Kovarikia
Soleglad, Fet & Graham, 2014
Kovarikia is a of in the Vaejovidae, to humid rocky microhabitats of southern California. The genus contains three described : K. angelena, K. bogerti, and K. williamsi. It was established in 2014 based on distinctive morphological characters, particularly unique neobothriotaxy patterns on the .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Kovarikia: /kɔ.vɑˈɾi.ki.a/
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Identification
Kovarikia can be distinguished from similar vaejovid by unique neobothriotaxy (abnormal trichobothrial pattern) on the surface of the . Males possess a secondary lamellar hook on the hemispermatophore. The mating plug is crescent-shaped. These characters are diagnostic at the level.
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Habitat
Restricted to humid rocky microhabitats in southern California. Occupies moist refugia within rocky environments.
Distribution
to southern California, United States. All three described occur within this restricted geographic range.
Similar Taxa
- ParuroctonusOther vaejovid in southern California; distinguished by standard trichobothrial patterns lacking the unique neobothriotaxy of Kovarikia
- SmeringurusVaejovid with overlapping range; lacks the diagnostic neobothriotaxy and hemispermatophore characters of Kovarikia
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described were placed in Vaejovis before the erection of Kovarikia in 2014. The genus name honors arachnologist František Kovařík.
Species
Kovarikia angelena (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972), Kovarikia bogerti (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972), Kovarikia williamsi (Gertsch & Soleglad, 1972)