(Araneae). 5. on Synaphosus from Central Asia

Zootaxa 4178 (3): 428–442 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2016 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4178.3.7 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5D757FFE-7367-47A4-9523-9A0CEA3B2763 A survey of East Palaearctic Gnaphosidae (Araneae). 5. On Synaphosus from Central Asia

YURI M. MARUSIK1,2,3,4 & ALEXANDER A. FOMICHEV5 1Institute for Biological Problems of the North RAS, Portovaya Str. 18, Magadan 685000, Russia 2Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa 3Far Eastern Federal University, Sukhanova 8, Vladivostok 690950, Russia 4Zoological Museum, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland 5Altai State University, Lenina Pr., 61, Barnaul, RF-656049, Russia

Abstract

Four new species of Synaphosus are described from Central Asia: S. shmakovi sp. n. (♀, Western Mongolia), S. ovtsharenkoi sp. n. (♂♀, Central Mongolia), S. mongolicus sp. n. (♀, South-Western Mongolia) and S. saidovi sp. n. (♀, Tajikistan). New faunistic records and illustrations of S. palearcticus Ovtsharenko, Levy & Platnick, 1994 and S. turanicus Ovtsharen- ko, Levy & Platnick, 1994 are provided. Synaphosus with three named species is recorded for the first time from Mongo- lia, and S. palearcticus is reported for the first time from Tajikistan.

Key words: Aranei, ground spiders, Mongolia, Tajikistan, new species, new record, illustrated redescription

Introduction

Synaphosus Platnick & Shadab, 1980 is a relatively small genus of gnaphosid spiders distributed in South Palaearctic, northern half of Africa and Southeast Asia. Currently, 25 species are assigned to this genus (WSC 2016). Synaphosus is a rather well studied genus due to the revision by Ovtsharenko et al. (1994), in which 17 species were considered while placement of one more species, S. paludis (Chamberlin & Gertsch 1940) was doubted. Since this revision, one species was transferred into Synaphosus from Zelotes, one species was described from Western Kazakhstan, and five new species, from Southeast Asia (WSC 2016). All five species found in Central Asia (Mikhailov 2013) were described by Ovtsharenko et al. (1994): Synaphosus palearcticus, S. taukum, S. karakumensis, S. soyunovi and S. turanicus. While studying material from that region, we found four undescribed species as well as several new localities for S. palearcticus and S. turanicus. This paper provides descriptions of new species from Tajikistan and Mongolia, and new records for two most widespread species in Central Asia as well as their illustrations.

Material and methods

Specimens were photographed using a Canon EOS 7D camera attached to an Olympus SZX16 stereomicroscope and with a SEM JEOL JSM-5200 scanning microscope at the Zoological Museum, University of Turku. Digital photographs of male palps and intact epigynes were taken in dishes of different sizes with white or black paraffin at the bottom. Photographs of macerated epigynes were prepared on slides with either Olympus SZX16 or Olympus BH-2 (Fig. 32) microscopes. Digital images were prepared using “CombineZP” and Zerene Stacker image stacking software. All measurements are given in millimetres (mm). Length of leg segments were measured on the dorsal side. Data about spination based on examination of one specimen of each species (one side of the body). We followed terminology of the part of the copulatory organs and the standard of descriptions used in Marusik & Omelko (2014) and Fomichev & Marusik (2015).

428 Accepted by M. Ramirez: 8 Sept. 2016; published: 26 Oct. 2016 Abbreviations

Museums: ISEA Museum of the Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Novosibirsk, Russia. ZISP Zoological Institute, Sanct-Petersburg, Russia. ZMMU Zoological Museum of the Moscow State University, Russia. ZMUT Zoological Museum, University of Turku, Finland.

Collectors: AF—Alexander A. Fomichev; AG—Alexander V. Gromov; YM—Yuri M. Marusik; RD—Roman Yu. Dudko, SZ—Sergei L. Zonstein. Leg segments: Fe—femur, Mt—metatarsus, Pt—patella, Ta—tarsus, Ti—tibia. Spination: d—dorsal, p—prolateral, r—retrolateral, v—ventral. Eyes: AME—anterior median eyes, ALE—anterior lateral eyes, PME—posterior median eyes, PLE— posterior lateral eyes, MOQ—median ocular quadrangle.

