Axonopsis (Hexaxonopsis) gloeeri, Pešić & Smit & Saboori, 2012

Pešić, Vladimir, Smit, Harry & Saboori, Alireza, 2012, 3330, Zootaxa 3330, pp. 1-67 : 45-52

Axonopsis (Hexaxonopsis) gloeeri sp. nov.

( Figs. 33A – F, 34, 35A – F)

Material examined. Holotype male, dissected and slide mounted, Iran, Hormozgan Province, IR16-2011, shallow stream, N of Bandar Abbass , 27º 27.622 N, 56º 20.590 E, 130 m asl, 16.vii.2011 ( RMNH) . Paratypes: 9/10/0 (0/1/

0 mounted), same data as holotype ( RMNH); 1/0/0, IR15-2011, Khorgoo village before hot water spring, small pool in dry river bed near IR14-2011, N of Bandar Abbass, 27º 29.155 N, 56º 27.531 E, 113 m asl, 16.vii.2011 .

Diagnosis. Tips of Cx-I and -II with pointed, recurved, hook-like projections; two pairs of glandularia lying between the genital field and insertions of IV-L, the posterior one closely approaching the genital field; venter without a ridge extending posteriorly from the region of insertion of the IV-L; middle of ventral side of P-4 expanded, bearing a hair-like seta lying on a small pointed tubercle; II-, III- and IV-L with swimming setae.

Description. Male (holotype) — Dorsal and ventral shields anteriorly fused; dorsal shield ( Fig. 33A) L/W 363/297, with seven pairs of glandularia (seventh pair inconspicuous, flanking the excretory pore); postocularia well distanced from anterior margin; colour pattern indistinct; eye pigment well developed; excretory pore located at posterior end of dorsal shield. Ventral shield ( Fig. 33B) L/W 372/359, convex at anterior end, lateral margins rounded; tips of Cx-I and -II with pointed, recurved, hook-like projections. Gnathosomal bay L 101. Venter without a ridge on each side extending posteriorly from the region of insertion of the IV-L. Three pairs of Ac, arranged in an arc; distance between most lateral pair of Ac 95; gonopore W 23. Ejaculatory complex ( Fig. 33F) L 104. Palp ( Figs. 33 C-D): total L 207, dL: P-1, 34; P-2, 50; P-3, 29; P-4, 73; P-5, 21; L P-2/P-4 ratio, 0.69; ventral margin of P-2 convex, distal margin of P-3 with hyaline extensions, middle of ventral side of P-4 expanded, bearing a hairlike seta lying on a small pointed tubercle. Gnathosoma vL 79, chelicera total L 95. Legs: dL of I-L-5-6 ( Fig. 33E): 67, 72; dL of IV-L: 47, 77, 57, 70, 89, 80; swimming setae numbers: II-L-4, 2; II-L-5, 3; III-L-4, 2; III-L-5, 4; IV- L-4, 2; IV-L-5 3.

Female — similar to male except for the shape of the genital field ( Fig. 34). Dorsal shield L/W 391/309; ventral shield L/W 395/391. Gnathosomal bay L 106. Distance between most lateral pair of Ac 129; gonopore relatively large, W 79. Palp: total L 207, dL: P-1, 34; P-2, 48; P-3, 29; P-4, 75; P-5, 21; L P-2/P-4 ratio, 0.64. Gnathosoma vL 79. Legs: dL of I-L-3–6: 49, 65, 68; dL of IV-L-2-6: 74, 60, 69, 87, 86. Palp chaetotaxy and swimming setae numbers as in male.

Etymology. The species is named after Dr Peter Glöer (Hetlingen) in appreciation of his work on Iranian freshwater molluscs.

Remarks. Axonopsis gloeeri sp. nov. is similar to A. kermanica Pešić & Asadi, 2010 , with respect to the general morphology of the idiosoma and palps. The latter species differs from A. gloeeri sp. nov. in the presence of a semicircular ridge forming a sunken, elliptical area in the anterior part of the dorsal shield (see Fig. 32A – B) and in the distinct colour pattern of the dorsum (see Pešić et al. 2010).

Habitat. Sandy/bouldery stream, partly shaded by riparian vegetation ( Fig. 44B).

Distribution. Iran; only known from the type locality in Hormozgan Province.

Axonopsis (Brachypodopsis) interstitialis sp. nov.

