Heptathela hangzhouensis Chen, Zhang & Zhu, 1981.

Males of Songthela differ from those of all other Heptathelinae genera by smooth conductor with one or two apical spines and by conductor middle portion having several teeth (Figs 3B, E, 4A–C, 6A, B); by embolus having a wide and flat opening (Figs 3D, 4D, 6D); and by contrategulum having densely serrated margin (Figs 3D, 4D, 6D); females of Songthela can be distinguished from those of all other liphistiid genera by two pairs of receptacular clusters separated from each other, median ones with obviously tubular genital stalks, four receptacular clusters situated at the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix, or middle ones situated at the anterior margin of the bursa copulatrix and lateral ones located relatively dorsolaterally, or all four located dorsally (Figs 3J–M, 5A–F, 7A–H).

China (Chongqing, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang) and Vietnam (Lao Cai).

Holotype : China · 1 ♂; Hunan Province, Yiyang City, Anhua County, Moon Hill Park; 28.39°N; 111.22°E; alt. 125 m; 7 September 2021; Z.Y. Chen, X. Xu, Y. Zhan, Y. Zhang leg.; XUX-2021-007 (matured on 25 August 2022). Paratypes: China · 1 ♂ 3 ♀; same data as for the holotype, alt. 127–144 m; XUX-2021-008, 012, 018 (matured on 25 August 2022), 019.

Male of S. anhua sp. nov. resembles those of S. tianzhu Chen, Li, Li & Xu, 2021, S. yuping Chen, Li, Li & Xu, 2021, and S. xiangnan Li, Liu, Li & Xu, 2020 by conductor with blade-shaped apical spine (Fig. 3C–E, H, I), but can be distinguished from S. tianzhu by tegulum with smaller terminal apophysis and distinctly helicoid marginal apophysis (Fig. 3F, G), by conductor with wider apical spine and several short teeth in prolateral view (Fig. 3B, C, E, H, I); from S. xiangnan by wider apical spine of conductor lacking of bifid apex distally (Fig. 3C, E, H, I), and by contrategulum with irregular dense dentate margin (Fig. 3C, D); from S. yuping by tegulum with slightly narrower dorsal extension of terminal apophysis (Fig. 3F, G); from those of S. longhui sp. nov. and S. zhongpo sp. nov. by conductor with slightly shorter and blade-shaped apical spine (Fig. 3B–E, H, I), by tegulum with slightly narrower dorsal extension of terminal apophysis (Fig. 3F, G); from those of other species of multidentata-group by conductor with blade-shaped apical spine (Fig. 3C–E, H, I); from those of other Songthela species by middle part of conductor with several short teeth (Fig. 3B–E, H, I).

Figure 3. 

Male and female genital anatomy of Songthela anhua Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. A–C left palp A prolateral view B ventral view C retrolateral view D–G right palp D prolateral view E ventral view F retrolateral view G distal view H conductor of left palp I conductor of right palp J, K vulva dorsal view L, M vulva ventral view A–C, H XUX-2021-007 (holotype) D–G, I XUX-2021-018 J, L XUX-2021-008 K, M XUX-2021-012. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–G, J–M); 0.1 mm (H, I).

Females of S. anhua sp. nov. can be distinguished from those of S. longhui sp. nov. and S. pluma Yu, Li & Zhang, 2018 by median receptacular clusters slightly larger than lateral ones, and middle genital stalks separated from each other basally (Fig. 3J, K); from S. zhongpo sp. nov. by trapeziform anterior margin of bursa copulatrix, median receptacular clusters with slightly longer genital stalks (Fig. 3J–K); from those of other species of multidentata-group by median receptacular clusters separated from each other basally and posterior margin of genital area wider and flat (Fig. 3J–M); from those of other Songthela species by four receptacular clusters situated at the dorsal side of bursa copulatrix (Fig. 3J–M).

Male (holotype; Fig. 1J). Carapace black brown; opisthosoma yellow brown, with 12 black brown tergites attached a pair of thick bristles, the second to fifth larger than others and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 14 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs and spines; 8 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 13.28, CL 6.42, CW 5.70, OL 6.19, OW 4.85; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 20.58 (5.80 + 2.53 + 4.25 + 5.27 + 2.73), leg II 19.69 (5.54 + 2.52 + 4.18 + 4.88 + 2.57), leg III 22.95 (5.56 + 2.69 + 4.28 + 6.95 + 3.47), leg IV 28.29 (7.32 + 3.03 + 5.69 + 7.97 + 4.28).

