Haplodrassus ovatus Bosmans & Hervé, sp. n.

Figs 98‒107, 113‒117, map 3

Types: Holotype ♂, 3♂ 3♀ paratypes from Tunisia, Kebili, Nefzaoua (N33°23’0” E7°48’0”), Vibert leg., Coll. Simon 12687 (MNHN AR15685); deposited in MNHN.

Etymology. The species name refers to the oval form of the epigynal fovea.

Diagnosis. Males of H. ovatus sp. n. differ from other species by the sickle-shaped embolic apophysis in the male (Figs 101, 115), females by the oval epigynal fovea, much more elongated than in the related H. signifer and H. pseudosignifer (Figs 105, 116).

Description. Measurements: Male (n=4): Total length 6.2‒8.0; carapace 2.66‒3.44 long, 2.22‒2.44 wide. Female (n=3): Total length 6.8‒8.8 carapace 2.16‒3.14 long, 2.08‒2.36 wide. Colour: Carapace yellowish brown, eye region infuscate; chelicerae, labium and maxillae dark reddish brown; sternum orange brown with darker margins; legs yellowish brown; abdomen pale grey. Spinulation: General pattern, with metatarsi I spineless in all specimens examined and metatarsi II spineless in 1 female.

Male palp (Figs 100‒104, 113‒115): Tibial apophysis as long as the tibia’s diameter, with nearly symmetric margins, with obtuse tip (Figs 100, 114); embolic apophysis with nearly straight retrolateral margin and strongly curved prolateral margin, at its base half as wide as in the middle, with subterminal prolateral angularity, terminally pointed (Figs 101, 115).

Epigyne (Figs 105‒106, 116‒117): Hood much wider than fovea, weekly sclerotized, with protruding median margin; pro-fovea narrow; fovea oval (Figs 105, 116), basal margin with an angularity; lateral pockets elongated, at its base with supplementary pocket (Figs 106, 117).

Further material examined. ALGERIA, Biskra, Biskra (N34°51’1” E5°43’41”), 1♂, Coll. Simon 22881 (MNHN AR15686); idem, 1♂, Coll. Simon 25542 (MNHN AR15701) , M’sila, Baniou S., Chott el Hodna (N35°24'55” E4°20'39”), 1♀, 1.VII.1988, R. Bosmans leg. (CRB) . TUNISIA, Kairouan, Oglet Tarfa (N35°45'49” E9°57'21”), 60m, 1♀, stones in dry river bed, 23.I.1995 (CRB) .

Ecology. The species was captured in chotts (inland salt marshes) and in a dry river bed in the semi-arid and arid climate zones of the Maghreb.

Distribution. The species is known from two localities in the Nord East of Algeria, and two localities in central and southern Tunisia (map 3).