Two new species of Lysiteles Simon, 1895 from Cibagou National Nature Reserve, Xizang, China (Araneae, Thomisidae)

Abstract Background Lysiteles Simon, 1895 contains 64 nominal species distributed in East, South and South Asia. It possesses very high species diversity in China (with 46 and 32 endemics), Bhutan (with 9 and 1 endemic) and Nepal (with 8 and 4 endemics). In June 2023, a spider survey of Cibagou National Nature Reserve, Xizang, China was carried out. After examination and morphological comparison, two Lysiteles species were recognised as new to science. New information Two new species of Lysiteles Simon, 1895 collected from Cibagou National Nature Reserve, Xizang, China are described: L.cibagou sp. nov. (♂♀) and L.tangi sp. nov. (♂♀). Diagnostic photos of habitus and copulatory organs and a distributional map are provided.


Introduction
Lysiteles Simon, 1895 is represented by a group of tiny spiders remarkable for having conspicuous blackish-brown markings on the dorsum of carapace and abdomen mostly (Tang et al. 2008).With the series of taxonomic studies conducted, especially those noted on the species from Bhutan and south-western China provided by Prof. Hirotsugu Ono and Dr. Guo Tang, the species number has rapidly increased to 64 (WSC 2024).Amongst the species, most have clear diagnostic illustrations; however, including the genotype, almost 40% have been described from a few specimens of a single sex.Moreover, the genus is poorly defined and could be polyphyletic (Tang et al. 2007), suggesting it needs further taxonomic attention.
The goal of the present work is to describe two new Lysiteles species collected from Cibagou National Nature Reserve, Xizang, China.

Materials and methods
All specimens were preserved in 80%-95% alcohol and are deposited in the Museum of Tongren University (TRU) in Tongren, China.The specimens were examined with an Olympus SZX10 stereomicroscope.After dissection, the vulvae were cleared in trypsin enzyme solution before examination and imaging.Images were taken with a Kuy Nice CCD mounted on an Olympus BX43 compound microscope.Compound focus images were generated using Helicon Focus v. 6.7.1 (Khmelik et al. 2024).All measurements are given in millimetres.Leg measurements are given as total length (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus)

Etymology
The species name is derived from the name of the type locality; noun in apposition.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality in Xizang, China (Fig. 5).

Diagnosis
Lysiteles tangi sp.nov.closely resembles that of L. bhutanus Ono, 2001, no matter in habitus nor copulatory organs, but it can be distinguished by the following: 1) the retrolateral tibial apophysis is widened at base and longer than the ventral tibial apophysis in retrolateral view (Fig. 3B), versus almost equal in width and almost as long as the ventral tibial apophysis in L. bhutanus ( Ono 2001: figs 46, 47); 2) the copulatory openings are below the most anterior portions of spermathecae (Fig. 4C, D), versus beyond the most anterior portions of spermathecae in L. bhutanus (Ono 2001: fig. 50).The female is also similar to that of L. linzhiensis Hu, 2001 in having similar habitus and epigyne, but it can be easily distinguished by the transversal sclerotised plate, which is labiate and almost equal in width to epigyne (Fig. 4A, B), versus subtriangular and about half the epigynal width in L. linzhiensis (Hu 2001: fig. 8-206-2).

Etymology
The specific name is a patronym of the late Chinese arachnologist, Dr. Guo Tang, who has significantly contributed to the taxonomy of Chinese Lysiteles; noun (name) in genitive case.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality in Xizang, China (Fig. 5).

Taxon discussion
The pairing has been supported by the unpublished molecular evidence.
. References to figures in the cited papers are listed in lowercase type (fig.or figs) and figures in this paper are noted with an initial capital (Fig. or Figs).Abbreviations used in the text and figures are as follows: ALE = anterior lateral eyes; AME = anterior median eyes; CD = copulatory duct; E = embolus; FD = fertilisation duct; MOA = median ocular area; PLE = posterior lateral eyes; PME = posterior median eyes; RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis; S = spermatheca; TSP = transversal sclerotised plate; VTA = ventral tibial apophysis.
Figure 5. Distributional records of the Lysiteles spp.