Mesiotelus turanicus Zamani, Fomichev & Marusik, sp. nov.

Figs 14, 67–69

Type material. Holotype ♀ (ZMMU), TAJIKISTAN: Khatlon Region: Hissar Mt. Range, nr. Ramit Reserve, Sardai-Miyona River gorge, ca. 12 km NW of Ramit, clay cliff, 38°45'N, 69°18'E, 1400 m, 2.V.2015 (leg. Y.M. Marusik).

Paratypes: 1♀ (ZMMU), same data as for the holotype; 1♀ (ZMMU), Varzob District: Hissar Mt. Range, 48 km of Varzob Hwy, 38°55'31.9"N, 68°48'17.5"E, 1530 m, 7.V.2015 (leg. Y.M. Marusik & M. Saidov) .

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to Turan, a historical region in Central Asia.

Diagnosis. The epigyne of the new species is somewhat similar to that of M. kulczynskii in the epigynal plate longer than wide, a wide anterior hood (Ah), and relatively short lateral margins of the fovea. However, the new species can be distinguished by its relatively wider hood and subparallel lateral margins of the fovea (vs. inclining) (cf. Figs 67 and 52).

Description. Female (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 14. Total length 6.54. Carapace 2.30 long, 1.88 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.10, ALE: 0.13, PME: 0.09, PLE: 0.14. Carapace, chelicerae, maxillae, labium and sternum light yellowish brown. Carapace with faint marginal and lateral bands. Legs slightly lighter than carapace, without annulations. Abdomen light beige, without any patterns. Spinnerets uniformly light yellowish-brown. Paired ventral tibial spines: I: 2p; II, III, IV: 3p. Measurements of legs: I: 8.25 (2.34, 1.21, 2.14, 1.54, 1.02), II: 7.46 (2.03, 1.01, 1.81, 1.61, 1.00), III: 6.81 (1.90, 0.92, 1.47, 1.75, 0.77), IV: 10.13 (2.55, 1.15, 2.46, 2.83, 1.14).

Epigyne as in Figs 67–69; epigynal plate 1.4 times longer than wide; anterior hood (Ah) wide, as wide as receptacle; fovea 1.6 times longer than wide; transversal part of lateral margins almost straight, making posterior part of fovea square-shaped; copulatory duct about as long as receptacle wide, fused with receptacle; receptacles oval, as wide as anterior hood.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the listed localities in Khatlon and Varzob, southwestern and western Tajikistan (Fig. 75).