Haplodrassus atarot Levy, 2004

Levy, Gershom, 2009, New ground-spider genera and species with annexed checklist of the Gnaphosidae (Araneae) of Israel, Zootaxa 2066, pp. 1-49 : 5-6

Haplodrassus atarot Levy, 2004

Figs 6, 7

Haplodrassus atarot Levy, 2004: 33 , figs 74, 75, ♂ from Atarot , Israel.

Hitherto unknown mate: Adult female from Lehavim , Israel, leg. Iris Musli, March 2005, pitfall trap (HUJ15561).

Description. Carapace brown with distinct fovea, legs yellow, opisthosoma grey. Brown chelicerae with 2 promarginal teeth, the proximal one larger, and with 2 retromarginal denticles.

Female. Measurements (3ΨΨ): total length 4.4–5.3; carapace length 1.8–1.0, width 1.3–1.5, index 1.20–1.38; labial index 1.14–1.16; clypeal index 1.16; MOQ index 6.6–7.6; legs length: I 4.1–4.5, II 3.5–4.1, III 3.0–3.5, IV 5.2–5.6; patella-tibia index 0.88–1.0.

Epigynum . Epigynal plate bordered anteriorly by raised hood-like protrusion flanked by sclerotized caps ( Fig. 6 ). Sclerotized rims on sides of elevated, broad median septum discontinue posteriorly ( Fig. 6 ). Spermathecae as in Fig. 7 .

Diagnosis. The female of H. atarot can be separated from all other Haplodrassus species by the shape of the epigynal plate with the anterior hood and the discontinued posterior outlines of the median septum.

Distribution. Israel. Records: Atarot , Adullam , Lehavim , surroundings of Mt. Ramon.

Comment. Collecting of a pair at Lehavim provided evidence for the correct matching of the two sexes.

Figures

FIGURES 6, 7. Haplodrassus atarot Levy, 2004, Ψ. 6. Epigynum, ventral view. 7. Spermathecae, dorsal (inner) view.