Abstract
Previously, the genus Merizocera Fage, 1912 comprised only seven species from Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In this study, 28 new species are described from South and Southeast Asia: M. baoshan Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. betong Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. colombo Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. galle Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. hponkanrazi Li, sp. nov. (♂), M. kachin Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. kandy Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. mandai Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. krabi Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. kurunegala Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. lincang Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. mainling Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. nyingchi Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. peraderiya Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. phuket Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. putao Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. ranong Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. ratnapura Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. salawa Li, sp. nov. (♂), M. tak Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. tanintharyi Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. tengchong Li, sp. nov. (♂), M. thenna Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. uva Li, sp. nov. (♀), M. wenshan Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. wui Li, sp. nov. (♂♀), M. yala Li, sp. nov. (♀), and M. yuxi Li, sp. nov. (♂♀). Among them the genus Merizocera is reported for the first time from China, Myanmar, and Singapore.
Keywords: biodiversity, morphology, Ochyroceratidae , taxonomy, tropics
Introduction
The spider family Psilodercidae was proposed as Psilodercinae by Machado (1951) under the family Ochyroceratidae Fage, 1912. Deeleman-Reinhold (1995) studied the Indo-Pacific ochyroceratids and erected two subfamilies, Theotiminae and Psilodercinae: Psilodercidae was elevated to family rank by Wunderlich (2008), and Pérez-González et al. (2016) formally confirmed that Psilodercinae Machado, 1951, has priority over Psilodercinae Deeleman-Reinhold, 1995.
The family is restricted to tropical South Asia, southern China, and Southeast Asia (WSC 2020). It currently includes eleven genera and 196 species, of which Luzonacera, Qiongocera, Relictocera, Sinoderces, and Thaiderces, all authored by Li & Li, 2017, and Priscaleclercera Wunderlich, 2017, were described only recently (Liu et al. 2017; Li 2020; WSC 2020). Currently, the genus Merizocera contains only seven species: M. brincki Brignoli, 1975, M. cruciata (Simon, 1893), M. oryzae Brignoli, 1975, and M. picturata (Simon, 1893) from Sri Lanka; M. pygmaea Deeleman-Reinhold, 1995 from Thailand; M. crinita (Fage, 1929) from Malaysia; and M. stellata (Simon, 1905) from Indonesia (Simon 1893a, b; WSC 2020). Of these seven known species, four were described from only a single male or female specimen.
In this paper, 28 new species of Merizocera collected in southern China, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are described and illustrated. This is the first record of the genus in China, Myanmar, and Singapore.
Materials and methods
Types are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) in Beijing. All specimens collected were studied and preserved in 75% ethanol. The specimens were measured and examined with a Leica M205 C stereomicroscope and further morphological details were observed with an Olympus BX41 compound microscope. Male palps were detached from the left side of the animal for further examination. Carapace length was measured excluding the clypeus. Internal genitalia of the female and palpal bulbs were dissected and immersed in lactic acid. An Olympus C7070 wide zoom digital camera (7.1 megapixels) mounted on an Olympus SZX12 stereomicroscope was used to take photos at different focal planes. The photos were then transferred to the image stacking software Helicon Focus 6.7.1 to generate photos with a greater depth of field before further processing with Adobe Photoshop CC 2014. Leg measurements are shown as total length: femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus and tarsus. Leg segments were measured from their retrolateral side. All measurements are given in millimetres (mm). All terminology follows that of Li et al (2014). The distribution map was generated with Google Earth Pro 7.3.2 (Google Limited Liability Company).
Taxonomy
Family Psilodercidae Machado, 1951
Genus. Merizocera
Fage, 1912
7CEE1EF7-62D8-57B2-A986-88CA8071746B
Type species.
Ochyrocera cruciataSimon 1893a: 282, fig. 245, from Sri Lanka.
Diagnosis.
Merizocera can be recognised by the following combination of characters: 1) presence of cymbial protrusion (except M. mainling sp. nov. and M. tanintharyi sp. nov.); 2) bulb and cymbium almost similar in length or bulb longer than cymbium; 3) absence of clypeal protrusion (except M. mainling sp. nov. and M. putao sp. nov.); 4) presence or absence of conductor, if present, connected basally with embolus; 5) elongated pyriform bulb with embolus and conductor (if present) arising distally; 6) cheliceral promargin with lamina having three triangular extensions, retromargin with two small teeth.
Composition.
Merizocera cruciata (♂♀) (the type species), M. baoshan sp. nov. (♂♀), M. betong sp. nov. (♂♀), M. brincki (♂), M. colombo sp. nov. (♂♀), M. crinita (♂♀), M. galle sp. nov. (♂♀), M. hponkanrazi sp. nov. (♂), M. kachin sp. nov. (♂♀), M. kandy sp. nov. (♂♀), M. mandai sp. nov. (♂♀), M. krabi sp. nov. (♂♀), M. kurunegala sp. nov. (♂♀), M. lincang sp. nov. (♀), M. mainling sp. nov. (♂♀), M. nyingchi sp. nov. (♀), M. oryzae (♀), M. peraderiya sp. nov. (♂♀), M. phuket sp. nov. (♂♀), M. picturata (♂♀), M. putao sp. nov. (♂♀), M. pygmaea (♀), M. ranong sp. nov. (♂♀), M. ratnapura sp. nov. (♂♀), M. salawa sp. nov. (♂), M. stellata (♀), M. tak sp. nov. (♀), M. tanintharyi sp. nov. (♂♀), M. tengchong sp. nov. (♂), M. thenna sp. nov. (♂♀), M. uva sp. nov. (♀), M. wenshan sp. nov. (♂♀), M. wui sp. nov. (♂♀), M. yala sp. nov. (♀) and M. yuxi sp. nov. (♂♀).
Remarks.
Although the genus Merizocera cannot be sufficiently delineated by features of their female genitalia, the somatic morphology and male palp structures are consistent with those of Merizocera sensu Li & Li, 2018.
Distribution.
The genus is represented by species ranging from Sri Lanka to China’s western and southern provinces and to parts of mainland Southeast Asia and beyond, with Java in Indonesia as its currently known southern limit.
Merizocera baoshan
Li sp. nov.
F613E874-E52C-5069-AE21-302A42B2DAAB
http://zoobank.org/6B67BB8B-DDA0-419D-BCD6-675144ECB22E
Figure 1.
Merizocera baoshan sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, retrolateral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, SA = stalked apophysis.
Figure 2.
Merizocera baoshan sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Figure 53.
Distribution records of the new species of Merizocera from China and Myanmar. 1M. baoshan sp. nov. 2M. hponkanrazi sp. nov. 3M. kachin sp. nov. 4M. lincang sp. nov. 5M. mainling sp. nov. 6M. nyingchi sp. nov. 7M. putao sp. nov. 8M. tengchong sp. nov. 9M. wenshan sp. nov. 10M. wui sp. nov. 11M. yuxi sp. nov.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Luoshui Cave (25°20.35'N, 98°32.28'E, elevation 1937 m), Jiangdong Mountain, Jiangdong Village, Gudong Town, Tengchong County, Baoshan, Yunnan, China, 15 July 2016, Y. Li leg. Paratypes: 3 males and 3 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males of M. baoshan sp. nov. resemble those of M. tengchong sp. nov., but can be distinguished by the pointed and bent tip of the embolus (Fig. 1B) (vs. blunt and upright tip of embolus (Fig. 40B)); a distinct stalked apophysis bearing a pointed distal tip adjacent to the embolus (Fig. 1B) (vs. stalked apophysis bearing globose distal tip (Fig. 40B)); a cymbial protrusion half the length of the tegular (Fig. 1D) (vs. cymbial protrusion 1/4 the length of tegular (Fig. 40D)). The female can be distinguished from congeners by a pair of flattened ovoid spermathecae.
Figure 40.
Merizocera tengchong sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, retrolateral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, SA = stalked apophysis.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.65; carapace 0.75 long, 0.61 wide; abdomen 0.80 long, 0.55 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median line on anterior half (Fig. 2C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium and sternum dark brown. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown (Fig. 2C). Legs light brown; measurements: I and II missing, III 4.02 (1.13, 0.22, 1.13, 0.98, 0.56), IV 5.70 (1.48, 0.25, 1.70, 1.44, 0.83). Palp (Fig. 1A–D): femur slender, three times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia 2/3 length of femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, 1/3 length of femur, length ratio of dorsal protrusion and cymbium 0.57; bulb light brown, elongated pyriform with embolus, conductor and stalked apophysis emerging distally; embolus similar in length and 1/3 the width of tegular, with darkened pointed tip and bent at right angle; conductor tentacle-like, basally attached with embolus; stalked apophysis basally attached with embolus, bearing triangular pointed distal part.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 2D, E). Measurements: total length 1.68; carapace 0.71 long, 0.61 wide; abdomen 0.94 long, 0.80 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.75 (1.24, 0.25, 1.42, 1.14, 0.70), II 3.92 (1.04, 0.25, 1.10, 0.82, 0.61), III 3.27 (0.87, 0.22, 0.88, 0.80, 0.50), IV 4.76 (1.24, 0.24, 1.39, 1.13, 0.76). Epigastric area (Fig. 2B): brown, with a pair of slanting, short, pale brown bands anteriorly, posterior spanned with pale brown horizontal band. Endogyne (Fig. 2A) with pair of connected, flattened, ovoid spermathecae.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (China; Fig. 53).
