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Taxonomy and biogeography of the

spider genus Eriovixia (Araneae:
Araneidae) from Hainan Island, China
a a
Guang-Xin Han & Ming-Sheng Zhu
a
College of Life Sciences, Hebei University , Baoding, Hebei,
China
Published online: 20 Oct 2010.

To cite this article: Guang-Xin Han & Ming-Sheng Zhu (2010) Taxonomy and biogeography of the
spider genus Eriovixia (Araneae: Araneidae) from Hainan Island, China, Journal of Natural History,
44:43-44, 2609-2635, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2010.507315

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 Journal of Natural History
Vol. 44, Nos. 43–44, November 2010, 2609–2635

Taxonomy and biogeography of the spider genus Eriovixia

(Araneae: Araneidae) from Hainan Island, China
Guang-Xin Han and Ming-Sheng Zhu*

College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China

(Received 1 February 2010; final version received 13 June 2010)

The genus Eriovixia Archer, 1951 is a small tropical genus and exhibits a
Downloaded by [Uppsala universitetsbibliotek] at 08:36 06 October 2014

wide geographical distribution from Southeast Asia to Africa. In this paper,

the genus Eriovixia is revised in Hainan Island, China, and three new species,
E. nigrimaculata sp. nov., E. huwena sp. nov. and E. jianfengensis sp. nov., are
described. Based on the type species description and three species figures, we think
Tukaraneus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 is a junior synonym of Eriovixia Archer,
1951. Accordingly, three species, Tukaraneus mahabaeus Barrion & Litsinger,
1995, Tukaraneus palawanensis Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 and Tukaraneus patulisus
Barrion & Litsinger, 1995, are transferred from Tukaraneus to Eriovixia. E. excelsa
(Simon, 1889), E. pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906) and E. sakiedao-
rum Tanikawa, 1999 are recorded for the first time for Hainan Island’s fauna. A
key to the genus Eriovixia is presented excepting three species distributed in Africa.
Biogeographic analyses show that Southeast Asia is a centre of distribution, diver-
sification and speciation of the genus Eriovixia, and Hainan Island’s fauna posesses
high species richness and endemism.
Keywords: Araneidae; Eriovixia; taxonomy; biogeography; Hainan Island

Introduction
Eriovixia Archer is a small tropical genus of the spider family Araneidae. Before our
study, 14 speices were included in the genus, with three species from Africa: E. napi-
formis (Thorell, 1899), E. rhinura (Pocock, 1899) and E. turbinata (Thorell, 1899); and
11 species from Asia: E. cavaleriei (Schenkel, 1963), E. enshiensis (Yin & Zhao, 1994),
E. excelsa (Simon, 1889), E. hainanensis (Yin et al., 1990), E. laglaizei (Simon, 1877),
E. menglunensis (Yin et al., 1990), E. poonaensis (Tikader & Bal, 1981), E. pseudocen-
trodes (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906), E. sakiedaorum Tanikawa, 1999, E. sticta Mi, Peng
& Yin, 2010 and E. yunnanensis (Yin et al. 1990).
Yaginuma and Archer (1959) considered that Eriovixia was a junior synonym
of Heurodes. Berman and Levi (1971) treated the genus as a synonym of Neoscona
Simon, 1864, which was supported by Tikader (1982). However, Grasshoff (1986)
rejected these synonymies and treated it as a valid genus, which was followed by Yin
et al. (1997) and Tanikawa (1999, 2007). We agree with Grasshoff (1986). Barrion
and Litsinger (1995) established a new genus, Tukaraneus, based on a monotype
T. mahabaeus, and described two species, T. palawanensis and T. patulisus, from males
only. The characters of Tukaraneus and three species’ figures match those of Eriovixia,

*Corresponding author. Email: mingshengzhu@263.net

ISSN 0022-2933 print/ISSN 1464-5262 online

© 2010 Taylor & Francis
DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2010.507315
http://www.informaworld.com
 2610 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu

so we believe Tukaraneus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 is a junior synonym of Eriovixia

Archer, 1951.
In this paper, we describe three new species, E. nigrimaculata sp. nov., E. huwena
sp. nov. and E. jianfengensis sp. nov. from Hainan Island, China. Three other species,
Tukaraneus mahabaeus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995, Tukaraneus palawanensis Barrion
& Litsinger, 1995 and Tukaraneus patulisus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995, are transferred
from Tukaraneus to Eriovixia, E. mahabaeus (Barrion & Litsinger, 1995), E. palawa-
nensis (Barrion & Litsinger, 1995) and E. patulisus (Barrion & Litsinger, 1995) comb.
nov. The former, E. excelsa (Simon, 1889), E. pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand,
1906) and E. sakiedaorum Tanikawa, 1999, are recorded for the first time as part of
Hainan Island’s fauna of the genus. Thus, the species number of this genus is increased
to 20, and 10 of them are recorded in Hainan Island. A key to the genus Eriovixia is
presented excepting three species distributed in Africa.
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Biogeography is of great importance in studies of species origin and diversification.

As a matter of fact, the biogeography of Eriovixia was poorly studied and was even
a total gap in Hainan Island’s fauna, even though the genus has a wide geographical
distribution from Southeast Asia to Africa. We analyse distribution patterns of the
genus all over the world and in Hainan Island’s fauna, and hope that this may benefit
our future studies.

Materials and methods

The terminology used in this paper is based on the standard terms for Araneae.
All specimens were preserved in 75% ethyl alcohol and were examined and illustrated
under a Tech XTL-II stereomicroscope equipped with an Abbe device. Photographs
were taken using the Free Angle Observation System VHX-100. Carapace length was
measured from the anterior margin to the rear margin of the carapace medially. Total
length is the sum of carapace and abdomen length, regardless of the petiolus. Eye
sizes were measured as the maximum diameter in a dorsal view. Leg measurements
are shown as total length (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus). All measurements
are given in millimeters.
The specimens examined in this study are deposited in the Museum of Hebei
University, Baoding, China (MHBU).
The following abbreviations are used in the text: AME = anterior median eye;
ALE = anterior lateral eye; PME = posterior median eye; PLE = posterior lateral eye;
MOA = median ocular area; C = conductor; E = embolus; TA = terminal apophysis;
MA = median apophysis; MP = median plate; S = spermathecae.

Taxonomy

Genus Eriovixia Archer, 1951

Eriovixia Archer, 1951: 18; Grasshoff, 1986: 4; Yin et al., 1997: 294; Tanikawa, 1999:
42; Tanikawa, 2007: 90.
Heurodes Yaginuma & Archer, 1959: 35.
Neoscona Berman & Levi, 1971: 469.
 Journal of Natural History 2611

Tukaraneus Barrion & Litsinger, 1995: 644. New synonym.

Type species: Eriovixia rhinura (Pocock, 1899).

Diagnosis. In general, female abdomen of Eriovixia subtriangular, tapering posteri-

orly or with a hump-like tail; epigynum bears a scape with rimmed tip. Male fovea
transverse, abdomen longer than wide, often with a tubercle posteriorly; palpal patella
without macroseta, median apophysis large, with one or two pointed spurs.

