Sphingius superbus Dankittipakul, Tavano & Singtripop, 2011, sp. nov.

Sphingius superbus sp. nov.

Figures 5, 27–30

Type material. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND: Yala Province: Tarn To District, Bang Lang NP, Tarn To Waterfall, 150 m, 1 February 1991, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MHNG, Sph-879). Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 1♂, 1♀ (TNHM, 6774); Nakhorn Sri Thammarat Province: Khao Nan NP, semi-evergreen lowland forest, 200 m, 24 April 2007, leg. P. Dankittipakul, 2♂ (MHNG, Sph-5433). MALAYSIA: Terengganu State: Lake Kenyir, 5 km southwest of damn, 50 km southwest of Kuala Terengganu, 300–400 m, 10 July 2001, leg. A. Schulz, 1♀ (MHNG, M01-167); Perak State: Chenderiang, ca. 8 km northeast of Ipoh, evergreen rainforest, 300–350 m, 22–24 January 1994, leg. P.J. Schwendinger, 1♀ (MHNG, M01-167).

Diagnosis. Males of S. superbus sp. nov. are closely resemble those of S. spinosus sp. nov. in having a spiniform, prolaterally originated embolus (Fig. 27) and a hyaline tegular apophysis (Figs 27–28); but can be distinguished by a distinctly larger tegular apophysis and a shorter embolus. Females share the large, elliptic copulatory orifices medially situated on an epigynal atrium (Fig. 29) and the relatively short insemination ducts (Fig. 30).

Etymology. The specific epithet, a nominative of an adjective, is derived from Latin (superbus, -a, -um = splendid) and refers to the extraordinary beauty of the spider.

Description. Male (holotype): Total length 3.64. Prosoma 1.80 long, 1.10 wide. Opisthosoma 1.84 long, 1.12 wide. Spination: femora I–III 1 d, IV 1 -0d; tibia I–III 1-0v, 1p, IV 1- 2 v, 1-1r; metatarsi III–IV 1pv, 1-1-0v. Eye size and interdiatances: AME 1/2 d of ALE; PME 1/2 d of PLE; AME-AME their d apart; AME-ALE 2/3 d of AME; PME-PME 1/3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1/3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1/2 d of AME; ALE-PLE 3/5 d of AE. MOQ longer than wide, narrower in front than behind.

Prosoma dark brown; lateral margin rebordered, posterior margin slightly excavated; carapace integument smooth. Fovea deep, longitudinal. Sternum dark brown; surface integument punctated. Chelicerae, labium and gnathocoxae orange-brown. Legs yellowish brown.

Opisthosoma ovoid. Dorsal scutum occupying entire length of opisthosoma, dark chestnut-brown, slightly paler posteriorly, covered with fine, black pubescence, its integument finely granulated. Epigastric scutum extending anteriorly, represented by groove collar in dorsal view. Ventral scutum smaller than dorsal one, tightly fused with epigastric scutum, posteriorly with group of ventral bristles (Fig. 5).

Palp (Figs 27–28): RTA triangular, gradually narrowing towards its apex, reaching slightly less than half length of cymbium. Embolus short; embolic base spiniform, originating meso-prolaterally. Conductor indistinct. Median apophysis rostrated, excavated on meso-prolateral side, with sharply pointed apical process and blunt basal process. Accessory tegular apophysis represented by transparent, triangular flange situated posterior to embolus, its apex sharply pointed.

Female (paratype, TNHM, 6774): Total length 3.94. Prosoma 1.96 long, 1.20 wide. Opisthosoma 1.98 long, 1.22 wide. Spination: femora I–IV 1d; tibia I–III 1- 1v, 1p, IV 2-1 -0v, 1-1r; metatarsi III–IV 1pv, 1-1-0v. Eye size and interdistances: AME 1/2 d of ALE; PME 1/3 d of PLE; AME-AME their d apart; AME-ALE 1/4 d of AME; PME-PME 1/2 d of AME; PME-PLE 1/3 d of AME; PME-PLE 1/2 d of AME; ALE-PLE 4/5 d of AE. MOQ longer than wide, narrower in front than behind.

General appearance as in male except prosoma slightly wider posteriorly; carapace and sternum smooth; dorsal and ventral scuta on opisthosoma absent; dorsum sparsely covered with black pubescence; opisthosoma dark greenish, cardiac region and preanal area pale.

Genitalia (Figs 29–30): Epigynal plate elongated, weakly sclerotized. Atrium more or less rectangular, situated anteriorly, its anterior margin slightly concave. Copulatory orifices large, elliptic, situated medially on superficial epigynal atrium. Insemination ducts ascending obliquely, then descending posteriorly. Bursae small, spherical, originating on distal portion of insemination ducts. Spermathecae elongated, widest posteriorly. Fertilization ducts acicular-shaped.

Natural history. Types of S. superbus sp. nov. were collected in secondary evergreen forests and evergreen rainforests at low altitudes.

Distribution. Thailand and Malaysia (Fig. 40).