Taxonomic survey

Synaphosus Platnick & Shadab, 1980

Synaphosus Platnick & Shadab, 1980: 21; Ovtsharenko et al. 1994: 2; Deeleman-Reinhold 2001: 535; Murphy 2007: 378.

Type species: Nodocion syntheticus Chamberlin, 1924. Diagnosis. Synaphosus species found in Central Asia can be distinguished from other gnaphosids known in the region by the combined presence of preening brush (but not comb) on metatarsi III, lack of median apophysis, long circular embolus originated retrolaterally or at least from six o'clock position (S. ovtsharenkoi sp. n.), complex conductor with 2 arms, sharply pointed tibial apophysis, presence of epigynal pocket and long, highly twisted copulatory ducts. Description. Described by Ovtsharenko et al. (1994). Relationships. Synaphosus was not assigned to any subfamily by Platnick & Shadab (1980) and Ovtsharenko et al. (1994). Ubick (2005, p. 107) listed genus among "Drassodinae" a polyphyletic taxon, in which he placed genera with unclear position. Murphy (2007) placed Synaphosus into the formal Echemus group of genera. Species groups. Three species groups were recognized by Ovtsharenko et al. (1994) in the genus: syntheticus, gracillimus, and kakamega. Judging from the shape of copulatory organs in five species recently described from Southeast Asia, they belongs at least to two other species groups. One group that should be called femininis unites S. cangshanus Yang, Yang & Zhang, 2013 (♂♀) and S. femininis Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 (♂♀). Both species have a very long tibial apophysis, and a characteristic epigyne with numerous coils of copulatory ducts small in diameter and placed on top of each other, and a wrinkled anterior part of epigynal plate. Three other species S. daweiensis Yin, Bao & Peng, 2002 (♂♀), S. kris Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 (♂) and S. raveni Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 (♂) have male palps very different from each other and from all other species by having either no tibial apophysis (S. kris) or 2 tibial apophyses (S. raveni), or complex tibial apophyses and modified cymbium (S. daweiensis). Three former species are possibly misplaced in this genus. Note. Bulbal sclerites in Synaphosus were not homologized in literature. Platnick & Shadab (1980) and Ovtsharenko et al. (1994) mentioned three sclerites: embolus, conductor (with groove) and folded median apophysis, but none of the sclerites were indicated on the figures. Judging from the structure of the bulb, Synaphosus lacks a median (=tegular) apophysis, homologous to that in other Gnaphosidae such as Gnaphosa Latreille, 1804, Haplodrassus Chamberlin, 1922, Drassodes Westring, 1851, and Micaria Westring, 1851. Median (tegular) apophysis in abovementioned genera is a hook-like, heavily sclerotized apophysis flexibly attached to the tegulum by a membranous insertion. Members of the syntheticus-group of Synaphosus have two apophyses. Judging from the SEM figures (Figs 13‒15, 18) of S. ovtsharenkoi sp. n., two apophyses originate from the same sclerite, and we consider them the arms of a subdivided conductor. The prolateral one (Pc) appears to serve as a "functional" conductor and has a groove guiding the embolus. The other one is the membranous retrolateral arm (Rc). Members of the gracillimus group have only one distinct apophysis, unless one counts the embolus. It is a

SYNAPHOSUS FROM CENTRAL ASIA Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press · 429 greatly enlarged conductor that covers whole tegulum; its tip serves as functional conductor and seems homologous to the prolateral arm of the conductor (Figs 43‒44, 46).

Species survey

Synaphosus ovtsharenkoi sp. n. Figs 1, 7‒18, 22‒24, 51

Synaphosus sp.: Marusik & Logunov 1999: 240 (in part).

