Nemesia shenlongi, Pertegal & García & Molero-Baltanás & Knapp, 2022

Pertegal, Cristian, García, Iñigo Sánchez, Molero-Baltanás, Rafael & Knapp, Stephen, 2022, Description of a new trapdoor spider species from southern Spain that exhibits an as yet unknown defence strategy (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Nemesiidae), Bonn zoological Bulletin 71 (2), pp. 109-118 : 110-117

Nemesia shenlongi sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:400C0D68-30E3-4F08-AFD5-26181FCBBABF

Figs 2–4

Holotype

SPAIN: Torrecera, Jerez de la Frontera, 36.5968, -5.9686, alt. 15 m., ♂, MNCN 20.02 /20440, 21.ix.2021.

Paratypes

SPAIN: Torrecera, Jerez de la Frontera, 36.5968, -5.96864, alt . 15 m, 3 ♂♂ ( CPC), 21.ix.2021 ; 5 ♂♂ ( CPC), 26.ix.2021 ; 1 ♀ ( CPC), 1.xii.2019 ; 2 ♀♀ ( CPC), 6.ix.2020 ; 1 ♀ MNCN 20.02 /20441, 20.viii.2020 ; 1 ♀ ( CPC), 4.iv.2021 .

Etymology. The species is named after the wish-granting mythological dragon, Shenlong, that can be summoned by collecting all seven Dragon Balls.

Description of a new trapdoor spider species from southern Spain 111

Diagnosis. Within Nemesia , N. shenlongi sp. n. fits in a morphologically well-defined species group con- taining N. dorthesi (Thorell, 1875) , N. santeugenia ( Decae, 2005) , N. santeulalia ( Decae, 2005) , N. uncinata (Bacelar, 1933) , and N. valenciae (Kraus, 1955) characterized by filiform posterior median spinnerets, females with sac-like or potato-shaped spermathecae and males with dorsal spines on the tibiae and metatarsi, and globose and ornamented bulbs ( Zonstein 2017, 2019). Males of N. shenlongi sp. n. demonstrate a very characteristic morphology never described before, possessing the conical embolus with a flat duckbill-shaped tip ( Fig. 2 ). The spermathecae in N. shenlongi sp. n. resemble two mounds divided by a deep depression ( Fig. 2 ). In males of other species of this group, the basic part of the embolus is fairly cylindrical and curved towards their apical half, whereas in N. shenlongi sp. n. this area is flat and wide. On the other hand, the spermathecae in the new species may resemble those of N. santeugenia , N. santeu- lalia, and N. uncinata . The morphology of the receptacles of N. uncinata resembles two rounded mounds with the glandular tissue distributed from the apical zone to the middle of the spermatheca. The spermathecae of the oth- er two species are potato-shaped in their distal half and differ from each other by the section in the middle of the receptacle of N. santeulalia . Despite this, the overall shape of the spermatheca of N. shenlongi sp. n. is more elongated at the end than in N. uncinata and lacks a sectioned area as in N. santeugenia and N. santeulalia . The burrow of N. shenlongi sp. n. could be considered an important diagnostic character, because none of other congeners was previously known to build a flask-shaped burrow provided with a spherical plug of soil, in addition to the typical thin flexible trapdoor.

Description

Male (holotype)

General habitus. Prosoma brown with dark pilosity on the edges of the cephalic area, the fovea and the posterior area. Opisthosoma yellowish with a dark cardiac mark and five to six chevrons dorsally, and light yellow with several dark dots ventrally ( Fig. 3 ).

Prosoma. Clypeus dark with seven bristles and white pubescence. POP broken between AME. Caput slightly elevated. Crest zone light brown with seven bristles. Shallow fovea. Chelicerae black, with two stripes of whitish pubescence. Cheliceral rastellum of six spikes. Smooth fang ridge. Cheliceral furrow with six promarginal denticles. Sternum yellowish brown with circular to oval sigilla, the two first pairs of sigilla marginal and the third pair submarginal. Maxillae dark brown with some probasal strong bristles, but in other males two to seven cuspules. Labium and coxae dark brown ( Fig. 3 ).

