Zelotes zekharya, Levy, Gershom, 2009

Levy, Gershom, 2009, New ground-spider genera and species with annexed checklist of the Gnaphosidae (Araneae) of Israel, Zootaxa 2066, pp. 1-49 : 29

Zelotes zekharya n. sp.

Figs 63, 64

Type material. Adult male holotype from Zekharya , Israel, leg. Yael Mandelik, August 13, 2001, pitfall trap ( HUJ 15504). Female unknown.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality.

Description. Colouration of carapace light brown, opisthosoma dark grey with short brown dorsal scutum. Large eyes; AME smallest, large PME and ALE subequal, PLE slightly smaller. Chelicerae with 3–5 pro- and 2–3 retromarginal teeth.

Male. Measurements (holotype + 7 ɗɗ; holotype listed first): total length 5.0, 3.8–5.1; carapace length 2.6, 2.0–2.6, width 1.9, 1.5–1.8, index 1.37, 1.33–1.44; labial index 1.43, 1.29–1.60; clypeal index 1.11, 1.0–1.29; MOQ index 8.96, 8.52–9.61; legs length: I 7.6, 6.0–7.4, II 5.7, 4.5–5.4, III 4.9, 3.7–4.6, IV 7.7, 6.5–7.5; patella–tibia index 1.15, 1.04–1.20.

Palpus. Large with long cylindrical terminal apophysis partly enveloping black embolar tip ( Fig. 63 ); intercalary sclerite rather distinct; large tibial apophysis ends with blunt tip ( Figs 63, 64 ).

Diagnosis. The male palpus of Zelotes zekharya resembles closely that of Z. tenuis (L. Koch, 1866) . However, Z. zekharya can be separated, also from all other Zelotes species, by the peculiar shape of the terminal apophysis along with the distinct intercalary sclerites.

Distribution. Israel: Zekharya , Adullam .

Figures

FIGURES 63, 64. Zelotes zekharya n. sp. ♂, left palpus. 63. Ventral view. 64. Retrolateral view.