Remarks. Barrion and Litsinger (1995) erected a new genus, Tukaraneus, based only
on males, and described three new species, T. mahabaeus, T. palawanensis and T. pat-
ulisus, collected from the Philippines. The description of the genus Tukaraneus accords
with that of Eriovixia, especially the figures of males, such as anterior cephalic area
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being distinctly narrower than the thorax, bearing a snout in front of AMEs, which
fits E. laglaizei (Simon, 1877) exactly, and the structures of the palp being similar
to Eriovixia, median apophysis large in both. The characters indicate that the genus
Tukaraneus is a junior synonym of Eriovixia.

Key to Hainan Island’s species

1. Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
– Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2. Abdomen with tubercle (Figure 3C) or tapering posteriorly (Figure 4A) . . . 3
– Abdomen without tubercle or not tapering posteriorly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. Abdomen with a long hump-like tail (Figure 3A) or tapering posteriorly . . . 4
– Abdomen with tubercle at posterior end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Abdomen with a long hump-like tail at posterior end . . . . . . . . . . . . E. laglaizei
– Abdomen tapering posteriorly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. pseudocentrodes
5. Abdomen wider than long, globular (Figure 1C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. excelsa
– Abdomen longer than wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6. Epigynal scape comparatively short, terminal part wide (see Mi et al. 2010:
Figure 19) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. sticta
– Epigynal scape comparatively long, terminal part narrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7. Spermathecae round, contiguous (Figure 11A) . . . . . E. nigrimaculata sp. nov.
– Spermathecae oval, distinctly separated (Figure 9A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. jianfengensis sp. nov.
8. Abdomen narrowing posteriorly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
– Abdomen round posteriorly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9. Abdomen with obvious folium (Figure 1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. cavaleriei
– Abdomen without folium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
10. Abdomen with fasciculate hairs at posterior half (see Yin et al. 1997:
Figure 208a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. poonaensis
– Not as above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. yunnanensis
 2612 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu

11. Abdomen triangular (see Yin et al. 1997: Figure 204a) . . . . . . . . . E. enshiensis
– Abdomen oval, with two pairs of large sigillae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
12. Epigynal scape very short (see Yin et al. 1997: Figure 207b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. menglunensis
– Epigynal scape long (Figures 7A, 13 A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
13. Epigynal scape with a small process terminally (Figure 13A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. sakiedaorum
– Epigynal scape smooth, without process terminally (Figure 7A) . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. hainanensis
14. Carapace bears a snout below anterior median eyes (Figure 10E) . . . . . . . . . 15
– Carapace without a snout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
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15. Abdomen with a long hump-like tail at posterior end . . . . . . . . . . . . E. laglaizei

– Abdomen without a long hump-like tail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
16. Carapace with conspicuous dark brown striations (Figure 2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. huwena sp. nov.
– Carapace without dark brown striations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
17. Abdomen with tubercle at posterior end (Figure 2D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. jianfengensis sp. nov.
– Abdomen without tubercle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
18. Median apophysis with hooked apical process (see Barrion and Litsinger
1995: Figures 410f, 412f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
– Median apophysis concave at midlength with a curved sclerotized process
on both ends (see Barrion and Litsinger 1995: Figure 411f). . . .E. mahabaeus
19. Median apophysis with three teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. palawanensis
– Median apophysis subtriangular, with a small basal tooth . . . . . E. patulisus
20. Cephalic area conspicuous extended forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. nigrimaculata
– Cephalic area conspicuous not extended forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
21. Median apophysis almost quadrate, with a triangular hook terminally
(Figure 13D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E.sakiedaorum
– Median apophysis not as above . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
22. Median apophysis navicular (Figure 5D,E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
– Median apophysis not navicular (see Mi et al. 2010: Figures 6, 7) . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. excelsa
23. Median apophysis with one small spur from prolateral view
(Figure 5D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. cavaleriei
– Median apophysis with two spurs from prolateral view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
24. Embolus long, median apophysis with two dorsal spurs close to each other
(see Mi et al. 2010: Figures 14, 15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. pseudocentrodes
– Embolus short, median apophysis with two dorsal spurs conspicuously
separated (see Mi et al. 2010: Figure 22) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. sticta
 Journal of Natural History 2613

Eriovixia cavaleriei (Schenkel, 1963)

(Figures 1A,B, 5)

Araneus cavaleriei Schenkel, 1963: 162; Song, 1987: 160; Feng, 1990: 53.
Araneus cavalierei (Schenkel): Brignoli, 1983: 257.
Eriovixia cavaleriei (Schenkel): Yin et al., 1997: 295; Song, Zhu & Chen, 1999: 281.
Eriovixia cavalerier (Schenkel): Song, Zhu & Chen, 2001: 202.

Material examined. CHINA: Hainan: one female, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E),
8 August 2007, F. Zhang; Hunan: one male, one female, Mountain Fanjingshan
(28◦ 13 N, 112◦ 56 E), Changsha City, 11 August 1990, M.S. Zhu; Hubei: one male,
five females, Xuanen City (29◦ 53 N, 109◦ 46 E), 26 June 1989, M.S. Zhu; one male,
Shennongjia Natural Reserve (31◦ 30 N, 110◦ 26 E), 24 September 2001, M.S. Zhu;
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Guizhou: one male, three females, Longquanshan National Forest Park (27◦ 44 N,
107◦ 27 E), Meitan County, 3 August 2003, J.X. Zhang; Fujian: two females, Mountain

Figure 1. Eriovixia cavaleriei (Schenkel, 1963): (A) female habitus, dorsal view; (B) male habi-
tus, dorsal view. Eriovixia excelsa (Simon, 1889): (C) female habitus, dorsal view. Eriovixia
hainanensis (Yin et al., 1990): (D) female habitus, dorsal view.
 2614 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu
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Figure 2. Eriovixia huwena sp. nov.: (A) male habitus, dorsal view. Eriovixia jianfengensis sp. nov.
(B) female habitus, dorsal view; (C) female habitus, dorsal view; (D) male habitus, dorsal view.

Wuyishan (27◦ 41 N, 117◦ 52 E), Wuyishan County, 25 May 2004, F. Zhang; Sichuan:
two females, Mountain Emeishan (29◦ 35 N, 103◦ 25 E), 27 July 2003, Z.S. Song;
Guangxi: five males, four females, Tongman Town (21◦ 46 N, 107◦ 19 E), Ningming
County, 25 August 2004, M.S. Zhu; Chongqing: one male juvenile, one female, Xiuqi
Town (31◦ 52 N, 108◦ 47 E), Chengkou County, 17 August 2003, J.X. Zhang.

