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Research Article
Three new species of the segmented spider genus Qiongthela (Mesothelae, Liphistiidae) from Hainan Island, China
expand article infoLi Yu‡, Fengxiang Liu§, Zengtao Zhang§, Daiqin Li|, Xin Xu‡§
‡ Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
§ Hubei University, Hubei, China
| National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

Corresponding author: Daiqin Li ( dbslidq@nus.edu.sg )

Corresponding author: Xin Xu ( xuxin_09@163.com )

Academic editor: Jeremy Miller
© 2021 Li Yu, Fengxiang Liu, Zengtao Zhang, Daiqin Li, Xin Xu.
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: Yu L, Liu F, Zhang Z, Li D, Xu X (2021) Three new species of the segmented spider genus Qiongthela (Mesothelae, Liphistiidae) from Hainan Island, China. ZooKeys 1009: 123-138. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1009.57857
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5CD8C660-7CDB-4664-AF88-B79090215BA3
Open Access

Abstract

We report three new species of the segmented trapdoor spider genus Qiongthela Xu & Kuntner, 2015 collected from Hainan Island, China based on morphological characters: Q. dongfang sp. nov. (♂♀), Q. nankai sp. nov. (♂♀), Q. yalin sp. nov. (♂♀). We also provide the GenBank accession codes of the DNA barcode gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), of the type specimens of all three new species to aid future identification.

Keywords

DNA barcode, morphology, taxonomy, trapdoor spiders

Introduction

The segmented trapdoor spider genus Qiongthela Xu & Kuntner, 2015 is currently distributed in Hainan Island (China) and southern Vietnam (Xu et al. 2015a, b; World Spider Catalog 2020; Fig. 1). It contains 11 described species, nine of which have been recorded from Hainan Island and the remaining two, Q. australis (Ono, 2002) and Q. nui (Schwendinger & Ono, 2011), found in southern Vietnam (Ono 2002; Schwendinger and Ono 2011; Xu et al. 2015b; Yu et al. 2020; Word Spider Catalog 2020).

Figure 1. 

Map showing the type localities of fourteen Qiongthela species in southern Vietnam and Hainan Island, China. The type localities of 11 known species are indicated in brown solid circles, and the three new species are indicated in blue solid circles.

When examining the specimens collected from Hainan Island, we diagnosed three new Qiongthela species. Here, we describe these new species based on genital morphology of both males and females. Furthermore, we provide the genetic distances of intraspecific and interspecific relationships with the closest species based on the DNA barcode gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), to support our descriptions, and also provide the COI sequences of type specimens for future identifications.

Materials and methods

All specimens in this study were collected from Hainan Island, China. We collected them alive, checked for their maturity status, removed the right four legs of adult specimens, preserved the legs in 100% ethanol, and kept them at –80 °C for molecular work. The remains were preserved in 80% ethanol as vouchers for morphological identification and examination. We took juvenile/subadult males back to the laboratory, reared them until they reached sexual maturity, removed the right four legs, and preserved them as described above. All the types and voucher specimens are deposited at the College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.

We examined and dissected the specimens using an Olympus SZX16 stereomicroscope. We removed the soft tissues of female genitalia using 10 mg/ml trypsase (Bomei Biotech Company, Hefei, Anhui, China) for at least 3 hours at room temperature. We took photographs of male and female genitals under an Olympus BX53 compound microscope using a CCD digital camera. We conducted all measurements using an MC170HD digital camera mounted on a Leica M205C stereomicroscope and presented the measurements in millimeters. Leg and palp measurements are given in the following order: leg total length (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus), palp total length (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus).

Abbreviations used: ALE = anterior lateral eyes; AME = anterior median eyes; BL = body length; CL = carapace length; Co = conductor; CT = contrategulum; CW = carapace width; E = embolus; HNU = Hunan Normal University; OL = opisthosoma length; OW = opisthosoma width; PC = paracymbium; PLE = posterior lateral eyes; PME = posterior median eyes; RC = receptacular cluster; T = tegulum.

