Latrodectus revivensis Shulov, 1948

Souri, Amir Mohammad, Shafaie, Sepideh, Moradmand, Majid & Mirshamsi, Omid, 2024, The spider genus Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805 (Araneae, Theridiidae) in Iran with the first record of Latrodectus revivensis Shulov, 1948, Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 10 (1), pp. 99-109 : 101-104

Latrodectus revivensis Shulov, 1948 ( Figs 2 A–C, 3 A–D, 4A, 5; Table 1)

Type locality and repository. Palestine: 37 km. southwest of Beer Sheba near the new settlement of Revivim (types lost); Syntype: ♂♂ ♀♀ (lost) ( Levy & Amitai, 1983) ( HUJ) .

Material examined. IRAN: 5 ♀♀ ( ZMFUM), Markazi Province, Ghargh Abad (35°07'48"N, 49°51'0"E), 1599 m a.s.l, 6.ix.2021, semi-desert, steppe area, leg.: A.M. Souri ; 7 ♀♀ ( ZMFUM), Qom Province, 40 km south of Salafchegan (34°13'48"N, 50°33'0"E), 1369 m a.s.l, 22.x.2022, semi-desert, steppe area, leg.: A.M. Souri ; 5 ♀♀ ( ZMFUM), Qom Province, 12 km north of Salafchegan (34.56°N, 50.44°E), 1423 m a.s.l, 22.x.2022, semi-desert, steppe area, leg.: A.M. Souri.

Diagnosis. Latrodectus revivensis can be easily distinguished from other congeners with a combination of somatic ( Fig. 2 A–C) and genitalic characters ( Fig. 3 A–D). Latrodectus revivensis differs from L. pallidus , L. tredecimguttatus , L. cinctus and L. dahli by having general black colouration, distinct abdominal pattern and finely curved abdominal setae. Latrodectus revivensis differs from L. pallidus , L. dahli , and L. cinctus by having four spermathecal loops ( Figs 1 A–H, 3 A–D). Latrodectus revivensis differs from all other congeners by having a curved carina parallel to the anterior lip of the opening of the epigynum ( Fig. 3A; see Levi, 1966:430, figs 26–27).

Short description. Female. Medium-sized spiders (TL: 9.14±1.43, AbL: 5.57±0.90) ( Table 1). AME and PME equal in size. Chelicerae subequal in length to the clypeus. Maxillae and labium brown. The sternum slightly longer than wide. Legs (I, II, III, IV) brownish black. Tarsi and metatarsi lighter than the proximal end. Coloration: Females typically dark brown with indistinct dark markings, covered with very short, slightly curved black hairs. The dorsal surface of abdomen with minute black setae with no pubescence ( Fig. 1 A–C). Epigynum: L. revivensis epigynum is transverse and suboval. The anterior margin is slightly curved forward, its median part extending backwards and forming two distinct oval subdivisions. With a distinct curved carina parallel to the anterior lip of the opening of the epigynum. The posterior margin is slightly curved. With four spermathecal ducts ( Figs 3B, 3D).

Male. No male has been examined.

Structure of the nest. Members of L. revivensis build large webs in bushes and other brush in large open land areas. They prefer taller individual plants and also build a conspicuous, cone-shaped nest in bushes up to 1m high. Latrodectus tredecimguttatus constructs its nest at the ground level, concealing its major part within crevices in the soil or beneath large stones, at the base of shrubs The web of L. tredecimguttatus contains no regularly outlined retreat, its function being formed by an invagination of the funnel. Latrodectus pallidus builds its nest at some 40–60 cm height, invariably affixed to the leaves and branches of low shrubs or other vegetation. Regarding the retreat, the structure is a clearly outlined thimble shape that spins it from a white, thin, opaque material. In contrast, the retreat of L. revivensis is conical to cylindrical, is shallower than that of L. pallidus , and is located upon the upper side of the funnel. Latrodectus dahli builds their nests under stones or on the ground ( Fig. 4).