Holotype: ♂ (IZCAS), China, Hainan Island, Wuzhishan City, Shuiman Village, Wuzhishan, 18°54.1944'N, 109°40.9266'E, 723 m, 31.III.2012, Chen Z. leg.; Paratype: 1♀ (IZCAS), same data as holotype.

The species name is an adjective referring to the type locality; the Chinese pinyin “wǔ zhǐ” means five fingers, and “shān” means mountain. The name is a graphic interpretation of contour of the mountain ranges with a striking resemblance to five fingers.

Flexicrurum wuzhishanense sp. nov. strongly resembles F. qishi sp. nov. Males of F. wuzhishanense sp. nov. can be distinguished by a longer bulbal apophysis (Fig. 2D) (vs shorter bulbal apophysis in F. qishi sp. nov.), the bulbal apophysis which is further from embolus (Fig. 2B) (vs bulbal apophysis and embolus nearer each other (Fig. 6B), simple protruded conductor comprises only a single part (Fig. 2B) (vs a rather slender conductor comprising two parts, resembling a broken ring in F. qishi sp. nov. (Fig. 6A, B)), the bulb with scattered black spots (Fig. 2A) (vs absence of scattered black spots on bulb of F. qishi sp. nov. (Fig. 6A)); females can be distinguished by a rather broad dome-shaped epigastric area (Fig. 1B) (vs a rather plump, triangular epigastric area in F. qishi sp. nov. (Fig. 5B)), spermathecae can be distinguished by a pair of lobed ducts laterally connected with bow-tie-shaped spermathecae (Fig. 1A) (vs a pair of spermathecae resembling the structure of a human uterus in F. qishi sp. nov. (Fig. 5A)).

Figure 1. 

Flexicrurum wuzhishanense Li & Li, sp. nov., male holotype and female paratype A internal genitalia, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C male habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, dorsal view E female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermathecae. D and E share the scale bar.

Figure 2. 

Flexicrurum wuzhishanense Li & Li, sp. nov., male holotype A palp, ventral view B palpal bulb, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: BA = bulbal apophysis, CA = cymbial apophysis, CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, LA = laminal apophysis. A and B share the scale bar as well as C and D.

Male (Holotype). Total length 2.46; carapace 0.96 long, 0.94 wide; abdomen 1.50 long, 0.64 wide. Carapace round and brown, with three longitudinal dark brown bands, the middle band is 2 times wider than the lateral bands (Fig. 1C). Fovea shallow and dark brown. Anterior part of thoracic region distinctly elevated. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.09, ME 0.08, PLE 0.06; ALE–ALE 0.30, ME–ME 0.16, PLE–PLE 0.32, ALE–ME 0.14, PLE–ME 0.18, ALE–PLE 0.12. Chelicerae brown. Cheliceral promargin with lamina of three triangular extensions and no teeth, retromargin with two small teeth (Fig. 8A). Clypeus slanting 0.3 high, with dark brown trident and two pale areas laterally. Endites dark brown. Labium slanting and dark brown. Sternum circular with brown complex pattern delimiting a medial small pale spot anteriorly. Abdomen elongated, anterior of ventrum with pair of circular pale areas and dome-shaped epigastric area, posterior with random irregular dark brown spots. Legs uniformly brown; measurements: missing (detached from specimens, sequence of legs cannot be differentiated). Palp (Fig. 2A–D): femur slender swollen at the base, patella swollen and angled ventrally (Figs 1C, 2C), tibia more slender than femur, distally darker, cymbium pale, darker distally, with strong lateral protrusion darker distally, bearing posterolateral cymbial apophysis with two bulges (Fig. 2D); bulb brown and pyriform, with scattered dark spots, bearing a pointed laminar apophysis, a protruded conductor and embolus distally; embolus slender, hook-shaped, adjacent to laminar apophysis and conductor (Fig. 2B).

