Lycosa hyraculus, Steinpress & Cohen & Pétillon & Chipman & Gavish-Regev, 2022

Steinpress, Igor Armiach, Cohen, Mira, Pétillon, Julien, Chipman, Ariel D. & Gavish-Regev, Efrat, 2022, Lycosa Latreille, 1804 (Araneae, Lycosidae) of Israel, with a note on Geolycosa Montgomery, 1904, European Journal of Taxonomy 832 (1), pp. 1-54 : 18-25

Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:8BA7C78F-E972-41B9-B7AC-C65ECA9B67E2

Figs 1 , 2C , 3C , 4C , 5C , 6C, F , 7B, F , 8B–D , 9B , 10B , 11C–D , 12C , 19 , 21B , 22B , 23–24

Diagnosis

Male TER not bent posteriorly, directed retrolaterally. Contrasts with L. gesserit sp. nov. by having TAT as long as CTA (TAT as shorter than CTA in L. gesserit ). Contrasts with all other known males of Lycosa , with TER bent posteriorly ( Figs 2C , 3C , 4C , 5C , 6C, F , 7C , 19 ).

Female

Recognized by combination of characters: ocular area:>⅓ length of carapace, distinctly raised, making the carapace between PLE and fovea appear slightly concave in profile. Epigyne: septal pedicel reduced, septum trapezoidal, broader proximally, wider than long. Copulatory openings narrow, at anterior end of septum. Carapace resembles L. oculata , L. suboculata , and L. macrophthalma , but in these species the septum is longer than wide. Carapace also resembles Lycosa sp. , but in this species the copulatory openings are not visible in ventral view. Epigyne similar to L. piochardi and L. baulnyi , but in these species the ocular area is not distinctly raised, and is <⅓ length of carapace ( Figs 6C, F , 7C, F , 9B , 10B , 11C–D ).

Etymology

Species name from Hyrax. This species often leaves the entrance to its burrow open. This behavior reminded the authors of an Israeli nursery rhyme, in which “the little hyrax forgot to close the door”.

Type material

Holotype ISRAEL – Negev • ♂; Sede Zin; [30.854° N, 34.773° E]; 13 Aug. 2016; I. Steves leg.; HUJ INV-AR20818 .

Paratype ISRAEL – Negev • ♀; same collection data as for holotype; HUJ INV-AR20817 .

Other material examined

EGYPT – Sinai • 1 juv.; Al-Qusaymah ( Kadesh Barnea ); [30.668° N, 34.366° E]; 13 Nov. 1967; P. Amitai leg.; HUJ INV-AR20840 •

ISRAEL – Negev • 1 ♀; Ha-Ro’a Campsite ; [30.876° N, 34.784° E]; 14 Jun. 2015; E. Gavish-Regev leg.; HUJ INV-AR20658 • 1 ♂; Haluqim ridge ; [30.86° N, 34.77° E]; 24 Jul. 2018; E. Gavish-Regev leg.; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20663 • 1 juv.; Hawat Even Ari; [30.786° N, 34.77° E]; 3 Jan. 2018; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20942 • 1 ♂; Mamshit; 7 Nov. 2017; A. Uzan leg.; HUJ INV-AR20553 • 1 juv.; Midreshet Ben-Gurion ; [30.854° N, 34.773° E]; 22 Oct. 2018; I. Armiach Steinpress leg.; HUJ INV-AR20737 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; HUJ INV-AR20738 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; HUJ INV-AR20739 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20740 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20741 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20742 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20743 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20744 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20745 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20746 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20747 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20748 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20749 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20750 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20757 • 1 ♂; Mishor Yamin; [31.003° N, 35.1° E]; 11 May 2014; S. Aharon leg.; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20855 • 1 ♂; Shivta camp ; [30.9245° N, 34.6244° E]; 22 Oct. 2018; O. Erlichman leg.; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20835 • 1 juv.; Tel Jaulan, Yeruham ; [30.985° N, 34.904° E]; 10 Oct. 1962; P. Amitai leg.; HUJ INV-AR20836 • 1 ♀; Yeruham; [30.985° N, 34.9° E]; 1 Apr. 2017; A. Novikova leg.; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR 20523 • 1 juv.; same locality as for preceding; 29 Jul. 2018; E. Gavish-Regev leg.; col. juv.; HUJ INV-AR20616 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; HUJ INV-AR20620 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20617 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20618 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20619 • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 2 Jun. 2016; E. Zvik; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20665 • 1 juv.; same locality as for preceding; 19 Jul. 2019; Y. Zvik leg.; col. sub.; HUJ INV-AR20868 • 1 ♂; Yeruham Park ; 2 Jun. 2016; Y. Zvik leg.; HUJ INV-AR20874 • 1 juv.; same collection data as for preceding; HUJ INV-AR20875 .

