Gorbiscape gorbachevi, Zamani & Marusik, 2020

Zamani, Alireza & Marusik, Yuri M., 2020, A review of Agelenini (Araneae: Agelenidae: Ageleninae) of Iran and Tajikistan, with descriptions of four new genera, Arachnology 18 (4), pp. 368-386 : 380-382

Gorbiscape gorbachevi sp. n. ( Figs. 1 E–F, 4D, 5C–D, 6F, 7A, 14A–D, 15B)

Type material: Holotype ♂ and paratypes 1♂ 4♀ ( ZMMU), TAJIKISTAN: Khatlon: Dangara Distr., Sanglogh Mt Range , above Shar-Shar Pass , 38°17′N 69°13′E, 1700–2060 m, 29 April 2015 (Y. M. Marusik); 1♀ ( MMUE), Khatlon: Hissar Mt Range , near Ramit Reserve , Sardai-Miyona River Gorge, c. 12 km NW of Ramit, Juglans Stand, 1400 m, 02 May 2015 (Y. M. Marusik); Khatlon: 2♂ ( MMUE), Dangara Distr. , Sanglogh Mt Range , above Shar–Shar Pass, 38°17′N 69°13′E, 1700–2060 m, 29 April 2015 (S. L. Zonstein); 1♂ 3♀ ( MMUE), Dushanbe: Hissar Mt Ridge , 20 km of Varzob Hwy, Gusgarf Vil., N exposed slope with Acer leaf litter and cliffs, 08 May 2015 (Y. M. Marusik).

Etymology: The species is named after Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the first and last president of the Soviet Union, on the occasion of his 89th birthday (02 March 2020).

Diagnosis: The new species differs from G. agelenoides by the smaller size (♂ 6.2, and ♀ 7.8 v. 10 and 14, respec- tively), bifurcate tip of the embolus ( v. not bifurcate), tegular apophysis strongly bent (90°) in ventral view ( v. rounded bend) ( Figs. 4D , 5C ), and the presence of an epigynal scape ( v. absent ) (14A). Gorbiscape gorbachevi sp. n. is also similar to Agelena ’ canariensis Lucas, 1839 by the shape of the embolus and course of the seminal duct, but the former differs by having a distinct base of the conductor.

Description of male: Habitus as in Fig. 1E . Total length 6.20. Carapace 3.20 long, 2.15 wide. Eye sizes and PME interdistance: AME: 0.12, ALE: 0.13, PME: 0.14, PLE: 0.13, PME–PME: 0.08. Carapace, sternum, labium, chelicera, and maxilla light brown. Carapace with dark margins, wide submarginal light bands, two wide dark brown lateral bands, and wide median light band. Sternum with wide gray marginal pattern. Legs the same colour as the carapace, with distinct annulations. Abdomen dark gray with a reddish foliate medial pattern on dorsum, and two longitudinal dark gray bands ventrally. Spinnerets dark gray, apical segment lighter. Leg I measurements: 9.68 (2.47, 1.08, 2.07, 2.28, 1.78).

Palp as in Figs. 4D , 5 C–D, 6F, 7A; patella with short, sharply pointed apophysis; tibia with 2 apophyses, a digitiform retrolateral apophysis and a short, dorso-retrolateral knob-like apophysis; cymbium broad, 1.5× longer than wide, with short tip (equal in length to base of conductor); bulb round, as long as wide, with broad subtriangular tegular apophysis in lateral view, strongly bent (90°) in ventral view; terminal part as long as basal ( Figs. 5C , 7A ); base of conductor broad with rounded promargin; terminal part strongly sclerotized, tip subtriangular; embolus broad, gradually tapering, originating at about 10 o’clock, tip bifurcated (bifurcation almost indistinct in ventral view, but distinct in anterior view).

Description of female: Habitus as in Fig. 1F . Total length 7.82. Carapace 3.35 long, 2.19 wide. Eye sizes and PME interdistance: AME: 0.12, ALE: 0.17, PME: 0.12, PLE: 0.16, PME–PME: 0.09. Body colouration generally as in male, with darker cephalic bands and less distinct opistho- somal pattern. Leg I measurements: 8.85 (2.24, 1.06, 2.03, 2.07, 1.45).

Epigyne as in Figs. 14 A–D, fovea and subtriangular scape distinct; endogyne with subparallel receptacles, very short membranous copulatory duct, receptacle with copulatory duct twice as long as wide.

Distribution: Known only from the type localities in western Tajikistan (15B).

Figures

Fig. 1: A Persiscape caspica sp. n., ♀ habitus; B same, ♂ habitus; C Persilena sengleti sp. n., ♀ habitus; D Asiascape parthica sp. n., ♂ habitus; E Gorbiscape gorbachevi sp. n., ♂ habitus; F same, ♀ habitus.

Fig. 4: Bulb, ventral view. A, B Agelescape cf. livida, from Israel;C Asiascape parthica sp. n.; D Gorbiscape gorbachevi sp. n.; E G. agelenoides. A after Levy (1996), E after de Blauwe (1980), both with modification. Scale bar = 0.2 mm

Fig. 5: Palps.A Agelescape cf. livida, from Israel, ventral view;B same, retrolateral view; C Gorbiscape gorbachevi sp. n., ventral view; D same, retrolateral view; E Asiascape parthica sp. n., ventral view; F same, retrolateral view. Scale bars = 0.2 mm, if indicated.

Fig. 7: SEM micrographs of terminal part of bulb, anterior view. A Gorbiscape gorbachevi sp. n.; B Persiscape levyi; C P. ecbatana sp. n. Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

Fig. 14: Epigynes. A Gorbiscape gorbachevi sp. n., intact, ventral view; B same, macerated, dorsal view; C, D same, posterior views; E, F Asiascape parthica sp. n., intact, ventral views; G same, macerated, dorsal view; H same, posterior view; I Persilena sengleti sp. n., posterior view; D same, intact, ventral view; K same, antero-ventral view; L same, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.2 mm. Abbreviation: Cd = copulatory duct.