Spariolenus manesht, Moradmand, Majid & Jäger, Peter, 2011

Moradmand, Majid & Jäger, Peter, 2011, A review on the huntsman spider genus Spariolenus Simon, 1880 (Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae) in Iran with description of four new species, Zootaxa 2910, pp. 46-62 : 53-55

Spariolenus manesht spec. nov.

Figs 20–26

Type material. Holotype: female, IRAN: Ilam Province: North-west of Karezan, near Afei spring, Manesht Mountain (Kuh-e Manesht ), Central western Zagros Mountain ranges, in rock crevices near river bank, N 33˚45'29.43, E 46˚26'39.56, at night, 15 July 2009, B. Fathinia leg. ( SMF).

Additional material examined. 5 juv., with same data as for holotype.

Etymology. The species name is a noun in apposition and taken from the type locality.

Diagnosis. This species can be easily differentiated from other congeners by its continuous ridge anterior to copulatory openings ( Fig. 20 ); in ventral view, lateral margins of the first windings not distinctly separated by a continuous rim from the second winding ( Fig. 22 ).

Description. Female (holotype): Large species. Prosoma length 11.5, prosoma width 10.5, anterior width of prosoma 6.1, opisthosoma length 10.4, opisthosoma width 8.6. Eyes: AME 0.48, ALE 1.02, PME 0.61, PLE 1.04, AME-AME 0.33, AME-ALE 0.05, PME-PME 0.51, PME-PLE 1.02, AME-PME 0.94, ALE-PLE 0.98, clypeus height at AME 1.20, clypeus height at ALE 0.82.

Chelicerae with three anterior and four posterior teeth. Denticles are scattered through the cheliceral furrow ( Fig. 26 ). Leg formula: 2 1 4 3. Measurements of palp and legs: Palp 16.1 [4.8, 2.6, 3.5, 5.2], I 47.9 [13.4, 5.8, 13.7, 12.6, 2.4], II 52.3 [15.0, 6.5, 14.7, 13.5, 2.6], III 43.8 [13.1, 5.3, 11.8, 11.3, 2.3], IV 45.1 [13.0, 5.1, 12.2, 12.3, 2.5]. Female palpal claw with six teeth ( Fig. 24 ).

Spination. Palp 131, 101, 2121, 1013; Legs: Femur I–III 323, IV 321; Patella I–II 001–101, III–IV 100–101; Tibia I 111(10), II 121(10) III 1218, IV 3226; Metatarsus I 0 0 0 4, II 1014, III 2014, IV 3036.

Epigyne/vulva. Epigyne as in diagnosis with the copulatory openings wide; central epigynal rims extend laterally beyond copulatory openings; rims close to copulatory openings; anterior bands of epigynal field present, close to the epigynal field but not attached, anterior ridge circling partially around copulatory openings; posterior part of the median slit present ( Fig. 20 ). Vulva as in diagnosis. Glandular pores present on parts of distal end of second coil but distinctly visible on hump like structure on third coil ( Figs 21–22 ).

Colouration. [inferred from specimens in ethanol]. Juveniles olive brown while the female is reddish brown with darker patterns on dorsal prosoma and opisthosoma.

Male. Unknown

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Life history and habitat preferences. One adult female and several immature specimens were found at the same time. A great number of S. manesht spec. nov. were observed on the rocky substrate of a seasonally dry stream bed at night ambushing downward for prey. Two limestone caves were observed on the ground by the first author near to the type locality. The area was also rich in limestone rocks which are suitable substrates for forming such subterranean habitats. Seasonal streams are thought to make such void systems during rainy seasons. The Manesht mountain as a part of the Zagros mountain range is covered mainly with Persian Oak forests ( Quercus persica ).

Figures

FIGURES 20 – 26. Spariolenus manesht spec. nov., holotype female from Iran, Ilam Province, Karezan, Manesht. 20 Epigyne, ventral; 21 Vulva, lateral; 22 Vulva, dorsal; 23 Schematic course of internal duct system, dorsal; 24 Left female palpal claw, retrolateral; 25 Eye arrangement, dorsal; 26 Left chelicera, ventral.