Araneae, Agelenidae - BioOne

ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE 25: 546–553 (2008)

© 2008 Zoological Society of Japan

Acutipetala gen. nov., a New Genus of Funnel-Web Spiders from Northern Thailand (Araneae, Agelenidae) Pakawin Dankittipakul1* and Zhi-Sheng Zhang2 1

Insect Endocrinology Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand 2 College of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China

A new funnel-web spider genus, Acutipetala gen. nov., is erected to accommodate two new agelenid species known to occur in evergreen forests of northern Thailand: Acutipetala octoginta sp. nov. (type species,♂♀) and A. donglini sp. nov. (♂). The genus is established on the basis of the distinctive appearance of the genital structures, in which the median apophysis of the male palp is petal-shaped, sharply pointed, and strongly sclerotized, and the truncate embolus is short, originates subapically, and is provided with a hook-shaped apical portion. Key words:

taxonomy, zoogeography, Southeast Asia, new species, evergreen tropical forests

INTRODUCTION The spider family Agelenidae C. L. Koch, 1837 is represented by approximately 40 genera and about 500 nominal species (Platnick, 2007). Its center of distribution lies in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with a considerable number of the described genera and species occurring in the southern hemisphere (Platnick, 2007). Although the currently valid New Zealand cribellate Agelenidae may be misplaced, there is no appropriate alternative at present (Jocqué and Dippenaar-Schoeman, 2006). Spiders of the family Agelenidae have a distinctive preference for the cooler regions of the world, including mountainous areas in tropical Southeast Asia. The majority of nominal species reported from Asia are known from the temperate zone of China, India, Korea, and Japan (Barman, 1979; Reddy and Patel, 1992; Song et al., 1999; Tanikawa, 2005; Tikader, 1969, 1970; Uyemura, 1936; Zhang et al., 2005, 2006; Xu and Li, 2007). Surprisingly, the agelenid species previously described from Southeast Asia include representatives of only three genera: Tegenaria Latreille, 1804; Agelena Walckenaer, 1805; and Allagelena Zhang, Zhu & Song, 2006. Except for Agelena limbata Thorell, 1897, which is known from China, Korea, Myanmar, and Japan, the following species have not been reported since their original descriptions: Tegenaria chebana Thorell, 1897, from Myanmar; Agelena doris Hogg, 1922, and A. tenuis Hogg, 1922, from Vietnam; and Allagelena monticola ChamiKranon, Likhitrakarn & Dankittipakul, 2007, from Thailand. The Agelenidae previously known from Thailand belong to the genera Tegenaria and Allagelena (Chami-Kranon et al., 2007; Dankittipakul, 2002). Tegenaria cf. aculeata Wang, 1992, was recorded from evergreen hill forests of Doi Inthanon National Park, where the mean minimum annual * Corresponding author. Phone: +66-53-943346 ext 1435; Fax : +66-53-892959; E-mail : [email protected] doi:10.2108/zsj.25.546

temperature is less than 20°C (Dankittipakul, 2002). Tegenaria domestica (Clerck, 1757), which is considered cosmopolitan (Platnick, 2007), was also reported from Southeast Asia (Murphy and Murphy, 2000), but it has not been collected in Thailand. The occurrence of Acutipetala gen. nov. in tropical forests of Thailand is of interest and adds another genus to the family, which currently encompasses approximately 41 valid genera distributed almost exclusively in the Holarctic (Platnick, 2007). MATERIALS AND METHODS Morphological characters were examined, measured, and drawn with Olympus SZX-9 and Olympus CX-31 microscopes equipped with a drawing tube. Photographs were taken and transferred to Adobe Photoshop CS2 for adjustment. All measurements are in millimeters. Measurements of leg articles were taken from the dorsal side. The epigyne was drawn in the natural and cleared (after immersion in 90% lactic acid for 30–60 minutes) states. The material examined is deposited in the spider collection of the Muséum d’histoire naturelle de la Ville de Genève (MHNG), Switzerland, and the Natural History Museum (TNHM), National Science Museum, Technopolis, Klong 5, Klong Luang, Pathumthani Province, Thailand. Abbreviations used in the text and figures are as follows: AER, anterior eye row; ALE, anterior lateral eyes; AME, anterior median eyes; BS, basal swelling of cymbium; C, conductor; DC, dorsal apophysis of conductor; E, embolus; FD, fertilization duct; GO, genital orifice; ID, insemination duct; LTA, lateral tibial apophysis; MA, median apophysis; MOQ, median ocular quadrangle; MS, median plate of epigyne; PER, posterior eye row; PLE, posterior lateral eyes; PME, posterior median eyes; RTA, retrolateral tibial apophysis; SP, spermathecae. In text ‘Fig.’ and ‘Figs.’ refer to figures herein, while ‘fig.’ and ‘figs.’ refer to figures published elsewhere.

