Zaitunia psammodroma sp. nov.

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Fig. 30 G–K

Diagnosis

The species differs from all other congeners in having modified metatarsi IV – shortened, distally dilated and flattened, with ventrodistal spines (Fig. 30 G, K).

Etymology

The specific epithet is derived from psammo- (a combining form of the Greek psámmos, “sand”) + -droma (a combining form of the Greek drómos meaning “running”), indicating the ability of these spiders to run on a loose, sandy substrate.

Material examined

Holotype

TURKMENISTAN: ♂, Karakum Desert, Repetek Nature Reserve, c. 38º34' N, 63º10' E, 200 m, 3 May 1972, V.I. Kuznetzov (TAU).

Paratype

TURKMENISTAN: 1 ♂, same data as holotype (ZMMU).

Description

Male (holotype)

HABITUS. See Fig. 30 G.

BODY LENGTH. 3.37.

COLOUR. Carapace light yellowish-orange, other parts of body and legs uniformly pale greyish-yellow.

CARAPACE. Subcircular, 1.47 long, 1.42 wide.

EYES. AME 0.09, ALE 0.14, PLE 0.12, PME 0.10, AME–AME 0.09.

PALP (Figs 30 H–J, 44C). Femur in prolateral view 1/3 longer than tibia and 1.5 times thinner; cymbium slightly shorter than bulb; embolic neck straight, with thin, straight keel, its width equal to spermophore diameter; embolus relatively long and thin, bent ventrally.

LEG MEASUREMENTS.

SPECIAL CHARACTERS. Tibia and metatarsus III with c. 20 short spines each; metatarsus IV short and flattened, with 7–8 short and stout ventroapical spines (Fig. 30 K).

Female

Unknown.

Variation

Carapace length in males varies from 1.42 to 1.45; no differences in coloration are evident.

Ecology

The species occurs in an extra-arid sandy desert with Haloxylon shrubs; the males were collected in pitfall traps in rodent colonies. Most likely the spiders inhabit abandoned gerbil burrows.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 49).