Clubionidae from Laos and Thailand (Arachnida: Araneae)

Clubionidae collected in Laos and Thailand were investigated. Seven new species are described: Clubiona kai spec. nov. (male: Laos, Luang Prabang Prov.), Clubiona lala spec. nov. (female: Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov.), Clubiona maipai spec. nov. (male: Thailand, Mae Hong Son Prov.), Clubiona kuu spec. nov. (male: Laos, Luang Prabang Prov.), Clubiona vukomi spec. nov. (male: Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov.), Malamatidia zu spec. nov. (male: Laos, Luang Prabang Prov.) and Malamatidia christae spec. nov. (female: Laos, Luang Nam Tha Prov.). The genus Malamatidia , previously known from Sumatra, Sarawak, the Malaysian peninsular, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi is recorded from Laos (Luang Nam Tha Province) as northernmost distribution locality and is re-diagnosed. Cheiracanthium insulanum (Thorell, 1878), Cheiracanthium unicum Bosenberg and Strand, 1906, Clubiona abnormis Dankittipakul, 2008, Clubiona filicata O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874, Clubiona melanothele Thorell, 1895 are recorded for the first time from Laos. Cheiracanthium insulanum , Clubiona abnormis , and Clubiona melanothele are additionally illustrated. A map with all records is provided.


Introduction
Southeast Asian spiders received more attention after Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) and Murphy and Murphy (2000) published comprehensive books on spiders from this region.However, from recent collecting in Laos and Thailand between 2003 and 2010 it seems that most of the diversity is still unknown.Laos and Thailand belong to the Indo-Burmesian Hotspot (Carr & Langhammer 2010) and harbour a far higher diversity than known today.This becomes apparent when considering recent publications and descriptions of new taxa (e.g., Dankittipakul & Singtripop 2008a, b;Jäger 2007;Jäger & Praxaysombath 2009).
Clubionidae are abundant in subtropical and tropical habitats, especially in the foliage of shrubs and trees.Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) gave a thorough analysis on the Clubionidae from Southeast Asia, including a key to subfamilies.Further publications consulted are by Biswas and Raychaudhuri (1996) from Bangladesh, by Dankittipakul and Singtripop (2008a, b) from Thailand, by Ono (2009) from Vietnam, by Chen and Huang (2004) and Zhang and Yin (1999) from Taiwan and China, respectively, and by Chrysanthus (1967) from New Guinea.A synopsis of Japanese species was recently published by Ono and Hayashi (2009).
The present paper describes seven new species from the Greater Mekong region and lists new records of Clubionidae collected in Laos and Thailand.
Spination of legs is given in two different styles: in palps three digits refer to prolateral, dorsal and retrolateral spines, no matter in which position, four digits add in the last position number of ventral spines.Leg spines of the prolateral, dorsal, retrolateral and ventral side of each leg segment are noted separately and three positions are distinguished: proximal, medial, and distal.In some cases spines cannot unambiguously be assigned to one position.Some stronger bristles on dorsal patellae (d101) may be counted as thin spines in other publications (e.g., Deeleman-Reinhold 2001).These are not listed in the spination pattern in the descriptions below.A schematic course of the internal duct system is explained by the following symbols: open circle-copulatory orifice, T-glandular appendages, arrow-fertilisation duct in direction of the uterus externus.

Clubionidae Wagner, 1887
Cheiracanthium C.L. Koch, 1839 The genus is placed by some colleagues in the family Miturgidae Simon, 1886 (see note and references in Platnick 2010).Here we follow Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) and Raven (2009, and references therein)  The specimens were identified according to illustrations in Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) and Chen and Huang (2004).The male conductor of the present specimen is wider than that shown in Deeleman-Reinhold (2001), and more similar to that of Chen and Huang (2004).Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) illustrated apparently a female epigyne with mating plug, which is also present in the female from Luang Nam Tha (L5).Copulatory openings are easily visible after removing the plug.Variation in shape and course of the internal duct system led to the description of several synonymies by Barrion and Litsinger (1995).Therefore the epigyne and vulva is illustrated here as one example from Laos (Figs 1-3).
