Leptopilos gaetulinus Zamani & Belhadi & Dekkoumi & Iflefel & Sidatt & Elmareme & Shaibi & Meddour & Alioua 2026, sp. nov.
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Leptopilos gaetulinus Zamani & Alioua, sp. nov. Fig. 8A–D Type material. Holotype ♀ (ZMUT), ALGERIA: El Maghaier Prov.: El Maghaier, 34°11 ’ 03 ” N 06°17 ’ 32 ” E, 15.9.2023 (B. Dekkoumi). Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the Gaetuli (or Getuli), ancient North African tribes historically associated with the Atlas and pre-Saharan regions, including parts of present-day Algeria. Diagnosis. In the conformation of the endogyne, the new species is most similar to L. pupa (Dalmas, 1919), known from Egypt and Algeria (cf. Fig. 8B–D vs. Alioua & Bosmans 2024: fig. 4g, h). It is distinguished by a shorter initial portion and a curved second portion of the copulatory ducts (vs. longer and straight, respectively), more closely situated receptacles, and much larger posterior pockets. Description. Female. Habitus as in Fig. 8A. Total length 3.10. Carapace 1.10 long, 0.85 wide. Cephalothorax and its appendages pale beige; chelicerae each with 2 pro- and 1 retromarginal teeth.Abdomen dark grey; spinnerets beige. Measurements of legs: I: 2.90 (0.80, 0.45, 0.65, 0.55, 0.45); II: 2.85 (0.80, 0.40, 0.65, 0.55, 0.45); III: 2.25 (0.65, 0.40, 0.45, 0.45, 0.30); IV: 3.50 (1.00, 0.45, 0.80, 0.95, 0.30). Epigyne as in Fig. 8B–D; plate nearly as long as wide, with broad anterior hood (AH) having slanting sides and pair of large, circular posterior pockets (PP); copulatory openings situated at anterior third of fovea; copulatory ducts (CD) tubular, sclerotized, with initial portion diverging anteriorly and leading to longer portion converging posteriorly; receptacles (Re) globular, non-contiguous; fertilization ducts L-shaped. Male. Unknown. Distribution. Known only from the type locality in El Maghaier Province, northern Algeria.
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225624544