Maghreba amezyan, Huber, 2022

Huber, Bernhard A., 2022, Revisions of Holocnemus and Crossopriza: the spotted-leg clade of Smeringopinae (Araneae, Pholcidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 795 (1), pp. 1-241 : 59-63

Maghreba amezyan gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CFA70C27-960B-436B-B01E-153F61575912

Figs 9–12 , 163B , 164–181 , 305–318

Diagnosis

Distinguished from known congeners by combination of: procursus with long and straight ventral sclerite and slender dorsally-directed tip ( Fig. 166 ), distal bulbal sclerite with two ventral teeth of equal size and strongly protruding dorsal process ( Fig. 167 ), epigynum without processes ( Figs 175–178 ), dorsal arc of internal female genitalia with pair of small posterior protrusions ( Fig. 181 ); from most congeners (except M. saghro gen. et sp. nov.) also by large body size and long legs (male tibia 1 length>11.0, female tibia 1 length>9.5).

Etymology

The species name is derived from the Berber name for Anti-Atlas, Atlas Amezyan; noun in apposition.

Type material

Holotype MOROCCO – Guelmim-Oued Noun • ♂; between Lakhssas and Bouizakarne, “cave 1”; 29.2488° N, 9.7435° W; 1000 m a.s.l.; 15 Sep. 2018; B.A. Huber leg.; ZFMK Ar 22352.

Other material examined

MOROCCO – Guelmim-Oued Noun • 11 ♂♂, 14 ♀♀, 2 juvs (partly used for SEM); same collection data as for holotype; ZFMK Ar 22353, Ar 22354 • 1 ♀, 3 juvs (in pure ethanol); same collection data as for holotype; ZFMK Mor 83 • 2 ♀♀, 1 juv.; same locality as for preceding (“ Kef Hman , Tleta el Akhssas ”); 26 Apr. 2000; Hernando leg.; CRBA 3738 • 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 3 juvs; “Cv de Tleta–Akhssas”, near Bouizakarne ; 29.358° N, 9.754° W; 12 Mar. 2007; C. Ribera, Txasko, and A. Lopez leg.; CRBA .

Assigned tentatively (see variation below)

MOROCCO – Souss-Massa • 9 ♂♂, 7 ♀♀; SW of Ida Ougnidif ; 29.8348° N, 9.0247° W; 1380 m a.s.l.; 16 Sep. 2018; B.A. Huber leg.; small cave (rock shelter); ZFMK Ar 22355, Ar 22356 • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀ (in pure ethanol); same collection data as for preceding; ZFMK Mor 85 • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding (“near Ait Baha ”); 14 Mar. 2007; C. Ribera, Txasko, and A. Lopez leg.; CRBA • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; near Tafraoute ; 29.681° N, 9.023° W; 1060 m a.s.l.; 13 Mar. 2007; C. Ribera, Txasko, and A. Lopez leg.; CRBA • 1 ♀; Ifri Tafounast–Tatawt–Taroudant ; 30.058° N, 8.568° W; 22 Jul. 2006; Auroux, Comas, and Fadrique leg.; CRBA .

Description

Male (holotype)

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 4.1, carapace width 1.7. Distance PME–PME 140 µm; diameter PME 120 × 130 µm; distance PME–ALE 20 µm; diameter AME 90 µm; distance AME–AME 20 µm. Leg 1: 44.8 (13.2 + 0.7 + 11.9 + 16.3 + 2.7), tibia 2: 7.9, tibia 3: 5.9, tibia 4: 6.8; tibia 1 L/d: 66; femora 1–4 diameters: 0.27, 0.24, 0.22, 0.20.

COLOR (in ethanol). Carapace pale gray, medially partly darker (brown V-mark behind ocular area; posterior part of pit darkened); sternum dark brown; legs ochre-yellow, with indistinct darker rings on femora subdistally, patellae + tibiae proximally, and tibiae subdistally, tips of femora and tibiae whitish, with black lines on femora and tibiae, very few also on metatarsi; abdomen gray, with whitish marks dorsally and laterally, few indistinct darker marks posteriorly; ventrally with large brown mark in front of gonopore, median dark band and pair of lateral oval marks behind gonopore, dark brown area at spinnerets.

BODY. Habitus as in Fig. 9 . Ocular area slightly raised. Deep thoracic pit and pair of shallow furrows diverging from pit toward posterior margin (cf. Fig. 305 ). Clypeus unmodified, rim not more sclerotized than in female. Sternum wider than long (1.15/0.85), unmodified. Abdomen slightly elongated, dorsoposteriorly weakly angular. Gonopore with five epiandrous spigots ( Fig. 316 ); ALS with one widened spigot and one pointed spigot (cf. Fig. 317 ).