First record for Laos (Fig. 71: 1, 8).Additional material examined for comparison.Holotype male, JAPAN: Saga, W. Dönitz leg.(SMF 4495).Identified according to Ono (2009) and direct comparison with the holotype male.The present male is smaller (PL 1.7 mm) than the holotype (PS length 2.5 mm), but no differences between the palps could be recognised.

Clubiona Latreille, 1804
This genus consists currently of more than 460 species (Platnick 2010).Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) proposed several species groups within the genus.She did not follow Mikhailov (1995) in using subgenera, but adopted his intrageneric grouping, which is used here, too.Etymology.The species name is derived from the Lao word "kai", meaning "egg", referring to the egg-shaped tegulum; term in apposition.
Colour in ethanol .Yellowish brown without colour pattern.Dorsal prosoma darker brown anteriorly, fovea distinct.Chelicerae, gnathocoxae and labium reddish brown.Sternum marginally more strongly sclerotised, darker anteriorly.Appendages pale yellow with leg joints slightly darker.Dorsal opisthosoma pale yellowish brown with oval light brown patch (resembling a scutum), reaching posterior half; ventral opisthosoma with epiandrium as triangular pale white zone bordered by darker patches.Posterior spinnerets dark.
Female: unknown.Distribution.Known only from the type locality (Fig. 71: 5).Etymology.The species name is derived from the Ndebele term "vimbani ukuzalisana okungela mikhawulo", meaning "stop overpopulation" and referring to the human overpopulation threatening natural habitats of spiders.Ndebele is a language from South Africa, belonging to the Nguni group of Bantu languages.It is used here to emphasize the global relevance of overpopulation; term in apposition.
Diagnosis.Small sized Clubioninae with a body length of 6.0 mm , belonging to the japonica species-group (Deeleman-Reinhold 2001;Mikhailov 1995).Males can be recognised by the dorsally situated RTA, the strong sclerotised tegular apophysis and the shape of the filiform embolus with a semicircular tip in a plain transversal to the basal part of the embolus (Figs 13-16).
Note.Although there are superficial similarities especially in the opisthosomal pattern between this new species and the female of C. melanothele from Lak Sao, both are considered different species due to slight but clear differences in the colouration: C. vukomi spec.nov.exhibits pale chelicerae with an indistinct pattern (Fig. 21; dark reddish-brown in C. melanothele, Fig. 34), the dorsal shield has a marbled pattern extending to fovea with a median line between eyes reaching almost to fovea (Fig. 19; extending to half distance between eyes and fovea and without median line in C. melanothele, Fig. 34).
Palp as in diagnosis.Cymbium distinctly longer than tibia, blunt and with dorsal depression distally.RTA short, massive, hook-like bent, connected to a retrolateral sclerotised distal ridge.Tegulum extending beyond cymbium retrolaterally in ventral view.Sperm duct running a double U-turn in the centre of tegulum.Embolus arising from prolateral side of tegulum, basal part sickle-shaped.Membranous conductor arising prolaterally, covering the distal coil of embolus.Tegular apophysis pointed, reaching cymbial margin in ventral view .
Colour in ethanol (  Etymology.The species name is an abbreviation and derived from the Lao term "lăai làak", meaning "diverse", referring to the diversity of the japonica-group in Southeast Asia; term in apposition. Diagnosis.Small sized Clubioninae with a body length of 7.0 mm in females and strong opisthosomal and leg pattern (Figs 28-29), belonging to the japonica species-group.Females can be distinguished from those of C. campylacantha Dankittipakul, 2008, C. octoginta Dankittipakul, 2008, and C. suthepica Dankittipakul, 2008 by 1) having its epigynal atrium more rectangular (Fig. 22), 2) entire internal duct system being situated behind atrium (Fig. 23), 3) head of spermathecae of internal duct system laterad (Fig. 23).
Copulatory organ as in diagnosis.Epigyne with two long slit sense organs lateral of atrium.Posterior margin of atrium only very slightly rebordered.Atrium separated from epigastric furrow by more than one length of atrium.Membranous bursae with small projections on surface.Spermathecae compact, spermathecal bases short, not extending laterally beyond duct system .The male was identified according to illustrations of Dankittipakul and Singtripop (2008a).The male copulatory organ was in accordance with the illustrations except for the embolus tip which was not freely visible but hidden behind the distal embolus coil.
