Zodarion pallidum Denis, 1952

Benhalima, Souâd & Bosmans, Robert, 2020, Revision of the genus Zodarion Walckenaer, 1833 (part IV). The species of Morocco (Araneae: Zodariidae), Zootaxa 4899 (1), pp. 93-114 : 96-97

Zodarion pallidum Denis, 1952

Figures 7–14 , 19–22

Zodarion pallidum Denis, 1952: 61 , figs 7–9 (Holotype Ƌ and paratype ♀, deposited in MNHN: MOROCCO: Marrakech-Safi , Tizi n’Test, 30°52’05’’N, 08°22’44’’W), 2100 m a.s.l., 1939, leg. L. Berland—examined).

Remark. A label with the name of the species was not present in the tube, but as the name of the locality fits with the name of the type locality and the number of specimens also agrees with the original description, so this material is considered to be the type material.

Diagnosis. Zodarion pallidum differs clearly from all other species of the italicum group by its smaller size and pale colour. Males are furthermore distinguished by the rounded, proximal lobe of the tibial apophysis and the small median apophysis, and females by the epigyne with a trapezoid median plate.

Description. Measurements: Male (n=7): Total length 1.6–2.0; carapace 0.72–1.02 long, 0.58–0.87 wide. Female (n=3): Total length 2.6–2.7; carapace 1.02–1.03 long, 0.68–0.70 wide. Colour ( Figs 7–8 ): male: carapace yellowish orange, ocular quadrangle nearly black; chelicerae, sternum and legs somewhat paler than carapace; abdomen dorsally sepia, with very small dots and large postero-dorsal spot whitish, venter whitish; female: decoloured. Eyes: AM=1 (0.75); AL=0.66; PM=0.6; PL=0.7; a=0.53; b=P.27; c=1.33; d=0.2; MOQ: AW= PW; L=0.84PW.

Male palp ( Figs 9–11 , 19–20 ): tibial apophysis triangular with narrow, slightly curved tip, base with large rounded lobe; median apophysis small, triangular, with pointed distal part; embolus gradually narrowing, pointed, accompanied by a large embolic membrane.

Epigyne ( Figs 12–14 , 21–22 ): with trapezoid median plate 3 times as wide as long, with chitinised anterior margin and chitinisation spreading laterally. Spermathecae small, separated by almost 4 diameters, at their mesal side accompanied by bladder-like structures.

Other material examined. MOROCCO: Fès-Meknès, Missour, 33°02’24’’, 03°59’52’’W, 22.III–3.IV.2002 (pitfalls in steppe), 1Ƌ 1♀ ( CRB); Marrakech- Safi , Marrakech , Oued Tensift, 31°41’33’’N, 07°59’17’’W, 370 m a.s.l., leg. J. Van Keer, 19.II.1996 (dry river bed), 1Ƌ, ( CJVK); Setti Fatma, 31°13’30’’N, 07°40’39’’W, leg. V. & B. Roth, I.1987, 1Ƌ ( RMCA 172503 ); Souss-Massa , Gourizim, 5 km E, 29°37’57’’N, 10°00’24’’W), 15 m a.s.l., leg. R. Bosmans, 26.IV.2012 (stones in Argania steppe), 1Ƌ ( CRB); Tamri Estuary, 30°42’35’’N, 09°51’16’’W, 5 m a.s.l., leg. J. Van Keer, 15–28.IV.2012 (pitfalls in Tamarisk marsh), 1♀ ( CJVK); Tizi ‘n Bachkoum, 30°43’28’’N, 07°16’49’’W, 1650 m a.s.l., leg. R . Bosmans, 4.II.1996 (stones along rivulet), 1Ƌ ( CRB); Barrage Youssef-Ben- Tachfine, 29°50’44’’N, 09°29’40’’W, 100 m a.s.l., leg. R . Bosmans, 27.IV.2012 (stones in steppe), 1Ƌ ( CRB) .

Distribution. Central part of Morocco (Map 1), occurring from sea level to more than 2000 m.

Figures

FIGURES 7–14. Zodarion pallidum Denis, 1952. 7 Male, dorsal view; 8 Female, dorsal view; 9 Male palp, retrolateral view; 10 Idem, ventral view; 11 Idem, prolateral view; 12 Epigyne, ventral view; 13 Vulva, ventral view; 14 Idem, dorsal view.

FIGURES 15–22. Zodarion isabellinum (Simon, 1870) (15–18) and Zodarion pallidum Denis, 1952 (19–22). 15, 19 Male palp, retrolateral view; 16, 20 Idem, ventral view; 17, 21 Epigyne; 18, 22 Vulva, ventral view.