Menemerus currens Lecigne sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 6AA3C964-3A75-4D08-9492-568C002D4E57

Figs 10–11, Table 2

Diagnosis

The new species most resembles Menemerus davidi Prószyński & Wesołowska, 1999 but the male differs in the shape of the palpal retrolateral lobe, large and not bilobed in M. currens Lecigne sp. nov. The palpal ventral tibial apophysis is bent retrolaterally in the new species and pointed ventrally in M. davidi. Menemerus currens lacks both palpal dorsal tibial apophysis and basal femoral process; M. davidi has a flat dorsal tibial apophysis and a big process at base of femur (cf. Fig. 10B–F and Wesołowska 1999: 280, figs 78–85). The female of the new species can be distinguished by the presence of two large posterolateral epigynal teeth, absent in those of M. davidi. The spermathecae of M. currens are higher than wide, subcircular in M. davidi (cf. Fig. 11D–G; Wesołowska 1999: 281, figs 86–88).

Etymology

The specific epithet of this new species refers to the behaviour of the specimens observed in their environment, fleeing by running quickly on the ground rather than jumping.

Type material

Holotype

MOROCCO – Agadir Ida-Outanane Prefecture • ♂ (left pedipalp detached); Agadir, Anza; 30.47808° N, 9.66300° W; 80 m a.s.l.; 22 Mar. 2025; S. Lecigne leg.; sparse Argan grove and Euphorbia, on arid rocky ground, under stone; by hand; SMF, MOR _ 1684.

Paratype

MOROCCO – Agadir Ida-Outanane Prefecture • 1 ♀ (abdomen and epigyne separated; abdomen damaged); same data as for holotype; SMF, MOR _ 1684.

Description

Male (holotype; Fig. 10)

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 6.80; carapace length 3.00, width 2.29, CL/CW 1.31; PLE–PLE 1.50.

COLOUR IN ETHANOL (Fig. 10A). Carapace dark brown with broad median band of long white flattened hairs, widening anteriorly to anterior eye line, edged with orange hairs. Marginal bands of white hairs narrowing anteriorly and interrupted at level of PLE. Clypeus with white hairs, thicker under AME; anterior eyes surrounded by long orange setae. Sternum pale brown. Legs yellowish except coxae, trochanters and femora of first legs brown but femora distally paler; tibiae and metatarsi of first legs darker; retrolateral side of femora of second pair of legs with large greyish marks. Pedipalps brown, femora dorsally covered with long white hairs, denser distally. Abdomen yellowish with two lateral wide longitudinal dark strips, converging at rear towards spinnerets, but without joining.

CARAPACE. Chelicerae: outer cheliceral margin armed with two teeth, distal one largest.

LEG SPINATION. Tibiae II and metatarsi I–II, with 2 pairs of ventral spines; other segments with variable number of spines.

PALP (Fig. 10B–G). Ventral apophysis directed outwards, tip slightly curved ventrally (Fig. 10E). Retrolateral side of palpal femur with sub-circular depression and ventro-apical area of femur pointed and sclerotized (Fig. 10G). Ventro-retrolateral edge of tegulum straight. Embolus short and stout, strongly sclerotized, slightly and evenly curved outwards, oriented towards 1 o’clock position (Fig. 10C, F).

Female (paratype; Fig. 11); as in male except as noted

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 9.20; carapace length 3.05, width 2.30, CL/CW 1.33.

COLOUR ON LIVE SPECIMEN (Fig. 11A). Silvery appearance of broad median white band on carapace and abdomen, contrasting with dark brown lateral stripes.

COLOUR IN ETHANOL (Fig. 11B–C). Legs yellowish with greyish areas giving vaguely ringed appearance, particularly on tibiae and metatarsi of third and fourth legs. Pedipalps yellow, tibiae and tarsi with long, sparse white hairs, mainly on sides.

LEG SPINATION. Metatarsi I–II, 2 pairs of ventral spines; other segments with variable number of spines.

EPIGYNE / VULVA (Fig. 11D–G). Epigyne wide, with large atria, provided with two large blunt posterolateral teeth (Fig. 11F, ET). Internal structure strongly sclerotized (Fig. 11E); spermathecae (Sp) higher than wide (Fig. 11G).

Distribution and habitat

Currently only recorded from Morocco. To date, only known from the type locality, from a single station, in the coastal zone north of Agadir (Anza), in a xerothermophilic habitat facing west. It was observed under stones, close to a Euphorbia in an Argan grove.