Types. MONGOLIA: Töv Aimag: holotype ♂ (ZMMU) and paratypes 5♂ 3♀ (ZMMU) Bayankhangai Somon, 47°20'N, 105°24'E, 1200 m, screes and cliffs in canyon, 21–25.05.1997 (YM). Ömnögovi Aimag: 3♂ 2♀ (ZMMU) Bayandalai Somon, Zoolen-Uul Mt. Range, 43°21'N, 103°11'E, 1700 m, pitfall traps and sweeping Oxytropis glabra, 27–30.05.1997 (YM); 3♀ (ZMMU) Noyon Somon, Noyon-Uul Mt. Range, 43°01.73'N, 102°05.90'E, 1900 m, vadi-small canyon in desert under stones, 30–31.05.1997 (YM). Bayankhongor Aimag: 1♂ 1♀ (ZMMU) Bayanlig Somon, Bor-Tolgoi, 44°06'N, 100°56'E, 1400 m, pitfall traps in desert and close to bushes, sweeping/ shaking bushes (Amygdalus, Caragana, Zygophyllum), 2–4.06.1997 (YM). Etymology. The specific name is a patronym in honour of Vladimir I. Ovtsharenko (New York, USA), a well known expert in Gnaphosidae who revised the genus. Diagnosis. The new species belongs to the syntheticus-group and most similar to S. taukum and S. saidovi sp. n. It differs from S. taukum by partially fused hoods of the pocket (entirely fused in S. taukum), oval shaped and vertically directed copulatory openings (slanting, furrow (elongate oval) like copulatory openings in S. taukum) and median loops of copulatory ducts touching each other (spaced in S. taukum) (cf. Figs 22‒24 and figs 43‒44 in Ovtsharenko et al. [1994]). Synaphosus ovtsharenkoi sp. n. well differs from S. saidovi sp. n. by pale colouration (cf. Figs 1 and 5) and copulatory openings located over pocket. Description. Male. Total length 3.0. Carapace: 1.33 long, 0.98 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.07, ALE 0.07, PME 0.07, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.03, AME–ALE 0.01, PME–PME 0.04, PME–PLE 0.03, ALE–PLE 0.03; MOQ length 0.16, front width 0.14, back width 0.16. Coloration. Prosoma yellow-brown. Femora and patellae daffodil; tibiae-tarsi light-brown. Cymbium light-brown. Abdomen and spinnerets cream-colored (Fig. 1a). Spination as shown in Table 1. Palp as in Figs 7‒12, 13‒15, 18; patella not modified; tibia wider than long, with one retrolateral apophysis originating from the base of tibia and shifted dorsally, dorsal part of apophysis with conical bulge, tip pointed; cymbium unmodified, without pointed tip; conductor relatively small, both arms, pro- and retrolateral, of equal width, prolateral arm well sclerotized, its tip beak-shaped; retrolateral arm three times longer than wide; embolus originates from about 06:30 o'clock position, relatively short, about as long as cymbium, base without spine. Leg measurements. Fe Pt Ti Mt Ta Total I 0.88 0.55 0.68 0.48 0.4 2.99 II 0.73 0.45 0.53 0.4 0.38 2.49 III 0.7 0.38 0.43 0.48 0.35 2.34 IV 0.98 0.55 0.7 0.8 0.45 3.48

Female. Total length 3.4. Carapace: 1.53 long, 1.08 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.06, ALE 0.07, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.03, AME–ALE 0.01, PME–PME 0.04, PME–PLE 0.06, ALE–PLE 0.04; MOQ length 0.16, front width 0.16, back width 0.16. Coloration. Carapace and sternum yellow-brown. Chelicerae, maxillae and labium light-brown. Legs and palps yellow-brown, tibiae-tarsi darker than other segments. Abdomen and spinnerets cream-colored (Fig. 1b). Spination as shown in Table 1. Epigyne as in Figs 16‒17, 22‒24; atria oval shaped, directed vertically, located above pocket, about 2 times longer than wide; septum wide, almost 3 times wider than atrial width; pocket with deep hoods, hoods fused at basal 1/2; copulatory ducts visible through integument short and wide, wider than hood, median loops touching each other.

430 · Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press MARUSIK & FOMICHEV Leg measurements. Fe Pt Ti Mt Ta Total I 0.95 0.6 0.7 0.48 0.4 3.13 II 0.8 0.53 0.55 0.43 0.4 2.71 III 0.7 0.43 0.43 0.48 0.38 2.42 IV 1.05 0.6 0.75 0.85 0.45 3.7

FIGURES 1‒6. Dorsal view of Synaphosus ovtsharenkoi sp. n. (1), S. mongolicus sp. n. (2), S. shmakovi sp. n. (3), S. palearcticus (4, from Tajikistan), S. saidovi sp. n. (5) and S. makhambetensis (6). 1a, 4a male; 1b, 2‒3, 4b, 5‒6 female. Scale = 0.5 mm.

SYNAPHOSUS FROM CENTRAL ASIA Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press · 431 FIGURES 7‒12. Male palp of Synaphosus ovtsharenkoi sp. n. 7‒9 terminal part of palp, ventral, retro- and prolateral; 10, 12 tibia and cymbium, retrolateral and dorsal; 11 bulb, ventral. Scale = 0.2 mm.

