Qiongthela baishensis Xu, 2015

Qiongthela males can be distinguished from all other Heptathelinae genera by the blade-like conductor narrowing to a slightly hooked apex (Fig. 2M–O; Fig. 4F–J), and by the tegulum with two distinct apophyses (Fig. 2L–O; Fig. 4F–J). The females differ from all other Heptathelinae genera by two paired receptacular clusters, all with numerous granula (e.g. Fig. 1C–H) (Xu et al. 2015b).

Q. australis (Ono, 2002), Q. nui (Schwendinger & Ono, 2011), Q. baishensis Xu, 2015, Q. bawang sp. n., Q. jianfeng sp. n., Q. yini sp. n., Q. wuzhi sp. n.

China (Hainan), Vietnam.

Female (XUX-2011-001), Bawangling, Changjiang County, Hainan Province, China, 19.04°N, 109.09°E, 657 m, collected 19 June 2011 by D. Li, F. Liu, M. Kuntner and X. Xu, deposited at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China.

2 females and 2 juveniles (XUX-2012-(094-097)), Bawangling Nature Reserve, Bawangling, Changjiang County, Hainan Province, China, 19.24°N, 109.38°E, 462 m, collected 19–20 July 2012 by D. Li, F. Liu and X. Xu; 1 female (XUX-2014-012) collected at the same locality, 19.03°N, 109.10°E, 711 m, collected 23 March 2014 by F. Liu and C. Xu.

The species epithet, a noun in apposition, refers to the type locality.

Females of the new species differ from Q. jianfeng sp. n. by the two pairs of receptacular clusters along the anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, which are visible in both dorsal and ventral views (Fig. 1C-H). It can be distinguished from Q. baishensis and Q. nui by its receptacular clusters with similar size or the middle pair being slightly smaller than the lateral pair. It also differs from all other Qiongthela species in Hainan by its receptacular clusters, all of which have short genital stalks (Fig. 1C-H). The male is unknown. To facilitate future identification of the species, we provided the DNA barcode for the holotype (XUX-2011-001), which is available on GenBank (Genbank accession code KP229897).

Figure 1. 

Macrohabitat, general somatic morphology and genital anatomy of Qiongthela bawang sp. n. A Macrohabitat of Qiongthela bawang sp. n. at the type locality B Female (XUX-2012-097) C–E vulva dorsal view F–H vulva ventral view C, F (XUX-2014-012) D, G (XUX-2012-097) E, H (XUX-2011-001). Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Female (Fig. 1B). Carapace dark brown; opisthosoma darker than carapace; sternum narrow; a few long pointed hairs running over ocular mound in a longitudinal row; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove containing 9-10 denticles of variable size; legs with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, close to each other, the fifth largest; seven spinnerets. Measurements: BL 15.75-30.35, CL 8.37-15.95, CW 7.88-12.50, OL 7.42-16.50, OW 5.75-15.50; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 24.10 (8.25 + 4.35 + 5.15 + 6.35), leg I 25.80 (8.45 + 4.75 + 5.05 + 5.00 + 2.55), leg II 24.70 (7.65 + 4.50 + 4.85 + 5.00 + 2.70), leg III 26.80 (7.85 + 4.80 + 4.70 + 6.10 + 3.35), leg IV 37.80 (11.00 + 5.85 + 6.95 + 9.45 + 4.55).

Female genitalia. Two pairs of receptacular clusters along the anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, similar size or the middle pair slightly smaller, with short genital stalks (Fig. 1C–D)

Hainan (Bawangling), China

Male (XUX-2014-005), Jianfeng National Forest Park, Jianfeng Town, Ledong County, Hainan Province, China; 18.70°N, 108.84°E, 508 m, collected 20 March 2014 by F. Liu and C. Xu, deposited at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China.

One female (XUX-2014-002) and one male (XUX-2014-004, matured 2 August 2014 at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University) collected at the same locality, 20 March 2014, by F. Liu and C. Xu; 1 male (XUX-2012-107) collected at the same locality, 18.70°N, 108.84°E, 500 m, collected 22 July 2012 by D. Li, F. Liu and X. Xu; 1 female (XUX-2012-098) and 1 male (XUX-2012-100, matured 10 October 2012 at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University) collected at the Forest Research Station, Jianfeng Town, Ledong County, Hainan Province, China, 18.70°N, 108.78°E, 145 m, collected 21 July 2012 by D. Li, F. Liu and X. Xu; 1 female (XUX-2014-008) collected at the same locality, collected 21 March 2014 by F. Liu and C. Xu.

The species epithet, a noun in apposition, refers to the type locality.

