Four new species of the jumping spider genus Portia (Araneae, Salticidae) from China.

Xin Xu,Xianjin Peng,Daiqin Li

doi:10.3897/zookeys.1068.72805

Abstract

We diagnose and describe four new species of Portia Karsch, 1878 and describe for the first time the male of P.zhaoi Peng, Li & Chen, 2003 from China based on morphological characters. The females of Portiabawang sp. nov. have the narrowest epigyne orifice. The males of Portiaerlangping sp. nov. have the shortest embolus among all the species. The females of Portiafajing sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species by the anterior orifice margin, which is nearly parallel to the posterior orifice margin. The males of Portiaxishan sp. nov. can be identified by the tegular furrow which extends to form a membrane and by the tegular apophysis which is obscured; the females of Portiaxishan sp. nov. can be diagnosed by the slit-like epigynal orifice. The males of P.zhaoi have the longest embolus among all the species, and females can be diagnosed by the circular epigyne orifice and the longest copulatory ducts. To facilitate future identification, we also provide the GenBank accession codes of the DNA barcode gene, Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), for all the type specimens.

Highlights

Portia Karsch, 1878 is the most thoroughly studied jumping spider genus and one of the best-known model systems for behavioural and evolutionary research in spiders (Su et al 2007; Harland et al 2012)
Portia species eat insects ensnared in the alien web
The key to species of Portia was provided in the studies of Wanless (1978) and Peng and Li (2002) based on male and female genital morphology

Summary

Introduction

Portia Karsch, 1878 is the most thoroughly studied jumping spider genus and one of the best-known model systems for behavioural and evolutionary research in spiders (Su et al 2007; Harland et al 2012). The key to species of Portia was provided in the studies of Wanless (1978) and Peng and Li (2002) based on male and female genital morphology. After examining the vouchers collected in China, we identify and describe four new species of Portia and describe the male of P. zhaoi for the first time based on male and/or female genital morphology.

Results

Conclusion