Research Article |
Corresponding author: Francisco Andres Rivera-Quiroz ( andres.riveraquiroz@naturalis.nl ) Academic editor: Dimitar Dimitrov
© 2021 Francisco Andres Rivera-Quiroz, Booppa Petcharad, Jeremy A. Miller.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Rivera-Quiroz FA, Petcharad B, Miller JA (2021) First records and three new species of the family Symphytognathidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Thailand, and the circumscription of the genus Crassignatha Wunderlich, 1995. ZooKeys 1012: 21-53. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1012.57047
|
The family Symphytognathidae is reported from Thailand for the first time. Three new species: Anapistula choojaiae sp. nov., Crassignatha seeliam sp. nov., and Crassignatha seedam sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Distribution is expanded and additional morphological data are reported for Patu shiluensis Lin & Li, 2009. Specimens were collected in Thailand between July and August 2018. The newly described species were found in the north mountainous region of Chiang Mai, and Patu shiluensis was collected in the coastal region of Phuket. DNA sequences are provided for all the species here studied. The relations of these symphytognathid species were tested using previously published phylogenetic analyses on micro orb-weavers. Also, we used micro CT analysis to build 3D models of the male genitalia and somatic characters of two species of Crassignatha Wunderlich, 1995. The molecular phylogeny and 3D models were used to discuss the taxonomy and circumscription of the currently valid symphytognathid genera, with focus on Crassignatha and Patu Marples, 1951. Based on this, three new combinations are suggested: Crassignatha bicorniventris (Lin & Li, 2009), comb. nov., Crassignatha quadriventris (Lin & Li, 2009), comb. nov., and Crassignatha spinathoraxi (Lin & Li, 2009), comb. nov. A new record of Crassignatha danaugirangensis
3D reconstruction, Anapistula, Borneo, computed tomography, micro-CT, Patu, Sabah, Symphytognathoids
The family Symphytognathidae includes some of the tiniest spiders known. According to a recent “Spider World Record” study (
The family is widespread in the tropics and subtropical regions, with most species described from the southern hemisphere. At present 8 genera and 74 species are recorded worldwide. In Asia, six genera and 29 species have been recorded (
The symphytognathid specimens reported here were collected in Chiang Mai and Phuket, Thailand, between 16 July and 6 August 2018. All the specimens were captured using methods optimized for ground dwelling spiders: leaf litter sifting, Winkler extractors, pitfall traps and direct collecting on ground, and among sifted leaf litter.
To test the relationships and position of the novel species within the Symphytognathidae, we selected one specimen from each species we collected and used all four right legs to extracted genomic DNA and sequence six gene fragments: COI, H3, 12S, 16S, 18S, and 28S (primers in Suppl. material
GenBank accession numbers of DNA sequences generated for the present work.
Specimens were photographed with a Nikon DS-Ri2 camera attached to a Leica DM 2500 microscope. Specimens were observed in ethanol using semi-permanent slide preparations (
Nomenclature of the genital structures was based on
Tree topologies inferred by the different phylogenetic analyses performed (Figs
Tree topology obtained by Maximum Parsimony in MEGA-X using a modified version of
Tree topology obtained by Maximum Likelihood in RAxML using a modified version of
Tree topology obtained by Bayesian Inference in Mr. Bayes using a modified version of
The micro computed tomography scans allowed us to observe in detail small structures of the surface and internal ducts of the male genitalia (Fig.
3D reconstruction of some diagnostic characters of Crassignatha males: a, c, e C. danaugirangensis b, d C. seeliam sp. nov. a chelicerae, arrow pointing at the bifurcated tooth b, c detail of the carapace; cephalothorax tubercles (in the squares), and pore bearing sulcus (arrows) d, e male leg II clasper f whole male specimen of C. danaugirangensis prepared for micro-CT inside a modified 10 µl pipette tip and a 0.5 ml Eppendorf tube filled with 70% Et-OH. Scale bars: 0.06 mm (a); 0.1 mm (b–e).
