Zelotes helicoides n.sp.

Figs 14, 16, 18, 22–24

Z. cf. ilotarum Chatzaki et al. 2003: Figs 65–67, 70–71, 121.

Etymology. The species owes its name to the characteristic S-shaped (= helicoidis in Greek) embolar base of the male palpal organ.

Type material: Irakleio, Achendrias, pitfalls 04.IV.99 to 28.IX.99, leg. Nikolakakis (ɗ Holotype [NHMC], 4 ɗɗ 3 ΨΨ paratypes [NHMC]).

Material (for details see distribution map of Z. cf. ilotarum, Fig. 121 and relevant text in Chatzaki et al. 2003). Crete: Chania: Agia lake; Irakleio: Achendrias, Omalos Viannou, Panagia Almyri, Moni Vrondisiou; Lasithi: Agios Konstantinos.

Diagnosis: Z. helicoides n.sp. belongs to the ilotarum group. Males may be distinguished by the prolateral process directed upwards and with a single tip, the diagonally directed terminal apophysis, and the S-shaped embolar base hidden behind the median apophysis. Females may be distinguished from species of the same group by the epigynal anterior margins not exceeding the width of the lateral margins and by the small and separated spermathecae.

Taxonomic comments. Chatzaki et al. (2003, p.66, “ Z. cf. ilotarum ”) recorded a species from Crete resembling very closely Z. cingarus (at that time, Z. ilotarum), but being not identical to it (compare Figs 14– 19 and 20–23). The authors gave a full description of the species in that article, but postponed the proposal of a new name due to lack of comparative material from a wider geographical spectrum at the time. In view of the new material examined by the author it is now possible to confirm previous doubts concerning the tentative identification of the Cretan species as Z. cf. ilotarum and to create a new name for it, also adding further illustrations from electron microscopy (Fig. 24).

The males of Z. helicoides n.sp. and Z. cingarus may be distinguished in males by: details in the prolateral process (p) (less pronounced laterally and upwards directed, with a single tip in Z. helicoides n.sp., more stout laterally, transverse and with two apical tips in Z. cingarus), the terminal apophysis (TA) (diagonally directed in Z. helicoides n.sp., transverse in Z. cingarus) and the S-shaped embolar base (hidden behind median apophysis - M - and more slender in Z. helicoides n.sp., stronger and more ventrally positioned in Z. cingarus, with a membranous bifid tip). The females may be distinguished by the epigynal anterior margins not exceeding the width of the lateral margins in Z. helicoides n.sp. (Fig. 21) (as in Z. cingarus, Fig. 19), and by the shape of spermathecae, smaller and further apart in Z. helicoides n.sp. (Fig. 22). The oval plate (OP) that covers the posterior rim of the epigynal cavity and expands laterally in Z. cingarus is not so pronounced in Z. helicoides n.sp. (Fig. 21). Fig. 24 shows details of the new species as illustrated in SEM photos. Z. helicoides n.sp. also differs from Z. geshur in the shape of the terminal apophysis (wider in the former) and of the prolateral process (more pointed apically), although the habitus of the two species is very similar.

Z. helicoides n.sp. is not very common on Crete. It has not been found above 1000 m. The peak of activity in males occurs in early autumn and in females in late spring.

Distribution. Greece: endemic to Crete.