Callipelis deserticola Zamani & Marusik, 2017

Zamani, Alireza, Chatzaki, Maria, Esyunin, Sergei L. & Marusik, Yuri M., 2021, One new genus and nineteen new species of ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Iran, with other taxonomic considerations, European Journal of Taxonomy 751 (1), pp. 68-114 : 77-79

Callipelis deserticola Zamani & Marusik, 2017

Figs 5–6

Callipelis deserticola Zamani & Marusik, 2017: 324 , fig. 5 (♂).

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of the male, see Zamani & Marusik (2017). In the absence of any other congener, the newly described female of this species is tentatively diagnosed here by the shape of the epigynal atrium resembling an inverted droplet with narrowing posterior rims. The female of C. deserticola differs from those of Callilepis Westring, 1874 by their light color and distinct abdominal folium (vs dark and lacking folium) and the anterior lateral spinnerets being longer than the posterior ones (vs subequal).

Material examined

IRAN • 1 ♀; Yazd Province, Ardakan ; 32°22′ N, 54°13′ E; Aug. 2017; A. Zamani leg.; MHNG • 1 ♀; Yazd Province, 10 km E of Ardakan; 32°19′ N, 54°12′ E; 1235 m a.s.l.; 11 Apr. 2004; V. Vignoli & P. Crucitti leg.; SMF .

Photographic record

IRAN • 1 ♀; Semnan Province, Rig-e Jen ; 34°37′ N, 53°22′ E; Nov. 2018; A. Mohajeran .

Description

Female (MHNG)

Habitus as in Figs 5A–C , 6 . Total length 5.35. Carapace 2.72 long, 2.21 wide. Eye sizes and interdistance of PMEs: AME = 0.18, ALE = 0.22, PME = 0.18, PLE = 0.22, PME–PME = 0.12. Carapace light yellowish brown with a dark marginal line and a distinct mark in clypeus; a distinct dark V-shaped mark in front of fovea. Sternum, maxillae and labium slightly lighter than carapace. Chelicerae ( Fig. 5E ) with 2 promarginal teeth and a retromarginal translucent lamina, widest at its base. Legs the same color as carapace and with numerous spines. Abdomen dorsally with long, thin setae and faded light brown stripes medially, extending into darker comb-shaped patterns laterally; ventrally without any pattern ( Fig. 5D ). Anterior lateral spinnerets cylindrical; posterior median spinnerets shorter and darker. Measurements of legs: I: 7.78 (2.30, 1.13, 1.43, 1.43, 1.49), II: 8.55 (2.30, 1.31, 1.57, 1.71, 1.66), III: 10.27 (2.54, 1.32, 1.78, 2.61, 2.02), IV: 12.07 (2.99, 1.45, 2.23, 3.18, 2.22).

Epigyne as in Fig. 5F–J . Atrium large, inverted droplet shaped, with distinct anterior hood; copulatory openings behind lateral hoods at median part of the atrium; glands near the anterior edge of lateral hoods; copulatory ducts rather short, twisting posteriorly; receptacles not delimited from ducts, with additional bursae and glands.

Male

See Zamani & Marusik (2017).

Distribution

Genus endemic to Iran, known from the type locality in South Khorasan Province, the newly reported locality in Yazd Province ( Fig. 6B ) and the photographic record ( Fig. 6A ) in Semnan Province, central to eastern Iran. All specimens have been observed and collected in sand dunes.

Figures

Fig. 5. Callipelis deserticola Zamani & Marusik, 2017, ♀ (A, D–H = specimen from MHNG; B–C, I–J = specimen from SMF). A–C. Habitus, dorsal and lateral views. D. Abdomen, ventral view. E. Chelicerae, posterior view. F, H–I. Epigyne, ventral view. G, J. Epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, C = 1 mm; D = 0.5 mm; F–G = 0.1 mm; H–J = 0.2 mm.

Fig. 6. Callipelis deserticola Zamani & Marusik, 2017, ♀, live habitus. A. Specimen from Rig-e Jen, Semnan Province (courtesy of Ali Mohajeran). B. Specimen from Ardakan, Yazd Province (by Alireza Zamani).