Pamirosa gen. nov., unexpected record of Artoriinae (Araneae, Lycosidae) from the rooftop of Pamir, Central Asia

Abstract

A new monotypic genus, Pamirosagen. nov. with the type species P. kudratbekovisp. nov. (♂♀), is described from Pamir Mountains in eastern Tajikistan. The new genus represents the first record of the mainly Austrolasian subfamily Artoriinae Framenau, 2007 in Central Asia. It differs from all known genera of Artoriinae, as well as from all other lycosids, by having a unique spiraled embolus and epigyne with screw-shaped membranous copulatory ducts unknown in other wolf spiders. The new species was collected among stone screes at an elevation of 4700 meters. Unlike all other Palaearctic lycosids inhabiting stony screes and possessing four or more pairs of ventral tibial spines on leg I, Pamirosagen. nov. has only three pairs. Description, figures, diagnosis of the new species, and a photograph of its habitat are provided. Additionally, the distribution of scree-dwelling Lycosidae in Asia is discussed.