Hersiliola babylonica, Zamani & Marusik, 2022

Zamani, A. & Marusik, Y. M., 2022, On A Small Collection Of Spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) From Iraq, With New Species And Records, Zoodiversity 56 (4), pp. 291-306 : 295-297

Hersiliola babylonica sp. n. ( figs 3 , A–F; 4 , A–C)

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:22200C36-52CB-49F6-B27B-86405575532E

Material. Type. Holotype {: Iraq: Najaf Province: Ash Shabakah camp, 150 km SW of Najaf, stone desert, [30°48' N, 43°39' E], 260 m, 15.01.1978 (O. Jakeš) ( MMB).

Paratypes: MMB, 2}; same data as the holotype .

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the ancient Babylonian Empire.

Diagnosis. The male of H. babylonica sp. n. differs from all of its congeners by the short embolus forming a loop of 225° and embolus originating at a 2:30 o’clock position (vs. loop> 270° and embolus originating at about 12 o’clock position). The epigyne of the new species is most similar to that of H. sternbergsi Marusik & Fet, 2009 known from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Iran (cf. fig. 3 , C–F and Marusik & Fet, 2009: fig. 7.7 ) but differs by the endogyne with copulatory duct not making a whole loop around the receptacle. The endogyne of H. babylonica sp. n. is similar to that of H. foordi Marusik & Fet, 2009 known from southern Iran by having short copulatory ducts, but differs by the relatively larger receptacles (receptacles wider than copulatory ducts vs. as wide as copulatory ducts; cf. fig. 3 , C, F and Marusik & Fet, 2009: fig. 8.7 ).

Description. Male. Habitus as in fig. 3 , A. Total length 4.80. Carapace 1.95 long, 2.05 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.19, ALE: 0.09, PME: 0.12, PLE: 0.12. Carapace, sternum, chelicerae, labium and maxillae light reddish brown; carapace with darker median, marginal and radial markings. Legs slightly lighter than carapace, with faint annulations. Abdomen greyish brown and covered with long sparse setae, with faint cardiac mark and 2 pairs of sigilla. Spinnerets uniformly light yellowish brown. Measurements of legs: I: 10.98 (2.83, 0.89, 2.72, 3.03, 1.51), II: 12.19 (3.13, 1.00, 3.02, 3.52, 1.52), III: 6.93 (1.89, 0.70, 1.63, 1.79, 0.92), IV: 13.28 (3.45, 0.88, 3.51, 4.22, 1.22).

Palp as in fig. 4 , A–C; tibia 2 times longer than wide, about 1.6 times shorter than cymbium; cymbium about 2.3 times longer than wide; tegulum round; tegular apophysis thin, its tip 1.5 times longer than it base; embolus originating at ca. 2:30 o’clock position and terminating at 11 o’clock position.

Female. Habitus as in fig. 3 , B. Total length 6.40. Carapace 2.15 long, 2.34 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.18, ALE: 0.09, PME: 0.12, PLE: 0.10. Colouration as in male. Measurements of legs (unlisted segments missing): Fe I: 3.10, Pa I: 1.17, Fe II: 3.18, Pa II: 1.07, III: 7.20 (2.18, 0.85, 1.60, 1.78, 0.79), Fe IV: 3.64, Pa IV: 0.90.

Epigyne as in fig. 3 , C–F; epigynal plate about 2 times wider than long; septum short and wide, stem (Ss) about as wide as “window” (Wi), base of septum (Sb) thin, about half of window length; copulatory ducts short, C-shaped (left one), not forming whole loop around receptacle; receptacle longer (ca. 1.5 times) than wide, separated anteriorly by about their width; accessorial glands indistinct.

D i s t r i b u t i o n. Currently known only from the type locality in Najaf Province, southern Iraq .

Family Liocranidae Simon, 1897

Genus Liocranoeca Wunderlich, 1999

Comments. A small genus currently comprising four species, one in the Nearctic and three in the West Palaearctic ( WSC, 2022). Although the genus has never been revised, it is relatively well studied and all species are properly illustrated. The new species described herein represents the first record of Liocranoeca in Iraq (and the whole Middle East) and its southernmost locality in its known range.

Figures

Fig. 3. Male (A) and female (B–F) of Hersiliola babylonica sp. n.: A, B — habitus, dorsal view; C — vulva, anterodorsolateral view; D — intact epigyne, ventral view; E — macerated epigyne, ventral view; F — vulva, dorsal view. Abbrevi ations: Re — receptacle, Sb — septal base,Ss — septal stem, Wi — window.Scale bars = 0.2 mm, unless stated otherwise.

Fig. 4. Male palp of Hersiliola babylonica sp. n.: A — ventral view; B — retrolateral view; C — prolateral view. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 7. Epigyne of Prochora lycosiformis: A — ventral view; B — dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 8. Female of Thanatus vulgaris: A — habitus, dorsal view; B — epigyne, ventral view; C — vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.2 mm, unless stated otherwise.