Orchestina xiebao Lin & Li 2024, sp. nov.

Orchestina xiebao Lin & Li, sp. nov. (Figs 34–35)

Etymology. The species is named after Xie Bao, a character in the classic Chinese novel Outlaws of the Marsh; noun in apposition.

Diagnosis. The female of the new species resembles that of O. aureola Tong & Li, 2011 by the length of the anterior spermatheca being twice its width and the length of the apodemes of the anterior spermatheca equal to the height of the anterior spermatheca, but it can be distinguished by the anterior spermatheca with a medial contraction and the apodemes of the anterior spermatheca are directed at the 2:00-o’clock-position (vs. anterior spermatheca widest medially, gradually narrowing on both sides, with apodemes of the anterior spermatheca directed at 3:00-o’clock-position).

Description. Female (holotype). Total length 1.36, carapace 0.66 long, 0.49 wide, opisthosoma 0.80 long, 0.68 wide. Eyes: PME roughly circular, touching; ALE− PME touching, PLE− PME separated from less than PME radius. Leg measurements: I 1.90 (0.61, 0.62, 0.48, 0.19), II 1.91 (0.59, 0.65, 0.46, 0.21), III 1.40 (0.41, 0.48, 0.33, 0.18), IV 1.86 (0.61, 0.59, 0.47, 0.19).

Coloration (Fig. 35). Carapace yellow, strongly elongate oval in dorsal view, pars cephalica slightly elevated in lateral view, anteriorly and posteriorly narrowed, smooth surface. Clypeus margin unmodified. Sternum as long as wide, anterior margin unmodified, shield shaped, yellowish white, surface smooth. Chelicerae yellow, straight; labium subcircular with constricted base; serrula present in single row on anterolateral margin of endites, setae sparse. Legs yellow, with sparse setae, femur IV thickened, wider than femora I− III. Opisthosoma ovoid, slightly elongate oval in dorsal view, dorsum with white unsclerotized parts, without particular color pattern but conspicuous herringbone band dorsally. Spinnerets yellow, small.

Epigyne (Fig. 34). No distinctive features in ventral view, anterior spermatheca only faintly visible. In dorsal view, posterior spermatheca spherical, transparent, with sparse pore glands distributed on surface. Posterior apodeme transparent, dorsal depression, posterior margin with an obtuse angle and protruding towards the side, anterior margin semi-circular. Anterior spermatheca cylindrical, with a distinct constriction medially, about twice as long as wide. Apodemes of anterior spermatheca directed at 2:00-o’clock-position. Internal pocket triangular. Lateral projection of anterior spermatheca triangular, with obvious median sclerotization, height about 1.8 times anterior spermatheca.

Male. Unknown.

Material examined. Holotype ♀ (IZCAS-Ar44830), China: Chongqing, Chengkou Co., VII.2023, Yuyang Zhou leg. Paratypes. 9♀ (IZCAS-Ar44831–Ar44839), same data as holotype.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.