identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
670CF345FFF5F237FF1CFE3854F17F0C.text	670CF345FFF5F237FF1CFE3854F17F0C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Phyxioschema raddei Simon 1889	<div><p>Phyxioschema raddei Simon, 1889</p> <p>Figures 2–5</p> <p>Phyxioschema raddei Simon, 1889: 385 (description of female); Simon 1892: 183, 185 (key to genera, diagnosis); Simon 1903: 968 (description of male); Charitonov 1948: 300, fig. 190 (illustration of habitus of female); Andreeva 1976: 16, figs. 8–9 (illustration of palp and leg II of male); Raven 1981: 226–228, figs. 1–7 [revision of male and of female (erroneously given as the holotype) in Simon's collection]; Raven &amp; Schwendinger 1989: 55 (new diagnosis; synonymisation of Afghanothele lindbergi Roewer, 1960 and A. striatipes Roewer, 1960). For a complete list of taxonomic publications see Platnick 2011.</p> <p>Ischnothele strandi Spassky, 1937: 361–363, fig. 1 (description of female); Spassky 1952: 152, 153, 156, 200 (distribution); Spassky &amp; Minenkova 1940 (relationships). Placed in synonymy by Charitonov 1948: 300. Synonymy is confirmed here.</p> <p>Afghanothele lindbergi Roewer, 1960: 33–34 (description of female). Placed in synonymy by Raven &amp; Schwendinger 1989: 55. Synonymy cannot be confirmed but is retained.</p> <p>Afghanothele striatipes Roewer, 1960: 34 (description of female). Placed in synonymy by Raven &amp; Schwendinger 1989: 55. Synonymy cannot be confirmed but is retained.</p> <p>Type material. TURKMENISTAN: Reg. Transcaspica (Rudde [sic!; probably an incorrect transcription of the collector’s name, G. Radde, on the printed replacement label; the original label is kept apart from the specimen, personal communication by C. Rollard]), female holotype (AR 5009, 6686; MNHN) of P. raddei.—Serachs, Agar-Tschischme [= Akarcheshme], 6 syntypes of Ischnothele strandi [1 large female (vulva examined) and 5 smaller females and juvs. (vulva of one examined)] (ZIN), 21.IV.1936, leg. L. Freiberg.</p> <p>AFGHANISTAN: Darréh-Chakh [= Darreh-Shakh, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=65.23333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=35.683334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 65.23333/lat 35.683334)">Darreh-i-Shakh</a>, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=65.23333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=35.683334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 65.23333/lat 35.683334)">Darreh-e-Shakh</a>, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=65.23333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=35.683334" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 65.23333/lat 35.683334)">Darreh-ye-Shakh</a>; probably in Faryab Province, E of Maimaneh, 35°41'N, 65°14'E, 1300–1500 m], 1 juv. holotype [no vulva visible in dissected genital area, but declared a female in the original description; in bad condition] (A 392; GNM) of Afghanothele striatipes, 30.X.1957, leg. K. Lindberg. — Kouh-Zarmast [= Kuhi-Zarmast, Zarmast Cave, a few km SW of Maimeneh, 870 m], 1 medium-sized juv. male holotype [given as a female in the original description] (A 365; GNM) and 1 large juv. male paratype [given as a female in the original description] (SMF, 12995/30) of A. lindbergi, 19.X.1957, leg. K. Lindberg. — <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=64.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=35.75" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 64.78333/lat 35.75)">Maimanéh</a> [= Maimeneh, Faryab Province, 35°45'N, 64°47'E, 850 m], 1 very small juv. paratype (A 397; GNM) of A. lindbergi, 29.X.1957 [27.X.1957 given in the original description], leg. K. Lindberg. — Tchidjan [near Cheikhabad, on the road <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=68.75&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=34.066666" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 68.75/lat 34.066666)">Kabul-Ghazni</a>, S of Kabul, 34°04'N, 68°45'E, 2050 m], 1 small juv. paratype (A 452; GNM) of A. lindbergi, 7.IV.1958, leg. K. Lindberg.</p> <p>Other material. IRAN (northeast): Mazanderan Province [southeast of the Caspian Sea], near <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=56.066666&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=37.316666" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 56.066666/lat 37.316666)">Dasht</a>, 37°19'N, 56°04'E, 2 females (n° 7471; MHNG), leg. A. Senglet, 27.VII.1974.— Mazanderan Province, above <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=55.283333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=37.033333" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 55.283333/lat 37.033333)">Shahpasand</a>, 37°02'N, 55°17'E, sifting leaf litter, 1 female, 4 juvs. (n° 7473; MHNG), leg. A. Senglet, 28.VII.1974.</p> <p>TURKMENISTAN: Krasnovodsk [the type locality], 1 female (MHNG), 3 juvs. (TAU), leg. S. V. Ovtchinnikov, 26.III.1981.— SW Kopetdagh Mts., Damdam, 1 male (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 11. VI.1983.— SW Kopetdagh, Kara-Kala, Parkhai, 2 juvs. (TAU), leg. V. Fet, 13.III.1981.