Drassodex heeri ( Pavesi, 1873 )

Hervé, Christophe, Roberts, Michael J. & Murphy, John A., 2009, A taxonomic revision of the genus Drassodex Murphy, 2007 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae), Zootaxa 2171, pp. 1-28 : 12-14

Drassodex heeri ( Pavesi, 1873)

Figs 10–15

Drassus heeri Pavesi, 1873: 126 , fig. 4–6 (male and females syntypes, presumably in Pavia, Italia, not located).

? Drassus hispanus Lebert, 1877: 223 .

? Drassus hypocrita Bösenberg, 1902: 291 , 292, 296, fig. 434.

Drassodes heeri Lessert, 1905: 186 , figs 1–3; Lessert, 1910: 50, figs 41–43; Simon, 1914: 133, 207, figs 219–222 (in part); Reimoser, 1919: 161; Roewer, 1954: 386; Bonnet, 1956: 1566; Wiehle, 1967: 13, figs 48–53;? Tyschchenko, 1971: 95; Grimm, 1985: 109, figs 122, 130–131 (in part); Heimer & Nentwig, 1991: 418, fig. 1104; Canard, 2005: 190.

Drassodex heeri Platnick, 2008 .

Remarks. We did not have the opportunity to examine the syntype specimens of D. heeri described and illustrated by Pavesi (1873) from Ticino ( Switzerland). Examination of numerous specimens collected from several parts of the Alps allow us to consider the presence of at least three, perhaps four (see Remarks under D. drescoi sp. nov.), very similar morphospecies, which can agree at first sight with the illustrations of Pavesi (see also figures of D. drescoi sp. nov., D. aff. drescoi and D. simoni sp. nov.). One of these morphospecies, represented by the specimens collected in Allgäu (illustrated by Wiehle 1967) and in Graubünden Canton, corresponds better with the descriptions and illustrations of Pavesi. We decide here that these specimens belong to D. heeri sensu Pavesi.

Material examined. SWITZERLAND. No specific locality: 1 Ƥ, Nicholson, O. P.-Cambridge collection ( HECO B. 236); 1 Ƥ, 1899, R. J. Pickard-Cambridge, O. P.-Cambridge collection ( HECO B. 236); 1 Ƥ and 1 immature 3, 1906, R. J. Pickard-Cambridge, O. P.-Cambridge collection ( HECO B. 236). Graubünden Canton: 1 Ƥ, 1907, R. Lessert, Simon collection n° 23822 ( MNHN AR 9166). AUSTRIA. Tyrol: Sölden, 1 Ƥ, A. W. Pickard-Cambridge, O. P.-Cambridge collection ( HECO B. 235). GERMANY. Allgäu: 2 Ƥ and 1 3, 2000 –2100 m, Aug. 11–13, 1965, Harms, det. Wiehle ( SMF 22517/13).

Diagnosis. D. heeri can be associated with D. drescoi sp. nov. and D. simoni sp. nov. in a complex of species characterised by the presence of 3 or 4 retrolateral spines on tibiae IV, a large embolar coil looped around twice and spiralling upwards along only one axis ( Figs 12 , 22, 26 ), and a spiral-column shaped coiled duct, following internal contour of the membranous coil ( Figs 11, 15, 17, 19 , 21, 25 ). However, D. heeri can be distinguished from these by the shape of the RTA, almost symmetric, with an inferior prong greatly sharpened and as long as the superior prong ( Fig. 13 ), the blunt tip of the embolar coil ( Figs 12–13 ), and the distal part of the membranous coils, extending and projecting forwards ( Figs 11, 15 ).

