Haplodrassus nigroscriptus (Simon, 1909), comb. n.

Figs 67‒76, 83‒86, map 4

Drassodes nigroscriptus Simon, 1909: 16 (♂♀).

Drassodes nigroscriptus deminutus Simon, 1909: 17 (♂♀), syn. n.

Types. Type series of Drassodes nigroscriptus from Morocco, Marrakech-Safi, Mogador (= Essaouira) (N31°30’47” W9°46’11”), containing 4♂ and 3♀, Martinez de la Escalera leg., 1907, Coll. Simon 23869 (MNHN AR14581) ; examined. Type series of Drassodes nigroscriptus deminutus from Morocco, Marrakech-Safi, Mogador (= Essaouira; N31°30’47” W9°46’11”), containing 4♂ and 1 subadult ♀, Martinez de la Escalera leg., 1907, Coll. Simon 12232 (MNHN AR14582) ; MNHN, Coll. Simon; examined.

Etymology. Simon (1909) obviously gave this name as a reference to the speckled abdomen of the species.

Diagnosis. Haplodrassus nigroscriptus can at once be recognized by the speckled abdomen (Figs 67, 68). It is further remarkable in the male by the presence of abundant, strong spines on the cymbium (fig. 71), in the female by the more than 20 thick spines on the female palpal tarsus (fig. 73). The species can therefore not be confused with any other Haplodrassus species. Males can further be distinguished by the relatively small embolic apophysis (Figs 70, 83), females by the rounded anterior hood and the fovea with nearly parallel margins (Figs 74, 85).

Remarks. There are no differences in the copulatory organs of the syntypes males and females of H. nigroscriptus nigroscriptus and H. nigroscriptus deminutus . They were collected at the same locality. Simon (1909) distinguished the two subspecies only by differences in size, colour and spinulation, but these are no diagnostic characters. We consider them synonyms.

Description. Measurements: Male (n=8): total length 5.6‒7.2; carapace 2.68‒3.76 long, 2.12‒2.72 wide. Female (n=9): total length 4.8‒10.4; carapace 2.40‒4.22 long, 1.64‒3.32 wide.

Colour: Carapace yellowish brown, cephalic part brown; chelicerae dark brown; sternum yellowish brown with darkened margins; legs pale yellowish brown; abdomen pale grey speckled with abundant, small dark grey spots or short stripes, rarely not present (Figs 67, 68). Spinulation: General pattern.

Male palp: Tibia with 3 distinct spines at prolateral side; cymbium dorsally with about 20, scattered strong spines (fig. 71); tibial apophysis elongated, slightly curved with truncate tip (Figs 72, 84); embolic apophysis narrow and elongated, small relatively to the tegulum, without denticles and with rounded tip (Figs 70, 83).

Epigyne: Almost twice as long as wide, with semi-circular anterior hood (Figs 74, 85); fovea with nearly parallel margins, without denticles; lateral pockets semi-circular (Figs 75‒76, 86).

Citations in the Maghreb. MOROCCO, Marrakech-Safi, Asni (N31°10’03” W7°54’45”) (Caporiacco 1932).

Further material examined. MOROCCO, Marrakech-Safi: Amizmiz (N31°13’26” W8°15’2”), 1♀, 28.III.1952, J. Malhomme leg. (ISRM), Souss-Massa: N . Agadir, road Tamri—Tamanar, N. Tamri estuary (N30°44'20” E9°50'6”), 90m , 5♀, pitfalls in dunes with scarce vegetation, 5‒28.IV.2012, R. Bosmans & J. Van Keer leg. (CJVK, CRB), idem, Tamri estuary (N30°42'35” E9°51'16”), 5m , 1♀, pitfalls in Tamarix marsh, 5‒28.IV.2012, R. Bosmans leg. (CRB).

Ecology. The species was collected in spring in an estuary and in neighbouring dunes.

Distribution. Only known from a limited area in the south of Morocco (map 4).

MAP 4. Distribution of Haplodrassus nigroscriptus (Simon) (squares), H. triangularis sp. n. (circles) and H. typhon (Simon) (triangles).