Description. Female (based on a female from Mountain fanjingshan, Changsha City,

Hunan): Total length 4.15. Carapace 1.47 long, 1.37 wide; abdomen 2.68 long, 2.37
wide. Carapace brown. Eight eyes in two rows. Anterior eye row strongly recurved,
 Journal of Natural History 2615
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Figure 3. Eriovixia laglaizei (Simon, 1877): (A) female habitus, dorsal view; (B) male habitus,
dorsal view. Eriovixia nigrimaculata sp. nov.: (C) female habitus, dorsal view; (D) male habitus,
dorsal view.

posterior eye row slightly recurved. Eye measurements: AME 0.08, ALE 0.07, PME
0.10, PLE 0.07; AME–AME 010, AME–ALE 0.23, PME–PME 0.15, PME–PLE 0.28;
MOA length equal to width (0.28: 0.28), narrower in front than back (0.25: 0.30).
Chelicerae brown, with four promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Maxillae,
labium and sternum greyish brown. Maxillae longer than wide, with pale outer
margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, distally rebor-
dered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, anteriorly concave, posteriorly pointed
between coxae IV. Legs brown with greyish black. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measure-
ments: I 5.53 (1.83 + 2.04 + 1.14 + 0.52); II 4.54 (1.48 + 1.68 + 0.95 + 0.43); III 2.61
(0.88 + 0.87 + 0.48 + 0.38); IV 3.96 (1.38 + 1.40 + 0.85 + 0.33).
 2616 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu

Figure 4. Eriovixia pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906): (A) female habitus, dorsal
view. Eriovixia sakiedaorum Tanikawa, 1999: (B) female habitus, dorsal view; (C) male habitus,
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dorsal view.

Abdomen grey laterally, dorsally with a large white folium. Folium bears two pairs
of brown sigillae arranged midlongitudinally. The posterior end of abdomen bears a
small black tubercle (Figure 1A). Venter greyish black, with four pairs of white speck-
les arranged longitudinally and medially. Spinnerets dark brown. Epigynum: scape
triangular, blunt distally (Figure 5A).
Male (based on a male from Mountain fanjingshan, Changsha City, Hunan):
Total length 3.85. Carapace 1.90 long, 1.66 wide; abdomen 1.95 long, 1.69 wide.
Carapace brown, narrowing anteriorly. Fovea obvious. Eight eyes in two rows. Both
anterior and posterior eye rows strongly recurved. Eye measurements: AME 0.13,
ALE 0.06, PME 0.10, PLE 0.07; AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.23, PME–PME
0.13, PME–PLE 0.29; MOA length almost equal to width (0.30: 0.32), slightly
wider in front than back (0.33: 0.30). Chelicerae greyish brown, with three pro-
marginal and three retromarginal teeth. Maxillae, labium and sternum greyish
brown. Maxillae almost square, with pale outer margin and indistinct scopulae.
Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, distally rebordered with pale margin.
Sternum cordate, anterior slightly concave, posteriorly pointed between coxae IV.
Legs yellowish brown with black annulations. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measure-
ments: I 6.09 (2.03 + 2.28 + 1.26 + 0.52); II 4.69 (1.62 + 1.62 + 0.97 + 0.48); III 2.94
(1.08 + 0.96 + 0.55 + 0.35); IV 4.48 (1.52 + 1.55 + 1.03 + 0.38).
Abdomen greyish brown, dorsally with a large white folium. Folium bears two
pairs of brown sigillae arranged midlongitudinally. The posterior end of abdomen
bears a small black tubercle (Figure 1B). Venter greyish black, with four pairs of white
speckles arranged longitudinally and medially. Spinnerets dark brown. Palp: embolus
short; conductor triangular; median apophysis large and bifurcate (Figure 5D,E).

Distribution. China (Hainan, Beijing, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong,

Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan).

Eriovixia excelsa (Simon, 1889)

(Figures 1C, 6)

Glyptogona excelsa Simon 1889: 337.

Araneus excelsus (Simon): Simon, 1906: 283; Dyal, 1935: 179; Tikader & Biswas,
1981: 20.
 Journal of Natural History 2617
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Figure 5. Eriovixia cavaleriei (Schenkel, 1963): (A) female epigynum, ventral view; (B) same,
dorsal view; (C) same, lateral view; (D) left male palp, prolateral view; (E) same, ventral view.
Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Neoscona excelsus (Simon): Tikader & Bal, 1981: 25; Tikader, 1982: 261.
Eriovixia excelsa (Simon): Grasshoff, 1986: 118; Barrion & Litsinger, 1995: 643; Tso &
Tanikawa, 2000: 129.

Material examined. CHINA: Hainan: one female, one female juvenile, Bawangling
Town (19◦ 07 N, 109◦ 08 E), 21 May 2009, G.X. Han; three females, Jianfeng Town
(18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 1 June 2009, C. Zhang; one female, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N,
108◦ 54 E), 10 November 2008, S.T. Guo; one female, Datian Town (19◦ 0 N, 108◦ 54 E),
Dongfang County, 6 August 2007, G.X. Han.

Description. Female (based on a female from Bawangling Town, Hainan): Total length
4.86. Carapace 2.00 long, 1.97 wide; abdomen 2.86 long, 3.12 wide. Carapace dark
brown, cephalic area slightly more elevated than thoracic area. Eight eyes in two
 2618 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu
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Figure 6. Eriovixia excelsa (Simon, 1889): (A) female epigynum, ventral view; (B) same, dorsal
view; (C) same, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

rows. Anterior eye row recurved, posterior eye row almost straight. Eye measure-
ments: AME 0.09, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.08; AME–AME 0.18, AME–ALE
0.41, PME–PME 0.19, PME–PLE 0.51; MOA length in front almost equal to that
back (0.33: 0.35), slightly narrower in front than back (0.33: 0.37). Chelicerae mod-
erately strong and yellowish brown, with four promarginal and three retromarginal
teeth. Maxillae, labium and sternum dark brown. Maxillae longer than wide, with
pale outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped,
distally rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, anteriorly concave, posteriorly
pointed between coxae IV. Legs brown with black annulations. Leg formula: 1243. Leg
measurements: I 6.43 (2.31 + 2.36 + 1.35 + 0.41); II 5.81 (2.14 + 2.14 + 1.17 + 0.36);
III 3.68 (1.24 + 1.24 + 0.72 + 0.48); IV 5.56 (2.07 + 1.90 + 1.24 + 0.35).
Abdomen dorsally black with chalk white patches forming a folium, globular
(Figure 1C), two pairs of large sigillae arranged midlongitudinally; the posterior end
bears a small tubercle. Venter side blackish brown provided with a pair of large
conspicuous chalk white spots. Spinnerets brown. Epigynum: with a short scape
(Figure 6).

Distribution. China (Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan), India, Indonesia, Pakistan,

Philippines.

Eriovixia hainanensis (Yin et al., 1990)

(Figures 1D, 7)

Neoscona hainanensis Yin et al., 1990: 110.

Eriovixia hainanensis (Yin et al.): Yin et al., 1997: 297; Song, Zhu & Chen, 1999: 281.
Material examined. CHINA: Hainan: two females, Tianchi, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N,
108◦ 55 E), 26 May 2009, G.X. Han (MHBU).

