Pellenes striolatus

Pellenes spiders are generally medium-sized to large spiders that range between 3.1 and 9.9 mm (0.12 and 0.39 in) in length. However, Pellenes striolatus is very small, measuring about 3 mm (0.12 in) in total length. The spider's body is divided into two main parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen. Pellenes striolatus has a carapace, the hard upper part of the cephalothorax, that is typically 1.4 mm (0.06 in) long and between 1.1 and 1.2 mm (0.04 and 0.05 in) wide. The male has a carapace, the hard upper surface of the cephalothorax, that is lower at the front and higher at the back. It is dark brown, nearly black, and covered in short dark brown hairs, interspersed with long bristles. The underside, or sternum, is also dark brown. The eye field is black and shiny. The spider's face, or clypeus, is low and brownish, with a few brown hairs protruding from it forwards. The mouthparts consist of dark brown chelicerae, labium and maxilae. The spider is most easily distinguished from other members of the genus, particularly the otherwise closely related Pellenes geniculatus, by the design of its abdomen. The male spider's abdomen is smaller than its carapace, typically measuring 1.3 mm (0.05 in) in length and 1 mm (0.04 in) in width. …

Pellenes spiders can be found across the Afrotropical, Holarctic and Indomalayan realms, but are particularly common around the Mediterranean Sea and in Central Asia. Pellenes striolatus is endemic to Yemen. The holotype was found near Wadi Daneghan on Socotra Island in 2000. It has not been found in other areas of the country.