Neaetha wesolowskae sp. nov.

Figs 21–34

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Professor Wanda Wesołowska (Wrocław University, Poland), distinguished Polish arachnologist and world authority of salticid taxonomy.

Diagnosis. The palps are similar to those of N. absheronica Logunov & Guseinov, 2001, N. tomkovichi and N. membrosa (Simon, 1868), but the embolus is crescent shaped versus almost straight, narrower at the base, and the tegulum more elongate in the new species (Figs 24–27). The retrolateral tibial apophysis is long, dorsally oriented, more slender than in the three species mentioned above. The epigyne is similar to that of N. tomkovichi, but the pockets are relatively larger, and the spermathecae are distant from one another versus touching to one other. The copulatory openings are ovoid versus crescent shaped in most species. The copulatory ducts are much shorter than those of other species (Figs 32–33).

Description. Male (Holotype, UUME UPSZTY 155664, Figs 21–27). Specimen in poor condition. Carapace brown, robust, rather high, widest behind PLE, thoracic slope distinctive, fovea just behind PLE. Entire surface covered with white scales, more numerous on sides and near eyes. Clypeus brown, with light scales along the lower margin. Chelicerae brown, with 2 promarginal teeth and single retromarginal tooth. Endites and labium brown, with lighter tips, sternum light brown. Legs brown, legs I thickest, tibia swollen, femur, patella and tibia with feathery ventral setae. Leg spination not distinctive. Opisthosoma ovoid, dorsally with 3 transverse, wide, brown stripes disconnected medially. Setae and scales rather numerous, whitish and brown, anterior setae longer. Ventral opisthosoma light grey, with darker spots. Spinnerets light brown, not distinctive.

Palps as in Figs 24–27. Retrolateral tibial apophysis long, gradually narrowing, tip pointed and oriented dorsally. Tegulum ovoid, longer than wide, sperm duct not meandering. Embolus crescent-shaped, originating at 9 o’clock position.

Dimensions: CL 1.49, CW 1.30, CH 0.65, clypeus height 0.10, EFL 0.56, AEW 0.91, AME diameter 0.30, PEW 0.95, OL 1.20, OW 0.71, legs: I 3.15 (0.21, 0.96, 0.62, 0.66, 0.42, 0.28), II? (0.18, 0.61, 0.33,?), III 3.13 (0.24, 1.06, 0.52, 0.55, 0.39, 0.37), IV 2.40 (0.18, 0.70, 0.36, 0.40, 0.42, 0.34).

Female (Paratype, UUME UPSZTY 155665, Figs 28–33). Carapace rather high, thoracic slope distinctive, fovea short, just behind PLE. Colouration brown, eye surroundings black. Entire surface covered with white scales and fewer brown setae. Clypeus brown, with white scales and longer setae centrally. Chelicerae brown, endites light brown, labium darker. Sternum ovoid, light brown. Legs light brown, femora III with proximal and distal brown rings. Legs I thickest, covered with numerous whitish scales and brown setae. Leg spination as in male, not distinctive. Dorsal opisthosoma yellowish, with darker spots, covered with light and brown scales. Ventral opisthosoma yellowish, with irregular darker spots, covered with white and fewer brown setae. Spinnerets light brown.

Epigyne with large, central anterior pocket, copulatory openings ovoid, copulatory ducts very short, membranous, spermathecae strongly sclerotized, as long as wide, separated by ca. one spermathecal radius (Figs 32–33).

Dimensions: CL 0.86, CW 0.74, CH 0.50, clypeus height 0.13, EFL 0.47, AEW 0.65, AME diameter 0.38, PEW 0.71, OL 0.97, OW 0.72, legs: I 3.22 (0.27, 0.91, 0.64, 0.63, 0.46, 0.31), II 2.40 (0.21, 0.73, 0.50, 0.37, 0.29, 0.30), III 3.83 (0.30, 1.24, 0.64, 0.69, 0.49, 0.47), IV 2.76 (0.26, 0.84, 0.40, 0.44, 0.42, 0.40).

Type material. Holotype ³: THAILAND: Kanchanaburi Province: Ban Say Yok, Kwai River, 100 m a.s.l., leg. Å. Holm, 24–25.XI.1979 (secondary rain forest) (UUME UPSZTY 155664).

Paratype ♀: THAILAND: Chonburi Province: Pattaya, leg. Å. Holm, 27.XI.1979 (on shrubs) (UUME UPSZTY 155665).

Distribution. The easternmost record of Neaetha species (Fig. 34); known only from the type locality.

Remarks. The copulatory organs are similar to those of N. absheronica from Azerbaijan, Crete, Greece, North Macedonia, Turkey, N. tomkovichi from India and N. membrosa occurring from the western Mediterranean to Germany. The great distance between the localities of the aforementioned species and N. wesolowskae sp. nov. suggests that the reconstruction of intrageneric relations should be based on genetic rather than morphological data.

Both sexes are from different localities, and the collection of a male and a female from the same locality will help confirm their conspecific affiliation.