Description. Male dimensions (SMF 22517/13): total length 9.72. Carapace 4.43 long, 3.14 wide. Leg I: femur 3.81, patella 2.06, tibia 3.52, metatarsus 2.97, tarsus 1.92, total 14.28. Leg II: femur 3.57, patella 1.83, tibia 2.84, metatarsus 2.65, tarsus 1.74, total 12.63. Leg III: femur 3.29, patella 1.65, tibia 2.48, metatarsus 2.51, tarsus 1.66, total 11.59. Leg IV: femur 4.19, patella 1.84, tibia 3.52, metatarsus 3.85, tarsus 1.92, total 15.32. Leg spination: femora: I, II d1-1-0; III r0-1(0)-1; IV p0-0-1; tibiae: I v1 p(0)-2-0; II v0-2-0; III p1-1(1- 1-1), v2-2 -2, r1-1-1(1-1); IV v2-2 (1p)-2, r1-1-1-1; metatarsi: III v2-1 p(2)-2, r1-2-2; IV v2-2 -2. RTA bifid, superior prong short and strongly curved; inferior prong sharp and as long as superior branch, both almost symmetric ( Fig. 13 ); median apophysis pointing inwards; embolar coil looped almost twice, spiralling upwards along one axis, without terminal apophysis and blunt at its tip ( Figs 12–13 ).

Female dimensions (SMF 22517/13): total length 10.45–11.36. Carapace 4.95–5.14 long, 3.81–3.86 wide. Leg I: femur 3.95–4.03, patella 2.24–2.27, tibia 3.29–3.29, metatarsus 3.03–3.19, tarsus 1.84–1.90, total 14.46–14.57. Leg II: femur 3.74–3.76, patella 2.14–2.22, tibia 2.93–3.02, metatarsus 2.79–2.79, tarsus 1.74–1.79, total 13.45–13.47. Leg III: femur 3.50–3.50, patella 1.86–2.00, tibia 2.64–2.65, metatarsus 2.72–2.72, tarsus 1.67–1.74, total 12.46–12.54. Leg IV: femur 4.50–4.55, patella 2.06–2.15, tibia 3.86–3.87, metatarsus 3.99–4.07, tarsus 1.99–2.06, total 16.48–16.62. Leg spination: femora: I, II d1-1-0; III r0-1-1; IV p0-0-1; tibiae: II v1 p(0)-2-0; III v2-2 -2, r1-1-1(1-1); IV r1-1-1-1; metatarsi: III v2-1 p(0)-2, r1-2-2; IV v2-2 -2, r1(2)-2-2. Atrium, subtriangular, wider than high (0.37–0.49 wide, 0.32–0.36 high, ratio 1.09–1.38), anterior tongue rectangular and projecting posteriorly ( Figs 10, 14 ); copulatory openings narrow, not easily visible in ventral view, clearly separated; membranous coils looped more than twice, with internal contour followed by spiral-column shaped coiled ducts ( Figs 11, 15 ).

Distribution. Central Alps.

Figures

FIGURES 10 – 19. 10 – 15 Drassodex heeri (Pavesi, 1873) (10 – 13 SMF 22517 / 3; 14 – 15 MNHN AR 9166). 10 – 11, 14 – 15 epigyne (10, 14 ventral view; 11, 15 dorsal view); 12 – 13 left male palp (12 ventral view, 13 retrolateral view). 16 – 17 Drassodex simoni sp. nov. (MNHN ARM 034 a, holotype). 16 – 17 epigyne (16 ventral view, 17 dorsal view). 18 – 19 Drassodex aff. drescoi (MNHN AR 9167). 18 – 19 epigyne (18 ventral view, 19 dorsal view). (A = atrium; AA = anterior arch; B = bursa; CD = coiled duct; CO = copulatory opening; EC = embolar coil; FLS = flattened lanceolate structure; IP = inferior prong of the RTA; MA = median apophysis; MC = membranous coil; S = socket; SP = superior prong of the RTA).

FIGURES 20 – 27. 20 – 23 Drassodex simoni sp. nov. (Ledoux collection, after Murphy 2007: figs p. 235). 20 – 21 epigyne (20 ventral view, 21 dorsal view); 22 – 23 left male palp (22 ventral view, 23 retrolateral view). 24 – 27 Drassodex drescoi sp. nov. (24 – 25 Dresco collection, MNHN AR 14598, holotype; 26 – 27 MNHN AR 9167). 24 – 25 epigyne (24 ventral view, 25 dorsal view); 26 – 27 left male palp (26 ventral view, 27 retrolateral view).