Pardosa mulaiki, Gertsch

Kronestedt, Torbjörn & Marusik, Yuri M., 2011, Studies on species of Holarctic Pardosa groups (Araneae, Lycosidae). VII. The Pardosa tesquorum group, Zootaxa 3131, pp. 1-34 : 13-15

Pardosa mulaiki Gertsch, 1934

Figs 2-3, 20, 26, 30, 67-76, 116

Pardosa mulaiki Gertsch, 1934: 22; Dondale & Redner 1986: 827, figs 19, 20, 46-48 (♂♀); Dondale & Redner 1990: 156, figs 190-194 (♂♀); Vogel 2004: 106, figs 135, 137 {♂♀).

Type material. Holotype ♂ from USA " Edinburgh , Texas " in AMNH, not examined. Type locality believed to be incorrect (Dondale & Redner 1986) .

Material examined. CANADA. Saskatchewan, Hanley (51°37'40"N 106°26'2"'W), cultivated land, pit-traps, 30 May-19 June 1995, 12♂ 12♀ (K. Pivnick, NHRS) ; Rosetown (51°33'08''N 107°59'22''W), 16-17 June 1973, 2♂ 2♀ (J. Redner & C. Starr, NHRS) .

Diagnosis. This species can be easily distinguished from all other members of the group by the pattern on the carapace and the shape of the copulatory organs. Males are distinguished by the configuration of the terminal part (shape of conductor and terminal apophysis: Figs 69, 73, 74); females by the narrow epigyne with very long septal ridge and comparatively short and modestly widened part of septum (Fig 20). Females have no marginal dark stripe, which is present in other members of the group.

Description. Male (from Canada: Saskatchewan). Total length 4.3. Carapace 2.10 long, 1.50 wide.

Prosoma. Carapace (Fig. 2) dark brown with narrow yellowish median band in thoracic part and distinct yellowish lateral bands (anteriorly reaching level of first coxae). Thoracic part with pubescence of short dark, recumbent hairs as well as greyish adpressed hairs on dark sides and with whitish hairs in yellowish bands. Clypeus yellowish (younger specimens) to dark brownish with a few stout dark hairs. Chelicerae brownish, inner side yellow; furnished with dark hairs; retromargin with 2 teeth. Sternum greyish with narrow yellowish median stripe in front, furnished with light hairs.

Eyes. Width of row I 33 (slightly procurved when seen from in front), row II 49, row III 64, row II-III 48. Diameter of AME 8, ALE 6, PME 18, PLE 16. Distance between AMEs 6, between AME and ALE 1.

Opisthosoma. Dorsum (Fig. 2) brownish, with light greyish brown lanceolate stripe in front followed by a series of transverse dark bars, each bar between a white-haired spot at each side. Between bars paired yellowish spots (often confluent), each spot with a dark dot in middle. Venter light brown with recumbent whitish pubescence.

Legs (Table 1). Yellowish, Fe with faint dark markings (pseudoannulation). Leg I without deviant pilosity. Ti I with 2 retrolateral spines (sometimes only distal one present).

Palp (Figs 67-70, 73-76) Pt 0.40, Ti 0.40, Cy 0.90. Fe, Ti and Cy sooty brown, apical part of Fe and entire Pt yellowish. Tegular apophysis stout, rugose, curved retrolaterad, with small hooked process at base (Figs 68, 76). Palea with somewhat hooked terminal apophysis, latter more protruding retrolaterally than conductor (Figs 69, 73). Embolus laminar, grooved along its length, ventral edge turned forward except distally where dorsal edge is turned forward, tip truncated (Figs 69-70, 73, 75).

Female (from Canada: Saskatchewan). Total length 5.9. Carapace long, 2.40, wide 1.80.

Prosoma and opisthosoma (Fig. 3). Coloration lighter and with more contrasting pattern than in male. Carapace with bright yellow median band, wider than in male and continuing into postocular area. Wide yellow lateral bands extending to carapace margin and confluent anteriorly with yellow clypeus. Bands with whitish pubescence. Chelicerae yellowish, furnished with whitish hairs; retromargin with 2 teeth. Abdomen patterned as in male, lanceolate stripe and spots between dorsal dark bars yellowish; venter yellowish.

Eyes. Width of row I 37 (slightly procurved when seen from in front), row II 53, row III 70, row II-III 53. Diameter of AME 9, ALE 7, PME 21, PLE 18. Distance between AMEs 6, between AME and ALE 1.

Legs (Table 1). Yellowish with more distinct dark markings than in male.

Epigyne (Figs 20, 26, 30, 71-72). Anterior ridge of septum long and narrow, in front with two shallow transversal pockets. Posterior cavity divided by moderately widened septum. Copulatory ducts long, spermathecae rounded (Figs 30, 72).

Size variation. Carapace length: males 1.95-2.10 (n=10) females 2.05-2.55 (n=10).

Habitat. Grassland, including prairies, alfalfa fields, margins of sloughs as well as alpine meadows (Dondale & Redner 1990).

Distribution (Fig. 116). Canada (Alberta to Manitoba) and USA (Wyoming and Colorado) (Dondale & Redner 1986).