CHELICERAE. As in Figs 170–171 , with pair of frontal lateral apophyses, each with one large modified cone-shaped hair ( Fig. 306 ); distance between tips of modified hairs: 440 µm; without proximal frontal protrusion; lateral stridulatory ridges fine ( Fig. 307 ; distance between ridges ~2.5–3.0 µm) but clearly visible in dissecting microscope.

PALPS. In general as in congeners (cf. Figs 203–205 , 224–226 ); coxa with small retrolateral-ventral process; trochanter barely modified; femur not curved towards dorsal, distally widened and with very low rounded ventral protrusion, proximally with prolateral stridulatory pick (modified hair), with very indistinct retrolateral transversal line, with distinct retrolateral-ventral proximal process and small but distinct dorsal process; femur-patella joints slightly shifted toward prolateral side; tibia relatively long and slender, tibia-tarsus joints shifted toward retrolateral side; tarsus without macrotrichia; tarsal organ capsulate ( Fig. 311 ); procursus ( Figs 164–166 ) straight, some dorsal hairs slightly curved upwards; on prolateral side with distinct hairless hump; distally with small weakly sclerotized ventral flap; procursus tip strongly curved towards dorsal, with strong ventral sclerite, semitransparent to light brown process, and hair-like retrolateral process ( Fig. 309 ); genital bulb ( Figs 167–169 ) basal sclerite with indistinct dorsal apophysis; distal (main) sclerite large, with deep retrolateral pocket, strong dorsal process with very small teeth, ventral part with two ventral teeth, sperm duct opening on prolateral side in membranous basal area (arrow in Fig. 310 ).

LEGS. Femur 1 with single row of ~30 ventral spines ( Fig. 174 ); without curved hairs; with usual low number of short vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 2%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other leg tibiae; tarsal pseudosegments irregular and indistinct except ~5–8 distally; tarsal organs capsulate with round to slightly irregular margins ( Figs 313–315 ).

Male (variation)

Tibia 1 in 13 other males from type locality and other localities near Bouizakarne: 11.2–13.2 (mean 12.1). Distance between tips of cheliceral apophyses ~410–460 µm. Ventral abdominal pattern slightly variable (pair of lateral oval marks usually fused to median band); white abdominal marks variably distinct.

Males from SW of Ida Ougnidif differ very slightly in several respects and are therefore assigned tentatively (see also females below): slightly shorter legs (tibia 1 in 11 males 9.6–12.3, mean 11.0); slightly wider procursus (250 µm at half length, vs 210 µm in males from type locality); dorsal process of distal bulbal sclerite slightly larger (length 200 µm, vs 160 µm in males from type locality); distal section of ventral part of main bulbal sclerite more rounded; abdominal coloration slightly darker (including dark line around heart area).

Male from near Tafraoute (legs 1 missing) with slightly smaller dorsal process of distal bulbal sclerite (length 140 µm, vs 160 µm in males from type locality); slightly narrower procursus (190 µm, vs

210 µm in males from type locality); distal section of ventral part of main bulbal sclerite more rounded; abdominal coloration slightly darker (including dark line around heart area).

Female

In general similar to male ( Fig. 10 ) but without spines on legs. With poorly developed stridulatory apparatus between prosoma and abdomen: posterior carapace margin with pair of low processes ( Fig. 305 ), and abdomen apparently with pair of areas with thicker cuticle (visible in shrunken abdomens). With fine cheliceral stridulatory ridges as in male but wider apart (~5–6 µm) ( Fig. 308 ). Tibia 1 in 18 females from type locality and other localities near Bouizakarne: 9.9–12.4 (mean 11.1). Epigynum as in Figs 175–178 , main epigynal plate triangular to semicircular, weakly protruding, without processes (in some females slightly angular in lateral view), medially weakly sclerotized; with pair of indistinct round pockets ( Fig. 318 ; distance ~450 µm); internal sclerotized arc variably visible in uncleared specimens; posterior plate short and wide, simple; indistinct plate in front of epigynum, not elevated. Internal genitalia ( Figs 172–173 , 179–181 ) with triangular pore plates; dorsal and ventral arcs medially strongly sclerotized, ventral arc with very indistinct ventral process (pocket?) directly below (i.e., dorsal of) epigynal plate; dorsal arc with pair of small posterior protrusions (arrows in Fig. 181 ).

Females from SW of Ida Ougnidif differ very slightly and are therefore assigned tentatively (see also males above): slightly shorter legs (tibia 1 in 8 females 8.7–10.3, mean 9.6); epigynum with pair of very low whitish humps.

Females from near Tafraoute very similar to females from type locality but with shorter legs (tibia 1: 8.3, 8.9, 8.9), and with darker abdominal pattern. Female form Ifri Tafounast poorly preserved.

