Synema inexpectata, Seropian & Bulbulashvili & Makharadze & Baznikin, 2024

Seropian, Armen, Bulbulashvili, Natalia, Makharadze, Giorgi & Baznikin, Andrei, 2024, New and interesting spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) from Vashlovani National Park and Chachuna Managed Reserve (Georgia), Caucasiana 3, pp. 183-213 : 183-213

Synema inexpectata sp. nov.

Figs 42–45

Type material.

Holotype. ♂ (CaBOL-ID 1038144): Georgia: Kakheti, Dedoplistskaro mun., Chachuna MR, Osiaskheoba ; N 41.2314 °, E 46.1473 °; semidesert, vegetation; 20 May 2024; leg. Makharadze G ; Type specimen is deposited in the scientific collections of Ilia State University, Georgia, Tbilisi.

Diagnosis.

Diagnosis. The new species resembles S. utotchkini Marusik & Logunov, 1995 ( Marusik and Logunov 1995: 142, figs 12–13; Fomichev 2022: 231, figs 42–44) by a strongly modified embolus tip and bifurcated retrolateral apophysis (RTA). The male of the new species can be distinguished from that of S. utotchkini by having a longer embolus with a strongly modified, wide embolic tip (Et) originating at 3 o’clock (vs. originating at 2 o’clock), and differently shaped retrolateral tibial apohysis (RTA) (Fig. 43 )

Description.

Male (holotype). Total length 3.82. Carapace 2.03 long, 2.08 wide. Abdomen 1.92 long, 1.79 wide. Cheliceral length 0.75. Eye measurements: AME 0.11, ALE 0.16, PME 0.08, PLE 0.09. Carapace dark-brown with lighter median part. Abdomen dorsally bright red (coloration dull in ethanol) with extensive black pattern (Fig. 42 ). Sternum uniformly brown. Spinnerets dark brown, branchial opercula light brown. Leg coloration: Fe, Pa, Ti, and Mt I – IV dark brown (Ti and Mt III-IV with yellowish basal parts), Ta I-IV dark yellow, apically darkened. Leg measurements [total length (Fe + Pa + Ti + Mt + Ta)]: I 6.63 (1.93 + 0.97 + 1.51 + 1.27 + 0.95), II 6.72 (2.11 + 0.78 + 1.72 + 1.3 + 0.81), III 4.71 (1.29 + 0.61 + 1.22 + 0.91 + 0.68), IV 4.31 (1.56 + 0.62 + 1.18 + 0.88 +. 062). Leg I spination: Fe d 1-1 - 1 - 1, p 1-1 - 1 - 1 - 1; Ti d 1-1 - 1 p, p 1-1 - 1, v 2–2 – 2 – 2 ap; Mt d 1-1 - 1, p 1-1 - 1 ap; r 1-1 - 1 ap, v 2-2 - 2 ap. Palpal structure as in Figs 43–44 : cymbium 1.1 times longer than wide.

Female unknown.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is an adjective and refers to the unexpected discovery of a new species of this genus in Georgia.

Habitat.

A single male of the new species was individually collected from vegetation in semidesert (Fig. 49 ).

Distribution.

Known from the type locality only.

Comments.

During the fieldwork conducted by the CaBOL team in July 2023 on the territory of Chachuna MR, several new and interesting spiders were collected ( Seropian et al. 2024), among which were many Synema sp. juveniles with red and yellow abdomens and consistent abdominal pattern, identical to the herein described species.

Figures

Figures 41–45. Sardinidion blackwalli, male (41: left palp, retrolateral view). Synema inexpectata sp. nov., holotype, male (42: general habitus of holotype male from Osiaskheoba; 43: left palp, ventral view; 44: ditto, retrolateral view; 45: retrolateral tibial apophysis, dorsal view). Abbreviations: Et – embolic tip, RTA – retrolateral tibial apophysis. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (41, 43–45); 1 mm (42).

Figures 49–52. Sampling localities; 49: Chachuna MR, Osiaskheoba; 50: ditto, microhabitat depicting muddy hills; 51: Vashlovani NP, Mijniskure; 52: ditto, specific sampled microhabitat.