TAXONOMY Agelenidae C. L. Koch, 1837 Acutipetala gen. nov. Type species. Acutipetala octoginta sp. nov. Etymology. The generic name is a combination of the

New Genus of Funnel-Web Spiders

Latin acutus (sharpened; past participle of acuere, to sharpen) and the Greek petalon, leaf. The gender is feminine. Diagnosis. Representatives of Acutipetala gen. nov. can be recognized by the following combination of characters: medium-sized spiders (total length 6.7–8.8); both eye rows strongly procurved (Figs. 7, 11); chilum membranous, divided; chelicerae with three promarginal and three or four retromarginal teeth (Figs. 4, 9); male palp lacking patellar apophysis; palpal tibia with two apophyses, a retrolateral tibial apophysis comprising a broad, flat, strongly sclerotized plate extending far beyond tibia (Figs. 14, 16, 20–23), and a lateral tibial apophysis that is modified, large and protruding (Figs. 14, 16, 21, 23); retromargin of cymbium swollen basally (Figs. 14, 21); embolus robust, originating subapically, with terminal portion sharply pointed (Figs. 14, 17) or twisted (Fig. 21); conductor membranous, provided with sclerotized dorsal apophysis (Figs. 14–16, 21, 22); median apophysis strongly sclerotized, petal shaped, sharply pointed (Figs. 14–16, 20–22). Female epigyne represented by a large sclerotized plate with a pair of anterior epigynal teeth and a broad median sclerite (Fig. 18); atrium indistinct; spermathecae rounded, heavily sclerotized (Fig. 19). Members of Acutipetala gen. nov. are very similar in general appearance, and no separation of species is possible on this basis. The male palpal organ contains the only reliable characters for species determination. Description. Ecribellate spider. Medium sized, total length 6.7–7.1 (male) and 7.5–8.8 (female). Prosoma (Figs. 1, 2) elongate, widest between coxae II–III, attenuated in front, long and narrow in ocular region; in profile highest in thoracic part (Fig. 8), gradually sloping toward cephalic part. Longitudinal fovea moderately depressed, occupying about half of carapace length (Figs. 1, 2). Cervical groove indistinct. Eyes arranged in two rows (4:4): from front, AER and PER strongly procurved (Figs. 7, 11); median eyes rounded, lateral eyes more or less oval. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME smaller than ALE, ALE largest, ALE subequal to PLE, PME smallest; PER slightly longer than AER; AME separated by less than their diameter; AME–AME slightly shorter than AME–ALE; PME separated by their diameter; PME– PLE separated less than PME diameter. Median ocular quadrangle longer than wide, wider behind than in front. Clypeus height 1–2 times AME diameter, lined with long, strong setae. Chilum divided, almost indistinct, hairless. Chelicerae elongate and slender (Fig. 7); cheliceral fang grooves provided with three promarginal teeth, the middle one largest, and four or five retromarginal teeth different in size (Figs. 4, 9); condyle large; dorsal chelicerae covered with long setae (Fig. 7); ventrally with setae arranged in an oblique line; anterior surface of chelicerae covered with dense, long, strong setae (Fig. 4). Fangs moderately long. Endites (Figs. 4, 10) rectangular, longer than wide, parallel sided, with anterior scopula and linear serrula. Labium (Fig. 10) rectangular, usually longer than wide, basolaterally constricted, slightly notched distally, lined with long, dark setae. Sternum (Figs. 3, 10) shield shaped, anterior margin more or less straight, separated from labium by shallow furrow, lateral margins strongly invaginated, posteriorly protruded; sparsely covered with long, dark setae, which are absent from the middle portion.

