Pholcoides monticola (Spassky, 1941) comb. nov.

Fig. 45

Filistata monticola Spassky, 1941: 12 (♀).

Filistata monticola – Spassky 1952: 194.

Zaitunia monticola – Zonstein 1990: 50 (transfer from Filistata).

Material examined

Lectotype (designated here)

TAJIKISTAN: ♀, Western Pamir, “Kalaj-Chumb”, Kalaikhum: 38°28’ N, 70°47’ E, 1340 m, 30 Jul. 1935, S. Nenjukov (ZISP).

Paralectotypes

TAJIKISTAN: 1 juv., “ Kalaj-Vamar ”, Rushan: 37°57' N, 71°34' E, 2000 m, 2 Sept. 1937, E. Luppova (ZISP) ; 1 juv., “ Pamir occidentalis ”, 11 Aug. 1937, E. Luppova (ZISP) . All specimens are in a poor condition, dried and damaged.

Additional material examined

TAJIKISTAN: 2 ♀♀, Western Pamir, Yazgulem Canyon near Andarbag, 38°13' N, 71°33' E, 2100 m, 18 Jul. 1988, S. Zonstein (TAU).

Remarks

Unlike Zaitunia, females of Pholcoides monticola lack the metatarsal crest on leg IV (Fig. 45 C), typical for the Filistatinae. However, this species shares relatively long legs, a rounded carapace and sternum (cf. Fig. 45 A and Zonstein et al. 2013: figs 1–2, respectively), spinnerets located closer to the posterior tip of the abdomen (Fig. 45 B and Zonstein et al. 2013: fig. 3) and a characteristic calamistrum with two posteriorly convergent rows of setae with P. afghana (Fig. 45 C and Zonstein et al. 2013: fig. 6). The structure of the endogyne in these two species is also similar, although not identical (cf. Figs 45 D–E and Zonstein et al. 2013: figs 11–12), and differs drastically from that in Zaitunia . Based on these reasons, the aforementioned species is transferred from Zaitunia to Pholcoides . Its relationship to P. afghana and other congeners (some of which are still undescribed) will be considered in detail in a taxonomic revision of Pholcoides (Zonstein & Marusik, in prep.).