Kut gen. nov., a new troglomorphic spider genus from Turkey (Araneae, Dysderidae)

Kadir Boğaç Kunt; Mert Elverici; Ersen Aydın Yağmur; Recep Sulhi Özkütük

doi:10.3897/subtbiol.32.46534

Abstract

A new genus of troglomorphic Dysderidae is described, based mainly on the morphology of copulatory organs. The new genus Kut gen. nov., with the type species Harpactocrates troglophilus Brignoli, 1978, also includes two recently discovered new species from the coastal Mediterranean Turkey: Kut izmiricus sp. nov. and K. dimensis sp. nov. All three species display troglomorphic traits, most distinct in K. dimensis sp. nov. Another genus-level trait is a characteristic simple type of bulb in males. Female copulatory organ shows similarity to the endemic Caucasian genus Cryptoparachtes Dunin, 1992 in paraspermatheca structure, whereas the male copulatory organ is unique among all known Dysderidae.

Keywords

Anatolia, cave-dwelling, endemic, eyeless spider, MSS, troglobite

Introduction

Dysderinae is one of the three subfamilies of the spider family Dysderidae, along with Harpacteinae and Rhodinae. Its members can be clearly distinguished by the unique morphology of sternum and labium joints, as well as by having claw tufts of setae on all tarsi and scopulae on posterior metatarsi (Deeleman-Reinhold and Deeleman 1988).

Subfamily Dysderinae is quite diverse and includes the following genera (number of species given in square brackets): Cryptoparachtes Dunin, 1992 [3 spp.]; Dysdera Latreille, 1804 [285 spp.]; Dysderella Dunin, 1992 [2 spp.]; Dysderocrates Deeleman-Reinhold & Deeleman, 1988 [8 spp.]; Harpactocrates Simon, 1914 [13 spp.], Hygrocrates Deeleman-Reinhold, 1988 [5 spp.], Parachtes Alicata, 1964 [13 spp.], Stalitochara Simon, 1913 [1 sp.] and Tedia Simon, 1882 [2 spp.] (WSC 2019).

Most of the genera of subfamily Dysderinae are endemic to the West Palearctic, with limited ranges. Cryptoparachtes and Dysderella are Caucasian endemics; Hygrocrates has a broader range from the Mediterranean Turkey and Caucasus; Harpactocrates and Parachtes are West European; Dysderocrates is East Mediterranean; and Tedia is known from Syria and Israel (WSC 2019). Only the genus Dysdera is widespread and mega species-rich, within a range covering the entire Mediterranean basin, all of Eurasia and the Macaronesian Archipelago; however, it includes many narrow endemics in the West Palearctic (Cardoso et al. 2008; Řezáč et al. 2008; WSC 2019).

Many species of Dysderidae are adapted to life in the darkness and display troglomorphic traits (Mammola et al. 2018). Even though most of troglobites belong to subfamilies Harpacteinae and Rhodinae, cave forms are known in Dysderinae as well (Arnedo and Ribera 1999). One of these species, Harpactocrates troglophilus Brignoli, 1978, has been described from the Zindan Cave in Mediterranean Turkey (Isparta Province).

Various authors doubted the generic placement of H. troglophilus, yet there have not been any attempts for a revision. In his original description, Brignoli (1978) wrote: “I am not entirely sure about the generic position of this strange species, similar in habitus with the Harpactocrates, but very different with the bulb (simpler)”. Absence of females was undoubtedly a reason for this hesitation. Later, in their seminal paper, Deeleman-Reinhold and Deeleman (1988) marked this species as “invisae inquirendae” (“not seen, doubtful”). Recently, Bidegaray-Batista et al. (2014) provided a molecular evidence that H. troglophilus belongs to a different lineage than monophyletic western Mediterranean Harpactocrates, which appeared to be “…more closely related to the eastern Mediterranean Dysderinae genera Dysderocrates and Cryptoparachtes…”.

This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge of the Dysderinae of Turkey by establishing a new genus based on troglomorphic Harpactocrates troglophilus and two other, new species recently discovered in Mediterranean Turkey.