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Legs long and slender; coxa and femur covered with long ventral hairs, occupying half femoral length; metatarsus and tarsus clothed with numerous setae; leg formula 4=123; leg I, IV almost subequal, length III shortest; trochanter weekly notched; tarsi and metatarsi with a row of short trichobothria, gradually increasing distally in length. Spination varies among species and individuals. Tarsi with three claws (Fig. 12); paired tarsal claws with 11 teeth; unpaired tarsal claw with five proximal teeth, basal tooth triangular, small and short. Scopula absent. Opisthosoma elongate oval, covered with short, black and white setae. Dorsum of opisthosoma with pattern consisting of a dark reddish brown folium on reddish background together with a series of paired pale spots (Figs. 1, 2). Venter pale, provided with dark brown patches forming U-shaped pattern (Fig. 5). Spinnerets (Figs. 3, 6, 13): cololus reduced into two groups of long and curved bristles. Anterior lateral spinnerets (ALS) conical, widely separated, clearly biarticulated, apical segment short, provided with one major ampullate gland spigot at mesal margin, surrounded by 30–40 piriform gland spigots. Posterior median spinnerets (PMS) entirely membranous, faintly biarticulate, with three minor ampullate gland spigots and eight to ten aciniform gland spigots. Posterior lateral spinnerets (PLS) distinctly longer than total length of ALS, with thin, acuminate apical segment tapering towards tip, twice as long as basal segment, basally with a group of 3–6 cylindrical gland spigots, 6–8 pairs aciniform gland spigots situated along lateral margins interspersed with pulmate hairs. Median spiracle situated ahead of spinnerets. Male genitalia: palpal femur long, with two strong spines mid-dorsally. Patella short, apically with two strong, elongate, dorsal spines, without apophysis. Tibia short, about the same length as patella, with four to five conspicuous long spines and two apophyses: retrolateral tibial apophysis a broad, flat, strongly sclerotized plate running along tibial length, distal portion extending far beyond tibia; large protruding lateral tibial apophysis arising retrolaterally on ventral side of RTA. Cymbium long, extending anteriorly beyond alveolus; cymbial furrow absent; long, conspicuous spines on lateral sides; retromargin with basal swelling. Tegulum simple and rounded, with heavily sclerotized prolateral area. Embolus robust, strongly sclerotized, arising subapically on the bulb, gradually tapering toward tip, the tip occasionally twisted in some species, freely movable on conductor. Conductor membranous, its base placed in the center of tegulum, retrolaterally with broad sclerotized dorsal apophysis. Median apophysis petal shaped, strongly sclerotized, with sharply pointed distal portion. Female genitalia: epigyne a heavily sclerotized plate with or without median ridge. Median sclerite longer than wide, extending deep into genital orifice. Epigynal teeth short and stout, situated on anterior half. Vulva with large posterior spermathecae. Copulatory ducts originated from lateral slits of the median sclerite. Fertilization ducts thin, situated posteriorly. Species included. Acutipetala donglini sp. nov. and Acutipetala octoginta sp. nov. Natural history. Acutipetala species were collected by sweeping vegetation in evergreen hill forests of northern

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P. Dankittipakul and Z.-S. Zhang

Thailand. Distribution. Northern Thailand. Acutipetala octoginta sp. nov. Figs. 1–19 Type material. HOLOTYPE:♂, northern Thailand, Chiang Mai Province, Chomthong District, Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Inthanon, Pha Mon Village, 1000–1100 m, 26.xi.2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul [MHNG TH/PDC Ag061]. PARATYPES: 1♂, same data as for holotype [TNHM PDC-063]; 1♂, Mae Hong Son Province, Tham Lod, 650 m, 20.xii.1996, leg. P. J. Schwendinger [MHNG TH/PDC Ag062]; 1♀, Chiang Mai Province and District, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Ban Meo Chang Kein near the summit of Doi Pui (18°50’38.9”N, 98°53’37.1”E), no date, no collector noted, lodged in arthropod collection of Chiang Mai University [THNM, PDC Ag-060]; 1♂, Monthatharn Waterfalls, 630 m, mixed deciduous dipterocarp forest, 26.xi.1996, leg. P. J. Schwendinger [MHNG]; 2♀, Chiang Mai Province, Chiang Dao District, Tham Kreb (19°34’33.7”N, 99°03’40.1”E), 570 m, 23–24.xii.2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul and P. J. Schwendinger [MHNG, TH/PDC Ag-055]. Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin numeral meaning eighty. This new species is named in honor of His

Figs. 3–6. Acutipetala octoginta gen. et sp. nov. (3) Male holotype, habitus, ventral view. (4) Chelicerae, endites and labium (in part). (5) Opisthosoma, ventral view showing pattern on venter. (6) Groups of hairs in front of the spinnerets.

