Pax akilae Shafaie & Pekar 2025, sp. nov.

Pax akilae Shafaie & Pekár sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: ECBCD6F6-2EC4-4242-A549-1B1B2D0E0D68 Figs 7–9, 106 Diagnosis This new species closely resembles P. islamita (Simon, 1873) in habitus coloration and the overall shape of the copulatory organs but can be distinguished by the oblong extension of the tibiae (vs apical triangular extension in P. islamita, cf. Fig. 8C, F and Fig. 12D, G); the tibial spur comprising a hump on its dorsal side (vs missing, cf. Fig. 8C, F and Fig. 12D, G); the median platelet extending mesally (vs narrowed, cf. Fig. 8D–E and Fig. 12E–F); a shorter, finger-shaped conductoral prong (vs longer and tapering, cf. Fig. 8A–B and Fig. 12A–B); and a different position of the spermathecal medial tubes (situated superior to ectal tubes vs situated inferior to ectal tubes, cf. Fig. 9C–D and Fig. 12I). Etymology The species is named after Huda Akil, the celebrated Syrian neuroscientist. Type material Holotype SYRIA • ♂; Al-Qadmus, Al-Kahf Castle; 5–7 Apr. 2001; M. Řezáč leg.; NMP P6A 7514. Paratypes SYRIA • 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for holotype; NMP P6A 7515, NMP P6A 7516 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for holotype; NMP P6A 7517. Other material examined SYRIA • 1 ♀; same collection data as for paratypes; CMU • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Mashta al-Helu; 30 Mar.–3 Apr. 2001; M. Řezáč leg.; CMU. Description Male (holotype NMP P6A 7514) HABITUS (Fig. 7A–B). Carapace, chelicerae metallic dark brown; carapace patternless. Sternum and mouthparts basally reddish-brown and apically pale. Chelicerae with two rather distant promarginal teeth. Cx yellowish-brown, Fe greyish, Pa and Ti light yellow, Mt and Ta reddish-brown. Abdomen dorsum brown, with a light brown scutum about ⅔ the length of abdomen, venter light grey, darker ventrolaterally, with yellowish epiandrous area; spinnerets pale. MEASUREMENTS. Total length 7.56; carapace 3.95 long, 1.01 wide at pars cephalica, 2.65 wide at pars thoracica, scutum length 2.59. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.33, ALE 0.39, PME 0.34, PLE 0.39, AME–AME 0.17, AME–ALE 0.28, ALE–ALE 1.29, PME–PME 0.22, PME–PLE 0.73. Legs: I 8.44 (2.37, 1.12, 1.8, 1.74, 1.41), II 7.99 (2.59, 1.12, 1.52, 1.58, 1.18), III 7.98 (2.3, 1.12, 1.41, 2.03, 1.12), IV 10.29 (2.7, 1.18, 2.24, 2.59, 1.58). Palp: 4.11 (1.58, 0.34, 0.28, 1.91). PALP (Fig. 8A–F). RTA with an oblong extension, comprising a rather long, forward pointed tibial spur and a robust hump. Median platelet extended mesally and anteriorly; conductoral prong finger-shaped; median apophysis rectangular basally and narrowed apically, with a folded tip. Embolus very long, originating at a 4 o’clock position, narrowed slightly and folded around bulb. Female (paratype NMP P6A 7515) HABITUS (Fig. 7C–D). Carapace, chelicerae, sternum, mouthparts similar to those in male. Legs yellow except for slightly darker Cx, greyish Fe and light grey tips of Mt; spinnerets pale, palp segments greyish, with darker Ta. Abdomen blackish-brown dorsally, with no pattern, dark brown ventrally, with three subparallel yellow stripes in the middle, lateral stripes wider than middle stripe. MEASUREMENTS. Total length 8.29; carapace 3.5 long, 1.24 wide at pars cephalica, 2.37 wide at pars thoracica. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.33, ALE 0.39, PME 0.45, PLE 0.39, AME–AME 0.11, AME–ALE 0.33, ALE–ALE 0.99, PME–PME 0.17, PME–PLE 0.56. Legs: I 8.44 (2.37, 1.12, 1.8, 1.74, 1.41), II 7.99 (2.59, 1.12, 1.52, 1.58, 1.18), III 7.71 (2.03, 1.12, 1.41, 2.03, 1.12), IV 10.29 (2.7, 1.18, 2.24, 2.59, 1.58). Palp: 3.03 (1.01, 0.45, 0.45, 1.12). EPIGYNE (Fig. 9A–D). Epigyne about 1.6 times as wide as long, comprising three longitudinal tubes: one dark medial and two light, sub-lateral tubes accompanied by a pair of dark marginal tubes. Spermathecal tubes parallel comprising a pair of elongated, yellow structures, situated medially, externally attached to a pair of reddish- brown, larger structures ending in twisted coils. Size variation Total body length 6.5–7.62, carapace length/width 3.5–3.95/ 2.01–2.75 in males (N = 3). Total body length 7.12–8.29, carapace length/width 3–3.5/ 2.24–2.3 in females (N = 5). Distribution The species is currently only known from the type locality in Syria.