Material and methods

Specimens were collected in different provinces of Turkey, either by hand collecting, pitfall, or MSS (Mesovoid Shallow Substratum) trapping and preserved in 70% ethanol. MSS trap design and application based on López and Oromí (2010) with several modifications to optimize sampling: 80 cm long PVC pipes of 11 cm diameter were used, with many small holes (5–7 mm) drilled along surface, except for 10 cm part at the bottom for preserving a plastic beaker, and a 40 cm part at the top to avoid sampling surface dwellers, enabling sampling between 40 to 70 cm of depth.

Digital images of the left palp and vulva were taken with a Leica DFC295 digital camera attached to a Leica S8AP0 stereomicroscope. Five to 30 photographs were taken in different focal planes and combined using COMBINE ZP image stacking software. Photographic images were edited using ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS6 and CORELDRAW HOME & STUDENT SUITE X7 was used to create the plates. All measurements are in mm. Terminology for the body parts and copulatory organ structures follows Deeleman-Reinhold and Deeleman (1988) and Chatzaki and Arnedo (2006).

Abbreviations: AL, abdominal length; CL, carapace length; CWmax, maximum carapace width; CWmin, minimum carapace width; AME, anterior median eyes; PLE, posterior lateral eyes; PME, posterior median eyes; AMEd, diameter of anterior median eyes; PLEd, diameter of posterior lateral eyes; PMEd, diameter of posterior median eyes; ChF, length of cheliceral fang; ChG, length of cheliceral groove; ChL, total length of chelicera (lateral external view); E embolus; T tegulum; Ms midspermatheca; Ps paraspermatheca; Ta, tarsus; Me, metatarsus, Ti, tibia; Pa, patella; Fe, femur; Tr, trochanter; C, coxa; D, dorsal; Pl, prolateral; Rl, retrolateral; V, ventral.

Depositories: AZMM, Zoology Museum of Alaşehir Vocational School, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey; ETZM, Eskişehir Technical University Zoology Museum, Eskişehir, Turkey.

Taxonomy

Family Dysderidae C. L. Koch, 1837

Subfamily Dysderinae C. L. Koch, 1837

Diagnosis. Sternum edge at labium-sternum joint approximately 2.5–3 times longer than the edges at gnathocoxa-sternum joints. All tarsi with claw tufts.

A key to the genera of Dysderinae

1	Male	2
–	Female	8
2	Distal extensions of tegulum simple	3
–	Distal extensions of tegulum complex	4
3	Tegulum globular. Embolus long, sinuous. Conductor absent	Harpactocrates Simon, 1914
–	Tegulum pear-shaped. Embolus is a simple extension of tegulum	Kut gen. nov. (Figs 1D–F, 2D–F, 3D–F).
4	Distal extensions divided with haematodocha	Dysdera Latreille, 1804
–	Distal extensions without haematodocha division	5
5	Tegulum Z-shaped, with two apophyses	Cryptoparachtes Dunin, 1992
–	Tegulum pear-shaped, straight or cylindrical	6
6	Tegulum pear-shaped, with two apophyses in addition to hook-shaped embolus	Hygrocrates Deeleman-Reinhold, 1988
–	Tegulum cylindrical	7
7	Tip of tegulum with a broad, well-developed, chitinized apophysis	Dysderocrates Deeleman-Reinhold & Deeleman, 1988
–	Tip of tegulum with a chitinized but underdeveloped, small apophysis	Parachtes Alicata, 1964
8	Anterior spermatheca club-shaped	9
–	Anterior spermatheca not club-shaped	10
9	Dorsal arc well-developed. Posterior diverticulum distinct	Kut gen. nov. (Figs 1G–H, 2 G–H, 3 G–H)
–	Posterior diverticulum indistinct	Cryptoparachtes Dunin, 1992
10	Spermatheca with two distinct sections, distal and proximal	Hygrocrates Deeleman-Reinhold, 1988
–	Spermatheca without two distinct sections	11
11	Anterior diverticulum arc- or T-shaped	12
–	Anterior diverticulum simple	Harpactocrates Simon, 1914
12	Anterior diverticulum arc-shaped	13
–	Anterior diverticulum T-shaped	Parachtes Alicata, 1964
13	Anterior femora without numerous spines	Dysdera Latreille, 1804
–	Anterior femora with numerous spines	Dysderocrates Deeleman-Reinhold & Deeleman, 1988

Kut gen. nov.

http://zoobank.org/12362EEF-8192-4147-81F7-6170210ED5EA

Type species

Harpactocrates troglophilus Brignoli, 1978.