Figs. 1, 2. Acutipetala octoginta gen. et sp. nov. (1) Male holotype, habitus, dorsal view. (2) Female paratype, habitus, dorsal view.

Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand, who has served his country with indefatigable dedication. His Majesty is the longest-ruling monarch in Thailand’s history and the longest-reigning ruler in the world. This new species is described to commemorate the celebrations on the most auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary on December 5, 2007. Diagnosis. The male of A. octoginta sp. nov. can be recognized by the stylus-like embolus truncate basally, gradually tapering toward the tip (Figs. 14, 17); distinguished from males of A. donglini sp. nov. by the difference in shape of embolus and tibial apophyses on the male palp and by the number of denticles (four) on retromargin of the cheliceral fang groove. Female can be identified by a pair of epigynal teeth situated on the median ridge and by the trapezoidal median sclerite, with rebordered basolateral rims. Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.7; carapace 3.2 long, 2.50 wide; opisthosoma 3.50 long, 1.80 wide. Carapace pale yellow, provided with a pair of wide greenish bands extending from near the base to the back of lateral eyes; radiating striae dark greenish. Chelicerae orange brown. Labium dusky orange, basally brown, apically pale yellow. Endites yellow, with lateral margins distinctly darker. Sternum yellow, with center faintly shaded. Promargin and retromargin of cheliceral fang groove with three and four teeth, respectively. Both eye rows strongly procurved; AER slightly shorter


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Figs. 7–12. Acutipetala octoginta gen. et sp. nov. (7) Prosoma, frontal view. (8) Ditto, lateral view. (9) Left chelicera, ventral view. (10) Prosoma, ventral view showing sternum, endites and labium. (11) Eyes, dorsal view. (12) Tip of tarsus IV showing paired and unpaired tarsal claws.

Fig. 13. Acutipetala octoginta gen. et sp. nov. Anterior lateral, posterior median and posterior lateral spinnerets on right side showing spigots.

than PER; eyes subequal; MOQ longer than wide, wider behind than in front. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.14, ALE 0.15, PME 0.13, PLE 0.16; AME–AME 0.03, AME–ALE 0.09, PME–PME 0.09, PME–PLE 0.07; MOQ 0.40 long, front width 0.31, back width 0.36. Clypeus height 1.98. Leg formula: 4123. Legs yellow, with faint dusky annuli: proximal part of femur ventrally black; metatarsus and tarsus darker than other segments. Spination: femur I, 1-1-2d 1pl; patella I, 1-2d; tibia I, 1-1pl 1-1v; metatarsus I, 1-1pl 2v; femur II, 1-1-2d; patella II, 1-2d; tibia II, 1-1pl 1-1v; metatarsus II, 1-1pl 1-1-1v; femur III, 1-1-2d; patella III, 1-1d; tibia III, 1d 1-1pl; metatarsus III, 1-1d 1-1pl; femur IV, 1-1-2d; patella IV, 1-1d; tibia IV, 1d 1-1-1pl 1-1-2v; metatarsus IV, 1-1d 1-1-1pl 1-1-2v. Leg measurements: I II III IV Femur 4.4 3.9 3.7 4.8 Patella 1.3 1.2 1.0 1.2 Tibia 4.1 3.2 3.0 4.1 Metatarsus 5.0 4.0 3.9 5.6 Tarsus 3.2 2.5 2.1 2.6 Total 18.0 14.8 13.7 18.3 Opisthosoma elongate oval, covered with white hairs and interspersed with short, erect, dark-brown hairs. Dorsum of opisthosoma with yellowish gray background; cardiac area provided with lanceolate reddish median band; a pair of narrowed dark bands running longitudinally, extending the full opisthosoma length, anterior portion almost parallel, posterior portion stridulated, enclosing four pairs of pale oval patches on posterior inner margins. Venter