— SW Kopetdagh, Mt. Sunt, 8 males, 1 female (TAU), leg. N. S. Ustinova, 5.–9.VII.1982.— W. Kopetdagh, Eldere Mt. Gorge, 5 males (one in MHNG, others in TAU), 2 females (TAU), leg. V. Fet, 23. V.–3. VI.1980.— Aïn Deia [= Aidere], Mur. tuff., 1 female [erroneously re-described as the holotype of P. raddei by Raven 1981] and 1 male, AR 5007, 17883 (MNHN).— SW Kopetdagh, Aidere, 16 + 13 males, 1 female, 3 juvs. (AHK 63; TAU), leg. N. S. Ustinova, 3. VI.1982.— Ibidem, 1 male (AHK 64; TAU), leg. N. S. Ustinova, 2.VII.1982.— Ibidem, 1000– 1300 m, 1 male (AHK 65; MHNG), leg. N. S. Ustinova, 3.–9.VII.1982.— Kopetdagh, Aidere, house, 1 juv. male (TAU), leg. V. Fet, 1.IV.1983.— SW Kopetdagh, Aidere Mt. Gorge, 750–1300 m, 3 females, 1 juv. male (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 26.–27.IV.1985.— Kopetdagh, Aidere, 1 female, 1 juv. male (MHNG), leg. V. Fet, 10.–20.IV.1980.— SE Kara-Kum [= Karakum] Desert, Repetek, ca. 200 m, 1 male (MHNG), leg. V. Krivokhatsky, 26. VI.1979.— SW Karakum Desert, Repetek, 2 females (MHNG, TAU), leg. V. Krivokhatsky, 16.I.1982.— <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=63.183334&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.583332" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 63.183334/lat 38.583332)">Karakum Desert</a>, Repetek, near cottage (38°35'N, 63°11'E), 1 male [partly decayed and fragmented] (TAU), leg. V. Kapin, 22. VI.1984 (TAU).— SE Karakum Desert, Repetek, Central Valley, 2 juv. (TAU), leg. V. Krivokhatsky, 9. V.1982.— SW Karakum Desert, Repetek, 1 female (MHNG), leg. Krivokhatsky, 16. V.1982.— Bairam-Ali [= Bayramaly], 1 female, leg. V. Smirnov, 31.III.1912 (n° 5513; PU).— Badkhyz Plateau, Akartcheshme [= Akarcheshme], 1 large juvenile male (AMNH), leg. S. Zonstein, 15.IV.1985.— <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=61.466667&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=35.783333" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 61.466667/lat 35.783333)">Akar-Cheshme</a> [= Akarcheshme] well (35°47'N, 61°28'E), western part of Badkhyz Plateau, 850 m, 1 female (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 15.IV.1985.— Badkhyz, 1 female (TAU), leg. N. Kuznetsov, IV.1978.— Serakhs Distr., Turkmenokhorasan Mts., Elibuz Mt. Ridge, Akartcheshme Mt. Gorge, 800–850 m, 5 juv. males, 1 juv. female (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 14.IV.1985.— [Eroilanduz], Badkhyz Reservation, lake [probably a mistake] Kisil-Djar [= Kyzyl-Djar ravine, Kyzyl-Dzhar ravine, Kyzyldzhar ravine], 1 juv. male (TAU), leg. V. Fet, 14.VII.1977.— Morgunovka, N of Kushka, in house, 1 male (MHNG), leg. V. Fet, 16.VII.1975.— Badkhyz, Pogranichnyi Mt. Range, 4 juvs. (TAU), leg. V. Fet, 28.II.1978.</p> <p>KAZAKHSTAN: Vost. Kyzyl-Kumy [eastern Kyzylkum desert], Khodzhal'-Bergen [Khodzha-Bergen well], 1 male, leg. N. Zarudnyi, 15. VI.1912 (n° 5510; PU).— Tchimkent Region, Arys, steppe, 6 females (including 3 juvs.), 5 juv. males (1 female in MHNG, others in TAU), leg. D. Logunov, 30.IV.1988.</p> <p>UZBEKISTAN: Tashkent Region, Bostandyk Distr., Ugam Mt. Range, Sidjak Gorge, ca. 1200 m, 1 male (TAU), leg. F. O. Khasanov, 30.IV.-2. V.1979.— Ferghana Valley, surroundings of Andizhan, 1 female, 3 juv. males (TAU), leg. V. Bakhvalov, 20. V.1981.— Surroundings of Samarkand, 1 female (TAU), leg. A. Zyuzin, 5. V.1990.— Samarkand Region &amp; Distr., Zeravshan Mt. Range, Ken-Kutan Gorge, near Agalyk, 1800 m, 1 female (MHNG), leg. A. B. Nenilin, 8.IV.1979.</p> <p>TADZHIKISTAN: Aruktau <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=68.566666&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=37.966667" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 68.566666/lat 37.966667)">Mt. Ridge</a>, Gandjina, 800–1000 m, 37°58'N, 68°34'E, 1 female (TAU), leg. S. Zonstein, 4. V.2002.— Ghazimailik Mt. Ridge, Ghandjina [= Gandzhina, Ganjina], 800 m, 1 female, 4 juvs. (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 21.IV.1986.— Ghazimailik Mt. Ridge, Gharavuti [= Garavuti], 450 m, 2 females, 3 juv. males (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 23.IV.1986.— <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=68.55&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=37.416668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 68.55/lat 37.416668)">South Tadzhikistan</a>, Tigrovaya Balka [Tiger Gorge; approx. between 37°10'N, 68°18'E and 37°25'N, 68°33'E], sands, 2 females [one without opisthosoma] (CJP), leg. T. Domracheva, 24.VII.1968.— <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=69.25&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=37.383335" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 69.25/lat 37.383335)">Pyandz-Karatau Mt.</a> Ridge, 1600 m, Mt. Astana, W slopes, 37°23'N, 69°15'E, 2 females (MHNG, TAU), leg. S. Zonstein, 23.IV.1991.— Karatau Mt. Ridge, about 45 km NE of Kurgan-Tyube, 950 m, dry forest of Pistacea vera and Amygdalus spp., 1 female (TAU), leg. S. Zonstein, 21.IV.1989.— <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=68.