Palp and legs I–IV. Cymbium with dorsal patch of 18–19 spines in holotype, 19–27 in other males. Bulb globular and embolus with duckbill-shaped tip ( Fig. 3 ). Palp tibia ratio 2.35±0.14. Palpal tibia dorsally with apical patch of 13 spines (11–17 in other males). Clasper hooked. Clasper field with scopula. Metatarsus I slightly curved. Palp and legs femora black, the other segments brown. Scopula extends from distal tibiae to tarsi I–II; on legs III–IV present only on tarsi. MTF4 ratio: tibia> femur> metatarsus, usually tibia> metatarsus> femur.

Prolateral and retrolateral spination. Leg I, prolateral side Pa: 2(1). 2(1); Ti: 3(4). 3(2–4); Met: 4(2). 4(3) and retrolateral side Pa: 2(1). 2(1); Ti: 3. 3; Met: 3(1–2). 2(1–3). Leg II, prolateral side Pa: 2(1–3). 2; Ti: 3(2–4). 4(2–3–5); Met: 4. 3(2–4) and retrolateral side Pa: 1(2). 1(0); Ti: 3. 3(2); Met: 3(2–4). 3(2). Leg III, prolateral side Pa: 2(0–3). 2(1); Ti: 5(3–4). 4(3); Met: 3(4). 3(4) and retrolateral side Pa: 1.1; Ti: 3(2).3(2); Met= 3.3(4). Legs IV, prolateral side Pa: 3(2). 3(2); Ti: 6(7–8). 9(5–7–8); Met: 3(4–5). 3(4–5) and retrolateral side Pa: 1.1; Ti: 5(3– 4–7). 3(4–6–9); Met: 4(3–5–9). 5(3–4–6–7).

Patellar spine formulae, PSP [p: 1. 1; I: 2. 2; II: 2. 2; III: 2. 2; IV: 3. 3]. RSP [p: 0.0; I: 2. 2; II: 1. 1; III: 1. 1; IV: 1. 1]. Variations (n=8) PSP [p: 1. 1; I: 2. 2(1); II: 1–2–3.2; III: 2(3). 2; IV: 3(2). 3(2)]. RSP [p: 0.0; I: 1(2).1(2); II: 1(2). 1(0); III: 1. 1; IV: 1. 1].

Opisthosoma. In the holotype, epiandrous fusillae: 65; trapezoid-triangular epiandric area of 1.23 mm 2 ( Fig. 3 ); density: 52.85 epiandrous fusillae/mm 2; ratio carapace length/number of epiandrous fusillae 0.11. The remaining males, epiandrous fusillae: 63±6; epiandric area: 0.99± 0.12 mm 2; density: 64.12±6.24 epiandrous fusillae/ mm 2; ratio carapace length/number of epiandrous fusillae 8.71±1.16. Spinneret morphology: PLS: basal segment longer than middle segment+ distal segment. PMS cone-shaped.