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Figs. 14–19. Acutipetala octoginta gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, male (14–16); paratype male (17) and female (18, 19). (14) Male palp, ventral view. (15) Male palp, prolateral view. (16) Male palp, retrolateral view. (17) Median apophysis, ventral view. (18) Epigyne, ventral view. (19) Vulva, dorsal view. See Materials and Methods for abbreviations. Scale lines=0.5 mm (14), 0.2 mm (18), 0.1 mm (19).

pale yellow, with pattern consisting of broken U-shaped bands, dark reddish-brown. Male palp (Figs. 14–16). Palpal femur and patella unmodified. Palpal tibia relatively short, with two apophyses: retrolateral tibial apophysis a large sclerotized plate with distal portion extending far beyond tibia, dorsally convex; lateral tibial apophysis large and protruded, situated relatively retroventrally, projecting outward in lateral view. Embolus strongly sclerotized, stylus-like, gradually tapering

to form sharply pointed apex. Membranous conductor originating from center of the bulb, with slightly sclerotized dorsal apophysis of conductor. Median apophysis petal shaped, strongly sclerotized, situated on membranous base. Female (paratype). Total length 8.80; carapace 3.70 long, 2.70 wide; opisthosoma 5.10 long, 2.65 wide. Coloration and pattern (Fig. 2): generally as in males but larger in size; carapace yellow, with dark greenish median bands running from behind posterior eye row, broken, dis-


tinctly darker in thoracic area; dorsum of opisthosoma with a pair of dark brown bands running longitudinally, encircling four pairs of lanceolate pale patches, intermediate area in between provided with much red pigmentation; basal segments of PLS slightly widening in apical portion (Fig. 2); leg yellow, usually with greenish annuli; femur with three dark greenish annuli; proximal part of patella dark brown; tibia yellow, distally brown, metatarsus and tarsus brown. Promargin and retromargin of cheliceral fang groove with three and four denticles, respectively. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.15, PME 0.12, PLE 0.15, AME–AME 0.03, AME–ALE 0.07, PME–PME 0.10, PME–PLE 0.06; MOQ 0.34 long, front width 0.30, back width 0.37. Clypeus height 1.22. Leg formula: 4123. Spination: femur I, 1-1-2d 1pl; patella I, 1-2d; tibia I, 1d 1-1pl 1-1v; metatarsus I, 1-1pl 2v; femur II, 1-1-2d; patella II, 1-2d; tibia II, 1d 1-1pl 1-1v; metatarsus II, 1-1pl 1-1-1v; femur III, 1-1-2d; patella III, 1-1d; tibia III, 1d 1-1pl; metatarsus III, 1-1d 1-1pl; femur IV, 1-1-2d; patella IV, 1-1d; tibia IV, 1d 1-1-1pl 1-1-2v; metatarsus IV, 1-1d 1-1-1pl 1-1-1-2v. Leg measurements: I II III IV Femur 4.2 4.0 3.6 4.8 Patella 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.3 Tibia 3.9 3.0 2.8 4.0 Metatarsus 4.3 3.5 3.7 5.5 Tarsus 2.8 2.1 1.8 2.3 Total 16.5 13.9 13.1 17.9 Epigyne (Fig. 18) a large, heavily sclerotized plate occupying almost entire epigastric area; trapezoidal, posterior margin broader than anterior margin; with a transverse median ridge. Two small epigynal teeth situated medially. A large rectangular median sclerite with rebordered basolateral ridges. Atrium indistinct. Copulatory ducts broad at base, ascending then narrowing downward, connected to thick-walled spermathecae (Fig. 19). Fertilization ducts thin, situated posteriorly. Natural history. Acutipetala octoginta sp. nov. is well represented in forests of northern Thailand. The male holotype and paratype were collected in a mixed deciduous forest dominated by pine trees at about 1000 m altitude on Doi [Mt.] Inthanon. Their retreats were situated between roots of large trees in the upper portion of soil banks or vertical road cuts. Another male was obtained by sweeping in the gallery of an evergreen forest at lower elevation (630 m above sea level) on Doi Suthep. A female paratype examined was also collected from Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, but near the summit of Doi Pui (1680 m). Other female paratypes examined were obtained by sweeping lower vegetation in front of a cave entrance at altitudes of 330–650 m. Distribution. Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Provinces). Acutipetala donglini sp. nov. Figs. 20–24 Type material. HOLOTYPE: ♂, Thailand, Nan Province, Than Wang Pha District, Nantaburi National Park, Doi Wao, 1300–1500 m, 11.-12.xii.2005, leg. P. Dankittipakul & P. J. Schwendinger [MHNG, TH/PDC Ag-053]. PARATYPE: 2♂, same data as for the holotype [TNHM,