Description

Male

HOLOTYPE MEASUREMENTS. AME diameter: 0.4; ALE diameter: 0.35; PME diameter: 1.25; PLE diameter: 0.99; carapace length: 9.71; carapace width: 7.28; carapace maximal height: 3.59; abdomen length: 6.9; leg I (Fe, Pa, Ti, Mt, Tr): 7.9, 3.54, 6.45, 6.48, 3.67; leg II: 7.31, 3.7, 5.58, 6.93, 3.76; leg III: (missing), 2.88, 5.03, 6.82, 3.57; leg IV: 8.99, 3.56, 7.14, 9.35, 4.07.

VARIATION IN MALES COLLECTED AS ADULTS (n = 2, all other male adults collected as juveniles). AME diameter: 0.28–0.44; PME diameter: 0.9–1.19; carapace length: 0.78–10.03; carapace width: 0.59–7.75; carapace maximal height: 2.78–3.36; abdomen length: 5.9–6.5; leg I (Fe, Pa, Ti, Mt, Tr): 6.44–7.7, 3.02– 3.68, 5.5–6.7, 5.84–7.3, 3–3.23; leg II: 6.19–8.2, 2.7–3.6, 5–6.36, 5.66–7.36, 3.1–3.8; leg III: 5.85–7.66, 2.4–3.36, 4.5–5.72, 6.2–7.58, 2.8–3.43; leg IV: 7.5–9.42, 2.8–3.59, 6.06–10, 8.03–10.33, 4.03–4.26.

CARAPACE. Ocular area>⅓ length of carapace, distinctly raised, making the carapace between PLE and fovea appear slightly concave in profile.

COLOR. Carapace cream colored, with light brown median bands, radiated and darker on margins, connecting to dark ocular area. Perimeter light brown. Sternum black. Chelicerae reddish-brown. Abdomen yellow infused with light brown dorsad, cardiac mark brown, darker on margins. Abdomen venter black posterior to epigastric fold. Genital opening brown. Spinnerets black. Legs cream colored, infused with brown dorsad, yellowish ventrad, to reddish-brown distad, with two black bands on tibia. Coxae dark grey, trochanters brown. Pedipalps yellow, to dark brown distad ( Figs 6C , 7C , 8C–D ).

COLOR VARIATION IN MALES (n = 5). Abdominal black patch sometimes traspezoidal, narrow distad; sometimes short, not reaching spinnerets. Spinnerets sometimes grey, brown or yellow.

GENITALIA. Genital opening sclerotized, similar to subadult female epigyne. Cymbium reddish-brown. Tegular apophysis (TA) lying flat on bulb, oriented retrolaterally. TAT highly sclerotized, dark brown, not bent posteriorly (unlike most other species of Lycosa ), slightly bent ventrad. CTA with smooth edge, and abrupt, rounded end at base of TAT. Tip of conductor membranous, triangular, with smooth edges. Synembolus with small, slightly sclerotized lobe (SEL), on retrolateral edge ( Figs 2C , 3C , 4C , 5C , 19 ).

LEGS. Metatarsus I ventral spination: 2 pairs + apical pair. Tibia I ventral spination: 2 pairs + apical pair. Tarsus with scopula.

