Nesticus brimleyi Gertsch, 1984

Figs 33A-C, 34A-H

Nesticus brimleyi Gertsch, 1984: 30, figs 126-128, 138-140; Coyle and McGarity 1992: figs 5, 6; Holler et al. 2020: 230.

Material examined.

Type material: Holotype: USA - North Carolina, Rutherford Co. • ♂ holotype; Rumbling Bald Cave, Lake Lure, Rumbling Bald Mountain; 2 Jul. 1977; P. Hertl leg; AMNH; New collections from near type locality. - Rutherford Co. • 2♂, 6♀; SE side of Rumbling Bald Mountain, N of Lake Lure; 35.4487°N, - 82.2167°W; 18 Aug. 1992; M. Hedin leg. Non type material: - Henderson Co. • ♀; Hwy 74 along Hickory Creek, E of Bearwallow; 35.4591°N, - 82.3035°W; 20 Aug. 2007; M. Hedin, M. McCormack, S. Derkarabetian leg.; MCH 07_134; - McDowell Co. • ♀; headwaters of Crooked Creek, Mt. Hebron Road, N of Cross Mountain; 35.5726°N, - 82.2532°W; 20 Aug. 2007; M. Hedin, M. McCormack, S. Derkarabetian leg.; MCH 07_135; • ♀; near Curtis Creek campground, FR 482, N of Old Fort; 35.6889°N, - 82.1976°W; 20 Aug. 2007; M. Hedin, M. McCormack, S. Derkarabetian leg.; MCH 07_136; • 2♀; Newberry Creek above Horse branch, N of Old Fort; 35.6825°N, - 82.217°W; 20 Aug. 2001; M. Hedin, M. Lowder, R. McClanahan leg.; MCH 01_141; • ♂, 11♀; Newberry Creek, N of Old Fort; 35.6789°N, - 82.214°W; 22 Aug. 2004; M. Hedin, R. Keith J. Starrett, S. Thomas leg.; MCH 04_075; - Rutherford Co. • ♂, ♀; Chimney Rock Park, Moonshiner's Cave; 5 May. 1999; M. Hedin, B. Dellinger leg.; MCH 99_014; • ♀; S side Round Top Mountain, just N of Chimney Rock; 35.4439°N, - 82.2451°W; 5 May. 1999; M. Hedin, B. Dellinger leg.; MCH 99_015.

Diagnosis.

Male paracymbium with three medial processes that lie between the ventral and dorsal processes, including ventromedial, distomedial, and dorsomedial processes (Fig. 2D.; see also Coyle and McGarity 1992: figs 4, 5). We have not seen populations of other species that simultaneously include all three processes. Also, a distally-thin tegular apophysis projects beneath the median apophysis (Fig. 33A-C). The epigynum is very similar to that of Nesticus templetoni (compare Fig. 34A-H to Fig. 36A-J).

Variation.

In the northern Newberry Creek population the male distomedial process is reduced (but present as low spikes), and the base of the dorsal paracymbial processes is wider then narrows to a forked tip (Fig. 33A-C). Epigynal variation is limited, even across northern vs. southern disjunct populations (Fig. 34A-H). Described by Gertsch as a " pale cavernicole ", but many populations are from boulderfield void spaces, and most specimens are not pale.

Distribution and natural history.

Previously known only from fissure caves, including those summarized by Holler et al. (2020) from Polk and Rutherford counties. Included here are many new records from near surface populations, including new northern records from Henderson and McDowell Counties (Fig. 30). For example, at Newberry Creek (MCH 04_075), spiders were "common in a ... well shaded hemlock/ rhododendron" boulderfield. The northwards distributional extension, and demonstration of an overall larger geographic and microhabitat distribution, has important conservation implications for this species.

Remarks.

Nesticus brimleyi is strongly supported by nuclear phylogenomics as sister to N. templetoni but is geographically separated from this species by highlands occupied by other members of the species group ( N. gertschi, N. crosbyi, and N. canei; Fig. 30). The mitochondrial gene tree includes two strongly supported geographic subclades (Fig. 6), corresponding to southern (Broad River drainage) versus northern N. brimleyi populations (Fig. 30).