Derivatio nominis

“Kut” is a Turkish word traceable to the old Turkic language with multiple meanings, such as “fortune (good or bad)”, “lifelong energy” or “vigour”, and more, depending on a dialect or a historical period. Gender: masculine.

Diagnosis

The new genus resembles genera Dysderocrates, Harpactocrates and Hygrocrates in the general morphology of the male palp; however, it can be identified by the following characters:

In male copulatory organ of Kut gen. nov., tegulum is pear-shaped and embolus is a simple extension of a tegulum. Embolus represents the only distal extension of tegulum, any other apophyses are absent, unlike in Dysderocrates and Hygrocrates.

In Kut gen. nov., female copulatory organ is unique among the majority of Dysderinae genera in having the anteriorly located, club-shaped spermathecae, bearing a resemblance to those in Cryptoparachtes. Kut gen. nov. differs from Cryptoparachtes by having a well-developed dorsal arc and a distinct posterior diverticulum, as well as by the male copulatory organ (see Dunin 1992: 42).

Anterior side of sternum (the side touching labium) is much more convex compared to other Dysderinae genera.

Description

Large-sized Dysderinae spiders. Somatic characters as in other Dysderidae. Detailed description see under Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov.

Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978), comb. nov.

Figure 1

Harpactocrates troglophilus; Brignoli, 1978: 38, f. 4–5 (D♂).

H. troglophilus; Deeleman-Reinhold and Deeleman 1988: 250, f. 18 (♂, probably misplaced).

H. troglophilus; Le Peru 2011: 286, f. 473 (♂).

Material examined

11 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀ (ETZM and AZMM), Turkey: Konya Province, Beyşehir District, Kurucaova Town (37°40.483'N, 31°22.700'E), pitfall trap, August–October 2012, leg. E.A. Yağmur & O. Tutar; 1 ♂, Konya Province (ETZM), Beyşehir District, Kurucaova Town (37°40.450'N, 31°22.633'E), MSS trap, 08 August–10 October 2018, leg. E.A. Yağmur.

Diagnosis

The simple structure of male palp in Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) is similar to that in some species of Harpactocrates, Harpactea, Parachtes, and Stalagtia. In K. troglophilus palp, the bulb gradually gets thinner and eventually gives rise to embolus, with a transition between tegulum and embolus rather indistinct, unlike in the other genera. Another unique feature of this genus is that the tip of the embolus is continuously bent posteriorly. In females, K. troglophilus vulva resembles that of the Caucasian genus Cryptoparachtes; however, in all three species of the latter (C. adzharicus, C. charitonowi and C. fedotovi), spermathecae are club-shaped. Paraspermatheca is distally spherical in all species of Cryptoparachtes, whereas in K. troglophilus paraspermathecae club shaped and more or less of equal length like the midspermatheca, unlike in three Cryptoparachtes species mentioned.

Measurements

(♂/♀). AL 3.75–4.70/5.00–5.50; CL 3.50–4.48/3.50–4.00; CW 2.70–3.44/2.70–3.15; AMEd 0.14–0.18/0.12–0.16; PLEd 0.08–0.12/0.07–0.09; PMEd 0.08–0.11/0.07–0.12; ChF 0.95–1.25/0.96–1.05; ChG 0.55–0.80/0.60–0.70; ChL 1.60–2.10/1.60–1.75.

Description

Carapace hexagonal, reddish brown, with a smooth surface. Cephalic region darker than the thoracic region (Fig. 1A). Eyes reduced. Posterior eyes approximately of the same diameter and aligned. Posterior median eyes adjacent, as distant as their diameter to posterior lateral eyes. Chelicera robust, dark brown (Fig. 1B, C). Cheliceral groove with four teeth, two on pro– and two on retromargin. Among retromarginal teeth, proximal one smaller, distant one larger. Promarginal teeth approximately of the same size, proximal one in alignment with the proximal one of the retromargin.