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Figs. 20–24. Acutipetala donglini gen. et sp. nov. Holotype (20– 22) and paratype (23, 24). (20) Male palp, prolateral view. (21) Ditto, ventral view. (22) Ditto, retrolateral view. (23) Retrolateral tibial apophysis, ventral view. (24) Palpal tibia, retrolateral view. LTA, lateral tibial apophysis. Scale lines=0.5 mm (20–22).

Ag-071/072]. Etymology. This new species is dedicated to Donglin Li (The University of Auckland, New Zealand) for his generous

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support. The specific epithet is a patronym and is in masculine genitive singular. Diagnosis. Similar in general appearance to A. octoginta sp. nov., the median apophysis petal shaped, with sharply pointed apex. Distinguished from A. octoginta sp. nov. by the robust embolus, with the apical portion twisted; difference shapes of RTA and LTA; and the retromargin of the cheliceral fang groove with five denticles instead of four. Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.60; carapace 3.00 long, 2.30 wide; opisthosoma 3.60 long, 1.80 wide. AER slightly shorter than PER; eyes subequal; MOQ wider than long, wider behind than in front. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.16, PME 0.15, PLE 0.15; AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.07, PME–PME 0.13, PME–PLE 0.09; MOQ 0.34 long, front width 0.36, back width 0.42. Clypeus height 2.22. Leg formula: 1423. Spination: femur I, 1-1-2d 1-1pl; patella I, 1-2d; tibia I, 1-1pl 1-1v; metatarsus I, 1-1pl 2v; femur II, 1-1-2d 1pl; patella II, 1-2d; tibia II, 1-1pl 1-1v; metatarsus II, 1-1pl 1-1-1v; femur III, 1-1-2d; patella III, 1-1d; tibia III, 1d 1-1pl; metatarsus III, 1-1d 1-1pl; femur IV, 1-1-2d; patella IV, 1-1d; tibia IV, 1d 1-1-1pl 1-1-1-2v; metatarsus IV, 1-1d 1-1-1pl 1-1-1-2v. Leg measurements: I II III IV Femur 4.5 4.0 3.7 4.7 Patella 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.2 Tibia 4.1 3.5 3.0 4.2 Metatarsus 5.4 4.2 4.0 5.7 Tarsus 3.5 2.7 2.1 2.7 Total 18.7 15.5 13.9 18.5 Male palp (Figs. 20–24). Papal femur and patella unmodified. Palpal tibia with two apophyses: RTA strongly sclerotized, distal portion extending far beyond tibia, with distinctive dorsolateral ridge (Figs. 21, 23); LTA large and protruded, situated relatively retroventrally of RTA. Embolus robust, with large, swollen base, apical portion twisted. Conductor with strongly sclerotized distal apophysis. Median apophysis strongly sclerotized, petal shaped, with sharply pointed tip curved inward. Female: unknown. Natural history. The types of A. donglini sp. nov. were collected by sweeping lower vegetation in an evergreen hill forest (1300–1500 m) near the summit of Doi Wao. The forest is constantly moist year around, with the mean annual temperature measured at the national park headquarters (1100–1200 m above sea level) around 22°C. Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Nan Province, northern Thailand). DISCUSSION Morphology Acutipetala gen. nov. consists of two new closely related species found in northern Thailand. Species of Acutipetala gen. nov. are united by the following synapomorphy: the petal-shaped median apophysis of the male palp is sharply pointed and heavily sclerotized. The unique median apophysis represents the most striking morphological character of the new genus. The modification of this structure suggests a role in mating. Females of Acutipetala gen. nov. can