Female (Paratype). General features and coloration similar to male (Fig. 1D–E). Measurements: total length 2.12; carapace 0.75 long, 0.78 wide; abdomen 1.37 long, 0.93 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.09, ME 0.06, PLE 0.08; ALE–ALE 0.30, ME–ME 0.14, PLE–PLE 0.32, ALE–ME 0.14, PLE–ME 0.18, ALE–PLE 0.15. Clypeus 0.35 high. Leg measurements: I missing, II missing, III missing, IV 7.38 (1.92, 0.31, 2.03, 2.03, 1.09). Internal genitalia: a pair of lobe-shaped ducts connected with a bow-tie-shaped spermathecae, divided by a distinct pair of vertical ducts with a pair of club-shaped ducts anteriorly (Fig. 1A).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 9).

Holotype: ♂ (IZCAS), China, Hainan Island, Changjiang City, Bawangling, Yajia Conference Centre, 19°5.1042'N, 109°7.4343'E, 433 m, 10.IV.2012, Chen Z. leg.; Paratypes: 1♂1♀ (IZCAS), same data as holotype.

The species name is a noun in apposition derived from the word for “goat horn” in Chinese pinyin “yángjiǎo”. It refers to the shape of the conductor which curves strongly inwards, like a goat horn.

Flexicrurum yangjiao sp. nov. can be distinguished from F. wuzhishanense sp. nov. and F. qishi sp. nov. by a posterolateral cymbial apophysis with a single tip or bulge (Fig. 4D) (vs a posterolateral cymbial apophysis with two bulges or protuberances (i.e., a divided tip) in F. wuzhishanense sp. nov. and F. qishi sp. nov.), a pointed embolic end (vs hook-liked embolic end in F. wuzhishanense sp. nov. and F. qishi sp. nov.), a shorter laminar apophysis (vs longer in F. wuzhishanense sp. nov. and F. qishi sp. nov.), and the position of the entire bulb is opposite that of the other two species—the laminar apophysis is parallel to the tip of cymbial protrusion (vs laminar apophysis and tip of cymbial protrusion not parallel in F. wuzhishanense sp. nov. and F. qishi sp. nov.).

Figure 3. 

Flexicrurum yangjiao Li & Li, sp. nov., male holotype and female paratype A internal genitalia, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C male habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, dorsal view E female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermathecae. D and E share the scale bar.

Figure 4. 

Flexicrurum yangjiao Li & Li, sp. nov., male holotype A palp, ventral view B palpal bulb, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: BA = bulbal apophysis, CA = cymbial apophysis, CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, LA = laminal apophysis. A and B share the scale bar as well as C and D.

Male (Holotype). Total length 2.08; carapace 0.80 long, 0.96 wide; abdomen 1.28 long, 0.64 wide. Carapace round and brown, with three longitudinal dark brown bands, the middle band 2 times wider than the lateral bands (Fig. 3C). Fovea shallow and dark brown. Anterior part of thoracic region distinctly elevated. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.08, ME 0.08, PLE 0.09; ALE–ALE 0.30, ME–ME 0.13, PLE–PLE 0.32, ALE–ME 0.16, PLE–ME 0.19, ALE–PLE 0.16. Chelicerae brown. Cheliceral promargin with lamina of three triangular extensions and no teeth, retromargin with two small teeth (Fig. 8B). Clypeus slanting 0.20 high, medially dark brown and two pale areas laterally. Endites dark brown. Labium slanting and dark brown. Sternum circular with brown complex pattern delimiting a 1/3 medial pale spot anteriorly. Abdomen elongated, dorsum anterior 2/3 with random dark brown spots, posterior 1/3 with horizontal dark brown striated pattern medially, ventrum anterior half with pair of lobed pale areas and a dome-shaped epigastric area, posterior half with random, irregular dark brown spots. Legs uniformly brown; measurements: I 9.50 (2.56, 0.32, 2.88, 2.65, 1.09), II 6.64 (2.00, 0.25, 1.75, 1.71, 0.93), III 5.05 (1.20, 0.23, 1.37, 1.50, 0.75), IV missing. Palp (Fig. 4A–D): femur slender, swollen at the base, patella swollen and angled ventrally (Figs 3C, 4C), tibia swollen and dark distally, cymbium pale, darker distally, with strong lateral protrusion darker distally, bearing a posterolateral cymbial apophysis with a single bulge (Fig. 4D); bulb pale brown and pyriform, bearing a pointed laminar apophysis, a slender bulbal apophysis; conductor strongly spiralled forming a ring resembling a goat horn; embolus short and pointed, located below all other structures, further away from conductor (Fig. 4B).