Merizocera betong
Li sp. nov.
AF4B8E36-7445-5714-A215-C9C749B380E0
http://zoobank.org/AC63AF3E-1F1B-4A27-BBE4-0AF87A7D831E
Figure 3.
Merizocera betong sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, retrolatero-dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 4.
Merizocera betong sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Figure 54.
Distribution records of the new species of Merizocera from Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. 1M. betong sp. nov. 2M. mandai sp. nov. 3M. krabi sp. nov. 4M. phuket sp. nov. 5M. ranong sp. nov. 6M. tak sp. nov. 7M. tanintharyi sp. nov. 8M. yala sp. nov.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Ban Bo Nam Ron Village (5°49.96'N, 101°4.08'E, elevation 384 m), Betong District, Yala, Thailand, 24 October 2015, P. Wongprom leg. Paratypes: 1 male and 3 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males of M. betong sp. nov. resemble those of M. ranong sp. nov. and M. yuxi sp. nov., but can be distinguished by the smooth distally arising embolus (Fig. 3B) (vs. the crinkly distally arising embolus in M. ranong sp. nov. (Fig. 31B) and M. yuxi sp. nov. (Fig. 50B)), slender pyriform bulb (Fig. 3B) (vs. swollen pyriform bulb in M. ranong sp. nov. (Fig. 31B) and M. yuxi sp. nov. (Fig. 50B)), pointed embolus tip (Fig. 3B) (vs. lamina-like embolus tip in M. ranong sp. nov. (Fig. 31B) and flattened tip in M. yuxi sp. nov. (Fig. 50B)), embolus stalk 1/2 the length of tegular (Fig. 3B) (vs. embolus stalk 1/3 length of tegular in M. ranong sp. nov. (Fig. 31B), and similar in length in M. yuxi sp. nov. (Fig. 50B)), cymbial protrusion half the length of tegular in M. betong sp. nov. (Fig. 3D) and M. ranong sp. nov. (Fig. 31D) (vs. cymbial protrusion similar length with tegular in M. yuxi sp. nov. (Fig. 50D)). These species appear similar to those in the septentrionalis group of the genus Psiloderces, but can be distinguished by the more distinct cymbial protrusion (longer than the bulb or at least half the bulb’s length) (vs. cymbial protrusion inconspicuous or shorter than half the length of bulb in Psiloderces). The female can be distinguished by having two pairs of stalked spermathecae each bearing a globose distal part (Fig. 4A) (vs. one pair of posteriorly directed tubular spermathecae in M. ranong sp. nov. (Fig. 32A) and two pairs of tubular spermathecae in M. yuxi sp. nov. (Fig. 51A)).
Figure 31.
Merizocera ranong sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 50.
Merizocera yuxi sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 32.
Merizocera ranong sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Figure 51.
Merizocera yuxi sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.33; carapace 0.56 long, 0.51 wide; abdomen 0.71 long, 0.40 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe (Fig. 4C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium, and sternum dark brown. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown (Fig. 4E). Legs brown; measurements: I 6.85 (1.84, 0.19, 2.13, 1.86, 0.83), II 5.05 (1.38, 0.19, 1.53, 1.28, 0.67), III 3.79 (1.04, 0.18, 1.11, 0.94, 0.52), IV 5.50 (1.48, 0.18, 1.74, 1.42, 0.68). Palp (Fig. 3A–D): femur slender, three times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia half as long as femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, half as long as femur, length ratio of dorsal protrusion and cymbium 1.45; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus arising distally; embolus stalk slightly bent with pointed embolus tip, embolus approx. half the length of tegular.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of the male (Fig. 4D, E). Measurements: total length 1.52; carapace 0.61 long, 0.51 wide; abdomen 0.92 long, 0.48 wide. Leg measurements: I 5.09 (1.33, 0.17, 1.60, 1.28, 0.71), II 4.54 (1.23, 0.18, 1.34, 1.13, 0.66), III 3.46 (0.93, 0.18, 0.98, 0.86, 0.51), IV 5.11 (1.31, 0.19, 1.62, 1.28, 0.71). Epigastric area (Fig. 4B) with oval dark brown patch. Endogyne (Fig. 4A) with two pairs of stalked spermathecae, globose distally with medially curved receptacle.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Thailand; Fig. 54).
Merizocera colombo
Li sp. nov.
BCBD302B-0CC1-5333-BEB4-119DBD56DB33
http://zoobank.org/77AD96FF-8BBD-4474-AF0A-0681EB037B41
Figure 5.
Merizocera colombo sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 6.
Merizocera colombo sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Figure 52.
Distribution records of the new species of Merizocera from Sri Lanka. 1M. colombo sp. nov. 2M. galle sp. nov. 3M. kandy sp. nov. 4M. kurunegala sp. nov. 5M. peraderiya sp. nov. 6M. ratnapura sp. nov. 7M. salawa sp. nov. 8M. thenna sp. nov. 9M. uva sp. nov.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Mahawafa Hill (6°55.92'N, 80°14.68'E, elevation 38 m), Mahawafa Village, Avissawella Town, Maniyangama, Colombo District, Western Province, Sri Lanka, 26 September 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males of M. colombo sp. nov. resemble M. oryzae, but can be distinguished by a distinct cymbial protrusion approx. 1/2 length of bulb (Fig. 5D) (vs. inconspicuous cymbial protrusion approx. 1/3 the length of bulb), conductor bifurcate and distinctly shorter than embolus (Fid. 5B) (vs. conductor not bifurcate and almost similar length with embolus). Females can be distinguished by having a pair of elongated spermathecae concaving posteriorly (Fig. 6A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.48; carapace 0.69 long, 0.59 wide; abdomen 0.75 long, 0.49 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 6C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium and sternum dark brown. Abdomen slightly elongated, brownish, with dark brown marks dorsally and ventrally (Fig. 6E). Legs light brown; measurements: I 6.07 (1.62, 0.23, 1.80, 1.60, 0.82), II 4.46 (1.20, 0.21, 1.31, 1.13, 0.61), III 3.67 (1.03, 0.20, 1.03, 0.95, 0.46), IV 5.74 (1.48, 0.21, 1.78, 1.50, 0.77). Palp (Fig. 5A–D): femur four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia 2/3 length of femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, half length of femur, length ratio of dorsal protrusion and cymbium 0.76; bulb light brown, slender pyriform-shaped with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus hooked with pointed tip; conductor bifurcated, one narrower and with slightly hooked tip, adjacent to embolus.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of the male (Fig. 6D, E). Measurements: total length 1.28; carapace 0.65 long, 0.56 wide; abdomen 0.59 long, 0.50 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.33 (1.08, 0.21, 1.31, 1.06, 0.67), II 3.36 (0.84, 0.20, 0.93, 0.82, 0.57), III 2.98 (0.78, 0.20, 0.80, 0.75, 0.45), IV 4.39 (1.11, 0.20, 1.31, 1.11, 0.66). Epigastric area (Fig. 6B): dark brown oval patch with light brown slit medially. Endogyne (Fig. 6A) with pair of elongated spermathecae slightly concave toward posterior.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera galle
Li sp. nov.
F09781D9-7224-5822-A403-972C646D6E44
http://zoobank.org/17373A33-AC34-4331-A192-2F6C85188E39
Figure 7.
Merizocera galle sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 8.
Merizocera galle sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Rumassala Mountain (6°1.48'N, 80°14.55'E, elevation 51 m), Unawatuna Village, Galle District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, 12–13 October 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males can be distinguished from congeners by the distinctly longer (longer than tegular) and bent embolus (Fig. 7B); from M. ratnapura sp. nov. (Fig. 33B), M. phuket sp. nov. (Fig. 27B), and M. hponkanrazi sp. nov. (Fig. 9B) by the absence of conductor (vs. presence of distinct conductor projected from the base of embolus). The females can be distinguished by a pair of horizontally twisted spermathecae (Fig. 8A).
Figure 33.
Merizocera ratnapura sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, retrolateral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 27.
Merizocera phuket sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, retrolatero-dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 9.