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.666668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 68.78333/lat 38.666668)">Hissar Mt.</a> Ridge, Varzob [= Varsob] Valley, 1200–1400 m, N of Dushanbe, 38°40'N, 68°47'E, 4 females (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 26.IV.1986.— Rangentau [= Rengentau, Rangontau] Mt. Ridge, 20 km SE of Dushanbe, Yavan Pass, 1300 m, 1 female (TAU), leg. S. L. Zonstein, 28.IV.1986.— Sanglok <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=69.28333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.25" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 69.28333/lat 38.25)">Mt. Ridge</a>, Kolkot, 1500 m, 38°15'N, 69°17'E, 1 female (TAU), leg. S. Zonstein, 5. V.1991 (TAU).— Khozratisho <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=70.15&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.366665" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 70.15/lat 38.366665)">Mt. Ridge</a>, Sangdara, 1600 m, 38°22'N, 70°09'E, 1 female (TAU), leg. S. Zonstein, 19. V.2002.— Khozretishoh Mt. Ridge, 1400 m, Sangdara Valley, 15 km NE of Khovaling, Juglans forest, 2 females (TAU), leg. S. Ovtchinnikov, 15.X.1987.</p> <p>Remarks. There is some confusion about which specimen is the holotype of P. raddei. According to Raven (1981: 225) and Raven &amp; Schwendinger (1989: 55) the female without opisthosoma from sample AR 5007, 17883 (given as no. 17889 in these two papers; either a lapsus calami or an incorrect transliteration on the printed replacement label) in Simon's collection is the holotype. The locality for this specimen is given as "Aïn Deia" on the museum label, and as "Ain-dor" and "Ain-Dor" in Raven (1981: 225) and Raven &amp; Schwendinger (1989: 55), which are probably variant spellings of "Aidere" in the Kopetdagh Mountains of southwestern Turkmenistan. Aidere, however, is not the type locality. The type locality of P. raddei is "Krasnowodsk" (= Krasnovodsk) (Simon 1889: 385), an old Russian settlement close to today's Turkmenbashy (= Turkmenbashi), at the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. Krasnowodsk and Aidere are about 300 km apart. A possible explanation for this incongruence is that the original label of the holotype was lost and that a new specimen and a new label were subsequently placed with the holotype. Raven (1981: 225, apparently not being aware of the type locality) states: "… a male later added without further data to the holotype’s vial by Simon … ". However, we believe that there was no confusion of labels or mix-up of specimens, that both specimens in sample AR 5007, 17883 are from Aidere, and that the female specimen is not the holotype. It is too large to be the holotype. Carapace and chelicerae of female AR 5007, 17883 are 7.2 mm long; an intact adult P. raddei female of similar prosoma length has a body length of over 14 mm.</p> <p>A second female (AR 5009, 6686) from Simon's collection deposited in the Museum of Paris, but not mentioned in Raven's revision, corresponds more closely to the original description and is most certainly the holotype of P. raddei. That specimen measures 11.1 mm from the anterior margin of the chelicerae to the posterior tip of the opisthosoma (11 mm length given in the original description), it is not fully grown ["haud plane adulta" (= not fully adult) given in the original description], it is damaged [lacking legs I–III on the right side and the distal articles of both PLS; "valde detritum" (= strongly damaged) given in the original description] and it still has its opisthosoma attached [the original description mentions the opisthosoma ("abdomen oblongum,...")]. Furthermore, this specimen is paler than the female in sample AR 5007, 17883, which can be explained by stronger bleaching due to longer preservation in alcohol. Simon’s collection numbers (6686 for the presumed holotype and 17883 for the female from Aïn Deia) support this interpretation. The lower number was given by Simon to the earlier arrival in his collection (AR 5007 and AR 5009 are more recent MNHN registration numbers; C. Rollard, personal communication). The label data (Reg. Transcaspica) of the presumed holotype (AR 5009, 6686) do not directly refer to the type locality (Krasnowodsk), but to the holotype's region of origin and to the title of the publication (Arachnidae transcaspicae) in which the species was described.</p> <p>All types of Afghanothele lindbergi and A. striatipes are juveniles (large males and small females without discernible copulatory organs) and most of them are in a very bad condition of preservation (all in the GNM have dried up and were then transferred back into alcohol). Therefore the synonymisation of these two nominal species with P. raddei by Raven &amp; Schwendinger (1989) can be neither confirmed nor refuted. The holotype of A. striatipes was seemingly preserved shortly before the spider was to moult. Two layers of cuticle are discernible in the broken parts of the legs; hairs and spines, arranged in dark bands, of the new cuticle are clearly visible under the old cuticle of all limbs. Roewer (1960: 34) has obviously misinterpreted these underlying structures as a pigmentation of the leg cuticle in the form of dark longitudinal stripes (“1.