Pterotricha stevensi, Zamani, Alireza, 2018

Zamani, Alireza, 2018, The spider genus Pterotricha Kulczynski, 1903 (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) in the United Arab Emirates, Evolutionary Systematics 2 (2), pp. 151-161 : 151

Pterotricha stevensi sp. n. Figs 1e, 2d, 3d, 5 f–g

Holotype.

♂ (AMNH_IZC 00326762), UAE: Khatam, 23°53'N, 55°22'E, mobile sand, 3 Feb 1995.

Etymology.

This species is named after Austin Stevens, a South African-born Australian naturalist, herpetologist and wildlife photographer.

Diagnosis.

This species is most closely similar to P. nadolnyi sp. n. but differs from it by smaller size (5.35 vs. 7.9, cf. Fig. 1d, e), lighter coloration and less spinose legs, the different shape of the retrolateral cheliceral keel (long tooth-shaped in P. nadolnyi sp. n. (cf. Fig. 5d), vs. serrated triangular-shaped in P. stevensi sp. n. (cf. Fig. 5f)), the shorter apical hook of the median apophysis (cf. Fig. 2c, d), and different shape of the tibial apophysis (triangular in both species, but pointing anteriorly in P. nadolnyi sp. n. vs. pointing ventrally in P. stevensi sp. n. (cf. Fig. 3c, d)).

Description.

Male (holotype, AMNH_IZC 00326762). Total length 5.35. Carapace 2.1 long, 1.6 wide. Eyes sizes: AME: 0.11, ALE: 0.10, PME: 0.08, PLE: 0.10. Carapace, sternum, labium, chelicerae and maxillae light yellowish brown without any distinct patterns, with darkening ocular area. Chelicerae with one serrated keel on each side, the retrolateral one being larger (Fig. 5f, g). Abdomen cream with short transparent setae. Legs the same color as carapace and with few spines. Scopula on metatarsi and tarsi indistinct. Measurements of legs: I: 7.61 (2.2, 0.85, 1.47, 1.87, 1.22), II: 7.92 (2.22, 0.9, 1.5, 2.0, 1.3), III: 8.94 (2.37, 0.87, 1.55, 2.6, 1.55), IV: 10.09 (2.75, 1.05, 1.82, 2.95, 1.52). Anterior lateral spinnerets 0.77 long, 0.22 wide. Palp as in Figs 2d, 3d. Tibial apophysis strong and triangular, pointing ventrally, with slightly curved edges; median apophysis with longer than wide semi elliptic base having a long curved apical hook; conductor large; embolus simple and without a stylus, shortly tapering posteriorly near the apex of conductor.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution.

Currently known only from the type locality in Khatam, the United Arab Emirates (Fig. 7).