Description. Female (based on a female from Tianchi, Jianfeng Town, Hainan): Total
length 4.52. Carapace 1.68 long, 1.53 wide; abdomen 2.84 long, 3.42 wide. Carapace
dark brown. Cephalic area wide and slightly more elevated than thoracic area,
 Journal of Natural History 2619

Figure 7. Eriovixia hainanensis (Yin et al., 1990): (A) female epigynum, ventral view; (B) same,
dorsal view; (C) same, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
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cervical groove obvious. Eight eyes in two rows. Both anterior and posterior eye
rows strongly recurved. Eye measurements: AME 0.08, ALE 0.06, PME 0.10, PLE
0.06; AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.24, PME–PME 0.17, PME–PLE 0.34; MOA
length almost equal to width (0.30: 0.32), slightly narrower in front than back (0.29:
0.36). Chelicerae greyish brown, with four promarginal and three retromarginal teeth.
Maxillae, labium and sternum greyish black. Maxillae longer than wide, with pale
outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, dis-
tally rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, anteriorly concave, posteriorly
pointed between coxae IV. Legs brown with black annulations. Leg formula: 1243. Leg
measurements: I 4.67 (1.60 + 1.65 + 0.94 + 0.48); II 4.35 (1.48 + 1.52 + 0.97 + 0.38);
III 2.36 (0.84 + 0.72 + 0.50 + 0.30); IV 4.14 (1.35 + 1.45 + 0.93 + 0.41).
Abdomen dorsally greyish black, globular, slightly projecting anteriorly, with two
pairs of large brown sigillae arranged midlongitudinally, in addition to some small
ones (Figure 1D). Venter greyish black. Spinnerets brown. Epigynum: distal end nar-
rower than proximal part; scape short and wide; tip of the scape blunt in ventral view,
hooked in lateral view (Figure 7).

Distribution. China (Hainan).

Eriovixia huwena sp. nov.

(Figures 2A, 8)

Material examined. Holotype. Male. CHINA: Hainan: Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N,
108◦ 54 E), 28 May 2009, G.X. Han.

Paratype. CHINA: Hainan: two males, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 28 May
2009, G.X. Han.

Other material examined. CHINA: Hainan: two males, Bawangling Town (19◦ 07 N,
109◦ 08 E), 23–24 May 2009, G.X. Han; two males, Qixianling Natural Reserve,
Baoting County (18◦ 42 N, 109◦ 39 E), 8 June 2009, C. Zhang; two males, Limushan
Natural Reserve, Baoting County (19◦ 11 N, 109◦ 52 E), 20 August 2007, F. Zhang;
one male, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 11 November 2008, S.T. Guo; one
male, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 8 August 2007, G.X. Han; one male,
 2620 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu

Wuzhishan National Natural Reserve (18◦ 43 N, 109◦ 52 E), 17 November 2008, M.S.
Zhu; Guangxi: one male, Tongman Town (21◦ 46 N, 107◦ 19 E), Ningming County, 25
August 2004, M.S. Zhu; two males, Tongman Town (21◦ 46 N, 107◦ 19 E), Ningming
County, 18 May 2006, M.S. Zhu.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the presence of conspicuous dark brown
striations on male carapace.

Diagnosis. This new species resembles E. pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906)
in median apophysis, embolus and conductor, but can be distinguished from the latter
by the shape of median apophysis, and terminal apophysis obviously different.
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Description. Male (holotype): Total length 4.05. Carapace 2.07 long, 1.70 wide;
abdomen 1.98 long, 1.71 wide. Carapace dark brown. MOA projecting anteriorly,
carapace bear a snout below anterior median eyes (Figure 2A). Cephalic area slightly
more elevated than thoracic area, cervical groove and fovea obvious, radial furrow
with conspicuous dark brown striations. Eight eyes in two rows. Both anterior and
posterior eye rows strongly recurved. Eye measurements: AME 0.14, ALE 0.09, PME
0.11, PLE 0.09; AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.33, PME–PME 0.16, PME–PLE
0.47; MOA wider than long (0.34: 0.24), length in front almost equal to that back
(0.35: 0.33). Chelicerae yellow, with four promarginal and two retromarginal teeth.
Maxillae and labium greyish brown, sternum yellow. Maxillae slightly longer than
wide, with pale outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-
shaped, distally rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, anteriorly concave,

Figure 8. Eriovixia huwena sp. nov., male holotype: (A) left male palp, prolateral view; (B) same,
ventral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
 Journal of Natural History 2621

posteriorly pointed between coxae IV. Legs dark brown. Leg formula: 1243. Leg mea-
surements: I 5.46 (1.59 + 2.29 + 1.15 + 0.43); II 4.56 (1.50 + 1.68 + 1.08 + 0.43); III
2.62 (0.81 + 0.96 + 0.49 + 0.36); IV 3.77 (1.07 + 1.36 + 1.00 + 0.34).
Abdomen yellowish grey to greyish brown, dorsally with a large folium. Folium
bears two pairs of large brown sigillae arranged midlongitudinally and many small
ones. The posterior end of abdomen strong elevated and expanding beyond spinnerets.
Venter yellowish grey. Spinnerets brown. Patella and tibia without spine. Palp: ter-
minal apophysis claviform; embolus short, pointed; conductor horn-shaped; median
apophysis large, bifurcate, one branch navicular, the middle branch triangular, and the
other one hook-shaped (Figure 8).
Female. Unknown.
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Distribution. China (Hainan, Guangxi) (Figure 14).

Eriovixia jianfengensis sp. nov.

(Figures 2B–D, 9)

Material examined. Holotype. Male. CHINA: Hainan: Tianchi, Jianfeng Town

(18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 55 E), 29 May 2009, C. Zhang.

Paratype. CHINA: Hainan: four males, two females, Exianling Mount, Bawangling
Town (19◦ 07 N, 109◦ 08 E), 20 May 2009, C. Zhang.

Other material examined. CHINA: Hainan: three males, one female juvenile, Tianchi,
Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 55 E), 29 May 2009, S.T. Guo; one male, Yajia, Bawangling
Town (19◦ 07 N, 109◦ 08 E), 19 May 2009, G.X. Han; one male, Sanya Natural Reserve,
Fanjia Town (19◦ 20 N, 109◦ 40 E), 15 May 2009, X.X. Zhang; one female, Jianfeng
Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 1 June 2009, C. Zhang; one female, Bawangling Town
(19◦ 07 N, 109◦ 08 E), 5 November 2008, M.S. Zhu; one male, Wuzhishan National
Natural Reserve (18◦ 43 N, 109◦ 52 E), 17 November 2008, G.X. Han.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis. The new species differs from other Eriovixia spiders by: epigynal scape nar-
row distally; spermatheca oval in female; and by conductor plate-shaped; median
apophysis large and bifurcate, one branch with a small hook, and another one
navicular in male.