–4. Femur bis Tarsus der Beine schwarz längs-gestreift”) and used this false character to distinguish A. striatipes from A. lindbergi. F. Coyle observed this too; he mentions it in the unpublished notes that he sent us. The paratype of A. lindbergi (a relatively large juvenile male with a body length of 10.3) in the SMF is still in fairly good condition (not dried up) and largely corresponds to females of P. raddei. Unlike most specimens of P. roxana sp. n., it has a sternum that is not much darker that the surrounding coxae. We consider it more likely that the types of Afghanothele belong to the widespread P. raddei than to the much more geographically restricted P. roxana sp. n., and thus we see no reason for removing A. lindbergi and A. striatipes from the synonymy of P. raddei.</p> <p>Raven’s statement that the eye group of the female, which he considered to be the holotype, is twice as long as wide is incorrect. It is about twice as wide as long, as in all other specimens belonging to this genus.</p> <p>Emended diagnosis. Fairly large species with considerable variation in size. Males distinct from those of all other Phyxioschema by: 1) ventral side of metatarsus I with one enlarged subproximal spine; 2) ventral spur on tibia II spatulate and strongly asymmetrical, its apex forming a relatively sharp concave edge with three more or less distinct distal lobes, the retrolateral half of the apex carrying two megaspines inclined from longitudinal axis of spur on tibia II; 3) metatarsus II with three proximoventral keels, the proventral one low, in some (mostly large) males indistinct. Females similar to those of P. roxana sp. n., distinguished by: 1) vulva with usually only one secondary receptacle per spermathecal trunk, 2) median receptacle with short and straight, or long and only slightly convoluted stalk, 3) lateral receptacle with base constricted to a distinct neck.</p> <p>Characters not mentioned in previous descriptions. Intersegmental membranes of limbs in both sexes with some dark pigment. Tarsi I–IV of males pseudosegmented. One of the subproximal ventral spines on metatarsus I of males enlarged (Figs. 2F, 3C–D). Tibia I of males incrassate (slightly to distinctly wider than tibia IV, in larger specimens more so than in smaller ones), ventrally flattened (Figs. 2F, 3E), not cylindrical as in the species from Thailand. Patella I of males with a bent row of usually 5–6 curved and sigmoid spines retroventrally and retrodistally, without triangular projection on retrolateral margin (Fig. 3F). Third (proventral) keel on metatarsus II of males low, less pronounced than medioventral and retroventral keels (Figs. 2D, 3L–O), in some specimens difficult to see. Bands of hooked spinules retrodorsally on femur I (Fig. 2A) and proventrally on femur II (Fig. 2B) wide, the former one relatively short. Band of elongate spinules prolaterally on tibia II straight, slightly inclined from longitudinal axis of tibia (Fig. 2D–E). Vulva with a pair of fairly narrow spermathecae distinctly inclined from each other anteriorly, each spermathecal trunk usually carrying three receptacles (rarely two or four); median and secondary receptacles with completely sclerotised stalks; stalk of median receptacle short and straight or long and slightly convoluted; base of lateral receptacle constricted to a neck, partly sclerotised, its ental side with continuous sclerotisation, its ectal side with discontinuous (broken) sclerotisation; all receptacular heads bulbous and with pores (Figs. 4A–H, 5A–H).</p> <p>Variation. The 51 males examined vary greatly in size: body length 6.7–15.1, carapace length 3.0–7.2, carapace width 2.6–6.1. Males from the eastern localities (Repetek, Sidjak and Khodzha-Bergen) are distinctly larger (12.0–15.1, 5.9–7.2, 5.0–6.1; n=4; largest male from Khodzha-Bergen in Kazakhstan) than males from the western localities (Damdam, Mt. Sunt, Eldere, Aidere, Morgunovka) (6.7–11.2, 3.0–4.5, 2.6– 3.6; n=47; smallest male from Aidere in Turkmenistan). The corresponding maximum measurements of the 47 adult females examined are: holotype 11.1, 3.8, 2.9; largest female (from Sangdara in Tajikistan) 21.1, 9.2, 7.4. Females from eastern localities are also generally larger than those from western localities.</p> <p>A male from Repetek has three foveal setae, a female from Gandjina has only one, all others have two. Most specimens have a more or less round fovea, in some specimens it is triangular, in a few even longer than wide.</p> <p>The four males from Repetek, Sidjak and Khodzha-Bergen are not only larger, but also darker, have stronger spines on the legs, more strongly incrassate tibiae I and II (Fig. 2F, cf. Fig. 3E), a proximally wider ventral spur on tibia II, and a less distinct proventral proximal keel on metatarsus II (in some specimens only discernible in distal view) than the males from the more western localities. The fragmented male from Repetek has two thickened spines next to the longer and distinctly enlarged subproximal ventral spine on metatarsus I, which makes the latter less conspicuous than in other males. The male from Morgunovka has seven sigmoid retroventral spines (usually 5–6) on patella I of one side. Despite the relatively large number of males examined (n=51), no variation in the number of megaspines on tibia II was observed.