Labium and gnathocoxae brown. Anterior sides of gnathocoxae chitinized at borders and dark brown. Labium anteriorly with a V-shaped incision. Sternum yellowish brown. Anterior side of sternum (touching labium) slightly convex (Fig. 1C).

Legs yellowish, light brown. Leg coxa, trochanter, and femora darker in colour at joints. Femora and tibiae I and II prolaterally with spines; number of spines variable among individual spiders. Tibiae I and II with ventral spines. See Tables 1, 2 for details on leg measurements and spination. Abdomen long and slender, greyish cream in colour.

Palp (Fig. 1D–F). Palpal tarsus shorter than tibia, conical. Tarsus and tibia lighter in colour compared to other palp segments. Tegulum cylindrical; embolus originates from the anterior dorsal side of tegulum and is bent posteriorly as an arc. Tegulum and embolus distinctly different in colour.

Vulva (Fig. 1G, H). Midspermatheca club-shaped. Paraspermathecae pin-shaped and similar in size to midspermatheca. Spermathecae surrounded by a dome-shaped chitinized structure. Spermathecae posteriorly with two horizontally aligned bars of equal sizes; of these, one closer to spermathecae is less chitinized than the other.

Table 1.

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Leg measurements of Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov (♂/♀).

Legs	I	II	III	IV
C	1.98/1.84	1.80/1.55	1.20/1.00	1.25/1.15
Tr	0.45/0.60	0.50/0.40	0.50/0.40	0.48/0.50
Fe	3.60/3.20	3.35/2.90	2.80/2.50	3.50/3.35
Pa	2.48/2.80	2.40/2.05	1.90/1.40	2.00/1.80
Ti	3.04/2.30	2.95/2.35	2.35/2.00	3.05/2.35
Me	3.04/1.85	3.00/2.25	2.75/2.55	3.50/3.35
Ta	0.95/0.65	0.80/0.70	0.80/0.80	0.90/0.80
Total	15.54/13.24	14.80/12.20	12.30/10.65	14.68/13.30

Table 2.

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Leg spination of Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov.

Legs	I	II	III	IV
Fe	4–6 Pl	1, 1, 2–1, 2 Pl	2–3 D	3–5 Pl 3–5 D
Pa	0	0	1–2 Pl 1–3 Rl	1 Pl 1–2 Rl
Ti	0–1 Pl 0–1 V	0–1 Pl 1–2 V	3–6 Pl 3–7 Rl 1, 1, 2 V	3–6 Pl 3–6 Rl 1, 1, 2 V
Me	0	0	2–4 Pl 4–5 Rl 0–1, 1, 2 V	3–5 Pl 4–7 Rl 1, 1, 2 V

Note

Brignoli (1978) described Harpactocrates troglophilus based on two adult males collected from the Zindan Cave (Isparta Province, Turkey). He also recorded (marked as “cf.”) additional juvenile specimens from three other localities (all from caves), at the close vicinity of the type locality. Our specimens of Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov. were collected from one of these localities, Kurucaova Village (Konya Province), close to the İnönü Cave, by both pitfall and MSS traps. Sampling inside the cave yielded no Dysderidae except subadult Dysderocrates.

Figure 1.

Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov. A carapace B chelicerae C prosoma D male palp, retrolateral view E ditto, prolateral view F ditto, nearly retrolateral view G vulva, dorsal view H ditto, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 (D), 0.125 (G).

Kut izmiricus sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/AE2AA947-3925-4558-A384-685B2368000A

Figure 2

Material examined

Holotype: 1 ♂ (ETZM), Turkey: İzmir Province, Kemalpaşa District, Vişneli Village, Nif Mountain (38°23.073'N, 27°21.614'E), MSS trap, 01 July–08 September 2015, leg. E.A. Yağmur, P. Mitov, S. Örgel & Ç. Altın. Paratypes: 1 ♀ (ETZM), 3 juveniles, 05 May–01 July 2015, leg. E.A. Yağmur, S. Örgel & S. Yaman, other data same as holotype; 3 subadults ♂♂, 07 September 2015–11 July 2016, leg. E.A. Yağmur, S. Örgel & S. Yaman, other data same as holotype; 1 ♂ (AZMM), 1 subadult ♀, 1 juvenile, 11 July–27 October 2016, leg. E.A. Yağmur, S. Örgel & S. Yaman, other data same as holotype; 1 ♂ (AZMM), 2 subadults ♀♀, 1 juvenile, 17 April–22 October 2017, leg. E.A. Yağmur, S. Örgel & S. Yaman, other data same as holotype; 3 subadults ♂♂ (AZMM), 09 June–20 October 2018, leg. E.A. Yağmur, S. Örgel & S. Yaman, other data same as holotype.

