Episinus maculipes Cavanna, 1876

Knoflach, Barbara, Rollard, Christine & Thaler, Konrad, 2009, Notes on Mediterranean Theridiidae (Araneae) – II, ZooKeys 16 (16), pp. 227-264 : 234-236

Episinus maculipes Cavanna, 1876

Figs 14, 18 , 21, 23, 24

Description, identification. Kulczyński (1905), Brignoli (1967), Locket et al. (1974), Hillyard (1983), Roberts (1995), Knoflach and Thaler (2000), Agnarsson (2004).

Material examined. France: “ Gallia ” without exact locality, 1 ♀ ( MHNP AR 2196 , sub Episinus algiricus , together with specimens of E. algiricus ) . Idem, 8 ♂ 17 ♀ 1 subadult ♂ ( MHNP AR 2207 ) . Italy: Sardinia, Bosco Selene, above Lanusei , 930 m, N 39°52.810 N, 09°31.213’ E, beating from scrub and oak, 6 ♂ 5 ♀, 6.6.2003, leg. B. Knoflach and K. Thaler [Th-461, Sa03/20+19] . Sardinia, above Baunei, Golgo-Plateau , 580 m, 40°02.715’ N, 09°40.003’ E, beating, 1 ♀ 4 juveniles, 7.6.2003, leg. B. Knoflach and K. Thaler [Th-466 Sa03/25] . Liguria, Levanto surroundings, beating scrub and pine, 2 ♀, 19.9.2004, leg. B. Knoflach and K. Thaler [Th-467 OI04/1] . Ibidem, 1 ♀, 20.9.2004 [Th-468 OI04/2] . Ibidem, Monterosso vs. St. Antonia , Colle di Grippa , 200-400 m, beating Erica arborea , 1 ♂ 1 ♀, 23.9.2004 [Th-471 OI04/5] . South Tyrol / Alto Adige, Klausen, Säben , 1 ♀, 19.6.2004, leg. B. Knoflach and K. Thaler . Greece: Chalkidiki, Sithonia east coast, above Koutloumousi beach, near rill, 1 ♀, 3.5.2000, leg. B. Knoflach and K. Thaler [Th-388 Gr 00/9] . W-Crete, Georgioupolis, 1 ♀, 29.3.1999, swept from scrub, see Knoflach and Thaler (2000) [TH-353 K99-3b] . Voucher specimens deposited in CTh, MHNG, NMW if not specifically indicated.

Measurements. Males (n=5, min-max): Total length 3.9-4.2, carapace length 1.4- 1.7, width 1.4-1.6, length femur I 3.4-3.8, tibia I 2.7-3.3 mm. Females (n=5, minmax): Total length 4.8-6.1, carapace length 1.6-1.9, width 1.5-1.7, length femur I 2.7-3.0, tibia I 2.2-2.4 mm.

Selected comparative remarks, diagnosis. E. maculipes is well characterised by numerous authors, for details of morphology and distribution see Knoflach and Thaler (2000). Some features are given here for identification and differentiation compared to E. algiricus : Prosoma larger than that of E. algiricus . Sternum dark, with marked light median stripe, which widens anteriorly. Carapace with clear brown median band and reticulate pattern at margins ( Figs 23-24 ). Legs conspicuously speckled. Venter pale. Male palp larger than that of E. algiricus ( Figs 21 vs. 22; see also Kulczyński 1905), in ventral view 0.6-0.7 mm broad, 0.9-1.0 mm long (distance between distal rim of tibia and tip of cymbium). Palpal tibia 1.5 times wider

than long ( Simon 1914). Theridiid tegular apophysis (= TA 2 in Knoflach and Thaler 2000) less prominent than in E. algiricus . Epigynal cavity wider than long, not overlapping receptacula ( Figs 14, 18 ), with narrow median septum. Cavity 0.25-0.31 mm wide. Posterior margin of cavity less distinct than in E. algiricus . Receptacula seminis comparatively large and spherical.

Distribution. This widespread expansive Mediterranean species (for details see Knoflach and Thaler 2000) has recently been reported from Crimea, which is the easternmost record ( Kovblyuk et al. 2008).

Figures

Figures 13-18. Episinus algiricus Lucas (13, 15, 16, 17) from Gallia (MHNP AR 2196) (13, 17) and France: Landes (15, 16; type of E. albescens Denis). E. maculipes Cavanna (14, 18) from Gallia (MHNP AR 2196, sub E. algiricus). Epigynum ventral (13-14), epigynum/vulva, ventral (15, 17-18), dorsal view (16). All figures drawn at same scale. Scale lines: 0.20 mm.

Figures 21-27. Episinus maculipes Cavanna from Sardinia (21, 23, 24), E. algiricus Lucas from Sardinia (22, 25, 26) and E. theridioides Simon from Corsica (27). Male (21-23, 25), female (24, 26, 27).

Figures 1-5. Theridion gentile Simon from Algeria (MHNP AR 2250; 1-3) and Morocco (4-5). Male palp, retrolateral (1), ventral (2), prolateral view (3). Epigynum/vulva, ventral (4), dorsal view (5). 1-3 and 4-5 drawn at same scale. Scale lines: 0.20 mm (1-3), 0.10 mm (4-5).