Melecosa alpina Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen 2004, comb. n.

Melecosa alpina (Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004) comb. n.

Figs 4‒6, 32‒33, 40‒50, 60

Sibirocosa alpina Marusik et al., 2004: 142, fig. 250 (♀); Marusik et al. 2007: 269, figs 9‒17, 29 (♂♀).

Material examined: KAZAKHSTAN: 1 ♂ (ZMMU), Zailiyskiy Mt Range, Bol’shoye Alma-Atinskoye Lake, 43°05'N 76°59'E, 29.06.1993 (S.V.Ovchinnikov). KYRGYZSTAN: 1♂ (ZMMU), Issyk-Kul’ area, 10 km S Cholpon-Ata Town (42°39′N 77°05′E), 20.05.1995 (S.V.Ovchinnikov); 1♀ S Kyrgyzstan, Alai Mt Range, Taldyk Pass (39°46’N 73°12’E), 7.07.1995 (S.V.Ovchinnikov). CHINA: 10♂ 3♀ (ZMUT), Xinjiang, Nantaizi, 43.399˚ N 87.214 ˚E‒43.430˚ N 87.255 ˚E, 1800‒2100 m, meadow slope, 3‒ 28.06.2004 (N.R.Fritzén).

Diagnosis. See genus diagnosis.

Description. Male (Fig. 5). Total length 4.05. Carapace 2.7 long, 2.25 wide. Carapace length/femur I ratio1.29. General colouration (in alcohol) light brown. Carapace with distinct light median band and dark radial stripes, marginal and submarginal stripes indistinct. Dorsum of abdomen lighter than carapace; cordial mark present. Femora with annulations, other segments yellow. Spination of leg I (Fig. 6): femur 3d, 2p, 2r; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 1p, 1r, 3- 3v; metatarsus 2p, 2r, 2- 2v. Length of leg I joints: femur 2.1, patella 0.6, tibia 1.8, metatarsus 2.05, tarsus 1.35.

Male palp as in Figs 40–48. Tegular apophysis with two arms, basal arm longer than apical; base of embolus on the top of bulbus; embolus wide, thick and short, terminating at median part of bulbus, apex sharply pointed; palea partly reduced and not covering haematodocha, with huge palear process (Pp) and lacking distinct terminal apophysis.

Female. Total length 5.45‒6.2. Carapace 2.75‒2.9 long, 2.25‒2.3 wide; carapace coloured as in male, but abdomen lighter (Fig. 4). Femora and tibiae with annulations. Carapace length/femur I ratio1.24‒1.34. Spination of leg I: femur 3d, 2p, 1r; patella 1p, 1r; tibia 1p, 1r, 3- 3v; metatarsus 1p, 1r, 2- 2v. Length of leg I joints: femur 2.25, patella 1.15, tibia 2.1, metatarsus 2.0, tarsus 1.25.

Epigyne as in Figs 32‒33, 49‒50. Fovea transverse, 3 times wider than high, fovea shallow; basal arms (Ba) touching; two apical pockets (Ap); septal stem thin, septal base almost reduced (not wider than base of stem); receptacles long, with robust heads.

Comments. Unlike the majority of Acantholycosa complex species, this species inhabits meadows instead of stony screes. All specimens have been collected at 1500 m or higher.

Distribution. Known across Tien Shang, from the Alai Mountain Range to Urumqi (Fig. 60).