In addition to the genus diagnosis, the following features characterize the species:MALECephalothorax: blackish in some areas brown, a prominent spot of white setae on the eye field, high and broad, white areas behind eyes III. Abdomen: blackish brown with intensely white tip and large square white spot in the middle, sides white. Frontal aspect: brown with long white setae on clypeus. Legs: femora II-IV light with black apical halves; leg I dark, apical half of femur and tibia ventrally black with white setae on ventral surface of basal part of femur I and on white half of patella dorsally. Palpal organ: embolus unusual by being flattened anteriorly, plate like, bends around bulbus, its tip narrows abruptly, turning back; tibial apophysis ends with three prominent teeth.Measurements (mm). Length of cephalothorax 2.10; length of abdomen 2.16. (c) PRÓSZYŃSKI 2003 Body: Markings: dark or bright vertical stripes. Eyes: AER: dorsal edge straight. dorsal edge procurve. Labium: Length: longer than wide. wider than long. Embolus: Shape: wrapped < 1 around bulbus. Distribution: Geographical Distribution: Europe. Middle East. FEMALECephalothorax: blackish brown with white adpressed setae. Abdomen: with complicated leaf pattern of black, brown and white spots. Frontal aspect light brown, with two lines of white setae: one overhanging chelicerae, the second of adpressed setae runs from below ALE across mid-height of cephalothorax sides; chelicerae brown; pedipalps yellow with thin black rings and white setae. Legs: all femora whitish, apically black, remaining segments brown with blackish rings and sparse white adpressed setae. Epigynum: large median oval window covered with whitish membrane, and two large dark spots; pockets small, located laterally in the mid-height of epigynum. Behavioral observation. Male encountering female becomes immobile with anterior legs stretched diagonally forward and up, bent at the femoral-patellar joint. Female circles male at distance of some 2-3 cm. Another male approaching assumed the same posture, but was almost instantly driven out by female making a minute, but very quick, jump towards it; same with other specimens approaching. Captive male (in petri dish) assumed similar display posture towards female many times over several days.Measurements (mm). Length of cephalothorax 2.27; length of abdomen 2.73. (c) PRÓSZYŃSKI 2003 Body: Markings: dark or bright vertical stripes. Eyes: AER: dorsal edge straight. dorsal edge procurve. Labium: Length: longer than wide. wider than long. Distribution: Geographical Distribution: Europe. Middle East. COMMENTSDiagnosis. Male very dark with two striking large white spots: one on posterior half of eye field and the second, oval, on posterior half of abdomen. Bulbus oval, narrower than in E. praeclara and E. negevensis, embolus thin, broadening only along its anterior bend, encircling anterior edge of bulbus, single (not splitting apically) and continuing posteriorly as thin process.Seasonal appearance of adult specimens. Males - III, IV, VI, VIII, X, XI; females - II, IV, V. (c) PRÓSZYŃSKI 2003 |