Pterotricha kovblyuki Zamani & Marusik, 2018

Zamani, Alireza, Al-Yacoub, Ghassan A. Ali & Abdullah Najim, Shurooq, 2022, New data on Gnaphosidae (Arachnida, Araneae) of Iraq, Evolutionary Systematics 6 (2), pp. 143-150 : 143

Pterotricha kovblyuki Zamani & Marusik, 2018

Figs 1F , 5D-F

Identification.

Zamani et al. (2018), Zamani (2018).

Material.

IRAQ: Najaf Province: 14♂ 1♀ (MMBC), Ash Shabakah camp, 150 km SW of Najaf, [30°48'N, 43°39'E], 260 m, stone desert, 18.1.1979 (O. Jakeš) ; 19♂ 2♀ (MMBC), same locality, 11.2.1978 (O. Jakeš) ; 5♂ (MMBC), same locality, 16.10.1972 (O. Jakeš) .

Emended diagnosis.

The female of P. kovblyuki differs from that of P. dalmasi by the round anterior hood (Ah) (vs. subdivided by a median pointed protrusion; Fig. 5E cf. Fig. 5B ). Epigyne of P. kovblyuki is most similar to that of P. algerica Dalmas, 1921 and P. egens Denis, 1966 by having round anterior hood (Fig. 5E cf. Denis 1966: fig. 8 and Dalmas 1921: fig. 29), but can be distinguished from them by diverging lateral margins (Lm) of the fovea (vs. almost parallel), and anterior hood narrower than posterior part of fovea (vs. equal in width). For the male, see Zamani et al. (2018).

Description.

Female. Habitus as in Fig. 1F . Total length 8.75. Carapace 2.90 long, 2.30 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.21, ALE: 0.21, PLE: 0.20, PME: 0.22. Carapace, chelicerae, sternum, maxillae and labium light brown. Chelicerae with a promarginal tooth and a retromarginal bifurcate serrated keel. Abdomen light beige, with 3 pairs of sigilla and, in some individuals, slightly darker cardiac mark. Spinnerets light yellowish brown, uniform in color. Legs colored as carapace, without annulations. Measurements of legs: I: 9.81 (2.75, 1.19, 2.16, 2.05, 1.66), II: 9.66 (2.56, 1.25, 2.00, 2.12, 1.73), III: 9.78 (2.35, 1.21, 1.88, 2.46, 1.88), IV: 12.53 (3.12, 1.35, 2.66, 3.23, 2.17).

Epigyne as in Fig. 5D-F ; plate almost as long as wide; anterior hood with round margin and large lateral diverticula (Ld); lateral margin of fovea diverging; posterior part of fovea wider than anterior hood; receptacles (Re) and accessorial glands (Ag) diverging anteriorly.

Male. See Zamani et al. (2018).

Distribution.

Iraq, Iran and United Arab Emirates.

Comment.

In Iraq, it was previously reported from Thi Qar Province ( Al-Yacoub et al. 2021b). The current material represents the westernmost record of the species across its known range.

Genus Zelotes Gistel, 1848

Figures

Figure 1. Habitus of male (A, D, E) and female (B, C, F) gnaphosids, dorsal view. A, B. Minosiella intermedia Denis, 1958; C. Marinarozelotes jaxartensis (Kroneberg, 1875); D. Odontodrassus aravaensis Levy, 1999; E. Pterotricha dalmasi Fage, 1929; F. Pterotricha kovblyuki Zamani & Marusik, 2018.

Figure 5. Epigynes of Pterotricha dalmasi Fage, 1929 (A-C) and Pterotricha kovblyuki Zamani & Marusik, 2018 (D-F). A, D. intact epigyne, ventral view; B, E. macerated epigyne, ventral view; C, F. vulva, dorsal view. Abbreviations: Ag - accessorial gland; Ah - anterior hood; Ld - lateral duct; Lm - lateral margin; Re - receptacle.