1.81 (0.54, 0.14, 0.50, 0.31, 0.32); IV 2.25 (0.71, 0.14, 0.64, 0.40, 0.36). Abdomen purple, with black and yellow pattern ventrally. Endogyne axe-shaped; insemination duct broad, its diameter 0.07; receptacle bag-like, 4 times wider than insemination duct (Fig. 9C).

Figure 9. 

Pinelema laensis sp. n., female paratype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view C Endogyne, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A–B), 0.05 mm (C).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 22).

Holotype ♂: Vietnam: Bac Kan Province: Cho Don District: Pac Chan Cave, N22°22.78', E105°36.79', 225 m, 18.X.2012, H.F. Zhao & Z.G. Chen leg. Paratypes 2♂ and 5♀, same data as holotype.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

This new species is similar to P. nuocnutensis sp. n. and P. podiensis, and can be distinguished from them by boomerang-shaped embolus (the embolus of P. nuocnutensis sp. n. is beak-shaped, embolus in P. podiensis is shaped like an isosceles triangle). The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the medium length embolus (Figs 10C–D, 11A–B) (REC is 0.60) vs. REC of other Pinelema species 0.90 or less than 0.35.

Figure 10. 

Pinelema pacchanensis sp. n., male holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Embolus, apical view C Palp, prolateral view D Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A), 0.05 mm (B), 0.1 mm (C–D).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.41. Carapace 0.61 long, 0.55 wide. Abdomen 0.85 long, 0.71 wide. Carapace yellow with no markings. Eyes absent. Chelicerae, endites, labium, sternum, and legs the same color as carapace. Leg measurements: I 4.52 (1.34, 0.21, 1.41, 0.95, 0.61); II 4.13 (1.23, 0.21, 1.30, 0.83, 0.56); III 3.03 (0.95, 0.18, 0.85, 0.60, 0.45); IV 3.26 (1.18, 0.18, 1.08, 0.36, 0.46). Abdomen yellow with sparse long hairs.

Palp: femur approximately two times longer than patella, tibia nearly three times longer than patella, cymbium two times longer than tibia, cymbial apophysis brown and finger-shaped (Fig. 11A); REC 0.60; bulb kidney-shaped (Figs 10C–D, 11A–B); embolus boomerang-shaped (Figs 10D, 11D), spiral ridge brown (Figs 10B, 11C–D).

Figure 11. 

Pinelema pacchanensis sp. n., male. A Palp, prolateral view B Palp, retrolateral view C Embolus, prolateral view D Embolus, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (A–B), 0.02 mm (C–D).

Female. Total length 1.33 (Fig. 12A–B). Carapace 0.56 long, 0.55 wide. Abdomen 0.73 long, 0.67 wide. Coloration as in male. Leg measurements: I 4.26 (1.28, 0.22, 1.33, 0.86, 0.57); II 3.88 (1.18, 0.22, 1.19, 0.75, 0.54); III 2.89 (0.92, 0.16, 0.81, 0.54, 0.46); IV 3.56 (1.13, 0.17, 1.03, 0.75, 0.48). Endogyne comma-shaped, insemination duct long (2 times longer than diameter of receptacle) and its diameter twice as thin as receptacle. Receptacle globular (Fig. 12C).

Figure 12. 

Pinelema pacchanensis sp. n., female paratype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view C Endogyne, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–B), 0.05 mm (C).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 22).

Holotype ♂: Vietnam: Phu Tho Province: Xuan Son National Park: Lap Cave, N21°08.43', E104°56.57', 403 m, 2.X.2012, H.F. Zhao & Z.G. Chen leg. Paratypes 3♂ and 5♀, same data as holotype.

The specific name is derived from the Latin word “spirulatus”, meaning “screw-shaped”, and refers to the spiral embolus; adjective.

This new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the screw-shaped embolus (Figs 13B–D, 14A–D), emboli of other Pinelema species are either tube-shaped, triangular, or trapezoidal.

Figure 13. 

Pinelema spirulata sp. n., male holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Embolus, apical view C Palp, prolateral view D Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A), 0.02 mm (B), 0.1 mm (C–D).