Palp. Prolateral portion of paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised, with several setae and spines on the tip (Fig. 3A–C). Contrategulum with an obviously triangular apophysis proximally and two irregular dentate edges distally (Fig. 3C, D). Tegulum with a helicoid marginal apophysis, a dentate dorsal extension of the terminal apophysis, and a thumb-like terminal apophysis retrolaterally (Fig. 3F, G). Conductor lamellar, fused with embolus ventroproximally, with a blade-shaped apical spine pointed to the one-third of opening of embolus proximally, and the middle portion inserted with several teeth (Fig. 3B–E, H, I). Embolus largely sclerotized with a wide opening, several ribbed ridges, and with a twisted top in ventral view (Fig. 3B–E, G).

Female (XUX-2021-008; Fig. 1G). Carapace yellow brown and opisthosoma dark brown in alcohol, with 12 dark brown tergites attached a pair of thick bristles, the second to fifth larger than others and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 12 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 10.18, CL 5.16, CW 4.52, OL 4.43, OW 3.57; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 9.82 (3.37 + 1.81 + 2.41 + 2.23), leg I 10.97 (3.66 + 1.83 + 2.16 + 1.96 + 1.36), leg II 10.29 (3.21 + 1.79 + 1.86 + 2.06 + 1.37), leg III 9.71 (2.91 + 1.74 + 1.22 + 2.27 + 1.57), leg IV 14.37 (4.22 + 1.60 + 2.49 + 3.72 + 2.34).

Female genitalia. Two pairs of receptacular clusters situated on the dorsal side of the bursa copulatrix; the middle pair of receptacular clusters with long genital stalks and larger than the lateral ones, the middle stalks separated from each other; the posterior margin of the bursa copulatrix sclerotized; the posterior margin of the genital area wide (Fig. 3J–M).

Males and females vary in body size, cheliceral teeth, and spinnerets. Range of measurements in males (N = 2): BL 11.94–13.28, CL 5.59–6.42, CW 5.07–5.70, OL 6.08–6.19, OW 4.80–4.85; the number of cheliceral teeth varies from 9–14 (N = 2); there are 7 or 8 spinnerets. Females (N = 3): BL 10.18–11.51, CL 5.16–5.57, CW 4.52–4.84, OL 4.43–5.66, OW 3.57–4.04; the number of cheliceral teeth varies from 12–13 (N = 3); there are 7 or 8 spinnerets. In addition, male palp and female genitalia also show intraspecific variations: in males, the left palp is slightly different from the right palp, e.g. the tegulum of left male palp with three teeth basally in ventral view (Fig. 3B), but they are missing in right male palp (Fig. 3E, F); the number of teeth located in middle portion of conductor also varies between left and right palp (Fig. 3C, E, H, I); in females, the relative position of the middle receptacular clusters situated on the dorsal side of the bursa copulatrix is slightly different (Fig. 3L, M).

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

Hunan (Anhua), China

Holotype : China · 1 ♂; Hunan Province, Shaoyang City, Longhui County, Jinshiqiao Town, Huangjinjing Village; 27.58°N; 110.90°E; alt. 550 m; 18 September 2021; Z.Y. Chen, X. Xu, Y. Zhan, Y. Zhang leg.; XUX-2021-275 (matured on 25 August 2022). Paratypes: China · 1 ♂, 5 ♀; same data as for the holotype, alt. 552 m; XUX-2021-278, 281, 282, 282A (matured on 25 August 2022), 283, 285A.

Male of S. longhui sp. nov. resembles those of S. dapo Li, Chen, Liu, Li & Xu, 2022, S. lingshang Li, Chen, Liu, Li & Xu, 2022, S. multidentata Li, Chen, Liu, Li & Xu, 2022, S. pluma and S. xiujian Li, Chen, Liu, Li & Xu, 2022 by conductor with needle-shaped apical spine (Fig. 4A, B, E, H–J), but can be distinguished from those of S. dapo and S. lingshang by tegulum with smaller dorsal extension of terminal apophysis (Fig. 4C, F), and conductor with slightly narrower base of apical spine (Fig. 4A, H–J); from S. multidentata by conductor with longer apical spine (Fig. 4A, B, E, H–J), and contrategulum with larger apophysis proximally (Fig. 4A, B, D); from S. pluma by tegulum with smaller terminal apophysis (Fig. 4F), and contrategulum with one irregular dentate margin (Fig. 4A, D); from S. xiujian by contrategulum with larger apophysis proximally (Fig. 4A, B, D); from S. anhua sp. nov. by apical spine of conductor needle-shaped (Fig. 4A, B, H–J), by tegulum with slightly smaller terminal apophysis and wider dorsal extension of terminal apophysis (Fig. 4C, F); from S. zhongpo sp. nov. by apical spine of conductor with slightly narrower base (Fig. 4A, H–J); from those of other species of multidentata-group by needle-shaped apical spine of conductor (Fig. 4A, E, H–J); from those of other Songthela species by middle part of the conductor with several small spines (Fig. 4A, B, E, H–J).