Size variation. Males vary from 2.1 to 3.05 in the body length, carapace 1.1–1.33 long and 0.8–0.98 wide (n=10). Females vary from 2.6 to 3.4 in the body length, carapace 1.2–1.53 long and 0.83–1.08 wide (n=9). Distribution. Southwestern and Central Mongolia (Fig. 51). It is the easternmost species of the genus in Central Asia. Comments. This species was recorded as "Synaphosus sp." by Marusik & Logunov (1999) from Mongolia. This record is based on material treated here.

432 · Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press MARUSIK & FOMICHEV FIGURES 13‒18. SEM microphotographs of copulatory organs of Synaphosus ovtsharenkoi sp. n. 13‒15 male palp, ventral, retrolateral and ventro-retrolateral; 16 epigyne; 17 endogyne; 18 bulb, ventral. Abbreviations: Cd copulatory ducts, Cg accessorial glands, Co copulatory openings, Ho hoods of the pocket, Pc prolateral arm of the conductor, Po pocket, Rc retrolateral arm of the conductor, Re receptacles.

Synaphosus shmakovi sp. n. Figs 3, 19‒21, 51

Types: MONGOLIA: Khovd Aimag: holotype ♀ (ISEA), 36 km SW from Altai Village, Bodonchiyn-Gol River Valley, 45°46'N, 92°12'E, 1300 m, stony desert, 17.05.2015 (AF). Etymology. The specific name is a patronym in honour of Alexander I. Shmakov (Barnaul, Russia) the director of the South-Siberian Botanical Garden (Barnaul) who helped to organize an expedition to Mongolia, during which the specimen treated here was collected. Diagnosis. The new species belongs to the syntheticus group and differs from sibling S. palaearcticus by having no abdominal pattern, lack of prolateral spine on tibia II (cf. Table 1) and shape of epigyne. Epigyne in S. shmakovi sp. n. have more widely spaced epigynal openings, a thinner pocket with the hoods of the pocket not spaced (cf. Figs 19‒20 and 28‒29). In sibling species the copulatory openings are less spaced, the pocket is wider

SYNAPHOSUS FROM CENTRAL ASIA Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press · 433 and the hoods are smaller and spaced by about their width. Synaphous shmakovi sp. n. differs from the similar S. makhambetensis (Fig. 34) by the copulatory openings spaced by less than one diameter (more than one diameter in S. makhambetensis) and the pocket equal in width to receptacle diameter (receptacles wider than pocket in S. makhambetensis). Description. Male unknown. Female. Total length 3.15. Carapace: 1.2 long, 0.88 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.04, ALE 0.04, PME 0.06, PLE 0.04, AME–AME 0.01, AME–ALE 0.01, PME–PME 0.04, PME–PLE 0.04, ALE–PLE 0.04; MOQ length 0.13, front width 0.13, back width 0.14. Carapace yellow-brown anteriorly, yellow posteriorly (Fig. 3). Chelicerae, maxillae and labium light-brown. Sternum yellow. Legs and palps yellow. Abdomen and spinnerets daffodil, without pattern (Fig. 3). Spination as shown in Table 1. Epigyne as in Figs 19‒21, copulatory openings almond shaped, located above pocket, length of atria almost 3 times longer than width, atria separated by their width, pocket with deep hoods partly fused at the base; width of pocket subequal to septum width; width of endogyne subequal to span of atria. Leg measurements. Fe Pt Ti Mt Ta Total I 0.75 0.48 0.53 0.38 0.35 2.49 II 0.63 0.4 0.45 0.35 0.35 2.18 III 0.55 0.35 0.35 0.38 0.35 1.98 IV 0.83 0.48 0.63 0.68 0.45 3.07

Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 51), Western Mongolia.

Synaphosus mongolicus sp. n. Figs 2, 35, 51

Synaphosus sp.: Marusik & Logunov 1999: 240 (in part).