Description. Male (holotype): Total length 3.61. Carapace 1.86 long, 1.62 wide;
abdomen 1.75 long, 1.56 wide. Carapace yellow. Cephalic area narrowering, with a
pair of long setae anteriorly and a small snout below AMEs. Fovea obvious. Eight
eyes in two rows. Both anterior and posterior eye rows recurved. Eye measurements:
AME 0.15, ALE 0.08, PME 0.12, PLE 0.08; AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.14,
PME–PME 0.13, PME–PLE 0.23; MOA slightly wider than long (0.31: 0.28), wider in
front than back (0.33: 0.29). Chelicerae yellow, with four promarginal and three retro-
marginal teeth. Maxillae, labium and sternum yellow. Maxillae almost square, with
pale outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped,
 2622 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu
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Figure 9. Eriovixia jianfengensis sp. nov., male holotype, female paratype: (A) female epigynum,
ventral view; (B) same, dorsal view; (C) same, lateral view; (D) left male palp, prolateral view;
(E) same, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

distally rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, anterior slightly concave, pos-
teriorly pointed between coxae IV. Legs yellow to brown. Leg formula: 1243. Leg
measurements: I 5.52 (2.04 + 2.06 + 0.95 + 0.47); II 4.52 (1.39 + 1.69 + 1.00 + 0.44);
III 2.44 (0.87 + 0.93 + 0.40 + 0.24); IV 3.77 (1.23 + 1.40 + 0.84 + 0.30).
Abdomen dorsally greyish brown with a large folium margined with black, with
two pairs of sigillae arranged midlongitudinally and some chalk white patches. Venter
yellow to black. Spinnerets brown. Tibia with three long hairs. Palp: terminal apoph-
ysis short, thin and bent; embolus short; conductor plate-shaped; median apophysis
large and bifurcate, one branch with a small hook, and another one navicular
(Figure 9D, E).
Female (one of the paratypes measured): Total length 4.83. Carapace 1.83 long,
1.62 wide; abdomen 3.00 long, 2.59 wide. Carapace yellow, cephalic area grey-
ish brown. Eight eyes in two rows. Anterior eye row recurved, posterior eye row
almost straight. Eye measurements: AME 0.11, ALE 0.10, PME 0.11, PLE 0.09;
AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.16, PME–PME 0.15, PME–PLE 0.18; MOA wider
than long (0.33: 0.21), slightly narrower in front than back (0.31: 0.35). Chelicerae
greyish brown, with four promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Maxillae and
 Journal of Natural History 2623

labium brown, sternum yellow. Maxillae longer than wide, with pale outer margin
and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, distally rebor-
dered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, concave, posteriorly pointed between
coxae IV. Legs brown with black annulations. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measure-
ments: I 7.05 (2.41 + 2.66 + 1.45 + 0.53); II 6.02 (2.05 + 2.10 + 1.34 + 0.53); III 3.28
(0.85 + 1.28 + 0.67 + 0.48); IV 5.20 (1.68 + 1.84 + 1.21 + 0.47).
Abdomen dorsally black with a large yellowish grey folium (Figure 2B,C); the
posterior end bears a small tubercle. Venter greyish black, with a pair of white speckles.
Spinnerets brown. Epigynum: scape narrow distally; spermatheca oval (Figure 9A).

Distribution. China (Hainan) (Figure 14).

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Eriovixia laglaizei (Simon, 1877)

(Figures 3A,B, 10)

Epeira laglaizei Simon, 1877: 77.

Araneus laglaizei (Simon): Pocock, 1900: 224; Chrysanthus, 1960: 39; Song, 1987: 163.
Neoscona laglaizei (Simon): Tikader & Bal, 1981: 27; Zhu et al., 1994: 45.
Eriovixia laglaizei (Simon): Grasshoff, 1986: 118; Barrion & Litsinger, 1995: 641; Yin
et al., 1997: 296.

Material examined. CHINA: Hainan: three males, four females, Jianfeng Town
(18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 28 May 2009, G.X. Han; one male, one female, Jianfeng Town
(18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 10 November 2008, M.S. Zhu; one female, Bawangling Town
(19◦ 07 N, 109◦ 08 E), 18 May 2009, C. Zhang; one female juvenile, same location
as above, 23 May 2009, S.T. Guo; one female, Songtao Reservoir, Fanjia Town
(19◦ 20 N, 109◦ 40 E), 18 May 2009, G.X. Han; three females, Wuzhishan National
Natural Reserve (18◦ 43 N, 109◦ 52 E), 14 August 2007, F. Zhang; one male, Datian
Natural Reserve (19◦ 0 N, 108◦ 54 E), Dongfang County, 5 August 2007, G.X. Han;
two females, Sanmenpo Town (19◦ 43 N, 110◦ 33 E), Haikou County, 25 November
2008, G.X. Han; one male juvenile, 10 females, Shuiman Town (18◦ 51 N, 109◦ 40 E),
Wuzhishan County, 16 November 2008, M.S. Zhu; five males, 21 females, Huangzhu
Town (19◦ 28 N, 110◦ 25 E), Anding County, 23 November 2008, S.T. Guo; Guangxi:
one male, Tongman Town (21◦ 46 N, 107◦ 19 E), Ningming County, 17 May 2006,
M.S. Zhu; one female, Daqingshan Mount (22◦ 4 N, 106◦ 41 E), Pingxiang County,
14 May 2006, M.S. Zhu; Fujian: one male, Wuyishan National Natural Reserve
(27◦ 46 N, 117◦ 55 E), Wuyishan County, 10 July 2003, C. Zhang; Yunnan: one female,
Xishuangbanna tropical plants garden (21◦ 4 N, 101◦ 25 E), Mengla County, 27 June
2001, C. Zhang.

Description. Female (based on a female from Jianfeng town, Hainan): Total length
6.73. Carapace 2.26 long, 2.37 wide; abdomen 4.47 long, 4.94 wide. Carapace yel-
lowish, narrowing anteriorly, cephalic area slightly more elevated than thoracic area,
fovea transverse. Eight eyes in two rows. Anterior eye row recurved, posterior eye
row almost straight. Eye measurements: AME 0.14, ALE 0.10, PME 0.16, PLE 0.10;
AME–AME 0.21, AME–ALE 0.43, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.48; MOA wider
than long (0.45: 0.38), narrower in front than back (0.43: 0.48). Chelicerae yellowish,
robust, with four promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Cheliceral fang well
 2624 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu
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Figure 10. Eriovixia laglaizei (Simon, 1877): (A) male cephalic region, dorsal view; (B) male
tibia II, dorsal view; (C) female patella I, dorsal view; (D) female tibia II, dorsal view; (E)
female epigynum, ventral view; (F) same, dorsal view; (G) same, lateral view; (H) left male palp,
prolateral view; (I) same, ventral view. Scale bars: A–D, 0.5 mm; E–I, 0.2 mm.

developed, quite long. Maxillae, labium and sternum greyish brown. Maxillae slightly
longer than wide, with pale outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than
long, crescent-shaped, strongly distally rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cor-
date, longer than wide, clothed with black hairs, anterior strongly concave, posteriorly
pointed between coxae IV. Legs long and moderately strong, yellow to yellowish
brown, covered with many strong setae. Patella I and tibia II with special spine, thick in
anterior 2/3, thin in posterior 1/3 (Figure 10C,D). Leg formula: 1243. Leg measure-
ments: I 9.12 (3.06 + 3.37 + 2.01 + 0.68); II 7.38 (2.37 + 2.56 + 1.67 + 0.78); III 4.54
(1.58 + 1.47 + 0.99 + 0.50); IV 6.67 (2.44 + 2.23 + 1.39 + 0.61).
Abdomen dorsally yellowish grey with chalk white patches, three pairs of brown
sigillae arranged midlongitudinally. Anterior margin truncated, becoming wider grad-
ually, widest in the middle, then narrowed, posterior portion with a long hump-like
tail (Figure 3A). Venter dark brown with two pairs of speckles. Lateroventral side of
abdomen yellowish. Spinnerets brown. Epigynum: scape triangular in ventral view,
with a pair of oval shadow markings medially (Figure 10E).
Male (based on a male from Jianfeng town, Hainan): Total length 5.30. Carapace
2.96 long, 2.59 wide; abdomen 2.34 long, 2.50 wide. MOA projecting anteriorly,
with a pair of long setae centrally. Carapace yellowish, bearing a snout below ante-
rior median eyes (Figures 3B, 10 A). Fovea obvious. Eight eyes in two rows. Both
anterior and posterior eye rows strongly recurved. Eye measurements: AME 0.19,
 Journal of Natural History 2625