Figure 4. 

Male genital anatomy of Songthela longhui Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. A, D palp prolateral view B, E palp ventral view C, F palp retrolateral view G palp distal view H–J conductor ventral view A–C, H XUX-2021-275 (holotype) D–G, J XUX-2021-282A I XUX-2021-287. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–G); 0.1 mm (H–J).

Females of S. longhui sp. nov. can be distinguished from S. anhua sp. nov. by Y-shaped median genital stalks, lateral receptacular clusters with distinct short genital stalks, and deeper depressions in dorsal view (Fig. 5A–C); from S. pluma by lateral receptacular clusters with slightly longer genital stalks, and two larger and deeper depressions in dorsal view (Fig. 5A–C); from S. zhongpo sp. nov. by median receptacular clusters with longer genital stalks (Fig. 5A–C); from those of other species of multidentata-group by median receptacular clusters with longer genital stalks, and Y-shaped median genital stalks, lateral ones with distinct genital stalks (Fig. 5A–C); from those of other Songthela species by four receptacular clusters located at dorsal side of bursa copulatrix and median genital stalks fused together basally (Fig. 5A–C).

Figure 5. 

Female genital anatomy of Songthela longhui Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. A–C vulva dorsal view D–F vulva ventral view A, D XUX-2021-281 B, E XUX-2021-282 C, F XUX-2021-278. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Male (holotype). Carapace brown; opisthosoma yellow brown, with 12 brown tergites attached a pair of hard and thick bristles, the second to fifth larger than others and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 11 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs and spines; 6 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 11.94, CL 5.36, CW 4.63, OL 5.91, OW 4.72; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 16.52 (4.72 + 2.10 + 3.32 + 4.05 + 2.33), leg II 16.34 (4.37+ 2.09 + 3.13 + 4.23 + 2.52), leg III 19.10 (5.17 + 2.07 + 3.37 + 5.47 + 3.02), leg IV 23.98 (5.80 + 2.44 + 4.65 + 7.31 + 3.78).

Palp. Paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised prolaterally, numerous setae and spines on the tip (Fig. 4A–C). Contrategulum with an arched apophysis proximally and irregular dentate edge (Fig. 4A, B, D). Tegulum with a semi-circular marginal apophysis and dentate dorsal extension of the terminal apophysis, and with a small terminal apophysis retrolaterally (Fig. 4C, F, G). Conductor having a long apical spine pointed to the one-third of opening of embolus proximally, the middle part covered with several small teeth, and the smooth base fused with embolus (Fig. 4A, B, E, H–J). Embolus largely sclerotized, with a wide and flat opening, several longitudinal ribs in middle and distal portion (Fig. 4A, B, D, E, G).

Female (XUX-2021-281; Fig. 1F). Carapace dark reddish brown and opisthosoma light brown, with 12 dark brown tergites attached a pair of thick bristles, the second to fifth larger than others and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 12 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 11.52, CL 5.20, CW 4.33, OL 5.73, OW 4.51; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 9.41 (3.36 + 1.56 + 1.90 + 2.59), leg I 10.69 (3.41 + 1.72 + 2.12 + 2.03 + 1.41), leg II 10.56 (3.29 + 1.76 + 1.82 + 2.14 + 1.55), leg III 11.23 (3.22 + 1.80 + 1.97 + 2.58 + 1.66), leg IV 15.96 (4.56 + 2.07 + 2.82 + 4.22 + 2.29).

Female genitalia. Two pairs of receptacular clusters with distinctly genital stalks, situated on the dorsal wall of the bursa copulatrix; the median ones similar to or slightly larger than the lateral ones, the Y-shaped middle genital stalks; the posterior margin of the bursa copulatrix sclerotized, the posterior margin of the genital area wide, two deeper depressions in dorsal view (Fig. 5A–F).