Males of the new species differ from all other Qiongthela species by the semioval apophysis at the basal conductor (Fig. 2N, O), from Q. wuzhi sp. n. by a similar rectangular, rather than the basal angle between the two apophyses of tegulum more than 90° (Fig. 2L), by the distal part of contrategulum with two edges, the inner one being dentate and the outer one being sharp (Fig. 2L, M), and by the distal edge of embolus slightly curved (Fig. 2M). Females of the new species differ from all other Qiongthela species by the receptaculuar clusters located slightly on the dorsal wall of the bursa copulatrix, especially the lateral pair being indistinct from the dorsal view (Fig. 2D-I). The DNA barcode of the paratype (XUX-2012-107) is available on GenBank (Genbank accession code KP229838) for future identification. The DNA barcodes of the holotype (XUX-2014-005) and paratype (XUX-2012-107) are identical (the K2P distance between the two sequences is zero).

Figure 2. 

Macrohabitat, general somatic morphology and genital anatomy of Qiongthela jianfeng sp. n. A Macrohabitat of Qiongthela jianfeng sp. n. at the Forest Research Station B Female (XUX-2012-098) C male (XUX-2012-107) D–F vulva dorsal view G–I vulva ventral view J palp ventral view K palp retrolateral view L–O palp distal view D, G (XUX-2014-009) E, H (XUX-2014-002) F, I (XUX-2012-098) J–K (XUX-2014-004) L–O (XUX-2014-005). Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Male (Fig. 2C). Carapace dark; opisthosoma darker than carapace; sternum narrow; a few long pointed hairs running over ocular mound in a longitudinal row; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove containing nine denticles of variable size; legs with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, close to each other, the fifth largest; seven spinnerets. Measurements: BL 17.91-22.00, CL 7.35-12.2,0 CW 7.18-11.00, OL 10.35-10.00, OW 9.07-7.70; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 37.00 (10.40 + 4.90 + 8.10 + 9.60 + 4.00), leg II 36.95 (10.20 + 4.75 + 7.50 + 10.30 + 4.20), leg III 36.90 (9.70 + 4.80 + 6.80 + 11.00 + 4.60), leg IV 46.80 (12.20 + 5.30 + 9.40 + 14.20 + 5.70).

Palp. The bulb of four specimens of the new species all relatively distorted. Prolateral side of paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised, many setae situated at the tip of paracymbium (Fig. 2J, K). Contrategulum with a proximally irregular dentate edge and two distal edges, the inner one dentate (Fig. 2L, M), the outer one sharp (Fig. 2L, M). Tegulum with a long, pointed, distally directed marginal apophysis with a smooth edge, a proximally directed terminal apophysis narrowing to a slightly bent apex, and the dorsal side of terimal apophysis with dentate edge (Fig. 2L, M). Conductor situated ventro-proximal part of embolus, fused with embolus at the basal portion, distal free, narrowing to a slightly hooked apex (Fig. 2M–O). Embolus largely sclerotised, with a wide, flat opening, curved distal edge (Fig. 2M).

Female (Fig. 2B). Colouration of carapace and opisthosoma similar to or lighter than male according to the age of specimens; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 9-10 strong denticles of variable size; legs furnished with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, similar to male; seven spinnerets. Measurements: BL 14.75-20.00, CL 7.25-11.56, CW 6.20-10.04, OL 7.30-12.00, OW 5.60-9.50; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 12.96 (4.55 + 2.25 + 2.80 + 3.36), leg I 15.47 (4.96 + 2.65 + 2.91 + 3.25 + 1.70), leg II 14.40 (4.55 + 2.30 + 2.65 + 3.25 + 1.65), leg III 15.50 (4.35 + 2.75 + 2.60 + 3.75 + 2.05), leg IV 22.51 (6.36 + 3.20 + 3.95 + 6.15 + 2.85).

Female genitalia. Two pairs of receptacular clusters located slightly on the dorsal wall of the bursa copulatrix, especial the lateral pair indistinct in dorsal view, each receptacular cluster similar size, with or without a genital stalk (Fig. 2D-I).

Hainan (Jianfeng), China

Female (XUX-2012-106, matured 18 July 2013 at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University), Jianfengling National Forest Park, Jianfeng Town, Ledong County, Hainan Province, China, 18.70°N, 108.86°E, 764 m, collected 22 July 2012 by D. Li, F. Liu and X. Xu, deposited at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China.

The specific epithet honors the arachnologist Changmin Yin, a pioneering liphistiid specialist in China.

The female of the new species differs from the other Qiongthela species by the receptacular clusters with less granula, the middle pair larger than the lateral pair, the middle pair along the anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, and the lateral pair located on the dorsal wall of the bursa copulatrix (Fig. 3B-C). The male is unknown. The DNA barcode of the holotype (XUX-2012-106) is available on GenBank (Genbank accession code KP229895) for facilitating future identification of the species.

Figure 3. 

