Micaria atropatene sp. nov.

Figures 4C, 8A, B

Type material.

Holotype ♂ (NHMW), Iran: East Azerbaijan Province: 20 km SE of Miyaneh, 1970 (K. Bilek).

Etymology.

The specific epithet (a noun in apposition) refers to an ancient kingdom established in ca 323 BC by the Persian satrap Atropates, centered in present-day northern and northwestern Iran.

Diagnosis.

The new species is most similar to M. rossica (Thorell, 1875) by having a small tibial apophysis, vestigial tegular apophysis (Ta), a similar course of the sperm duct, and the distal tegular process (Dp) extending to the anterior edge of the tegulum. Micaria atropatene sp. nov. can be easily distinguished by the shape of the tegular process, which has an almost transverse anterior edge and a small spine-like tip (vs gradually tapering).

Description.

Male. Habitus as in Figure 4C. Total length 4.50. Carapace 2.07 long, 1.38 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.08, ALE: 0.08, PME: 0.05, PLE: 0.07. Carapace, labium, chelicera, maxilla and sternum reddish-brown, without any pattern. Legs yellowish-brown, without annulations. Abdomen glossy dark gray, with a coat of short setae. Spinnerets light grey, unicolourous. Measurements of legs: I: 6.01 (1.48, 0.72, 1.37, 1.21, 1.23), II: 5.28 (1.42, 0.65, 1.16, 1.00, 1.05), III: 5.01 (1.28, 0.61, 1.04, 1.11, 0.97), IV: 5.29 (1.84, 0.74, 1.44, 1.78, 1.27).

Palp as in Figure 8A, B; tibia long, more than 3 times longer than wide, 0.83 times of cymbium’s length, with fine retrolateral apophysis; cymbium more than 2 times longer than wide; tegulum oval in ventral and lateral views, 1.8 times longer than wide; tegular apophysis (Ta) vestigial; distal tegular process (Dp) large, with abrupt anterior edge and spine-like projection mesally.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution.

Known only from the type locality in East Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran.