Sierraphytoptus taiwanensus Huang, 2006, sp. nov.

Sierraphytoptus taiwanensus sp. nov. (Fig. 1)

Female

Body spindle­shaped, 196 long, shield 31 long, 65 wide; shield with minute lobe, design smooth; dorsal tubercles set ahead of rear shield margin, to rear shield margin (Dt­ Sr) 7, Dt­Dt 24 apart, scapular setae (sc) 11 long, direct upwards and mesad, external vertical setae (ve) set on front humeral angles, 11 long; leg segments normal, tibial setae (1') set in middle, 5 long, coxal area smooth, 1st coxal setae (1b) 12 long, tubercles (Ct1­ Ct1) 12 apart; 2nd coxal setae (1a) 15 long, tubercles (Ct2­Ct2) 14 apart; 3rd coxal setae (2a) 26 long, tubercles (Ct3­Ct3) 33 apart, Ct1\Ct2 19, Ct1­Ct2 9, Ct2\Ct3 23, Ct2­Ct3 9; claw ending as a knob; empodium simple, 8 rayed.

Opisthosoma: flattened, differentiated into broader dorsal annuli and narrower ventral annuli, dorsal annuli with 37 spiny microtuberculate rings, 1st 3 dorsal annuli 13, ventral annuli with 51 microtuberculate rings; all setae on abdomen present, subdorsal setae (c1) 24 long, lateral setae (c2) 27 long, Lt­Lt 71 apart, Lt\Vt1 66, Lt­Vt1 34; 1st ventral setae (d) 20 long, Vt1­Vt1 45 apart, Vt1\Vt2 49, Vt1­Vt2 35; 2nd ventral setae (e) 18 long, Vt2­ Vt2 21 apart, Vt2\Vt3 60, Vt2­Vt3 52; 3rd ventral setae (f) 31 long, Vt3­Vt3 36 apart; accessory setae (h1) present.

Epigynium: 27 wide, 14 long, smooth, genital setae (3a) 11 long, Gt­Gt 23 apart.

Male: Body 188 long, shield 34 long, 55 wide, scapular setae (sc) 8 long; genitalia 20 wide, 10 long, setae 9 long, Gt­Gt 20 apart.

Type data: Holotype female, NANTOU: Renai, 16­Apr.­2003, K. W. Huang ex Trochodendron aralioides S. et Z. (Trochodendraceae) (deposited at NMNS). Paratypes, 15 females, 2 males data same as for holotype; 7 females, TAICHUNG: Hoping, 31­Oct.­ 1996, K. W. Huang; 1 female, NANTOU: Renai, 25­Jan.­1991.

Relation to host: A vagrant on the lower leaf surface. No apparent damage was observed.

Note: This new species differs from S. alnivagranus Keifer, 1939 by the ve direct upward and the smooth lateral margin of opisthosoma in dorsal view.