</p> <p>Females from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are also darker than those from in Iran and Turkmenistan. In the large female syntype of Ischnothele strandi no secondary receptacles could be found, even when examined from the ventral side; Fig. 4E. The only other P. raddei female that appears to lack secondary receptacles is a much smaller Ischnothele strandi syntype, the vulva of which is deformed by desiccation and thus is not illustrated. Two other females from the same locality (Akarcheshme, Turkmenistan), however, do possess secondary receptacles (Fig. 4F–G). These two specimens and a female from Mt. Astana (Tajikistan; Fig. 5G) seemingly have two secondary receptacles (not fully developed) on one of their spermathecal trunks. A duplicate of a lateral receptacle is present in the female from Tigrovaya Balka (Fig. 5D). All these extra receptacles occur only on one of both spermathecal trunks per vulva and are probably abnormal. The female from Varsob has a distinctly widened left spermathecal trunk (Fig. 5H), which is probably malformed.</p> <p>Relationships. This species is most closely related to P. roxana sp. n.</p> <p>Distribution: Phyxioschema raddei has the largest geographical range within the genus. This species occurs between the Caspian Sea in the west and the Tian Shan, Pamir and Karakorum mountain ranges in the east, a distance of about 1600 km (Fig. 1). Published records and material are available from: Iran (new records); Turkmenistan (Simon 1889, Charitonov 1932, Spassky 1937, 1952, Spassky &amp; Minenkova 1940, Charitonov 1969, Zonstein 1985, Mikhailov &amp; Fet 1994); Afghanistan (Roewer 1960; unconfirmed); Uzbekistan (new records); Tajikistan (Andreeva 1968, 1976); Kazakhstan (new record); Kyrgyzstan (Zonstein 1996, reporting on juveniles, which presumably also belong to P. raddei, from the surroundings of Batken). The type locality, Krasnowodsk, is the most western locality. The identity of specimens described under Afghanothele lindbergi and A. striatipes from Afghanistan require confirmation on the basis of new material (preferably mature males) from the corresponding type localities.</p> <p>The vertical distribution of P. raddei ranges from about 200 m to 1800 m, and possibly even 2200 m. One of us (SLZ) has also seen (but not collected) juveniles, which presumably also belong to this species, under living stones near the top of Mt. Sanglok in Tajikistan, at altitudes of 2000–2200 m.</p> <p>Habitat and phenology. Phyxioschema raddei occurs in various, more or less arid habitats, from lowland sand deserts (e.g., at Repetek) and salt plains (e.g., at Krasnovodsk) to open mountain forests (e.g., at Aidere). This is quite unusual for diplurid spiders, which usually live in rather humid environments. The spiders live mainly under rocks, whereas in stone-free habitats they occupy abandoned burrows of rodents and reptiles. The males examined were collected (many of them in pitfall traps) between the beginning of May and mid- July.</p> </div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/670CF345FFF5F237FF1CFE3854F17F0C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Schwendinger, Peter J.;Zonstein, Sergei L.	Schwendinger, Peter J., Zonstein, Sergei L. (2011): A taxonomic revision of the genus Phyxioschema (Araneae, Dipluridae), II: species from Central Asia. Zootaxa 2815 (1): 28-48, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2815.1.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.2815.1.1.2
670CF345FFFCF22DFF1CFC22575D7F72.text	670CF345FFFCF22DFF1CFC22575D7F72.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Phyxioschema roxana Schwendinger & Zonstein 2011	<div><p>Phyxioschema roxana sp. n.</p> <p>Figures 6–8F</p> <p>Phyxioschema raddei Simon, 1889: Charitonov 1969: 64–65 (in part; misidentification of females).</p> <p>Material. UZBEKISTAN: <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=66.6&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=37.7" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 66.6/lat 37.7)">Kughitang Mts.</a>, canyon 3 km SW of Vandob, 1700 m, 37°42'N, 66°36'E, male holotype (TAU), 1 male paratype (MHNG), 1 female " allotype " (TAU), 1 female paratype (MHNG), leg. S. Zonstein, 30. V.1995.— Surkhandarya Region, Kughitang Range, Bagly-Dara [= Baglydara] Gorge, 1500– 1800 m, Juniperus forest, under stones, 2 female paratypes, 1 penultimate male, leg. S. Zonstein, 7. V.1984 (TAU).— <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=66.960556&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.846664" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 66.960556/lat 38.846664)">Kashkadarya Region</a>, W. Hissar Mt. Ridge, Ishkent [38°50'48''N, 66°57'38''E, ca. 1200 m] near Yakkabagh, Juniperus forest, 1350 m, 1 female paratype, leg. S. Zonstein, 6.IV.1989 (TAU).