Sinodraconarius sangjiuensis Zhao & Li, sp. n.

The generic name is derived from its similarity to Draconarius and the Latin adjective Sino- for Chinese referring to the main distribution region of the genus. The gender is masculine.

The males of Sinodraconarius gen. n. are similar to those of Draconarius by having a patellar apophysis, two tibial apophyses (RTA and LTA) and a long median apophysis, but can be distinguished by the short cymbial furrow, less than 1/2 length of cymbium vs. long and generally more than 1/2 length of the cymbium in Draconarius; patellar apophysis bifurcate vs. not bifurcate in Draconarius. The females of Sinodraconarius gen. n. are similar to those of Draconarius by having a small epigynal atrium, with epigynal hoods located laterally, and the copulatory openings located centrally on the epigyne plate, but can be distinguished by lacking epigynal teeth; receptacles simple.

Small to very large sized, with a total length of 6.90–17.60; body brownish to brown, with black setae. Carapace nearly pear-shaped, with longitudinal fovea and radial grooves; sternum brownish, heart-shaped. Abdomen nearly oval, grey to dark grey, with 4–5 grey chevron-like markings. Chelicerae with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Leg formula (4 > 1 > 2 > 3). Male palp with one bifurcate patellar apophysis; two tibial apophyses (RTA and LTA), RTA extending beyond the tibia; cymbial furrow short, less than 1/2 length of cymbium; conductor short, with dorsal conductor apophysis; the apex of conductor with small basal lamella; embolus short; median apophysis long, finger-like; tegulum broad. Tibia strongly bent and dorsal part of tibia and patella bent almost to a right angle, ventral part of tibia at 45° angle. Epigyne: with septum; teeth lacking; atrium small, length of atrium two times longer than width, heart-shaped; epigynal hoods located laterally; copulatory openings located centrally on epigynal plate; copulatory ducts short, extending mesad of receptacles; receptacles broad, widely separated.

In addition to morphological study, we analyzed the relationships of coelotine spiders using eight genes from 286 species in 19 genera (Zhao and Li 2017). The molecular topologies inferred by three different approaches all supported Sinodraconarius gen. n. as a monophyletic group that is closely related to Draconarius. For details, please see SD001, SD002, SD019, SD028 and ZZ300 (Southern Coelotes groups) in Figure 3 and supplementary figures S4–S6 of Zhao and Li (2017).

So far, the genus is known from Tibet and Yunnan, China (Fig. 11).

Holotype ♂ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Zayü: Zhowagoin Township, Sangjiu Village, Mingqi group, 16 km SE of Yakou, N28.72276°, E97.70598°, 3698 m, 1.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu leg. Paratypes: 3♂♂, 3♀♀ (IZCAS): same data as holotype; 3♂♂ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Zayü: Zhowagoin Township, Xiongjiu Village, N28.60677°, E97.28166°, 1938 m, 29.VIII.2014, Jincheng Liu leg.

The specific name refers to the type locality, Sangjiu Village; adjective.

The males can be easily distinguished from other Sinodraconarius gen. n. species by the patellar apophysis longer than the tibia vs. shorter than the tibia in other species (Fig. 1A–C). The females can be easy distinguished from other Sinodraconarius gen. n. species by the epigynal hoods in the center of the epigynal plate vs. anterolaterally in other species (Fig. 2A–B).

Figure 1. 

Left male palp of Sinodraconarius sangjiuensis sp. n., holotype. A Prolateral view B Ventral view C Retrolateral view. Scale bar: equal for A, B, C.

Figure 2. 

Epigyne and habitus of Sinodraconarius sangjiuensis sp. n. A Epigyne, ventral B Vulva, dorsal C Male habitus, dorsal D Female habitus, dorsal E Female habitus, ventral. Scale bar equal for D and E.

Male (holotype). Total length 12.25. Carapace 5.75 long, 4.50 wide. Abdomen 6.50 long, 4.00 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.23, PME 0.20, PLE 0.23; AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.15, AME–PME 0.23, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.18, PME–PLE 0.20. Leg measurements: I 23.72 (7.69, 7.05, 5.77, 3.21); II 22.43 (7.69, 6.41, 5.45, 2.88); III 20.19 (6.73, 5.77, 5.13, 2.56); IV 24.67 (8.01, 7.05, 6.73, 2.88). Palp: patella longer than tibia; patellar apophysis thin and long, about three times longer than wide, with two branches and ventral branch larger than dorsal one; anterior 1/3 of RTA extending beyond the tibia, apex of RTA slightly bent; LTA about half of the RTA length; conductor short, apex of conductor pointed and bent retrolaterally; apex of median apophysis pointed; dorsal conductor apophysis broad, the visible part (between conductor and tegulum) subtriangular; embolus beginning at 5:30 o’clock position (Fig. 1A–C).

