Zora armeniaca sp. nov.

Figs 1 A – C, 2 A – E, 3 A – C

Type material.

Holotype • ♂ (ZMMU), Armenia: Ararat Prov.: env. of Urtsadzor Vill., 39 ° 54 ' N, 44 ° 50 ' E, 1200–1300 m, clay slope, 6. v. 2021 (Y. M. Marusik). Paratypes: • 1 ♂ (ZMUT), env. of Goravan Vill., Goravan Sands State Sanctuary, 39 ° 53 ' N, 44 ° 43 ' E, 6. v. 2021 (Y. M. Marusik); • 1 ♂ (ZMUT), Garni Gorge, Azat River, 40 ° 06 ' N, 44 ° 43 ' E, 1240 m, 5. v. 2021 (Y. M. Marusik); Vayot Dzor Prov.: • 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (ZMMU), Gnishik R. canyon, rd. to Noravank Monastery, 39 ° 41 ' N, 45 ° 13 ' E, 1400 m, 10. v. 2021 (Y. M. Marusik); Yerevan: • 1 ♂ 2 ♀ (ZMUT), botanical garden, 40 ° 12 ' N, 44 ° 33 ' E, 17. v. 2021 (Y. M. Marusik).

Comparative material.

Z. silvestris (Figs 1 D – F, 2 F, 3 D) — Belgium: Namur Prov.: • 1 ♀ (CPO), Sclaigneaux Nature Reserve, 50 ° 30 ' N, 4 ° 58 ' E, 2. v. 2011; 1 ♂ (CPO), same locality, 19. v. 2012; • 1 ♂ (CPO), Nismes, 23. v. 1982 (R. Kekenbosch). France: Mayenne Dept.: • 1 ♀ (CPO), Thorigné-en-Charnie, Jardin de la Grange, 21. iv. – 13. v. 2013 (J. J. Tilly).

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to the distribution of the new species in Armenia; adjective.

Diagnosis.

Among the species occurring in the Caucasus, the following possess two pairs of ventral spines on metatarsi I and II: Z. alexeevi Ponomarev, Mikhailov & Shmatko, 2024; Z. alpina Kulczyński, 1915; Z. caucasia Ponomarev, Mikhailov & Shmatko, 2024; Z. dagestana Ponomarev, Mikhailov & Shmatko, 2024; Z. manicata; Z. osetica Ponomarev, 2021; and Z. silvestris. Among these, the new species differs from Z. caucasia, Z. manicata, and Z. osetica in its lighter overall body coloration (cf. Fig. 1 A – C vs. Ponomarev et al. 2024: figs 15, 16, 35, 43). In the shape of the RTA, it differs from Z. alpina and Z. dagestana (cf. Fig. 2 E and Ponomarev et al. 2024: figs 19, 22), but resembles Z. alexeevi and Z. silvestris. It differs from Z. silvestris in the coloration of the carapace and legs, as well as in the morphology of the copulatory organs. In both sexes, the dark marginal stripe of the carapace is interrupted (vs. continuous), and the metatarsi and tarsi are not darkened (vs. darkened) (cf. Figs 1 A – C, 2 B vs. Fig. 1 D – F). The male differs from those of both Z. alexeevi and Z. silvestris in having the base of the RTA inclined (vs. forming a right angle; cf. Fig. 2 E vs. Fig. 2 F and Ponomarev et al. 2024: fig. 2). Among the light-colored species in the region, the female of Z. dagestana is unknown. Within the remaining species, the female of the new species differs from Z. alpina in the shape of the fovea (cf. Fig. 3 B and Ponomarev et al. 2024: fig. 23), but resembles those of Z. alexeevi and Z. silvestris. It differs from both of the latter species in having shorter copulatory ducts (cf. Fig. 3 C vs. Fig. 3 D and Ponomarev et al. 2024: fig. 4).

Description.

Male (holotype). Habitus as in Figs 1 A, 1 C, 2 A. Total length 2.85. Carapace 1.40 long, 1.15 wide. Carapace pale yellowish brown, with greyish brown submedian bands and lateral markings; chelicerae, maxillae, labium, and sternum pale yellowish brown; chelicerae with greyish brown longitudinal marking anteriorly (Fig. 2 A); sternum with greyish brown median spots and lateral patches. Palps pale yellowish brown; legs light yellow with dark spots at femora, greyish brown to light brown at patellae and tibiae, and pale beige at metatarsi and tarsi. Abdomen dorsally with brown cardiac mark and posterior chevrons, otherwise with scattered pale grey and dark brown irregular markings; spinnerets brown, paler apically. Measurements of legs: I: 5.35 (1.30, 0.65, 1.40, 1.25, 0.75); II: 4.65 (1.15, 0.50, 1.25, 1.10, 0.65); III: 4.45 (1.15, 0.55, 1.05, 1.15, 0.55); IV: 6.65 (1.75, 0.60, 1.70, 1.85, 0.65). Paired ventral spines on metatarsi I, II: 2 p.

Palp as in Fig. 2 C – E; RTA curved in ventral view, with broad base having inclined distal margin, tip bifurcated: ventral branch digitiform in lateral view, dorsal branch sclerotized, folded; cymbial fold long, ca 0.4 as long as cymbium; base of tegular apophysis located at 3 o’clock position, directing prodistad and curving retrodistad at 12 o’clock position, tip tapering and slightly hooked; conductor hyaline, flat, partly covered by tegular apophysis; embolus base located at 3 o’clock position, broad, terminating at 12 o’clock position.

Female (paratype from Vayot Dzor). Habitus as in Fig. 1 B. Total length 3.90. Carapace 1.70 long, 1.30 wide. Overall coloration and ventral spines on metatarsi I and II as in male; femora more distinctly mottled. Measurements of legs: I: 5.15 (1.50, 0.70, 1.40, 1.00, 0.55); II: 4.85 (1.40, 0.75, 1.25, 0.90, 0.55); III: 4.50 (1.25, 0.65, 1.05, 1.00, 0.55); IV: 6.75 (1.80, 0.75, 1.70, 1.80, 0.70).

Epigyne as in Fig. 3 A – C; fovea forming heart-shaped figure anteriorly, narrowing medially with parallel margins, expanding posteriorly; copulatory ducts broad, making single medial loop before connecting to anterior margins of receptacles; receptacles circular, closely spaced.

Distribution.

Known only from the listed localities in Ararat, Vayot Dzor, and Yerevan, Armenia.