Micropholcus evaluna (Huber, Pérez González & Baptista, 2005)

Huber, Bernhard A. & Villarreal, Osvaldo, 2020, On Venezuelan pholcid spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 718, pp. 1-317 : 199-200

Micropholcus evaluna (Huber, Pérez González & Baptista, 2005)

Figs 708–716 , 1056

Leptopholcus evaluna Huber, Pérez González & Baptista, 2005: 103 , figs 6–7, 12–13, 24–28.

Micropholcus evaluna – Huber et al. 2014b: 435.

Notes

The newly collected specimens below slightly deviate from the types and are thus assigned tentatively to this species. In particular, the main sclerotized processes of the genital bulb (uncus and appendix) have a slightly different shape, and the slender transparent process is slightly shorter (compare Figs 715 and 716 ). The pore plates in the female internal genitalia are round rather than oval ( Fig. 714 ) and the large lateral elements in the female internal genitalia seem to be slightly different in shape (however, this may partly be an artifact of preparation). Most newly collected males with complex dark mark in posterior half of carapace ( Figs 708–709 ), but this character is variable. Females with less ‘complete’ mark on carapace ( Fig. 710 ). Tibia 1 in nine newly collected males: 4.8–6.3 (mean 5.8); in six newly collected females: 4.6–5.3 (mean 4.8).

New record

VENEZUELA – Miranda • 9 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 22054), and 2 ♀♀, 8 juvs in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-178), El Ávila National Park , near La Julia, ‘site 1’ (10.5012° N, 66.8111° W), 960 m a.s.l., bamboo litter and decaying trunks, 22–23 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) .

Distribution

Known from two localities in the Venezuelan states Sucre and Miranda (Fig. 1056). Specimens from Miranda are assigned tentatively (see Notes above).

Natural history

Most new specimens were collected in a very limited, strongly disturbed, and arid area near the entrance to El Ávila National Park. At two superficially similar neighboring localities no or very few specimens were found. The spiders were resting either in dead bamboo culm sheaths on the ground or in rotten bamboo trunks. A single bamboo trunk sometimes contained several adult specimens. A single juvenile specimen ( Fig. 711 ) was found on a live leaf in a neighboring site, close to a small stream.

Figures

Figs 708–714. Micropholcus evaluna (Huber, Pérez González & Baptista, 2005); from Miranda, El Ávila National Park. 708–711. Live males, female with egg sac, and juvenile. 712–714. Epigynum, ventral view and cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views (ZFMK, Ar 22054). Abbreviation: pp = pore plates.

Figs 715–716. Micropholcus evaluna (Huber, Pérez González & Baptista, 2005); left genital bulbs, prolateral views (at same scale). 715. Sucre, Marig̹itar (holotype, ZFMK Ar 22086); arrow: slender transparent process. 716. Miranda, El Ávila National Park (ZFMK Ar 22054). Abbreviations: a =appendix; e =embolus; pbs=proximal bulbal sclerite; u =uncus. Scale line: 0.2 mm.