Family Symphytognathidae Hickman, 1931
Anapistula Gertsch, 1941: 2. Type species Anapistula secreta Gertsch, 1941.
Holotype : Thailand • ♂; Chiang Mai, Pha Daeng National Park. Riparian tropical forest; 19°37.768'N, 98°57.257'E. 560 m; July 16–19, 2018; Booppa Petcharad, Jeremy Miller, F. Andres Rivera-Quiroz leg.; Winkler extractor; RMNH.ARA.18442. Paratypes: Thailand • ♀ allotype; same data as holotype • 1♂ 1♀; same data as holotype; RMNH.5106639 • 2♀; Pha Daeng National Park. Bamboo forest; 19°37.668'N, 98°57.131'E. 573 m, same dates and collectors as holotype; RMNH.ARA.18443.
The species epithet is a Latinized matronym of the second authors’ daughter.
Female genitalia in Anapistula show little morphological variation between congeneric species making it generally difficult to tell species apart. However, A. choojaiae sp. nov. can be distinguished from most Anapistula species by the presence of an epigynal atrium; A. aquytabuera Rheims & Brescovit, 2003, A. pocaruguara and A. ybyquyra Rheims & Brescovit, 2003 from Brazil, A. panensis Lin, Tao, and Li 2013 and A. zhengi Lin, Tao, and Li 2013 from China, and A. seychellensis Saaristo, 1996 from the Seychelles also share this character. A. choojaiae differs from all of these by the relative size and shape of the atrium, the width of the EMD and the bifurcation of the Lb (compare Figs
Male pedipalp of A. choojaiae similar to A. panensis in the overall shape of the palp and in having C1 and C2 roughly the same length, but differs on the width of C1 in respect to C2 and the length of the E in relation to C1 (compare Figs
Carapace ovoid, yellowish-white with smooth texture (Figs
Male palp
: Weakly sclerotized (Fig.
Vulva
: Epigynal plate flat, without scape. Atrium semi-circular as wide as inner distance between S (Fig.
Male: Total length 0.4; carapace 0.2 long, 0.21 wide; clypeus 0.03; Chelicera 0.1 long, 0.06 wide; Leg I: femur 0.26, patella 0.1, tibia 0.17, metatarsus 0.09 tarsus 0.17; leg formula IV-I-II-III; abdomen 0.21 long, 0.21 wide.
Female: Total length 0.43, carapace 0.2 long, 0.21 wide; clypeus 0.3; Chelicera 0.1 long, 0.05 wide; Leg I: femur 0.20, patella 0.09, tibia 0.14, metatarsus 0.16, tarsus 0.1; leg formula IV-I-II-III; abdomen 0.24 long, 0.23 wide.
Crassignatha Wunderlich, 1995: 547. Type species Crassignatha haeneli Wunderlich, 1995.
Holotype : Thailand • ♂: Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park. Montane evergreen forest; 18°30.454'N, 98°30.584'E. 1605 m; July 21–24, 2018; Booppa Petcharad, Jeremy Miller, F. Andres Rivera-Quiroz leg.; direct hand coll.; RMNH.ARA.18444. Paratypes : Thailand • ♀ allotype; same data as holotype • 8 ♀; same data as holotype; RMNH.5106641• ♂ and ♀ Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep National Park. Montane evergreen forest with pine; 18°48.502'N, 98°53.528'E. 1409 m; July 24–28, 2018; same collectors as holotype; pitfall traps. RMNH.ARA.18445.
The species epithet is a derivation of the Thai seeliam (square), in reference to the shape of the abdomen in dorsal view.
Distinguished from other Crassignatha species except Crassignatha quadriventris (Lin & Li, 2009) by the semi-squared posterior of the abdomen in dorsal view (Figs
Carapace coloration orange-brown covered by small tubercles (Figs
Vulva: Epigynum with wide scape directed ventrally, heavily sclerotized at the tip (Fig.