— Ishkent and surroundings, Yakkabagh district, Bukhara region, 2 female paratypes, 5 juvs., leg. D. M. Fedotov, 16.IV.– 3. V.1942 (n° 5506; PU).— Ugunaksai [Ugunak gorge], Koka-Bulashkul', Kuibyshev, Yakkabagh district, Bukharskaya, 1 juv., leg. D. M. Fedotov, 7.–14.VII.1942 (n° 5507; PU).— Ishkent and surroundings, Yakkabagh district, Bukhara region, 2 female paratypes, 2 juv. males, leg. D. M. Fedotov, 16.IV.–3.V.1942 and 24.IV.1942 (on two labels; n° 5508; PU).— Yakkabagh District, Bukhara Region, 2 female paratypes and 1 juv. male, leg. D. M. Fedotov, 1942 (n° 5509; PU).— Ishkent and surroundings, Yakkabagh district, Bukhara region, 3 female paratypes, 4 juvs., leg. D. M. Fedotov, 25.–28.III.1942 (n° 5512; PU).— <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=66.9&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=39.966667" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 66.9/lat 39.966667)">Western</a> part of Zeravshan Mts., Aman-Kutan Pass, 1700 m, 39°58'N, 66°54'E, 3 male paratypes, 1 female paratype, leg. A. Zyuzin, 12. VI.1991 (TAU).— Kishlaki Khtay i Kul' [villages Khtay and Kul', NE of Samarkand], 3 female paratypes, Kap. [Captain] Barstchevski, 1896 (n° 5514; PU).</p> <p>TAJIKISTAN: foothills of Hissar Mt. Ridge, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=68.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.666668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 68.78333/lat 38.666668)">Varzob</a> [= Varsob] <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=68.78333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=38.666668" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 68.78333/lat 38.666668)">Valley</a>, 1100 m, 8 km N Dushanbe, 38°40'N, 68°47'E, 2 male paratypes, leg. S. L. Zonstein, 25. V.2002 (TAU).</p> <p>Etymology. The new species is named after the Bactrian wife of Alexander the Great. Name in apposition.</p> <p>Diagnosis. Relatively large species with fairly stout legs. Different from P. raddei by males possessing an almost symmetrical ventral spur with narrow, rounded or only slightly bilobed apex on tibia II, only two (instead of three) ventral keels on metatarsus II, and no enlarged proximoventral spine on metatarsus I; females with stouter spermathecae carrying usually 3–4 (rarely 2 or 5) receptacles; lateral receptacle with a wide base (usually not constricted to a neck) and median receptacle with long, strongly convoluted stalks.</p> <p>Description. MALE (holotype). Colour in alcohol: Carapace (Fig. 6A) light reddish brown, with dark brown stripes (most distinct behind eye group) radiating from fovea and forming reticulate areas above leg coxae and on anterior carapace margin, and forming a dark marginal patch above femur I, above femur II and above femora III–VI; eye mound black. Labium and maxillae light brown, with white anterior and prolateral zones, respectively. Sternum mostly grey-black (almost as dark as opisthosoma), with contrasting light reddish brown sigillae (including fused ones forming postlabial depression; Fig. 6B). Legs (including ventral side of coxae) mostly light reddish brown; tibia to tarsus I and metatarsus to tarsus II darker; 2 light longitudinal dorsal stripes on all patellae and tibiae (less distinct on legs I and II); dorsal side of leg coxae and palps light yellowish brown. Intersegmental membranes of limbs and membrane between leg coxae and sternum with irregular patches of dark pigment. Opisthosoma mostly grey-black, without pattern; genital region and all booklung plates grey-brown, a pair of light brown longitudinal, posteriorly divergent stripes separating genital region from anterior pulmonary plates; spinnerets grey-black, mottled with light spots ventrally.</p> <p>Body 12.7 long. Carapace (Fig. 6A) 5.6 long, 4.8 wide, oval, almost flat, covered with fine dark adpressed hairs (most straight, few slightly curved) and few stronger bristles on and in front of eye mound, in front of fovea and on posterior margin (there strongest). Eyes on low mound; eye group 0.56 long, anterior eye row procurved, 0.81 wide, posterior eye row straight, 0.96 wide (Fig. 7B). Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.18, ALE 0.32, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22; AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.36, PME–PLE 0.02. MOQ 0.38 long, 0.38 wide anteriorly, 0.67 posteriorly. Fovea pitlike, with 2 long foveal setae anterior to it.</p> <p>Chelicerae weak, grooves with 9 prolateral teeth and 17 light medioproximal denticles. Maxillae 1.4 long, 0.9 wide, with pallid prolateral zone; anterior lobe indistinct, with fairly wide but indistinct serrula on ridge. Labium 0.3 long, 0.8 wide, anterior edge distinctly setose, followed by pallid zone with few setae; posterior part pigmented, with more setae. Sternum (Fig. 6B) 3.0 long, 2.4 wide, cordate, with deeply excavated postlabial sigilla (medially fused with each other and with the labiosternal suture) and 3 pairs of indistinct marginal sigilla.</p> <p>Palps (Fig. 7C–D). Spination: tibia p1,v2, r1. 7+7 trichobothria in 2 rows on tibiae, over 10 (difficult to see) in a zig-zag row on tarsi. Palpal organ with oval base and quite long, tapering, almost straight embolus with slightly curved tip.