Merizocera hponkanrazi sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, retrolatero-dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, NO = notch.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.00; carapace 0.48 long, 0.42 wide; abdomen 0.51 long, 0.36 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and brown median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 8C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium and sternum dark brown. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark grey, with dark marks posteriorly and ventrally. Legs brown; measurements: I 3.73 (1.00, 0.17, 1.13, 0.90, 0.53), II 2.98 (0.79, 0.16, 0.85, 0.72, 0.46), III 2.49 (0.70, 0.13, 0.67, 0.63, 0.36), IV 3.74 (0.98, 0.16, 1.13, 0.96, 0.51). Palp (Fig. 7A–D): femur slender, thrice longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia similar length as femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, half length of femur, length ratio of dorsal protrusion and cymbium 0.54; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus arising distally, conductor absent; embolus distinctly elongated and bent, 1.5 times longer than the tegular.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 8D, E). Measurements: total length 1.24; carapace 0.53 long, 0.45 wide; abdomen 0.70 long, 0.48 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.62 (0.94, 0.17, 1.08, 0.89, 0.54), II 3.03 (0.78, 0.17, 0.87, 0.73, 0.48), III missing, IV 3.70 (0.95, 0.16, 1.13, 0.92, 0.54). Epigastric area (Fig. 8B): brown, lanceolate patch. Endogyne (Fig. 8A) with pair of horizontally twisted spermathecae, ratio of the width of twisted spermatheca and the interdistance of spermathecae 1:4.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera hponkanrazi
Li sp. nov.
1CC26426-F344-516B-8F13-45C4399A37AE
http://zoobank.org/6059ACD5-748E-4F8B-B8A0-6EB09F36BFF0
Figure 10.
Merizocera hponkanrazi sp. nov., holotype male. A Habitus, dorsal view B habitus, ventral view.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Roadside between Camp 2 and Camp 3 (27°37.15'N, 96°58.92'E, elevation 2806 m), Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary, Putao, Kachin State, Myanmar, 16 December 2016, J. Wu leg.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males resemble M. krabi sp. nov. but can be distinguished by the embolus longer than the tegular (Fig. 9B) (vs. embolus length half the tegular (Fig. 17B)), presence of notch at tegular tip (Fig. 9A) (vs. absence of notch), bulb shortened pyriform (vs. elongated pyriform bulb).
Figure 17.
Merizocera krabi sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.56; carapace 0.71 long, 0.62 wide; abdomen 0.85 long, 0.71 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 10A). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium and sternum dark brown. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown (Fig. 10B). Legs brown; measurements: I 5.43 (1.44, 0.25, 1.66, 1.33, 0.75), II 4.65 (1.28, 0.24, 1.41, 1.11, 0.61), III 3.46 (0.95, 0.20, 0.92, 0.85, 0.54), IV 4.83 (1.25, 0.22, 1.42, 1.21, 0.73). Palp (Fig. 9A–D): tibia swollen proximally; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 1.13; bulb brown, pyriform, with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus distinctly bent and 1.2 times longer than tegular; conductor with pointed tip, 1/6 length of embolus, adjacent to a notch.
Female. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Myanmar; Fig. 53).
Merizocera kachin
Li sp. nov.
97018FF1-3BB1-5419-84F3-9D05758CB15B
http://zoobank.org/17A235EF-2414-43F7-97AC-5AD66FC8314A
Figure 11.
Merizocera kachin sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, retrolateral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 12.
Merizocera kachin sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C male habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, dorsal view E female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviations: OB = ovoid body, PT = clypeal protrusion, SP = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Roadside between Nahteukhu and BaAve (27°18.00'N, 97°23.27'E, elevation 535 m), Putao, Kachin State, Myanmar, 8 December 2016, J. Wu leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males resemble M. putao sp. nov. but can be distinguished by the absence of a pit on the bulb (vs. presence of a distinct pit resulting from the basal connection of embolus and conductor (Fig. 29B)), presence of a relatively short clypeal protrusion (Fig. 12C) (vs. relatively long clypeal protrusion (Fig. 30C). The females can be distinguished by a pair of conically tipped spermathecae (Fig. 12A) (vs. spermathecae each with a rounded tip (Fig. 30A)).
Figure 29.
Merizocera putao sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, PI = pit.
Figure 30.
Merizocera putao sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C male habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, dorsal view E female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviations: PT = clypeal protrusion, SP = spermatheca.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.44; carapace 0.67 long, 0.56 wide; abdomen 0.79 long, 0.74 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 12C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with small protrusion provided with long setae. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown, with distinct dark radiating lines. Abdomen ovoid, dark grey (Fig. 12C). Legs light brown; measurements: I 6.87 (1.86, 0.21, 2.10, 1.92, 0.78), II 5.25 (1.44, 0.20, 1.60, 1.38, 0.63), III 3.85 (1.05, 0.19, 1.10, 1.00, 0.51), IV 5.58 (1.45, 0.21, 1.72, 1.45, 0.75). Palp (Fig. 11A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia half length of femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, half length of femur, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.28; bulb pale yellow, elongated pyriform with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus hooked, almost similar in length with tegular, with pointed tip, width of anterior horizontal hooked part half width of tegular; conductor short with pointed tip, basally connected with embolus.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male except for the absence of clypeus protrusion (Fig. 12D, E). Measurements: total length 1.25; carapace 0.58 long, 0.49 wide; abdomen 0.69 long, 0.57 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.52 (0.89, 0.19, 1.06, 0.85, 0.53), II 2.95 (0.75, 0.19, 0.85, 0.70, 0.46), III 2.41 (0.63, 0.16, 0.63, 0.59, 0.40), IV 3.49 (0.87, 0.18, 1.05, 0.83, 0.56). Epigastric area (Fig. 12B): brown semi-circular patch with pale slit medially. Endogyne (Fig. 12A) with a pair of spermathecae each with a conical tip, posteriorly with a pair of ovoid bodies, ratio of the width of conical tip spermathecae to the interdistance of spermathecae 1:7.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Myanmar; Fig. 53).
Merizocera kandy
Li sp. nov.
880168BF-93C5-5121-99EF-8602599499AF
http://zoobank.org/6D7BEBE2-66DE-4F46-BBF3-A0212C24E21D
Figure 13.
Merizocera kandy sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, prolateral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 14.
Merizocera kandy sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Koththol Lena (= cave) (6°54.22'N, 80°29.88'E, elevation 669 m), Abagamuwa Division, Maskeliya Oya Village, Maskeliya, Adam’s Peak Area, Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, 6 October 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratypes: 1 male and 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males can be distinguished from other congeners by the blunt bifurcate embolus tip, two similar components of conductor, and swollen bulb with a notch anteriorly (Fig. 13B). The females can be distinguished by a pair of angular shaped tubular spermathecae (Fig. 14A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.33; carapace 0.63 long, 0.54 wide; abdomen 0.63 long, 0.56 wide. Carapace rounded, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 14C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish with dark brown marks medially. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown with distinct dark radiating lines. Abdomen ovoid, brownish, with dark brown marks dorsally and ventrally. Legs brown; measurements: I 6.48 (1.70, 0.19, 1.96, 1.76, 0.87), II 4.51 (1.19, 0.20, 1.30, 1.18, 0.64), III 3.66 (0.98, 0.20, 1.05, 0.96, 0.47), IV missing. Palp (Fig. 13A–D): femur slender, thrice longer than patella, patella not swollen; tibia swollen, twice wider than and almost similar in length to femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, half as long as femur, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.59; bulb brown, with embolus and conductor arising distally, tegular with a notch anteriorly; embolus bifurcated with blunt tips, two similar components of conductor resemble a C-shape attached adjacent to embolus.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 14D, E). Measurements: total length 1.39; carapace 0.65 long, 0.56 wide; abdomen 0.72 long, 0.61 wide. Leg measurements: I missing, II 3.46 (0.90, 0.19, 0.99, 0.85, 0.53), III 2.96 (0.76, 0.19, 0.81, 0.75, 0.45), IV 4.40 (1.10, 0.20, 1.30, 1.14, 0.66). Epigastric area (Fig. 14B): elliptical dark brown patch. Endogyne (Fig. 14A) with a pair sloped tubular spermathecae, medially with vertical spiral ducts.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera mandai
Li sp. nov.
7D71FA60-8339-52C1-8151-6E174CD7D3AF
http://zoobank.org/F8BB7D25-0E42-443C-A087-F16B0C4CB036
Figure 15.
Merizocera mandai sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, prolateral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus, NO = notch.
Figure 16.
Merizocera mandai sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Merizocera sp. 279: Li and Li 2018 (molecular data).
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), near Mandai Agrotechnology Park (1°24.90'N, 103°47.94'E, elevation 46 m), Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Singapore, 1 September 2015, S. Li and Y. Tong leg. Paratypes: 2 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition. Mandai is an important biodiversity conservation area in Singapore.
Diagnosis.
Males resemble M. salawa sp. nov. but can be distinguished by strongly swollen palpal tibia (Fig. 15D) (vs. palpal tibia not swollen (Fig. 35D)), presence of swollen embolus base (Fig. 15B) (vs. normal embolus base (Fig. 35B)), conductor tip not divided (Fig. 15B) (vs. bifurcate (Fig. 35B)), bulb with a notch (Fig. 15B) (vs. without notch (Fig. 35B)). The females can be distinguished by a pair of slight twisted, stalked spermathecae each bearing a globose distal part, directed downwards (Fig. 16A).