General somatic morphology and genital anatomy of Qiongthela yini sp. n. B Female (XUX-2012-106) B vulva dorsal view C vulva ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Female (Fig. 3A). Carapace reddish brown in alcohol; opisthosoma light brown; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few long pointed hairs running over ocular mound in a longitudinal row; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with ten strong denticles of variable size; legs furnished with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, separated from each other, the first 2-7 larger than others and the fifth largest; seven spinnerets. Measurements: BL 20.50, CL 8.00, CW 7.21, OL 12.40, OW 10.00; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 13.54 (4.70 + 2.43 + 2.80 + 3.61), leg I 15.90 (5.10 + 2.80 + 3.11 + 3.20 + 1.69), leg II 15.35 (4.70 + 2.80 + 2.79 + 3.41 + 1.65), leg III 13.85 (4.35 + 2.10 + 2.60 + 3.00 + 1.80), leg IV 23.71 (7.00 + 3.35 + 4.18 + 6.30 + 2.88).

Female genitalia. The middle receptacular clusters along the anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, the lateral pair located on the dorsal wall of the bursa copulatrix, the middle pair larger than the lateral pair, and the middle pair with short genital stalks (Fig. 3B).

Hainan (Jianfeng), China.

This new species was found at the Jianfengling National Forest Park as some specimens of Q. jianfeng sp. n., but at a higher altitude compared with the latter.

Male (XUX-2012-109, matured 4 October 2012 at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University), Yongxun Village, Shuiman Town, Wuzhishan City, Hainan Province, China, 18.90°N, 109.63°E, 551 m, collected 25 July 2012 by D. Li, F. Liu and X. Xu, deposited at CBEE, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China.

One female (XUX-2012-108) collected at the same locality, collected 25 July 2012 by D. Li, F. Liu and X. Xu.

The species epithet, a noun in apposition, refers to the type locality.

Male of this new species differs from Q. jianfeng sp. n. by the contrategulum with three distal edges (Fig. 4H, J), the basal angle between the two apophyses of tegulum more than 90° (Fig. 4I), and the smooth distal margin of embolus (Fig. 4I). It differs from Q. baishensis, Q. australi,s and Q. nui by three distal margins of contrategulum (Fig. 4H, J). Females of this new species can be distinguished from the other species of Qiongthela by the receptacular clusters with very short genital stalks, and from Q. bawang sp. n. by the irregular shapes of receptacular clusters (Fig. 4D, E). The DNA barcode of the paratype (XUX-2012-108) is available on GenBank (Genbank accession code KP229812) for future identification. The DNA barcodes of the holotype (XUX-2012-109) and paratype (XUX-2012-108) are identical (the K2P distance between the two sequences is zero).

Figure 4. 

Macrohabitat, general somatic morphology and genital anatomy of Qiongthela wuzhi sp. n. A Macrohabitat of Qiongthela wuzhi sp. n. at the type locality B female (XUX-2012-108) C male (XUX-2012-109) D vulva dorsal view E vulva ventral view F palp prolateral view G palp retrolateral view H–J palp distal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Male (holotype) (Fig. 4C). Carapace black; opisthosoma light brown; sternum narrow, nearly twice as long as wide; a few long pointed hairs running over ocular mound in a longitudinal row; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with eight denticles of variable size; legs furnished with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, the first 2-7 close to each other and larger than others; seven spinnerets. Measurements: BL 14.75, CL 6.20, CW 6.45, OL 9.65, OW 7.45; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 17.71 (5.03 + 2.52 + 3.86 + 4.50 + 1.80), leg II 17.88 (5.00 + 2.35 + 3.67 + 4.48 + 2.38), leg III 18.87 (4.65 + 2.55 + 3.52 + 5.45 + 2.70), leg IV miss.

Palp. Prolateral side of paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised, many setae situated at the tip of paracymbium (Fig. 4F. G). Contrategulum with a proximally irregular dentate edge and three distal edges, the inner one dentate, very short, the middle one dentate, running down to the proximally irregular dentate edge of contrategulum, the outer one sharp, fused with the inner one at the middle portion of the middle edge (Fig. 4H–J). Tegulum with a wide base, pointed, distally directed marginal apophysis with a sharp edge, with a proximally directed terminal apophysis narrowing to a slightly bent apex, and the dorsal side of terminal apophysis with dentate edge (Fig. 4F, G, I, J). Embolus largely sclerotised, with a wide, flat opening, and a sharp distal edge (Fig. 4F–J).

Female (Fig. 4B). Colouration of carapace and opisthosoma reddish dark; female similar to male except larger than male in size; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 10 strong denticles of variable size; legs furnished with strong hairs and spines; opisthosoma with 12 tergites, tergites larger than that of male; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 20.35, CL 10.35, CW 8.55, OL 11.25, OW 8.65; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 18.28 (6.35 + 3.18 + 4.00 + 4.75), leg I 21.27 (7.05 + 3.75 + 4.12 + 4.48 + 1.87), leg II 20.06 (6.67 + 3.27 + 3.62 + 4.45 + 2.05), leg III 20.82 (6.18 + 3.75 + 3.35 + 5.07 + 2.47), leg IV 30.54 (8.90 + 4.50 + 5.51 + 8.13 + 3.50).

Female genitalia. The two pairs of receptacular clusters along the anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, irregular receptacular clusters with very short genital stalks (Fig. 4D, E).

Hainan (Wuzhishan), China.