</p> <p>Legs 1=234. All tarsi pseudosegmented and densely armed with spines. Metatarsal preening combs absent. I: metatarsus with all ventral spines (apart from longer distal ones) of similar size, none of them enlarged; tibia distinctly incrassate (clearly wider than tibiae III and IV), ventrally flattened, with strong spines prolaterally, ventrally and retrolaterally (Fig. 7F); patella with row of 4 short, mostly sigmoid (the distal one rather curved than sigmoid) spines retroventrally (on one side followed by a straight spine on distoventral margin), without triangular projection on retrolateral margin (Fig. 7E); femur with relatively short and wide band of hooked spinules retrodorsally (Fig. 6C). II: metatarsus ventroproximally with 2 widely separated, rounded keels (Fig. 7K–N), the proventral one (Figs. 6E, 7L) somewhat triangular, more strongly elevated and ventrad-directed than the other, the retroventral one (Fig. 7N) widely rounded, less elevated and slightly more pointing sideward; tibia distinctly incrassate, band of elongate spinules on prolateral side straight, slightly inclined from longitudinal axis of tibia, not reaching beyond height of distal side of ventral spur (Fig. 6E–F); ventral spur of tibia apically not widened, apex slightly bilobed and carrying 2 megaspines on left leg (normal condition; Fig. 7G), not bilobed and carrying 3 megaspines on right leg (variant form; Fig. 7H); megaspines on left (normal) leg almost parallel to each other, the prolateral one slightly surpassing the retrolateral one (Fig. 7G), on right (variant) leg median megaspine longest (Fig. 7H); femur with a long and narrow band of hooked spinules proventrally (Fig. 6D). Spination: I: patella v4/5; tibia p2, v26/28; metatarsus p1/4, v24/26; tarsus v32/38. II: patella p2; tibia p2/4, v2/3 megaspines; metatarsus d3, p4, v11; tarsus v37/46. III: patella p4, r1/2; tibia d2, p2, r2, v6; metatarsus d6, p4, v13, r3; tarsus p3/4, v31/32. IV: patella p2, r1; tibia d1, p3, v7, r2; metatarsus d7/8, p3, v13, r1/2; tarsus p3, v22/24, r1. Trichobothria: 9+ 9 in 2 rows on tibiae; over 10 (difficult to see) in one row on metatarsi; over 10 (difficult to see) in one row on tarsi. Paired claws with 10–12 teeth in sigmoid row, unpaired claw with 5–7 sessile teeth. Palp and leg measurements: see Table 1.</p> <p>Opisthosoma 6.5 long, 4.5 wide; quite densely covered with many fine light adpressed hairs (mostly in posterior part) interspersed with fewer fine dark hairs and long dark bristles with orange-brown sockets. Posterior median spinnerets 1.0 long; posterior lateral spinnerets 7.5 long (proximal article 2.1, median article 1.9, pseudosegmented distal article 3.5).</p> <p>FEMALE (" allotype "). Colour as in the male, except for: dark stripes and patches on carapace less distinct; sternum only slightly darker than surrounding parts; chelicerae more reddish, medioproximal denticles in groove darker; legs lighter; opisthosoma dorsally in posterior half with 3 indistinct light patches forming incomplete chevrons.</p> <p>Body 15.2 long. Carapace 6.5 long, 5.4 wide. Eye group (Fig. 7A) 0.56 long, anterior eye row 0.99 wide, posterior eye row 1.07 wide. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.21, ALE 0.36, PME 0.25, PLE 0.24; AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.09, PME–PME 0.43, PME–PLE 0.03. MOQ 0.42 long, 0.41 wide anteriorly, 0.78 posteriorly.</p> <p>Chelicerae stronger than in male, grooves with 9/10 prolateral teeth and 24/25 medioproximal denticles. Maxillae 2.1 long, 1.2 wide, serrula slightly wider than in males. Labium 0.6 long, 1.1 wide. Sternum 3.2 long, 2.7 wide.</p> <p>Palps. Spination: patella p1; tibia p1, v7/9; tarsus p1, v25. 7+7 trichobothria on tibiae and about 10 on tarsi (difficult to see). Tarsal claw with 10/11 teeth.</p> <p>Legs 21=34. All tarsi integral; tibiae I and II not incrassate. Spination: I: patella p1; tibia p1, v7; metatarsus v23/24; tarsus v29/30. II: patella p2; tibia p2, v5; metatarsus p3, v19/21; tarsus v34/35. III: patella p4, r1; tibia p2/3, d2, r2, v6/7; metatarsus p4, d4/5, r1/2, v17; tarsus p3/5, v30/31. IV: patella p1/2, r1; tibia p2, d1/2, r2, v6; metatarsus p4, d5, r2, v13/15; tarsus p3/5, v25/27. Trichobothria: 2 rows of 10–11 each on tibiae; about 10 (difficult to see) in one row on metatarsi and on tarsi. Paired claws with 10–12 teeth in sigmoid row, unpaired claw with 5–7 sessile teeth. Palp and leg measurements: see Table 1.</p> <p>Opisthosoma 6.9 long, 4.8 wide. Posterior median spinnerets 1.2 long; posterior lateral spinnerets 8.0 long (proximal article 2.4, median article 2.0, pseudosegmented distal article 3.6).</p> <p>Vulva (Fig. 8D) with moderately wide spermathecae distinctly inclined from each other anteriorly; each spermathecal trunk with 4/5 receptacles; base of lateral receptacle wide (not constricted), with complete sclerotisation only on ental side and broken sclerotisation on ectal side, head of lateral receptacle hemispherical, covered with several pores; median receptacle with a fairly long, strongly convoluted, completely sclerotised stalk and a bulbous head with pores; 2/3 secondary receptacles ranging from large, with strongly convoluted stalk (as in median receptacle), to small, with bent stalk.