Rhene pallida (Thorell, 1895) comb. n.

Figs 42–56, 72

Zeuxippus pallidus Thorell, 1895: 333 (D ♀); Prószyński, 1984: 123 (♀); Żabka, 1985: 456, figs 639–645 (♀, D ♂).

Rhene argentata Wesołowska, 1981: 47, figs 5–8 (D ♀).

Rhene decoratus Tikader, 1977: 276, figs 4–6 (D ♀); holotype ♀ in NZC-ZSI, examined; syn. n.

Rhene pantharae Biswas & Biswas, 1992: 399, figs 29–31 (D ♀); holotype ♀ in the NZC-ZSI, examined; syn. n.

For a complete list of taxonomic references see WSC (2022).

Types. Rhene decoratus Tikader, 1977: Holotype ♀ (NZC-ZSI) from INDIA, Maharashtra, Poona (presently Pune) Distr., Karla Govt. Rest House, 04.11.1963, leg. B.K. Tikader. Paratype: 1 ♀ (NZC-ZSI), together with the holotype.

Rhene pantharae Biswas & Biswas, 1992: Holotype ♀ (NZC-ZSI 5369/18) from INDIA, West Bengal, Nadia Distr., Ranaghat, 16.02.1986, leg. K. Biswas.

Comments. R. decoratus Tikader, 1977 was originally described from Maharashtra and was later recorded from West Bengal (Tikader & Biswas, 1981; Roy et al., 2016) and R. pantharae Biswas & Biswas, 1992 was described from West Bengal (Biswas & Biswas, 1992). Based on the detailed examination of the types of both species, they were found to be identical to Rhene pallida (Thorell, 1895) comb. n. in the following characters: the abdominal colour pattern with transverse black streaks and the genitalia morphology with comma-shaped sclerotized rims and central epigynal pocket; proximal portion of insemination ducts membraneous and bent S-like, mid-portion strongly sclerotized, running parallel along the median portion longitudinally; small spermathecae (cf. Figs 42–48 and Figs 51–55 with figs 5–8 in Wesołowska (1981), illustrations in Proszynski (1984: 123) and figs 643–645 in Zabka (1985)). Therefore, both the species R. decoratus and R. pantharae are treated as junior synonyms of R. pallida .

Distribution. Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Vietnam (WSC, 2022), India (Maharashtra, West Bengal) (Fig. 72).