Spinozodium khatlonicum Zamani & Marusik 2022, sp. nov.

Spinozodium khatlonicum sp. nov.

(Figures 1c–d, 2d–f, 3a–c, 4c–d, 5c–d)

Type material

Holotype ♂ (ZMMU), TAJIKISTAN: Khatlon Region: Dangara Dist., Sanglok Mt. range, above Shar-Shar Pass, 38.298950, 69.226633, 1700–2060 m, 29 April 2015 (Yu.M. Marusik). Paratypes: 5♂ 9♀ (ZMMU), same data as the holotype; 4♂ 2♀ (ZMMU), Dangara dist., Sanglok Mt. range, above Shar-Shar Pass, 38.218183, 69.238033, 1362 m, 30 April 2015 (Yu. M. Marusik); 3♂ 1♀ (MMUE), Shaartuz Dist., Khushody, 37.091320, 68.041950, 378 m, edge of sandy desert, 20.04.2015 (Yu. M. Marusik).

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the type locality.

Diagnosis

The male of this species differs from that of S. denisi by (1) the tip of RTA bent at a different angle (see Figure 4 (a,c)), (2) smaller and claw-like process of tegular apophysis (Tp) located anteriorly (vs larger, spine-like, and located prolaterally), and (3) having small ridges on the anterior edge of tegular apophysis (vs having teeth instead of ridges). The female of the new species differs from that of the type species by (1) the converging lateral margins of fovea (vs subparallel; see Figure 5 (a–d)), (2) relatively wider base of septum and (3) larger head of receptacle (see Figure 5 (a–d)).

Description

Male (Holotype). Habitus as in Figure 1 (d). Total length 2.40. Carapace 1.20 long, 0.93 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.11, ALE: 0.08, PME: 0.07, PLE: 0.08. Carapace, sternum, chelicerae, labium and maxillae yellowish. Carapace with irregular darker markings. Legs yellowish, without annulations. Abdomen dorsally dark greyish with pale beige median stripe, ventrally pale beige. Spinnerets uniformly pale beige. Measurements of legs: I: 3.88 (1.10, 0.36, 0.90, 0.82, 0.70), II: 3.68 (1.00, 0.40, 0.80, 0.90, 0.58), III: 3.64 (0.90, 0.45, 0.73, 0.96, 0.60), IV: 5.09 (1.36, 0.45, 1.14, 1.46, 0.68).

Palp as in Figures 2 (d–f), 3(a–c) and 4(c); terminal half of RTA bent ventrally; bulb almost round; tegular apophysis (Ta) with small claw-like process (Tp), anterior part of tegular apophysis with transversal broken ridges (Figure 4 (a)).

Female. Habitus as in Figure 1 (c). Total length 3.65. Carapace 1.65 long, 1.20 wide. Eye sizes: AME: 0.13, ALE: 0.11, PME: 0.09, PLE: 0.09. Colouration as in male. Measurements of legs: I: 4.85 (1.30, 0.45, 1.05, 1.30, 0.75), II: 4.32 (1.20, 0.45, 0.90, 1.10, 0.67), III: 4.54 (1.25, 0.46, 0.90, 1.25, 0.68), IV: 6.36 (1.70, 0.55, 1.50, 1.83, 0.78).

Epigyne as in Figures 4 (d) and 5(c,d); anterior hood arched; foveal lateral margins converging posteriorly (Figure 5 (c,d)); heads of receptacles (Rh) visible through integument (Figure 5 (d)); septal base (Sb) about 3 times wider than septal stem (Ss); head of receptacle larger than base of receptacle, separated by about 4 diameters.

Distribution

Known only from the listed localities in Khatlon region, south-western Tajikistan (Figure 6).