Female

PARATYPE MEASUREMENTS. AME diameter: 0.44; PME diameter: 1.6; carapace length:10.97; carapace width: 7.96; carapace maximal height: 3.96; abdomen length: 10.88; leg I (Fe, Pa, Ti, Mt, Tr): 8.18, 3.75, 6.07, 5.62, 3.1; leg II: 7.56, 3.7, 5.56, 6.03, 3.1; leg III: 6.34, 3.28, 5, 6.72, 3.29; leg IV: 8.25, 3.66, 6.84, 8.66, 3.75.

VARIATION OF AN ADDITIONAL FEMALE COLLECTED AS ADULT (n = 1, all other female adults collected as juveniles). AME diameter: 0.55; PME diameter: 1.35; carapace length: 10.7; carapace width: 8.2; carapace maximal height: 4.02; abdomen length: 9.98; leg I (Fe, Pa, Ti, Mt, Tr): 8, 3.9, 6.3, 5.5, 3.17; leg II: 8.06, 4, 5.87, 6.26, 3.6; leg III: 7.45, 3.6, 5.56, 6.94, 3.53; leg IV: 9.64, 3.7, 7.46, 10.2, 4.23.

CARAPACE. Similar to male.

COLOR. Similar to male. No significant variation observed ( Figs 6F , 7F , 8C ).

GENITALIA. Epigyne longer than wide. Septal pedicel reduced, narrower than septum. Septum trapezoidal, wider proximally, about as long as proximal part of epigyne. Copulatory openings narrow, flanking septal pedicel. Spermatheca dark brown, compact, distal part arching laterally. Head of spermatheca distinctly wider than sperm duct, subcircular, positioned anterior to copulatory opening ( Figs 9B , 10B , 11C–D ).

LEGS. Similar to male.

Natural history

This species is nocturnal. Females were collected March, June, August and September. Males collected June, August and September. Subadult females were collected April and June. Subadult males were collected May, July and September. Juveniles were collected January, June, July and October ( Table 4 ). Reproductive season unknown. This species inhabits loess soils in arid desert environments (annual precipitation 75–200 mm). The burrow usually with a modification in the form of a thin, flexible door made of silk and soil, and hinged to the entrance with silk. Rarely an object such as a piece of soil crust or a flat stone can be used as a door. The door is often left open. The spiders are usually found at night, standing near the burrow, rarely on rocks or vegetation. Captive specimens accept a wide variety of insects, similar to other species of Lycosa ( Steves et al. 2017) ( Figs 8C–D , 21B , 22B ).

Distribution

EGYPT, ISRAEL.

Records

EGYPT: Sinai (Al-Qusaymah (Kadesh Barnea)). ISRAEL: Negev (Ha-Ro’a Campsite, Haluqim ridge, Hawat Even Ari, Mamshit, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Mishor Yamin, Sede Zin, Shivta camp, Yeruham) ( Fig. 1 ).

Relationships

According to our molecular phylogey, this species is the sister taxon of Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., and closely related to Lycosa oculata , Lycosa aff. oculata 1 and Lycosa aff. oculata 2. The cephalothorax is morphologically similar to Lycosa macrophthalma Nadolny & Zamani, 2020 and the species might be related to it as well ( Figs 23–24 ).

Figures

Fig. 1. Collecting localities for this study (small map points to a locality in southern Sinai). ■: Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838.x: Lycosa gesseritsp. nov. o: Lycosasp. ★: Lycosa hyraculussp. nov. ●: Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876. Isohyets represent mean annual precipitation in mm. Arrows point to localities represented in molecular phylogeny.