Female (paratype). Total length 12.50. Carapace 6.00 long, 4.25 wide. Abdomen 6.50 long, 4.25 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.25, PME 0.20, PLE 0.26; AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.10, AME–PME 0.25, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.15, PME–PLE 0.30. Leg measurements: I 18.59 (6.41, 6.09, 3.84, 2.25); II 18.27 (6.41, 5.77, 3.84, 2.25); III 17.45 (6.09, 5.27, 3.84, 2.25); IV 21.15 (6.41, 6.41, 5.45, 2.88). Epigyne: apex of the V-shaped septum tapering; atrium two times longer than wide, occupying approx. 1/8 of epigyne plate; copulatory ducts hidden by receptacles in ventral view, hidden by epigyne in dorsal view; receptacles broad and separated by 1/2 width of receptacle; head of receptacles located anteriorly, broad and short, 1/4 length and 1/6 width of receptacles (Fig. 2A–B).

Total length of males 9.94–12.25 (n = 7) and of females 11.22–16.70 (n = 3).

Known only from Zayü, Tibet (Fig. 11).

Holotype ♂ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Zayü: Cawarong Township, 3.5 km E of Jumuchang, N28.55227°, E98.19554°, 3145 m, 7.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu leg. Paratypes: 13♂♂, 4♀♀ (IZCAS): same data as holotype; 9♂♂, 1♀ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Zayü: Zhowagoin Township, Ridong Village, N28.49183°, E98.11320°, 3495 m, 4.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu; 6♂♂, 2♀♀ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Zayü: Zhowagoin Township, 6 km N of Muruo Village, N28.59332°, E98.02774°, 3955 m, 5.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu leg.

The specific name refers to the type locality, Cawarong Township; adjective.

The males are similar to S. patellabifidus by having an indistinct LTA and a long median apophysis but can be differentiated by the branches of the patellar apophysis, with the ventral branch larger than the dorsal branch in retrolateral view vs. the ventral branch equal to the dorsal branch in S. patellabifidus (Figs 3A–C, 7A–C). The females can be differentiated from S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by having the head of receptacles located anteriorly vs. mediolaterally in S. sangjiuensis sp. n. and the septum indistinct (apex of the septum is tapering in S. sangjiuensis sp. n.) (Figs 2A–B, 4A–B, 8A–B).

Figure 3. 

Left male palp of Sinodraconarius cawarongensis sp. n., holotype. A Prolateral view B Ventral view C Retrolateral view. Scale bar equal for A, B, C.

Male (holotype). Total length 8.45. Carapace 4.50 long, 3.35 wide. Abdomen 3.95 long, 2.65 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.12, ALE 0.18, PME 0.15, PLE 0.16; AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.05, AME–PME 0.15, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.13, PME–PLE 0.15. Leg measurements: I 14.86 (5.25, 4.81, 2.88, 1.92); II 13.99 (5.25, 4.25, 2.88, 1.61); III 13.73 (4.75, 3.85, 3.21, 1.92); IV 16.28 (5.45, 4.49, 4.10, 2.24). Palp: with one crescent-like bifurcate patellar apophysis, ventral branch is larger than dorsal branch of patellar apophysis; anterior 1/5 of RTA extending beyond the tibia; LTA indistinct; cymbial furrow less than 1/3 of cymbium length; apex of conductor pointed and bent retrolaterally; median apophysis finger-like, covered in short hairs; dorsal conductor apophysis broad, the visible part (between conductor and tegulum) subtriangular; embolus broad, beginning at position 8:30 o’clock (Fig. 3A–C).

Female (paratype). Total length 6.90. Carapace 3.40 long, 2.30 wide. Abdomen 3.50 long, 2.50 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.16, PME 0.14, PLE 0.15; AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.05, AME–PME 0.18, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.13, PME–PLE 0.14. Leg measurements: I 8.68 (3.30, 2.75, 1.66, 0.97); II 8.16 (3.05, 2.49, 1.66, 0.96); III 7.98 (3.15, 2.24, 1.61, 0.98); IV 9.82 (3.75, 2.75, 2.11, 1.21). Epigyne: rectangular; septum indistinct; hoods located anterolaterally on the plate; atrium 3 times longer than wide, anterior part slightly wider than posterior part, occupying about 1/8 of epigynal plate; receptacles broad, separated by a width of a receptacle; the head of receptacles located anteriorly (Fig. 4A–B).

Figure 4. 