Female (Paratype). General features and coloration similar to male (Fig. 3D–E). Measurements: total length 2.18; carapace 0.80 long, 0.80 wide; abdomen 1.38 long, 0.80 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.08, ME 0.08, PLE 0.05; ALE–ALE 0.32, ME–ME 0.16, PLE–PLE 0.33, ALE–ME 0.13, PLE–ME 0.19, ALE–PLE 0.13. Clypeus 0.35 high. Leg measurements: I 7.34 (2.00, 0.25, 2.25, 1.75, 1.09), II missing, III 5.10 (1.28, 0.25, 1.75, 1.20, 0.62), IV 6.82 (1.71, 0.31, 2.00, 2.00, 0.80). Internal genitalia: a pair of ovoid ring-shaped spermathecae connected to bow-tie-shaped ducts divided by a pair of distinct vertical ducts, bearing a pair of droplet-shaped ducts laterally (Fig. 3A).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 9).

Holotype: ♂ (IZCAS), China, Hainan Island, Tunchang County, Datong Village, Mountain Wolong, 19°27.5450'N, 110°7.3150'E, 248 m, 06.VII.2014, Li F. and Wang X. leg.; Paratype: 1♀ (IZCAS), same data as holotype.

The species name is a noun in apposition derived from the Chinese pinyin “qíshì” (knight) and refers to the ventral view of the bulb which resembles a piece in international chess game representing a knight (Fig. 6A).

The species is similar to Flexicrurum wuzhishanense sp. nov. Diagnostic features are discussed under F. wuzhishanense sp. nov.

Male (Holotype). Total length 2.45; carapace 1.25 long, 0.75 wide; abdomen 1.20 long, 0.68 wide. Carapace round and brown, with three longitudinal dark brown bands, the middle band is 2 times wider than the lateral bands (Fig. 5C). Fovea shallow and dark brown. Anterior part of thoracic region distinctly elevated. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.08, ME 0.06, PLE 0.05; ALE–ALE 0.28, ME–ME 0.15, PLE–PLE 0.30, ALE–ME 0.16, PLE–ME 0.18, ALE–PLE 0.13. Chelicerae brown. Cheliceral promargin with lamina of three triangular extensions and no teeth, retromargin with two small teeth (Fig. 8C). Clypeus slanting 0.20 high, medially dark brown and two pale areas laterally. Endites dark brown. Labium slanting and dark brown. Sternum circular with brown complex pattern delimiting a 1/3 medial small pale spot anteriorly and bottom margin. Abdomen elongated, dorsum anterior 2/3 with random dark brown spots, posterior 1/3 with horizontal dark brown striated pattern medially, ventrum anterior half with pair of circular pale areas and ovoid epigastric area, posterior half with random irregular dark brown spots. Legs uniformly brown; measurements: missing (detached from specimens, sequence of legs cannot be differentiated). Palp (Fig. 6A–D): femur slender, swollen at the base, patella swollen and angled ventrally (Figs 5C, 6C), tibia swollen and darker distally, cymbium pale, darker distally, with strong lateral protrusion darker distally, bearing posterolateral cymbial apophysis with two bulges (Fig. 6D); bulb pale brown and pyriform, bearing a pointed laminar apophysis, a slender bulbal apophysis adjacent to embolus which is located further away from conductor; conductor comprising two parts (two slender conductors circling inwards) resembling a broken ring; embolus hook-shaped, curving distally (Fig. 6B).

Figure 5. 

Flexicrurum qishi Li & Li, sp. nov., male holotype and female paratype A internal genitalia, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C male habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, dorsal view E female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermathecae. D and E share the scale bar.

Figure 6. 

Flexicrurum qishi Li & Li, sp. nov., male holotype A palp, ventral view B palpal bulb, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: BA = bulbal apophysis, CA = cymbial apophysis, CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, LA = laminal apophysis. A and B share the scale bar as well as C and D.