Types. MONGOLIA: Bayankhongor Aimag: holotype ♀ (ZMMU) Bayanlig Somon, Bor-Tolgoi, 44°06'N, 100°56'E, 1400 m, pitfall traps in desert and close to bushes, sweeping/shaking bushes (Amygdalus, Caragana, Zygophyllum), 2‒4.06.1997 (YM). Etymology. The species name derives from the type locality. Diagnosis. The new species belongs to the syntheticus-group and is most similar to S. shmakovi sp. n., S. syntheticus and S. makhambentensis. It is well different from S. syntheticus by the narrow space between the hoods of the pocket and the copulatory ducts (cf. Fig. 35 and fig. 15 in Ovtsharenko et al. 1994). Synaphosus mongolicus sp. n. differs from S. shmakovi sp. n. by the smaller copulatory openings and sperm ducts stretching anteriorly over hoods of the pocket (cf. Figs 35 and 19‒21). The new species differs from S. makhambentensis by the shorter hoods of the pockets, and copulatory ducts extending over pocket (cf. Figs 34 and 35, anterior loops of copulatory ducts located posteriorly from pocket in S. makhambetensis). Description. Male unknown. Female. Total length 3.65. Carapace: 1.3 long, 0.98 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.07, ALE 0.06, PME 0.07, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.01, AME–ALE 0.0, PME–PME 0.04, PME–PLE 0.04, ALE–PLE 0.03; MOQ length 0.16, front width 0.14, back width 0.17. Carapace yellow-brown anteriorly, yellow posteriorly. Chelicerae, maxillae and labium light-brown. Sternum yellow-brown. Legs and palps yellow-brown, tibiae-tarsi darker than other segments. Abdomen and spinnerets cream-coloured. Spination as shown in Table 1. Leg measurements. Fe Pt Ti Mt Ta Total I 0.85 0.53 0.63 0.45 0.45 2.91 II 0.73 0.45 0.5 0.4 0.4 2.48 III 0.65 0.38 0.4 0.48 0.38 2.29 IV 0.98 0.55 0.73 0.78 0.48 3.52

434 · Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press MARUSIK & FOMICHEV FIGURES 19‒30. Epigynes of Synaphosus shmakovi sp. n. (19‒21), S. ovtsharenkoi sp. n. (22‒24), S. saidovi sp. n. (25‒27) and S. palearcticus (28‒30, from Tajikistan). 19, 22, 25, 28 intact, ventral; 20, 23, 26, 29 after maceration, ventral; 21, 24, 27, 30 after maceration, dorsal. Scale = 0.2 mm.

SYNAPHOSUS FROM CENTRAL ASIA Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press · 435 FIGURES 31‒35. Epigynes of Synaphosus turanicus (31‒33), S. makhambetensis (34) and S. mongolicus sp. n. (35). 31, 34 intact, ventral; 32‒33, 35b after maceration, dorsal; 35a after maceration, ventral. Scale = 0.2 mm. Abbreviations: Ar anterior pair of receptacles, Cg club-like glands, Sm "sea mine"-like structure

Epigyne as in Figs 35a,b, pocket with hoods touching each other, copulatory opening small, closely spaced, located over (anteriorly) of pocket; copulatory ducts long with several loops, most of loops directed vertically, some loops stretching over pocket. Distribution and note. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 51). The holotype female was collected in the same locality and habitat as S. ovtsharenkoi sp. n. It was recorded together with S. ovtsharenkoi sp. n. as "Synaphosus sp." by Marusik & Logunov (1999) from Mongolia.

Synaphosus saidovi sp. n. Figs 5, 25‒27, 51

Types. TAJIKISTAN: Khatlon Province: holotype ♀ (ZMMU) and paratype ♀ (ZMMU), Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve, 37°10.459'N, 68°23.047'E, 316 m, tugai forest with thick litter, 6.07.2015 (YM & SZ). Etymology. The species name is a patronym in honour of Murod Saidov (Dushanbe, Tajikistan), a partner of YM in expedition to Tajikistan in 2015. Diagnosis. The new species belongs to the syntheticus-group and is most similar to S. ovtsharenkoi sp. n. and S. taukum. It differs from the former species by the copulatory openings located over pocket (cf. Figs 22‒24 and 25‒27). From S. taukum the new species can be separated by the median loops of copulatory ducts touching each other (cf. Figs 25‒27 and fig. 43‒44 in Ovtsharenko et al. 1994). Description. Male unknown. Female. Total length 4.7. Carapace: 1.8 long, 1.33 wide. Eye sizes and

