Eratigena mirusha, Geci & Ibrahimi & Naumova & Bilalli & Koblmüller & Musliu & Grapci-Kotori & Gashi & Schäffer & Wagner, 2025

Eratigena mirusha sp. nov. Geci, Naumova & Ibrahimi

( Figs 1–11 View FIGURES 1–3 View FIGURES 4–7 View FIGURES 8–15 , 16–19 View FIGURES 16–23 )

Type material. Holotype ♂ ( UP), Kosovo: Koznik Mountain , Panorc village (N 42.489939, E 20.616391, 582 m a.s.l.), rocky meadow, 5.07.2020, D. Geci, A. Bilalli & M. Musliu leg. GoogleMaps Paratypes: 1♂ ( IBER), same data as for the holotype GoogleMaps ; 8♀♀ ( UP) [ OQ866234 – OQ866238 ] , 2 ♀♀ ( IBER), same data as for the holotype, 14.02.2022, D. Geci, A. Bilalli & M. Musliu leg. GoogleMaps

Etymology: Species epithet ‘mirusha’ refers to the name of the area where the new species was found. The area is known for the Mirusha Waterfalls on the Mirusha River.

Diagnosis. Eratigena mirusha sp. nov. is similar to E. agrestis . Males differ in exhibiting: terminal end of conductor V-shaped with additional rectangular retrolateral process ( Figs 1 View FIGURES 1–3 , 9 View FIGURES 8–15 ) vs. bifurcate with parallel tips in E. agrestis ( Fig. 13 View FIGURES 8–15 ); 2) short retrolateral tibial apophysis with finger-shape apical process and smooth distal margin in retrolateral view ( Figs 2 View FIGURES 1–3 , 10 View FIGURES 8–15 ) vs. massive rectangular retrolateral tibial apophysis with serrated apical margin in E. agrestis ( Fig. 14 View FIGURES 8–15 ) and 3) concave, hook-shaped dorsal branch of tibial apophysis in dorsal view ( Fig. 11 View FIGURES 8–15 ) vs. straight, serrated dorsal branch of tibial apophysis in dorsal view in E. agrestis ( Fig. 15 View FIGURES 8–15 ). Females differ by the following characters: 1) rounded-rhomboid posterior sclerite with large posterior bulge and pseudo teeth located caudally ( Figs 1, 3 View FIGURES 1–3 , 16, 17, 19 View FIGURES 16–23 ) vs. elongated posterior sclerite with small bulge and pseudo teeth located ventrally in E. agrestis ( Fig. 20 View FIGURES 16–23 , 32);2) copulatory openings directed posteromedially ( Fig. 16 View FIGURES 16–23 ) vs. directed posterolaterally in E. agrestis ( Fig. 20 View FIGURES 16–23 ).

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Figs 4–5 View FIGURES 4–7 . Total length 7.83. Carapace 4.10 long, 3.14 wide; head region 2.28 long, 1.59 wide; labium 0.55 long, 0.59 wide. Eyes size and interdistances AME 0.14, ALE 0.10, PME 0.18, PLE 0.18, AME–AME 0.17, AME–ALE 0.16, PME–PME 0.09, PME–PLE 0.07, AME–PME 0.06, ALE–PLE 0.03. Abdomen 3.78 long, 2.41 wide. Legs: I (Fe 4.28, Pa 1.14, Ti 4.32, Mt 3.87, Ta 2.46); II (Fe 3.19, Pa 1.14, Ti 2.32, Mt 3.19, Ta 2.05); III (Fe 3.46, Pa 1.14, Ti 2.41, Mt 3.46, Ta 1.77); IV (Fe 4.50, Pa 1.09, Ti 3.41, Mt 4.82, Ta 2.14). Leg spination: coxae spineless; leg I (Fe 3d 2pl 2rl, Pa 0, Ti 8v, Mt 8 v, Ta 0), leg II (Fe 3d 2pl 2rl, Pa 0, Ti 8v, Mt 8 v, Ta 0), leg III (Fe 3d 2pl 2rl, Pa 1d, Ti 6v, Mt 6d 8 v, Ta 6v), leg IV (Fe 2d, Pa 1d, Ti 6d 6v, Mt 12d 10v, Ta 6v). Coloration (in 90% alcohol) ( Figs 4–5 View FIGURES 4–7 ): carapace light brown, marbled, with dark brown margins and two pale lateral longitudinal bands. Sternum with light median band and pale spots toward coxae. Coxae greyish with pale stripes. Legs uniformly pale brown. Abdomen and spinnerets greyish yellow with an indistinct pattern.

