Oedothorax simianensis
| Oedothorax simianensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Linyphiidae |
| Genus: | Oedothorax |
| Species: | O. simianensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oedothorax simianensis Irfan, Zhang, Cai & Zhang, 2025
| |
Oedothorax simianensis is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae, first described in 2025 by Muhammad Irfan, Chang-Cheng Zhang, Yu-Jun Cai, and Zhi-Sheng Zhang.[1] The species is only known from the Simian Shan Mountain Nature Reserve in Chongqing, China.
Etymology
[edit]The species name refers to the Simian Mountain (Sìmiàn Shān), the type locality where this species was first collected.[1]
Diagnostic characteristics
[edit]Males of Oedothorax simianensis can be recognized by a unique combination of features in their reproductive anatomy. A small structure called the paracymbium, near the male reproductive organ, has a split or forked tip, unlike the simple hook shape seen in related species such as Oedothorax paludigena.[1]
Another key feature is that the protegulum, a flexible structure near the sperm-transferring organ, is also forked at its base, while in other species it remains single.[1]
Additionally, the embolus, the narrow tube that delivers sperm, is relatively short, about half the length of the radix, a supporting structure. In similar species, the embolus is nearly as long as the radix.[1]
These traits help distinguish Oedothorax simianensis from all other known species in the genus.
Distribution
[edit]The species is endemic to the Simian Mountain Nature Reserve. It was collected at an altitude of 1002 meters above sea level.[1]
Habitat
[edit]The specimen was collected from leaf litter in broad-leaved and coniferous forests, a common habitat for many Linyphiidae spiders.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Irfan, Muhammad; Zhang, Chang-Cheng; Cai, Yu-Jun; Zhang, Zhi-Sheng (2025). "Four new species of Linyphiidae spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from Jiangjin District of Chongqing, China". Zootaxa. 5647 (5): 435–450. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5647.5.2.
External links
[edit]- Oedothorax simianensis in the World Spider Catalog.