Utivarachna deelemanae Wang & Mi, 2025

Utivarachna deelemanae Wang & Mi , sp. nov.

Figs 5A–C View FIGURE 5 , 6A, B View FIGURE 6 , 7A–D View FIGURE 7

Type material. Holotype ♂ (TRU-TRC-0004), CHINA: Yunnan Province: Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Gonglang Township, Jinguo Village ( 24.80807°N, 100.42431°E), 2183 m a.s.l., 10.VII.2025, leg. C. Wang et al. GoogleMaps

Paratypes: 1♂ 3♀ (TRU-TRC-0005–0008), same data as for holotype GoogleMaps ; 3♀ (TRU-TRC-0009–0011), CHINA: Yunnan Province: Gonglang Township, Zizhong Village, Xiangqing ( 24.79073°N, 100.38742°E), 2132m a.s.l., 9.VII.2025, leg. C. Wang et al GoogleMaps .

Etymology. The specific name is a matronym in honour of the late Dr. Christa L. Deeleman-Reinhold, a famous arachnologist that made a massive contribution to the taxonomic study of Southeast Asian spiders, including groundbreaking work on Utivarachna ; noun (name) in genitive case.

Diagnosis. The male was diagnosed in Utivarachna daweishanensis sp. nov. above. The female of U. deelemanae sp. nov. resembles that of U. linyejiei Chu & Li, 2023 in the general shape of the epigyne, especially the shape of the copulatory opening, but can be easily distinguished by the following aspects: (1) the anterior bursal extensions are almost ½ the bursal length ( Fig. 6B View FIGURE 6 ) vs less than one-sixth in U. linyejiei ( Chu et al. 2023: fig. 2B); and (2) the copulatory ducts are coiled for about 1¼ circles ( Fig. 6B View FIGURE 6 ) vs more than two circles in U. linyejiei ( Chu et al. 2023: fig. 2B).

Description. Male ( holotype, Figs 5A–C View FIGURE 5 , 7A, B View FIGURE 7 ). Total length 5.37. Carapace 2.74 long, 2.07 wide. Abdomen 2.63 long, 2.18 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.17, PME 0.14, PLE 0.15, AME–AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.11, PME–PME 0.24, PME–PLE 0.32, ALE–PLE 0.31. MOA 0.46 long, anterior width 0.42, posterior width 0.55. Leg measurements: Ⅰ 7.90 (2.30, 1.00, 2.10, 1.65, 0.85), II 7.15 (2.05, 0.90, 1.85, 1.55, 0.80), III 5.25 (1.45, 0.75, 1.15, 1.35, 0.55), IV 6.50 (1.80, 0.75, 1.55, 1.80, 0.60).

Carapace dark red, cephalic region prominently elevated with lighter color, laterally and posteriorly sloped, covered with small tubercles bearing short setae. Chelicerae with three promarginal and four retromarginal teeth. Endites almost parallel, about 1.5 times longer than wide, distally widened. Labium dark. Sternum almost heart-shaped, covered with dense tubercles bearing sparse long setae. Legs yellow to reddish-yellow. Abdomen oval, dorsum earthy-yellow centrally, dark brown laterally, spotted, with well-developed scutum and two pairs of anteromedian sigilla; venter paler than dorsum.

Palp ( Fig. 5A–C View FIGURE 5 ): tibia almost as long as wide, gradually widened from base to distal end; retrolateral tibial apophysis almost equal in length to tibia, tip acutely narrowed and slightly curved antero-dorsally, with rather blunt tip in retrolateral view; cymbium about 1.7 times longer than wide; tegulum swollen; subtegulum almost square, baso-prolateral to tegulum; embolus partly hidden by tegulum, coiled more than two circles and with rather pointed tip.

Female ( paratype, TRU-TRC-0006, Figs 6A, B View FIGURE 6 , 7C, D View FIGURE 7 ). Total length 6.67. Carapace 3.00 long, 2.22 wide. Abdomen 3.74 long, 3.19 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.17, PME 0.14, PLE 0.15, AME– AME 0.09, AME–ALE 0.12, PME–PME 0.26, PME–PLE 0.32, ALE–PLE 0.30. MOA 0.41 long, anterior width 0.42, posterior width 0.58. Leg measurements: Ⅰ 7.65 (2.25, 1.00, 1.95, 1.60, 0.85), II 7.25 (2.10, 0.95, 1.85, 1.55, 0.80), III 5.40 (1.55, 0.75, 1.20, 1.30, 0.60), IV 7.25 (2.05, 0.80, 1.75, 2.00, 0.65).

Habitus ( Fig. 7C, D View FIGURE 7 ) similar to that of male except color of dorsal abdomen darker and without dorsal abdominal scutum.

Epigyne ( Fig. 6A, B View FIGURE 6 ): atrium about 1.3 times longer than wide, slightly widened posteriorly, anterior rim separated by septum; posterior rim arc-shaped; copulatory openings anterolateral to septum; copulatory ducts curved to about one and a quarter circles and connected to posterior of anterior bursal extensions; bursae elongateoval, about 2.4 times longer than wide, with rodlike anterior extensions; connecting ducts tapered from posterior to anterior portions; spermathecae oval, separated from each other more than half of their width; fertilization ducts posterior to spermathecae.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Yunnan, China.