Megamyrmaekion caudatum Reuss, 1834

Levy, Gershom, 2009, New ground-spider genera and species with annexed checklist of the Gnaphosidae (Araneae) of Israel, Zootaxa 2066, pp. 1-49 : 14-16

Megamyrmaekion caudatum Reuss, 1834

Figs 29–32

Megamyrmaekion caudatum Reuss, 1834: 217 , pl. 18, fig. 12; holotype, immature Ψ from Egypt, leg. E. Rueppell (SMF, 2864; examined). Levy, 1999b: 442 Ψ from Israel (not the mis-associated ♂ here transferred to M. hula n. sp.; see below).

Note. Pitfall trapping elicited matching pairs and drawings of fresh material were newly prepared.

Megamyrmecion pumilum Simon, 1885:38 , ♂ type from Gabes, Tunisia, leg. M. Sedillot (MNHN, B. 627, Ar. 4727; examined). n. syn.

Zelotes fuscorufus (not Simon, 1878). Caporiacco, 1933: 318; ♂ from Es Sahabi, Libya (MSNG, no numeration; examined). Misidentification.

Description. Body and legs hirsute, drab yellow. Male without dorsal scutum. Eyes large, closely grouped with AME largest. Chelicerae with 2 teeth (a third one is barely visible). First pair of legs shortest.

Male. Measurements (10ɗɗ): total length 4.7–7.5; carapace length 2.2–3.8, width 1.7–2.8, index 1.20–1.36; labial index 1.0–1.2; clypeal index 0.66–1.0; MOQ index 5.0–5.9; legs length: I 6.2–9.9, II 6.3–10.2, III 6.4–10.6, IV 8.5–13.1; patella-tibia index 0.96–1.07.

Palpus. Narrow with short, fine embolar tip projecting apically among light tapering laminae ( Fig. 29 ). Broad retrolateral tibial apophysis armed with strong perpendicular process ( Figs 29, 30 ).

Female. Measurements (8ΨΨ): total length 4.4–9.5; carapace length 2.2–3.9, width 1.8–3.0, index 1.16–1.41; labial index 1.05–1.29; clypeal index 0.61–1.11; MOQ index 5.83–6.88; legs length: I 6.3–10.2, II 6.4–10.3, III 6.6–10.8, IV 8.3–13.8; patella-tibia index 1.0.

Epigynum . Sclerotized rim encircles median cavity with two coned protuberances ( Fig. 31 ). Brown spermathecae consist of globular and oblong bodies connected by narrow duct ( Fig. 32 ).

Diagnosis. The male palpus with the peculiar salient process on the tibial apophysis, and the epigynal plate of the female with protruding cones and the shape of the spermathecal structure distinguish M. caudatum from all other Megamyrmaekion species.

Distribution. Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia. Records. Israel: Ginnosar, Kadoorie, En Harod and along the Arava Valley to Elat.

Comments. Adults were collected the year round. Body size varies greatly in both sexes, with the southern specimens found in the Arava Valley being the smallest.

Figures

FIGURES 29, 30. Megamyrmaekion caudatum Reuss, 1834, ♂, left palpus. 29. Ventral view. 30. Tibia dorsal view.

FIGURES 31, 32. Megamyrmaekion caudatum Reuss, 1834, Ψ. 31. Epigynum, ventral view. 32. Spermathecae, dorsal (inner) view.