Diagnosis

Male palp of Kut izmiricus sp. nov. resembles those of K. troglophilus and K. dimensis sp. nov.; in Kut izmiricus sp. nov. the bulb is more slender and exceeds embolus in length, unlike in the other two species. Female of Kut izmiricus sp. nov. differs from others by having a longer midspermatheca.

Derivatio nominis

The specific name is a toponym that refers to the type locality, İzmir Province.

Measurements

(Holotype ♂ / Paratype ♀). AL 6.56/5.80; CL 6.00/5.00; CW 4.32/3.60; AMEd 0.14/0.11; PLEd 0.08/0.10; PMEd 0.05/0.08; ChF 1.45/1.15; ChG 1.00/0.90; ChL 3.10/2.25.

Description

Carapace reddish brown, with thick dark brown contours at the borders. Fovea distinct, longitudinal (Fig. 2A). Carapace surface with tiny dents; these dents with tiny, black setae inside. These setae are longer in the cephalic region, especially around eyes. Eyes tiny, reduced. Distance between anterior eyes approximately 2.5 times their diameter. Posterior eyes spherical, slightly concave. Chelicera, gnathocoxa, and labium dark brown. The new species resembles K. troglophilus by the other cheliceral traits (Fig. 2B). Sternum brown, covered with setae, and with dark brown contours at the borders. Sternum with eight dark brown blotches, symmetrically reaching from sides toward center. Gnathocoxae with yellowish setae prolaterally at tips (Fig. 2B, C).

Legs brown. Coxae I, II and III darker in colour compared to other leg segments. See Tables 3, 4 for details on leg measurements and spination. Abdomen slender, cylindrical, greyish cream in colour.

Palp (Figs 2D–F). Palpal tarsus shorter than tibia, conical. Tegulum exceeds embolus in length. First half of tegulum cylindrical, second half reversely conical. The anterior side of the tegulum smoothly straight. Embolus short and hook-shaped, bent posteriorly.

Vulva (Fig. 2G, H). Midspermatheca club shaped, very long, its tip transparent and slightly bent posteriorly. Paraspermathecae short, spherical. Posteriorly to spermathecae, two horizontally aligned bars; among these, one closer to spermathecae is shorter, distant one twice as long and more chitinized.

Figure 2.

Kut izmiricus sp. nov. A carapace B chelicerae C prosoma D male palp, retrolateral view E ditto, prolateral view F ditto, nearly prolateral view G vulva, dorsal view H ditto, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 (D), 0.125 (G).

Table 3.

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Leg measurements of Kut izmiricus sp. n (Holotype ♂ / Paratype ♀).

Legs	I	II	III	IV
C	2.80/2.15	2.56/2.00	1.50/1.35	1.70/1.25
Tr	0.80/0.50	0.78/0.50	0.60/0.40	0.60/0.50
Fe	5.84/4.25	5.00/3.75	4.40/3.25	5.44/4.20
Pa	3.60/2.70	3.28/2.50	2.16/2.30	2.70/2.25
Ti	4.80/3.25	4.64/3.50	3.50/3.75	4.20/3.75
Me	4.40/3.00	4.32/3.25	4.30/3.50	5.70/4.25
Ta	1.04/0.90	1.04/0.75	0.80/0.85	1.12/1.00
Total	23.28/16.75	21.62/16.25	17.26/15.40	21.46/17.20

Table 4.

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Leg spination of Kut izmiricus sp. nov.