Male: Total length 0.68; carapace 0.36 long, 0.30 wide; clypeus 0.13; Chelicera 0.1 long, 0.07 wide; Leg I: femur 0.28, patella 0.12, tibia 0.37, metatarsus 0.17, tarsus 0.22; leg formula I-II-IV-III; abdomen 0.42 long, 0.38 wide.
Female: Total length 0.69, carapace 0.44 long, 0.39 wide; clypeus 0.12; Chelicera 0.15 long, 0.1 wide; Leg I: femur 0.42, patella 0.15, tibia 0.53, metatarsus 0.22, tarsus 0.27; leg formula I-II-IV-III abdomen 0.44 long, 0.43 wide.
Holotype : Thailand • ♀ Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep National Park. Montane evergreen forest with pine; 18°48.502'N, 98°53.528'E. 1409 m; July 24–28, 2018. Booppa Petcharad, Jeremy Miller, F. Andres Rivera-Quiroz leg.; direct hand coll.; RMNH.5106640. Male unknown.
The species epithet is a derivation of the Thai seedam (black), in reference to the dark coloration of this species.
Crassignatha seedam sp. nov. differs from other Crassignatha species by having a nearly round abdomen instead of triangular or squared, and having the epigynum bulging ventro-posteriorly but not forming an scape (compare Figs
Carapace brown with smooth texture (Fig.
Vulva
: Epigynum weakly sclerotized but covered by small dark patches (Fig.
Female: Total length 0.56, carapace 0.28 long, 0.26 wide; clypeus 0.06; Chelicera 0.1 long, 0.07 wide; Leg I: femur 0.3, patella 0.1, tibia 0.22, metatarsus 0.13, tarsus 0.19; leg formula I-II-IV-III; abdomen 0.47 long, 0.41 wide.
Crassignatha danaugirangensis Miller et al., 2014: 4, figs 1a–f, 3, 4.
Brunei • 2♂; Temburong, Huala Belalong Field Studies Centre; 4.545°N, 115.157°E, 150 m; September 26 – October 6, 2018; Taxon Expeditions 2018 leg.; Winkler extractor; RMNH.5106643.
Patu Marples, 1951: 47. Type species Patu vitiensis Marples, 1951.
Patu shiluensis Lin & Li, 2009: 59, figs 11A, B, 12A, B, 13A–D.
Thailand • 4♀; Phuket Province, Siray Island. Mixed tropical forest; 7°53.355'N, 98°26.083'E. 132 m; August 02–06, 2018; Booppa Petcharad, Jeremy Miller, F. Andres Rivera-Quiroz leg.; Winkler extractor; RMNH.5106642.
Known only from its type locality, Shilu Town, Hainan Province, China and the specimens collected for the present work.
Carapace pale yellow with black margin, smooth texture (Fig.
Vulva
: Epigynum weakly sclerotized, semi-transparent (Fig.
Female: Total length 0.52, carapace 0.21 long, 0.2 wide; clypeus 0.04; Chelicera 0.07 long, 0.05 wide; Leg I: femur 0.15, patella 0.07, tibia 0.1, metatarsus 0.07, tarsus 0.1; leg formula I-II-IV-III; abdomen 0.34 long, 0.28 wide.
Small somatic variations can be seen between the specimen we collected in Thailand and the ones previously described from China (compare Fig.
