Cheiracanthium minusculum Zamani & Marusik, sp. nov.

Figs 5C, 6A‒B

Type material. Holotype ♂ (ZMUT), IRAN: Sistan & Baluchistan Prov.: Chabahar, 25°18'17"N 60°38'37"E, 30 m, 22.07.2020 (M. Enayatnia).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin adjective meaning ‘small’, referring to this species being the smallest known in the genus.

Diagnosis. The new species resembles C. iranicum Esyunin & Zamani, 2020 in the general shape of the bulbal structures, but differs by its smaller size (length of carapace 1.55 vs. 2.3), and having a long, very thin tegular apophysis (Tg) with a hook-shaped tip (vs. the tegular apophysis straight and wide) (cf. Fig. 6 A and Esyunin & Zamani 2020: fig. 3d). Additionally, the two species differ in the position of the cymbial retrolateral hump (Ch), which is shallower and located by the mid-part of the tegulum in the new species (vs. more prominent and positioned by the anterior part of the tegulum).

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 5C. Total length 3.25. Carapace 1.55 long, 1.00 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.11, ALE: 0.09, PME: 0.08, PLE: 0.08. Carapace, chelicerae, sternum, labium, maxillae, palps and legs faint fawn. Chelicerae without teeth. Abdomen pale beige, with very faint median band. Spinnerets pale beige. Measurements of legs: I: 8.04 (2.00, 0.70, 2.18, 2.04, 1.12), II: 4.01 (1.10, 0.49, 1.00, 0.95, 0.47), III: 2.91 (0.82, 0.39, 0.62, 0.72, 0.36), IV: 4.44 (1.22, 0.47, 1.02, 1.27, 0.46).

Palp as in Fig. 6A‒B; tibia long, ~ 4x longer than wide, 1.45x shorter than cymbium, with 1 retroventral apophysis (Rv); cymbium long, ~ 2.7x longer than wide, tip ~ 1/3 of cymbial length, with small hump (Ch) by mid-part of tegulum, spur (Cys) relatively short (=width of cymbium); bulb oval, 1.4x longer than wide; tegular apophysis (Tg) longer than 1/2 of tegular length, thread-like with hooked tip; conductor (Cd) broad, rounded anteriorly; embolus filamentous, originates at ~ 2 o’clock position and terminates at ~ 11:30.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Sistan & Baluchistan, southeastern Iran.