Fig. 2. ♂♂ Pedipalps, ventral view. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838 (HUJ INV-AR20960). B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20631). C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20818). D. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (HUJ INV-AR20948). E. Lycosa praegrandis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Veles, North Macedonia; 1 Jun. 2002; courtesy of Marjan Komnenov). Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 3. Male pedipalps, prolateral view. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838 (HUJ INV-AR20960). B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20631). C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20818). D. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (HUJ INV-AR20948). Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 4. Male pedipalps retrolateral view. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838 (HUJ INV-AR20960). B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20631). C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20818). D. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (HUJ INV-AR20948). Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 5. Male pedipalps, distal view. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838 (HUJ INV-AR20960). B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20631). C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20818). D. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (HUJ INV-AR20948). Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 6.Habitus, dorsal view. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20961). B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20631). C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20818). D. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20597). E. Lycosa sp., ♀ (HUJ INV-AR20573). F. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., paratype, ♀ (HUJ INV-AR20817). G. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876, ♀ (SMFD11934). Scale bars = 10 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 7. Habitus, ventral view. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20961). B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20631). C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20818). D. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20597). E. Lycosa sp., ♀ (HUJ INV-AR20573). F. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., paratype, ♀ (HUJ INV-AR20817). G. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876, ♀ (SMFD11934). Scale bars = 10 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 8. Live specimens. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838. B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20631) C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., juveniles. D. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., ♂ (specimen not collected). E. Hogna (cf.) graeca (specimen not collected). F. Hogna effera (O. Pickard- Cambridge, 1872). Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 9. Epigynes, ventral view. A. Lycosa sp. (HUJ INV-AR20573). B. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., paratype (HUJ INV-AR20817). C–L. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876. C. HUJ INV-AR20607. D. HUJ INV-AR20912. E. HUJ INV-AR20671. F. SMFD2184. G. HUJ INV-AR20963. H. HUJ INV-AR20709. I. HUJ INV-AR20897. J. HUJ INV-AR20530. K. HUJ INV-AR20860. L. HUJ INV-AR20758. M. Lycosa praegrandis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Veles, North Macedonia, 1 Jun. 2002; courtesy of Marjan Komnenov). Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 10. Epigynes, dorsal view. A. Lycosa sp. (HUJ INV-AR20573). B. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., paratype (HUJ INV-AR20817). C–L. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (HUJ INV-AR20607). D. HUJ INV-AR20912. E. HUJ INV-AR20671. F. SMFD2184. G. HUJ INV-AR20963. H. HUJ INV-AR20709. I. HUJ INV-AR20897. J. HUJ INV-AR20530. K. HUJ INV-AR20860. L. HUJ INV-AR20758. M. Lycosa praegrandis C.L. Koch, 1836 (Veles, North Macedonia, 1 Jun. 2002; courtesy of Marjan Komnenov). Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 11. Lycosa female epigyne, line drawings. A–B. Lycosa sp. (HUJ INV-AR20573). A. Ventral view. B. Dorsal view. C–D. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., paratype (HUJ INV-AR20817). C. Ventral view. D. Dorsal view. E–F. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (HUJ INV-AR20709). E. Ventral view. F. Dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Drawings by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 12. Lycosa ♂♂, conductor tip, photograph and outline. A. Lycosa praegrandis C.L. Koch, 1836. B. Lycosa gesserit sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20631). C. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype (HUJ INV-AR20818). D. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (HUJ INV-AR20855). Scale bar = 0.5 mm. Photos and drawings by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 19. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (HUJ INV-AR20818), left pedipalp line drawings. A. Ventral view. B. Prolateral view. C. Retrolateral view. D. Distal view. Scale bars = 0.5 mm. Drawings by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 21. Typical habitats. A. Mediterranean grassland, Karmiel. B. Desert loess plain, Yeruham. C. Desert rocky slope, Yeruham. D. Mediterranean dwarf scrub (batha), Yodfat. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 22. Retreats. A. Geolycosa vultuosa C.L. Koch, 1838, burrow with turret made of soil. B. Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov., burrow with door, Midreshet Ben-Gurion. C–E. Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876. C. Burrow with turret made of plant material, Midreshet Ben-Gurion. D. Burrow without turret, Tel Kofer. E. Retreat under stone, Ariel Sharon camp. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 23. Bayesian phylogeny cladogram, showing the topology of Lycosa Latreille, 1804. Posterior probabilities of 1 marked by asterisk. Specimens used for this phylogeny detailed in Table 2. Photos by I. Armiach Steinpress.

Fig. 24. Bayesian phylogeny cladogram, showing the topology of the oculata group. Posterior probabilities of 1 marked by asterisk. Specimens used for this phylogeny detailed in Table 2.