Zodarion sharurensis, Zamani & Marusik, 2022

Zamani, Alireza & Marusik, Yuri M., 2022, New taxonomic data on Zodariinae (Araneae: Zodariidae) of Azerbaijan, Iran Afghanistan and Pakistan, Zootaxa 5155 (3), pp. 423-438 : 435-438

Zodarion sharurensis sp. n.

Figs 11A–G , 12A–F , 13A–B

Type material. Holotype ♂ and paratype 1♀ ( ZMMU), AZERBAIJAN: Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic: Sharur dist., Akhura , 39°34'N 45°11'E, 02.06.2003 (E. F. Guseinov).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the name of the type locality.

Diagnosis. The male of the new species differs from all species considered in Zodarion by twisted RTA ( Fig. 12B ) (vs. uncoiled in other species), and the presence of retrolateral cymbial (Ce) and tegular (Te and Pe) extensions. The female of Z. sharurensis sp. n. has epigyne similar to those in Z. abantense Wunderlich, 1980 and Z. talyschicum Dunin & Nenilin, 1897 by having round, widely separated receptacles and straight (i.e. uncoiled) copulatory ducts. It can be differentiated from both species by having receptacles separated by 3.3 diameters (vs. 2.7). Furthermore, from Z. abantense it differs by fovea with parallel margins (vs. triangular) and distinct (i.e. well sclerotized) copulatory ducts visible through integument (vs. indistinct). It can also be diagnosed from Z. talyschicum by wider epigynal fovea (2 times longer than wide vs. 3 times longer than wide).

Description. Male. Habitus as in Fig. 12E . Total length 1.90. Carapace 0.88 long, 0.70 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.08, ALE: 0.07, PME: 0.06, PLE: 0.05. Carapace, sternum, chelicerae, labium and maxillae yellowish brown. Legs slightly lighter than carapace, without annulations. Abdomen dorsally dark grayish and with pale median band; pale beige ventrally. Spinnerets uniformly pale beige. Measurements of legs: I: 2.82 (0.66, 0.31, 0.65, 0.67, 0.53), II: 2.52 (0.65, 0.29, 0.52, 0.59, 0.47), III: 2.42 (0.62, 0.30, 0.49, 0.59, 0.42), IV: 3.47 (0.88, 0.34, 0.79, 0.96, 0.50).

Palp as in Figs 12A–D , 13A–B ; femur 3.25 times longer than wide, as long as cymbium; patella as long as wide, with 2 modified short and thick dorsal setae ( Figs 12B , 13B ); tibia wider than long, with large RTA about 2 times longer than tibia and with swollen basal part (Br) and thin terminal part (Tr) twisted around its axis at about 150º, and round tip directed anterodorsally; cymbium elongate, 2 times longer than wide, with retrobasal extension (Ce); bulb elongate, about 1.6 times longer than wide; tegulum with cylindrical extension in meso-retrolateral (Te) and posterior (Pe) parts; tegular apophysis (Ta) 1.3 times longer than wide; conductor (Co) relatively broad (Fig. 14A); embolus (Em) originating at about 6 o’clock position and terminating at a 12 o’clock position, base (Eb) very wide, terminal half filamentous, tip slightly widened.

Female. Habitus as in Fig. 12F . Total length 2.35. Carapace 0.90 long, 0.70 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.08, ALE: 0.06, PME: 0.05, PLE: 0.04. Coloration as in male. Measurements of legs: Fe I: 0.67, II: Fe 0.58, Pa 0.23, Ti 0.51, Mt 0.51, Fe III: 0.56, Fe IV: 0.78, unlisted segments missing

Epigyne as in Fig. 11A–G ; epigynal plate about 2.6 times wider than long, with distinct fovea (Fo) 1.5 times longer than wide; anterior hood (Ah) arched; copulatory openings (Oc) located inside fovea; copulatory ducts (Cd) long, more than 2 times longer than fovea’s width, and about 9 times longer than wide; receptacles (Re) globular, their diameter as long as fovea’s width, separated by about 4 diameters.

Note. The generic placement is tentative, and this species most likely belongs to an undescribed genus.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan.

Figures

FIGURE 11. Epigyne and vulva of Zodarion sharurensis sp. n. A, E macerated epigyne, ventral and lateral; B vulva, dorsal; C same, ventrolateral; D, F macerated epigyne, posterior; G intact epigyne, ventroposterior. Scale bars = 0.2 mm. Abbreviations: Ah—anterior hood, Cd—copulatory duct, Fo—fovea, Oc—copulatory opening, Re—receptacle.

FIGURE 12. Zodarion sharurensis sp. n. A–D male palp, ventral, retrolateral, prolateral and dorsal; E, F male and female habitus, dorsal. Arrow points to dorsal patellar spines. Scale bars = 0.2 mm, unless stated otherwise. Abbreviations: Br—base of retrolateral tibial apophysis, Ce—cymbial extension, Co—conductor, Eb—base of embolus, Em—embolus, Pe—posterior tegular extension, Ta—tegular apophysis, Te—ventral tegular extension, Tr—terminal part of retrolateral tibial apophysis.

FIGURE 13. SEM images of the male palp of Zodarion sharurensis sp. n. A ventral; B retrolateral. Arrow points to the dorsal patellar spines. Scale bars = 0.1 mm. Abbreviations: Br—base of retrolateral tibial apophysis, Ce—cymbial extension, Co— conductor, Eb—base of embolus, Em—embolus, Pe—posterior tegular extension, Ta—tegular apophysis, Te—ventral tegular extension, Tr—terminal part of retrolateral tibial apophysis.