We extracted total genomic DNA from spider legs using the Animal Genomic DNA Isolation Kit (Kangwei Biotech, Beijing, China) following the manufacturer’s protocols. We used the primer pair LCO1490/HCO2198 (Folmer et al. 1994) to amplify COI sequences under the following PCR reaction protocol: initial denaturation at 95 °C for 5 min; 35 cycles of denaturation at 95 °C for 1 min, annealing at 40 °C for 1 min, and elongation at 72 °C for 30 s; and final extension at 72 °C for 7 min (Xu et al. 2015c). The 25 μl PCR reactions consisted of 12.5 μl of 2×Taq MasterMix (KangWei Biotech, Beijing, China), 1 μl of each forward and reverse 10 μM primer, 1 μl of genomic DNA, and 9.5 μl of double-distilled H2O. The PCR products were examined using agarose gel electrophoresis (1% agarose). All PCR products were purified and sequenced at Tsingke Biotechnology Company (Changsha, China). We downloaded all the COI sequences of known Qiongthela species from NCBI and calculated genetic distances based on the standard DNA barcode alignment using MEGA v6.0 (Tamura et al. 2013).

Taxonomy

Qiongthela Xu & Kuntner, 2015

Type species

Qiongthela baishensis Xu, 2015.

Diagnosis

Males of Qiongthela can be distinguished from those of all other six Heptathelinae genera by the blade-like conductor narrowing towards the apex (Figs 3A–C, E, 5A–E, 7A–E), and by the tegulum with two obvious apophyses (Figs 3A–E, 5A–E, 7A–E). Females of Qiongthela differ from those of all other six Heptathelinae genera by the two pairs of the receptacular clusters with numerous granula (Figs 3H–K, 5H–K, 7H–M) (Xu et al. 2017; Yu et al. 2020).

Species composition

Q. australis (Ono, 2002), Q. baishensis Xu, 2015, Q. baoting Yu, Liu, Zhang, Wang, Li & Xu, 2020, Q. bawang Xu, Liu, Kuntner & Li, 2017, Q. jianfeng Xu, Liu, Kuntner & Li, 2017, Q. nui (Schwendinger & Ono, 2011), Q. qiongzhong Yu, Liu, Zhang, Wang, Li & Xu, 2020, Q. sanya Yu, Liu, Zhang, Wang, Li & Xu, 2020, Q. wuzhi Xu, Liu, Kuntner & Li, 2017, Q. yinggezui Yu, Liu, Zhang, Wang, Li & Xu, 2020, Q. yini Xu, Liu, Kuntner & Li, 2017.

Distribution

China (Hainan), Vietnam.

Qiongthela dongfang sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/6A654737-8B5C-48F0-84F6-BC0C14333BAD
Figures 2, 3

Type material

Holotype ♂: China, Hainan Province, Dongfang City, between Puguang and the 14th Dongfang Farm, 19.08°N, 108.92°E, alt. 160 m, 24 August 2019, D. Li, F.X. Liu, X. Xu and L. Yu leg., XUX–2019–159 (matured on 2 October 2019 at HNU). Paratypes: 3 ♀♀, same data as holotype, XUX–2019–156, 157, 160; 1 ♂, same locality as holotype, 5 August 2017, D. Li, F.X. Liu, Z.T. Zhang and X. Xu leg., XUX–2017–065 (♂ matured on 20 October 2018 at HNU).

Diagnosis

Males of Q. dongfang sp. nov. resemble those of Q. jianfeng, but can be distinguished from the latter by the tegular marginal apophysis with a pointed, sharp apex (Fig. 3D, E, G) and the tegular terminal apophysis with a hook-like apex (Fig. 3A, B); from those of the rest of Qiongthela species by the conductor base with a semioval apophysis ventrally (Fig. 3E). Females of Q. dongfang sp. nov. differ from those of Q. bawang and Q. qiongzhong by the receptacular clusters all similar in size and with short genital stalks (Fig. 3H–K); from those of Q. nankai sp. nov. by the bases of middle receptacular clusters separated from each other (Fig. 3H–K); from those of the rest of Qiongthela species by the two paired receptacular clusters separated from each other, and situated along the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix and all similar in size (Fig. 3H–K).

