Melecosa, Marusik, Yuri M., Omelko, Mikhail M. & Koponen, Seppo, 2015

Marusik, Yuri M., Omelko, Mikhail M. & Koponen, Seppo, 2015, A survey of East Palaearctic Lycosidae (Araneae). 11. Two new genera from the Acantholycosa complex, Zootaxa 3985 (2), pp. 252-264 : 258-259

Melecosa gen. n.

Type species: Sibirocosa alpina Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004 .

Etymology. The generic name is formed from two elements, with the first element derived from the scientific name of the badger ( Meles ) and ending -cosa. The gender is masculine.

Diagnosis. Melecosa gen. n. can be distinguished from the somewhat similar Sibirocosa by having 3 pairs of ventral tibial spines on leg I ( Figs 5‒6 ; 5–6 pairs in Sibirocosa ); tegular apophysis with two pointed arms ( Figs 40‒42 , 45‒46 ) (basal arm in Sibirocosa only, cf. Fig. 10 ), large paleal process (Pp) and lack of distinct terminal apophysis ( Fig. 46 ) (terminal apophysis well developed, more robust than embolus in Sibirocosa ), shallow epigynal fovea ( Figs 49‒50 ), two apical pockets (one in Sibirocosa , Fig. 37 ) and large heads of receptacles ( Figs 32‒33 , 50 ).

Description. See species description.

Relationships. As in Gulocosa gen. n., it is difficult to trace the relationships of this new genus based on somatic characters or the features of copulatory organs. The epigyne in this genus is rather similar to that of Sibirocosa and that is why it was originally placed in the genus. The two genera, although generally similar in appearance, clearly differ in the fovea depth ( Figs 37‒39 , 49‒50 ), number of apical pockets and size of receptacle heads ( Figs 32‒33, 38‒39 ). The males of the two genera differ by the shape of the tegular apophysis and the width and thickness of the embolus. The most striking difference between the two genera is the lack of a distinct terminal apophysis in Melecosa gen. n. and a strongly developed one in Sibirocosa ( Figs 10 , 40‒42 ).

Three genera, Gulocosa gen. n., Melecosa gen. n. and Sibirocosa have, a high position (location) of the embolic base, which lies almost at the same level as the upper edge of palea ( Figs 8, 10 , 40 ), which is unique for Pardosinae. These characters can be connected with the thickness of embolus but do not indicate close relationships.

Note. We cannot homologise parts of the embolic division in this genus with certainty with other Pardosinae genera. It appears that this genus lacks a terminal apophysis and instead has a huge palear process. Composition. Only the type species.

Figures

FIGURES 1 ‒ 6. Habitus and male leg I of Gulocosa eskovi sp. n. (1 ‒ 3) and Melecosa alpina (4 ‒ 6). 1, 4 female, dorsal; 2, 5 male, dorsal; 3, 6 leg I prolateral.

FIGURES 40 ‒ 44. Male palp of Melecosa alpina. 40, 42 ventral; 41 retrolateral; 43 ‒ 44 embolic division, retrolateral and from above, respectively. Abbreviations: Aa apical arm, Ba basal arm, Em embolus, Pp process of palea.

FIGURES 45 ‒ 50. Copulatory organs of Melecosa alpina. 45 ‒ 46 male palp, subapical and subapical-retrolateral respectively; 47 ‒ 48 embolic division, ventral and from above respectively; 49 ‒ 50 epigyne, ventral and dorsal respectively. Abbreviations: Ba basal arm, Em embolus, Pp process of palea.

FIGURES 7 ‒ 12. Male palp of Gulocosa eskovi sp. n. (7 ‒ 9), Sibirocosa nadolnyi (10: after Omelko & Marusik 2013) and Acantholycosa norvegica (11 ‒ 12). 7 ‒ 8, 10 ‒ 11 ventral; 9, 12 from above. Abbreviations: Aa apical arm, Ba basal arm, Em embolus, Et embolic tooth, Pa palea, Pp process of palea, Pw wart of palea, Ta terminal apophysis.

FIGURES 28 ‒ 39. Epigyne of Gulocosa eskovi sp. n. (28 ‒ 31), Melecosa alpina (32 ‒ 33), Acantholycosa norvegica (34 ‒ 36), Sibirocosa koponeni (37 ‒ 38) an S. trilikauskasi (39). 28 ‒ 30, 32, 34 ‒ 35, 37 ventral; 31, 33, 36, 38 ‒ 39 dorsal. 37 ‒ 39 after Omelko & Marusik (2013). Abbreviations: Ap apical pocket, Ba basal arm, Fo fovea, Lm lateral margin, Rh head of receptacle, Sb septal base, Se septum, Ss septal stem.