Himalaphantes auriculus sp. nov. (ĄĝẲĦƦ) Figures 136, 137, 146

Types. Holotype ♀, CHINA, Yunnan, Gongshan County, Cikai Township, Dabadi to Gongshan, along Pula River downward, 27.7945833°N, 98.5071389°E, 3025–3990m, 4 October 2002, Heng-mei Yan leg. (Yan021004) . Paratypes: 1♀, same data as holotype female (Yan021004); 1♀, Cikai Township, Dabadi, North bank of Pula river, 27.78333°N, 98.51667°E, alt. 3030m, 28 September 2002, Heng-mei Yan leg. (Yan020928) .

Etymology. This epithet derives from the Latin adjective “ auricula ”, meaning “ear lobe”, referring to the scape lateral margin with an ear lobe-shaped outgrowth in the epigyne.

Diagnosis. The new species resembles Himalaphantes fugongensis sp. nov. in having the similar spermathecae and posterior median plate in epigyne (Fig. 136A–C; Fig. 138A–C), but can be distinguished by the lateral lobes short in H. auriculus sp. nov. (Fig. 136A–C), whereas three times longer in H. fugongensis sp. nov. (Fig. 138A–C). The length of posterior margin of scape three and half times longer than the lateral lobe in H. auriculus sp. nov. (Fig. 136A–C), whereas the lateral lobe two and half times longer than the posterior margin of scape in H. fugongensis sp. nov. (Fig. 138A–C).

Description: Female (holotype, Fig. 137A, B): Total length: 4.18; carapace 1.53 long, 1.09 wide, brown; cephalic region slightly elevated, with a brown band, lateral sides brown; fovea, cervical and radial grooves distinct. Clypeus 0.29 high. Sternum longer than wide, dark brown. Labium wider than long, brown. Maxillae long, distal end broad with scopulae. Chelicerae brown, with four promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Eye region narrow,AER recurved, PER straight, slightly wider than AER. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.12, PME 0.11, PLE 0.10, AME–AME 0.05, AME–ALE, 0.07, PME–PME 0.07, PME–PLE 0.07, AME–PME, 0.13, ALE–ALE 0.55, PLE–PLE 0.58, ALE–PLE 0.02. Legs with annuli; length of legs: I 8.77 (2.31, 2.92, 2.23, 1.31), II 7.31 (1.98, 2.43, 1.89, 1.01), III 4.57 (1.23, 1.49, 1.22, 0.63), IV 6.38 (1.78, 1.91, 1.74, 0.95); leg formula I-II-IV-III. Tm I 0.69 and Tm IV 0.46. Tibial dorsal spine formula: 2-2-2-2. Abdomen 2.65 long, 1.79 wide, oval, yellow, proximal end with a longitudinal band followed by irregular green patches extending posteriorly; ventral side green, with irregular greenish patches.

Epigyne (Fig. 136A–C): Scape wider than long, with a deep depression posteriorly and a lateral lobe on each side; stretcher longer than wide with round end. copulatory openings present in lateral pockets. Entrance grooves sinuous. Posterior median plate trapezoid. Spermathecae relatively large, L-shaped.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 146).