In addition to the genus diagnosis, the following features characterize the species:FEMALESpecimen brown with striking white stripes, its general features shown on drawing. Face has a single row of white setae on clypeus, stretching horizontally forwards, making a sort of a "shelf", clypeus below that row is almost bald. In European Ph. bresnieri the whole clypeus is covered by dense fur of long white setae, also stretching forward.Epigyne with copulatory openings hidden under anterior rims of almost circular grooves, separated by elevated space, which is not stronger sclerotized from remaining epigyne. Width of that space is equal to the half of diameter of the groove, its posterior edge is curved anteriorly. with well translucent internal, darker, sclerotized roof of vagina. Copulatory channels, thin and long, runs laterally and parallel, before turning into spermathecae, located medially and consisting of several convoluted chambers. There is thin, membraneous scent pore channel, arising near anterior bend of channels, running from there posteriorly and ending under mid length of the channels, where can possibly open by an opening, invisible on my preparation. That shape and internal structure of epigyne differs distinctly from other stripped Phlegra of Israel, but resembles closely European Ph. bresnieri (from which differs by shorter channels) and several species from Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Senegal (Ph. chrysops Simon 1890, Ph. bairstowi Simon 1885, also a little Ph. tibetana Proszynski, 1978). (c) PRÓSZYŃSKI 1998 Body: Markings: dark or bright vertical stripes. Eyes: AER: dorsal edge procurve. Labium: Length: wider than long. Distribution: Geographical Distribution: Middle East. COMMENTSEtymology: named for an arachnologist and author on books on spiders of Israel, Mr. Pinhas AMITAI, a very efficient field collector, who has contributed a large number of specimens to the Israel National Collection of Arachnids.Diagnosis. Striped, with epigyne as on drawing, channels and spermathecaeas on drawing. Remark. Species described on single female specimen, the holotype, different from all known species from Israel, and sufficiently distinct from other related species, known from other geographical areas. There are no premises to match it with any male specimens, described below, although that possibility cannot be excluded. Etymology. Named for Mr. Pinhas Amitai, an arachnologist, author of books on spiders of Israel, and a very efficient field collector, who has contributed a large number of specimens to the Israel National Collection of Arachnids. (c) PRÓSZYŃSKI 2003 |