Epigyne and habitus of Sinodraconarius cawarongensis sp. n. A Epigyne, ventral B Vulva, dorsal C Male habitus, dorsal D Female habitus, dorsal E Female habitus, ventral. Scale bar equal for D and E.

Total length of males (n = 29) 7.69–10.26 and of females (n = 7) 6.90–8.34.

Known only from Zayü, Tibet (Fig. 11).

Holotype ♂ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Zayü: Zhowagoin Township, Muruo Village, Gaoshan Mountain pasture, N28.62049°, E98.05035°, 4347 m, 5.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu leg. Paratypes: 5♂♂, 3♀♀ (IZCAS): same data as holotype; 1♂, 5♀♀ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Zayü: Zhowagoin Township, Muruo Village, Qimala Yakou, N28.62049°, E98.05035°, 4657 m, 2.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu leg.

The specific name refers to the type locality, Muruo Village; adjective.

The males of the new species are similar to these of S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by having a ventral branch of the patellar apophysis that is larger than the dorsal branch but can be easily distinguished from S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by the apex of conductor being straight vs. bent in S. sangjiuensis sp. n. (Figs 1A–C, 5A–C). The females of the new species are similar to S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by the apex of septum tapering but can be easily distinguished from by having the hoods and the head of the receptacles located anteriorly rather than medially (Figs 2A–B, 6A–B).

Male (holotype). Total length 13.50. Carapace 6.50 long, 4.50 wide. Abdomen 7.00 long, 4.00 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.23, PME 0.20, PLE 0.25; AME–AME 0.13, AME–ALE 0.15, AME–PME 0.30, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.15. Leg measurements: I 27.84 (8.64, 8.63, 6.73, 3.84); II 27.21 (8.63, 8.65, 6.41, 3.52); III 24.99 (8.01, 7.05, 6.41, 3.52); IV 29.48 (9.62, 8.02, 8.01, 3.83). Palp: with one bifurcate patellar apophysis (ventral branch of patellar apophysis larger than dorsal one) and one small apophysis; LTA indistinct; cymbial furrow short, about 1/5 of the of cymbial length; conductor short, extending anteriorly, the apex of conductor pointed and bending retro-anteriorly; median finger-like; dorsal the visible part of conductor apophysis (between conductor and tegulum) subtriangular, shorter than conductor; embolus beginning at position 7:30 o’clock (Fig. 5A–C).

Figure 5. 

Left male palp of Sinodraconarius muruoensis sp. n., holotype. A Prolateral view B Ventral view C Retrolateral view. Scale bar equal for A, B, C.

Female (paratype). Total length 11.00. Carapace 5.00 long, 4.00 wide. Abdomen 6.00 long, 4.00 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.15, ALE 0.22, PME 0.20, PLE 0.24; AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.10, AME–PME 0.15, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.15, PME–PLE 0.25. Leg measurements: I 16.88 (6.08, 5.44, 3.12, 2.24); II 15.69 (6.08, 4.48, 3.21, 1.92); III 15.40 (5.77, 4.49, 3.23, 1.91); IV 18.58 (6.73, 5.12, 4.81, 1.92). Epigyne: with V-shaped septum, apex of septum tapering; hoods located laterally; atrium two times wider than long, occupying approx. 1/7 of epigynal plate; receptacles separated by the width of a receptacle; the head of the receptacles broad, short, located anteriorly (Fig. 6A–B).

Figure 6. 

Epigyne and habitus of Sinodraconarius muruoensis sp. n. A Epigyne, ventral B Vulva, dorsal C Male habitus, dorsal D Female habitus, dorsal E Female habitus, ventral. Scale bar equal for D and E.

Total length of males (n = 7) 11.86–17.60 and of females (n = 8) 6.90–11.00.

Known only from Zayü, Tibet (Fig. 11).

2♀♀ (IZCAS): China: Yunnan Province: Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture: Lushui County, Liuku Township, N25.80797°, E98.84226°, 1220 m,18.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu leg.; 1♂, 1♀ (IZCAS): China: Yunnan Province: Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture: Lushui County, Luzhang Township, Fengxue Yakou, N25.97244°, E98.68376°, 3150 m, 19.IX.2014, Jincheng Liu leg.

The males can be differentiated from S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by the ventral branch of the patellar apophysis which is the same length as the dorsal branch vs. larger than dorsal one in S. sangjiuensis sp. n. (Figs 1A–C, 7A–C). The females can be differentiated from S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by the head of the receptacles located anteriorly vs. mediolaterally in S. sangjiuensis sp. n.; septum indistinct (apex of the septum is tapering in S. sangjiuensis sp. n.) (Figs 2A–B, 8A–B).

