Persiatelurina farsiana Molero, Tahami, Gaju & Sadeghi new species

Figs. 2‒26

Type material. Holotype: male, Momtaz Cave, Marvdasht, Fars province, Iran. 18-II-2 0 15. Paratypes: three females from the same sample. An additional female collected in Khan Cave, Khonj, Fars province, Iran, 10-XI- 2015. Holotype deposited in MNCN (Cat. Types Number 2721); two paratypes from Momtaz Cave deposited in ZM-CBSU, code of collection C-2358), remaining two specimens deposited in UCO (Ref. Z2510 and Z2511).

Description. Body length of holotype 4.5 mm. Thorax length 2.1 mm, thorax width 1.3 mm. Epidermal pigment faint yellowish. Body shape fusiform, thorax slightly wider than abdomen, which tapers posteriorly (Fig. 2). Head hypognathous, free, not covered dorsally by pronotum. Scales multi-radiate, covering all of body dorsally and ventrally, and outer-dorsal side of coxae; most scales subrectangular, longer than wide (about 60 × 37 µm) (Fig. 3), with 12‒20 rays. Notal scales more variable, some rounded laterally, with about 30 rays and nearly 70 µm wide (Fig. 4), others on anterior portion of pronotum small (about 45 × 26 µm).

Head slightly wider than long, cephalic capsule scaled, with some setae in the “ocular” region and many setae of different sizes on frons, on upper part of clypeus and labrum (Fig. 5).

Antennae broken in all specimens available (maximum length preserved: 1.1 mm). Male pedicel with small ovoid-shaped apophysis not reaching distal margin of first flagellomere (Fig. 6). Trunk of pedicel, near base of apophysis, with small fovea with six setulae. Each basal annulus of flagellum with two trichobothria, a row of setae (sensilla chaetica) surrounding flagellomere, and several trichodea and basiconic sensilla; the latter subcylindrical, sausage-shaped, of varying widths.

Mandibles (Fig. 7) with a well-developed incisor area and molar area, with some setae on outer margin. Galea of maxilla with two apical conules, one slightly smaller than the other (Fig. 8). Apical tooth of lacinia bifid, prostheca long, with four short, robust setae. Maxillary palps broken in all specimens available. Apical article of labial palp ovoid, about 1.4 times longer than wide, with six typical papillae (Fig. 9); this article covered with simple pointed setae (sensilla chaetica), except for several bifid macrosetae in basal part and a group of small basiconic sensilla in the basal part of the outer side. Bifid macrosetae of subapical article more robust.

Nota each with a row of setae on lateral margins, these setae relatively robust and short (about 1/10 of the length of the notum), last seta in the posterolateral angle slightly longer. Anterior border of the pronotum and the posterior borders of the nota with a row of small setulae (shorter than a scale); some of these setulae scattered over the discs of the nota (Figs. 10, 11).

Most legs broken in available specimens and only coxae preserved; first pair of legs complete in two specimens. Tibiae about three times longer than wide, with several spines dorsally and ventrally (Fig. 12). Two lyriform spines inserted near apex of the dorsal part of tibia (Fig. 13), these spines shorter than apical tibial spur. Pretarsi with small pulvilli, about a third of the length of the empodium (Fig. 14).

Urotergites I‒VIII with 2+2 infralateral bifid macrosetae, the inner seta more robust and longer than the other; one short, thin seta usually inserted on the outer side of this group (Fig. 15). Urotergite I with 0‒1 and urotergites II‒VIII with 2‒3 additional infralateral acute setae inserted in hind margin of laterotergite; innermost seta robust, usually with a thin seta inserted on the outer side (Fig. 15). Remainder of urotergite margins devoid of setae except for 1+1 lateral and 1+1 submedian setulae (Fig. 16); urotergite I with 1+1 lateral setulae. Urotergite IX with posterolateral corners protruding, with 1+1 posterolateral groups of setae, each consisting of one apical macroseta and up to six outer and three inner shorter setae (Fig. 17).

Urotergite X (Fig. 18) with concave hind margin. The margin of the posterior notch with 2+2 setae in the holotype; apex of the posterolateral angles each bearing one long and strong macroseta. In male, underside of this tergite with 1+1 groups of about 23‒25 pegs (Fig. 19); lateral margins of tergite with a row of long, thin setae, one peg with acute apex on the left margin (Fig. 19). In female, the urotergite X setation similar, except pegs absent; one paratype with 3+4 setae in margin of posterior notch (Fig. 20).

Urosternite I glabrous or with 1+1 small setulae. Urosternite II with one pair of submedian vesicles very close together and with four setae (Fig. 21). Urosternites III‒VI with 1+1 submedian macrosetae and 6+6 isolated small setae inserted in the hind margin (Fig. 22). Three pairs of styli in both sexes, on urosternites VII‒IX. Urosternite VII with one pair of pseudovesicles (Fig. 22) and 1+1 submedian macrosetae plus 2+2 small setae inserted on the outer part of the hind margin. Urosternite VIII of the male with a straight posterior margin, but not well preserved in the holotype. Female subgenital plate wider than long, with nearly rounded hind margin, slightly acute at apex (Fig. 22), which bears a row of thin setae.

In male, urosternite IX divided into separate narrow coxites. Parameres absent, probably broken off (as only one male specimen is available, their characteristics are unknown). Penis typical of Atelurinae, with a cluster of internal glands (Fig. 23).

Ovipositor (Fig. 24) spindle-shaped, only with thin setae. Gonapophyses with seven divisions, those of VIII with a thin acute apex, and those of IX with a developed inner apical spiny area (Fig. 25).

Cerci of the male with one small peg in the basal cercomere, five larger pegs in the second and 0‒1 in the third cercomere (Fig. 26). Terminal filaments broken in their apical part, maximum length preserved about 0.8 mm.

Discussion. Persiatelurina farsiana n. sp. has six pairs of small setae in the posterior margin of urosternites IV‒VI, while P. caucasica n. comb. has only 4+4 setae, and Nipponatelurina kurosai Mendes & Machida, 1994 has five pairs. Moreover, the ovipositor of P. farsiana n. sp. has seven divisions, while the ovipositor of P. caucasica n. comb. has nine. Unfortunately, no males of the “ Nipponatelurina ” species (from Japan or from Abkhazia) have been found, which could provide more significant differences.

Habitat. Persiatelurina farsiana n. sp. has been found in the parahypogean zone of Momtaz Cave, where there is almost complete darkness. In Khan Cave, it has been collected in the endogean zone, near the entrance.

Etymology. The specific name farsiana is derived from the province of Fars where the two cave localities are located.