| Phycosoma digitula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| from Hong Kong | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Theridiidae |
| Genus: | Phycosoma |
| Species: | P. digitula |
| Binomial name | |
| Phycosoma digitula F. Zhang & B. S. Zhang, 2012 | |
Phycosoma digitula is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae. It is endemic to China. [1]
Phycosoma digitula was first described by F. Zhang and B. S. Zhang in 2012 based on specimens collected from Hainan Island, China. [2] The species belongs to the genus Phycosoma , which is characterized by males having very high, almost cylindrical carapaces with deep dorsal grooves, and eye regions that often project beyond the clypeus. [2]
P. digitula is described from Hainan Island in southern China. [1] [2] The type specimens were collected from Bawangling Town and Jianfengling Mountain in May 2009. [2] It has been observed from Taiwan to Singapore. [3]
Males of P. digitula have a total body length of 3.05–3.15 mm, with the carapace measuring 1.49 mm long and 1.22 mm wide. The carapace is yellowish with a yellow-brown median part and a distinctive black cervical groove. Each eye is surrounded by a black ring. [2]
The species can be distinguished from other Phycosoma species by the male's wide apical cymbium (the boat-shaped structure at the tip of the pedipalp). Females are distinguished by their wide, U-shaped scapus and long copulatory ducts, separating them from closely related species like P. flavomarginatum, P. hainanensis, and P. hana. [2]
The legs are thin with scattered long black spines, and the leg formula is 4-1-2-3 (meaning the fourth leg is longest, followed by the first, second, and third legs). The opisthosoma is oval-shaped and covered with sparse, long black setae. [2]
The species name "digitula" refers to the digitiform (finger-like) apophysis found on the tegulum of the male palp. [2]
Provides observations and data on this species.