Pholcus bicornutus Simon, 1892

Huber, Bernhard A., Nuñeza, Olga M. & Leh Moi Ung, Charles, 2016, The Philippine hair wax spiders and their relatives: revision of the Pholcus bicornutus species group (Araneae, Pholcidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 225, pp. 1-34 : 5-6

Pholcus bicornutus Simon, 1892

Pholcus bicornutus Simon, 1892: 41 –42, pl. 2, figs 3–4.

Pholcus bicornutus – Simon 1893: 466–468, figs 455, 458. — Huber 2011a: 315–318, figs 1509–1513, 1539–1540, 1560–1573.

Diagnosis (updated)

Distinguished from most similar known relative ( P. olangapo sp. nov.) by absence of dark lateral bands on carapace (in males and females), and by procursus shape (prolatero-dorsal process of proximal part longer and more slender; entire distal hinged part of procursus longer and more slender; distinctive shapes of procursus tip and of uncus; figs 1560–1561 in Huber 2011a). From other species of the P. bicornutus group ( P. pagbilao , P. arayat , P. schawalleri , P. baguio sp. nov., P. mulu sp. nov., P. kawit sp. nov.) by hinged procursus, small epigynal plate, undivided dark band ventrally on abdomen (also in P. kawit sp. nov. and P. mulu sp. nov.), and by presence of slightly curved hairs on legs (especially on tibiae and metatarsi 1–2).

New material examined

PHILIPPINES: 1 ♁, 8 ♀♀, Luzon , Rizal Prov., near Antipolo, Mystical Cave (14.606° N, 121.209° E), 160 m a.s.l., in cave near entrance , 11 Mar. 2014 (B.A. Huber), ZFMK ( Ar 15495 ) ; 2 ♀♀, 2 juvs, in absolute ethanol, same data, ZFMK ( Phi 185 ) .

Note

Simon (1892) described this species from two caves, “Cueva de San Mateo” and “Cueva de Antipolo”. The first is possibly identical to what is now called “Pamitinan Cave” (14.731° N, 121.190° E) which in turn may be identical to what in Huber (2011a) is cited as “Montealban Cave” (correct spelling: “Montalban Cave”). The second is presumably identical to what is now called “Mystical Cave” (14.606° N, 121.209° E). The distance between these two caves is just 14 km. However, as noted previously after examination of Simon’s type specimens ( Huber 2011a), males from the two caves differ slightly in details of the procursus, and the specimens from Mystical Cave are assigned tentatively to this species (the lectotype, designated in Huber 2011a, is from “Cueva de San Mateo”).

Variation

Tibia 1 in newly examined male: 12.9; in 6 newly examined females: 10.4–12.0 (mean: 11.2).

Natural history

The spiders were found within the cave close to the cave entrance; no specimen was found deeper in the cave. The spiders built their domed sheets among rocks close to the ground.

Distribution

Known from two caves near Manila only ( Fig. 1 ).

Figures

Figs 1 – 2. Known distributions of the two subgroups of the Pholcus bicornutus species group.