Zelotes sumchi Levy, 1998

Levy, Gershom, 2009, New ground-spider genera and species with annexed checklist of the Gnaphosidae (Araneae) of Israel, Zootaxa 2066, pp. 1-49 : 41

Zelotes sumchi Levy, 1998

Figs 87, 88

Zelotes sumchi Levy, 1998:151 , figs 128–130, ♂ from the shores of Lake Hula , Israel.

Hitherto unknown mate: Adult female from Geshur , southern Golan , Israel, leg. Rakefet Sharon, July 1998, pitfall trap (HUJ15512).

Description. Colouration yellowish-brown with black area around AME. ALE smallest. Chelicerae with 4 pro- and 1 retromarginal teeth.

Female. Measurements (5 ΨΨ): total length 2.9–4.6; carapace length 1.3–2.0, width 1.0–1.6, index 1.18–1.30; labial index 1.15–1.69; clypeal index 1.0; MOQ index 8.75–10.52; legs length: I 3.2–5.6, II 2.9–4.9, III 2.6–4.4, IV 3.7–6.5; patella-tibia index 1.2–2.1.

Epigynum . Small, sclerotized corner-caps occasionally separated by septum-like embossement extending into round median depression ( Fig. 87 ); small touching round spermathecae discernible through integument. Ducts of spermathecae with nearly alternate swellings and contractions ( Fig. 88 ).

Diagnosis. The unique form of the spermathecal alignment separates Z. sumchi distinctly from all other Zelotes species.

Distribution. Israel. Records: Shores of Lake Hula , Odem forest, Geshur , Ramat HaNadiv.

Comment. A pair of male and female collected by a pitfall trap at Geshur provided the proof for the matching of the two sexes.

Figures

FIGURES 87, 88. Zelotes sumchi Levy, 1998, Ψ. 87. Epigynum, ventral view. 88. Spermathecae, dorsal (inner) view.