Acantholycosa zhangi Zhang, Zhang & Wang, 2025, sp. nov.

Acantholycosa zhangi sp. nov. Figs 10, 11, 12, 13 Acantholycosa baltoroi: Song et al. 2001: 226, figs 138 A – D (♂ ♀); Zhang et al. 2022: 119, figs 83 A – J (♂ ♀). (misidentified). Type material. • Holotype ♂ (SWUC -T-LY-26-01) and paratype ♀ (SWUC -T-LY-26-02): China, Hebei Prov., Zhangjiakou City, Yu Co., Xiaowutai Nature Reserve, Jinhekou, 39°56'17"N, 114°58'4"E, elev. 1334 m, 1. 07. 2012, F. Zhang leg. Etymology. The specific name comes from the family name of Prof. Feng Zhang of Hebei University (Hebei, China), who collected this new species. Diagnosis. The new species is similar to A. zang sp. nov. in having similar conformation of copulatory organs (Figs 10 A – E, 11 B – F, 12 B, C; 7 A – E, 8 B – F, 9 B, C), but differs by paleal apophysis rectangular with wavy tip in ventral view (Figs 10 A, C, 11 B, D, F) (vs. triangular with pointed tip; Figs 7 A, C, 8 B, D, F); median apophysis rectangular with hook-shaped basal arm and triangular spine (Figs 10 A, 11 B, D) (vs. axe shaped without spine; Figs 7 A, 8 B, D); embolus gradually tapering from base to tip and slightly curved (Figs 10 A, C, 11 B, D, F) (vs. with parallel margins except for tip suddenly tapering; Figs 7 A, C, 8 B, D, F). Females can be distinguished by two less pronounced (Figs 10 D, 12 B) (vs. distinct hoods, Figs 7 D, 9 B); width of hoods one-third septal posterior width (Figs 10 D, 12 B) (vs. width of hoods equal to septal posterior width; Figs 7 D, 9 B); septal base trapezoidal (Figs 10 D, 12 B) (vs. base hexagonal without spine; Figs 7 D, 9 B); spermathecal heads smooth (Figs 10 E, 12 C) (vs. heads with wart-like projections; Figs 7 E, 9 C). Description. Male holotype (Fig. 11 A) total length 9.47. Carapace 4.78 long, 3.86 wide; opisthosoma 4.61 long, 2.78 wide. Carapace black brown with dark margins. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.14, PME 0.50, PLE 0.35; AME – AME 0.14, AME – ALE 0.10, PME – PME 0.45, PME – PLE 0.62. Clypeus height 0.29. Leg measurements: I 14.56 (3.80, 5.20, 3.67, 1.89); II 14.29 (3.53, 5.08, 3.70, 1.98); III 14.16 (3.48, 4.46, 4.22, 2.00); IV 18.94 (4.47, 5.58, 6.26, 2.63). Femur I with 5 dorsal and 2 prolateral spines; tibia I with 2 dorsal, 1 prolateral, 1 retrolateral and 8 ventral spines; metatarsus I with 2 dorsal, 4 prolateral, 5 retrolateral and 3 ventral spines. Palp (Figs 10 A – C, 11 B – F). Cymbium with dense black setae and one claw. Paleal apophysis rectangular with wavy end. Terminal apophysis with a hook-shaped tip in retrolateral view. Median apophysis rectangular with hook-shaped basal arm and triangular spine. Embolus originating at 9 o’clock position, broad and almost straight, without basal spine, tapering from base to tip; distal end of embolus slightly curved, pointing posteriorly. Female paratype (Fig. 12 A) total length 10.33. Carapace 5.16 long, 3.91 wide; opisthosoma 5.43 long, 3.72 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.15, PME 0.50, PLE 0.41; AME – AME 0.17, AME – ALE 0.10, PME – PME 0.49, PME – PLE 0.59. Clypeus 0.54 high. Leg measurements: I 14.89 (3.92, 5.47, 3.54, 1.96); II 14.68 (4.04, 5.06, 3.58, 2.00); III 14.73 (3.88, 4.57, 4.31, 1.97); IV 20.63 (5.03, 6.18, 6.55, 2.87). Femur I with 5 dorsal and 2 prolateral spines; tibia I with 2 prolateral, 2 retrolateral and 8 ventral spines; metatarsus I with 5 prolateral, 4 retrolateral and 3 ventral spines. Except for the lighter body color, the other features are the same as those of the males. Epigyne (Figs 10 D, E, 12 B, C). Two hoods less pronounced and shallow. Atrium rhomboid. Septum with trapeziodal base. Width of hoods one-third septal posterior width. Spermathecal heads clavate and smooth. Spermathecal stalks slightly curved. Fertilization ducts extending antero-laterally. Distribution. China (Hebei). Comment. This species belongs to the A. solituda - group. Remarks. Following the taxonomic revision by Sankaran and Caleb (2023) that transferred Acantholycosa baltoroi to the genus Evippa Simon, 1882 (currently recognized as E. baltoroi), and the subsequent recognition that all previous records of A. baltoroi represented misidentifications, the former “ A. baltoroi - group ” requires nomenclatural adjustment. We hereby propose the reclassification of this species group as the Acantholycosa solituda - group, based on taxonomic priority. In addition, because of the closer morphological similarity between A. lignaria and A. zonsteini, we reclassify A. zonsteini along with the similar species A. levinae Marusik, Azarkina & Koponen, 2004 into the A. lignaria - group. Therefore, the A. solituda - group comprises the following valid species: A. sergeevi Fomichev, 2021, A. solituda, A. sterneri, and the two newly described taxa (A. zang sp. nov. and A. zhangi sp. nov.).