Figure 35.
Merizocera salawa sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view, embolus and conductor distorted C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.41; carapace 0.62 long, 0.59 wide; abdomen 0.76 long, 0.54 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe (Fig. 16C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus and labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown but lighter medially, with dark radiating lines. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown. Legs brown; measurements: I and II missing, III 4.09 (1.11, 0.19, 1.24, 1.05, 0.50), IV 6.30 (1.64, 0.20, 1.94, 1.68, 0.84). Palp (Fig. 15A–D): femur slender, thrice longer than patella, patella not swollen; tibia swollen proximally, half as long as femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, 1/3 femur length, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.67; bulb pale yellow, embolus and conductor arising distally, tegular with a notch anteriorly; embolus basally swollen, swollen part occupies half length of embolus and almost half width of bulb; conductor basally connected with embolus, tentacle-like, 1/3 length of embolus.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 16D, E). Measurements: total length 1.41; carapace 0.58 long, 0.51 wide; abdomen 0.84 long, 0.51 wide. Leg measurements: I and IV missing, II 3.97 (1.05, 0.19, 1.14, 1.00, 0.59), III 3.10 (0.83, 0.18, 0.82, 0.79, 0.48). Epigastric area (Fig. 16B): brown crescent-shaped patch. Endogyne (Fig. 16A) with a pair of slightly twisted stalked spermathecae, bearing globose distal ends pointed posteriorly, anterior-medially with a spherical structure.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Singapore; Fig. 54).
Merizocera krabi
Li sp. nov.
57938962-DE99-5620-94AC-D51DD8C5B47A
http://zoobank.org/6EDA6125-F3EF-4D4D-AF5C-F78E2301B303
Figure 18.
Merizocera krabi sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Merizocera sp. 185: Li and Li 2018 (molecular data).
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Ban Chong Plee Village (8°5.12'N, 98°51.22'E, elevation 442 m), Muang District, Krabi, Thailand, 25 October 2014, P. Wongprom leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males are discussed under M. hponkanrazi sp. nov. Males can be distinguished by an elongated pyriform bulb with a triangular conductor adjacent to the base of the embolus (Fig. 17D), embolus approx. half as long as the tegulum. The females can be distinguished from congeners by two pairs of twisted stalked spermathecae bearing globose distal ends (Fig. 18A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.44; carapace 0.72 long, 0.63 wide; abdomen 0.72 long, 0.48 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 18C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus and labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown, with dark radiating lines. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown. Legs brown; measurements: I and IV missing, II 6.50 (1.84, 0.23, 2.00, 1.68, 0.75), III 4.83 (1.39, 0.23, 1.47, 1.19, 0.55). Palp (Fig. 17A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen; cymbium with distal protrusion, 1/3 femur length, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.88; bulb pale yellow, elongated pyriform-shaped with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus bent with laminar base, laminar part 1/2 length of embolus, entire embolus 1/2 length of tegular; conductor triangular, adjacent to embolus, 1/5 length of embolus.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 18D, E). Measurements: total length 1.70; carapace 0.67 long, 0.54 wide; abdomen 0.98 long, 0.82 wide. Leg measurements: I 5.44 (1.44, 0.19, 1.66, 1.38, 0.77), II missing, III 3.43 (0.90, 0.19, 1.00, 0.83, 0.51), IV 4.89 (1.28, 0.19, 1.48, 1.25, 0.69). Epigastric area (Fig. 18B): dark brown, semi-circular. Endogyne (Fig. 18A) with two pairs of twisted stalked spermathecae with globose distal ends, lateral pairs almost horizontal, median pairs upright.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Thailand; Fig. 54).
Merizocera kurunegala
Li sp. nov.
98C2AE35-D4F3-5233-82C0-390BA848F9DD
http://zoobank.org/B7C22440-1A06-4347-9F4E-900002716789
Figure 19.
Merizocera kurunegala sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 20.
Merizocera kurunegala sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), near Arankele Cave (7°38.42'N, 80°25.33'E, elevation 114 m), Kubukwewa Village, Hiripitiya, Kurunegala District, Northwestern Province, Sri Lanka, 11 October 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males resemble M. peraderiya sp. nov. and M. picturata but can be distinguished by a relatively shorter bulb (Fig. 19B) (1/2 length of that in M. peraderiya sp. nov. (Fig. 25B) and M. picturata), an evenly bent embolus in M. kurunegala sp. nov. (Fig. 19B) and M. picturata (vs. an angularly bent embolus in M. peraderiya sp. nov. (Fig. 25B)), furcate conductor in M. kurunegala sp. nov. (Fig. 19B) and M. peraderiya sp. nov. (Fig. 25B) (vs. conductor not furcate in M. picturata), conductor arising medially in M. picturata (vs. conductor not arising medially in M. kurunegala sp. nov. (Fig. 19B) and M. peraderiya sp. nov. (Fig. 25B)). The females can be distinguished by having sessile wavy spermathecae in M. kurunegala sp. nov. (Fig. 20A) and M. picturata (vs. a pair of S-shaped spermathecae in M. peraderiya sp. nov. (Fig. 26A)).
Figure 25.
Merizocera peraderiya sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view, embolus and conductor distorted C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 26.
Merizocera peraderiya sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.33; carapace 0.67 long, 0.53 wide; abdomen 0.65 long, 0.49 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 20C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium and sternum dark brown. Abdomen ovoid, dark grey, with dark brown marks dorsally and ventrally. Legs brown; measurements: I 7.14 (1.94, 0.22, 2.20, 1.96, 0.82), II missing, III 3.66 (1.03, 0.19, 1.05, 0.95, 0.44), IV 5.87 (1.53, 0.19, 1.80, 1.62, 0.73). Palp (Fig. 19A–D): femur slender, thrice longer than patella, patella not swollen; tibia slightly swollen proximally, twice wider and half length of femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, half length of femur, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.64; bulb pale yellow; embolus dark, evenly bent, twice as long as bulb; conductor trifurcate with two pointed upwards, and third pointed downwards, stem of conductor thrice wider than that of embolus.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 20D, E). Measurements: total length 1.41; carapace 0.62 long, 0.53 wide; abdomen 0.76 long, 0.67 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.99 (1.00, 0.19, 1.20, 0.98, 0.62), II 3.11 (0.82, 0.19, 0.87, 0.75, 0.48), III missing, IV 3.84 (0.98, 0.18, 1.11, 0.99, 0.58). Epigastric area (Fig. 20B): dark brown nearly trapezoidal patch. Endogyne (Fig. 20A) with a pair of wavy spermathecae with globose distal ends.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera lincang
Li sp. nov.
F4A7E7FF-3EB3-585F-BCE5-C6B11AA45292
http://zoobank.org/DA6E2AD1-B1E6-4144-9DFA-11718FD84CE6
Figure 21.
Merizocera lincang sp. nov., holotype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C female habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, ventral view E female habitus, lateral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: female (IZCAS), Qingquan Cave (23°52.16'N, 99°12.42'E, elevation 295 m), Minglang Town, Yongde County, Lincang, Yunnan, China, 7 August 2015, Y. Li and Z. Chen leg. Paratypes: 2 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Females of M. lincang sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by a pair of large bulbous spermathecae (Fig. 21A).
Description.
Female (holotype). Total length 1.58; carapace 0.64 long, 0.53 wide; abdomen 0.92 long, 0.81 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 21C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium, and sternum dark brown. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown (Fig. 21B). Legs brown; measurements: I 3.50 (0.88, 0.20, 1.05, 0.81, 0.56), II 3.04 (0.79, 0.20, 0.87, 0.70, 0.48), III 2.58 (0.67, 0.17, 0.67, 0.63, 0.44), IV 3.71 (0.92, 0.19, 1.10, 0.88, 0.62). Epigastric area (Fig. 21B): dark brown, nearly trapezoidal patch. Endogyne (Fig. 21A): ratio of the width of spermathecae to the interdistance of spermathecae 1:3.
Male. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (China; Fig. 53).
Merizocera mainling
Li sp. nov.
E522561B-A91F-5EE4-B5D8-38F71113A721
http://zoobank.org/598BF801-F7D7-42BB-9219-1A2838068922
Figure 22.
Merizocera mainling sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, ventral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, EM = embolus.
Figure 23.
Merizocera mainling sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C male habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, dorsal view E female habitus, ventral view. Abbreviations: PT = clypeal protrusion, SP = spermatheca.
Merizocera sp. 46: Li and Li 2018 (molecular data).
