Meioneta pseudorurestris Wunderlich, 1980

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 : 30-31

Meioneta pseudorurestris Wunderlich, 1980

Meioneta rurestris ; Simon 1898: 95; Bacelar 1928: 186 (misidentifications).

Remark: For a long time, Meioneta pseudorurestris has been confused with M. rurestris (C. L. Koch) ( Bosmans 2006a) , and until 2008 only M. rurestris was cited from Portugal. In our abundant material, only M. pseudorurestris is present. In fact we presume that all citations of M. rurestris from Portugal concern M. pseudorurestris , M. rurestris having a more northern distribution.

Description: Wunderlich (1980: 319, figs 1–5), Bosmans (2006a: 140, figs 49–54).

Previous records: Beja: Vale do Guadiana NP, Pomarão (Cardoso et al. 2009). Porto: Paredes, Cete ( Simon 1898; Bacelar 1928, sub Meioneta rurestris ). Setúbal: Arrábida NP, Vale da Rasca ( Cardoso et al. 2008a).

New records: Aveiro : Albergaria-a-Velha , Angeja (CBM). Beja : Cuba, 2 females, 8.IV.1996 (CRB); Serpa , Pulo do Lobo , 1 male, marshy area along rio Guadiana , 23.V.2007 (CRB); Vale do Guadiana NP, Mértola , Braciais , 3 males 2 females, 12.II–12.III.2003 (CPC); Mértola , Corredoura , 1 male, 9.IV.2003 (CPC); Mértola , montado, 2 males, 31.III–9.IV.2003 (CPC). Braga : Vila Nova de Famalicão , Rorigo (CBM). Castelo Branco : Vila Velha de Ródão , 1 female, 9.IV.1996 (CPC). Coimbra : Paúl de Arzila NR, 10 males, 28.V.2008 (CLC). Évora : Montemor-o-Novo , 16 males, 2004, S. Mendes leg. (IMAR); Portel N., 2 females, 8.IV.1996 (CRB). Faro : Vila Real de Santo António , Monte Gordo (CJFM). Leiria : Serras de Aire e Candeeiros NP, Alcanena , Mira d'Aire , 1 male 1 female, 8.X.2002 (CPC). Lisboa : Lisboa , Monsanto , 1 male, 29.III.2005, A. Rebelo leg. ( CAR); Tapada de Mafra , 1 female, sweeping in oak forest, 17.V.2001 (CGT). Portalegre : Nisa , 4 males, A. Rufino leg. (IMAR), Portalegre , 2 females, 9.IV.1996 (CRB). Porto : Porto (CBM). Santarém : Paúl do Boquilobo NR, Golegã , valas, 2 males, 22.V.2002 (CPC); Torres Novas , montado, 2 males 4 females, 6. II –22.V, 3 males, 19.IX–24.IX.2002 (CPC). Setúbal: Aldeia de Irmãos, 1 male, Quercus suber forest, 26.V.2007 (CRB); Arrábida NP, Serra da Arrábida, 2 males, 11.II–10.III.1998 (CPC) .

Distribution: Circum-mediterranean.

Habitat type: The species occurs in many different habitat types, often influenced by man. It lives in the litter layer, but dispering males are often collected by beating trees.

Phenology: The species was collected from September to May but is most abundant in April and May. [ Meioneta rurestris (C.L. Koch) ]

All citations of this species from Portugal are attributed to Meioneta pseudorurestris Wunderlich (see there).