Zaitunia beshkentica species group

Sergei Zonstein & Yuri M. Marusik, 2016, A revision of the spider genus Zaitunia (Araneae, Filistatidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 214, pp. 1-97 : 56

Zaitunia beshkentica species group

Remarks

This group includes pale-coloured species. The clypeus, post-ocular area, dorsal abdominal pattern and sometimes lateral margins of the carapace are slightly darker than the pale background colour. Legs I–IV, mostly lacking darker fasciae, are concolorous with the prosoma. The conical tegulum is much shorter than the cymbium. The relatively long embolus is provided with a well-developed raised keel. The vulva has two pairs of receptacles. Four species are included: Z. beshkentica ( Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1969) from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Z. psammodroma sp. nov. from Turkmenistan, Z. wunderlichi sp. nov. from Kyrgyzstan, and (tentatively, because the male is unknown) Z. huberi sp. nov. from Afghanistan.

Key to species of the Zaitunia beshkentica- group

(Male of Z. huberi sp. nov. and female of Z. psammodroma sp. nov. are unknown.)

1. Males ………………………………………………………………………………………………2

– Females ……………………………………………………………………………………………4

2. Metatarsus IV shortened and thickened with distal comb of short spines ( Fig. 30 G, K); palpal tibia and embolic keel shorter ( Figs 30 H–J, 44C); Turkmenistan …… Z. psammodroma sp. nov.

– Metatarsus IV unmodified (as in Figs 28 A, D–F, 31E); palpal tibia and embolic keel longer ( Figs 28 G–I, 32A–G, 44B, D) ………………………………………………………………………3

3. Embolic keel lower and longer, and rounded at median part of terminal hook ( Figs 32 D–F, 44D); Kyrgyzstan ………………………………………………………………… Z. wunderlichi sp. nov.

– Embolic keel higher and shorter, and ends abruptly at basal part of terminal hook ( Figs 28 G–I, 44B); Tajikistan, Uzbekistan ……………………………… Z. beshkentica ( Andreeva &Tyshchenko, 1969)

4. Receptacles short, globular and subequal in size ( Fig. 30 C–E); Afghanistan …… Z. huberi sp. nov.

– Receptacles more elongate and noticeably differing by size ( Figs 29 I–K, 32H–I) …………………5

5. Median receptacles smaller than lateral pair ( Fig. 33 A–B) ………………… Z. wunderlichi sp. nov.

– Median receptacles larger than lateral pair ( Fig. 29 I–K) ………………………………………… …………………………………………………… Z. beshkentica ( Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1969)

Figures

Fig. 28. Somatic characters and palp of Zaitunia beshkentica (Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1969), ♂♂ from Khurshedi (A – C, G – I) and Babatagh (D – F). — A, E. Habitus, dorsal. B. Body, dorsal. C. Prosoma, dorsal. D, F. Habitus, doro-lateral and lateral. G. Palp, retrolateral. H – I. Same, prolateral.

Fig. 29. Somatic characters and endogyne of Zaitunia beshkentica (Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1969), ♀♀ from Chiluchor-Chashma (A – B), Babatagh (C – F) and Khurshedi (G – K). — A, F – G. Prosoma, dorsal. B – C, H. Habitus, dorsal. D – E. Same, lateral and dorso-lateral. I – K. Endogyne, dorsal.

Fig. 30. Somatic characters and copulatory organs of Zaitunia huberi sp. nov., holotype, ♀ (A – F) and Z. psammodroma sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (G – K). — A. Habitus, dorso-lateral. B, G. Habitus, dorsal. C, E. Endogyne, ventral. D. Endogyne, dorsal. F. Calamistrum, lateral. H, J. Palp, retrolateral. I. Palp, prolateral. K. Legs III and IV, prolateral.

Fig. 32. Somatic characters and copulatory organs of Zaitunia wunderlichi sp. nov., paratype, ♂. — A. Prosoma, lateral. B. Habitus, dorso-lateral. C. Palp, prolateral. D. Cymbium and bulb, dorsal. E. Terminal part of palp, prolateral. F – G. Same, retrolateral.

Fig. 33. Somatic characters and copulatory organs of Zaitunia wunderlichi sp. nov., paratype, ♀ (A – B, D), Z. beshkentica (Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1969), ♀ from Babatagh Mts (C), Z. logunovi sp. nov., paratype, ♂ (E, G) and Z. schmitzi (Kulczyński, 1911), ♀ from Jerusalem area (F). — A – D. Endogyne, dorsal (A, C – D) and ventral (B). E – F. Posterior respiratory system, dorsal. G. Close-up view of male tarsus IV, prolateral, showing pseudosegmentation. Scale bars: A – B, D – G = 0.1 mm; C = 0.2 mm.