In addition to the genus diagnosis, the following features characterize the species:MALECephalothorax dark brown, with lower half of sides with broad whitish streak of adpressed vertical whitish setae, striking on live specimen; eye field black, covered with minute setae but not light reflecting scales; dorsal profile highest at eyes III, there is no flat surface, steep slope of the thorax begins at 65% of cephalothorax length; there is no posterior, horizontal triangular protuberance dorsally on thorax, which provides conspicuous difference with Phlegra nitidiventris. Abdomen: round, flattened and covered on the whole surface by hard black, or blackish brown, scutum which looks like polished mirror and reflects light (similar in Phlegra nitidiventris); sides ventrally to scutum white. Frontal aspect: diameter of AME >150% of ALE, the latter set along upper half of AME - tops of their orbits indistinctly above those of AME; orbital setae stout, dorsally long, gradually shortening along lateral parts of orbits and very short ventrally, forming a sort of bonnet above each eye; dorsally dark with whitish tips, ventrally white. Clypeus densely covered with white horizontal setae, becoming longer medially and making a white dense triangle under AME, a few thinner setae overhanging cheliceral bases. Chelicerae yellowish brown, slender.Pedipalps: tip of femur, tibia and patella yellow with white setae, longer on tibia, radiating and forming a sparse fan. Legs: tarsus and metatarsus black, remaining segments yellow to yellowish brown; femora dorsally yellow with darker distal ends. Measurements (mm). Male. Length of cephalothorax 2.27; length of abdomen 1.93. (c)PRÓSZYŃSKI, 2003 Body: Markings: dark or bright vertical stripes. Eyes: AER: dorsal edge procurve. Labium: Length: longer than wide. Embolus: Shape: short chisel-like. Legs: Leg formula: 3-4-1-2. Distribution: Geographical Distribution: Europe. Afrika. Middle East. FEMALECephalothorax dark brown - on live specimens presumably black, with sparse whitish adpressed setae, dorsal surface curved. Abdomen: light yellowish brown, apparently cryptic coloration; in studied specimens abdomen macerated, without preserved pattern. Frontal aspect: eyes surrounded white setae, clypeus fawn with colourless setae, a few white; chelicerae brown. Legs: light brown, darker ringed; femora lighter - yellowish.Measurements (mm). Female. Length of cephalothorax 2.73; length of abdomen 3.99. (c)PRÓSZYŃSKI, 2003 Body: Markings: dark or bright vertical stripes. Eyes: AER: dorsal edge procurve. Labium: Length: longer than wide. Distribution: Geographical Distribution: Europe. Afrika. Middle East. COMMENTSDiagnosis. Male - abdomen entirely covered by light reflecting scutum, no postero-dorsal triangular protuberance on thorax; differs from Ae. gershomi by presence of striking white clypeus and white streak on lower sides; female - "wings" of epigynum separated from pigmented area by light surrounding, spreading broader than in Ae. gershomi.Remark. No clear and unmistakable external difference noticed between females of Ae. politiventris and Ae. gershomi, apart from epigynum. Matching of males and females tentative. Seasonal appearance of adult specimens. Males - II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI ; females - III, IV. (c)PRÓSZYŃSKI, 2003 |