Natural history

At the type locality, this species was very abundant within the cave. In the entrance area, only juveniles were found, and no specimens were seen outside the cave nor in deeper parts of the cave (beyond approximately 10–15 m from the entrance). When disturbed, they vibrated and ran towards the rock, then dropped from the web if the disturbance persisted. Webs were sometimes provided with silk puffs. Near Ida Ougnidif, the spiders were resting very flat on the rock wall, on small mats of silk (diameter ~ 4 cm) that were mostly provided with silk puffs ( Figs 11–12 ); from these small silk mats, larger domed sheets extended that were not set with silk puffs.

Distribution

Known from several localities in the Anti-Atlas, Morocco ( Fig. 163B ). Note, however, that all specimens other than those from near Bouizakarne are assigned tentatively.

Figures

Figs 5–12. Live specimens and webs. 5–6. Holocnemus pluchei (Scopoli, 1763); male and female from Morocco, Imi n’Ifri. 7–8. Holocnemus reini (C. Koch, 1873) comb. nov.; male from Morocco, near Tilamizene; female from Morocco, W of Tamtetoucht. 9–10. Maghreba amezyan gen. et sp. nov., male and female from Morocco, between Lakhssas and Bouizakarne. 11–12. Maghreba amezyan gen. et sp. nov., pair in spotted web, and detail of web with silk puffs, SW of Ida Ougnidif.

Fig. 163. Known distribution of Maghreba gen. nov. A. Complete known distribution, including an undescribed Algerian species in CRB; the approximate extent of the Atlas Mountains is shown (1000 m altitude isolines, taken from https://www.britannica.com/). B. Known distributions of named species. Asterisk: specimens tentatively assigned to M. aurouxi gen. nov.

Figs 164–173.Maghreba amezyan gen.et sp. nov.; male and female from Morocco, between Lakhssasand Bouizakarne (ZFMK Ar 22353, Ar 22354). 164–166. Left procursus, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views; arrow: transparent process. 167–169. Left genital bulb, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views; arrow: deep pocket. 170–171. Male chelicerae, frontal and lateral views. 172–173. Cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views; arrows: pockets (pits). Abbreviations: bs = basal sclerite; dp = dorsal process; ph = prolateral hump; pt = procursus tip; vf = ventral flap; vs = ventral sclerite; vt = ventral teeth. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Figs 174–181. Maghreba amezyan gen. et sp. nov.; male and female from Morocco, between Lakhssas and Bouizakarne (ZFMK Ar 22353, AR 22354). 174. Male right femur 1, retrolateral view. 175– 178. Female abdomen and epigynum, ventral and lateral views. 179–181. Cleared female genitalia, dorsal view with dorsal arc tilted backwards, ventral view, and regular dorsal view; arrows: posterior processes of dorsal arc. Abbreviations: da = dorsal arc; va = ventral arc. Scale bars: 174 = 0.3 mm; 175–181 = 0.5 mm.

Figs 305–312. Maghreba amezyan gen. et sp. nov.; male and female from Morocco, between Lakhssas and Bouizakarne (ZFMK Ar 22353, Ar 22354). 305. Female ocular area and carapace; arrow: posterior process. 306. Male cheliceral apophysis. 307–308. Male and female cheliceral stridulatory files. 309. Right procursus, retrolateral view; arrow: transparent process. 310. Right genital bulb, prolateral (slightly ventral) view; arrow: sperm duct opening. 311–312. Male and female palpal tarsal organs. Abbreviations: dp = dorsal process; pt = procursus tip; vs = ventral sclerite; vt = ventral teeth. Scale bars: 305, 309–310 = 100 µm; 306, 308, 312 = 10 µm; 307, 311 = 20 µm.

Figs 313–321. 313–318. Maghreba amezyan gen. et sp. nov.; male and female from Morocco, between Lakhssas and Bouizakarne (ZFMK Ar 22353, Ar 22354). 313–315. Tarsal organs on male tarsi 1, 2, and 4. 316. Male gonopore. 317. Female spinnerets. 318. Epigynum; arrows: pockets (pits). 319– 321. Maghreba aurouxi (Barrientos, 2019) gen. nov.; males and female from Morocco, SE of Zebzat (ZFMK Ar 22385, Ar 22886). 319. Female carapace; arrow: posterior process. 320–321. Gonopores of two male specimens. Scale bars: 313–315, 317, 320 = 10 µm; 316, 321 = 20 µm; 318–319 = 100 µm.

Figs 203–207. Maghreba saghro gen. et sp. nov.; male from Morocco, between Irherm and Tiferki (ZFMK Ar 22363). 203–205. Left male palp, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views; arrow 1: coxa apophysis; arrow 2: dorsal femur apophysis; arrows 3: femur-patella joints; arrows 4: tibia-tarsus joints. 206–207. Male femora 1 and 2. Scale bars: 203–205 = 0.5 mm; 206–207 = 0.3 mm.

Figs 224–226. Maghreba stifadma gen. et sp. nov.; male from Morocco, Setti-Fatma (ZFMK Ar 22368); left palp, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.