Tonsilla truculenta Wang & Yin, 1992.

Males of this genus can be easily distinguished from these of other genera of Coelotinae by the male palpal patella with a large strong apophysis, which is more than half of the patella length (Figs 5D, E, 7F) (vs small, less than half length of palpal patella in other genera) and conductor with dorsal apophysis (Figs 5C–E, 7A–C, E) (vs without dorsal apophysis). Females of Tonsilla are most similar to those of Pireneitega in having the large epigynal atrium and large copulatory ducts, and easily differentiated from them by the sub-spherical spermathecae (Figs 1D, 2B, 6D, 7I) (vs strongly convoluted) and from other genera by epigynal teeth located on the anterior atrial margin close to each other (Figs 1C, D, 2A, B, 6C, D, 7H, I) (vs widely separated epigynal teeth located bilaterally in other genera).

Figure 1. 

Tonsilla jinggangensis sp. nov., female holotype A habitus, dorsal view B same, ventral view C epigyne, ventral view D vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B), 0.2 mm (C, D). Abbreviations: At – atrium, CD – copulatory duct, CO – copulatory opening, EH – epigynal hood, ET – epigynal teeth, FD – fertilization ducts, SH – spermathecal heads, Spe – spermathecae.

Body size 7.0–17.0 mm. The morphological appearance of this genus is similar to that of other coelotines. Carapace anteriorly narrowed to between 0.6 and 0.9 times its maximum width. PLE–PLE covered half width of anterior carapace. Chelicerae (Figs 1B, 6B) robust, as wide as half of carapace, with long fang, usually with 3 promarginal and 2 or 3 retromarginal teeth. Endites (Figs 1B, 6B): bean-shaped, longer than wide, with a relatively narrow base, ectal margins distinctly convex; ectal edge concave. Labium: longer than wide, posteriorly narrowed. Sternum (Figs 1B, 6B): longer than wide, shield-shaped, almost straight anteriorly, with slightly convex sides, and pointed posteriorly.

Male palp (Figs 5C–E, 7A–G): patella with large apophysis, more than half of the patella length, strongly sclerotized, extending to dorsal part of patella; tibia with 2 apophyses, ventroretrolateral and retrolateral, the former broad, arising basally, extending along the retrolateral margin, anteriorly with slightly protruding beyond the distal or subdistal part of tibia, with widely truncated tip, the later from small to large, arising latero-medially; cymbium length/width ratio varies 1.8–2.4 in dorsal view, cymbial furrow less than half of cymbial length, in T. defossa and T. subyanlingensis sp. nov. from half to more than half of cymbial length; conductor long, anterior part with a distinct furrow or without, with a bifurcated tip or not, with a fine dorsal apophysis of conductor arising from its base; embolus flat and thin, arising at 6 o’clock position, with broad basally, roundly bent and coiled; tegular apophysis spoon-like.

Epigyne : atrium from large to small, heart-shaped, posteromedially located, broad and anteriorly located in T. defossa, with an arch-shaped or triangular septum arising antero-medially in T. truculenta Wang & Yin, 1992; copulatory openings located postero-laterally in the atrium; epigynal teeth tube-shaped or horn-like, flattened in T. subyanlingensis sp. nov., located antero-medially, separated by its length or less, or slightly fused basally; copulatory ducts sac-shaped, mostly rounded, tube-shaped in T. jinggangensis sp. nov., T. subyanlingensis sp. nov., and T. yanlingensis; spermathecae spherical or ovoid, duct-shaped in T. defossa, widely separated or close to each other; spermathecal heads arising anteriorly or posteriorly, from short or long; fertilization ducts arising from the posterior part of spermathecae.

The genus is known from subtropics in south China (Sichuan, Anhui, Guizhou, and Jiangxi provinces). Habitats of these spiders are not very diverse, usually found in woody debris, among tree roots on the ground, in humus, and under stones or tree bark.

T. defossa Xu & Li, 2006 (♂♀; Sichuan), T. distalis Zhang, Zhu & Wang, 2017 (♀; Guizhou), T. eburniformis Wang & Yin, 1992 (♀; Hubei), T. jinggangensis K. Liu & X. Xu, sp. nov. (♀; Jiangxi), T. lyrata (Wang, Yin, Peng & Xie, 1990) (♀; Hunan), T. makros Wang, 2003 (♂; Guizhou), T. mopanensis Zhang, Zhu & Wang, 2017 (♂♀; Guizhou), T. rostrum Jiang, Chen & Zhang, 2018 (♂♀; Guizhou), T. subyanlingensis K. Liu & X. Xu, sp. nov. (♂♀; Jiangxi), T. tautispina (Wang, Yin, Peng & Xie, 1990) (♀; Jiangxi), T. truculenta Wang & Yin, 1992 (♂♀; Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Sichuan), T. variegata (Wang, Yin, Peng & Xie, 1990) (♂♀; Anhui), and T. yanlingensis (♀; Hunan).

