Cataleptoneta semipinnata sp. nov.

Figs 5–8, 9

Type material. Holotype: male (RMNH), Aghia Sophia cave, m 60, Mylopotamos [36°14'36.35ʺN, 22°56'39.70ʺE], Island Kythira, Greece, 10 March 1984, P.R. Deeleman leg. Paratypes: 2 females, same data as holotype; 1 male, same but on 2 March 1983, E. Gittenberger leg.

Etymology. The specific name is derived from Latin “semi” and “pinna”, meaning “half” and “pinna”, and refers to the half pinnate-shaped, chitinous median apophysis of the male palpal bulb; term in apposition.

Diagnosis. This new species is similar to C. aesculapii (Brignoli, 1968), but can be distinguished by the palpal femur armed with eleven spines retrolaterally, which erected from small tubercles (Figs 5 D, 7A), the palpal tibia with one digitiform apophysis prolaterally (Figs 5 C, 7B), three strong spines and two, pudgy spines retrolaterally (Figs 5 D, 7A), and the palpal bulb with one half pinnate-shaped median apophysis in the male (Figs 5 C, 7B).

Description. male (holotype): total length 1.62 (Figs 5 A–B). Prosoma 0.70 long, 0.50 wide. Opisthosoma 0.82 long, 0.62 wide. Sternum 0.50 long, 0.50 wide. Prosoma whitish. Six eyes. Eye measurements: ALE 0.04, PLE 0.05, PME 0.03; ALE-PME 0.06, PLE-PLE 0.04; PLE-PME 0.04. AER 0.08, PER 0.15. Median groove indistinct, cervical grooves and radial furrow distinct, yellowish. Clypeus 0.09 high, slightly sloped anterioly. Chelicerae (Fig. 8 C) stubby, yellow, with eight promarginal teeth, and four small retromarginal teeth. Endites and labium yellow. Sternum and legs yellowish. Leg measurements: I 10.65 (2.65, 0.25, 3.40, 2.85, 1.50); II 6.87 (2.00, 0.25, 2.05, 1.70, 0.87); III 5.71 (1.62, 0.22, 1.62, 1.40, 0.85); IV 7.87 (2.20, 0.25, 2.37 2.05, 1.00). Leg formula: I-IV-II- III. Male palp (Figs 5 C – D, 7A–B): femur armed with five strong spines prolaterally and eleven spines retrolaterally, which erected from small tubercles; patella with one short spine dorsodistally; tibia with three trichobothriae dorsally, one digitiform apophysis prolaterally and three strong spines, two pudgy spines retrolaterally; tarsus with one falciform spine retrolaterally. Tip of the bulb: median apophysis chitinous, half pinnate-shaped; conductor translucent; embolus pointed, weakly sclerotized.

Female (one of the paratypes): similar to male in coloration and general features, but with larger body size and longer legs (Figs 6 A–B). Total length 1.75. Prosoma 0.65 long, 0.50 wide. Opisthosoma 1.05 long, 0.75 wide. Sternum 0.55 long, 0.50 wide. Clypeus 0.08 high. Leg measurements: I 10.70 (2.75, 0.25, 3.65, 2.65, 1.40); II 6.85 (2.00, 0.25, 2.00, 1.70, 0.90); III 5.12 (1.75, 0.22, 1.50, 1.05, 0.6); IV 7.92 (2.37, 0.25, 2.25, 2.05, 1.00). Leg formula: I-IV-II-III. Genital area (Fig. 8 A) covered with long hairs. Internal genitalia (Figs 6 C, 8B) with a pair of spermathecae and distinctly coiled and weakly sclerotized sperm ducts.

Variation. Total length: males 1.60–1.62 (n = 2); females (1.75–1.78) (n = 2).

Distribution. Greece (Kythira) (Fig. 9).