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 2D). Carapace light brown; opisthosoma brown, with 12 dark brown tergites, close to each other, the first 2–7 larger than the others, and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few fine pointed hairs running over the ocular area; chelicerae with promargin of cheliceral groove bearing 8 denticles; legs with firm hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 10.89, CL 5.35, CW 4.85, OL 5.26, OW 3.56; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 16.22 (4.82 + 1.45 + 3.59 + 4.33 + 2.03), leg II 15.90 (4.48 + 1.30 + 3.58 + 4.37 + 2.17), leg III 15.34 (3.83 + 1.08 + 3.25 + 4.63 + 2.55), leg IV 20.64 (4.95 + 1.10 + 4.43 + 7.00 + 3.16).

Figure 2. 

Microhabitat and general somatic morphology of Qiongthela dongfang sp. nov. A microhabitat B, C trapdoor with door closed and open D male (XUX–2019–159, holotype) E female (XUX–2019–157); Scale bars: 2 mm (D, E).

Palp. Cymbium with a short projection dorsally (Fig. 3G); paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised prolaterally, with numerous setae at the tip (Fig. 3A–C). Contrategulum with two edges distally: the inner one finely dentate, the outer one sharp, semi-translucent (Fig. 3D–F). Marginal apophysis of the tegulum long, pointed, wide basally, with a sharp apex (Fig. 3D), proximally-directed terminal apophysis of tegulum with several denticles, narrowing to a hooked apex (Fig. 3A, B, E). Conductor situated ventro-proximally on the embolus, basal portion fused with the embolus and forming a semioval apophysis ventrally, distal portion free, narrowing to a slightly bent apex (Fig. 3A, B, E). Embolus largely sclerotised, with a wide, flat opening of the sperm duct distally (Fig. 3B, C, E).

Figure 3. 

Male and female genital anatomy of Qiongthela dongfang sp. nov. A left palp, prolateral view B, E left palp, ventral view C left palp, retrolateral view D left palp, distal view F, G left palp, dorsal view H, I vulva, dorsal view J, K vulva, ventral view A–C, G XUX–2019–159 (holotype) D–F XUX–2017–065 H, J XUX–2019–157 I, K XUX–2019–160; Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Female (Fig. 2E). Carapace reddish brown; opisthosoma brown, with 12 light brown tergites, close to each other, the first 2–7 larger than the others, and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few fine pointed hairs running over the ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove containing 10 denticles of variable size; legs with firm hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 17.47, CL 8.25, CW 6.78, OL 8.36, OW 6.43; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 11.01 (3.66 + 1.40 + 2.81 + 3.14), leg I 15.16 (4.87 + 1.89 + 3.54 + 3.07 + 1.79), leg II 14.86 (4.78 + 1.85 + 3.20 + 3.15 + 1.88), leg III 15.37 (4.37 + 1.94 + 3.04 + 3.74 + 2.28), leg IV 22.99 (6.70 + 2.58 + 4.55 + 6.06 + 3.10).

Female genitalia. Two pairs of similar-sized receptacular clusters along the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix, with short genital stalks (Fig. 3H–K).

Variation

Males and females vary in body size. Range of measurements in males (N = 2): BL 10.89–14.76, CL 5.35–7.20, CW 4.85–6.50, OL 5.26–7.18, OW 3.56–4.58; in females (N = 3): BL 12.63–17.47, CL 6.00–8.25, CW 5.46–6.78, OL 6.19–8.36, OW 4.93–6.43.

Etymology

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

Distribution

Hainan (Dongfang), China

GenBank accession number

XUX–2019–159: MT900751.

Remarks

The maximum and mean intraspecific genetic distances of Q. dongfang sp. nov. are 0.3% and 0.2% based on Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model, respectively (N = 5). We calculated the interspecific genetic distance between the holotypes of the two closest species. The genetic distances between Q. dongfang sp. nov. and Q. jianfeng (GenBank accession code: KP229838 (paratype); we used the sequence of paratype because the DNA barcodes of the holotype and paratype are identical; Xu et al. 2017), Q. nankai sp. nov., and Q. yalin sp. nov. are 7.7%, 15.7%, and 9.1% based on K2P, respectively.