Figure 7. 

Left male palp of Sinodraconarius patellabifidus A Prolateral view B Ventral view C Retrolateral view. Scale bar equal for A, B, C.

Figure 8. 

Epigyne and habitus of Sinodraconarius patellabifidus A Epigyne, ventral B Vulva, dorsal C Male habitus, dorsal D Female habitus, dorsal E Female habitus, ventral. Scale bar equal for D and E.

Described by Wang (2003).

Total length of females (n = 3) 8.75–11.80.

Known only from Yunnan (Fig. 11; Wang 2003: map 17; Wang et al. 2010: 545).

Holotype ♂ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Nyingchi: Segula Mountain, N29.605017°, E94.609117°, 4184 ± 4 m, 11.X.2010, Hao Yu leg. Paratypes: 2♂♂ (IZCAS): same data as holotype; 1♀ (IZCAS): China: Tibet: Nyingchi: Positive face of Segula Mountain, N29.607583°, E94.608767°, 4190 ± 13 m, 12.VIII.2010, Hao Yu leg.

The specific name is after Hao Yu, the collector of specimens used in this study; noun (name) in genitive case.

The males are similar to these of S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by the ventral branch of the patellar apophysis larger than dorsal one and the apex of the conductor pointed and bent retrolaterally, but can be easily distinguished from S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by the short palp (Figs 1A–C, 9A–C). The females are similar to S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by having the apex of the septum tapering but can be easily distinguished from S. sangjiuensis sp. n. by the epigynal hoods located anterolaterally vs. mediolaterally in S. sangjiuensis sp. n. (Figs 2A–B, 10A–B).

Figure 9. 

Left male palp of Sinodraconarius yui sp. n., holotype. A Prolateral view B Ventral view C Retrolateral view. Scale bar equal for A, B, C.

Male (holotype). Total length 7.59. Carapace 4.00 long, 2.60 wide. Abdomen 3.59 long, 2.56 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.20, PME 0.14, PLE 0.19; AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.05, AME–PME 0.16, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.09, PME–PLE 0.13. Leg measurements: I 12.15 (4.06, 4.00, 2.68, 1.41); II 10.22 (3.44, 3.50, 2.03, 1.25); III 9.99 (3.28, 3.00, 2.40, 1.31); IV 12.82 (4.06, 3.80, 3.40, 1.56). Palp: ventral branch of patellar apophysis larger than dorsal one; anterior 1/5 part of RTA extending beyond the tibia; LTA obvious; cymbial furrow less than 1/4 of cymbium length; the apex of conductor concave and spiral; median apophysis conspicuous, finger-like, the apex of the median apophysis expanded and open; dorsal conductor apophysis broad, the visible part (between conductor and tegulum) hidden by conductor in ventral view; embolus beginning at position 10 o’clock (Fig. 9A–C).

Female (paratype). Total length 7.89. Carapace 3.40 long, 2.40 wide. Abdomen 4.49 long, 2.40 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.18, PME 0.15, PLE 0.15; AME–AME 0.11, AME–ALE 0.06, AME–PME 0.15, ALE–PLE 0, PME–PME 0.10, PME–PLE 0.15. Leg measurements: I 9.17 (3.58, 2.88, 1.75, 0.96); II 8.66 (3.07, 2.88, 1.75, 0.96); III 8.47 (3.20, 2.56, 1.75, 0.96); IV 11.05 (3.59, 3.52, 2.50, 1.44). Epigyne: apex of the V-shaped septum tapering; hoods located laterally; atrium two times wider than long, occupying approx. 1/4 of epigynal plate; receptacles spaced by the width of a receptacle; the head of the receptacles broad and short, located anteriorly (Fig. 10A–B).

Figure 10. 

Epigyne and habitus of Sinodraconarius yui sp. n. A Epigyne, ventral B Vulva, dorsal C Male habitus, dorsal D Female habitus, dorsal E Female habitus, ventral. Scale bar equal for D and E.

The male of the new species was first described by Hu (2001) as the allotype of Coelotes himalayaensis and later transferred from Coelotes to Draconarius by Wang (2003). However, we found that the male and female of D. himalayaensis were mismatched. Therefore, the male is established as a new species here, and both sexes are described.

Total length of males (n = 3) 7.05–7.59.

Known only from Nyingchi, Tibet (Fig. 11).

Figure 11. 

Localities of Sinodraconarius species in the Southwest China. 1 S. cawarongensis sp. n. 2 S. muruoensis sp. n. 3 S. patellabifidus 4 S. sangjiuensis sp. n. 5 S. yui sp. n.