Phlegra blaugrana, Azarkina & Pérez-Gómez & Sánchez-García, 2022

Azarkina, Galina N., Pérez-Gómez, Álvaro & Sánchez-García, Iñigo, 2022, Description of a stunning new species of Phlegra Simon, 1876 from southern Spain and redescription of an enigmatic Phlegra species from northern Africa (Araneae: Salticidae), Zootaxa 5162 (5), pp. 557-575 : 559-565

Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov.

Figs 1–33 , 62–63 , 68

Type material. Holotype ♂: SPAIN: Andalusia, Cádiz, Los Barrios , 70 m a.s.l., 36° 8’40.44”N 5°29’46.44”W, leg. A. Pérez-Gómez, 8.X.2016 (by hand) ( MNCN, 20.02/22407) . Paratypes: SPAIN: Andalusia, Cádiz, Los Barrios, Botafuegos , 36°08’40.1”N, 5°29’47.3”W, leg. Á. Pérez-Gómez, I. Sánchez-García, 15.X.2016, 1♂ ( ISEA, 001.8649, sample #747), 1♂ ( MNCN, 20.02/22408, sample #747); Same locality but 36°08’40.4”N, 5°29’53.3”W, leg. Á. Pérez-Gómez, I. Sánchez-García, 15.X.2016, 1♂ ( MMUE, G7657.1 , sample #749), 1♂ ( MNCN, 20.02/22410, sample #749); Same locality but 36°08’04.0”N, 5°29’14.2”W, leg. Á. Pérez-Gómez, I. Sánchez-García, 29.IX.2019, 1♀ ( ISEA, 001.8650, sample #861), 1♀ ( MMUE, G7657.1 , sample #861), Same locality but 36°08’36.5”N, 5°29’32.6”W, leg. Á. Pérez-Gómez, I. Sánchez-García, 15.X.2016, 1♂ ( ZMB _Arach 53855, sample #734); Same locality but 36°08’37.3”N, 5°29’33.8”W, leg. Á. Pérez-Gómez, I. Sánchez-García, 15.X.2016, 1♂ ( ZMB _Arach 53856, sample #736); Same locality but 36°08’40.9”N, 5°29’42.5”W, leg. Á. Pérez-Gómez, I. Sánchez-García, 15.X.2016, 1♂ ( ZMMU, Ta-8230, sample #740) .

Etymology. The species-specific epithet comes from the internationally renowned Spanish soccer team Barcelona FC, which is also known as the “Blaugrana” team for the blue and red colouration of its kit and shield which is similar to the characteristic colouration of the abdomen of (male) Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov. Noun in apposition.

Diagnosis. Males of Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov. differ from congeners by having a dorsal shiny scutum on the abdomen surrounded by dense, black, long setae ( Figs 2 , 9–10 ), similar to that of P. nitidiventris ( Figs 36 , 40 ) but differing by having a shield-shaped central patch with parallel Λ-shaped blue-red-blue-red transverse bands. Females of P. blaugrana sp. nov. are similar to P. nitidiventris in body colouration but differ in the conformation of copulatory organs: broad and long epigynal pocket with three small projections in P. blaugrana sp. nov. ( Figs 29–30 ) vs. relatively small epigynal pocket in P. nitidiventris ( Figs 58–59 ). P. blaugrana sp. nov. is similar to P. dunini Azarkina, 2004 by the conformation of the epigyne but differs in body colouration: with a pattern in P. blaugrana sp. nov., uniformly black in P. dunini (cf. Figs 24–25 and Azarkina 2004: fig. 111 respectively), the shape of copulatory openings are round or oval in P. blaugrana sp. nov. and triangular in P. dunini (cf. Figs 29–30 and Azarkina 2004: fig. 112). Also, the two species differ in the conformation of the endogyne: P. blaugrana sp. nov. has short insemination ducts (long in P. dunini ) and large spermathecae (small in P. dunini ) ( Figs 32–33 and Azarkina 2004: fig. 113 respectively).