First record for Laos (Fig. 71: 6).Note.The species was described from Thailand (Nakhorn Ratchasima Province: Khao Yai National Park) by Dankittipakul (in Dankittipakul & Sintripop 2008a).The placement in the japonica-group was uncertain due to the characters of copulatory organs.Generally, characters of the present female are congruent with those illustrated in the original description.The only differences are a paler pattern on dorsal opisthosoma (Fig. 31) and a kidneyshaped dilated terminal portion of spermathecal heads (Fig. 33; ovoid in figs 66-67 of Dankittipakul & Singtripop 2008a).Despite these differences the female is considered as belonging to C. abnormis.In the original description no spination pattern was provided, this is added below.
First record for Laos (Fig. 71: 9).Etymology.The species name is derived from the Thai and Lao word "mâipai", meaning "bamboo", referring to the habitat where the type series was collected by the bamboo researcher Damir Kovac; term in apposition.
Palp as in diagnosis.Tibia diverging distally in retrolateral view.Cymbium distinctly longer than tibia, with less sclerotised ridge retrolatero-distally (probably functional conductor).Small part of subtegulum visible prolatero-proximally. Distal RTA thin and spine-like.Embolus arising prolatero-distally from tegulum, its basal part wide, narrowing to filiform tip.Sperm duct running an elongated loop .Colour in ethanol .Pale yellowish brown without colour pattern, dorsal prosoma and chelicerae a bit darker, sternum marginally darker.
Spinnerets and anal tubercle elongated.Copulatory organ as in diagnosis.Copulatory openings situated at two small transversal ridges in posterior epigyne.Posterior margin of epigyne medially only slightly bulged.One slit sense organ anterior of epigyne (Fig. 42).Intromittent ducts running from openings parallel and slightly converging, turning between anterior spermathecae at an angle of 180° to the ventral side, coiling and being discharged into posterior spermathecae.Anterior spermathecae slightly smaller than posterior ones, antero-mediad.Fertilisation ducts antero-laterad (Fig. 43).Ushaped parts of intromittent ducts in ventral view varying in length (Figs 42,45).
Colour in ethanol .As in male.
Distribution.Known only from the type locality (Fig. 71 Etymology.The species name is derived from the Lao word "kuu", meaning "to threaten", referring to the threatened habitats by the human overpopulation; term in apposition. Diagnosis.Small sized Clubioninae with body length of males 4.3 mm (Figs 57-58), belonging to the hystrix species-group.Closely related to Clubiona damirkovaci Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 and C. maipai spec.nov.Males can be distinguished by 1) smaller size, 2) the wide and short base of RTA in retrolateral view (Fig. 47; narrow and long in C. damirkovaci, narrow and short in C. maipai spec.nov.), 3) the prominent tegular hump (Fig. 46; indistinct in C. damirkovaci, distinct, but smaller in C. maipai spec.nov.), 4) number and arrangement of cheliceral teeth, namely 5 anterior and 3 posterior teeth with the distal two anterior and the distal posterior separated (Fig. 51; 5 anterior and 4 posterior teeth in a continuous, straight row in C. damirkovaci, 6 (5-7) anterior and 4 (3-5) posterior teeth in a continuous, straight row in C. maipai spec.nov.).
Note.The male of C. transversa Zhang and Yin, 1998 resembles that of C. kuu spec.nov.Shape of tegulum, embolus and distal tegular bulge including the course of the sperm duct show striking similarities with males of the hystrix species-group.However, the RTA lacks in the original description the fine distal part as shown for C. maipai spec.nov.and C. kuu spec.nov.This tiny tip can either have been overlooked, have been confused with a hair or bristle, or simply have been broken off.Apparently the female holotype of that species might be not conspecific with the male paratype, as it shows a completely different bauplan than females of other species of the hystrix species-group (see note under C. melanothele).

