Poecilochroa

Russell-Smith, Anthony, 2017, New species and new records of ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Cyprus, Zootaxa 4329 (3), pp. 237-255 : 242-243

Poecilochroa sp.

Figs 13 ̄15

Diagnosis. The species is diagnosed by the presence of a straight tibial retrolateral apophysis, not shared by any other known species of the genus.

Material examined. 2 ♂♂, Cyprus, Fassouri Reed Beds , in grassland, Akrotiri, 04.V.2007, leg. M. Askins.

Description. Medium sized, uniformly yellow spiders. Measurements: TL 4.26; CL 1.884; CW 1.125; AL 2.321. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.133, PME 0.092x0.075, PLE 0.122, ALE 0.061 AME-AME 0.071, AME-ALE 0.022, PME-PME (min/max) 0.082/0.153, PME-PLE 0.049. All eyes round and pearly white to grey except for PME which are slightly oblique. AME largest and on a black surround. Distance between AME ca half their diameter. PER procurved, AER recurved. Chelicera with keel at PM, RM toothless. Labium 0.245 long, 0.203 wide at its base. Sternum 1.120 long, 0.725 wide. Fovea very discrete in posterior third of cephalothorax. Scutum rectangular, covering about half of abdominal dorsal surface. Leg sizes are IV>I>II>III. Leg spination: Leg I: Fe 4d Ti 1pl 2v Mt 2v; Leg II: Fe 2-4d Ti 0-1d 1pl 2v Mt 2v; Leg III: Fe 3-6d Pa 1rl Ti/Mt spinose; Leg IV: Fe 2-4d Ti 2- 3rl 2pl 4v Mt spinose. Palp ( Figs 13 ̄15). Tibial apophysis straight, acute with tapering tip. Spermophore bulging at middle of tegulum. Median apophysis S-shaped and almost fully covered by membranous tegular fold. Embolus small with pointed tip on prolateral side of tegulum.

Comments. Poecilochroa sp. is assigned to the Echemus group ( Murphy, 2007), as it does not bear the black and white abdominal markings, characteristic to all the Poecilochroa which belong to the Herpyllus group. In the absence of a matching female Poecilochroa collected from the same area, it is not certain whether the species is new, or if it is the matching male of some of the various congeners already described on the basis of females only, occurring in neighboring regions (e.g. P. incompta (Pavesi, 1880) from Tunisia or P. golan Levy, 1999 from Israel). For this reason we give the description of this male, but we are reluctant in assigning a new species name.

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 15. Poecilochroa sp. male. Left palp. 13. Ventral view. 14. Retrolateral view. 15. Prolateral view.