Xysticus sansan, Levy, Gershom, 2007

Levy, Gershom, 2007, Calommata (Atypidae) and new spider species (Araneae) from Israel, Zootaxa 1551, pp. 1-30 : 25

Xysticus sansan n. sp.

Figs. 63, 64

Holotype. adult male from Har Sansan Reserve (696459/508994), Israel, leg. Yael Mandelik, May 14, 2002, pitfall trap ( HUJ 15473); female unknown.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality.

Description. Male. Body covered by short, strong bristles. Carapace of male deep brown veined with black. Light opisthosoma with dorsal oval brown pattern mottled with white and black spots. Legs brown with white spots at articulations and fine, white line running along dorsal side.

Measurements (holotype): total length 4.3; carapace length 2.0, width 2.0, index 1.0; femur II length 2.1, width 0.5, length/width 4.2.

Palpus. Tibia with ventral, intermediate and retrolateral apophyses (Figs. 63, 64). Tutaculum triangular. Tegulum, close to center, with brown sclerotic process; black embolus encircles tegulum one and a half times and ends with slight twist projecting outwards (Figs. 63, 64).

Diagnosis. Based on male. Xysticus sansan n. sp. differs distinctly from all other Xysticus species by the peculiar process on the palpal tegulum, and the uncommon long embolus ending with an outward bend far away from the tutaculum.

Distribution. Israel: known only from the type locality at the foothills of Judea.