436 · Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press MARUSIK & FOMICHEV interdistances: AME 0.09, ALE 0.1, PME 0.09, PLE 0.07, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.0, PME–PME 0.04, PME–PLE 0.04, ALE–PLE 0.04; MOQ length 0.24, front width 0.2, back width 0.23. Prosoma and all limbs light- brown, legs and palps lighter (Fig. 5). Abdomen dorsally gray, without pattern (Fig. 5), ventrally beige. Spinnerets light-brown. Spination as shown in Table 1. Epigyne as in Figs 25‒27; copulatory openings oval-almond shaped, stretched horizontally, located below anterior part of pocket, atria separated by pocket, their length about twice longer than width; pocket with hoods fused along about 5/6 of their height; copulatory ducts wide, median loops wider than lateral. Leg measurements. Fe Pt Ti Mt Ta Total I 1.23 0.73 0.93 0.63 0.5 4.02 II 1.0 0.63 0.75 0.58 0.48 3.44 III 0.93 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.48 3.21 IV 1.33 0.73 0.98 1.23 0.6 4.87

Size variation. Total length 4.7–4.85; carapace 1.68–1.8 long and 1.23–1.33 wide (n=2). Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 51). Comments. There is a possibility that this species can be conspecific with S. soyunovi Ovtsharenko et al., 1994, known only from a male from northern Turkmenistan. Ovtsharenko et al. (1994) have not indicated colour and pattern of S. soyunovi.

Synaphosus makhambetensis Ponomarev, 2008 Figs 6, 34, 51

Synaphosus makhambetensis Ponomarev, 2008a: 58, f. 30 (♀).

Material examined. Holotype ♀ (ZMMU), KAZAKHSTAN, Atyrau Province, environs of Makhambet Vil., Ural River right bank, July 1978 (F.A. Saraev). Diagnosis. This species is similar to S. shmakovi sp. n. and S. mongolicus sp. n.; it differs from S. shmakovi sp. n. by the pocket thinner than the receptacle (pocket wider than receptacle in S. shmakovi sp. n.) and can be separated from S. mongolicus sp. n. by the anterior loops not extending beyond pocket (extending beyond pocket in S. mongolicus sp. n.). Description. Described by Ponomarev (2008). Comments. The species is known by a holotype female and was never revised since the description. We provide figures to demonstrate differences with the two sibling new species S. shmakovi sp. n. and S. mongolicus sp. n. It is worth mentioning that original figure of the epigyne is very schematic and provides no details. Distribution. This species is known from the type locality only (Fig. 51).

New faunistic records

Synaphosus palearcticus Ovtsharenko, Levy & Platnick, 1994 Figs 4, 28‒30, 36‒42, 51

Synaphosus palearcticus Ovtsharenko et al. 1994: 6, f. 3–5, 21–29 (♂♀); Chatzaki et al. 2002: 621, f. 50–52, 57–58 (♂♀), Namaghi et al. 2016: 19, f. 1d, 2g–h (♂).

Types examined. KAZAKHSTAN: paratype 1♂ (ZISP), Mangyshlak (= Mangistau) Province, 18 km from Kuibyshevo, near Chaira (= Shaiyr), 21.05.1985 (S. Deryugin). Dzhambul (= Zhambyl) Province: holotype ♂ (ZISP), 40 km NE Ulanbel, Betpak-Dala desert, Shengeldy spring, 4.06.1990 (A.A. Zyuzin, A.A. Fedorov); paratype 1♂ (ZISP), Moiynkum Distr, 124th km of Akkol'-Ulabel Rd, Muyunkum Desert, 16‒17.05.1991 (S.I.

