Raveniola cucullata Zonstein, 2024, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Zonstein, Sergei L.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Nemesiidae
Raveniola
Raveniola cucullata

description: Raveniola cucullata sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: D8D03F0B-4F23-4ACF-ACBE-226049F93660
Figs 5–6, 39–40, 66, 69–70, 87–88, 114–115, 141–142, 170–171, 197, 207, 233–234, 263–264, 293–294, 312, 328–333, 354–355, 389–396, 469–470, 482–484, 495–499, 563–567, 629–646, 751
Diagnosis
Males of Raveniola cucullata sp. nov. differ from males of the four habitually similar species, R. dolosa sp. nov., R. ignobilis sp. nov., R. ornatula sp. nov. and R. pamira sp. nov., by noticeably shorter legs I–IV, and by metatarsi I–II, which are provided with denser and shorter scopula (Figs 263–264 cf. Figs 265, 267, 270–272). The structure of the tibia and metatarsus I and the conformation of the embolus in R. cucullata most closely resemble those in R. insolita sp. nov., but the latter species differs from R. cucullata in possessing a considerably longer male palpal tibia (Figs 354–355 cf. Fig. 360). Females of R. cucullata differ from females of R. dolosa and R. ornatula in having much larger PMS (which are strictly reduced in size in the two latter species (Figs 554, 556 cf. Figs 569–570, 582–583)). Nevertheless, females of R. cucullata can be realibly distinguished from those of R. ignobilis and R. pamira only in the specific conformation of the spermathecal branches (which are either more widely set to each other, compared with R. dolosa, or longer, thinner and not dilated apically, compared with R. pamira (Figs 495–499 cf. Figs 520–523)).
Etymology
The specific epithet is a Latin adjective referring to a clearly darkened cephalic portion of the carapace in this species (a character better developed in the conspecific males), that resembles in shape a hood (Latin: ‘ cucullus ’) folded back; the gender is feminine.
Material examined
Holotype
TAJIKISTAN • ♂; Vahsh Mts, Mullokoni Canyon, Shikildara Gorge; 38°39′ N, 70°01′ E; 1800 m a.s.l.; 29 Apr. 1990; S. Zonstein leg.; SMNH.
Paratypes (9 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀)
TAJIKISTAN • 6 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype; 1600–1900 m a.s.l.; SMNH • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Hazratisho Mts, Yahsu Canyon, Kapar (Sangdara) Gorge, near Sangdara Village; 38°21.8′ N, 70°09.9′ E; 1450–1800 m a.s.l.; 15 Oct. 1987; S. Zonstein leg.; SMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding, Iokunj Gorge; 38°23′ N, 70°09′ E; 1700 m a.s.l.; 18 May 2002; S. Zonstein leg.; SMNH • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Peter I Mts, Childara Canyon, Shahobdara Gorge, 4 km NNW of Shahob Village; 38°51′ N, 70°18′ E; 1900–2100 m a.s.l.; 12 Jul. 1988; S. Zonstein leg.; SMNH • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding, 2.5 km N of Shahob Village; 38°50′ N, 70°19′ E; 1800 m a.s.l.; 8 Jul. 2019; S. Zonstein leg.; SMNH.
Additional material (1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 ♀ subad., 1 juv.)
TAJIKISTAN • 1 ♀, 1 juv.; Vahsh Mts, Shuro Gorge; 38°31′ N, 69°46′ E; 1700 m a.s.l.; 20 Oct. 1968; E.M. Andreeva leg.; MIZW • 1 ♂, 1 ♀ subad.; Darvaz Mts (northern slope), environs of Miyonadu Village; [38°50′ N, 70°53′ E]; 3200 m a.s.l.; 1–30 Jun. 1968; V.I. Chikatunov leg.; MIZW • 1 ♀; Western Pamir, Darvaz Mts (southern slope), Obiviskharvi Canyon, surroundings of Ubagan Village; 38°32′ N, 71°03′ E; 1950–2100 m a.s.l.; 15 Jul. 1988; S. Zonstein leg.; SMNH.