ALE 0.14, PME 0.11, PLE 0.11; AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.28, PME–PME
0.21, PME–PLE 0.37; MOA wider than long (0.46: 0.37), wider in front than back
(0.49: 0.42). Chelicerae yellowish, moderately robust, with four promarginal teeth,
the third (from apical) largest, the second very small, three retromarginal teeth,
all small. Cheliceral fang developed and long. Maxillae, labium and sternum grey-
ish brown. Maxillae almost square, strong, with pale outer margin and distinct
scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, distally rebordered with pale
margin. Sternum cordate, longer than wide, anteriorly concave, posteriorly pointed
between coxae IV. Legs yellowish, long and moderately strong, covered with many
strong setae. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measurements: I 8.62 (2.73 + 3.56 + 1.74 + 0.59);
II 7.47 (2.58 + 2.39 + 1.76 + 0.74); III 4.51 (1.49 + 1.45 + 1.00 + 0.57); IV 7.43
(2.68 + 2.31 + 1.76 + 0.68).
Abdomen dorsally yellowish grey with chalk white patches and three pairs of
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obvious sigillae arranged midlongitudinally, widest in the middle, posteriorly with a

long hump-like tail (Figure 3B). Venter greyish brown. Lateroventral side of abdomen
yellowish. Spinnerets brown, black around. Patella and tibia without spine. Palp:
embolus short and thick, with a small hook on distal end; conductor large, plate-
shaped; median apophysis bifurcate, one branch relatively thin, bent to falciform,
another branch wide, triangle (Figure 10H,I).

Distribution. China (Hainan, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan), Burma, India, Indonesia,

Malaysia, New Guinea, Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Eriovixia nigrimaculata sp. nov.

(Figures 3C,D, 11)

Material examined. Holotype. Male. CHINA: Hainan: Bawangling Town (19◦ 07 N,
109◦ 08 E), 23 May 2009, S.T. Guo.

Paratype. CHINA: one female, Yajia, Bawangling Town (19◦ 07 N, 109◦ 08 E), 19 May
2009, S.T. Guo.
Other material examined. CHINA: Hainan: three males, Bawangling Town (19◦ 07 N,
109◦ 08 E), 24 May 2009, G.X. Han; one female, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E),
1 June 2009, C. Zhang; one male, one female, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 11
November 2008, M.S. Zhu.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the presence of large folium and black margins
on abdomen in both sexes.

Diagnosis. This new species resembles E. laglaizei (Simon, 1877), but can be dis-
tinguished from the latter by epigynal scape narrow distally, spermatheca round in
E. nigrimaculata, whereas scape becoming narrow gradually, spermatheca oval in
E. laglaizei; and by palpal embolus thin, median apophysis large and bifurcate, one
branch long with a small tip, the other three branches short and small, whereas pal-
pal embolus thick, median apophysis a little small and bifurcate, one branch relatively
thin, bent to falciform, another branch wide, triangular in E. laglaizei.
 2626 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu

Description. Male (holotype): Total length 3.43. Carapace 1.65 long, 1.21 wide;
abdomen 1.78 long, 1.64 wide. Carapace dark brown. Cephalic area narrowing ante-
riorly, MOA strongly projecting (Figure 3D), with a pair of long setae centrally;
anterior margin bears a very small projection below AMEs. Fovea obvious. Eight eyes
in two rows. Both anterior and posterior eye rows strongly recurved. Eye measure-
ments: AME 0.12, ALE 0.05, PME 0.10, PLE 0.05; AME–AME 0.13, AME–ALE
0.28, PME–PME 0.32, PME–PLE 0.38; MOA wider than long (0.37: 0.16), narrower
in front than back (0.34: 0.40). Chelicerae yellowish grey, with four promarginal
and two retromarginal teeth. Maxillae and labium brown, sternum yellow. Maxillae
almost square, with pale outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than
long, crescent-shaped, distally rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, ante-
rior slightly concave, posteriorly pointed between coxae IV. Legs yellow to dark
brown. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measurements: I 4.02 (1.26 + 1.35 + 1.03 + 0.38);
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Figure 11. Eriovixia nigrimaculata sp. nov., male holotype, female paratype: (A) female epigy-
num, ventral view; (B) same, dorsal view; (C) same, lateral view; (D) left male palp, prolateral
view; (E) same, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
 Journal of Natural History 2627

II 3.50 (1.19 + 1.24 + 0.67 + 0.40); III 2.01 (0.51 + 0.81 + 0.43 + 0.26); IV 2.68
(0.83 + 0.98 + 0.61 + 0.26).
Abdomen dorsally yellowish grey, bears a conspicuous folium margined with
black, the midmost part and posterior end with tubercles. Posterior tubercle with two
pairs of very small black humps. Venter yellow, with a pair of speckles and black
diagonal striation on two sides. Spinnerets brown. Palp: terminal apophysis short and
pointed; embolus short and thin; conductor triangular; median apophysis large and
bifurcate, one branch long with a small tip, the other three branches short and small
(Figure 11D,E).
Female (paratype): Total length 3.94. Carapace 1.42 long, 1.27 wide; abdomen
2.52 long, 2.52 wide. Carapace greyish black. Cephalic area wide and more ele-
vated than thoracic area, PMEs area with a hump, bears a pair of long setae
centrally. Eight eyes in two rows. Both anterior and posterior eye rows recurved.
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Eye measurements: AME 0.08, ALE 0.06, PME 0.09, PLE 0.06; AME–AME
0.13, AME–ALE 0.25, PME–PME 0.30, PME–PLE 0.32; MOA wider than long
(0.31: 0.25), narrower in front than back (0.25: 0.37). Chelicerae greyish brown,
with four promarginal and two retromarginal teeth. Maxillae and labium brown,
sternum yellow. Maxillae longer than wide, with pale outer margin and dis-
tinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, distally rebordered with
pale margin. Sternum cordate, anteriorly concave, posteriorly pointed between
coxae IV. Legs brown with black annulations. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measure-
ments: I 4.95 (1.60 + 1.71 + 1.15 + 0.49); II 3.80 (1.23 + 1.28 + 0.86 + 0.43); III 2.36
(0.75 + 0.84 + 0.43 + 0.34); IV 3.32 (1.07 + 1.18 + 0.69 + 0.38).
Abdomen yellowish grey with chalk white patches, dorsally with a conspicuous
folium. The posterior end bears a tubercle (Figure 3C), with two pairs of very small
black humps. Venter greyish brown. Spinnerets brown. Epigynum: scape long, narrow
distally; spermatheca round (Figure 11A).

