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[E, F] Luthela kagami Wei & Lin, [C, D, H, I] L. beijing Wei & Lin, in Wei, Wang & Lin, 2023. |
Abstract
Three new segmented trapdoor spider species belonging to the family Heptathelidae Kishida, 1923, i.e., Luthela asuka sp. nov. (♂♀, Sichuan), L. beijing sp. nov. (♂♀, Beijing), and L. kagami sp. nov. (♂♀, Sichuan), are described from China. Their phylogenetic position and relationships within Heptathelidae are tested and assessed using a combination available COI data downloaded from GenBank with new DNA sequences obtained in this study. The results show that the new species form a clade with eight known and one undescribed species of Luthela. High-definition illustrations of the male palps and female genitalia, diagnoses, and DNA barcodes are provided for these three new species, and their distributions are mapped.
Keywords: Burrowing spider, COI, heptathelids, molecular analysis, new species, taxonomy
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| New species of Luthela A, B, G Luthela asuka sp. nov. from Longquanyi District, Chengdu C, D, H, I L. beijing sp. nov. from Zizhuyuan Park, Beijing E, F L. kagami sp. nov. from Guihua Township, Pengzhou City A, C, E male habitus, dorsal view B, D, F female habitus, dorsal view G female haibitus, ventral view H living female, dorsal view I burrow, vertical section, with red arrow pointing to the spider. Photographs by Chao Wu (H, I). Scale bars: 5.00 mm. |
Luthela asuka Wei & Lin, sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet is from “Asuka Langley Soryu”, a fictional character wearing a red combat suit from the animation “Evangelion” (by the Japanese creator Hideaki Anno), refers to the body color; noun (name) in apposition.
Luthela beijing Wei & Lin, sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet derives from the type locality; noun in apposition.
Luthela kagami Wei & Lin, sp. nov.
Etymology: The specific epithet is from “Hiiragi Kagami”, a fictional character from the comic “Lucky Star” (written and illustrated by the Japanese cartoonist Yoshimizu Kagami) with haircut similar to “Asuka Langley Soryu” (see Etymology of Luthela asuka sp. nov.); the name refers to the great similarity between these two new species; noun (name) in apposition.
Mian Wei, Shuqiao Wang and Yucheng Lin. 2023. Systematic Notes on Three New Luthela (Mesothelae, Heptathelidae) Spiders from China, with their descriptions. ZooKeys. 1159: 151-168. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1159.90120
