Altimella Wang & Mu & Xu & Zhang & Zhang 2024, gen. nov.
Creators: name: Wang, Lu-Yu
name: Mu, Yan-Nan
name: Xu, Yong-Qiang
name: Zhang, Feng
name: Zhang, Zhi-Sheng
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Plectida
Cicurinidae
Altimella

description: Altimella Wang & Zhang gen. nov.
Type species.
Altimella nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov.
Diagnosis.
Altimella Wang & Zhang, gen. nov. species resemble those of Brommella (Li and Wang 2017: 126, figs 1–61) in having an undivided cribellum, a large, simple retrolateral tibial apophysis with a single fold (Figs 2 C, 3 E, 4 C, 5 E), a tibial apophysis (spur) arising from the base of the tibia retro-ventrally, a long and filiform embolus, and long and complexly winding copulatory ducts, but they differ from Brommella by the long retrolateral tibial apophysis, as long as the cymbium (Figs 2 B, C, 3 D, E, 4 B, C, 5 D, E; vs shorter than the cymbium), the simple distal part of the conductor (Figs 2 B, 3 D, 4 B, 5 D; vs complex, spiral-shaped, or with three branches), and the obvious spermathecae (Figs 2 E, 3 G, 4 E, 5 G; vs inconspicuous).
Etymology.
The generic name is composed of the prefix “ alti - ” (high) and the suffix “ - mella ” (from Brommella), referring to the high-altitude type locality and similarity to Brommella. The gender is feminine.
Description.
Small size (male (n = 2): 2.30–3.55, female (n = 11): 2.70–5.19). Carapace yellowish brown to brown. Eight eyes (Fig. 1 A, D, E). Cervical groove and radial furrows distinct. Chelicerae yellowish brown, with 3 promarginal and 3–4 retromarginal teeth. Labium and endites yellowish brown. Sternum yellowish brown and scutellate with sparse black setae. Legs yellowish brown. Calamistrum absent in male and weak (10 setae) in female (Fig. 1 B, C). Opisthosoma oval, dorsum and venter yellowish brown, with small (about 0.2 mm) and undivided cribellum (Fig. 1 F, G). Leg formula: 1423 or 4123.
Male palp (Figs 2 A – C, 3 C – E, 4 A – C, 5 C – E): tibia with two apophyses, ventral (TA) and retrolateral (RTA): ventral lobe originates from base of tibia, longer than tibia, slightly bent near tip; retrolateral apophysis as long cymbium, with fold along entire apophysis. Bulb longer than wide. Anterior part of tegulum rounded, posterior part hidden by conductor (C), sperm duct (Sd) narrow, running along margin of tegulum; conductor with two arms, posterior claw-like (CP) and anterior spine-like (CA); embolus with large base (Eb), long and filiform, originating at 6–7 o’clock position, its anterior part resting in a long groove of anterior part of conductor.
Epigyne (Figs 2 D, E, 3 F, G, 4 D, E, 5 F, G): epigynal plate wider than long or as long as wide. Copulatory openings wide, located anteriorly or posteriorly. Copulatory ducts long and complex, winding. Spermathecae convoluted or kidney-shaped. Fertilization ducts hook-like.
Composition.
Comprises two new species, A. nedong Wang & Zhang, sp. nov. and A. ngamring Wang & Zhang, sp. nov.
Biology.
Found in high altitude areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Xizang). They construct sheet webs under stones.
Distribution.
China (Xizang) (Fig. 6).
Remarks.
This is the fourth genus of Cicurinidae and has a cribellum similar to species of Brommella. The epigynes of all four cicurinid genera are very similar, while male palps have more differences. Additionally, Cicurina and Chorizomma do not have cribella, while Brommella and Altimella gen. nov. do.
description: Published as part of Wang, Lu-Yu, Mu, Yan-Nan, Xu, Yong-Qiang, Zhang, Feng & Zhang, Zhi-Sheng, 2024, Altimella gen. nov., a new genus of Cicurinidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Xizang, China, with description of two new species, pp. 133-142 in ZooKeys 1210 on pages 133-142, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1210.127910