Distribution. China (Hainan) (Figure 14).

Eriovixia poonaensis (Tikader & Bal, 1981)

Neoscona poonaensis Tikader & Bal, 1981: 29; Yin et al., 1990: 115.
Eriovixia poonaensis (Tikader & Bal): Grasshoff, 1986: 118; Yin et al., 1997: 301; Song,
Zhu & Chen, 1999: 281.

Description. Female see Yin et al. 1997; male unknown.

Distribution. China (Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan), India.

Eriovixia pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906)

(Figures 4A, 12)

Aranea pseudocentrodes Bösenberg & Strand, 1906: 232.

Heurodes pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand): Yaginuma & Archer, 1959: 36.
 2628 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu

Figure 12. Eriovixia pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906): (A) female epigynum, ventral
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view; (B) female epigynum, dorsal view; (C) same, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

Araneus pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand): Yaginuma, 1986: 99; Chikuni, 1989b:
68; Yin et al., 1997:140.
Eriovixia pseudocentrodes (Bösenberg & Strand): Tanikawa, 1999: 43; Tanikawa, 2007:
90; Mi, Peng & Yin, 2010: 43–45.

Material examined. CHINA: Hainan: one female and one juvenile female, Bawangling
Town (19◦ 07 N, 109◦ 08 E), 24 May 2009, G.X. Han; two juvenile females, same loca-
tion as above, 21 May 2009, C. Zhang; one female, Jianfeng Town (18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E),
1 June 2009, S.T. Guo; one juvenile female, Qixianling Natural Reserve, Baoting
County (18◦ 42 N, 109◦ 39 E), 8 June 2009, X.X. Zhang; one female, Jianfeng Town
(18◦ 45 N, 108◦ 54 E), 12 November 2008, M.S. Zhu; three females, Shuiman Town
(18◦ 51 N, 109◦ 40 E), Wuzhishan County, 17 November 2008, G.X. Han; Guangxi:
one female, Banba Town (21◦ 45 N, 108◦ 18 E), Fangchenggang County, 21 May 2006,
M.S. Zhu.

Description. Female (based on a female from Bawangling National Natural Reserve,

Hainan): Total length 6.89. Carapace 1.76 long, 1.73 wide; abdomen 5.13 long, 3.13
wide. Carapace pale brown. Cephalic area slightly more elevated than thoracic area,
cervical groove obvious; fovea transverse; radial furrow with obvious brown stria-
tions. Eight eyes in two rows. Anterior eye row strongly recurved, posterior eye row
almost straight. Eye measurements: AME 0.09, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.08;
AME–AME 0.16, AME–ALE 0.43, PME–PME 0.21, PME–PLE 0.44; MOA length
almost equal to width (0.31: 0.32), slightly narrower in front than back (0.30: 0.35).
Chelicerae brown, with four promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Maxillae,
labium and sternum brown. Maxillae almost square, with pale outer margin and dis-
tinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, distally rebordered with
pale margin. Sternum cordate, clothed with short black setae, anteriorly concave,
posteriorly pointed between coxae IV. Legs dark brown. Leg formula: 1243. Leg mea-
surements: I 6.95 (2.39 + 2.61 + 1.40 + 0.55); II 5.81 (1.98 + 2.19 + 1.16 + 0.48); III
3.17 (1.14 + 1.08 + 0.66 + 0.29); IV 4.46 (1.31 + 1.70 + 1.05 + 0.40).
Abdomen whitish brown to dark brown, dorsally with a large folium. Folium
bears three pairs of large brown sigillae arranged midlongitudinally, margined dark
 Journal of Natural History 2629

grey with many brown speckles. Venter grey-black. Spinnerets brown. Epigynum: the
boundary between base of epigynum and scape indistinct; scape small (Figure 12A).

Remarks. Mi et al. (2010) considered that the male of E. pseudocentrodes described

before (Yaginuma 1986; Chikuni 1989; Tanikawa 1999, 2007, 2009) is in fact the
male of E. sticta Mi, Peng & Yin, 2010, and they described the true male of
E. pseudocentrodes.

Distribution. China (Hainan, Fujian, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Yunnan), Japan.

Eriovixia sakiedaorum Tanikawa, 1999

(Figures 4B,C, 13)
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Eriovixia sakiedaorum Tanikawa, 1999: 45; Tanikawa, 2007: 91.

Material examined. CHINA: Hainan: three females, Diaoluoshan National Natural

Reserve (18◦ 43 N, 109◦ 52 E), 5 June 2009, C. Zhang; one male, same location
as above, 6 June 2009, C. Zhang; one female, same location as above, 7 June
2009, G.X. Han; one female, Sanya Natural Reserve, Fanjia Town (19◦ 20 N,
109◦ 40 E), 16 May 2009, S.T. Guo; one male juvenile, two females, Qixianling
Natural Reserve, Baoting County (18◦ 42 N, 109◦ 39 E), 8 June 2009, X.X. Zhang; one
female, Wuzhishan National Natural Reserve (18◦ 43 N, 109◦ 52 E), 8 November 2008,
S.T. Guo.

Description. Female (based on a female from Diaoluoshan National Natural Reserve,

Hainan): Total length 4.96. Carapace 1.74 long, 1.47 wide; abdomen 3.22 long,
3.70 wide. Carapace dark brown. Eight eyes in two rows. Anterior eye row strongly
recurved, posterior eye row slightly recurved. Eye measurements: AME 0.08, ALE
0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.08; AME–AME 0.15, AME–ALE 0.26, PME–PME 0.18,
PME–PLE 0.31; MOA wider than long (0.34: 0.27), narrower in front than back
(0.31: 0.36). Chelicerae yellowish, with three promarginal and two retromarginal teeth.
Maxillae, labium and sternum greyish black. Maxillae longer than wide, with pale
outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, distally
rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, anteriorly concave, posteriorly pointed
between coxae IV. Legs yellow to yellowish brown. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measure-
ments: I 4.43 (1.52 + 1.59 + 1.04 + 0.28); II 3.84 (1.31 + 1.40 + 0.72 + 0.41); III 2.31
(0.79 + 0.59 + 0.55 + 0.38); IV 3.64 (1.14 + 1.31 + 0.76 + 0.43).
Abdomen dorsally black with two white markings laterally, two pairs of large
brown sigillae arranged midlongitudinally, approximately triangle. Venter greyish
black. Spinnerets brown. Epigynum: quadrate in ventral view, with a semicircular
projection; tip of the scape blunt and hooked in lateral view (Figure 13A–C).
Male (based on a male from Diaoluoshan National Natural Reserve, Hainan):
Total length 2.75. Carapace 1.45 long, 1.28 wide; abdomen 1.30 long, 1.23 wide.
Carapace dark brown, distinctly narrowing anteriorly. Fovea obvious. Eight eyes in
two rows. Both anterior and posterior eye rows strongly recurved. Eye measure-
ments: AME 0.11, ALE 0.05, PME 0.09, PLE 0.05; AME–AME 0.15, AME–ALE
0.21, PME–PME 0.17, PME–PLE 0.26; MOA wider than long (0.34: 0.28), length
 2630 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu
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Figure 13. Eriovixia sakiedaorum Tanikawa, 1999: (A) female epigynum, ventral view; (B) same,
dorsal view; (C) same, lateral view; (D) left male palp, prolateral view; (E) same, ventral view.
Scale bars: A–B, 0.1 mm.

