Trichopterna cucurbitina (Simon, 1881)

Bosmans, Robert, Cardoso, Pedro & Crespo, Luis Carlos, 2010, A review of the linyphiid spiders of Portugal, with the description of six new species (Araneae: Linyphiidae) 2473, Zootaxa 2473 (1), pp. 1-67 : 55

Trichopterna cucurbitina (Simon, 1881)

( Figs 118–124)

Erigonopterna alticeps Denis, 1951: 150 , figs 1–6. New synonymy.

Remarks: The excellent figures of Erigonopterna alticeps Denis, 1951 , with typical cephalic tubercle and tibial apophysis allow a positive identification as Trichopterna cucurbitina (Simon 1881) . The former becomes its junior synonym. Denis statement “à un examen superficielle, cette Araignée peut être confondue avec Trichopterna thorelli (Westring,)” also is confirm to the synonymy.

Description: Male: Measurements: Total length 2.2; prosoma 0.64 long, 0.50 wide. Colour: Prosoma orange brown, margin suffused with grey; legs orange brown, patellae yellowish brown; abdomen grey. Prosoma ( Figs 118, 119): With distinct, rounded tubercle carrying the posterior median eyes; with concavity above the anterior median eyes, and with small sulcus behind the lateral eyes. Legs: No tibial spines; Tb Mt I = 0.35, Tb Mt IV absent. Palp ( Figs 120–122): Tibia with large, triangular, retrolateral apophysis; protegulum strongly protruding; embolic division elongated, with spiral, gently narrowing embolus.

Female: Measurements: Total length 2.6–2.7; prosoma 0.64–0.72 long, 0.52–0.62 wide. Prosoma unmodified. Legs: Spine formula 1111; L spI = L spiv = 1, P SpI = 0.14. Epigynum ( Fig. 123): With two slightly converging lateral grooves and two anteromedian, strongly chitinised lobes.Vulva ( Fig. 124): Spermathecae oblique oval, with some additional lobes, touching in the middle; insemination ducts originating near anteromedian lobes, leading laterally to spermathecae.

Previous records: Porto: Freixo, river bank of Douro ( Machado 1949) . Viana do Castelo: Vila Nova de Cerveira, Ilha dos Amores ( Machado 1949); Paredes de Coura, Mantelães ( Machado 1949).

New records: Bragança: Douro Internacional NP, Mogadouro, Algozinho , 1 male, 14.XI.2001 (CPC) . Leiria: Corredoura , Porto de Mós, 2 males, XII.2004 (CLC) . Portalegre: Nisa , 3 females, A. Rufino leg. (IMAR) .

Distribution: France méridionale, Portugal.

Habitat type: Always close to river margins.

Phenology: Machado (1949) collected specimens from September to November, whereas we found it in November and December. It appears to be an autumn and winter species.