Secretory ampullae (Figs
The authors of this species mentioned it to be close to Patu silho Saaristo, 1996 from Seychelles. The possibility of P. silho not being a true Patu was discussed by its author (
The monophyly of the Symphytognathidae and its relations to other symphytognathoid spiders have resulted in complications and inconsistencies across different studies. The symphytognathoids were first recognized in a morphological study being formed by four putatively monophyletic families Anapidae, Symphytognathidae, Mysmenidae and Theridiosomatidae (
The internal relations of the Symphytognathidae in our analyses are still unresolved. Most of Lopardo’s identifications (pers. comm.) are found in the Crassignatha + Patu clade. From these, SYMP_004_THAI (identified to Crassignatha; presumably conspecific to C. seeliam), and SYMP_002_MAD and SYMP_003_MAD (Patu) group together with the other representatives of the genera they were identified to. But the placing of two more, SYMP_006_AUS and SYMP_007_AUS (Patu), is more ambiguous being found outside of the Crassignatha + Patu clade rendering Patu paraphyletic. This clade and its internal relations are highly supported in all our trees (Figs
The minute size of the symphytognathid spiders complicates the observation of diagnostic traits. Examination and interpretation of many characters require higher magnifications than those a dissection microscope can give. Therefore, SEM images have been previously used in the taxonomy of this family (
Overview of diagnostic characters of the currently accepted genera of the Symphytognathidae.
Anapistula Gertsch, 1941 | Anapogonia Simon, 1905 | Crassignatha Wunderlich, 1995 | Curimagua Forster & Platnick, 1977 | Globignatha Balogh & Loksa, 1968 | Iardinis Simon, 1899 | Patu Marples, 1951 | Symphytognatha Hickman, 1931 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sexes known | ♀ ♂ | ♀ | ♀ ♂ | ♀ ♂ | ♀ | ♂ | ♀ ♂ | ♀ ♂ |
Species number | 25 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 2 | (2) | 18 | 15 |
Nomenclatural status | Valid | Valid | Valid | Valid | Valid | Nomen dubium* | Valid | Valid |
Female genitalia, internal | Pair of round spermathecae connected by t-shaped duct | – | Large spermathecae, convoluted duct path (Fig. |
Ducts follow nearly straight path posteriorly from round spermathecae | Spermathecae twisted anteriorly | N.A. | Spermathecae variable, sometimes elongate or reniform | Copulatory ducts loop around elongate spermathecae ( |
Female genitalia, external | Transverse rounded lip overhanging furrow | – | Short robust scape (Fig. |
Transverse rounded lip overhanging furrow | Transverse rounded lip overhanging furrow | N.A. | Transverse rounded lip overhanging furrow, or a flexible scape ( |
Transverse rounded lip overhanging furrow |
Tarsal claws | Homogeneous | – | Homogeneous | – | Homogeneous | – | Homogeneous | Multidentate only in anterior legs ( |
Cheliceral fusion | Near the base | Absent | Near the base | Near the base | Almost entirely fused with no visible suture line ( |
– | Fused basally to ca. 1/2 their length | Fused for most of their length, with visible suture line |
Cheliceral teeth | Two (Fig. |
– | Single asymmetrically bifid tooth, or two teeth (Fig. |
Absent | One large, two short ( |
One ( |
Usually a single large tooth with 1–3 peaks | Two sinuous teeth ( |
Male tibia II clasper | Absent | N.A. | 1–4 (Fig. |
Absent | N.A. | – | Sometimes 1–2 | Absent |
Male abdominal scutum | Absent except in A. boneti | N.A. | Surrounding the posterior part of the abdomen. Usually present, except in C. haeneli | Absent | N.A. | – | Absent | Absent |
Pars cephalica | usually only slightly raised, strongly raised in A. boneti | – | Strongly raised | Strongly raised | Strongly raised | Strongly raised | Strongly raised | Strongly raised |
Eye arrangement | Usually four eyes (Fig. |
Six eyes in triads | Six eyes in diads (Figs |
Six eyes in triads | Six eyes in diads | Six eyes in triads | Six eyes in diads (Fig. |
Six eyes in diads |
Female palp | Absent | – | Absent | Vestigial | Absent | N.A. | Absent | Absent |
Carapace texture | Mostly smooth | – | Generally covered with tubercles (Fig. |
Mostly smooth | Mostly smooth | – | Mostly smooth | Mostly smooth |
Abdomen shape | Subspherical | – | Subspherical, sometimes with postero-lateral lobes (Fig. |
Subspherical | Subspherical | – | Subspherical, sometimes with lobes | Subspherical |
Cymbium | With strong setae but without teeth or denticles | N.A. | With cymbial tooth (Fig. |
With small bumps or denticles ( |
N.A. | – | – | – |
Spermatic duct | Coiling 1.5× over itself (Fig. |
N.A. | Long, coiling several times around itself (Fig. |
– | N.A. | Coiling 1.5× over itself ( |
– | – |
Embolus | Short less than 0.5× the diameter of the bulb (Figs |
N.A. | Variable, short (Fig. |
Short, ca. 0.5× the diameter of the bulb ( |
N.A. | long, 0,5–1,5 the diameter of the bulb ( |
Long, ca. 1×the diameter of the bulb ( |
Short, ca. 0.5× the diameter of the bulb ( |
Relevant literature | ( |
( |
( |
( |
( |
( |
( |
( |
Other than their small size, the characteristic that is perhaps most strongly associated with the Symphytognathidae was the fusion of the chelicerae (
Genotype Crassignatha haeneli Wunderlich, 1995 features a textured carapace and a distinctive ventral spur on tibial II (Fig.