Palp ( Figs 1–2 View FIGURES 1–3 , 8–11 View FIGURES 8–15 ): Femur 4× longer than wide, ventrally with long white setae; patella robust; tibia 1.5× longer than wide, with relatively small complex retro-tibial apophysis; RTA with two branches, ventral branch simple, lateral branch with a process in the apical part, with concave dorsal margin in retrolateral and dorsal views; cymbium 2× longer than wide with pointed tip occupying almost 1/4 of it; conductor with bifurcate, V-shaped tip and shorter, broader retro-dorsal process, apically truncated.

Female (N=10): Habitus as in Figs 6–7 View FIGURES 4–7 . Total length 10.15–12.85; carapace 4.40–5.30 long, 3.20–4.20 wide; head region 3.48–3.61 long, 2.09–2.18 wide; labium 0.81–0.83 long, 0.83–0.85 wide. Eyes size and interdistances AME 0.17–0.19, ALE 0.17–0.19, PME 0.20–0.22, PLE 0.24–0.26, AME–AME 0.20–0.22, AME–ALE 0.13, PME– PME 0.11, PME–PLE 0.07, AME–PME 0.11, ALE–PLE 0.05. Abdomen 5.80–7.60 long, 3.20–4.50 wide. Legs: I

(Fe 5.60–6.00, Pa 1.90–2.10, Ti 4.70–5.40, Mt 5.00–5.80, Ta 3.70–4.00); II (Fe 4.20–6.00, Pa 2.00–2.80, Ti 3.20– 4.80, Mt 3.40–4.80, Ta 2.20–2.40); III (Fe 5.20–6.40, Pa 1.37–1.92, Ti 4.30–4.70, Mt 3.32–4.60, Ta 2.22–3.48); IV (Fe 4.00–4.60, Pa 1.70–1.90, Ti 3.20–3.90, Mt 2.80–3.43, Ta 2.50–3.20). Leg spination as in males. Coloration (in 90% alcohol) ( Figs 6–7 View FIGURES 4–7 ): Carapace, sternum and coxae as in males but more contrasting; legs uniformly pale brown; opisthosoma yellow brownish with pale zigzag cardiac mark; spinnerets yellow-brownish.

Epigyne ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 1–3 , 16, 17 View FIGURES 16–23 ): Medially with anterior cavity; posterior sclerite rounded-rhomboid with large posterior bulge, copulatory openings directed posteromedially; epigynal pseudo teeth almost transparent and poorly visible, located caudally ( Figs 3 View FIGURES 1–3 , 16, 17, 19 View FIGURES 16–23 ). Vulva ( Figs 17–19 View FIGURES 16–23 ): Receptacles 2.5× longer than wide, elongated, almost parallel; copulatory ducts rounded, lying behind the receptacles in dorsal view; fertilization ducts thin, slightly curved, directed medially-backward.

Ecology. Eratigena mirusha sp. nov. was found in an open meadow with several temporary streams. The habitat is dry in the summer and very wet during the rest of the year. Eratigena mirusha sp. nov. was found in sympatry with Tegenaria hasperi Chyzer , Uroctea durandi (Latreille) , Philaeus chrysops (Poda) and Segestria senoculata (Linnaeus) . Adult males were found in July. Adult females were found in February and July.