Male (holotype). Total length 0.97. Carapace 0.51 long, 0.50 wide. Abdomen 0.50 long, 0.57 wide. Carapace yellow. Six eyes encircled by black rings, clypeus 0.08 long, ocular quadrangle 0.15 wide. Chelicerae, sternum, labium, and legs yellow. Leg measurements: I 3.71 (1.06, 0.19, 1.14, 0.76, 0.56); II 3.06 (0.90, 0.17, 0.91, 0.60, 0.48); III 2.25 (0.67, 0.16, 0.61, 0.42, 0.39); IV 2.58 (0.86, 0.16, 0.80, 0.39, 0.37). Abdomen dark blue with dense white hairs.

Palp: femur 2.5 times longer than patella, tibia approx. two times longer than patella, cymbium nearly two times longer than tibia, cymbial apophysis brown and spine like (Figs 13C, 14A); REC 0.28; bulb egg-shaped (Figs 13C–D, 14A–B); embolus spiral with brown ridge and tiny circular wrinkles (Figs 13B, 14C–D); the opening of embolus distinct (Fig. 14B, D).

Figure 14. 

Pinelema spirulata sp. n., male. A Palp, prolateral view B Palp, retrolateral view C Embolus, prolateral view D Embolus, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (A–B), 0.02 mm (C–D). Arrows indicate spiral ridge of embolus.

Female. Total length 1.30 (Fig. 15A–B). Carapace 0.52 long, 0.46 wide. Abdomen 0.74 long, 0.57 wide. Coloration as in male. Six eyes, clypeus 0.09 long, ocular quadrangle 0.17 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.50 (1.05, 0.14, 1.14, 0.65, 0.52); II 2.94 (0.87, 0.18, 0.90, 0.52, 0.47); III 2.23 (0.69, 0.16, 0.63, 0.39, 0.36); IV 2.77 (0.90, 0.16, 0.82, 0.49, 0.40). Endogyne as in Fig. 15C; insemination duct short, its diameter approx. 1/5 of receptacle diameter; receptacle with multiple membranous tubes inside.

Figure 15. 

Pinelema spirulata sp. n., female paratype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view C Endogyne, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A–B), 0.1 mm (C).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 22).

Holotype ♂: Vietnam: Quang Binh Province: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: Tien Son Cave, N17°34.80', E106°16.92', 102 m, 17.V.2016, Z.G. Chen & Q.Y. Zhao leg. Paratypes 3♂ and 5♀, same data as holotype.

This specific name is derived from the Chinese Pinyin ‘xié zǐ’, meaning ‘shoe’, in reference to the shoe-shaped embolus; noun.

This new species is similar to P. huobaensis and P. yaosaensis by a having short embolus. It can be distinguished from related species by the shoe-shaped embolus (Figs 16B, 17C–D) (vs. triangular embolus in related species). It is also similar to P. laensis sp. n. but can be distinguished by the unsclerotized margin of the embolus (the embolus of P. laensis sp. n. is sclerotized marginally and hollow). This new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the short embolus.

Figure 16. 

Pinelema xiezi sp. n., male holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Embolus, apical view C Palp, prolateral view D Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A), 0.02 mm (B), 0.1 mm (C–D).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.52. Carapace 0.63 long, 0.54 wide. Abdomen 0.75 long, 0.53 wide. Carapace, labium, sternum, and legs yellow. Six eyes encircled by black rings, clypeus 0.15 long, ocular quadrangle 0.19 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.63 (1.39, 0.22, 1.50, 0.92, 0.60); II 3.70 (0.95, 0.21, 1.25, 0.75, 0.54); III 2.86 (0.87, 0.21, 0.85, 0.53, 0.40); IV 3.45 (1.13, 0.19, 1.01, 0.67, 0.45). Abdomen long, elliptic, light blue with sparse long hairs.

Palp: femur 2.5 times longer than patella, tibia 2.2 times longer than patella, cymbial apophysis light yellow and finger-shaped (Figs 16C, 17A); REC 0.48; bulb yellow and egg-shaped; embolus shoe-shaped (Figs 16C–D, 17C–D), with a distinct groove at the tip (Fig. 17B, D) and tiny wrinkles (Fig. 17A–D).