Holotype ♀; China: Jiangxi Province, Ji’an City, Jinggangshan County Level City, Luofu Town, Pingtou Village, Jinggang Mountain National Nature Reserve, Changguling Forest Farm; 26°38'28"N, 114°14'6"E, 583 m; 5.X.2014; Ke-ke Liu et al. leg.

The specific name refers to the type locality; adjective.

The female of this species is similar to that of T. yanlingensis but differs by the long horn-shaped epigynal teeth (vs short, bell-shaped in T. yanlingensis), the widened posterior part of atrium (vs narrowed in T. yanlingensis) and the slender spermathecal heads (vs relatively short and curved in T. yanlingensis) (Figs 1C, D, 2, 3).

Female. Habitus as in Figure 1A, B. Total length 11.03. Carapace (Fig. 1A, B) 6.84 long, 3.70 wide, anteriorly narrowed to between 0.8- and 0.9-time maximum width of carapace. Eye (Fig. 1A) sizes and interdistances: AME 0.18; ALE 0.30; PME 0.20; PLE 0.24; AME–AME 0.18; AME–ALE 0.25; PME–PME 0.20; ALE–ALE 0.94; PME–PLE 0.38; PLE–PLE 1.38; ALE−PLE 0.18, AME−PME 0.21; AME–PLE 0.52. MOA: 0.62 long; 0.56 anterior width, 0.62 posterior width. Chelicerae (Fig. 1A, B) with 3 promarginal teeth (median largest) and 3 retromarginal teeth (median largest). Leg measurements (Fig. 1A, B): I 13.81 (3.82, 1.80, 2.91, 3.30, 1.98); II 12.24 (3.52, 1.76, 2.33, 2.88, 1.75); III 10.91 (3.23, 1.62, 1.83, 2.78, 1.45); IV 14.84 (4.22, 1.85, 3.11, 3.95, 1.71). Spination: I fe 211, ti 022, mt 055; II fe 211, ti 033, mt 055; III fe 122, pa *111, ti 055, mt 855, ta 021; IV fe 101, pa *101, ti 055, mt 855, ta 022. Pedicel 0.40. Abdomen (Fig. 1A, B) 5.40 long, 3.26 wide.

Carapace brown. Chelicerae red brown. Endites, labium, and sternum yellow-brown. Legs yellow-brown. Abdomen dark brown, dorsally with 2 pairs of yellow-brown spots from antero-median to middle and 4 yellow-brown chevron-like stripes in posterior half.

Epigyne (Figs 1C, D, 2, 3). Atrium deep, transverse, more than 2 times wider than long. Copulatory openings located at postero-lateral part of the atrium. Epigynal teeth long, horn-shaped, separated by its length, apex slightly convergent. Copulatory ducts slightly longer than spermathecae, originating posteriorly, extending forward along spermathecae and connected to anterior part of spermathecae. Spermathecae arched, with many constrictions, separated by less than radius of spermatheca. Spermathecal heads slender tube-shaped, posteriorly located, bent laterally. Fertilization ducts located at the posterior part of spermathecae.

Figure 2. 

SEM images of Tonsilla jinggangensis sp. nov., female holotype A epigyne, dorsal view B vulva, ventral view.

Figure 3. 

Tonsilla jinggangensis sp. nov., female holotype A epigyne, ventral view B vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm. Abbreviations: At – atrium, CD – copulatory duct, CO – copulatory opening, EH – epigynal hood, ET – epigynal teeth, FD – fertilization ducts, SH – spermathecal heads, Spe – spermathecae.

Known only from the type locality in Jiangxi Province, China (Fig. 9).

Although we have only the female of this species, we are convinced that it is not conspecific with T. makros a species known from Guizhou. The male of T. makros (6.20) is slightly larger than half of the female of T. jinggangensis sp. nov. (11.03). Tonsilla species seem to have a narrow distribution, except for T. truculenta from south China. Tonsilla jinggangensis sp. nov. and T. tautispina from Jiangxi are more similar to species from Hunan, such as T. lyrata and T. yanlingensis, than species from Guizhou (T. makros, T. mopanensis). Hence, the male palp of this species may have a stout patellar apophysis.

