Diplocephalus machadoi Bosmans & Cardoso, 2010

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 : 14-16

Diplocephalus machadoi Bosmans & Cardoso new species

( Figs 14–22)

Type material: Holotype male from Portugal, Bragança: Douro Internacional Natural Park, Picote, Quercus ilex and Juniperus oxycedrus wood, 21. III.2001, P. Cardoso leg. (typical form). Paratypes: idem, Fonte d’Aldeia, Quercus suber plantation, 1 male, 7. III.2001, P. Cardoso leg. (turreted form); idem, Bruçó, Pseudotsuga menziesii plantation, 1 female, 25.VI.2001, P. Cardoso leg.; deposited in KBIN.

Etymology: The species is dedicated to A. de Barros Machado, one of the pioneers of Portuguese arachnology.

Diagnosis: Males of this species occur in two forms. The turreted form can be distinguished at once from all other Diplocephalus species , the typical form is diagnosed by the shape of the prosoma ( Figs 14, 16), the palpal tibia with relatively short, blunt apophysis ( Fig. 17), the gradually narrowing embolus and the bifid terminal apophysis. Females are recognised by the protruding median part of the dorsal plate ( Fig. 20).

Remark: We found two, strongly differing morphotypes of this species at two different sites in the Douro Internacional Natural Park. The male palps are completely identical and they are described here as the same species. A female collected at yet another site in the park is tentatively described here as its mate.

Description: Male: Measurements (holotype; those of the turreted morph in parentheses): Total length1.8 (2.2); prosoma 0.84 (1.08) long, 0.58 (0.62) wide. Colour: Prosoma brown with grey brown striae and margin; legs orange brown; abdomen grey. Prosoma ( Figs 14–16): Occurring in two forms: the typical form ( Figs 14, 15) has the cephalic part with anterior and anterodorsal, rounded tubercles, with AM and PM on top of each tubercle and a large, pitted sulcus behind the PL; eyes: a = 0.7, b = 4, c = 3.5, d = 4.5; in the turreted form ( Fig. 16) the cephalic part is prolonged into a distinct snout, carrying the AM; Chelicerae: With about 20 poorly developed stridulating ridges, and 4 promarginal and 3 smaller retromarginal teeth in fang groove. Legs: Spine formula 2211; L Sp Ti I–II = 0.7; L Sp Ti III–IV = 1; P Sp Ti I = 0.13; Tb Mt I = 0.35. Palp ( Figs 17– 19): Tibia protruding over cymbium, distally with pointed prolateral tooth and rounded, terminally membranous retrolateral lobe; distal part of paracymbium gently rounded; tegulum with short, rounded tailpiece, directed prolaterally; tegular apophysis terminally bifid; embolus semicircular, gradually narrowing into a sharp point.

Female: Total length 1.8; prosoma 0.70 long, 0.56 wide. Colour as in the male. Prosoma: Unmodified; eye disposition: a = 0.5, b = 2, c = 1.25, d = 1.5. Legs: Female tibiae without spines, but possibly broken off. Epigynum ( Figs 20, 21): Divided in two parts by an internal suture; in ventral view ( Fig. 20) dorsal plate distinctly protruding at posteromedian margin, in dorsal view ( Fig. 21) with incised margins. Vulva ( Fig. 22): Spermathecae elongated, transversely U-shaped.

Additional material examined: SPAIN: Alicante : Sierra de Aitana, 1 male (typical form), 23.I.1995, M. Perez leg. (CRB) .

Distribution: The north of Portugal and the region of Alicante in Spain, but probably also occurring in between in a larger area.

Habitat type: Woods of different plant composition.

Phenology: Adults were captured from January to March.