Palliduphantes stygius ( Simon, 1884 )

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 : 40-41

Palliduphantes stygius ( Simon, 1884)

( Figs 74–79)

Type material: Holotype male from Spain, Vizcaya, Cueva de la Embajada; not examined.

Diagnosis: Palliduphantes stygius is closely related to P. cortesi Ribera et al. 2003 , recently described from Almería in Spain. P. stygius has longer denticules on the distal part of the lamella, the paracymbium is relatively shorter and the two elongated, pointed sclerites in the embolic division are less diverging. Female epigynes are very alike in having an oval lateral sclerite accompanying the scape, but differ by the less wide distal part of the scape.

Description: Male: Measurements: Total length 1.6–2.2; prosoma 0.80–0.89 long, 0.68–0.74 wide. Colour: Variable, probably depending on habitat type. Prosoma from pale yellowish to yellowish brown with grey striae and margin, legs pale yellowish to yellowish brown streaked with grey, abdomen pale grey to nearly black, in dark specimens often with 5–6 faint pale chevrons in the posterior half. Chelicerae with 17–18 stridulating ridges. Legs: Fe I pl, II–IV spineless; Ti I 2d pl rl, Ti II 2d (pl) (rl), Ti III–IV 2d; Mt I–IV d; Tb Mt I = 0.2. Palp ( Figs 74–75): Patella with dorsal spine 1.5 times as long as its diameter; tibia with concave dorsal and ventral margins, dorsal spine twice as long as its diameter; proximal part of paracymbium with 7 hairs and basal tooth, distal part elongated, deeply incised terminally; lamella strongly elongated, at two thirds of its length with a long, perpendicular tooth, terminally pointed, subterminally with one or two denticules that are sometimes absent (broken off?).

Female: Measurements: Total length: 1.9–2.6; prosoma 0.82–0.94 long, 0.66–0.74 wide. Colour and disposition of spines as in the male. Epigynum ( Figs 76–78): Lateral plates strongly developed, bordering a sigmoid scape; scape laterally at base accompanied by an oval sclerite, then widening, distally with small stretcher; dorsal plate rectangular. Vulva ( Fig. 79): Insemination ducts runnning throughout the scape, with openings laterally of the stretcher.

Previous records: Braga: Vila Nova de Famalicão, Joane ( Machado 1937); Peneda-Gerês NP, Terras de Bouro, Mata da Albergaria ( Cardoso et al. 2008b). Porto: Porto ( Machado 1937); Gondomar, Rio Tinto ( Machado 1937). Setúbal: Arrábida NP, Vale da Rasca ( Cardoso et al. 2008a). Viana do Castelo: Moledo do Minho ( Machado 1937).

New records: Aveiro: Mealhada, Buçaco (CBM); Mealhada, Pampilhosa (CBM); Oliveira de Azeméis (CBM). Beja: Vale do Guadiana NP, Mértola, Algodôr, 1 male 2 females, 12.II–12.III.2003, 5 females, 22.X– 5.XI.2002 (CPC); Mértola , Braciais , 1 male, 21.V.2003 (CPC); Mértola , Corredoura , 1 female, 7.V.2003 (CPC); Mértola , Moreanes , 1 male, 22.V.2002 (CPC); Mértola , São Domingos , 2 females, 12.II.2003 (CPC); Serpa , Ribeira de Limas , 3 males, 22.V.2000 (CPC); Serpa , Russins , 1 female, 22.V.2000 (CPC). Braga : Vieira do Minho , Serra da Cabreira (CBM). Bragança : Douro Internacional NP, Freixo de Espada à Cinta , Mazouco , 2 males 4.IV–18.IV, 2 males 2 females, 17.X–28.XI.2001 (CPC); Freixo de Espada à Cinta , Palão , 2 males, 2.II–21.IIII.2001 (CPC); Freixo de Espada à Cinta , Picotino , 1 male 13.VI, 1 male 14.XI.2001 (CPC); Miranda do Douro, Fonte d’Aldeia , 5 males 2 females, 18.IV–11.VII.2001; Miranda do Douro, Freixiosa , 1 male, 5.VI.2001 (CPC); Miranda do Douro , Vila Chã da Braciosa , 1 male 21. II, 1 male 13.VI, 2 females 17.X.2001 (CPC); Mogadouro, Algozinho, 9 males, 18.IV–13.VI, 1 male 14.XI.2001 (CPC); Mogadouro, Bruçó, 5 males 5 females, 17.III–16.V.2001, 4 males, 17.X–14.XI.2001 (CPC); Mogadouro, Lamoso, 1 male, 18.VI.2001 (CPC); Mogadouro, Tó, 5 males 3 females, 21. II –13.VI, 2 males 2 females, 17.X–28.XI.2001 (CPC); Miranda do Douro , Vila Chã da Braciosa , 1 male, 12.II.2001 (CPC). Coimbra: Paúl de Arzila NR, 1 female, 23.X.2005, 17 males 8 females, 28.V.2008 (CLC). Évora: Évora N., 1 male 4 females, 8.IV.1996 (CRB). Faro: Monchique (CBM); Serra de Monchique , Fóia, 1 female, stones in Pinus forest, 16.II.2006 (CRB). Leiria: Alcanena, Serra de Minde (CBM); Alcobaça, Gruta da Mata da Alva de Pataias (CBM); Arrabal, Algar da Rocha (CBM); Alvaiázere, Algar da Serra (CBM); Serras de Aire e Candeeiros NP, Alcanena, Mira d'Aire, 7 males 8 females, 9.IV–3.XII.2002 (CPC); Porto de Mós , Serro Ventoso, 2 males 5 females, 2.V–2.VII.2002 (CPC); Serra da Pevide , 1 male, 7.V.2007 (CLC). Lisboa: Alenquer, Buracos Mineiros (CBM); Alenquer, Serra de Montejunto (CBM); Bandalhoeira, 1 male, 1 female, Eucalyptus plantation, 22.IV.2001 (CGT); Lisboa, Monsanto, 1 female, 11.III.2006, A. Rebelo leg. ( CAR); Oeiras, Cruz Quebrada (CBM). Portalegre: Monforte S., Ribeira do Almuro , 1 male 2 females, 8.IV.1996 (CRB); Nisa, 3 males, A. Rufino leg. (IMAR); Portalegre, 1 male 2 females, 9.IV.1996 (CRB). Porto: Matosinhos, Boa Nova (CBM); Paredes, Recarei (CBM); Vila do Conde (CBM). Santarém: Paúl do Boquilobo NR, Golegã, choupal, 1 male 3 females, 22.V–5.VI.2002 (CPC); Golegã, valas, 1 male, 22.V.2002 (CPC); Torres Novas, montado, 206 males 283 females, 13.II–3.XII.2002 (CPC); Torres Novas, salgueiral, 2 males, 13. III –24.IV, 6 males 1 female, 27.VIII–24.IX.2002 (CPC); Vale Garcia , 1 female 26. II, 1 male 26. III, 2 males 8.X.2002 (CPC). Setúbal: Arrábida NP, Serra da Arrábida , 1 male, 24.III.1998 (CPC). Viana do Castelo: Paredes de Coura (CBM) .

Distribution: Portugal, Spain, France, Azores.

Habitat type: Collected in a wide variety of habitat types.

Phenology: Adults can be seen during all year.