in front almost equal to that behind (0.33: 0.35). Chelicerae dark brown, with three
promarginal and three retromarginal teeth. Cheliceral fang developed and long.
Maxillae, labium and sternum dark brown. Maxillae longer than wide, with pale
outer margin and distinct scopulae. Labium wider than long, crescent-shaped, dis-
tally slightly rebordered with pale margin. Sternum cordate, longer than wide, anterior
slightly concave, posteriorly pointed between coxae IV. Legs yellow with black annu-
lations. Leg formula: 1243. Leg measurements: I 4.31 (1.28 + 1.62 + 1.00 + 0.41);
II 3.71 (1.19 + 1.24 + 0.88 + 0.40); III 2.36 (0.90 + 0.76 + 0.41 + 0.29); IV 3.26
(1.00 + 1.09 + 0.77 + 0.40).
Abdomen dorsally greyish black with two pairs of large brown sigillae arranged
midlongitudinally, triangular, anteriorly bearing long setae, posterior end with a tuber-
cle (Figure 4C). Venter greyish brown. Colulus large. Spinnerets dark brown. Patella
and tibia without spine. Palp: embolus long; conductor large, quadrate, distal part
narrow and tortuous; median apophysis large, with a pointed and bent tip (Figure
13D, E).

Distribution. China (Hainan, Taiwan), Japan.

 Journal of Natural History 2631
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Figure 14. Collection localities of three new species: E. nigrimaculata sp. nov., E.huwena sp. nov.,
E. jianfengensis sp. nov. from Hainan Island, China.

Biogeographic discussion
The map (Figure 15) shows the general patterns of geographical distribution of
20 species (Table 1) recorded worldwide in the genus Eriovixia. It is a result
of summarizing existing geographical distribution data, as far as we have found
in specimen labels and the literature, of all the species found in the world.
Eriovixia is a small tropical genus and and exhibits a geographical distribution
from Southeast Asia to Africa. The genus is thus a faunistic element shared by the
Oriental and the Ethiopian Region (except E. cavaleriei expanding to the Palaearctic
Region).
Southeast Asia posesses high species richness and endemism, and thus can be con-
sidered as a centre of distribution, diversification and speciation. Only three species,
E. napiformis, E. rhinura and E. turbinata, are distributed in Africa, and do not expand
their ranges. The species presumably originate from Southeast Asia via spider balloon-
ing. The monsoon current flows westward in the north Indian Ocean, which may help
spider ballooning from Southeast Asia to Africa.
For distribution patterns of Hainan Island Eriovixia species see the
map in Figure 16. Ten species of the genus Eriovixia, E. cavaleriei, E. excelsa,
E. hainanensis, E. huwena, E. jianfengensis, E. laglaizei, E. nigrimaculata, E. poon-
aensis, E. pseudocentrodes and E. sakiedaorum, are distributed in the Hainan Island
region, among which E. hainanensis, E. jianfengensis and E. nigrimaculata are endemic
species. With regard to species richness and endemism, this region is more important
than others, for 10 of 20 species of Eriovixia occur there. The species ranges and
 2632 G.-X. Han and M.-S. Zhu
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Figure 15. Distribution patterns of the species of the genus Eriovixia Archer. , E. cavaleriei;
, E. enshiensis; , E. excelsa; , E. hainanensis; , E. huwena sp. nov.; , E. laglaizei; , E. jian-
fengensis sp. nov.; , E. mahabaeus; , E. menglunensis; , E. napiformis; ◦, E. nigrimaculata sp.
nov.; , E. palawanensis; , E. patulisus; , E. poonaensis; , E. pseudocentrodes; , E. rhinura;
, E. sakiedaorum; , E. sticta; , E. turbinata; , E. yunnanensis.

their variations are relatively complicated. The widespread species ranges are widely
expanded, with the north limit reaching North China and Japan, the south to
Indonesia and New Guinea.
The reasons for Hainan Island’s high degree of richness and endemism are possibly
the history of its geology, situation and climate. Hainan Island is located in the South
China Sea, separated from Guangdong’s Leizhou Peninsula by the shallow and nar-
row Qiongzhou strait. Some 20 million years ago, Hainan Island was still connected
to the mainland. At that time, spiders of Eriovixia could move to settle in Hainan
through a land bridge. The island separated from the mainland in the Late Tertiary to
Early Quaternary period. In the Late Pleistocene epoch, it connected to the mainland
again, then separated again in the Holocene epoch. The separation benefited speci-
ation. Hainan Island is situated in the middle of Southeast Asia, where the species
could expand via South China or the Philippines. Besides, Hainan Island has a trop-
ical moist monsoonal climate. Its annual temperature change is less than 15 degrees
Celsius. The genus Eriovixia is a tropical genus, thus they are well adapted to this
climate.
 Journal of Natural History 2633

Table 1. Geographical distribution of the species of the genus Eriovixia.

Species Geographical distributions

E. cavaleriei China (Hainan, Beijing, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong,

Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan)
E. enshiensis China (Hubei)
E. excelsa China (Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan), India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines
E. hainanensis China (Hainan)
E. huwena China (Hainan, Guangxi)
E. jianfengensis China (Hainan)
E. laglaizei China (Hainan, Guangxi, Fujian, Yunnan), Burma, India, Indonesia,
Malaysia, New Guinea, Philippines and Sri Lanka
E. mahabaeus Philippines
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E. menglunensis China (Yunnan)

E. napiformis Cameroon to East Africa, Yemen
E. nigrimaculata China (Hainan)
E. palawanensis Philippines
E. patulisus Philippines
E. poonaensis China (Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan), India
E. pseudocentrodes China (Hainan, Fujian, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Yunnan), Japan
E. rhinura West, Central Africa
E. sakiedaorum China (Hainan, Taiwan), Japan
E. sticta China (Hunan, Yunnan), Japan
E. turbinata Cameroon, Congo
E. yunnanensis China (Yunnan)

Our results may be infuenced by unrepresentative collections and insufficient data

in such a large geographical region. Our study is nevertheless one that synthesizes
worldwide data and the analysis includes some hypotheses. However, the results will
form a fundamental basis for further studies on the phylogeography and species
diversification of the genus Eriovixia in the future.

Acknowledgements
We thank Dr. X.P. Wang (University of Florida, USA) for reading the manuscript, and C.
Zhang, S.C. Guo, X.X. Zhang and J.Y. Guo for their assistance in field work. We also would like
to thank two anonymous reviewers for their comments on the earlier version of this paper. This
work is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology Foundation (2006FY110500–3).

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