Figure 17. 

Pinelema xiezi sp. n., male. A Palp, prolateral view B Palp, retrolateral view C Embolus, prolateral view D Embolus, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (A–B), 0.02 mm (C–D).

Female. Total length 1.38 (Fig. 18A–B). Carapace 0.57 long, 0.52 wide. Abdomen 0.79 long, 0.66 wide. Coloration same as in male. Six eyes, clypeus 0.12 long, ocular quadrangle 0.18 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.27 (1.33, 0.19, 1.36, 0.81, 0.58); II 3.60 (1.11, 0.21, 1.13, 0.65, 0.50); III 2.53 (0.79, 0.17, 0.72, 0.46, 0.39); IV 3.22 (1.06, 0.18, 0.92, 0.63, 0.43). Insemination duct thinner than receptacle, receptacle hockey stick-shaped (Fig. 18C).

Figure 18. 

Pinelema xiezi sp. n., female paratype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view C Endogyne, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A–B), 0.05 mm (C).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 22).

Holotype ♂: Vietnam: Quang Binh Province: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park: Tien Duong Cave, N17°31.17', E106°13.38', 133 m, 18.V.2016, Z.G. Chen & Q.Y. Zhao leg. Paratypes 3♂ and 4♀, same data as holotype.

This specific name is derived from the Chinese Pinyin ‘zhēn zhuàng’, meaning ‘needle-shaped’, in reference to the shape of the embolus; adjective.

This new species can be easily distinguished from other congeners by the short needle-shaped embolus (Figs 19B, 20C–D). The embolus of other Pinelema species is either long and tube-like, short and triangular or short and trapezoidal.

Figure 19. 

Pinelema zhenzhuang sp. n., male holotype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Embolus, apical view C Palp, prolateral view D Palp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A), 0.02 mm (B), 0.1 mm (C–D).

Male (holotype). Total length 1.28. Carapace 0.49 long, 0.50 wide. Abdomen 0.69 long, 0.57 wide. Carapace yellow. Eyes absent. Chelicerae, sternum, and legs yellow. Leg measurements: I 4.80 (1.39, 0.22, 1.53, 0.99, 0.67); II 4.04 (1.20, 0.21, 1.28, 0.79, 0.56); III 2.93 (0.89, 0.18, 0.86, 0.54, 0.46); IV 3.44 (1.09, 0.19, 0.99, 0.71, 0.46). Abdomen brown with sparse long hairs.

Palp: femur 2.2 times longer than patella, tibia 1.8 times longer than patella, cymbial apophysis brown and spine-like (Figs 19C, 20A); REC 0.42; bulb acorn-shaped (Figs 19C–D, 20A–B); embolus bent and needle-shaped (Figs 19B–D, 20C–D), slit extending along entire embolus (Fig. 20B, D).

Figure 20. 

Pinelema zhenzhuang sp. n., male. A Palp, prolateral view B Palp, retrolateral view C Embolus, prolateral view D Embolus, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (A–B), 0.02 mm (C–D).

Female. Total length 1.19 (Fig. 21A–B). Carapace 0.54 long, 0.51 wide. Abdomen 0.60 long, 0.53 wide. Coloration same as in male. Leg measurements: I 4.96 (1.50, 0.24, 1.56, 0.99, 0.67); II 4.25 (1.31, 0.22, 1.31, 0.83, 0.58); III 3.11 (0.99, 0.21, 0.90, 0.59, 0.42); IV 3.61 (1.20, 0.18, 1.05, 0.68, 0.50). Endogyne as in Fig. 21C; insemination duct narrow and its diameter shorter than length of receptacle; receptacle oval.

Figure 21. 

Pinelema zhenzhuang sp. n., female paratype. A Habitus, dorsal view B Habitus, ventral view C Endogyne, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A–B), 0.05 mm (C).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 22).

Figure 22. 

Distribution records of seven new Pinelema species in Vietnam: 1 P. damtaoensis sp. n. 2 P. nuocnutensis sp. n. 3 P. laensis sp. n. 4 P. pacchanensis sp. n. 5 P. spirulata sp. n. 6 P. xiezi sp. n. 7 P. zhenzhuang sp. n.