Qiongthela nankai sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/7A75CB1F-E032-40BC-906D-F79CEAC64B96
Figures 4, 5

Type material

Holotype ♂: China, Hainan Province, Baisha City, Nankai Town, Nankai Village, 19.04°N, 109.39°E, alt. 300 m, 26 August 2019, D. Li, F.X. Liu, X. Xu and L. Yu leg., XUX–2019–174 (matured on 10 September 2019 at HNU). Paratypes: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, same data as holotype, XUX–2019–172, 173, 175.

Diagnosis

Males of Q. nankai sp. nov. can be distinguished from those of Q. qiongzhong, Q. yalin sp. nov. and Q. yinggezui by the straight tegular marginal apophysis (Fig. 5A, D), and the cymbial projection short and thick (Fig. 5G); from those of Q. australis by the conductor with a bent apex (Fig. 5C, E, G), and the longer tegular marginal apophysis (Fig. 5A, C, D, F); from those of Q. dongfang sp. nov., Q. jianfeng and Q. sanya by the tegular terminal apophysis with an abruptly narrowed and hooked apex (Fig. 5A–E); from those of Q. nui by the tegular marginal apophysis with a blunt edge (Fig. 5A–G); from those of the rest of Qiongthela species by the contrategulum with two distal edges (Fig. 5A, D). Females of Q. nankai sp. nov. differ from those of Q. dongfang sp. nov. and Q. wuzhi by the middle receptacular clusters situated close to each other (Fig. 5H–K); from those of Q. bawang and Q. qiongzhong by the two pairs of receptacular clusters similar in size and shape (Fig. 5H–K); from those of the rest of Qiongthela species by similar-sized receptacular clusters, and all situated along the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix (Fig. 5H–K).

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 4D). Carapace reddish brown; opisthosoma brown, with 12 yellow tergites, close to each other, the first 2–7 larger than the others, and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few fine pointed hairs running over the ocular area; chelicerae with promargin of cheliceral groove bearing 11 denticles of variable size; legs with firm hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 11.44, CL 5.31, CW 5.12, OL 5.63, OW 3.62; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 14.01 (3.91 + 0.95 + 3.18 + 3.94 + 2.03), leg II 14.76 (4.05 + 1.30 + 3.28 + 4.00 + 2.13), leg III 15.64 (3.94 + 1.53 + 3.09 + 4.61 + 2.47), leg IV 21.12 (5.48 + 1.34 + 4.56 + 6.43 + 3.31).

Figure 4. 

Microhabitat and general somatic morphology of Qiongthela nankai sp. nov. A microhabitat B, C trapdoor with door closed and open D male (XUX–2019–174, holotype) E female (XUX–2019–173); Scale bars: 2 mm (D, E).

Palp. Cymbium with a short projection dorsally (Fig. 5G); paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised prolaterally, with numerous setae at the tip (Fig. 5A–C). Contrategulum with an irregular dentate edge proximally and two edges distally: the inner one dentate, and the outer one sharp, semi-translucent (Fig. 5A, D, F). Marginal apophysis of tegulum long, with a blunt apex distally, distal portion of similar width as basal portion (Fig. 5A, D), a proximally directed terminal apophysis of the tegulum with few denticles, abruptly narrowing to a hooked apex (Fig. 5A–E). Conductor situated ventro-proximally on the embolus, the basal portion fused with the embolus, distal portion free, narrowing to a bent apex (Fig. 5A–E). Embolus largely sclerotised, smooth ventrally, with several longitudinal ribs retrolaterally, and with a wide, flat opening of the sperm duct distally (Fig. 5A, D, E).

Figure 5. 