Males and females vary in body size, cheliceral teeth and spinnerets. Range of measurements in males (N = 2): BL 10.98–11.94, CL 4.95–5.36, CW 4.52–4.63, OL 5.60–5.91, OW 4.22–4.72. There are 6 or 7 spinnerets (N = 2). Females (N = 5): BL 5.56–11.86, CL 4.27–5.48, CW 3.61–4.58, OL 4.29–5.79, OW 3.27–4.60. The number of cheliceral teeth varies from 12 to 13 (N = 5). In addition, male palp and female genitalia also show intraspecific variations: in males, the middle part of conductor with more teeth (Fig. 4H, I) or less teeth (Fig. 4J); tegulum with a relatively larger terminal apophysis (Fig. 4C) or slightly smaller (Fig. 4E). In females, the middle Y-shaped genital stalk fused totally with only two receptacular clusters separated from each other (Fig. 5A, D) or fused basally and separated in the middle (Fig. 5B, C, E, F).

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

Hunan (Longhui), China

Holotype : China · 1 ♂; Hunan Province, Huaihua City, Hecheng District, Zhongpo Forest Park; 27.57°N; 110.96°E; alt. 330 m; 17 September 2021; Z.Y. Chen, X. Xu, Y. Zhan, Y. Zhang leg.; XUX-2021-264 (matured on 3 August 2022). Paratypes: China · 3 ♂ 9 ♀; same data as for the holotype, alt. 300–345 m; XUX-2021-258, 259, 260, 261, 262 (matured on 18 September 2022), 263 (matured on 20 July 2022), 265, 266, 267 (matured on 26 July 2022), 267A, 267B, 267C.

Male of S. zhongpo sp. nov. resembles those of S. dapo, S. lingshang, and S. xiujian, by apical spine of conductor with slightly wider base (Fig. 6A, D, E, H–K), but can be distinguished from S. dapo by tegulum with smaller terminal apophysis (Fig. 6C, F, G); from S. lingshang by contrategulum with slightly larger teeth (Fig. 6D, F, G, L), conductor with fewer teeth in middle part (Fig. 6A, D, E, H–K), and tegulum with a small terminal apophysis (Fig. 6C, F, G); from S. xiujian by tegulum with arched marginal apophysis (Fig. 6G), and contrategulum with slightly smaller apophysis proximally (Fig. 6A, L); from S. anhua sp. nov. by apical spine of conductor narrower and longer (Fig. 6A, B, D, H–K); from S. longhui sp. nov. by apical spine of conductor with slightly narrower base (Fig. 6A, H–K), and surface of dorsal extension of the tegular terminal apophysis with several ridges (Fig. 6G); from those of other species of multidentata-group by contrategulum with two dentate margins in middle part (Fig. 6D, L), by apical spine of conductor with slightly wider base and gradually becomes elongated distally (Fig. 6A, D, E, H–K); from those of other Songthela species by middle part of the conductor with several teeth (Fig. 6A, B, D, E, H–K).

Figure 6. 

Male genital anatomy of Songthela zhongpo Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. A, D palp prolateral view B, E palp ventral view C, F palp retrolateral view G palp distal view H–K conductor ventral view L contrategulum prolateral view A–C, J, L XUX-2021-264 (holotype) D–G, I XUX-2021-263 H XUX-2021-262 K XUX-2021-267. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–G); 0.1 mm (H–L).

Female of S. zhongpo sp. nov. can be distinguished from S. anhua sp. nov. by the lateral receptacular clusters with slightly longer genital stalks, and arched anterior margin of bursa copulatrix (Fig. 7A–D); from S. longhui sp. nov. by median receptacular clusters with shorter genital stalks (Fig. 7A–D); from S. multidentata by median receptacular clusters with thicker genital stalks (Fig. 7A–D), from S. tianzhu by lateral genital stalks slightly longer (Fig. 7A, D); from those of other species of multidentata-group by median receptacular clusters with slightly thicker genital stalks, and lateral ones with distinct genital stalks (Fig. 7A–H); from those of other Songthela species by two pairs of receptacular clusters situated on dorsal wall of bursa copulatrix (Fig. 7A–H).

Figure 7. 