Holotype ♂; China: Jiangxi Province, Ji’an City, Jinggangshan County Level City, Ciping Town, Wuzhi Peak Scenic Spot; 26°31'59.07"N, 114°08'28.47"E, 735 m; 2.X.2018; Ke-ke Liu et al. leg. Paratypes: 2 ♀; same data as holotype; 1 ♀; same locality, Dajing Village; 26°33'50.4"N, 114°07'26.4"E, 930 m; 19.X.2014; Ke-ke Liu et al. leg.; 1 ♀; same locality; 26°34'12.89"N, 114°07'41.87"E, 950 m; 30.IX.2018; Ke-ke Liu et al. leg.; 1 ♀; same locality, Jingzhushan Scenic Spot; 26°31'33.37"N, 114°06'30.34"E, 786 m; 1.X.2018; Ke-ke Liu et al. leg.

The specific name refers to its similarity to T. yanlingensis (Zhang, Yin & Kim, 2000); adjective.

Females of the new species closely resemble T. yanlingensis by the heart-shaped, large atrium and wide epigynal teeth, but can be distinguished by the spermathecae separated by less than 1/5 of their width (vs touching each other in T. yanlingensis), long and broad copulatory ducts along with the spermathecae (vs very short in T. yanlingensis), the slightly procurved spermathecal heads located at posterior part of spermatheca (Figs 5C, D, 7H, I) (vs strong procurved spermathecal heads located at mid part of spermatheca in vulva), and the spermathecae slightly separated by less than 1/5 of their width (vs touching each other) (Wang and Yin 1992; Zhu et al. 2017). The male of this species is similar to that of T. mopanensis and T. truculenta in having a long, broad, and furrowed basal lamella of conductor, but can be separated by the patellar apophysis which is relatively shorter than patellar (vs as long as patellar apophysis in T. mopanensis or longer in T. truculenta) and the conductor with a long, broad curved dorsal apophysis (Figs 5A–C, 7A–G, 8A–C) (vs long, narrowed in T. mopanensis; short, strong in T. truculenta).

Figure 4. 

Photographs of living specimens of Tonsilla subyanlingensis sp. nov. from Jinggang Mountain. A, B male C, D female.

Male (Holotype). Habitus as in Figures 4A, B, 5A, B. Total length 11.25. Carapace (Fig. 5A) 6.01 long, 4.44 wide, anteriorly narrowed to between 0.6 and 0.7 its maximum width. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.20; ALE 0.25; PME 0.24; PLE 0.25; AME–AME 0.10; AME–ALE 0.18; PME–PME 0.08; ALE–ALE 0.81; PME–PLE 0.36; PLE–PLE 1.16; ALE−PLE 0.10, AME−PME 0.16; AME–PLE 0.45. MOA: 0.60 long; 0.49 front width, 0.50 back width. Chelicerae (Fig. 5B) with 2 promarginal teeth (proximal smaller) and 2 retromarginal teeth (proximal larger). Leg (Fig. 5A, B) measurements: I 17.84 (4.88, 1.95, 4.46, 4.30, 2.25); II 15.78 (4.25, 1.90, 3.74, 3.74, 2.15); III 13.36 (3.62, 1.81, 2.82, 3.40, 1.71); IV 17.27 (4.87, 1.92, 3.69, 4.77, 2.02). Spination: I fe 120, pa 001, ti 055, mt 033, II fe 000, ti 044, mt 033,. Femur I with 6 ventral cusps. Leg measurements (Fig. 5A, B): I 13.15 (4.17, 1.85, 3.26, 2.54, 1.33); II 12.90 (3.62, 1.18, 2.90, 2.83, 1.71); III 11.00 (3.01, 1.72, 2.14, 2.75, 1.38); IV 14.12 (3.84, 1.87 3.45, 3.70, 1.32). Spination: I fe 210, ti 043, mt 055; II fe 210, ti 043, mt 065; III fe 121, pa 011, ti 433, mt 655, ta 011; IV fe 100, ti 342, mt 753, ta 012. Pedicel 0.32. Abdomen (Fig. 5A, B) 5.24 long, 3.68 wide.

Figure 5. 

Tonsilla subyanlingensis sp. nov., male holotype A habitus, dorsal view B same, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D same, ventral view E same, retrolateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B), 1 mm (C–E). Abbreviations: BLC – basal lamella of conductor, CF – cymbial furrow, Con – conductor, DAC – dorsal apophysis of conductor, Em – embolus, ET – epigynal teeth, MA – median apophysis, RTA – retrolateral tibial apophysis, PA – patellar apophysis, VTA – ventrolateral tibial apophysis.

Carapace dark brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Endites and labium dark yellow-brown. Sternum and legs yellow-brown. Abdomen dark brown with 5 pairs of yellow-brown spots on posterior half.