Description. Male. Total length 5.80–6.90. Carapace 2.80–3.70 long, 1.90–2.30 width. Abdomen 2.50–4.10 long, 2.00–2.30 width. Ocular area 1.00 long, 1.50–1.60 wide anteriorly, 1.40–1.80 wide posteriorly. Cheliceral length 1.00. Clypeal height 0.25. Hight at PLE 1.30–1.90. Scutum 1.20–1.70 long, 0.80–1.30 wide. Diameter of AME 0.45. Length of leg segments (Paratype from ISEA): I 1.50 + 1.00 + 1.05 + 0.85 + 0.70 (5.10). II 1.45 + 0.80 + 0.85 + 0.65 + 0.65 (4.40). III. 1.70 + 0.85 + 0.95 + 1.20 + 0.70 (5.40). IV 2.10 + 1.10 + 1.40 + 1.80 + 0.80 (7.20). Leg setation: I: Fm d 0-1-1-3, Tb pr 1-1, v 2-2-2 ap, Mt v 2-2 ap. II: Fm d 0-1-2-5, Pt pr 1, Tb pr 1-1 or 2-1 (Paratype from ISEA), v 1-1-2 ap, Mt pr 1-1, rt 0-1, v 2-2 ap; III: Fm d 0-1-3-5, Pt pr & rt 1, Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1- 1-2 ap, Mt d 1-1-0, pr & rt 1-0-2 ap, v 0-2-0-2 ap. IV: Fm d 0-1-2-5, Pt pr & rt 1, Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2 ap, Mt d 1-1-0, pr 1-1-2 ap, rt 1-0-2 ap, v 1-1-0-2 ap. Colouration (In alcohol, Figs 9–15 ). Carapace dark brown, covered with short, dark brown setae. Ocular area with thin transverse band of white setae just behind first eye row. Thoracic part of carapace steeply sloping. Clypeus and cheeks brown. Clypeus covered with sparse, long, transparent white setae, cheeks covered with sparse, short, transparent white setae. Clypeus with transverse band of dense white setae under first eye row. Chelicerae orange-brown, covered with sparse, long white setae. Sternum dark brown, almost black, covered with white setae. Labium and endites yellow-brown, pale apically. Abdomen with scutum dorsally, surrounded by dense, black, long setae, covered with short, iridescent metallic greenish-blue setae, a shield-shaped patch centrally, with parallel Λ-shaped blue-red-blue-red transverse bands. Venter yellow-brown, covered with short, white setae. Book lung covers brownish yellow. Spinnerets dark brown. All legs yellow, tinged with brown, covered with white setae and brown macrosetae. Femora I and II with dark brown patch prolatero-apically. Patellae and tibiae I and II with pair of broad black longitudinal bands ventrally and yellow band between them. Matatarsi I dark brown to black. Palpal structure as in Figs 16–23 : brown-yellow, femora covered with sparse, brown setae, white apically; patellae and tibiae covered with dense, white setae. Bulbus longer than wide. Tibia with two apophyses: dorsal one long, triangular, pointed apically, ventral one spear shaped, triangular outgrowth dorsally at base. Embolic division inverted comma shaped, spiral, membranous and widening near tip, partially membranous at base prolaterally.

Female. Total length 6.50–8.20. Carapace 3.10–3.80 long, 2.10–2.50 width. Abdomen 3.10–4.50 long, 2.20– 2.40 width. Ocular area 1.05 long, 1.40–1.80 wide anteriorly, 1.50–1.80 wide posteriorly. Cheliceral length 0.75. Clypeal height 0.25. Hight at PLE 1.50. Diameter of AME 0.40. Length of leg segments (Paratype from ISEA): I 1.40 + 0.90 + 0.90 + 0.60 + 0.55 (4.35). II 1.50 + 0.90 + 0.90 + 0.60 + 0.50 (4.40). III. 1.60 + 0.70 + 0.90 + 0.90 + 0.60 (4.70). IV 2.00 + 1.00 + 1.40 + 1.60 + 0.75 (6.75). Leg setation: I: Fm d 0-1-1-3, Tb v 2-2-2 ap, Mt v 2-2 ap. II: Fm d 0-1-1-5, Tb pr 1-1, v 1-1-2 ap, Mt 2-2 ap; III: Fm d 0-1-2-4, Pt pr & rt 1, Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2 ap, Mt d 1-1-0, pr & rt 1-0-2 ap, v 0-2-0-2 ap. IV: Fm d 0-1-1-3, Pt pr & rt 1, Tb d 1-0-0, pr & rt 1-1-1, v 1-0-2 ap, Mt d 1-1-0, pr 1-1-2 ap, rt 1-0-2 ap, v 1-1-0-2 ap. Colouration (In alcohol, Figs 24–28 ). Carapace dark brown, covered with brown appressed setae, with two yellowish white longitudinal bands running from ALEs to end, with short, transverse, yellowish white band behind PLEs. Clypeus and cheeks dark brown. Clypeus covered with sparse, long brown setae. Chelicerae dark brown, covered with sparse, long dark brown setae. Sternum brown, covered with sparse, white setae. Labium and endites dark brown, pale apically. Abdomen brown ventrally, dark brown dorsally, with central whitish longitudinal band, dark brown laterally, with six pairs of white spots on dark background. Book lung covers grey-yellow. Spinnerets dark brown. All legs brown, tinged with dark brown, with dark brown semirings and patches, covered with brown and yellowish white setae. Metatarsi and tarsi of all legs light brown, tinged with brown. Palps yellow-brown. Epigyne and vulva as in Figs 29–33 : epigynal plate with two round or oval copulatory openings located in middle; basal part of epigynal plate with large pocket, inverted triangle shaped, with two small lateral projections, covers epigastric furrow. Insemination ducts short, wide, directed anteriorly; spermathecae long and tube shaped. Fertilization ducts between copulatory openings.

