In addition to the genus diagnosis, the following features characterize the species:MALECephalothorax: integument dark brown, densely covered with small adpressed setae, apparently easily lost by live specimens; on eye field minute greyish setae, on thorax longer white, making two broad streaks along dorsal edges of the thorax, and also along ventral margins, separated by dark brown streaks, covered with sparse, indistinct, dark setae; orange brownish mat of scales along upper sides of cephalothorax under lateral eyes.Abdominal pattern light median streak about 1/3 of width of abdomen: posterior half more distinctly white, median part fawn, in the anterior part streak of white setae is followed laterally by brown streak and by white marginal line. Face: the whole lower part, from ventral rim of AME to the edge of clypeus covered with dense, adpressed, horizontal, strikingly white setae, followed ventrally by broad (1/3 of AME diameter) white belt of white setae directed ventrally and overhanging cheliceral bases. Upper rims of AME and ALE consist of greyish white setae, also extending onto the eye field, where they are somewhat smaller; lateral rims of AME and ventral rims of ALE of brownish setae, corresponding in colour to the indistinct darker transverse belt across the face. A “bonnet” of dorsal setae above AME, is less distinct and shorter than in R. christophori. Pedipalps whitish yellow with longer whitish upright setae: a fan of long white setae dorsally and on both lateral sides of the palpal femur, white setae dorsally on patella and tibia, cymbium with sparse dark bristles dorsally. Palpal organ: bulbus whitish, single tibial apophysis articulating with a small, bent-plate like outgrowth of lateral wall of cymbium. Leg I light yellow. Male specimen from Ein Fesha (31. III. 1935) possibly belongs to this species, as it also has curved tibial apophysis; unfortunately this specimen has lost almost all its setae during the 60 years of preservation, and colours are faded. Measurements (mm). Male. Length of cephalothorax 1.70–1.96; length of abdomen 1.70–1.87; length of 5 segments of leg I 3.02–3.22. © PRÓSZYŃSKI 2003 Distribution: Geographical Distribution: Middle East. COMMENTSDiagnosis. Distinct broad white belt of setae across entire lower face, not split into two, followed ventrally by belt of similar white setae, overhanging cheliceral bases. Fans of long white setae on pedipalps.Seasonal appearance of adult specimens. Males – V, VI. Etymology. Named in memory of the late Stanislaw Prószyński, in 1939 a student, soldier in defence of besieged Warsaw during September 1939, member of the Polish Resistance, died in Auschwitz Concentation Camp; uncle of the author. © PRÓSZYŃSKI 2003 |