Nomisia aussereri (L. Koch, 1872)

Chatzaki, M., 2010, A revision of the genus Nomisia in Greece and neighboring regions with the description of two new species, Zootaxa 2501 (1), pp. 1-22 : 2-4

Nomisia aussereri (L. Koch, 1872)

Figs 1–5 , 51

Gnaphosa aussereri L. Koch, 1872: p. 298 (♂ ♀ syntypes from Austria, Tirol – not examined)

Nomisia aussereri: Dalmas, 1921, p. 297 , Figs 81, 99.

Nomisia mauretanica Dalmas, 1921 (p. 299, Figs 82, 98) from Morocco: syn. by Levy, 1985, p. 929

Gnaphosa marginata O.P. Cambridge, 1874 : Dalmas, 1921 (p. 296, Figs 79, 98): syn. by Levy, 1985, p. 929

Diagnosis: N. aussereri is easily distinguished from all other Nomisia species by the relatively large body size as well as details of their genital organs, such as: broad and densely granulated embolus (E), its corrugations covering the whole apical part of the palp, bulging cone-like prolateral extension of tegulum ( Figs 1–2 ), bifid tibial apophysis with two parts equally sized ( Fig. 5 ), large introductory orifices of epigyne ( Fig. 3 ), leading to coiled spermathecae of distinct shape ( Fig. 4 ).

Citations in Greece: THRACE: Rodopi, Nestos Delta; IPEIROS: Arta; THESSALIA: Magnisia, Volos; STEREA ELLADA: Attiki; AEGEAN ISLANDS: Amorgos; Ikaria; Lipsoi; Rodos; Samos; Tilos .

New records: GREECE: Aegean Islands: Nisyros, Yali islet: 1 ♀ (ptf, 30. IV.05 to 05. VI.05, leg. M. Chatzaki, NHMC) ; Peloponnisos: Taygetos Mt , phrygana, 600 m alt: 1 ♂ (ptf, 21. IX.97 to 29.XI.97, leg. I. Anastasiou, ZMUAG565.7 (1) ; Thrace: Rodopi, Maroneia , phrygano near the village (succession after fire in maqui): 1 ♀ (ptf, 22. V.09 to 24.X.09, leg. M. Chatzaki, NHMC) ; BULGARIA: South Pirin Mt, Kalimantsi village : 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (11. IX.03, leg. S. Lazarov, ChD) ; FRANCE: South East part (no further details): 5 ♀ (AR3150, MNHN) .

Comments: Levy (1985) in his redescription of the species commented upon a possible intraspecific variation concerning the continuity of the median septum of the epigyne. In all specimens examined here the septum clearly separates the epigyne in two parts, continuing laterally to form the introductory orifices at each side. Possibly some specimens examined by Levy were covered by a copulatory plug which hindered the details of the epiginal plate.

Distribution: Morocco, Algeria, Austria, France, Bulgaria, Egypt, Greece, Crimea, Russian plain (steppe zone), Caucasus, Turkey to the steppe zone of Mongolia, Lebanon, Israel.

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. N. aussereri from Peloponnisos, Taygetos Mt. – ZMUA G565.7(1). Male palp, ventral view (1), ventral to retrolateral view (2), epigyne (3), vulva (4). E: embolus. M: median apophysis.

FIGURES 5–6. N. aussereri from Yali islet, Nisyros island complex – NHMC8401. Male palp, retrolateral view (5). N. conigera from Turkey. Male palp, ventral to retrolateral view (6). E: embolus, M: median apophysis, l: sclerotized membrane.