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), northern Mainling County (29°13.31'N, 94°13.31'E, elevation 3050 m), Nyingchi, Tibet, China, 13 August 2013, L. Lin leg. Paratypes: 1 male and 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males resemble M. tanintharyi sp. nov. but can be distinguished by a thin darkened embolus (Fig. 22B) (vs. thick and dark only at tip (Fig. 38A)), conductor lamina-like and shorter than embolus (Fig. 22B) (vs. conductor appendage-like and similar length as embolus (Fig. 38B)), presence of clypeus protrusion (Fig. 23C) (vs. absence of clypeal protrusion), absence of cymbial protrusion (vs. presence of cymbial protrusion (Fig. 38D)). The females can be distinguished by two pairs of twisted spermathecae (Fig. 23A) (vs. three pairs of short tubular spermathecae (Fig. 39A)).
Figure 38.
Merizocera tanintharyi sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view, embolus and conductor distorted C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 39.
Merizocera tanintharyi sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.72; carapace 0.84 long, 0.65 wide; abdomen 0.82 long, 0.66 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 23C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with large protrusion provided with long setae (Fig. 23C). Labium and sternum dark brown. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown (Fig. 23E). Legs light brown; measurements: I 6.34 (1.70, 0.26, 1.92, 1.68, 0.78), II missing, III 3.74 (1.05, 0.22, 1.05, 0.93, 0.49), IV 5.10 (1.36, 0.24, 1.53, 1.27, 0.70). Palp (Fig. 22A–D): femur slender, thrice longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia slightly swollen proximally; cymbium without dorsal protrusion, 1/3 femur length; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus thin and dark, arising laterally, longer than the width of bulb; conductor lamina-like, half the width of bulb.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 23D, E). Measurements: total length 1.76; carapace 0.79 long, 0.65 wide; abdomen 0.94 long, 0.82 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.48 (1.18, 0.25, 1.38, 1.04, 0.63), II 3.70 (1.00, 0.24, 1.08, 0.85, 0.53), III 3.19 (0.89, 0.23, 0.87, 0.75, 0.45), IV 4.38 (1.15, 0.23, 1.33, 1.04, 0.63). Epigastric area (Fig. 23B): dark brown, nearly trapezoidal patch. Endogyne (Fig. 23A) with two pairs of long, twisted, stalked spermathecae with blunt ends.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (China; Fig. 53).
Merizocera nyingchi sp. nov.
5E7A813C-917E-5007-A863-D25AED5A843D
http://zoobank.org/B1A4B9F0-9C4F-4E0E-B5D8-9EAC98A73FA6
Figure 24.
Merizocera nyingchi sp. nov., holotype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C female habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, ventral view E female habitus, lateral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: female (IZCAS), mountain behind a farmhouse resort (29°19.09'N, 95°18.88'E, elevation 1280 m), Medog County, Nyingchi, Tibet, China, 4 August 2013, L. Lin leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Females can be distinguished from congeners by two pairs of twisted stalked spermathecae bearing globose distal ends, where lateral pairs are at least half as short as median pairs and have globose ends twice the size of the former (Fig. 24A).
Description.
Female (holotype). Total length 1.42; carapace 0.65 long, 0.53 wide; abdomen 0.75 long, 0.53 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 24C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium, and sternum dark brown. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown (Fig. 24B). Legs light brown; measurements: I, II, and III missing, IV 4.06 (1.05, 0.19, 1.19, 1.00, 0.63). Epigastric area (Fig. 24B): dark brown patch, medially with pale yellow horizontal strip. Endogyne (Fig. 24A) with two pairs of twisted stalked spermathecae bearing globose distal ends, lateral pairs half as short as median pairs, globose ends of lateral pairs twice larger than median pairs.
Male. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (China; Fig. 53).
Merizocera peraderiya
Li sp. nov.
F944B7A9-F6E3-51DD-9368-BA3699E62B0A
http://zoobank.org/1773F0E5-4FF0-4028-AB88-4BF281731579
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Royal Botanic Gardens (7°16.52'N, 80°35.71'E, elevation 484 m), Peraderiya Town, Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, 7 October 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males and females are discussed in M. kurunegala sp. nov. Males with angularly bent embolus and furcate conductor (Fig. 25B). Females with a pair of twisted spermathecae (Fig. 26A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.33; carapace 0.66 long, 0.59 wide; abdomen 0.67 long, 0.46 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 26C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown but lighter medially. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark grey, with dark brown marks dorsally and ventrally. Legs light brown; measurements: I 7.81 (2.05, 0.22, 2.38, 2.20, 0.96), II 5.35 (1.41, 0.22, 1.60, 1.41, 0.71), III 4.11 (1.13, 0.19, 1.19, 1.06, 0.54), IV 6.49 (1.66, 0.21, 2.00, 1.78, 0.84). Palp (Fig. 25A–D): femur slender, 2.5 times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia slightly swollen, half as long as femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.72; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus thin and dark with pointed tip, emerging laterally, bent at right-angle; conductor basally attached with embolus, bifurcate, one slender and slightly bent, the other hooked and twice as wide, conductor stem half as long as the width of bulb.
Female (paratype). General features and colouration similar to those of male (Fig. 26D, E). Measurements: total length 1.28; carapace 0.61 long, 0.51 wide; abdomen 0.69 long, 0.52 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.25 (1.06, 0.20, 1.28, 1.05, 0.66), II 3.25 (0.83, 0.19, 0.92, 0.80, 0.51), III 2.66 (0.67, 0.17, 0.71, 0.68, 0.43), IV missing. Epigastric area (Fig. 26B): dark brown, patch nearly elliptical. Endogyne (Fig. 26A) with a pair of twisted S-shaped spermathecae, ratio of the width of spermatheca to the interdistance of spermathecae 1:4.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera phuket
Li sp. nov.
B213F9A0-F598-5078-8DB8-260F9446E237
http://zoobank.org/01F5775C-4E6A-40F7-853A-EE6974F7037A
Figure 28.
Merizocera phuket sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Toh Sae Mountain (7°53.96'N, 98°23.98'E, elevation 203 m), Mueang District, Phuket, Thailand, 29 October 2015, P. Wongprom leg. Paratypes: 2 males and 2 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males resemble those of M. ratnapura sp. nov. but can be distinguished by the relatively thin and long conductor (Fig. 27B) (vs. relatively thick and short conductor (Fig. 33B)), embolus with consistent width (Fig. 27B) (vs. embolus gradually thinner towards tip (Fig. 33B)), embolus length similar to bulb length (Fig. 27B) (vs. embolus twice longer than bulb (Fig. 33B)). Females can be distinguished by their horizontally angled elongated spermathecae (Fig. 28A) (vs. wide tubular spermathecae with globose stalked spermatheca medially (Fig. 34A)).
Figure 34.
Merizocera ratnapura sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.39; carapace 0.64 long, 0.59 wide; abdomen 0.72 long, 0.49 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown radiating marks and narrow dark brown stripe (Fig. 28C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown, with dark radiating lines. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown. Legs light brown; measurements: I 7.37 (1.98, 0.22, 2.25, 2.08, 0.84), II 5.26 (1.44, 0.21, 1.60, 1.41, 0.60), III 3.96 (1.13, 0.20, 1.15, 0.99, 0.49), IV 6.05 (1.62, 0.21, 1.90, 1.60, 0.72). Palp (Fig. 27A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen, half length of femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 1.39; bulb pale yellow; pyriform with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus slightly bent, 1/3 width of and similar length as bulb, conductor basally connected with embolus, thin, short, needle-like, 1/5 embolus length.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 28D, E). Measurements: total length 1.70; carapace 0.64 long, 0.56 wide; abdomen 0.99 long, 0.86 wide. Leg measurements: I 5.24 (1.34, 0.20, 1.56, 1.39, 0.75), II 4.04 (1.06, 0.20, 1.20, 0.99, 0.59), III 3.29 (0.86, 0.20, 0.92, 0.82, 0.49), IV 4.81 (1.21, 0.20, 1.47, 1.23, 0.70). Epigastric area (Fig. 28B): dark brown patch, medially with horizontal pale brown slit. Endogyne (Fig. 28A) with a pair of slight horizontally angled elongated spermathecae, tip pointed upright, ratio of the width of spermatheca to the interdistance of spermathecae 1:4.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Thailand; Fig. 54).
Merizocera putao
Li sp. nov.
