Gulocosa Marusik, Omelko & Koponen, 2015, gen. n.

Gulocosa gen. n.

Type species: Gulocosa eskovi sp. n.

Etymology. We continue the tradition of naming wolf spider genera by combining the name of a predatory vertebrate as the first element and ending with –cosa (or -osa) (cf. Cameron 2005; Marusik & Kovblyuk 2011), typical for lycosid genera (e.g. Arctos - Arctosa, Mustela - Mustelicosa, Lynx - Lynxosa, Pantera pardus - Pardosa). The generic name is derived from the scientific name of the wolverine (Gulo gulo) and ends with -cosa. The gender is masculine.

Diagnosis. Gulocosa gen. n. differs from most Acantholycosa species (exception A. baltoroi (Caporiacco, 1935)), all Sibirocosa and Melecosa gen. n. by having 4 pairs of ventral spines on leg I (Fig. 3). Acantolycosa baltoroi differs from G. eskovi sp. n. by having no epigynal fovea, longer embolus and shape of fovea. Gulocosa gen. n. differs from Mongolicosa, which have 4 pairs of ventral spines on tibia I. The new genus can be distinguished by a thick embolus (Figs 9, 14, 16, 23‒27), high apical arm of the tegular apophysis (Figs 7‒8, 13, 22), septal stem, in which the anterior part extends the epigynal fovea (Figs 28, 30); thin embolus (Figs 51‒53); apical arm of tegular apophysis not larger than basal arm (Fig. 51); entire septal stem within epigynal fovea (Figs 54‒55) in Mongolicosa and undivided apical pocket (one apical pocket in Gulocosa gen. n. but two hoods or two apical pockets in Mongolicosa).

Male palps in the new genus differ from similar Sibirocosa by the tegular apophysis with a well-developed apical arm (Aa; reduced in Sibirocosa) and short and wide (as long as wide) embolus (Em; longer than wide in Sibirocosa) (Figs 8, 10). Females of the new genus are most similar to those of Mongolicosa glupovi Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004 (Marusik et al. 2004: 136, figs 201, 208‒212) by having a similar septum (Se). These two species can be separated by the apical pocket (undivided in G. eskovi sp. n. and with two hoods in M. glupovi) and the shape of the fovea (wider than long in the new species, and as long as wide in M. glupovi) (Figs 28–31, Marusik et al. 2004: 136, figs 208‒212). Additionally, the anterior 1/3 of the septal stem of Gulocosa gen. n. lies outside the fovea, whereas in M. glupovi, almost the entire stem is within the fovea (Figs 28–30).

Description. See species description.

Relationships. Diagnostic characters of the Holarctic Pardosinae have a mosaic distribution in the matrix (Table 1), therefore it is difficult to make judgments about relationships of the new genus based on morphological characters. A molecular phylogenetic analysis, which was beyond the scope of this study, may resolve this in the future. Because the embolus shape and entire embolic division are the most stable (uniform) characters within each Pardosinae genus, it is possible that Gulocosa gen. n. is most closely related to Sibirocosa because of the very robust (wide and thick) embolus, huge terminal apophysis (longer than embolus) and partly reduced palea. Epigynes in the two genera (Gulocosa gen. n. and Sibirocosa) also display similarities: thin receptacles with relatively small heads; large and deep fovea that can partially hide the receptacles in dorsal view; presence of one anterior pocket; touching lips in basal part (Figs 28‒31).

Composition. Only the type species.

Type material. Holotype ♂ and paratypes 25 ♂, 5 ♀ (ZMMU), Russia, Khabarovsk Province, Ko Mt, alpine belt, 500‒1800 m, 47°06'26"N 136°33'08"E, 22‒ 24.06.2013 (M.M. Omelko).

Etymology. The specific name is a patronym in honour of our friend and colleague, Kirill Yu. Eskov, a wellknown arachnologist, palaeontologist and novelist who has made important contributions to arachnology.

Diagnosis. See genus diagnosis.

Description. Male. Total length 6.40‒8.15. Carapace 3.15‒3.85 long, 2.70‒2.75 wide; carapace length/femur I ratio 1.19‒1.26. Colouration in alcohol: carapace dark brown, almost uniformly coloured, with almost black cephalic region and lighter median band (Fig. 2). Dorsal side of abdomen blackish with yellowish heart mark and gray spots. Femora and patellae brown, with annulations; metatarsi and tarsi I and II yellow; metatarsi and tarsi III and IV light brown. (Figs 2–3). Living specimens with greater colour contrast (Fig. 58); carapace with yellowish hairs along lateral margins; abdomen with whitish spots formed by white hairs; legs, especially I and II, covered with white hairs. Leg I spination: femur I 3 d, 2p, 1r; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 2d, 1p, 1r, 4- 4v; metatarsus 2p, 2r, 2- 2v. Length of leg joints as shown in Table 1.

Palp as in Figs 7‒9, 13‒16, 22‒27. Cymbium blackish with brown upper part bearing 2 claws. Tegular apophysis large with long apical arm (longer than basal arm). Palea partly reduced and haematodocha partly unhidden; palea with small projection (Pp) at terminal part and small lamellate wart (Pw) near tip of embolus. Embolus short and extremely wide, in apical view—semicircular; embolic base almost coincides with anterior edge of the bulbus; terminal apophysis (Ta) longer than embolus in ventral view, terminal part relatively thin, much thinner than embolus.

Leg segment length: small / large males.

Female. Total length 8.35‒10.1. Carapace 3.7‒4.05 long, 2.7‒3.2 wide; carapace length/femur I ratio 1.24‒1.48. Colouration in alcohol: median band and postcephalic round spot distinct, as well as submarginal light broken stripe (Fig. 1). Legs brown, with more distinct annulations than in males. Live specimen as in Fig. 57. Spination of leg I: femur 3d, 2p, 2r; patella 1p, 1r; tibia1p, 4- 4v; metatarsus 2p, 2 r, 2- 2v.

Leg segment length: small / large females.

Epigyne as in Figs 28‒31. Fovea large and deep, with two round parts divided by septum; basal arms touching one anther; septum distinct, its base almost as wide as entire septum length; upper part of stem lies outside of fovea; apical pocket undivided; receptacles short with poorly developed heads.

Comments. Species inhabits open scree at 500‒1800 meters in mixed forest and alpine zones. Distribution. Known from the type locality only (Fig. 59).