A new Platocoelotes species and first description of the male of Platocoelotes icohamatoides from Hunan, China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae: Coelotinae)

Abstract

We describe a new coelotine species, Platocoelotes bifidus sp. nov. and the male of Platocoelotes icohamatoides (Peng & Wang) from Hunan Province of China. Platocoelotes found only in caves (nine species) consistently differ from Platocoelotes found in surface habitats (or both cave and surface habitats; six species) in some genitalic characters (only one patellar apophysis, very short cymbial furrow, simple spermathecae). Nevertheless, the entire genus is united by the presence of a conductor ventral apophysis on the male palp, a broad, shallow atrium, and distinct epigynal hoods. We briefly discuss the distribution and diversity of cave-associated species of Platocoelotes.