Legs	I	II	III	IV
Fe	11 Pl 5 Rl	6 Pl 3 Rl	1 D 4 Pl 3–5 Rl	5 Pl 1 Rl 5 D
Pa	0	0	1Pl 2 Rl	1 Pl 1 Rl
Ti	1–2 Pl 0–1 Rl 2 V	2–3 V	3 Pl 6 Rl 1, 1, 2 V	6 Pl 6 Rl 1, 1, 2 V
Me	0	0	1, 1 Pl 5 Rl 1, 1, 2 V	4 Pl 5 Rl 1, 2 V

Kut dimensis sp. nov.

http://zoobank.org/F80CCEC0-AE94-4923-9D39-7DF2E3C72580

Figs 3, 4

Material examined

Holotype: 1 ♂ (ETZM), Turkey: Antalya Province, Alanya District, Kestel Town, Dim Cave (36°32.405'N, 32°6.603'E), hand collecting from stalactites and stalagmites, 04 January 2013, leg. K.B. Kunt & M. Elverici. Paratypes: 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, 4 juveniles (ETZM), 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (AZMM), same data as holotype.

Figure 3.

Kut dimensis sp. nov., female. In situ in the Dim Cave (photograph by M. Elverici).

Diagnosis

Male palp of Kut dimensis sp. nov. closely resembles that of K. troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov. Kut dimensis sp. nov. palp differs by having an embolus with tip sharply bent posteriorly, instead of gradually, and by having a more slender tegulum. Difference between Kut dimensis sp. nov. and K. izmiricus sp. nov. palps is more distinct, since in K. izmiricus sp. nov. tegulum/embolus ratio is higher compared to other species of the genus. K. dimensis sp. nov. females differ from other species by having longer paraspermathecae compared to midspermathecae, which is the opposite in the other two species.

Derivatio nominis

The specific name is a toponym that refers to the type locality, Dim Cave located at Dim Valley in Alanya District.

Measurements

(Holotype ♂ / Paratype ♀). AL 4.25/4.11; CL 4.40/4.25; CW 3.50/3.30; ChF 0.95/1.10; ChG 0.75/0.75; ChL 1.70/2.05.

Description

Somatic traits of Kut dimensis sp. nov. resemble the other two species in general. Eye reduction at an extreme level, eyes almost absent (Fig. 4A). Anterior and posteriolateral eyes barely visible only under stereomicroscope, in a state of indistinct spots. Legs more slender than in K. troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) comb. nov. Anterior metatarsi with ventral spines. See Tables 5, 6 for details on leg measurements and spination.

Table 5.

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Leg measurements of Kut dimensis sp. nov. (Holotype ♂ / Paratype ♀).

Legs	I	II	III	IV
C	2.00/1.90	1.75/1.75	1.14/1.10	1.50/1.50
Tr	0.55/0.35	0.35/0.40	0.30/0.45	0.50/0.50
Fe	4.00/4.00	4.30/3.75	3.75/3.50	5.00/4.85
Pa	2.75/2.50	2.80/2.50	1.75/1.75	2.40/2.30
Ti	4.00/3.30	3.60/3.05	3.00/2.00	4.50/4.25
Me	3.50/3.55	3.36/3.60	4.00/3.25	4.85/4.85
Ta	0.75/0.85	0.50/0.80	0.70/0.75	0.90/0.65
Total	17.55/16.45	16.66/15.85	14.64/12.80	19.65/18.90

Table 6.

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Leg spination of Kut dimensis sp. nov.

Legs	I	II	III	IV
Fe	6–9 Pl 3–4 Rl	5–7 Pl 0–4 Rl	0–3 D 3–8 Pl 4–5 Rl	3–4 D 4–6 Pl 3–4 Rl
Pa	0	0	1 Pl 3–4 Rl 0–1 V	1 Pl 1 Rl 0–1 V
Ti	1, 1 V	2–3 V	6 Pl 6 Rl 1, 1, 2 V	5–7 Pl 5–6 Rl 1, 1, 2 V
Me	1 V	1 V	3–5 Pl 5 Rl 1, 1, 2 V	5–6 Pl 6 Rl 0–1, 1, 2 V

Palp (Fig. 4G, H). Palpal tarsus shorter than tibia, conical. ¾ part of embolus continues straight after the separation from the tegulum, then bent with a sharp coil at the 4^th quarter, shaped like an “L” towards posterior.

