Setaphis mccowani, Russell-Smith, 2017

Russell-Smith, Anthony, 2017, New species and new records of ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Cyprus, Zootaxa 4329 (3), pp. 237-255 : 247-248

Setaphis mccowani sp. n.

Figs 27–28

Diagnosis. By having metatarsal preening combs and characteristically coiled copulatory ducts, this species has the distinctive characters of the genus Setaphis . It is distinguished by the wide, open epigynal cavity formed by separated anterior margins and by a medially pointed (V-shaped) posterior margin and by the characteristically coiled copulatory ducts located only in the posterior part of the epigynal cavity and ending to bipartite bean shaped spermathecae. None of the currently known species of the genus share this combination of characters (but see comments).

Holotype: female, Cyprus, Agridi near Dali, grass in lawn of a garden, 01.VII.2009, leg. D. McCowan.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition, in honour of Duncan McCowan ( Cyprus), who has contributed substantially to the collection of the material here presented and is the only active arachnologist in Cyprus.

Description. Female (holotype). Small spider of yellow colouration. All femurs and Pa/Ti of the first two legs seem darker and possibly in nature they are brown, although in the only specimen available to us the colour appears faded. Measurements: TL 3.909; CL 1.249; CW 0.914; AL 2.309. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.041, PME 0.038x0.051, PLE 0.046, ALE 0.061 AME-AME 0.025 (½ of AME diameter), AME-ALE almost touching, PME- PME (min/max) 0.038/0.057, PME-PLE 0.036. All eyes pearly white with black surroundings except for AME which are black. PER slightly procurved to straight, AER recurved. Cephalothorax with widening thoracic region and fovea at posterior third of its length. Right and left chelicera differently armed: retromargin with 2-3 denticles and promargin and 3-4 teeth and 1 denticle. Labium 0.176 long, 0.185 wide at its base. Sternum 0.768 long, 0.641 wide. Legs sizes are IV>I>II>III. Leg spination: Leg I: Fe 1-2d Mt 4v; Leg II: Fe 1-2d Mt 4v; Leg III: Fe 6d Pa 1rl Ti/Mt spinose; Leg IV: Fe 4d Ti/Mt spinose. Epigyne ( Fig. 27 ) with broad medially separated anterior margin wider than lateral epigynal margins. Lateral epigynal margins parallel and short, leaving most of epigynal cavity open, medially merging to create a median posterior point. Vulva ( Fig. 28 ). Spermathecae with ventral bean-shaped chambers (S 1 in Fig. 27 ) and with dorsal round chambers (S 2 in Fig. 28 ) leading to coiled tubular copulatory ducts.

Comments. In the revision by Platnick and Murphy (1996), the females of all the Setaphis species recorded form (grosso modo) M-shaped epigynal margins and coiled copulatory ducts which cover the whole of the epigynal plate. Our species deviates from this pattern (V-shaped epigynal frame and copulatory ducts not so expanded), but still we believe that it conforms more to this genus rather than to Zelotes or any other zelotine. When the matching male is found, it may turn out that it belongs to a new genus, but in the absence of it, we tentatively place it to Setaphis .

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Figures

FIGURES 27 – 28. Setaphis mccowani sp. n. holotype. 27. Epigyne. 28. Vulva. S 1, S 2: ventral and dorsal chambers of bipartite spermathecae.