SYNAPHOSUS FROM CENTRAL ASIA Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press · 437 Ibraev, A.A. Zyuzin); paratype 1♀ (ZISP), Saysuk Distr., 76 km NE of Ulanbel', Betpak-Dala Desert, clay plain, 6.06.1990 (A.A. Fedorov, A.A. Zyuzin). Other material examined: TAJIKISTAN: Dushanbe Province: 1♂ (ZMMU), Hissar Mt. Range, 48th km of Varzob Hwy, 38°55.531'N, 68°48.292'E, 1530 m, S exposed slope with Juglans litter & under stones, 7.05.2015 leg. (Y.M. Marusik & M. Saidov). Khatlon Province: 1♂ 1♀ (ZMMU) env. of Pyandzh Town, road along reed stand, 37°14.045'N, 69°05.450'E, 351 m, 5.05.2015 (YM); 1♂ (ZMMU), Dangara Distr, Sanglogh (=Sanglok) Mt. Range, above Shar-Shar Pass, 38°17.937'N, 69°13.598'E, 1700–2060 m, 29.04.2015 (Y.M. Marusik); 1♂ (ZMMU), Sanglok Mt. range, Sebiston, 3.05.1991 (S.V. Ovtchinnikov); 1♂ (ZMMU) Pyandzh Karatau, Astana Mt, 1700 m, 13.04.1991 (S.V. Ovtchinnikov); 1♂ (ISEA), Garauty, Vakhsh, ca. 37°34'N, 68°27'E, 9.04.1973 (A.Kononenko); 1♂ (ISEA), Garauty, Aktau, ca. 37°34'N, 68°27'E, 12.04.1973 (A. Kononenko); Gorno- Badakhshan Area: 2♀ (ZMMU), Yazgulem River, 18.07.1988 (S.V. Ovtchinnikov). Remark. The species was described by Ovtsharenko et al. (1994). It is well different from other species known in the Central Asia by the well developed abdominal pattern (Figs 4), although some specimens may have uniformly coloured abdomen. Among the material studied, a sample from Astana has two males, one with pattern and another without. Although the holotype has uniformly coloured abdomen, one of the examined paratypes from Western Kazakhstan have distinct abdominal pattern. It is worth mentioning that the course of the insemination ducts in this species is highly variable, while the shape and position of copulatory openings and pockets are almost the same in all examined females. Distribution. The species was known from Crete to eastern Kazakhstan, namely from Crete, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Although it is widespread in Central Asia, it was never been reported from Tajikistan before.

Synaphosus turanicus Ovtsharenko, Levy & Platnick, 1994 Figs 31‒33, 43‒50, 51

Synaphosus turanicus Ovtsharenko et al., 1994: 18, f. 6, 58–66 (♂♀).

Material examined: KAZAKHSTAN: East Kazakhstan Area: 1♂ (ISEA) western spurs of Narymskyi Mt. Range, 20 km N from Kurchum Village, steppe, 5.05.1999 (RD). TURKMENISTAN: 1♂ (ISEA), Kopetdagh Reserve, Kalininskii Zakaznik, 18.05.1997 (V.V. Dubatolov). UZBEKISTAN: Navoiy Province: 1♂ (ZMMU) ca. 1 km SE of Zaravshan Town, 22–28.04.1997 (AG). TAJIKISTAN: Khatlon Province: 1♂ (ZMMU) Pyandzh Karatau, Astana Mt. base, 800 m, 26.04.1991 (S.V. Ovtchinnikov); 5♂ 1♀ (ISEA), Garauty, Aktau, ca. 37°34'N, 68°27'E, under stones, 28.03.1973 (A. Kononenko). Description. Described by Ovtsharenko et al. (1994). Comments. The species belongs to the gracillimus-group and well differs from other species occurring in Central Asia by having patellar apophysis of the male palp, anterior pocket of epigyne without hoods, weakly sclerotized anterior loops of copulatory ducts. It also differs from other Central Asian species by dark coloration (Figs 49‒50). While photographing specimens we noticed significant variations in size of male body (Figs 49‒50). At the same time size of palps in studied specimens are the same. The two illustrated males (large and small) have also differences in leg colour: the small one has dark distal part of femur I, patella and tibia (Fig. 49), while large male has all legs with dark femur, and also dark patella-tibiae of legs I‒II (Fig. 50). Any differences were found in male palp. It is worth noting about two structures in the vulva overlooked in previous studies. Anterior half of vulva has pair of club-like glands (Cg). These glands are properly illustrated for S. gracillimus (O.P.-Cambridge, 1872) (fig. 57: Ovtsharenko et al. 1994). Another thing is "sea mine"-like structure (Sm) in the anterior pair of receptacles (Ar). Distribution. This species is known from Central Asia only, namely from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (Mikhailov 2013). The new record from East Kazakhstan Area represents the north-easternmost locality of the species range.

438 · Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press MARUSIK & FOMICHEV FIGURES 36‒42. Male palp of Synaphosus palearcticus from Tajikistan. 36‒37 whole palp, pro- and retrolateral; 38 terminal part, ventral; 39, 42 bulb, anterior-ventral and ventral; 40‒41 patella and tibia, dorsal and retrolateral. Scale = 0.2 mm.

SYNAPHOSUS FROM CENTRAL ASIA Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press · 439 FIGURES 43‒50. Male palp and habitus of Synaphosus turanicus. 43, 46 whole palp, retrolateral; 44‒45 palp, ventral and prolateral; 47‒48 patella and tibia dorsal and retrolateral; 49‒50 male habitus, dorsal. 43–45, 47–49 from East Kazakhstan; 46, 50 from Tajikistan. Scale = 0.2 mm if not otherwise indicated.

