Zodarion imroz, Dimitrov, 2020

Dimitrov, Dragomir, 2020, Taxonomic contribution to the genus Zodarion Walckenaer, 1826 in Turkey with description of a new species (Araneae: Zodariidae), Zootaxa 4810 (2), pp. 361-367 : 362

Zodarion imroz spec. nov.

( Figs 1–7 )

Type material. Holotype ♂, Turkey, Gökçeada Island , 15.07.1993, Petar Beron leg. (NMNHS, ARA-Z.0005.1).

Etymology. Named after Imroz, which is one of the old names for Gökçeada Island; name in apposition.

Diagnosis. The new species belongs to the Z. thoni species-group. A close relationship to Zodarion beroni Komnenov & Chatzaki, 2016 is recognized by the smaller size, the presence of a dorsal scutum on the abdomen and the bifurcated apical part of the embolus. The two species can be separated by the following characters: (1) Z. imroz spec. nov. with rectangular MA ( Figs 4 , 6 ) whereas MA of Z. beroni is more irregularly shaped. (2) Z. imroz spec. nov. with characteristically twisted PMA, with triangular end, situated near the embolic base ( Figs 4 , 6 ), while Z. beroni with leaf-shaped PMA, positioned higher ( Komnenov et al. 2016, fig 105–106). (3) Z. imroz spec. nov. with embolus longer and situated much higher above the MA ( Figs 4 , 6 ) than in Z. beroni .

Description. Holotype male ( Figs 1–7 ). Measurements. Total length 2.12; carapace length 1.08, width 0.75; sternum length 0.58, width 0.50; chelicerae length 0.42, width 0.20; clypeus height 0.16; cymbium length 0.45; eye diameters: AME 0.09, ALE 0.06, PME 0.05, PLE 0.05; abdomen length 1.04, width 0.68; leg I—2.95 (0.36, 0.72, 0.29, 0.54, 0.54, 0.50), leg II—2.53 (0.29, 0.58, 0.25, 0.47, 0.47, 0.47), leg III—2.38 (0.32, 0.45, 0.25, 0.43, 0.50, 0.43), leg IV—(0.40, 0.90, 0.30, -, -, -). The last 3 segments of the leg IV missing.

Colouration. Carapace orange to light brown, smooth and shiny, lighter in anterior part, with dark brownishgray pattern posteriorly ( Fig 1 ). Anterior eye row region black. Fovea dark brown. The margin of the carapace bordered with narrow brownish-gray strip. Legs and sternum orange, a little lighter than the carapace. Chelicerae the same color as carapace. Palpal segments the same color as the legs. Dorsal scutum of the abdomen brown, with metallic glint and faint darker pattern ( Fig 2 ). Ventral side of abdomen yellowish in centre, darker in anterior and posterior ends ( Fig 3 ). Colulus pale orange. Spinnerets white.

Other somatic characters. Posterior eye row strongly recurved. AME much larger than the other eyes. Distance PME-PME 0.13. ALE and PLE close to AME, distance 0.02. Distance AME-AME 0.02. Chelicerae with opistognathic position. Femoral organ with 3 or 4 setae. Abdomen oval, with 2 spinnerets and dorsal scutum covering its whole length. Colulus represented by a broad, narrow hairy plate.

Palp ( Figs 4–7 ). RTA notched dorsally in distal part, with sharp black tip ( Figs 5 , 7 ). Bulbus oval. Embolus long and thin, starting approximately at 8 o’clock and ending at 2 o’clock, apical part forked. MA large, rectangular with characteristically twisted prolateral process with triangular prolaterad end ( Figs 4 , 6 ).

Female unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig 16 ).

Remarks. Although Z. imroz spec. nov. is described from only one male specimen, it is highly unlikely to be the unknown male of an already described species, having in mind that there are no Zodarion species known only by females from Turkey. Also, none of the two Greek species known only by females belongs to Z. thoni -group.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Distribution map.

FIGURES 1–5. Zodarion imroz spec. nov., holotype male (NMNHS, ARA-Z.0005.1). 1, carapace, dorsal view; 2, abdomen, dorsal view; 3, abdomen, lateral view; 4, left palp, ventral view; 5, left palp, retrolateral view.

FIGURES 6–7. Zodarion imroz spec. nov., holotype male (NMNHS, ARA-Z.0005.1) left palp. 6, ventral view; 7, retrolateral view. Scale bar, 0.2 mm.