Agroeca parva Robert Bosmans 2011, sp. nov.

Agroeca parva sp. nov. (Figs. 11-14)

Type material: Holotype male, 2 male paratypes 1 female paratype from Greece, Lesbos, Polichmtos, Aghios Pavlos E. (N 39°07’38” E 26°14’03”), 10 m, pitfalls in Juncus marsh, 11.X.2007, R. Bosmans leg. Deposited in KBIN.

Etymology: The name refers to the small size ol the new species.

Diagnosis i Agroeca parva sp. nov. is recognised by its small size and its contrasting colour. The male palp and female epigyne suggest the species is closely related to Agroeca annulipes Simon, 1878 and A. maghrebensis Bosmans, 1999, both from the western Mediterranean. Males differ by the truncate palpal tibial apophysis, more pointed in the species from the Maghreb, females by the concave lateral margins of the epigynal depression, straight in the species from the Maghreb.

Description

Colour: Prosoma yellowish brown with narrow margin and submedian stripe greyish black. Abdomen grey black, median denticulate stripe grey brown, venter yellowish brown with few grey black spots in posterior half. Legs yellowish brown, femora with 2 broad grey annulations, patellae I I- ill with basal half grey.

Measurements (males: n =3, females n = 6): Male: Total length 3.6-3.8; prosoma 1.84-2.12 long, 1.44- 1.71 wide. Female: Total length 4.1-4.5; prosoma 1.83-2.16 long, 1.51-1.64 wide. Leg measurements as in Table 5, leg spination as in Table 6.

Male palp (Figs. 11, 12): Tibia with thick, straight apophysis, terminally truncate at dorsal margin. Median apophysis reversed L-shaped, with distinct anterior concavity and terminally pointed. Embolus gradually narrowing terminally curved towards the median apophysis.

Epigyne and vulva (Figs. 13-14): With large median depression, concave lateral margins and a posteriorly narrowing median septum.

Agiasos: Megali Limni W., Steni Klidi, (N 39°06’47” E 26°18’30”), 400 m, 2 females, pitfalls in Pinus forest, 3.IV.2008 (CJVK, CRB); - Kalloni: Skala Kalloni (N 39°12’28” E 26°12’01”), 10 m, 1 female, litter in vegetable garden of hotel, 6.X.2007 (CRB); - Polichnitos: Polichnitos salt works (N 39°06’37” E 26°10’50”), 5 m, stones in Salicornia salt marsh, 2 females, 31.III.2008 (CRB); Vatera (N 39°01’00” E 26°13’59”), 30 m, 1 male, litter in garden of hotel, 9.X.2007 (CRB).

Ecology: Males of this species were only collected in October, females in October and March. It was found in salt marshes, pine forests and even in a vegetable garden, so there seem to be no particular habitat preferences.

Distribution: Currently, only known from Lesbos, but as all other Agroeca species have large distribution areas, it probably occurs in a much wider area.