Megaphyllum spathulatum (Lohmander, 1936)

Figs 18b–d

Chromatoiulus (Chromatoiulus) spathulatus Lohmander, 1936: 104 –109, Figs 80–84. Chromatoiulus (Chromatoiulus) spathulatus: Attems 1940: 306 .

Megaphyllum spathulatum: Golovatch 1990: 364; 1992: 381.

Distribution. Western Caucasus (unspecified type locality) (Lohmander 1936).

Diagnosis. The species is easily recognized from other consubgeners by a combination of a strongly tapering promere (Figs 17b–c) and a tagged posterior opisthomere process (pp) connecting to the opisthomere at higher angles (around 50°–60°, see Figs 18b, 18d) (Lohmander 1936).

Male gonopods: Promere (P) (Figs 18b–c) strongly tapering, medially with an apical hump with spines (sh). Posterior solenomere process (psp) well-developed, longer than anterior one (asp).

According to Lohmander (1936): body colour probably faded due to the conservation; but both sexes seemed to be brownish, yellow-grey, sometimes with a dark dorsal band medially; the ozopore line is also dark. Thus, it resembles M. sjaelandicum more than other species in the group. Body length and height (Lohmander 1936): males: 35mm, 2.7mm; females: 38–42mm, 3.4–3.8mm.

Remarks. M. spathulatum is regarded as the only neoendemic Megaphyllum s.str. species in the Caucasus (Golovatch 1992). However, there are doubtful records of M. hercules from the region (Lignau 1903; Issajew 1911). Lohmander (1936) stated that mistaking the two species would not have been possible, so the two species may co-occur.