( Figs. 36A – F, 37)

Material examined. Holotype male, dissected and slide mounted, Iran, Hormozgan Province, IR22-2011, Rudan city N of Bandar Abbass, 5 km N of Rudan, Rudan stream, interstitial (dig), 27º 28.748 N, 57º 15.648 E, 210 m asl, 21.vii.2011 ( RMNH) . Paratypes: 3/1/0, same data as holotype, 0/1/0 mounted; 4/2/0 , same data as holotype, interstitial (pump) (all RMNH) .

Diagnosis. Idiosoma slender (L/W ratio 1.45 – 1.55 in both sexes) with subparallel lateral margins; dorsal shield colour pattern indistinct. Two pairs of glandularia lying between the genital field and insertions of the IV-L, these relatively close together. Venter with a short ridge on each side extending posteriorly from the region of insertion of the IV-L. P-2 stout with a convex ventral margin, ventral margin of P-3 with a kink, ventral margin of P-4 convex, with two long hair-like setae, inserting side by side; II-, III- and IV-L with swimming setae (II-L-5, 2; III-L-4, 1; III-L-5, 2; IV-L-4, 1; IV-L-5, 2).

Description. Male (holotype, in parentheses measurements of paratypes, n = 2) — Dorsal and ventral shields fused anteriorly; dorsal shield ( Fig. 36A) L/W 450/264, with seven pairs of glandularia (the seventh pair inconspicuous, flanking the excretory pore); postocularia well distanced from anterior margin; colour pattern indistinct; eye pigment developed; excretory pore located at posterior end of dorsal shield. Ventral shield ( Fig. 36B) L/W 455 (447 – 481)/313 (290 – 325), with subparallel lateral margins; lateral margins of Cx-I and -II without hook-like projections, forming a slightly undulating line, suture line of Cx-II/III indistinct. Gnathosomal bay L 101. Venter with a short ridge on each side extending posteriorly from the region of insertion of the IV-L. Three pairs of Ac, arranged in triangle; distance between most lateral pair of Ac 120; gonopore small, W 29. Ejaculatory complex ( Fig. 36C) L 78. Palp ( Figs. 36 D-E): total L 192, dL: P-1, 25; P-2, 47; P-3, 25; P-4, 72; P-5, 23; L P-2/P-4 ratio, 0.65; P-1 slender, with a blunt kink; ventral margin of P-2 convex; dorsal margin of P-3 convex, ventral margin of P-3 with a nearly right-angled kink in its distal half; ventral margin of P-4 convex, with two long hair-like setae, inserting side by side; P-5 relatively long, inserted between weakly projecting convex lateral and medial projections of P-4. Gnathosoma vL 49, chelicera total L 95. Legs: dL of I-L-4-6: 45, 57, 60; dL of IV-L: 57, 63, 62, 74, 83, 79; IV-L-2/3 distally swollen with pointed sheaths covering the base of the following segment ( Fig. 36F); swimming setae numbers: II-L-5, 2; III-L-4, 1; III-L-5, 2; IV-L-4, 1; IV-L-5 2.

Female (slide mounted paratype, in parentheses some measurements of other paratypes, n = 2). — Similar to male except for the shape of the genital field ( Fig. 37). Dorsal shield L/W 466/289; ventral shield L/W 475 (472 – 522)/333 (306 – 334). Gnathosomal bay L 103. Distance between most lateral pair of Ac 131; gonopore W 51. Palp: total L 193, dL: P-1, 24; P-2, 48; P-3, 25; P-4, 72; P-5, 24; L P-2/P-4 ratio, 0.67. Gnathosoma vL 55. Legs: dL of IV-L: 57, 66, 63, 72, 82, 83; palp chaetotaxy and swimming setae numbers as in male.

Etymology. The species is named for its occurrence in interstitial waters.

Remarks. The new species can be distinguished from other member of this subgenus by the more slender idiosoma with subparallel lateral margins, in combination with the following further diagnostic characters: (1) glandularia between the genital field and the insertions of the fourth legs lying close together; (2) venter with a short ridge on each side extending posteriorly from the region of insertion of the IV-L, and (3) the morphology of the palp (P- 2 stout, convex, ventral margin of P-3 forming a kink, ventral margin of P-4 convex, with two long hair-like setae, inserted side by side).

Habitat. Interstitial waters associated with sand and gravel deposits of stream.

Distribution. Iran; only known from interstitial waters in Hormozgan Province.