Measurements (mm). Bl: 16.25 (14.09–16.75); dorsal area of prosoma: Cal: 4.47 (3.95–4.88); Ch: 2.2 (1.85– 2.43); Cl: 7.64 (7.68–8.07); Cw: 6.12 (4.89–6.38); Th: 1.74 (1.48–1.94); Clyl: 0.33 (0.19–0.31); ocular group: AER: 0.21 (1.07–1.15); PER: 1.09 (1.14–1.2); ALE: 1.16 (0.28–0.34); PLE: 0.29 (0.2–0.32); AME: 2.23 (0.18– 0.31); PME: 0.19 (0.16–0.27); El: 0.17 (0.54–0.59); ventral area of prosoma: Mal: 2.16 (1.88–2.49); Maw: 1.35 (1.16–1.41); Lal: 0.67 (0.6–0.79); Law: 1.27 (1–1.27); Sl: 3.92 (3.0–3.92); Sw: 2.91 (2.14–2.61); Palp: Bulb: 1.78 (1.58–1.86); Eml: 0.93 (0.82–1); Ew1: 0.61 (0.57–0.69); Ew2: 0.24 (0.22–0.25); Ew3: 0.4 (0.4–0.49); Cyl: 1.61 (1.18–1.61); Til: 2.83 (2.42–2.9); Tiw: 1.27 (1.03–1.27); Pal: 2.0 (1.62–2.07); Fel: 3.7 (3.11–3.95); TOTAL: 10.14 (9.02–10.14); Leg I: Tal: 2.6 (2.55–2.97); Mel: 4.08 (3.48–4.11); Til: 4.18 (3.52–4.39); Pal: 3.54 (2.92–3.54); Fel: 5.77 (5.21–6.18); TOTAL: 20.17 (18.23–21.03); Leg II: Tal: 2.54 (2.18–2.69); Mel: 4.25 (3.64–4.25); Til: 3.97 (3.54–3.97); Pal: 3.04 (2.89–3.27); Fel: 5.03 (5.03–5.83); TOTAL: 18.83 (17.57–19.64); Leg III: Tal: 2.43 (2.43– 3.05); Mel: 4.62 (4.36–5.06); Til: 3.74 (3.23–3.79); Pal: 2.75 (2.25–2.75); Fel: 4.75 (3.85–5.05); TOTAL: 18.29 (16.96–19.2); Leg IV: Tal: 3.23 (2.81–3.23); Mel: 6.54 (5.97–7.05); Til: 6.58 (6.43–7.1); Pal: 3.88 (3.14–3.88); Fel: 6.57 (5.61–6.57); TOTAL: 26.8 (24.44–27.29).

Female

General appearance. Alive specimens light to dark brownish grey. Carapace entirely covered with whitish pubescence; black medal-shaped pubescence present on cephalic area and around fovea, with orange brownish background in alcohol ( Fig. 4b ). Opisthosoma light yellowish, dorsally with darker brownish cardiac mark and three to seven chevrons; ventrally with several darker dots.

Prosoma. Clypeus dark coloured with a row of six marginal setae. POP black. Caput elevated. Crest zone lightly pigmented with a row of five to seven bristles. Fovea shallow. Chelicerae as in holotype. Cheliceral rastellum of six to seven strong spikes. Fang ridge smooth. Cheliceral furrow with six to eight promarginal teeth. Maxillae dark brown, three to seven cuspules. Labium of same colour as maxillae. Sternum as in holotype ( Fig. 4c ).

Palp and legs I–IV. Legs and palps dark brown on proximal segments to orange brownish on distal ones. Scopula extends from tarsus to distal tibia on palp and legs I–II; present only on tarsi of legs III–IV. MTF4 ratio usually tibia> femur> metatarsus, but Tibia> metatarsus> femur in one specimen.

Prolateral and retrolateral spination. Palp, prolateral side: Pa: 2.2; Ti: 2.2; leg I, prolateral side Pa: 2(1).2(1); Ti: 3(2).3(2). Leg II, prolateral side Pa: 2(1).2; Ti: 3.3(2); Met: 1(2).1(0). Leg III, prolateral side Pa: 2(1).2(1); Ti: 2(3).2(3); Met: 3(4).3 and retrolateral side Ti: 2.2; Met: 3.3(4). Legs IV, prolateral side Met: 2.2, retrolateral Ti: 3 (2).2(3); Met: 3.3.

Patellar spine formulae, variations (n=5) PSP [p: 2(3). 2; I: 2(1). 2(1); II: 2(1).2; III: 2(0–1). 2(1); IV: 2. 2]. RSP var [p: 0.0; I: 0.0; II: 0.0; III: 0.0; IV: 0.0].

Opisthosoma. Spinneret morphology: PLS: as in male. Maculae present on basal segment, sometimes poorly visible. PMS: cone-shaped ( Fig. 4 ). Spermathecae: mound-shaped with deep depression between both mounds ( Fig.4 ).