746FA75C-B0A8-5E18-8A50-58B2655407C0
http://zoobank.org/0438A332-A054-4D27-8830-EDED85A7B8DD
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Roadside between Upper Shankhaung Village and Wasadum (27°27.38'N, 97°13.65'E, elevation 1396 m), Putao, Kachin State, Myanmar, 11 December 2016, J. Wu leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males and females are discussed in M. kachin sp. nov. Bulb with a distinct pit and hooked embolus (Fig. 29B). Clypeal protrusion present in males (Fig. 30C). Females with elongated horizontal spermathecae with globose tips (Fig. 30A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.60; carapace 0.83 long, 0.58 wide; abdomen 0.75 long, 0.61 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown radiating marks and dark brown median line (Fig. 30C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with large protrusion provided with long setae. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown, with dark radiating lines. Abdomen ovoid, brown. Legs light brown; measurements: I 7.61 (2.23, 0.24, 2.25, 2.00, 0.89), II 5.46 (1.48, 0.22, 1.64, 1.42, 0.70), III 4.17 (1.10, 0.21, 1.15, 1.15, 0.56), IV 5.84 (1.48, 0.22, 1.74, 1.52, 0.88). Palp (Fig. 29A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.39; bulb pale yellow, elongated pyriform with embolus and conductor arising distally, presence of distinct pit resulting from the basal connection of embolus and conductor; embolus hooked, similar in length with tegular, with pointed tip, width of anterior horizontal hooked part slightly longer than the width of bulb; conductor upright and needle-like, 1/3 length of embolus.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 30D, E). Measurements: total length 1.42; carapace 0.67 long, 0.56 wide; abdomen 0.75 long, 0.63 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.68 (1.19, 0.21, 1.42, 1.19, 0.67), II missing, III 3.17 (0.83, 0.20, 0.85, 0.79, 0.50), IV 4.50 (1.11, 0.20, 1.38, 1.09, 0.72). Epigastric area (Fig. 30B) dark brown semi-circular patch, medially with horizontal pale brown slit. Endogyne (Fig. 30A) with a pair of elongated horizontal spermathecae with blunt tips.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Myanmar; Fig. 53).
Merizocera ranong
Li sp. nov.
E2CAE1D4-594C-55E8-8EA0-C1E9A630887A
http://zoobank.org/A1FBCDBB-C979-4A5B-9156-61C7ABB01FC1
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), forest of Suk Sum Ran Village (9°28.80'N, 98°30.56'E, elevation 46 m), Kapoe District, Ranong, Thailand, 28 October 2014, P. Wongprom leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males and females are discussed in M. betong sp. nov. Males with a crinkly embolus, lamina-like embolus tip, and swollen pyriform bulb (Fig. 31B). Females with a pair of posteriorly directed tubular spermathecae (Fig. 32A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.28; carapace 0.59 long, 0.52 wide; abdomen 0.64 long, 0.49 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 32C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown but lighter medially. Abdomen ovoid, brownish, with darker brown marks dorsally and ventrally. Legs light brown; measurements: I 6.19 (1.70, 0.21, 1.90, 1.62, 0.76), II 4.46 (1.20, 0.20, 1.33, 1.13, 0.61), III 3.40 (0.92, 0.19, 1.00, 0.84, 0.45), IV 5.05 (1.34, 0.20, 1.55, 1.27, 0.69). Palp (Fig. 31A–D): femur slender, thrice longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.90; bulb pale yellow, swollen pyriform with embolus arising distally; embolus with crinkly stalk and lamina-like at the tip, stalk 1/3 length of bulb; conductor absent.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 32D, E). Measurements: total length 1.28; carapace 0.62 long, 0.54 wide; abdomen 0.66 long, 0.51 wide. Leg measurements: I 5.19 (1.36, 0.21, 1.56, 1.33, 0.73), II 4.02 (1.06, 0.20, 1.15, 1.01, 0.60), III 3.25 (0.85, 0.19, 0.89, 0.83, 0.49), IV 4.75 (1.19, 0.20, 1.45, 1.20, 0.71). Epigastric area (Fig. 32B): dark brown elliptical patch, medially with horizontal pale brown slit. Endogyne (Fig. 32A) with a pair of posteriorly directed tubular spermathecae, gradually enlarged posteriorly.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Thailand; Fig. 54).
Merizocera ratnapura
Li sp. nov.
0BD3213E-0F7D-5160-B006-845D731B5F6F
http://zoobank.org/4F52770D-6E94-42C0-A1EE-CC0B32CEB28C
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Isthripura Cave (6°49.90'N, 80°22.46'E, elevation 268 m), Batatota Village, Adam’s Peak Area, Ekneligoda Town, Kuruwita, Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka, 28 September 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males and females are discussed in M. phuket sp. nov. Males with a thick and short conductor and a gradually tapering embolus (Fig. 33B). Females with a pair of tubular spermathecae laterally and stalked spermathecae medially (Fig. 34A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.48; carapace 0.66 long, 0.59 wide; abdomen 0.80 long, 0.55 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and brown median line on anterior half (Fig. 34C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus and labium brown. Sternum dark brown. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown. Legs light brown; measurements: I, III and IV missing, II 5.74 (1.66, 0.24, 1.76, 1.41, 0.67). Palp (Fig. 33A–D): femur slender, five times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen; tibia not swollen, 1/2 femur length; cymbium with distal protrusion, 1/3 femur length, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium: 0.91; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus elongated and bent, 2.5 times longer than bulb, gradually tapering and darkened at the tip; conductor basally connected with embolus.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 34D, E). Measurements: total length 1.48; carapace 0.70 long, 0.62 wide; abdomen 0.76 long, 0.51 wide. Leg measurements: I 9.38 (2.59, 0.24, 2.97, 2.45, 1.13), II 6.75 (1.92, 0.24, 2.10, 1.66, 0.83), III 5.10 (1.47, 0.23, 1.53, 1.24, 0.63), IV 7.36 (2.08, 0.23, 2.35, 1.82, 0.88). Epigastric area (Fig. 34B): dark brown elliptical patch. Endogyne (Fig. 34A) with a pair of widely tubular spermathecae, medially with stalked spermathecae bearing globose end.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera salawa
Li sp. nov.
C0C443C9-F732-5641-ACBE-C92557284972
http://zoobank.org/C706A307-0868-44DA-AFAB-57E83D0924FC
Figure 36.
Merizocera salawa sp. nov., holotype male. A Habitus, dorsal view B habitus, ventral view.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Lenawara Lena (= cave) (6°56.77'N, 80°6.76'E, elevation 66 m), Salawa Village, Avissawella Town, Maniyangama, Colombo District, Western Province, Sri Lanka, 25 September 2014, S. Kosala leg.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males are discussed in M. mandai sp. nov. Bulb with a widely separated bifurcate conductor, and a curved embolus (Fig. 35B).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.52; carapace 0.61 long, 0.54 wide; abdomen 0.88 long, 0.41 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 36C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown but brownish medially. Abdomen elongated, dark grey, with dark brown marks dorsally and ventrally. Legs missing. Palp (Fig. 35A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen, 1/2 femur length; cymbium with distal protrusion, 1/2 femur length, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium: 0.63; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus and conductor emerging distally; embolus arising laterally, bent, with consistent width; conductor bifurcate, arising laterally, similar width as embolus, resembles a widely open crescent-shape.
Female. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera tak
Li sp. nov.
945E8B4F-6652-5473-92D5-B9A30CBA7EB5
http://zoobank.org/8E300899-E573-4D65-8550-B531D5EB593C
Figure 37.
Merizocera tak sp. nov., holotype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C female habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, ventral view E female habitus, lateral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: female (IZCAS), Mae Klong Noi Subdistrict (16°14.64'N, 98°59.91'E, elevation 1228 m), Umphang District, Tak, Thailand, 17 November 2016, P. Wongprom leg.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Females can be distinguished from all congeners by the presence of two pairs of globose spermathecae, the median pair resembling the figure ‘8’ (Fig. 37A).
Description.
Female (holotype). Total length 1.21; carapace 0.58 long, 0.49 wide; abdomen 0.61 long, 0.47 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 37C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium, and sternum dark brown. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown (Fig. 37B). Legs light brown; measurements: I 3.47 (0.84, 0.19, 1.03, 0.85, 0.56), II 2.93 (0.73, 0.18, 0.84, 0.68, 0.50), III 2.41 (0.59, 0.16, 0.65, 0.58, 0.43), IV 3.48 (0.85, 0.19, 1.00, 0.85, 0.59). Epigastric area (Fig. 37B): dark brown semi-circular patch, medially with a slit. Endogyne (Fig. 37A) with two pairs of globose spermathecae, median pair made up of two overlying globose spermathecae resembling the figure ‘8’, lateral pairs 1/4 size of median pair.
Male. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Thailand; Fig. 54).
Merizocera tanintharyi
Li sp. nov.