Natural history. Ground-dwellers in grasslands on the “Areniscas del Aljibe” Unit, dominated by annual species with scattered shrubs ( Calicotome villosa (Poir.) Link , Chamaerops humilis L., Olea europaea europaea L., Crataegus monogyna Jacq. ). The area has a high Atlantic influenced climate. Due to its proximity to the sea and several streams there is medium to high relative humidity and high solar irradiance. This area is used extensively as a pasture for the local “Retinta” (cow) breed.

The observations made suggest that the spiders have an annual lifespan. The first adults begin to appear between September–October. The species is diurnal, the adult male, roams the grasslands looking for females. Females, are more sedentary, tending to remain under rocks or in cracks in the ground.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality, south of the Natural Park de Los Alcornocales, Los Barrios-Algeciras, Botafuegos, Spain (Map).

Figures

FIGURE 68. Distribution of Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov. and P. nitidiventris.

FIGURES 1–3. General appearances of Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov.: 1, 2 Male; 3 Female.

FIGURES 4–8. Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov., scanning electron micrographs of abdomen, dorsal view.

FIGURES 9–15. Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov.: 9–10 Male habitus, dorsal view: 9 Specimen from alcohol; 10 Living specimen; 11 Same, ventral view; 12 Same, lateral view; 13 Same, frontal view; 14 Male leg I, ventral view; 15 Same, prolatral view. Scales: 1 mm.

FIGURES 16–23. Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov.: 16 Male palp, ventral view; 17 Same, retrolateral view; 18 Tibial apophysis and basal part of cymbium, dorsal view; 19 Same, ventro-retrolateral view; 20–23 Embolic division: 20 Retrolateral view; 21 Prolateral view; 22 Dorsal view; 23 Ventral view. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 24–28. Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov.: 24–25 Female habitus, dorsal view: 24 Specimen from alcohol; 25 Living speci- men; 26 Same, ventral view; 27 Same, lateral view; 28 Same, frontal view. Scales: 1 mm.

FIGURES 29–33. Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov.: 29–30 Female epigyne, ventral view; 31 Diagrammatic course of the insemina- tion ducts; 32–33 Vulva, dorsal view. Scales: 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 62–64. Habitats: 62–63 Phlegra blaugrana sp. nov., type locality in Spain; 64 Phlegra nitidiventris in Kabylia, Algeria.

FIGURES 34–39. General appearances of Phlegra nitidiventris: 34–36 Male; 37–38 Female; 39 Precopulation position. Pho- tographs: S. Khemis.

FIGURES 40–45. Phlegra nitidiventris: 40 Male habitus, dorsal view; 41 Same, ventral view; 42 Same, lateral view; 43 Same, frontal view; 44 Same, latero-frontal view; 45 Male leg I, ventral view. Scales: 1 mm.

FIGURES 58–61. Phlegra nitidiventris: 58–59 Female epigyne, ventral view; 60 Vulva, dorsal view; 61 Diagrammatic course of the insemination ducts. Scales: 0.1 mm.