Gonatium tridentatum


Gonatium tridentatum is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae, described in 2025 by Muhammad Irfan, Chang-Cheng Zhang, Yu-Jun Cai, and Zhi-Sheng Zhang. It is endemic to Jiangjin District, Chongqing, China.

Diagnostic characteristics

Gonatium tridentatum can be easily recognized by a unique feature in males: a small leg-like structure near their reproductive organ has three distinct tooth-like points, unlike its close relative Gonatium japonicum, which has only one.
Another distinctive trait in males is a long, curved spine shaped like the letter "C", which wraps close to another part of the body called the cymbium, ending slightly beyond it. The cymbium itself is shaped like a hoof with a small bump on the side.
Females of this species are identified by their reproductive structures, which include spiral-shaped internal ducts and round, globular organs where sperm is stored, unlike the more oval shapes found in similar species.

Distribution

The species is known only from several localities within the Jiangjin District of Chongqing, China, collected at elevations between 1092 and 1226 meters.

Habitat

Gonatium tridentatum inhabits broad-leaved and coniferous forests, where specimens were collected using Malaise traps and leaf litter sifting.