Key to large lycosids ( Geolycosa, Hogna, Lycosa) of Israel and Palestine

1. First eye row as wide as second eye row (PME). Second eye row narrower than half of front of the carapace. Posterior eyes arranged in trapezoid ................................................................................. 2

– First eye row narrower than second eye row (PME). Second eye row wider than half of front of carapace. Posterior eyes arranged in rectangle ................................................................................. 3

2. Base of epigyne septum as wide as half of length of pedicel. Terminal apophysis with prolateral spur that is longer than half of width of bulb (incl. spur) ........................................................................... ........................................ Geolycosa vultuosa (C.L. Koch, 1838) Figs 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A

– Base of epigyne septum as wide as length of pedicel. Terminal apophysis with prolateral spur that is shorter than half of width of bulb (incl. spur) ..................................................................................... ......................................................................... Hogna effera (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) Fig. 8F

3. Epigyne septum hammer-shaped, pedicel long. Terminal apophysis with prolateral spur ................. ........................................................................................ Hogna (cf.) graeca (Roewer, 1951) Fig. 8E

– Epigyne septum trapezoid, pedicel greatly reduced to absent. Terminal apophysis without prolateral spur ........................................................................................................... Lycosa Latreille, 1804 …4

4. Ocular area less than one third of length of carapace. Tegular apophysis tip curving posteriorly at ~90°. Left spermatheca not twisting clockwise ................................................................................ 5

– Ocular area longer than one third of length of carapace. Tegular apophysis tip directed retrolaterally and not curving posteriorly. Left spermatheca twisting clockwise ................................................... 6

5. Crest of tegular apophysis ½ width of tegular apophysis. Conductor tip acute. Base of spermathecae parallel or subparallel, not helical ...................................................... Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 Figs 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, G, 7D, G, 9C–L, 10C–L, 11E–F, 12C, 13–18

– Crest of tegular apophysis>½ width of tegular apophysis. Conductor tip blunt. Base of spermathecae helical, twisting counterclockwise ... Lycosa praegrandis C.L. Koch, 1836 Figs 2E, 9M, 10M, 12A (Not yet known from the southern Levant. May be present in nearby areas)

6. Tegular apophysis tip and crest of tegular apophysis distinct from one another. Septal pedicel present. Atria of epigyne visible ...................................................................................................................... ..... Lycosa hyraculus sp. nov. Figs 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 6C, F, 7C, F, 8C–D, 9B, 10B, 11C–D, 12C, 19

– Tegular apophysis tip indistinct from the crest and continuing line of crest of tegular apophysis ..... ................................................... Lycosa gesserit sp. nov. Figs 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 12B, 20

– Septal pedicel absent. Atria of epigyne not visible ........... Lycosa sp. Figs 6E, 7E, 9A, 10A, 12A–B