Sphingius gothicus sp. n. (figs 843-846, map 41)

Type locality.— Thailand, Prov. Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep 600-1200 m.

Type material.— I ♂, holotype (MHNG) from the type locality, Monthathan, 650 m, 30.xi-14.xii.1996; paratypes: 3 ♂ (MHNG), as the holotype, 30.xi-14. xii. 1996, 3 ♂, 1 ♀ (MHNG), 14.xii.1996 - 10.i.1997, 4 ♂ (CD), 10.i-6.ii. 1997; Doi Suthep 1180 m, 1 ♂ (MHNG), pitfall traps, 3.xii-3. i. 1987, 1 ♀ (CD), 14.ii.1987, 1 ♀ (MHNG), pitfall trap, 1- 30.iii. 1986, Doi Suthep 1155 m, 1 ♂ (MHNG), pitfall traps, 30.xi-14.xii. 1996.

Other material. — Thailand, Prov. Chiang Mai, Mae Chaem area SW of Chiang Mai, 18°30'N, 98°22'E, 1 ♂, 17-2l. iii.1990, V. and B. Roth (CAS); Chiang Mai, 320 m, 1 ♂, 6.ix. 1987, 1 ♀, 350 m 9.v. 1986 (CD); Chanthaburi Province, Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, 300 m, 1 ♂, 2 ♀, 9.v. 1987 (CD); Mae Hia (between Chiang Mai and Doi Suthep), 1 ♂ (MHNG), pitfall traps, 19.x.-19.xi. 1986, with 1 ♂ Sphingius sp. n., 1 ♂, 22- 30. vi.1987, 1 ♂, 30.vii-14. xi.1987, 1 ♂, 14-28. xii. 1987, 1 ♂, 24.i.-5.ii. l988, (all MHNG); Tak Province, Lan Sang National Park, 200 m, 1 ♀ (MHNG), 25.xii. 1987, Loei Province, Phu Kradung National Park, 1180 m, 1 ♂ (MHNG), 22.xii.1994, all PJ. Schwendinger; Chiang Dao, 1 ♀, 700 m, bamboo litter near cave entrance, 27.xii.1980, L. Deharveng; Prov. Nakhon Ratchasima, Khao Yai National Park, 1000 m, 1 ♂, on asfalt road near evergreen forest, 9.xi. l987, P.R. and C.L. Deeleman; id., 1 ♂, dense evergreen forest, near water, litter, 25.x. 1985, P.R. Deeleman; Prov. Kanchanaburi, Erawan waterfalls National park, 1 ♂, running on asfalt road, 9.xi. 1987, P.R. and C.L. Deeleman.

Diagnosis. — Dark species with lighter legs, similar to S. vivax, distinct by the pitted carapace in males, the unicolour patellae, the smaller PME, the absence of knob on chilum and the shape of the anterior epigynal depression. This species agrees with S. thecatus according to the description of that species in most respects but disagrees by the round pits on the carapace and by the presence of a strong collar in males. S. scrobiculatus is distinguished by the long slender, distally gently curved tibial apophysis which is twice the length of the tibia itself. The carapace is strewn with rows of pits in the males, rows of granules in the female, the margins are thorny in both sexes. The posterior eyes are equal in size. Genital organs: the male palp is very similar to that in vivax, the median apophysis is more triangular, with two pointed protrusions, the cymbium has a pointed tip; the epigyne is easily distinguishable from all other species by the anteriorly angular, gothic archshape of the anterior depression.

Description.— MALE. Total length 4.00 mm. Carapace length 1.85 mm, width 1.35 mm, height 0.45 mm, head width 0.85 mm, eye group width 0.50 mm; abdomen 2.00 mm long, 1.00 mm wide. Leg lengths: leg I 5.25 mm (1.50-1.85-1.00-0.90), leg II 4.50 mm (1.25- 1.50-0.90-0.85), leg III 3.70 mm (1.00-1.20-0.75-0.75), leg IV 5.95 mm (1.50-2.00-1.50- 0.95), palp 0.50-0.35- 0.30-0.55 mm. Carapace, mouthparts, sternum and abdomen deep chestnut brown, lustrous, legs reddish brown, femora I,II and IV, patella and tibia I (sometimes also in leg IV) black-brown in the Suthep specimens; in most other localities the legs are paler and the contrasts in leg colour are less strong. Carapace with rows of setabearing granules, each sunk in a round pit, radiating from shallow short thoracic groove; margin lined with small thorns, with a long seta arising from the side. Thoracic groove shallow, short. AER procurved, AME smaller than ALE, and close together, PER slightly recurved, eyes of equal diameter, distance PME-PME 1/3 d, distance PME-PLE 1/2 d. Chilum rounded, without knob when viewed from above. Sternum with numerous round pits. Leg spination: femora I-III with 1-0d, femur IV with 1-1d, anterior tibiae and metatarsi spineless, tibia III with 2-2v, 0-1 pi, tibia IV with 2-2v, 1-1pl and 1-1 rl; metatarsus III with 2-0v and 1-0pl, metatarsus IV with 2-1pv, 1-0pl, 1-1 rl. Dorsal abdominal scutum variable in length, in most males almost touching spinnerets, in others up to four fifth of abdominal length; epigastric scutum with short grooved collar. Palp figs 843-844, very similar to that in S. vivax, different in details of tibial apophysis and median apophysis, cymbium with more pointed tip, tegulum additionally with membranous lanceolate conductor; median apophysis in the male from Erawan slightly different, not triangular.

FEMALE (1180 m, 14.ii.1987). Total length 5.20 mm. Carapace length 2.25 mm, width 1.65 mm, height 0.65 mm, head width 1.00 mm, eye group width 0.55 mm; abdomen 3.05 mm long, 1.75 mm wide, epigyne 0.35 mm wide, 0.50 mm long. Leg lengths: leg I 6.95 mm (1.90-2.50-1.40-1.15), leg II 5.85 mm (1.70-2.00-1.15-1.00), leg III 4.65 mm (1.35- 1.60-0.90-0.80), leg IV 7.75 mm (2.00-2.50-2.00-1.25), palp 0.75-0.40-0.50- 0.75 mm. Carapace, eyes, mouthparts and leg colouring paler than in male, revealing a pattern of darker triangular spots on the carapace. Colour pattern in legs similar to that in males. Carapace surface regularly granulated, pits absent. Leg spination as in the male. Abdomen unicolour mouse grey, anterior collar absent. Epigyne fig. 845, vulva fig. 846, anterior margin of depression of epigyne curved as a gothic arch, angular in the middle, for the rest as in S. vivax.

Distribution.— Thailand: recorded from the north, from the western mountain range, some lower mountainous areas in Central Thailand and Khao Sai Dao in the southeast.

Etymology.— gothicus, from the epigynal depression shaped as a gothic arch.