Palp (Figs 5C–E, 7A–G, 8A–C). Femur more than 2 times longer than patella. Patellar apophysis slightly shorter than patella, thumb shaped. Tibia with wide ventrolateral apophysis and long retrolateral apophysis, the former extending beyond tibia, strongly sclerotized; the later slightly shorter than ventrolateral, and twice thinner, apex bent ventrally to the tip of ventrolateral apophysis, forming a right angle with its axis. Cymbium, approximately 3 times longer than wide, cymbial furrow less than 2/3 of the cymbial length, approximately 1/3 of cymbial width in retrolateral view. Median apophysis spoon-shaped, located near the base of embolus; conductor, slightly curved, with a long, broad and furrowed basal lamella and a large, twisted, sclerotized dorsal apophysis; embolus long and broad, originates at 6 o’clock position, coiled around the margin of cymbium and posteriorly embedded in the furrow of conductor.

Female (Paratype). Habitus as in Figures 4C, D, 6A, B. Total length 13.21. Carapace (Fig. 6A) 6.66 long, 4.33 wide, anteriorly narrowed to between 0.7 and 0.8 its maximum width. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.20; ALE 0.24; PME 0.22; PLE 0.24; AME–AME 0.10; AME–ALE 0.18; PME–PME 0.20; ALE–ALE 0.92; PME–PLE 0.41; PLE–PLE 1.46; ALE−PLE 0.14, AME−PME 0.16; AME–PLE 0.45. MOA: 0.68 long; 0.60 front width, 0.70 back width. Chelicerae (Fig. 6A, B) with 3 promarginal teeth (proximal smallest, median largest) and 3 retromarginal teeth (proximal largest). Leg measurements (Fig. 6A, B): I 13.15 (4.17, 1.85, 3.26, 2.54, 1.33); II 12.90 (3.62, 1.18, 2.90, 2.83, 1.71); III 11.00 (3.01, 1.72, 2.14, 2.75, 1.38); IV 14.12 (3.84, 1.87 3.45, 3.70, 1.32). Spination: I fe 402, ti 004, mt 044; II fe 122, pa 011, ti 035, mt 065; III fe 122, pa 111, ti 055, mt 622, ta 011; IV fe 122, pa 011, ti 055, mt 866, ta 011. Pedicel 0.46. Abdomen (Fig. 6B, C) 6.10 long, 4.01 wide.

Figure 6. 

Tonsilla subyanlingensis sp. nov., female paratype A habitus, dorsal view B same, ventral view C epigyne, ventral view D vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B), 0.5 mm (C, D). Abbreviations: At – atrium, CD – copulatory duct, CO – copulatory opening, EH – epigynal hood, ET – epigynal teeth, FD – fertilization ducts, SH – spermathecal heads, Spe – spermathecae.

Figure 7. 

SEM images of Tonsilla subyanlingensis sp. nov., male holotype and female paratype A palp, prolateral view B same, ventral view C same, detail of conductors, ventral view D same, detail of embolus, ventral view E same, retrolateral view F same, detail of patellar apophysis, retrolateral tibial apophysis and lateral tibial apophysis, retrolateral view G same, detail of conductor dorsal apophysis, retrolateral view H epigyne, dorsal view I vulva, ventral view.

Lighter than male. Abdomen, dorsally with four indistinct yellow-brown chevron-like stripes on posterior half.

Epigyne (Figs 6C, D, 7H, I, 8D, E). Atrium with a transverse depression, broad, more than 2 times longer than its length, heart-shaped, anterior margin near the apex of teeth, posterior part relatively broad. Copulatory openings located at postero-lateral of the atrium. Epigynal teeth flat, separated by less than their length, apex slightly converging. Copulatory ducts, originating laterally, extending forward along spermathecae, then back, but located at lateral part of spermathecae. Spermathecae egg-shaped, clearly separated by less than 1/5 their width. Spermathecal heads relatively broad, short, posteriorly located, curved laterally. Fertilization ducts located at the posterior part of the spermathecae.

Figure 8. 

Tonsilla subyanlingensis sp. nov., male holotype and female paratype A male palp, prolateral view B same, ventral view C same, retrolateral view D epigyne, ventral view E vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1 mm. Abbreviations: At – atrium, BLC – basal lamella of conductor, CD – copulatory duct, CF – cymbial furrow, CO – copulatory opening, Con – conductor, DAC –dorsal apophysis of conductor, EH – epigynal hood, Em – embolus, ET – epigynal teeth, FD – fertilization ducts, MA – median apophysis, PA – patellar apophysis, RTA – retrolateral tibial apophysis, SH – spermathecal heads, Spe – spermathecae, VTA – ventrolateral tibial apophysis.

Known only from the type locality in Jiangxi Province, China (Fig. 9).

Figure 9. 

Type localities of Tonsilla jinggangensis sp. nov. and T. subyanlingensis sp. nov.