Malamatidia Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001
This genus was described for three species: the type species Malamatidia bohorokensis Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 (Sumatra, Sarawak), M. vethi Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 (Malaysian peninsular, Kalimantan), and M. thorelli Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 (Sulawesi).The present specimens represent the first record of the genus for Laos.A single male from Luang Prabang Province and a single female from Luang Nam Tha Province are described as new species and represent the northernmost records for this genus.Both are considered separate species due to their different habitat (foliage vs. leaf litter), their different sizes (male with 6.5 mm vs. female with 4.5 mm body length; other Malamatidia spp. with both sexes of about the same size), and their different colours (grass-green in Fig. 73 vs. pale yellowish with distal leg segments bright brown in Fig. 74).Deeleman-Reinhold (personal communication) confirmed that most of small-sized Clubionidae occurring in natural forests are local endemics with small distribution ranges.According to the currently known distribution range the genus is likely to occur in neighbouring countries like China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Diagnostic characters are according to Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) beside a pale green colour and a life style in the foliage, a longitudinal rim in the central depression of the female epigyne, and a filiform clockwise curving embolus (left palp) and an S-shaped loop of the sperm duct.From the two new species the diagnosis and description should be extended: Colour can be pale yellow with distal leg segments light brown, probably spiders live in the leaf litter (Fig. 74).It can be confirmed that metatarsi I and II have two long ventral spines.Moreover, the female exhibits 4 pairs of ventral tibial spines and -uniquely-one pair of ventral spines on patella I (Fig. 67)!An additional exceptional feature in M. christae spec.nov. is the female palpal tarsus with its roughly scalene triangle shape in lateral view with the shorter distal side being concave.The size range is extended up to 6.5 mm body length (previously known range: 3.75-5.3mm).Another diagnostic character for males could be the presence of a distinct and abrupt narrowing of the sperm duct in the tegulum (recognisable in M. bohorokensis, M. vethi and M. zu spec.nov.; not clear in M. thorelli).Etymology.The species name is derived from the German word "zu", meaning "too" and generally referring to an unbalanced situation as it is true for the overpopulation, i.e. too many people in a certain area.This is the case in the type locality Ban Keng Koung where people were settled because of building a dam at the Nam Khan; term in apposition.

Malamatidia zu
Diagnosis.Males can be recognised by having the embolus tip situated at distal tegulum (retrolateral side in other Malamatidia spp.) and by the sperm duct with its broad part running straight distad, bent distally 180°, and with its narrow part running a loop before entering the embolus (Fig. 62).
Note.The prosoma of the holotype including legs (right pedipalp, leg I and II, and right leg III missing) and chelicerae is strongly damaged.Therefore no characters of these structures can be included in the diagnosis and description.
Colour in ethanol.Pale yellow, dorsal prosoma and chelicerae a bit darker.Dorsal opisthosoma with greyish median band with distinct lateral margins in posterior half.Ventral opisthosoma with distinct dark patch in front of epigastric furrow.
Colour of a living subadult male was bright green (Fig. 73; the same colour was exhibited by an unidentified individual from Champasak Prov., That Fane, L95).
Female: unknown.Natural history.The holotype of M. zu spec.nov.has been collected from foliage in vegetation close to a small stream.This is in accordance with data provided by Deeleman-Reinhold (2001: 191, "Silk-sheets on the under-surface of green leaves") and with other records of Malamatidia spiders in Laos (Champasak Prov.).
Distribution.Known only from the type locality (Fig. 71: 5).Etymology.The species is named in honour of Dr Christa Deeleman-Reinhold for her invaluable contribution to the knowledge of the Southeast Asian spider fauna; name in genitive case.
Diagnosis.The longitudinal, posteriorly diverging rim in the central depression of epigyne is diagnostic for Malamatidia spp.(Deeleman-Reinhold 2001: 191).The female of M. christae spec.nov. is distinguished by the large and posteriorly pointed membranous posterior parts of the spermathecae (Fig. 65) (round and smaller in other Malamatidia spp.).
Figs 19-21).Pale yellow with distinct colour pattern.Dorsal prosoma with head region marbled and eyes region darker.Chelicerae with longitudinal bands and inner parts dark.Opisthosoma grey, dorsally with distinct pattern consisting of broad stripes and blotches.Spinnerets and anal tubercle dark.Female: unknown.Distribution.Known from Laos, Luang Nam Tha (type locality) and Thailand, Chiang Mai and Chai Ya Phum Provinces (Fig. 71: 1, 11-12).