Male and female genital anatomy of Qiongthela nankai sp. nov. A left palp, prolateral view B, E left palp, ventral view C left palp, retrolateral view D left palp, distal view F, G left palp, dorsal view H, I vulva, dorsal view J, K vulva, ventral view A–C, G XUX–2019–174 (holotype) D–F XUX–2019–172 H, J XUX–2019–173 I, K XUX–2019–175; Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Female (Fig. 4E). Carapace and opisthosoma color like in male, 12 opisthosoma tergites, close to each other, the first 2–7 larger than the others, and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few fine pointed hairs running over the ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove containing 10 denticles of variable size; legs with firm hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 17.48, CL 8.45, CW 7.56, OL 8.47, OW 6.49; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 14.11 (5.02 + 1.93 + 3.41 + 3.75), leg I 15.49 (4.90 + 1.72 + 3.72+ 3.21 + 1.94), leg II 15.79 (4.91 + 1.97 + 3.41 + 3.38 + 2.12), leg III 16.31 (4.64 + 1.93 + 3.50 + 4.00 + 2.24), leg IV 23.11 (6.47 + 2.18 + 5.08 + 6.21 + 3.17).

Female genitalia. Two pairs of receptacular clusters along the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix, of similar size and shape, and the middle ones close to each other, with very short genital stalks (Fig. 5H–K).

Variation

Males and females vary in body size. Range of measurements in males (N = 2): BL 11.44–12.13, CL 5.31–5.65, CW 5.12–5.56, OL 5.63–6.35, OW 3.62–4.69; in females (N = 2): BL 13.09–17.48, CL 6.63–8.45, CW 6.04–7.56, OL 6.32–8.47, OW 5.05–6.49.

Etymology

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

Distribution

Hainan (Baisha), China

GenBank accession number

XUX–2019–174: MT900752.

Remarks

The maximum and mean intraspecific genetic distances of Q. nankai sp. nov. are 0.6% and 0.3% based on K2P, respectively (N = 4). The interspecific genetic distances between Q. nankai sp. nov., Q. baishensis (GenBank accession code: KP229805), and Q. yalin sp. nov. are 10.3% and 16.1% based on K2P, respectively.

Qiongthela yalin sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/FDD06B09-7B47-4055-84F4-4BD552242BD2
Figures 6, 7

Type material

Holotype ♂: China, Hainan Province, Sanya City, Yalinling, 18.51°N, 109.24°E, alt. 220 m, 22 August 2019, D. Li, F.X. Liu, X. Xu and L. Yu leg., XUX–2019–140 (matured on 2 October 2019 at HNU). Paratypes: 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, same data as holotype; XUX–2019–138 (♂ matured on 6 November 2019 at HNU), XUX–2019–139, 141; 1 ♀; same locality as holotype, 18.50°N, 109.23°E, alt. 240 m, 1 August 2017, D. Li, F.X. Liu, Z.T. Zhang and X. Xu leg., XUX–2017–033.

Diagnosis

Males of Q. yalin sp. nov. resemble those of Q. sanya, but can be distinguished from the latter by the narrower conductor base (Fig. 7A, D) and by the cymbium with a longer and more slender projection (Fig. 7G); from those of Q. dongfang sp. nov. by the tegular marginal apophysis slightly longer and with a blunt apex (Fig. 7A, D), and the cymbium with an elongated projection (Fig. 7G); from those of the rest of Qiongthela species by the contrategulum with a smooth edge proximally (Fig. 7F, G). Females of Q. yalin sp. nov. differ from those of Q. sanya by the middle receptacular clusters having short, indistinct genital stalks (Fig. 7I, L); from those of Q. australis, Q. yini and Q. yinggezui by the smaller middle receptacular clusters compared with the lateral ones (Fig. 7H–M); from those of the rest of Qiongthela species by the middle receptacular clusters situated along the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix, the laterals located slightly on the dorsal wall of the bursa copulatrix, and the trapezoidal bursa copulatrix (Fig. 7H–M).

Description

Male (holotype, Fig. 6D). Carapace reddish brown; opisthosoma brown, with 12 dark brown tergites, close to each other, the first 2–7 larger than the others, and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few fine pointed hairs running over the ocular area; chelicerae with promargin of cheliceral groove bearing 9 denticles of variable size; legs with firm hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 16.80, CL 7.52, CW 7.72, OL 9.13, OW 6.52; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 26.07 (7.40 + 1.96 + 6.12 + 7.23 + 3.36), leg II 25.66 (7.00 + 1.92 + 5.81 + 7.21 + 3.72), leg III 25.51 (6.06 + 1.70 + 5.40 + 8.10 + 4.25), leg IV 33.43 (8.64 + 2.44 + 7.18 + 10.26 + 4.91).