Description
Male (holotype)
HABITUS. See Figs 5, 70.
MEASUREMENTS. TBL 13.80, CL 6.13, CW 5.05, LL 0.43, LW 0.98, SL 3.23, SW 2.67.
COLOUR. Carapace laterally, palpal femur, entire leg I and femora II–IV tangerine orange, chelicerae, most part of cephalic portion, thoracic fovea and radial grooves of carapace darker reddish brown; other segments of palp and legs II–IV yellowish orange; eye tubercle blackish brown; sternum, labium and maxillae light brownish orange; abdomen yellowish brown, with darker brown chevron-like dorsal pattern; spinnerets pale yellowish brown.
CEPHALOTHORAX. Carapace and chelicerae as shown in Fig. 87. Clypeus and eye group as in Fig. 141. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.16(0.22), ALE 0.29, PLE 0.22, PME 0.18; AME–AME 0.16(0.10), ALE–AME 0.13(0.10), ALE–PLE 0.16, PLE–PME 0.03, PME–PME 0.37. Anterior cheliceral edge only with slightly thickened setae; rastellum not developed. Intercheliceral tumescence present as a small pallid area with diffuse and weakly discernible borders (as in Fig. 197). Each cheliceral furrow with 9 promarginal teeth and 4–5 mesobasal denticles. Sternum, labium and maxillae as shown in Fig. 207. Maxillae with 27–28 cuspules each.
LEGS. Tibia and metatarsus I as in Figs 263, 293. Scopula: entire and distal on metatarsi I–II; entire on tarsus I; narrowly divided with setae on tarsus II; widely divided on tarsus III; sparse, mixed with setae and widely divided on tarsus IV. Trichobothria: 2 rows of 8–9 on tibiae, 13–18 on metatarsi, 11–15 on tarsi, 9–10 on cymbium. PTC I–IV with 10–12 teeth on each margin.
SPINATION. Palp: femur d3(2), pd2, rd1; patella p1; tibia d3, p2, rd2, v6; cymbium d12(15). Leg I: femur d4, pd2, rd4(2); patella p2; tibia p2, pv1, r2(1), rv2+2M; metatarsus v1a. Leg II: femur d4, pd3, rd4(3); patella p3; tibia p3, v8; metatarsus p1, v6. Leg III: femur d4, pd3, rd2; patella p2, r1; tibia d3, p2, r3, v7; metatarsus d4(2), p4, r3, v7. Leg IV: femur d4, pd3, rd3; patella p2, r2; tibia p3, pd1, r3, v9(7); metatarsus d2(1), p4, r3, v8. Tarsi I–IV aspinose.
PALP. Tibia, cymbium and copulatory bulb as shown in Fig. 354. Embolus with long basal portion provided with low keel and short hooked apical part (Figs 389–391).
SPINNERETS. See Fig. 563. PMS: length 0.44, diameter 0.17. PLS: maximal diameter 0.52; length of basal, medial and apical segments 1.02, 0.61, 0.52; total length 2.15; apical segment triangular.
LEG MEASUREMENTS. ♂(♀)
FemurPatellaTibiaMetatarsusTarsusTotalPalp3.76 (3.73)1.69 (2.09)2.96 (2.39)–1.02 (2.06)10.43 (9.23)Leg I5.73 (4.83)2.84 (2.86)3.97 (3.25)4.28 (2.69)2.49 (1.78)19.31 (15.41)Leg II5.12 (4.66)2.47 (2.53)3.61 (3.09)3.89 (2.62)2.49 (1.84)17.58 (14.74)Leg III4.27 (3.84)1.98 (2.23)2.87 (2.44)3.77 (3.12)2.40 (2.11)15.29 (13.74)Leg IV5.57 (5.01)2.51 (2.58)4.23 (3.51)5.84 (4.45)2.83 (2.47)20.98 (18.02)
Female (paratype from Mullokoni Canyon)
HABITUS. See Figs 39, 69.
MEASUREMENTS. TBL 16.10, CL 6.82, CW 5.94, LL 0.61, LW 1.34, SL 3.54, SW 3.18.