Female (Paratype). General features and coloration similar to male (Fig. 5D–E). Measurements: total length 2.15; carapace 0.75 long, 0.78 wide; abdomen 1.40 long, 0.93 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.09, ME 0.06, PLE 0.05; ALE–ALE 0.29, ME–ME 0.13, PLE–PLE 0.31, ALE–ME 0.16, PLE–ME 0.18, ALE–PLE 0.14. Clypeus 0.23 high. Leg measurements: I missing, II missing, III missing, IV 6.65 (1.80, 0.25, 1.80, 1.87, 0.93). Internal genitalia: a pair of spermathecae resembling the structure of human uterus (distinct pair of lobe-shaped ducts hanging directed posteriorly, medially with a pair of vertical ducts bearing a curvy, flat duct posteriorly) (Fig. 5A).

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 9).

Holotype: ♂ (IZCAS), China, Hainan Island, Changjiang County, Bawangling National Natural Reserve, 22.III.2005.

♀ (IZCAS), China, Hainan Island, Dongfang City, Donghe Town, Nanlang Village, foot of Mountain E-Xian, 19°0.3800'N, 109°5.0300'E, 214 m, 16.XII.2014, Zhao Q. and Shao L. leg.

Female. Total length 2.34; carapace 0.78 long, 0.75 wide; abdomen 1.56 long, 0.87 wide. Carapace round and brown, with three longitudinal dark brown bands, the middle band is 2 times wider than the lateral bands (Fig. 7C). Fovea shallow and dark brown. Anterior part of thoracic region distinctly elevated. Eye sizes and interdistances: ALE 0.08, ME 0.06, PLE 0.05; ALE–ALE 0.31, ME–ME 0.15, PLE–PLE 0.33, ALE–ME 0.14, PLE–ME 0.18, ALE–PLE 0.15. Chelicerae brown. Cheliceral promargin with lamina of three triangular extensions and no teeth, retromargin with two small teeth (Tong and Li 2007). Clypeus slanting 0.24 high, dark brown. Endites dark brown. Labium slanting and dark brown. Sternum circular with brown complex pattern delimiting a medial ovoid pale spot anteriorly. Abdomen elongated, dorsum anterior 2/3 with dark brown striated spacing delimiting a pale area medially, posterior 1/3 with horizontal dark brown striated pattern medially, ventrum with brown pattern at margin and anterior half medially pale with an ovoid epigastric area, posterior half with random irregular dark brown pattern (Fig. 7D). Legs uniformly brown; measurements: I 7.85 (2.24, 0.25, 2.40, 1.87, 1.09), II 5.76 (1.60, 0.25, 1.60, 1.56, 0.75), III 5.02 (1.75, 0.20, 1.20, 1.25, 0.62), IV 7.11 (1.87, 0.25, 2.12, 2.00, 0.87). Internal genitalia: a pair of umbrella-shaped spermathecae (a pair of vertical ducts posteriorly connected with pair of ovoid vesicle and covered by a dome anteriorly) (Fig. 7A).

Figure 7. 

Flexicrurum minutum Tong & Li, 2007, female A internal genitalia, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C female habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermathecae. C and D share the scale bar.

Figure 8. 

Cheliceral retromargin A Flexicrurum wuzhishanense Li & Li, sp. nov. B F. yangjiao Li & Li, sp. nov. C F. qishi Li & Li, sp. nov. Abbreviations: CL = cheliceral laminal, RT = retromargin teeth. A, B and C share the scale bar.

Hainan Island, China (Fig. 9).

Figure 9. 

Distribution of Flexicrurum species in Hainan Island, China. 1. F. wuzhishanense Li & Li, sp. nov., 2. F. yangjiao Li & Li, sp. nov., 3. F. qishi Li & Li, sp. nov., 4. F. minutum Tong & Li, 2007, 5. F. flexicrurum Tong & Li, 2007, 6. F. longispina Tong & Li, 2007.

The female was matched with the holotype male on the basis of proximity of its collection location to the type locality (only about 30 km away), similarities in somatic morphology with the holotype male, and from DNA barcoding data.