be recognized by the presence of anterior epigynal teeth and the large median sclerite. The latter character is shared between the females of Acutipetala gen. nov. and several Holoarctic agelenid genera, including Tegenaria. The new genus is distinguishable from Agelena by the absence of a large epigynal atrium and spermathecal apophyses (see also Zhang et al., 2005). Accordingly, the female genital structure contradicts a close relationship between Agelena and Acutipetala gen. nov. Acutipetala gen. nov. shows a close relationship to the genus Tegenaria. However, the characteristic petal-shaped median apophysis is significantly different from that of Tegenaria. The median apophysis is heavily sclerotized in all males of the new genus, but it is represented by a thin membranous structure in Tegenaria species. Males of Acutipetala gen. nov. also possess a robust embolus originating at about 10 o’clock and a reduced prolateral arm of the conductor on the male palpal organ. Acutipetala is similar in male pedipal morphology to Tegenaria sensu stricto in the categorization by Levy (1996), which Guseinov et al. (2005) subsequently followed. Guseinov et al. (2005) recognized that Tegenaria is likely to be polyphyletic because of the highly heterogeneous genital structures, and these authors also redefined the genus on the basis of male palpal structures by including only those species resembling the type species, T. domestica (Clerck, 1757), in which the thick, short embolus originates from the subapical part of the bulb. Lehtinen (1967) placed Tegenaria in the tribe Tegenariini, which can be easily distinguished by the more or less straight eye rows (strongly procurved in the Agelenini) and the curved, sulciform conductor. Acutipetala gen. nov. has in common with Agelena species both eye rows strongly procurved (Levy, 1996: 86; fig. 2). However, the clypeus appears relatively higher in Agelena species (often three to over four times the diameter of AME) but distinctly shorter (only one to two times the diameter of AME) than in Acutipetala gen. nov. (Figs. 7, 8). Besides the characters mentioned above, the lack of an apophysis on the palpal patella of the male, together with the large, protruding LTA and the relatively broad RTA extending far beyond the tibia (similar to coelotine spiders of the family Amaurobiidae), make it easy to discern Acutipetala gen. nov. from other agelenids. Phylogeny The phylogeny of Acutipetala gen. nov. is based on a limited number of genital characters. Acutipetala gen. nov. is sufficiently distinguishable from the closely related genus Tegenaria. The putative monophyly of the genus is here supported by the presence of a sclerotized, petal-shaped median apophysis, which is considered synapomorphic. This structure is different from the membranous, more or less sickle-shaped median apophysis in Tegenaria spp., which appears to represent the ancestral state within the Agelenidae. In Agelena, the median apophysis is weakly sclerotized. With respect to the male palps, however, Acutipetala gen. nov. is considered apomorphic compared to Tegenaria and Agelena, for the following reason: the tegular apophysis was developed for attachment of the male palp to the vulva; thus, its simplest function is achieved in


the form of a membranous structure. Accordingly, the membranous apophysis found in Tegenaria and Agelena can be regarded as plesiomorphic. Although Acutipetala gen. nov. shows an apomorphic state in the peculiar shape of the median apophysis, it lacks the patellar apophysis, and in that character appears even more primitive than Agelena. Acutipetala gen. nov., Tegenaria, and Agelena are certainly related; however, their relationship is still obscure. Furthermore, since only one female is known, any reliable decisions regarding the phylogenetic relations are difficult. However, recent concepts of phylogeny in Agelenidae and other related families have inevitably changed dramatically, and additional information should be forthcoming in the near future. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Dr Peter J. Schwendinger (MHNG) kindly provided material from his private collection. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr Xin-Ping Wang (The University of Florida) for his continuous support and contributions to the study of Thai Amaurobiidae and Agelenidae. We thank Angelo Bolzern (Switzerland) and two anonymous referees for valuable comments and suggestions on an earlier version of the manuscript. The first author is grateful to Professor Dr Tippawan Singtripop (Chiang Mai University), Dr Angoon Lewvanich (The Royal Academy of Thailand), Donglin Li and Dr Jim XU (both The University of Auckland) for their generous support. The Graduate School of Chiang Mai University supported P. Dankittipakul during his study. The Royal Forest Department gave permission to collect specimens in national parks and other protected areas.

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