Vulva (Fig. 4G, H). Midspermatheca fingertip shaped, shorter than paraspermathecae. Paraspermathecae pin-shaped. Spermathecae surrounded by a dome-shaped chitinized structure. Spermathecae posteriorly with two lucent, strongly sclerotized, horizontally aligned bars.

Figure 4.

Kut dimensis sp. nov. A carapace B chelicerae C prosoma D male palp, retrolateral view E ditto, prolateral view F ditto, nearly anterior view G vulva, dorsal view H ditto, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.5 (D), 0.125 (G).

Note

Kut dimensis sp. nov. is not the first troglomorphic species recorded from its type locality, the Dim Cave. López-Pancorbo et al. (2013) described a troglobiont spider Kryptonesticus dimensis (López-Pancorbo, Kunt & Ribera, 2013) (Nesticidae) from the same cave. A cave cricket Troglophilus alanyaensis Taylan et al., 2012 (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) is another endemic species known only from this cave.

The Dim Valley, the valley where the Dim Cave located, has been studied by our team extensively in the recent past. There have been new species of Dysderidae discovered and described like Harpactea alanyana Özkütük et al., 2015 and Harpactea ballarini Kunt et al., 2013. Furthermore, the locality has been extensively sampled by the first author, as it was covered in his MSc thesis, titled “Harpacteinae Fauna of Antalya Province”. We provide these details to point out that Kut dimensis sp. nov. has not been found outside of the cave, in surface habitats, despite extensive sampling efforts, which is one of the reasons we consider this species a troglobiont.

Discussion

With the description of Kut gen. nov., the number of genera belonging to spider family Dysderidae is now 25. Even though there are other genera known exclusively from hypogean habitats such as caves (for example Minotauria Kulczyński, 1903 and Folkia Kratochvil, 1970 from Harpacteinae; Stalita Schiödte, 1847 from Rhodinae), Kut gen. nov. is the first genus of Dysderidae ever discovered, in which all known species display troglomorphic traits such as reduced eyes or hypogean foraging. Kut troglophilus (Brignoli, 1978) is currently the only species of the Kut gen. nov. with recorded surface activity; however, it was also recorded from hypogean habitats: in MSS with this study and the Zindan Cave (Brignoli 1978). The other two species were recorded either exclusively from caves (Kut dimensis sp. nov.) or from MSS (Kut izmiricus sp. nov.) (Fig. 5).

Figure 5.

Kut gen. nov. distribution in Turkey.

With this paper, we have resolved the discussion regarding the generic placement of Kut troglophilus. In our opinion, Kut gen. nov. has a unique and important position among Dysderidae due to its troglobitic and biogeographic affinities, coupled with the unique morphology of copulatory organs.

During our sampling efforts throughout the Mediterranean Turkey by using MSS traps, we have discovered further populations that might very likely belong to Kut gen. nov. as well. Moreover, we have collected subadult individuals from central parts of Anatolia with similar morphology, which may indicate a more or less continuous range of the genus throughout the Anatolia. We hope to reveal the specific identity of these populations, study their relationship to the known Aegean, Mediterranean, and Central Anatolian species, and the relationship between Kut gen. nov. and the Caucasian Cryptoparachtes in the near future. A high level of endemicity of Dysderinae around Anatolia at both species and genus levels indicates that many more taxa are still waiting to be discovered.

Acknowledgments

We are highly grateful to Dr. Miquel Arnedo (Barcelona, Spain) and Dr. Fulvio Gasparo (Trieste, Italy) for their valuable comments on the taxonomic position of the new genus, dating back to 2011. We thank Dr. Plamen Mitov (Sofia, Bulgaria), Dr. Semih Örgel (Manisa, Turkey), Serkan Yaman (Manisa, Turkey) and Çağatay Altın (Ardahan, Turkey) for their help during field trips. Dr. Victor Fet (West Virginia, USA) and Dr. Hayrettin İhsan Erkoç (Çanakkale, Turkey) kindly helped with nomenclatural acts. Mr. Savaş Kunt (Antalya, Turkey) provided accommodation during field studies in Alanya District. Special thanks go to Dr. Christo Deltshev (Sofia, Bulgaria) and Dr. Martina Pavlek (Barcelona, Spain) for reviewing the manuscript. The English of the final draft was kindly checked by Dr. Victor Fet (West Virginia, USA).

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