Epeus kepayang, Dhiya’Ulhaq, 2025

Epeus kepayang Dhiya’ulhaq sp. nov.

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Figs 10–13 View Fig View Fig View Fig View Fig

Diagnosis

Males of Epeus kepayang Dhiya’ulhaq sp. nov. are very similar to those of Epeus phamtri Tam & Hill, 2025 and Epeus hawigalboguttatus ( Barrion & Litsinger, 1995) by their genitalia but can be differentiated from the latter two species by a thumb-shaped tegular lobe arising at 4.30 position (vs narrowed in middle in E. phamtri [ Żabka 1985: fig. 109; Peng 2020: fig. 47a]; bent, arising at 6.00 position in E. hawigalboguttatus [see illustration of holotype in Prószyński 2016]); additionally from E. hawigalboguttatus by a triangular cymbial process (vs curved, claw-shaped). Females of E. kepayang are very similar to those of E. phamtri but can be distinguished by a longer than wide atrium ( Fig. 13A–D View Fig vs wider than long in E. phamtri [ Żabka 1985: figs 116–117, 119]); rather straight anterior (uncoiled) part of copulatory ducts (vs curved); proportionally smaller posterior (coiled) part of copulatory ducts, approximately one-third length of anterior part (vs half length of anterior part in E. phamtri ); and spermathecae not dorsally covered by copulatory ducts (vs covered).

Etymology

The specific epithet is taken from the local word ‘ kepayang ’, a local name for the tree Pangium edule Reinw. The seeds of kepayang trees are poisonous, but are used as spice for local dishes. The dark-brown face of the male Epeus kepayang sp. nov. resembles the inside of kepayang seeds. Noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

INDONESIA – Jambi Province • ♂; Sarolangun, Bukit Duabelas National Park ; 1°56′30.8″ S, 102°34′50.6″ E; elev. 91 m; 4 Oct. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in rainforest; GOET 2013_ BF4.2_AraSalt101N_001 (to be transferred to MZB). GoogleMaps

Paratypes

INDONESIA – Jambi Province • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; GOET 2013_BF4.2_AraSalt101N_001 (to be deposited at MZB) GoogleMaps • 1 ♀; Sarolangun, Pauh, Semaran ; 2°08′35.9″ S, 102°51′04.5″ E; elev. 45 m; 16 Jul. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in jungle rubber plantation; GOET 2013_BJ5.1_ AraSalt101N_001 (to be transferred to MZB) GoogleMaps • 2 ♂♂; Batang Hari, Hutan Harapan Conservation Area ; 2°09′09.3″ S, 103°21′41.8″ E; elev. 65 m; 19 Jul. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in rainforest; ZMH ZMH-A0031813, ZMH-A0031814 GoogleMaps • 2 ♀♀; Batang Hari, Hutan Harapan Conservation Area ; 2°11′15.3″ S, 103°20′36.0″ E; elev. 69 m; 12 Sep. 2013; J. Drescher leg.; canopy fogging in rainforest; ZMH ZMH-A0031815, ZMH-A0031816 GoogleMaps .

Description

Male ( Figs 10–11 View Fig View Fig )

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 7.54. Carapace length 3.42; width 2.86. Opisthosoma length 4.12; width 1.74. Diameter of eyes: AME 0.87; ALE 0.35; PLE 0.34. Interdistances between eyes: AME–AME 0.04; AME–ALE 0.06; ALE–ALE 1.46; ALE–PLE 0.94; PLE–PLE 1.58. Clypeus height 0.22. Leg measurements: leg I 9.13 (2.63, 1.00, 2.67, 1.86, 0.97); leg II 9.45 (3.07, 0.86, 2.17, 2.38, 0.97); leg III 8.94 (2.76, 1.07, 2.35, 1.79, 0.97); leg IV 8.72 (2.60, 0.76, 2.21, 2.30, 0.85).

HABITUS AND COLORATION. Carapace with high cephalic region; thoracic region yellow, gently sloping, posteriorly rounded; frontal side dark-brown; clypeus covered by white setae; eye region reddish-brown, posteriorly with erect red setae as well as white setae between ALE and PLE. Chelicerae dark-brown with purple-blue iridescence; dentition: promarginal absent, one retromarginal. Opisthosoma elongated, uniformly yellow; spinnerets black. Legs I and II predominantly dark-brown except yellow dorsal side of tibia, patella and basal half of femora; lateral side of tibia additionally with purple-blue iridescence; distal of metatarsus with dense brush of black setae, as well as along ventral side of femora. Spinnerets black, tips pale.

PALP ( Fig. 11 View Fig ). Tibia length-to-width ratio 1.30. RTA tapering, directed retrolaterally, apex slightly curved. Cymbium elongated, distally narrowed; cymbial process triangular. Tegulum oval, slightly oblique; tegular lobe thumb-shaped, arising at 4.30 position. Embolus long filiform, almost reaching apex of cymbium, arising at 7:00 position.

Female ( Figs 12–13 View Fig View Fig )

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 7.34. Carapace length 2.93; width 2.37. Opisthosoma length 4.41; width 2.48. Diameter of eyes: AME 0.78; ALE 0.29; PLE 0.29. Interdistances between eyes: AME–AME 0.03; AME–ALE 0.05; ALE–ALE 1.51; ALE–PLE 0.81; PLE–PLE 1.38. Clypeus height 0.14. Leg measurements: leg I 6.75 (1.99, 0.76, 2.03, 1.26, 0.71); leg II 6.89 (2.14, 0.76, 1.90, 1.31, 0.78); leg III 7.74 (2.53, 0.76, 1.68, 1.82, 0.95); leg IV 7.37 (2.26, 0.63, 1.88, 1.85, 0.75).

HABITUS AND COLORATION. Female habitus as in male, except following: base color of carapace and chelicerae uniformly yellow, erect hairs absent; cheliceral dentition: one promarginal, two retromarginal; legs all yellow, with small brown patches on tibiae-femora of leg I and II.

EPIGYNUM ( Fig. 13 View Fig ). Epigynal plate triangular. Copulatory openings facing each other, creating narrow, longer than wide atrium. Copulatory ducts long and convoluted; anterior part rather straight and oblique, ending in a u-turn posterior part consisting of three loops, ending in u-turn towards spermathecae. Spermathecae thumb-shaped, not dorsally covered by copulatory ducts, medially positioned. Fertilization ducts arising from anterior region of spermathecae, laterally oriented.

Distribution

Sumatra: Jambi Province.

Natural history

All specimens were collected by canopy fogging in rainforests and jungle rubber plantations and are considered arboreal.