92B0A56F-C1B0-5146-9204-E307F32C7C24
http://zoobank.org/7ECF3725-D050-4174-9B28-FB209AD7AB8B
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Tanintharyi Nature Reserve (14°44.12'N, 98°11.55'E, elevation 307 m), Myanmar, 24 October 2017, Z. Chen leg. Paratypes: 1 male and 3 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males and females are discussed in M. mainling sp. nov. Recognised by a wide and appendage-like conductor as long as the embolus (Fig. 38B). It can be distinguished from the Psiloderces leucopygius group by an inconspicuous cymbial protrusion and a distinct conductor (vs. distinct or short cymbial protrusion and an inconspicuous conductor in the leucopygius group).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.76; carapace 0.85 long, 0.74 wide; abdomen 0.95 long, 0.59 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median line (Fig. 39C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium and sternum dark brown. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown. Legs light brown; measurements: I 9.11 (2.66, 0.31, 2.97, 2.25, 0.92), II 7.14 (1.90, 0.27, 2.10, 1.98, 0.89), III 5.50 (1.53, 0.26, 1.64, 1.44, 0.63), IV 8.18 (2.20, 0.29, 2.45, 2.28, 0.96). Palp (Fig. 38A–D): femur slender, 1/3 patella length; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen, 1/2 femur length; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.40; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus and conductor emerging distally, attached but separated at the tip; embolus pointed and darken at the tip; conductor gradually thinner at the tip.
Female (paratype). Similar to the male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 39D, E). Measurements: total length 1.66; carapace 0.75 long, 0.62 wide; abdomen 0.91 long, 0.71 wide. Leg measurements: I 6.12 (1.55, 0.25, 1.82, 1.60, 0.90), II 4.80 (1.23, 0.23, 1.38, 1.24, 0.72), III 3.90 (1.03, 0.22, 1.09, 0.99, 0.57), IV missing. Epigastric area (Fig. 39B): dark brown elliptical patch, medially with pale yellow slit. Endogyne (Fig. 39A) with three pairs of short tubular spermathecae, lateral pairs relatively widely separated, median two pairs attached closely together.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Myanmar; Fig. 54).
Merizocera tengchong
Li sp. nov.
D79BD504-7236-5992-BCB2-BE7C1028717B
http://zoobank.org/5BF76A00-C9E3-4B05-93BF-06E37778DD53
Figure 41.
Merizocera tengchong sp. nov., holotype male. A Habitus, dorsal view B habitus, ventral view.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve (24°49.74'N, 98°46.06'E, elevation 2177 m), Tengchong County, Baoshan, Yunnan, China, 21–22 June 2013, Z. Zhao and J. Liu leg. Paratype: 1 male (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males can be recognised from congeners by the webbed feet-like embolus with a basally attached, stalked apophysis bearing a globose tip (Fig. 40B).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.53; carapace 0.67 long, 0.59 wide; abdomen 0.81 long, 0.49 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 41C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium, and sternum dark brown. Abdomen slightly elongated, dark brown. Legs light brown; measurements: I 5.71 (1.50, 0.25, 1.76, 1.45, 0.75), II and III missing, IV 5.00 (1.31, 0.22, 1.53, 1.23, 0.71). Palp (Fig. 40A–D): femur slender, thrice longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia swollen proximally; cymbium with distal protrusion, 1/3 length of femur, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.47; bulb light brown, elongated pyriform, with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus webbed feet-like with darken tip, attached with thin stalked apophysis bearing globose end, embolus length similar to bulb length; conductor needle-like and slightly bent, 1/4 as long as embolus.
Female. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (China; Fig. 53).
Merizocera thenna
Li sp. nov.
7CF45AFB-6462-5CA0-8264-66D77796471E
http://zoobank.org/17D2C8DC-6F36-43AC-A45D-0E464F936B96
Figure 42.
Merizocera thenna sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view, embolus and conductor distorted C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 43.
Merizocera thenna sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), near the Suwargeya Cave of Archeaology place of Kuragala (6°37.45'N, 80°52.21'E, elevation 439 m), Thenna Village, Kaldoda Town, Balangoda, Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka, 1 October 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratypes: 2 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males can be recognised from all other congeners by the twisted widened embolus and a trifurcate conductor (Fig. 42B). Females can be distinguished by a pair of horizontal, slender, stalked spermathecae, both ends bearing globose distal parts (Fig. 43A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.31; carapace 0.61 long, 0.50 wide; abdomen 0.65 long, 0.42 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 43C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown but brownish medially, with distinct dark radiating lines. Abdomen slightly elongated, brownish, with dark brown marks dorsally and ventrally. Legs light brown; measurements: I 5.33 (1.36, 0.19, 1.64, 1.41, 0.73), II 3.85 (1.00, 0.20, 1.11, 0.97, 0.57), III 3.13 (0.84, 0.17, 0.88, 0.79, 0.45), IV missing. Palp (Fig. 42A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia swollen proximally; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.46; bulb brown, pyriform with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus twisted and dark at the tip, approx. half the width and length of bulb; conductor arising laterally, trifurcate, two hooked, one twice as long as the other but with pointed tip.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 43D, E). Measurements: total length 1.31; carapace 0.56 long, 0.48 wide; abdomen 0.67 long, 0.57 wide. Leg measurements: I and II missing, III 2.26 (0.58, 0.16, 0.62, 0.54, 0.36), IV 3.35 (0.82, 0.18, 1.00, 0.84, 0.51). Epigastric area (Fig. 43B): light brown elongated patch. Endogyne (Fig. 43A) with a pair of horizontally stalked spermathecae, both ends bearing globose distal ends, ratio of the width of spermatheca to the interdistance of spermathecae 1:3.5.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera uva
Li sp. nov.
331B0FA3-AE83-576C-81A0-D206DC232849
http://zoobank.org/E6D72E46-677F-4B14-AEBA-BC3FF497D2B1
Figure 44.
Merizocera uva sp. nov., holotype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C female habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, ventral view E female habitus, lateral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermatheca.
Merizocera sp. 158: Li and Li 2018 (molecular data).
Type material.
Holotype: female (IZCAS), Udakirinda Cave 1 (6°50.24'N, 81°3.85'E, elevation 855 m), Koradogolla Village, Ella, Badulla District, Uva, Sri Lanka, 3 October 2014, S. Kosala leg. Paratype: 1 female (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Females resemble those of M. yala sp. nov. by having twisted stalked spermathecae but can be distinguished by having two pairs of twisted stalked spermathecae, with one end ellipsoid and the other end bifurcately globose (Fig. 44A) (vs. only globose distal ends (Fig. 49A)).
Figure 49.
Merizocera yala sp. nov., holotype female. A Endogyne, dorsal view B female epigastric area, ventral view C female habitus, dorsal view D female habitus, ventral view E female habitus, lateral view. Abbreviation: SP = spermatheca.
Description.
Female (holotype). Total length 1.86; carapace 0.79 long, 0.66 wide; abdomen 1.01 long, 0.84 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown marks laterally and dark brown median stripe on anterior half (Fig. 44C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus brownish, with dark brown marks medially. Labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown but brownish laterally. Abdomen ovoid, dark grey but dark brown posteriorly and ventrally (Fig. 44B). Epigastric area (Fig. 44B): dark brown ellipsoid patch, medially with a slit.
Male. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Sri Lanka; Fig. 52).
Merizocera wenshan
Li sp. nov.
7E16C9CB-2988-538A-8463-D112C0641244
http://zoobank.org/47807A72-FF91-4508-856C-F0B03DA0CB0C
Figure 45.
Merizocera wenshan sp. nov., holotype male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, dorsal view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 46.
Merizocera wenshan sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), near Daweishan National Nature Reserve (22°54.65'N, 103°41.78'E, elevation 2070 m), Pingbian County, Wenshan, Yunnan, China, 21 May 2015, Z. Chen and Y. Li leg. Paratypes: 3 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Males resemble M. wui sp. nov. but can be distinguished by a broad embolus (Fig. 45B) (vs. narrow and thin embolus (Fig. 47B)), absence of a conductor (vs. presence of a short conductor (Fig. 47B)), a short and wide cymbium protrusion (Fig. 45D) (vs. long and thin cymbium protrusion (Fig. 47D)), and a pyriform bulb (Fig. 45B) (vs. spherical bulb (Fig. 47B)). Females can be distinguished by a pair of upright tubular spermathecae (Fig. 46A) (vs. a pair of angled clavate spermathecae (Fig. 48A)).
Figure 47.
Merizocera wui sp. nov., holotype (A, C, D) and paratype (B) male. A Bulb, dorsal view B bulb, prolateral view C palp, prolateral view D palp, retrolateral view. Abbreviations: CO = conductor, CP = cymbial protrusion, EM = embolus.
Figure 48.
Merizocera wui sp. nov., holotype male and paratype female. A Endogyne, 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 = spermatheca.
