Pax akilae Shafaie & Pekár, 2025

Pax akilae Shafaie & Pekár sp. nov.

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Figs 7–9 View Fig View Fig View Fig , 106 View Fig

Diagnosis

This new species closely resembles P. islamita ( Simon, 1873) in habitus coloration and the overall shape of the copulatory organs but can be distinguished by the oblong extension of the tibiae (vs apical triangular extension in P. islamita , cf. Fig. 8C, F View Fig and Fig. 12D, G View Fig ); the tibial spur comprising a hump on its dorsal side (vs missing, cf. Fig. 8C, F View Fig and Fig. 12D, G View Fig ); the median platelet extending mesally (vs narrowed, cf. Fig. 8D–E View Fig and Fig. 12E–F View Fig ); a shorter, finger-shaped conductoral prong (vs longer and tapering, cf. Fig. 8A–B View Fig and Fig. 12A–B View Fig ); and a different position of the spermathecal medial tubes (situated superior to ectal tubes vs situated inferior to ectal tubes, cf. Fig. 9C–D View Fig and Fig. 12I View Fig ).

Etymology

The species is named after Huda Akil, the celebrated Syrian neuroscientist.

Type material

Holotype

SYRIA • ♂; Al-Qadmus, Al-Kahf Castle; 5–7 Apr. 2001; M. Řezáč leg.; NMP P6A 7514 View Materials .

Paratypes

SYRIA • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype; NMP P6A 7515 View Materials , NMP P6A 7516 View Materials • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; NMP P6A 7517 View Materials .

Other material examined

SYRIA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for paratypes; CMU • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Mashta al-Helu; 30 Mar.–3 Apr. 2001; M. Řezáč leg.; CMU .

Description

Male ( holotype NMP P6A 7514)

HABITUS ( Fig. 7A–B View Fig ). Carapace, chelicerae metallic dark brown; carapace patternless. Sternum and mouthparts basally reddish-brown and apically pale. Chelicerae with two rather distant promarginal teeth. Cx yellowish-brown, Fe greyish, Pa and Ti light yellow, Mt and Ta reddish-brown. Abdomen dorsum brown, with a light brown scutum about ⅔ the length of abdomen, venter light grey, darker ventrolaterally, with yellowish epiandrous area; spinnerets pale.

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 7.56; carapace 3.95 long, 1.01 wide at pars cephalica, 2.65 wide at pars thoracica, scutum length 2.59. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.33, ALE 0.39, PME 0.34, PLE 0.39, AME–AME 0.17, AME–ALE 0.28, ALE–ALE 1.29, PME–PME 0.22, PME–PLE 0.73. Legs: I 8.44 (2.37, 1.12, 1.8, 1.74, 1.41), II 7.99 (2.59, 1.12, 1.52, 1.58, 1.18), III 7.98 (2.3, 1.12, 1.41, 2.03, 1.12), IV 10.29 (2.7, 1.18, 2.24, 2.59, 1.58). Palp: 4.11 (1.58, 0.34, 0.28, 1.91).

PALP ( Fig. 8A–F View Fig ). RTA with an oblong extension, comprising a rather long, forward pointed tibial spur and a robust hump. Median platelet extended mesally and anteriorly; conductoral prong finger-shaped; median apophysis rectangular basally and narrowed apically, with a folded tip. Embolus very long, originating at a 4 o’clock position, narrowed slightly and folded around bulb.

Female ( paratype NMP P6A 7515)

HABITUS ( Fig. 7C–D View Fig ). Carapace, chelicerae, sternum, mouthparts similar to those in male. Legs yellow except for slightly darker Cx, greyish Fe and light grey tips of Mt; spinnerets pale, palp segments greyish, with darker Ta. Abdomen blackish-brown dorsally, with no pattern, dark brown ventrally, with three subparallel yellow stripes in the middle, lateral stripes wider than middle stripe.

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 8.29; carapace 3.5 long, 1.24 wide at pars cephalica, 2.37 wide at pars thoracica. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.33, ALE 0.39, PME 0.45, PLE 0.39, AME–AME 0.11, AME–ALE 0.33, ALE–ALE 0.99, PME–PME 0.17, PME–PLE 0.56. Legs: I 8.44 (2.37, 1.12, 1.8, 1.74, 1.41), II 7.99 (2.59, 1.12, 1.52, 1.58, 1.18), III 7.71 (2.03, 1.12, 1.41, 2.03, 1.12), IV 10.29 (2.7, 1.18, 2.24, 2.59, 1.58). Palp: 3.03 (1.01, 0.45, 0.45, 1.12).

EPIGYNE ( Fig. 9A–D View Fig ). Epigyne about 1.6 times as wide as long, comprising three longitudinal tubes: one dark medial and two light, sub-lateral tubes accompanied by a pair of dark marginal tubes. Spermathecal tubes parallel comprising a pair of elongated, yellow structures, situated medially, externally attached to a pair of reddish- brown, larger structures ending in twisted coils.

Size variation

Total body length 6.5–7.62, carapace length/width 3.5–3.95/ 2.01–2.75 in males (N = 3). Total body length 7.12–8.29, carapace length/width 3–3.5/ 2.24–2.3 in females (N = 5).

Distribution

The species is currently only known from the type locality in Syria.