Megama decimaculata Hu, Zhong, Liu & Li, 2026, sp. nov.

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Authors: Changhao Hu, Rui Zhong, Jie Liu, Zichang Li
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Abstract

Megama decimaculata sp. nov. Figs 1, 3 A, B, 4 A, B, E, F, I, J Type material. Holotype male (QZMS 05450): China – Hubei Province • Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Xuan’en County, Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve, Chunmuying Town, Huoshaobao; 30.0242°N, 109.7565°E; elev. 1919 m; 1 June 2024; C. H. Hu and M. Wei leg. Paratypes 1 male, 6 females (QZMS 05451 –05457): same data as for holotype. Etymology. The specific name is a combination of the Latin prefix deci - (ten) and the Latin adjective maculatus (with spots), referring to the 10 black spots on the dorsal opisthosoma. Diagnosis. Megama decimaculata sp. nov. can be distinguished from Meg. bimaculata (Yoshida, 1998), comb. nov. (cf. Figs 1, 3 A, B and Figs 2, 3 C, D) by: (1) median apophysis almost 2 / 3 the length of bulb, prolateral angle of median apophysis pointed (vs median apophysis almost 1 / 3 the length of bulb, prolateral angle of median apophysis rounded with rough surface); (2) embolic tip pointing to 12 o’clock direction in ventral view (vs 10 o’clock direction); (3) copulatory ducts long and obvious (vs very short, unobvious); and (4) spermathecae longer than wide (vs wider than long). Description. Male: total length 1.88; carapace length 0.86, width 0.74; opisthosoma length 1.00, width 0.77; eye diameters: AME 0.06, ALE 0.06, PME 0.07, PLE 0.07; eye interdistances: AME – AME 0.09, ALE – AME 0.04, PME – PME 0.10, PLE – PME 0.07, AME – PME 0.06, ALE – PLE 0.01; leg measurements: I 5.98 (1.70, 0.31, 1.53, 1.84, 0.60), II 3.53 (1.06, 0.25, 0.81, 0.95, 0.46), III 2.31 (0.72, 0.20, 0.46, 0.60, 0.33), IV 3.56 (1.09, 0.22, 0.87, 0.96, 0.42). Palp (Fig. 1): median apophysis triangular, with long dorsal part almost as long as ventral part. Tegular apophysis tiny, almost 1 / 5 of the median apophysis. Embolic tip pointing to 12 o’clock direction. Other characters as in generic description. Colouration in ethanol (Fig. 4 A, E, I): carapace laterally with black markings. Distal part of patella, tibia, and metatarsus of legs with black spots. Dorsal opisthosoma with five pairs black spots. Other characters as in generic description. Female: total length 3.20; carapace length 1.14, width 1.05; opisthosoma length 1.97, width 1.52; eye diameters: AME 0.05, ALE 0.06, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06; eye interdistances: AME – AME 0.12, ALE – AME 0.05, PME – PME 0.10, PLE – PME 0.07, AME – PME 0.07, ALE – PLE 0.01; leg measurements: I 8.82 (2.63, 0.37, 2.25, 2.84, 0.73), II 4.91 (1.62, 0.26, 1.06, 1.40, 0.57), III 3.11 (0.96, 0.30, 0.60, 0.81, 0.44), IV 5.69 (1.80, 0.34, 1.35, 1.62, 0.58). Epigyne (Fig. 3 A, B): epigyne medially with septum. Copulatory ducts thick and long, almost as long as spermathecae. Spermathecae anteriorly located. Other characters as in generic description. Colouration in ethanol (Fig. 4 B, F, J): as in male, but carapace generally light yellow, dorsal part of opisthosoma with white and yellow patches. Distribution. Known only from the type locality (China: Hubei).

Fields of Study & Subjects

Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies Study of Mite Species Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology

Publication details

Journal / source
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Publication date
9 January 2026