Measurements (mm). Bl: 16.84–20.87; dorsal area of prosoma: Cal: 4.7–5.33; Ch: 2.21–2.91; Cl: 7.68–8.07; Cw: 5.8–6.31; Th: 1.17–1.63; Clyl: 0.23–0.39; ocular group: AER: 1.21–1.36; PER: 1.3–1.42; ALE: 0.34–0.45; PLE: 0.26–0.38; AME: 0.18–0.31; PME: 0.14–0.24; El: 0.61–0.73; ventral area of prosoma: Mal: 2.41–2.99;

Description of a new trapdoor spider species from southern Spain 117 Maw: 1.36–1.77; Lal: 0.75–0.93; Palp: Tal: 1.99–2.6; Til: 2.15–2.68; Pal: 1.87–2.31; Fel: 3.08–4.16; TOTAL: 9.52–11.67; Leg I: Tal: 1.82–2.22; Mel: 2.87–3.15; Til: 3.48–3.89; Pal: 3.14–3.52; Fel: 5.11–5.57; TOTAL: 16.94–17.95; Leg II: Tal: 1.81–2.06; Mel: 2.73–2.97; Til: 3.13–3.37; Pal: 2.69–3.35; Fel: 4–5; TOTAL: 15.24– 16.53; Leg III: Tal: 1.87–2.06; Mel: 3.12–3.27; Til: 2.29– 2.62; Pal: 2.44–2.7; Fel: 3.87–4.1; TOTAL: 13.77–14.45; Leg IV: Tal: 2.02–2.44; Mel: 4.73–5.14; Til: 5.51–6.3; Pal: 3.51–3.87; Fel: 4.94–5.49; TOTAL: 20.95–22.88.

Ecology

This species was found in an open ‘dehesa’ formed by mastic, Pistacia lentiscus L., wild olive, Olea europaea var. sylvestris (Mill.) Lehr , and fan palm, Chamaerops humilis L., with a poor grass layer on the soil. Nemesia shenlongi sp. n. shares its habitat with other mygalomorph spiders such as Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805) , spiders belonging to the genus Ummidia (Thorell, 1875) and Iberesia (Decae & Cardoso, 2005) , N. uncinata , and other unidentified Nemesia species. The nest is covered with a thin flexible trapdoor in the en- trance and a silk-linked flask-shaped burrow about 18 cm deep. In addition, this spider builds a sphere reminiscent of a marble of soil particles bound with saliva which it uses to close the narrow area of the burrow as a safe room ( Fig. 5b–d ). All found specimens tried to close their burrow with particles of soil and silk when the ball was removed. The spiders usually demonstrated a defensive behaviour when removed from their nests.

Males were collected between the 21 th and 26 th of September of 2021. No specimens were collected in the pitfall traps during the preceding season. Only the female collected on 1 st of December of 2019 had been seen with offspring.

Figures

Fig. 2. Nemesia. shenlongi sp. n., male and female copulatory organs. a. Retroventral, ventral and proventral aspects of bulb. b. Prodorsal, dorsal and retrodorsal aspects of bulb. c. Ventral view of spermathecae. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Fig. 3. Nemesia shenlongi sp. n., ♂, holotype (MNCN 20.02/20440). a. Body, dorsal. b. Maxillae, labium and sternum, ventral. c. Bulb, proventral. d. Palp, prolateral.e. Opisthoma, ventral.f. Metatarsus I, with the clasper area marked with an arrow, prolateral. g. Epigastric area with epiandrous fussillae, ventral. Scale bars: a = 5 mm; b, d, f–g = 1 mm; c = 0.5; e = 2 mm.

Fig. 4. Nemesia shenlongi sp. n., ♀, paratype (MNCN 20.02/20441). a. Living specimen. b. Carapace, dorsal. c. Maxillae; labium and sternum, ventral. d. Spinnerets, ventral. e. Spermathecae, ventral. Scale bars: b = 5 mm; c–d = 1 mm; e = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 5. a. Habitat where Nemesia shenlongi sp. n. was found. b. First section of a burrow.c. Detail of the ball blocking the chamber. d. Ball. Scale bar: 5 mm.