Figure 6. 

Microhabitat and general somatic morphology of Qiongthela yalin sp. nov. A microhabitat B, C trapdoor with door closed and open D male (XUX–2019–140, holotype) E female (XUX–2019–139); Scale bars: 2 mm (D, E).

Palp. Cymbium with a slender projection dorsally (Fig. 7G); paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised prolaterally, with numerous setae at the tip (Fig. 7A–C). Contrategulum with a smooth edge proximally and two edges distally: the inner one with fine, small denticles, the outer one smooth, sharp, semi-translucent, fused with the inner at the middle of the contrategulum (Fig. 7A, D, F). Tegulum with a long, slightly curved, distally blunt marginal apophysis (Fig. 7A, D), the proximally directed terminal apophysis with a dentate margin, continuously narrowing to a rounded, hooked apex (Fig. 7A–E). Conductor situated ventro-proximally on the embolus, fused with the embolus at the basal portion, distal portion free, narrowing to a slightly bent apex (Fig. 7A–E). Embolus largely sclerotised, with a wide, flat opening of the sperm duct distally, ventrally smooth, retrolaterally with several longitudinal ribs (Fig. 7B, C, E).

Figure 7. 

Male and female genital anatomy of Qiongthela yalin sp. nov. A left palp, prolateral view B, E left palp, ventral view C left palp, retrolateral view D left palp, distal view F, G left palp, dorsal view H–J vulva, dorsal view K–M vulva, ventral view A–C, G XUX–2019–140 (holotype) D–F XUX–2019–138 H, K XUX–2017–033 I, L XUX–2019–139 J, M XUX–2019–141; Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Female (Fig. 6E). Carapace light brown; opisthosoma brown, with 12 brown tergites, separate from each other, the first 2–7 larger than the others, and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, nearly twice as long as wide; a few fine pointed hairs running over the ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove containing 9 denticles of variable size; legs with firm hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 18.31, CL 8.60, CW 7.47, OL 9.16, OW 7.52; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 14.72 (5.12 + 1.88 + 3.53 + 4.19), leg I 17.23 (5.56 + 2.14 + 3.82 + 3.61 + 2.10), leg II 16.69 (5.46 + 2.22 + 3.42 + 3.33 + 2.26), leg III 17.17 (5.32 + 2.40 + 3.07 + 3.97 + 2.41), leg IV 24.44 (7.27 + 2.34 + 5.28 + 6.25 + 3.30).

Female genitalia. The middle receptacular clusters along the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix, the lateral ones located slightly on the dorsal wall of the bursa copulatrix; the middle ones smaller than the lateral ones, with indistinct genital stalks; bursa copulatrix trapezoidal (Fig. 7H–M).

Variation

Males and females vary in body size. Range of measurements in males (N = 2): BL 15.76–16.80, CL 6.92–7.52, CW 6.18–7.72, OL 7.48–9.13, OW 5.89–6.52; in females (N = 3): BL 18.31–29.27, CL 8.60–14.19, CW 7.47–11.67, OL 9.16–13.68, OW 7.52–11.08.

Etymology

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

Distribution

Hainan (Sanya), China

GenBank accession number

XUX–2019–140: MT900753.

Remarks

Both maximum and mean intraspecific genetic distances of Q. yalin sp. nov. are 0% based on K2P (N = 5). The interspecific genetic distance between Q. yalin sp. nov. and Q. sanya (GenBank accession code: MN911990) is 7.2% based on K2P.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (NSFC-31601850; NSFC-32070430; NSFC-31272324), the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (2017JJ3202), and the Singapore Ministry of Education AcRF Tier 1 grant (R-154-000-A52-114). We thank Dengqing Li and Zhaoyang Chen for their assistance in rearing spiders in the laboratory. We also thank Hirotsugu Ono and Rebecca Godwin for their valuable comments on the manuscript. We are grateful to the Animal Nutrition and Human Health Laboratory, Mineral Nutrition Laboratory as well as Plant Development Laboratory of the College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University for supporting the molecular work.

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