COLOUR. Similar to that of male, but cephalic portion of carapace only slightly darkened.
CEPHALOTHORAX. Carapace and chelicerae as shown in Fig. 114. Clypeus and eye group as in Fig. 170. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.14(0.20), ALE 0.32, PLE 0.20, PME 0.17; AME-AME 0.17(0.11), ALE-AME 0.13(0.10), ALE-PLE 0.11, PLE-PME 0.05, PME-PME 0.52. Cheliceral rastellum underdeveloped as in male. Each cheliceral furrow with 9 promarginal teeth and 6–7 mesobasal denticles. Sternum, labium and maxillae as shown in Fig. 233. Labium with 1 cuspule. Maxillae with 38–41 cuspules each.
LEGS. Tibia and metatarsus IV without modified hairs (Fig. 312). Scopula: distal on metatarsi I–II; entire on palpal tarsus and tarsus I; widely divided with setae on tarsus II; sparse and widely divided by setae on tarsus III; vestigial on tarsus IV. Trichobothria: 2 rows of 8–10 each on tibiae, 13–16 on metatarsi; 12–15 on tarsi. Palpal claw with 4 promarginal teeth. PTC I–IV with 6–8 teeth on each margin.
SPINATION. All femora with one basodorsal spine and 2–3 median and/or apical bristles; palpal patella, patellae I–II, and tarsi I–IV aspinose. Palp: femur pd2; tibia v5; tarsus v2. Leg I: femur pd2; tibia v3; metatarsus v6(5). Leg II: femur pd3; tibia p1, v3; metatarsus v6. Leg III: femur pd3, rd3(2); patella p2, r2; tibia d1, p2, r2, v7(6); metatarsus p3(2), pd2, r3(2), v7. Leg IV: femur pd1(0), rd1; patella r1; tibia p2, r3, v7; metatarsus p3, r4, v8.
SPERMATHECAE. Each of paired spermathecae U-shaped with very low triangular base carrying two branches, unequal to each other: thicker and straight or slightly curved inner branch, and slender and fairly twisted outer one (Fig. 494).
SPINNERETS. See Fig. 564. PMS: length 0.69, diameter 0.28. PLS: length of basal, medial and apical segments 1.06, 0.56, 0.32; total length 1.94; apical segment triangular.
Variation
Carapace length in males (n =10) varies from 4.97 to 6.20, in females (n= 10) from 5.67 to 8.48. The corresponding variations are shown for: the habitus and colouration – in Figs 6, 40, 66; the carapace, eye group and sternum – in Figs 88, 115, 142, 171, 234; the male tibia and metatarsus I – in Figs 264 and 294; the trichobothria, tarsal organ and claws of female tarsus I – in Figs 328–333; the male palp and copulatory bulb – in Figs 355, 392–396, 469–470; the spinnerets – in Figs 482–484, 565–567; the spermathecae – in Figs 495–499.
Ecology
The species generally occurs in the midland montane zone, where it inhabits small riverside and slope woodlands (dominated by Juglans regia L., Juniperus seravschanica Kom., Acer spp. and Populus spp.) which are generally interspersed with a tall shrubland. Along the valleys of mountain streams, the spiders can penetrate into the subalpine and alpine zones. These spiders were observed hiding under rocks in the most humid microhabitats. Raveniola cucullata sp. nov. sympatrically shares the same biotopes together with R. dolosa sp. nov. and R. pamira sp. nov. in Peter I Mts and Darvaz Mts, and together with R. ignobilis sp. nov. and R. ornatula sp. nov. in Hozratisho Mts. See Figs 629–646.
Distribution
Tajikistan: Vahsh Mts, Hazretisho Mts, Peter I Mts and Darvaz Mts, the northwestern and western branches of the Pamirs mountain system. See Fig. 651.
description: Published as part of Zonstein, Sergei L., 2024, A revision of the spider genus Raveniola (Araneae, Nemesiidae). II. Species from Central Asia, pp. 1-185 in European Journal of Taxonomy 967 on pages 26-29, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.967.2699, http://zenodo.org/record/13990819