Zelotes meronensis Levy, 1998

Levy, Gershom, 2009, New ground-spider genera and species with annexed checklist of the Gnaphosidae (Araneae) of Israel, Zootaxa 2066, pp. 1-49 : 32-34

Zelotes meronensis Levy, 1998

Figs 71, 72

Zelotes meronensis Levy, 1998: 120 , ♂, from Mt. Meron, Israel, figs 52, 53, not Ψ figs 54, 55.

Note. Pitfall trapping elicited the recognition of the matching sexes of Z. meronensis , contrary to tentative mis-association formerly suggested ( Levy, 1998). The excluded female ( Levy, 1998) is newly named Z. haifaensis , see below.

Description. Matching female: colouration, eyes and cheliceral dentition as in male.

Female. Measurements (3ΨΨ): total length 5.8–6.8; carapace length 2.8–3.2, width 2.1–2.4, index 1.33–1.36; labial index 1.38–1.41; clypeal index 1.43–2.0; MOQ index 10.8–12.0; legs length: I 6.0–7.7, II 5.5–6.6, III 5.1–6.0, IV 7.5–9.3; patella-tibia index 0.80–0.94.

Epigynum . Black contiguous caps rise anteriorly above brown, coned median swelling traversed at middle by fine furrow ( Fig. 71 ); furrow flanked on sides by slightly angling black rims. Globular spermathecae extend into small blackish swellings attached to light ducts with distended ends ( Fig. 72 ).

Diagnosis. Female. The epigynal plate with the raised central cone traversed by the peculiar furrow and, the shape of the inner spermathecae are diagnostic features that distinguish Z. meronensis clearly from all other Zelotes species.

Distribution. Israel. Records: Odem forest, Nahal Keziv, Mt. Meron, Segev, Ramat HaNadiv.

Comments. The trapping together of males and females at Nahal Keziv substantiated the correct matching of the sexes of Z. meronensis .

Figures

FIGURES 71, 72. Zelotes meronensis Levy, 1998, Ψ. 71. Epigynum, ventral view. 72. Spermathecae, dorsal (inner) view.