2009 was a big year for little spiders in Asia. Four papers described a total of 18 symphytognathid species from China, Japan, and Vietnam (
Patu bicorniventris Lin & Li, 2009, known from the female only, has an asymmetrically bifid cheliceral tooth (
Patu quadriventris Lin & Li, 2009 shares with P. bicorniventris an abdomen that is truncated posteriorly, but lacks the posteriolateral lobes. The female genitalia is consistent with Crassignatha. The cymbium of the male pedipalp has a distal apophysis (CS in
Patu spinathoraxi Lin & Li, 2009 has distinctive spikey tubercles covering the carapace. It closely resembles (but is not conspecific with) Crassignatha longtou Miller, Griswold & Yin, 2009, which was described from the female only. The female genitalia of both species are similar, featuring round spermathecae with ducts that run ectally before turning back toward the middle and terminate in a pair of conspicuous posterior openings; they contrast with Crassignatha in that they lack a robust scape. The male has a medially split abdominal scutum, a single ventral macroseta on tibia II, and a distal apophysis of the cymbium similar to those found in Crassignatha (CS in
Of the eight valid symphytognathid genera, Anapistula, Curimagua, Globignatha, Symphytognatha, and Crassignatha seem morphologically coherent and recognizable; Anapogonia and Iardinis are currently unrecognizable; Patu remains problematic. However, some species currently placed in Patu show clear affinities with Crassignatha. We propose the following taxonomic changes: Crassignatha bicorniventris (Lin & Li, 2009) comb. nov., Crassignatha quadriventris (Lin & Li, 2009) comb. nov., and Crassignatha spinathoraxi (Lin & Li, 2009) comb. nov.
Thanks to Joe Dulyapat and Choojai Petcharad for their great assistance and participation during our fieldwork in Thailand. Thanks to Bertie van Heuven and Rob Langelaan for their help obtaining the 3D scans of the male genitalia, and Werner de Gier and Louk Seton for introducing us to the 3D software. Thanks to Menno Schilthuizen and the participants of the “Taxon expedition Brunei 2018” for lending us the specimens of Crassignatha danaugirangensis. Thanks to the subject editor Dimitar Dimitrov and the reviewers Lara Lopardo and Ivan Magalhaes for their valuable comments and suggestions. Thanks to Lara Lopardo for the morphological identifications of the voucher specimens used in
List of primers used in our study
Data type: molecular data
Explanation note: List of primers used in our study, alignment of DNA sequence data used in phylogenetic analyses in nexus format, and Trace plot and histograms for both runs of the BI analysis observed in Tracer 1.7.1.
3D reconstructions Crassignatha seeliam sp. nov. male pedipalp and habitus
Data type: multimedia
3D reconstructions Crassignatha danaugirangensis male pedipalp and habitus
Data type: multimedia