</p> <p>Variation. Measurements of adult males (n=7) and of females with open genital orifices (n=18; in parentheses): body length 10.5–15.3 (8.0–20.3), carapace length 5.4–6.3 (3.3–7.9), width 4.5–5.4 (2.9–6.5).</p> <p>All specimens from the villages of Khtay and Kul’ and from the Aman-Kutan pass, one female from Baglydara and one female from Ishkent have their sternum not or only indistinctly darker than the surrounding parts. In all other specimens the difference in colouration is pronounced.</p> <p>Patella I of males has 4–5 sigmoid spines retroventrally and 1–2 weaker, curved spines or stiff bristles distoventrally. The holotype has three megaspines on the ventral tibial spur of its right leg II (Fig. 7H) and two megaspines on the left leg (Fig. 7G); all other males examined have only two megaspines (see Fig. 7I–J). The ventral tibial spur is apically more (Fig. 7J) or less (Fig. 7H) distinctly bilobed.</p> <p>The female from the Aman-Kutan pass (Fig. 8A) has fairly narrow spermathecae, only one secondary receptacle (small ones hidden on the ventral side may have been overlooked), and slightly constricted bases (necks) on the lateral receptacles. This is rather typical for P. raddei. However, since its median receptacles have long coiled stalks (typical for P. roxana sp. n.) and since it was collected together with males of P. roxana sp. n., we attribute this specimen to the new species. A similar, but slightly less atypical vulva was found in a female from Ishkent (Fig. 8B).</p> <p>Relationships and taxonomic status. Phyxioschema roxana sp. n. appears most closely related to P. raddei. Both species share the presence of many strong spines on their legs (especially so on the tarsi), pigmented intersegmental leg membranes, an incrassate and ventrally flattened tibia I in males, and partly sclerotised lateral receptacular bases in females. Judging from dark colouration, similarities in the shape of the female copulatory organs and in their way of life, both species appear most closely related to P. erawan Schwendinger, 2009, one of the Phyxioschema species from Thailand. Considering the unresolved taxonomic status of Afghanothele lindbergi and A. striatipes, it is possible that P. roxana sp. n. will be synonymised with one of these two nominal species.</p> <p>Distribution and habitat. The new species is known from seven localities in southern Uzbekistan and from one locality in western Tajikistan (Fig. 1, localities n° 20, 23–27, 33). All specimens examined were collected at high altitudes (1100–1800 m). Charitonov (1969: 64) mentioned a juvenile female, which probably belongs to this species, from Guldara Kolkhoz, Ugunski District (southern Uzbekistan), between 1380 and 2400 m. It appears at present that P. roxana sp. n. has a relatively small geographical range and is restricted to high altitudes, whereas P. raddei is much more widespread and occupies a much larger vertical range.</p> <p>Phenology. Mature males were collected at the end of May and in mid-June. Those collected at the earlier date have their cheliceral fangs not yet fully pigmented, which indicates that they moulted only a few days before.</p> <p>Remarks. Charitonov (1969: 64, 65) reported on P. raddei specimens in his collection (deposited in the Perm State University). Our re-examination of this material shows that it is a mixture of P. raddei and P. roxana sp. n. One single female (without other specimens in the same vial) from the village of Khtay (n° 5511; PU) seemingly has a malformed or undeveloped vulva with distally wide spermathecal trunks, without lateral receptacles (not previously observed in Phyxioschema) and short straight median receptacles. Its sternum is not clearly darker than the surrounding parts. This suggests that this single female belongs to P. raddei, however, another female from the villages of Khtay and Kul’ was clearly identified as P.roxana sp. n. Thus we cannot associate specimen n° 5511 with either of these species. It may belong to an undescribed species, but this is unlikely. Due to some unusually preservative (possibly absolute alcohol), the tissue of several specimens in Charitonov’s collection has become unusually tough (almost like leather). This makes it difficult to study the fine details of the vulvae and therefore these are not illustrated here. Nevertheless, the general structure of these vulvae is discernible in most cases.</p> </div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/670CF345FFFCF22DFF1CFC22575D7F72	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		MagnoliaPress via Plazi	Schwendinger, Peter J.;Zonstein, Sergei L.	Schwendinger, Peter J., Zonstein, Sergei L. (2011): A taxonomic revision of the genus Phyxioschema (Araneae, Dipluridae), II: species from Central Asia. Zootaxa 2815 (1): 28-48, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2815.1.1.2, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.2815.1.1.2