Synaphosus ovtsharenkoi sp. n. ♂Fe Ti Mt I d1-1-0 p0-0-1 v2-2-2 v2-2-0 II d1-1-0 p0-0-1 p0-1-1 v1-1-2 p0-1-1 v2-2-0 III d1-1-1 p0-1-1 r0-1-1 d1-0-0 p2-1-1 r1-1-1 v2-2-2 d0-1-0 p0-1-2 r2-0-2 v2-2-1 IV d1-1-0 p0-0-1 r0-0-1 d1-0-0 p2-0-2 r2-0-2 v2-2-2 d0-2-0 p1-1-2 r1-1-2 v2-2-1

♀Fe PtTi Mt I d1-1-0 p0-0-1 v2-0-0 II d1-1-0 p0-0-1 v2-2-0 III d1-1-1 p0-1-1 r0-1-1 r1 d1-0-0 p2-1-1 r1-1-1 v2-2-2 d0-1-0 p2-0-2 r2-0-2 v2-2-1 IV d1-1-0 p0-0-1 r0-0-1 d1-0-0 p2-0-2 r2-0-2 v2-2-2 d1-2-0 p1-1-2 r1-1-2 v2-2-1

Synaphosus shmakovi sp. n. ♀Fe Ti Mt I d1-1-0 p0-0-1 v1-0-0 II d1-1-0 v2-0-0 III d1-1-1 p0-1-1 r0-0-1 d1-0-0 p2-1-1 r0-1-0 v1-2-2 d0-1-0 p0-1-2 r0-0-2 v2-0-0 IV d1-1-0 p0-0-1 r0-0-1 d1-0-0 p1-0-2 r2-0-2 v2-2-2 d0-2-0 p1-1-2 r1-1-2 v2-1-1

Synaphosus mongolicus sp. n. ♀Fe PtTi Mt I d1-1-0 p0-0-1 v2-0-0 II d1-1-0 p0-0-1 v2-2-0 III d1-1-1 p0-1-1 r0-1-1 r1 d1-0-0 p2-0-1 r0-1-1 v1-2-2 d0-1-0 p0-1-2 r0-1-2 v2-2-1 IV d1-1-1 p0-0-1 r0-0-1 d1-1-0 p2-2-0 r2-2-0 v2-2-2 d0-2-0 p1-1-2 r1-1-2 v2-2-1

Synaphosus saidovi sp. n. ♀Fe PtTi Mt I d1-1-0 p0-0-1 no II d1-1-0 p0-0-1 v2-1-0 III d1-1-1 p0-1-1 r0-1-1 r1 d1-0-0 p2-1-1 r1-1-1 v2-2-2 d1-1-0 p2-0-2 r1-1-2 v2-2-1 IV d1-1-1 p0-1-1 r0-1-1 d1-0-0 p2-2-0 r2-2-0 v2-2-2 d1-2-0 p1-1-2 r1-1-2 v2-2-1

Acknowledgements

We thank R.V. Yakovlev, A.I. Shmakov, A.N. Cherepanov (all from Barnaul, Russia), R. Bakhanov, E. Ivanov (both from Gorno-Altaysk, Russia), and U. Beket (Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia) for organizing an expedition to Mongolia, in which the material treated in this paper was collected. Murod Saidov and Rustam Muratov (both Dushanbe, Tajikistan) helped in organizing of YM's expedition to Tajikistan in 2015 in which some material treated here was collected. We are grateful to Seppo Koponen (Zoological Museum, University of Turku) and R.Yu.

SYNAPHOSUS FROM CENTRAL ASIA Zootaxa 4178 (3) © 2016 Magnolia Press · 441 Dudko (ISEA) for providing museum facilities. Special thanks to V.I. Ovtsharenko (New York, USA) for allowing us the study of the type material of Synaphosus palearcticus that are temporary deposited in New York. We are indebted to M.M. Kovblyuk (Simferopol, Ukraine) and an anonymous reviewer for valuable comments on the manuscript. English of an earlier draft was kindly checked by V. Fet (Marshall University, West Virginia, USA).

FIGURE 51. Collecting localities of specimens examined in this study of seven Synaphosus species.

References

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