Singa ammophila, Levy, Gershom, 2007

Levy, Gershom, 2007, Calommata (Atypidae) and new spider species (Araneae) from Israel, Zootaxa 1551, pp. 1-30 : 27

Singa ammophila n. sp.

Figs. 67–69

Holotype. adult female from sands east of Elifaz , Arava Valley (697181/298096), Israel, leg. Uri Shanas, April 23, 2004, pitfall trap ( HUJ 15429); male unknown.

Etymology. The specific name denotes the sandy habitat of this species, from Greek: ammos = sand, philos = loving.

Description. Female. Carapace brown, eyes encircled with black, labium and sternum yellow. Rebordered labium wider than long. Chelicerae with two pro- and one retromarginal teeth. Opisthosoma generally beige coloured with dark dorsal pattern (Fig.67); venter with large median light patch.

Measurements (holotype + 1 Ψ; holotype listed first): total length 3.0, 3.5; carapace length 1.2, 1.2, width 1.0, 1.0, index 1.2; clypeus index 1.3, 1.6; leg lengths: I 3.5, 3.2, II 3.3, 3.2, III 2.7, 2.8, IV 3.9, 3.7; patellatibia index 1.0, 0.9.

Epigynum . Light, flat scape with shallow median concavity extends on upper sides to deep orifices (Fig. 68). Orifices flanked on sides by sclerotic extensions of median, black round bulges (Fig. 68). Inner extensions of structures, visible posteriorly in raised epigynum (Fig. 69).

Diagnosis. Based on female. The epigynal plate of Singa ammophila n. sp. slightly resembles that of S. neta (O.P.-Cambridge) but it can be easily separated, also from all other Singa species, by the peculiar black swellings on the epigynum and by the shape of the lateral epigynal orifices.

Distribution. Israel: known only from the sands of the type locality.

Comments. Two adult females were collected so far by using pitfall traps. One was taken in April the other in October. The shiny black and white spotted congener S. neta that is known from rather diverse localities in Israel ( Levy 1984) occurs also in the southern Arava but there it was found only in the salt marshes east of Yotvata and En Avrona, not on drifting sands.