Gorbiscape hichamelguerrouji Lecigne, 2026

Gorbiscape hichamelguerrouji Lecigne View in CoL sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

Figs 1 View Fig , 7–8 View Fig , Table 1

Diagnosis

The male of Gorbiscape hichamelguerrouji Lecigne sp. nov. resembles that of G. amazighus but the tegular apophysis of the new species does not bear any basal outgrowth and only its tip is curved ventrally (vs tegular apophysis evenly curved ventrally with long, digitiform basal outgrowth in G. amazighus ) (cf. Fig. 7G View Fig , TeA vs Fig. 5C and Zamani & Marusik 2025: 325, fig. 3C, Ob). Furthermore, the dorsal margin of the patellar apophysis of G. hichamelguerrouji sp. nov. is concave at the base (vs evenly convex in G. amazighus ) (cf. Fig. 7G View Fig , PA vs Fig. 5D). The female of the new species can be distinguished by their subcircular spermathecae widely spaced, i.e., 1.25 times their horizontal diameter ( Fig. 8H, Sp).

Etymology

In naming this species, the first author wished to pay special tribute to one of the greatest athletic champions of all time, for his abnegation, for the image he has given to his sport, and for the generations of young athletes he has and will continue to inspire. To Mr. Hicham El Guerrouj.

Material examined

Holotype

MOROCCO – Berkane Prov. • ♂; Berkane, Ifrane Yaâcoube, Takerbouste , Jbel Tamajjout , Zegzel road; 34.86460° N, 2.36360° W; 430 m a.s.l.; 23 May 2025; S. Lecigne leg.; arid, stony grassland, under stone, by hand; CSL MOR_2286 ; SMF. Remarks: left pedipalp detached.

GoogleMaps

Paratype

MOROCCO – Berkane Prov. • 1 ♀; same data as for holotype; SMF. Remarks: immature specimen raised to maturity. Epigyne detached.

GoogleMaps

Other material examined

MOROCCO – Al Haouz Prov. • 1 ♀; Oukaïmeden ; 31.22789° N, 7.82222° W; 2330 m a.s.l.; 31 Mar. 2023; S. Lecigne and S. Moutaouakil leg.; wooded mountain slope, under stone, by hand; CSL MOR_0809 . Remarks: epigyne detached GoogleMaps . – Berkane Prov. • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype GoogleMaps .

Description

Male holotype ( Fig. 7 View Fig )

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 9.15; carapace 3.75 long, 2.65 wide; palpal femora 1.45 long; cymbium 1.33 long.

Colour in ethanol ( Fig. 7A–B View Fig ). Carapace dorsally with 3 light (one median, widened at both ends, and two marginal) and 2 dark submarginal longitudinal stripes, widened in median section. Chelicerae brown. Sternum yellowish with brown central mark; margins with broad dark band. Legs: coxae and trochanters pale yellow; femora, patellae and tibiae pale brown, metatarsi and tarsi paler; femora ventrally with vague darker marks. Abdomen: clear dorsal median stripe with small white guanine spots, its margins underlined with black undulated line; cardiac mark reddish-brown; sides pale brown with elongated dark spots; ventrally, clear median stripe with small white guanine dots, framed on each side by vague darker dotted line.

Carapace. Chelicerae: fang groove with 3 teeth on outer margin and 2 subequal teeth on inner margin ( Fig. 7B View Fig ).

Palp ( Fig. 7C–H View Fig ). Femora long, about 1.1 times as long as cymbium. Patella with large apophysis, thin and translucent, greyish, dorsally inclined, dorsal margin concave ( Fig. 7G View Fig , PA). Tibia with finger-like ventro-retrolateral apophysis (lateral view) and small, blunt dorso-retrolateral tubercle ( Fig. 7G View Fig , dotted arrow). Cymbium 1.9 times as long as wide; bulb about 1.4 times as long as wide, barely inclined outwards. Tegular apophysis: basal part fairly broad; upper part narrow, slightly inclined inwards ( Fig. 7H View Fig , TeA), tip directed ventrally ( Fig. 7G View Fig , TeA). Conductor: wide, almost flat, translucent lamella, longer than embolus, tip rounded ( Fig. 7H View Fig , see C). Embolus broad, gradually tapering; apical part heavily sclerotized, curved and pointing ventrally ( Fig. 7G View Fig , see E).

Female paratype ( Fig. 8; as in male except as noted)

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 10.40; carapace 4.75 long, 3.25 wide.

Colour on live specimen ( Fig. 8A–B). The three dorsal light bands on the carapace whitish in appearance; as well as ventral side ( Fig. 8B).

Colour in ethanol ( Fig. 8C). As in male.

Epigyne/vulva ( Fig. 8D–H). Scape distinct, subtriangular ( Fig. 8D, Sc). Epigynal plate moderately sclerotized, thick; posterior margin swollen, forming a prominent transverse bulge ( Fig. 8D). Copulatory openings: small pits located laterally, directed ventrally ( Fig. 8D, CO). Spermathecae subcircular, separated by 1.25 times their horizontal diameter ( Fig. 8H, Sp), surmounted by short membranous copulatory duct ( Fig. 8H, CD).

Variation

MEASUREMENTS. Male (n = 2): total length 9.15–9.40; carapace 3.75–3.95 long, 2.65–2.70 wide, CL/CW 1.42– 1.46. Female (n = 2): total length 10.15–10.40; carapace 3.9–4.75 long, 2.60–3.25 wide, CL/CW 1.46–1.50.

Distribution and habitat

Endemic to Morocco? To date, known from two localities in mountainous environment: the type locality near Jbel Tamajjout ( Beni-Snassen) in the Rif Mountains, and Oukaïmeden in the High Atlas. It inhabits shrubby slope, under stone.

Compiled from data in Table 1 View Table 1 .

Morocco, Berkane, Oriental ; ( Table 1 View Table 1 ) .