Female genital anatomy of Songthela zhongpo Zhang & Xu, sp. nov. A–D vulva dorsal view E–H vulva ventral view A, E XUX-2021-258 B, F XUX-2021-259 C, G XUX-2021-261 D, H XUX-2021-265. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Male (holotype). Carapace black brown; opisthosoma dark brown, with 12 brown tergites attached a pair of thick bristles, the second to fifth larger than others and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 11 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 13.53, CL 5.96, CW 5.44, OL 7.19, OW 5.94; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; leg I 18.97 (5.30 + 2.29 + 3.95 + 4.93 + 2.50), leg II 19.13 (4.99 + 2.33 + 3.93 + 5.24 + 2.64), leg III 21.49 (5.25 + 2.46 + 3.91 + 6.52 + 3.35), leg IV 27.19 (6.62 + 2.84 + 5.17 + 8.59 + 3.97).

Palp. Paracymbium unpigmented and unsclerotised prolaterally, with several setae and spines on the tip (Fig. 6A–C). Contrategulum with a triangular apophysis proximally and with a dentate edge in distal and proximal portions, while with two dentate margins in the middle part (Fig. 6A, D, F, G, H–K). Tegulum with an arched helicoid marginal apophysis, a helicoid dorsal extension of the terminal apophysis, and a thumb-shaped terminal apophysis retrolaterally (Fig. 6C, E–G). Conductor fused with embolus basally and having several teeth in the middle part, the long apical spine with a spinule basally and pointed to the one-fourth of opening of embolus proximally (Fig. 6A, B, D–K). Embolus largely sclerotized, with a wide and flat opening, numerous longitudinal ribs in middle and distal portion (Fig. 6B, D–F).

Female (XUX-2021-258). Carapace reddish brown and opisthosoma light brown, with 12 dark brown tergites attached a pair of thick bristles, the second to fifth larger than remaining ones and the fourth largest; sternum narrow, much longer than wide; a few pointed hairs running over ocular area; chelicerae robust with promargin of cheliceral groove with 11 denticles of variable size; legs with sturdy hairs and spines; 7 spinnerets. Measurements: BL 9.32, CL 4.62, CW 3.95, OL 3.93, OW 3.31; ALE > PLE > PME > AME; palp 8.57 (3.05 + 1.56 + 1.84 + 2.12), leg I 9.17 (2.57 + 1.79 + 1.82 + 1.76 + 1.23), leg II 8.57 (1.96 + 1.65 + 1.77+ 1.84 + 1.35), leg III 9.72 (2.62 + 1.58 + 1.74 + 2.27 + 1.51), leg IV 14.28 (4.07 + 1.90 + 2.67 + 3.61 + 2.03).

Female genitalia. Four receptacular clusters situated on the dorsal side of the bursa copulatrix; the middle ones with thick genital stalks close to each other, fused together basally and separated from each other distally (Fig. 7A–C), or the middle genital stalks fused as one (Fig. 7D); the lateral receptacular clusters similar to or smaller than the middle ones; the posterior margin of the bursa copulatrix sclerotized, the posterior margin of the genital area wide and straight (Fig. 7A, D), or incurved in the middle (Fig. 7B, C).

Males and females vary in body size, cheliceral teeth and spinnerets. Range of measurements in males (N = 4): BL 12.54–13.80, CL 4.96–6.09, CW 5.29–5.89, OL 6.02–7.19, OW 4.23–5.94. The number of cheliceral teeth varies from 11 to 13. There are 6 or 8 spinnerets (N = 4). Females (N = 9): BL 9.32–13.77, CL 4.62–6.40, CW 3.95–5.49, OL 3.93–6.32, OW 3.31–5.14. The number of cheliceral teeth varies from 10 to 12. There are 7 or 8 spinnerets (N = 9). In addition, male palp and female genitalia also show intraspecific variations: in males, the apical spine of conductor with a spinule in the middle part (Fig. 6H) or basally (Fig. 6A, D, I–K); the middle of conductor with more teeth (Fig. 6I, L) or relatively few teeth (Fig. 6H, K). In females, the middle pair of receptacular clusters similar (Fig. 7B) to or slightly larger than the lateral ones (Fig. 7A, C), the middle genital stalks fused together basally and separated from each other distally (Fig. 7A, C), or the middle genital stalks Y-shaped (Fig. 7B), or fused together totally (Fig. 7D).

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

Hunan (Huaihua), China

The three new species from Hunan Province, China can be assigned into the multidentata-group based on the following characters of both male palp and female genital morphology: 1) conductor of male palp with one apical spine and the middle part covered several teeth; 2) female genitalia with two pairs of receptacular clusters situated on the dorsal side of the bursa copulatrix; and 3) the posterior margin of the bursa copulatrix of female genitalia pigmented and sclerotised.