ERATIGENA ARGANOI (BRIGNOLI, 1971) COMB. NOV.

(FIG. 12C, D, H, N, O)

Cicurina arganoi Brignoli, 1971a: 124–128, figs 82– 87, female.

Malthonica arganoi: Brignoli, 1977a: 38, figs 20–22.

Type

Paratype. Italy: Lazio: Roma, Altopiano di Arcinazzo, ♀ (MHNG); 17.iv.1966, Brignoli.

Other material examined

Italy (32 ♂, 25 ♀).

Diagnosis

The differentiation of E. arganoi, E. sardoa, and E. sicana (‘ Eratigena arganoi -group’) from other Eratigena gen. nov. species is provided in the Diagnosis section of E. herculea. The ‘ Eratigena arganoi -group’ can be separated from E. herculea and E. hispanica by having two unpaired prolateral spines on the palp tibia (in males and females, other species with one pair of spines), the small number of tarsal trichobothria (more than six in the other species), and the PMS bearing two cylindrical gland spigots laterally (others with three to four). Eratigena arganoi can be separated from E. sardoa and E. sicana by the very special, threepointed dorsal branch of the RTA (only one point in the other species), the very long and convoluted CD with attached diverticula (as in E. sardoa, much shorter, and straight in E. sicana) and the long oval and irregularly sclerotized RC (globular and smoothly sclerotized in the other species).

Description

Measurements: Male (N = 1): CL 2.16, CW 1.65, STL 1.23, STW 1.08, OL 2.31, OW 1.62. Leg I (2.85, 0.88, 2.64, 2.67, 1.42), II (2.32, 0.80, 1.90, 1.94, 1.16), III (2.15, 0.75, 1.65, 2.12, 1.12), IV (2.96, 0.82, 2.54, 3.04, 1.35). Pedipalp (1.12, 0.42, 0.49, 0.95), bulbL 0.69. Female (N = 1): CL 1.80, CW 1.30, STL 1.00, STW 0.89, OL 2.47, OW 1.63. Leg I (1.83, 0.70, 1.57, 1.51, 1.09), II (1.55, 0.61, 1.14, 1.24, 0.83), III (1.49, 0.57, 1.10, 1.39, 0.73), IV (2.02, 0.63, 1.73, 2.03, 1.03). Pedipalp (0.78, 0.33, 0.48, 0.77). EPL 0.41, EPW 0.54, ATL 0.13, ATW 0.22. Eyes: PME 0.09–0.12, PLE 0.09– 0.11, AME 0.06–0.08, ALE 0.10–0.12. Eye distances: PME- PME 0.5–1 x PME, PME- AME 0.5–1 x PME, PME- PLE 0.5–1 x PME, PME- ALE 0.5–1 x PME, AME- AME 0.5–1 x AME, AME- ALE <0.5–0.5 x AME. CLY1 2–2.5 x AME, CLY2 0.5–1 x ALE.

Male palp: RTA with two branches, lobe-like lateral branch protruding only slightly, dorsal branch strongly sclerotized and protruding, distally curved and triangular shaped with three points. Short dorsal spike on male palp tibia absent. Embolus length about 0.75–1.25 x CB, originating at 10 o’clock position, distal tip at 4 o’clock position. Conductor with distal portion moderately elongated, as long as wide, not reaching distal margin of alveolus, lateral margin folded. Terminal end simple, long, drawn out, and pointed. Transversal ridge of conductor weakly expressed as membranous lamella. Conductor membranously, connected to tegulum. MA originating at 6–7 o’clock position, protruding, longer than wide, distally with spoon-like sclerite. MA membranously connected to tegulum.

Epigyne and vulva: Epigyne with distinct posterior sclerite, forming a strongly sclerotized, triangularly shaped and protruding pocket, opening posteriad. Epigynal teeth present, originating distally of the posterior sclerite, pointing posteriomediad. CO located anteriolaterally of the posterior sclerite. Vulva consists of distinguishable CD, RC, and FD. CD long and convoluted with attached appendages. RC long, oval, irregularly formed, and sclerotized, enclosing convoluted duct, RC separated by about the diameter. FD only represented by small, leaf-shaped appendages.

Other important characters: Cheliceral promargin with three, retromargin with eight to nine teeth. Colulus rectangular shaped with distal margin almost straight. Distal segment of PLS longer than basal segment. PMS with one prominent minor ampullate gland spigot and two cylindrical gland spigots laterally. Trichobothria on cymbium and palp tarsus absent. Six tarsal trichobothria. Small teeth on paired claws of leg I 12–13. Leg spination: male palp (2–0–0–0, 2–0–0, 1–2–0–0), female palp (1–0–0–0 or 2–0–0–0, 2–0–0, 2–2–0–0), leg femora (2–1–0–0, 1–1– 1–0 or 2–1–0–0 or 2–1–1–0, 2–1–1–0, 1–1–1–0), patellae (all 1–0–0), tibiae (2–0–0–1 or 2–0–0–2p, 2–0–0–2 or 2–1–0–2+1p, 2–2–1–1 or 2–2–2–1+1p+1, 2–2–2– 2+1p+1 or 2–2–2–3), metatarsi (0–0–0–1+2p+1 or 0–0–0–1p+1+2p+1, 0–0–0–3p+1 or 0–1–0–3p+1, 0–3– 2–3p+1 or 0–3–3–3p+1, 0–3–3–1p+1+2p+1 or 0–4–3– 1p+1+2p+1), tarsi (I–IV 0).

Coloration: Carapace dorsally with two symmetrical longitudinal dark bands, sometimes reduced. Sternum with a distinct, pale median region. Opisthosoma brown-grey-green, dorsoanteriorly with two symmetrical longitudinal pale bands, continuing posteriad in chevrons and spots. Legs without a pattern. ALS indistinctly darkened, PLS with both segments darkened.

Distribution

Reported from mainland Italy.

Discussion

Drawings of the male palp are available in Bolzern et al. (2008). Drawings of both sexes, also with comment on the variation, are available in Brignoli (1971a, 1977a).