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.28; carapace 0.62 long, 0.51 wide; abdomen 0.67 long, 0.58 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 46C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus and labium dark brown. Sternum brown but dark brown laterally. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown. Legs light brown; measurements: I 3.45 (0.91, 0.22, 1.01, 0.80, 0.51), II missing, III 2.52 (0.67, 0.19, 0.65, 0.58, 0.43), IV 3.62 (0.94, 0.20, 1.05, 0.84, 0.59). Palp (Fig. 45A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen; cymbium with distal protrusion, half as long as femur; bulb pale yellow, pyriform with embolus merging distally; embolus clavate with blunt tip, similar in length to and approx. thrice narrower than tegular; conductor absent.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 46D, E). Measurements: total length 1.34; carapace 0.63 long, 0.55 wide; abdomen 0.71 long, 0.57 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.20 (0.81, 0.20, 0.95, 0.71, 0.53), II 2.78 (0.71, 0.22, 0.77, 0.60, 0.48), III 2.42 (0.63, 0.18, 0.63, 0.57, 0.41), IV 3.45 (0.87, 0.20, 1.04, 0.78, 0.56). Epigastric area (Fig. 46B): dark brown semi-circular patch. Endogyne (Fig. 46A) with a pair of anteriorly directed tubular spermathecae, ratio of the width of a spermatheca to the interdistance of spermathecae 1:5.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (China; Fig. 53).
Merizocera wui
Li sp. nov.
00F0E486-B6DF-5BCF-87B6-282877966BC0
http://zoobank.org/E17036ED-D627-4032-AA5A-A8959CCCC170
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Roadside between Wasadum and Ziradum (27°32.31'N, 97°7.54'E, elevation 978 m), Putao, Kachin State, Myanmar, 12 December 2016, J. Wu leg. Paratypes: 1 male and 2 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name is a patronym in honour of the collector Jianglang Wu; noun (name) in genitive case.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males and females are discussed in M. wenshan sp. nov. Males with a spherical bulb, thin narrow embolus (Fig. 47B), and a narrow cymbial protrusion (Fig. 47D). Females with angled clavate spermathecae (Fig. 48A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.53; carapace 0.67 long, 0.57 wide; abdomen 0.84 long, 0.79 wide. Carapace circular, brownish, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 48C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus, labium and Sternum dark brown. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown but dark grey dorso-medially. Legs light brown; measurements: I missing, II 4.34 (1.18, 0.22, 1.27, 1.10, 0.57), III 3.37 (0.88, 0.20, 0.95, 0.86, 0.48), IV 4.79 (1.19, 0.23, 1.45, 1.21, 0.71). Palp (Fig. 47A–D): femur slender, five times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen, half as long as femur; cymbium with distal protrusion, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 0.92; bulb spherical, with embolus and conductor arising distally; embolus slender and upright, twice longer than tegular; conductor needle-like, adjacent and basally connected to embolus.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 48D, E). Measurements: total length 1.42; carapace 0.70 long, 0.58 wide; abdomen 0.75 long, 0.60 wide. Leg measurements: I 4.11 (1.06, 0.21, 1.25, 0.99, 0.60), II missing, III 3.40 (0.89, 0.21, 0.97, 0.82, 0.51), IV 4.16 (1.06, 0.22, 1.24, 0.99, 0.65). Epigastric area (Fig. 48B): dark brown oval patch, medially with a pale brown slit. Endogyne (Fig. 48A) with a pair of clavate spermathecae, slightly angled toward each other, ratio of the width of a spermatheca to the interdistance of spermathecae 1:5.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Myanmar; Fig. 53).
Merizocera yala
Li sp. nov.
927958E4-A2A2-5D25-ADEA-8FE761B5DB28
http://zoobank.org/43BC8259-FDFE-471B-B90D-294820187195
Type material.
Holotype: female (IZCAS), near Suea Cave (6°31.36'N, 101°13.87'E, elevation 43 m), Mueang District, Yala, Thailand, 20 October 2015, P. Wongprom leg.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of females are discussed in M. uva sp. nov. Females with stalked spermathecae bearing globose ends (Fig. 49A).
Description.
Female (holotype). Total length 1.33; carapace 0.59 long, 0.50 wide; abdomen 0.69 long, 0.54 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 49C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus and labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown, with distinct dark radiating lines. Abdomen ovoid, brownish but dark brown posteriorly and ventrally (Fig. 49B). Legs light brown; measurements: I, II, and IV missing, III 3.54 (0.97, 0.19, 1.01, 0.86, 0.51). Epigastric area (Fig. 49B): pale brown semi-circular patch, medially with dark brown horizontal slit. Endogyne (Fig. 49A) with a pair of twisted stalked spermathecae.
Male. Unknown.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (Thailand; Fig. 54).
Merizocera yuxi
Li sp. nov.
436B4A41-38C6-546B-8A40-7382A4E6B0A2
http://zoobank.org/31847E90-FA82-42CB-A238-B99637E64341
Merizocera sp. 249: Li and Li 2018 (molecular data).
Type material.
Holotype: male (IZCAS), Guzhouyelin (24°6.63'N, 101°51.00'E, elevation 1987 m), Xinhua Town, Xinping County, Yuxi, Yunnan, China, 2 June 2015, Z. Chen and Y. Li leg. Paratypes: 1 male and 2 females (IZCAS), same data as holotype.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.
Diagnosis.
Diagnosis features of males and females are discussed in M. betong sp. nov. Males with swollen pyriform bulb, and embolus with a crinkly and flattened tip (Fig. 50B). Females with two pairs of tubular spermathecae (Fig. 51A).
Description.
Male (holotype). Total length 1.25; carapace 0.61 long, 0.51 wide; abdomen 0.62 long, 0.48 wide. Carapace circular, brown, with dark brown radiating marks (Fig. 51C). Fovea shallow. Thoracic region distinctly elevated medially. Clypeus and labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown, with dark radiating lines. Abdomen ovoid, dark brown. Legs light brown; measurements: I, III, and IV missing, II 3.11 (0.83, 0.20, 0.89, 0.70, 0.49). Palp (Fig. 50A–D): femur slender, four times longer than patella; patella not swollen; tibia not swollen; cymbium with distal protrusion, 1/3 length of femur, length ratio of dorsal elongation and cymbium 1.13; bulb pyriform, with embolus arising distally; embolus crinkly with flattened tip, with distinct swollen section medially, similar length as the tegular; conductor absent.
Female (paratype). Similar to male in colouration and general features but slightly larger (Fig. 51D, E). Measurements: total length 1.45; carapace 0.66 long, 0.54 wide; abdomen 0.79 long, 0.63 wide. Leg measurements: I 3.46 (0.90, 0.22, 1.01, 0.79, 0.54), II 2.99 (0.79, 0.20, 0.84, 0.67, 0.49), III missing, IV 3.69 (0.91, 0.21, 1.10, 0.84, 0.63). Epigastric area (Fig. 51B): dark brown, nearly trapezoidal patch. Endogyne (Fig. 51A) with two pairs of spermathecae, lateral pairs globose, median pairs clavate, lateral pairs attached basally with the median pairs.
Distribution.
Known only from the type locality (China; Fig. 53).
Discussion
Males of Merizocera can be distinguished from Psiloderces by the following characters: In Merizocera the cymbium and bulb are of similar lengths, or rarely the bulb is longer than the cymbium. In contrast, the cymbium is generally longer than the bulb in Psiloderces. Merizocera can be divided into six morphological groups of species based on male palps. Merizocera betong sp. nov., M. ranong sp. nov., M. wenshan sp. nov., M. wui sp. nov., and M. yuxi sp. nov. form a group of species with a rounded or almost pyriform bulb and a rather simple embolus (not overly elongated and curved); M. thenna sp. nov., M. salawa sp. nov., M. kurunegala sp. nov., M. peraderiya sp. nov., M. colombo sp. nov., M. kandy sp. nov., M. oryzae, and M. picturata form a group of species with a furcate conductor and distally arising embolus; M. tengchong sp. nov., M. putao sp. nov., M. kachin sp. nov., and M. baoshan sp. nov. form a group of species with a distinctly elongated, slender bulb, distally with bent embolus or stalked apophysis; M. mandai sp. nov. and M. crinita form a group of species with similarly slender, distally arising embolus and conductor; M. tanintharyi sp. nov., M. mainling sp. nov., M. cruciata, and M. brincki form a group of species which have a short or inconspicuous cymbial protrusion, and distally arising embolus and conductor; and M. krabi sp. nov., M. ratnapura sp. nov., M. phuket sp. nov., M. hponkanrazi sp. nov., and M. galle sp. nov. form a group of species with a distinctly elongated and curved embolus. It is not feasible to co-relate the species groups based on female characters.
Supplementary Material
Acknowledgments
The manuscript benefitted greatly from comments by Abel Pérez-González, Antônio Brescovit, and Nadine Dupérré. Prasit Wongprom and Sudath Kosala kindly provided the specimens studied. Joseph K.H. Koh checked the language. Theo Blick checked the etymology. We thank the National Parks Board for permission to collect specimens in Singapore (NP/PR15-45a). This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC-31872193, 31530067) and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015CASEABRI005, Y4ZK111B01), and the Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program (XLYC1907150).
Citation
Chang W-J, Yao Z, Li S (2020) Twenty-eight new species of the spider genus Merizocera Fage, 1912 (Araneae, Psilodercidae) from South and Southeast Asia. ZooKeys 961: 41–118. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.961.53058
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