Raveniola virgata species group

Diagnostic characters

Less numerous cuspules confined to probasal edge of maxilla (Figs 220–228, 247–255). PLS small, lackung spigots or entirely absent; apical segment of PLS mostly triangular or digitiform in some species (Figs 485–486, 597–618). Males: tibiae and metatarsi I–II without modified hairs (Figs 278–289, 304– 309); cymbium very short (as in Figs 370–378); embolus gradually tapering and only slightly curved subapically, always without subapical keel (Figs 439–465). Females: spermathecae always with trunk, narrow Y- or F-shaped (Figs 534–554).

Species included

Raveniola ferghanensis (Zonstein, 1984), R. kirgizica sp. nov., R. kopetdaghensis (Fet, 1984), R. mikhailovi Zonstein, 2021, R. nenilini sp. nov., R. ovchinnikovi sp. nov., R. tarabaevi sp. nov., R. virgata (Simon, 1891) and R. vulpina sp. nov.

Key to the species of the virgata group

Males

Males of Raveniola tarabaevi sp. nov. are unknown.

1. Small to rudimentary PMS present (Figs 598, 601–602, 605–606, 609, 612, 614, 616) .................. 2

– PMS absent (Fig. 604) ......................................................................... R. kopetdaghensis (Fet, 1984)

2. Embolus as long as tegulum or only slightly exceeds the latter in length (Figs 441–442, 445–465) ... 3

– Embolus considerably longer than tegulum (Figs 439–440).......... R. ferghanensis (Zonstein, 1984)

3. Cephalothorax, palps and legs medium to dark reddish brown; dorsal abdomen brownish with darker chevron-like pattern (Figs 20, 23–25, 28–35, 75–81); apical segment of PLS shorter (see Figs 597– 598, 602, 605, 614, 616).................................................................................................................... 4

– Cephalothorax, palps and legs pale yellowish orange; entire abdomen uniformly greyish white (Figs 26–27); apical segment of PLS longer (Fig. 612) ............................... R. ovchinnikovi sp. nov.

4. Embolus almost straight and slightly curved only close to apex (Figs 448, 459–461, 465) ............. 5

– Embolus very gently twisted (Figs 445, 450–452, 454).................................................................... 6

5. Palpal tibia 4.0–4.2 times as long as wide; cymbium densely spinose (Figs 377–378). Tegulum noticeably longer than wide (Figs 459–465) ......................................................... R. vulpina sp. nov.

– Palpal tibia 3.4–3.5 times as long as wide; cymbium with 4–5 dorsal spines (Fig. 374). Tegulum almost as long as wide (Figs 448–449).................................................................. R. nenilini sp. nov.

6. Palpal tibia 3.4–3.9 times as long as wide; cymbium with 4–6 dorsal spines (Figs 373, 376). Tibia I 3.9–4.3 times as long as wide; metatarsus I straight or very gently curved (Figs 282, 286–287) .... 7

– Palpal tibia 4.3 times as long as wide; cymbium densely spinose (Fig. 371). Tibia I 4.6 times as long as wide; metatarsus I clearly curved (Fig. 280) ................................................... R. kirgizica sp. nov.

7. Tibia I longer:4.3–4.4 times as long as wide (Fig.282).Palpal tibia longer:3.8–3.9 times as long as wide (Fig. 373). Proximal part of embolus less tapered (Figs 445–447) ..... R. mikhailovi Zonstein, 2021

– Tibia I stouter: 3.9–4.1 times as long as wide (Figs 286–287). Palpal tibia shorter: 3.4–3.6 times as long as wide (Fig. 376). Proximal part of embolus more tapered (Figs 454–458) ............................. .................................................................................................................... R. virgata (Simon, 1891)

Females

Adult females of Raveniola kopetdaghensis and R. ovchinnikovi sp. nov. are unknown.

1. Cephalic portion of carapace lesser elevated over thoracic part, fovea narrower (Figs 129–135). Spermathecae with outer and inner branches subequal in length, or outer branch longer than inner one (Figs 537–554) ............................................................................................................................ 2

– Cephalic portion of carapace more elevated over thoracic part, fovea broader(Fig. 128). Spermathecae with outer branch much shorter than inner one (Figs 534–536) ......................................................... ........................................................................................................ R. ferghanensis (Zonstein, 1984)

2. Tarsus II with entire or narrowly divided scopula. The distance between paired spermathecae a maximum of four times as long as their length, usually this distance considerably shorter (Figs 538– 554). .................................................................................................................................................. 3

– Tarsus II with widely divided scopula. The distance between paired spermathecae about five times as long as their length (Fig. 537) ......................................................................... R. kirgizica sp. nov.

3. Palpal tarsus with entire or narrowly divided scopula. Outer and inner branches of spermathecae nearly subequal in length; inner branch either evenly narrow along the entire length or dilated subapically (Figs 538–543, 547–554)................................................................................................ 4

– Palpal tarsus with widely divided scopula. Outer branch of spermathecae noticeably longer than inner one, or (if not so) the latter subapically flattened, narrowed or constricted (Figs 544– 546) ................................................................................................................... R. tarabaevi sp. nov.

4. Abdomen dorsally either with intermittent dark median stripe (Figs 56–57, 60) or without this contrasting detail (Figs 61–62). Spermathecae shorter, with stouter lateral diverticula (Figs 538– 540, 547–554) .................................................................................................................................. 5

– Abdomen dorsally with almost entire dark median stripe (as in Fig. 58). Spermathecae longer, with thinner lateral diverticula (Figs 541–543) ............................................................. R. nenilini sp. nov.

5. Abdomen without contrasting median stripe, but with diffuse or reduced chevrons (Figs 61–62). Lateral diverticulum dilated and flattened subapically (Figs 551–554). PME smaller, apical segment of PLS longer (Figs 617–618) ............................................................................... R. vulpina sp. nov.

– Abdomen with intermittent dark median stripe and chevron-like pattern (Figs 56, 57, 60). Lateral diverticulum differs in shape (Figs 538–540, 547–550). PME larger, apical segment of PLS shorter (Figs 607–608, 615)........................................................................................................................... 6

6. PTC I–II and III–IV with 6–7 and 7–9 teeth on each margin, respectively. Spermathecae shorter (Figs 538–540)...................................................................................... R. mikhailovi Zonstein, 2021

– PTC I–II and III–IV with 5 and 4–6 teeth on each margin, respectively. Spermathecae longer (Figs 547–550)............................................................................................. R. virgata (Simon, 1891)