Above we have listed all names that are currently considered synonyms of Clubiona. Most are missing from the WCS (2018), but almost all are listed in Wunderlich (2011) and in Mikhailov (2012). One name is lacking in all three aforementioned publications, Hirtia. Because many genus group names correspond to the species groups and very distinct from Clubiona s. str., and Clubiona is one of the largest genera of spiders, most of the genus group names can be considered separate genera (if they are not junior synonyms). Notably, Wunderlich (2011) suggested to resurrect all genus group names in Clubiona, describing several genera and three family group names, two for recent species, Microclubionini Wunderlich, 2011 and Eodotinae Wunderlich, 2011, and one for the fossil genus Eodoter Petrunkevitch, 1858 (Eodotinae Wunderlich, 2011). Mikhailov (2012) synonymised all genera listed above with Clubiona.

The Clubiona genevensis-group fits Lohmander’s Porrhoclubiona Lohmander, 1944 with the type species C. genevensis. Wunderlich (2011) considers Porrhoclubiona as separate genus in Microclubionini. Here we follow Wunderlich’s subdivision of Clubiona sensu lato.

While trying to rediagnose Porrhoclubiona we noticed a peculiar modification of leg I and II in females: they have a kind of scopula (Figs 2d, 3a). A similar modification was documented for Clubiona comta C.L. Koch, 1839 (= Hyloclubiona c.) by Marusik and Kunt (2010). We thought that it was a diagnostic character for two related genera, but checking Clubiona pallidula, the generotype (Fig. 2e) and some other species revealed that this character is present in many species of Clubiona s. l. Locket & Millidge (1951: 125) mentioned scopulae on legs I and II present in all British Clubiona, that it was well developed only in females and can be reduced to a single row in a smaller species. Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) also reported the presence of scopulae in the Clubiona pteronetoides-group without specifying in which sexes.

Light microscopy (Fig. 2d, e) indicated that the modified setae cannot be considered as scopula. They are absent ventrally on the tarsus-tibia but located ventro-laterally and additionally are adpressed and not erect. SEM microscopy reveals that that “setae” in “scopula” are movable spines and have locking mechanisms (Lm), at least on the metatarsi and tibiae (Fig. 3e). A locking spine mechanism is known in several unrelated groups of spiders like Oonopidae, Corinnidae, Phrurolithidae, etc. (cf. Marusik et al. 2013: figs 7–10). In that groups, the locking mechanism is present in both sexes and such as ventral paired spines only. These spines are long, and when erect act as a catching basket for prey capture. The function of such spines arranged in 3–4 rows on each side of the segment is unclear.

Above we listed only two of the most recent publications dealing with this species group.

Porrhoclubiona differs from all other clubionids by having modified setae on the cymbium (Figs 4a, c, d, f, g, i, 5a–c and Bosmans et al. 2017: figs 52–79), a retrolateral basal extension of the cymbium (called here a tutaculum, Tu, Figs 4a, c, d, f, g, i, 5g and Bosmans et al. 2017: figs 55, 59, 63, 67), a tegular groove (Tg) serving as a kind of conductor for the embolus (Figs 4b, c and Bosmans et al. 2017: figs 55, 59, 63, 67), the presence (Fig. 4h) of a prolateral tibial apophysis (Pt) which is lacking in other genera and strongly reduced, and posteriorly located subtegulum (St) (vs. large prolateral subtegulum in other genera). Porrhoclubiona differs from Clubiona s. str. by the smaller size, strongly protruding male chelicera (cf. Fig. 2b and Fig. 2f), shape of endites with a deep constriction (vs. unmodified endites, Fig. 2i, j), undivided short tibial apophysis of the male palp (vs. divided); brush of long modified setae on cymbium (vs. unmodified setae), filamentous embolus (vs. short, stick-like). Females of Porrhoclubiona differ from these of Clubiona by the shape of receptacles: round sclerotised (or primary, Sr) and round hyaline (or secondary, Hr) receptacles (vs. both pairs of receptacles elongate). Females of Porrhoclubiona have no such distinct differences from other genera as males.

Aside from those mentioned in the diagnosis, characters that separate Porrhoclubiona from all other genera previously considered in Clubiona, such as the presence of a patch/brush of modified setae on the cymbium, a cymbial extension that can be considered a tutaculum (Tu) and a tegular groove (Tg) serving as a conductor, a simple retrolateral tibial apophysis, and the presence of a prolateral apophysis, a few more characters should be mentioned. The two genera differ by spination of leg I: Porrhoclubiona is lacking metatarsal spines which are present in Clubiona and have fewer ventral tibial spines (cf. Fig. 2d and Fig. 2e). Porrhoclubiona has better developed “scopula”, which stretch along the entirety of tibia I, while in Clubiona it occupies only the distal ½ of the tibia (cf. Fig. 2d and Fig. 2e).

Although the retrolateral tibial apophysis of the male palp looks simple, from SEM figures it is rather broad (Fig. 5e) and the tip has a kind of filamentous extension (Fl). This tip can be long, like in P. vegeta (Bosmans et al. 2017: fig. 65) or P. moradmandi sp. n. (Fig. 5e), or rather short like in P. bosmansi sp. n. or P. genevensis (Figs 4c, 5f). Although the base of the embolus looks like one sclerite, in fact it is composed of two sclerites (Figs 4b, e, h, 9c, d, 10b’), heFl (Ts) and the base of the embolus (Eb).

Some species can be separated based on the proportions of the cymbial setae. Porrhoclubiona lecucaspis has distinctly longer basal part of the setae (Sb) than P. moradmandi sp. n. and P. bosmansi sp. n. (cf. Fig. 5c and Fig. 5a, b, respectively).

The haematodocha in Porrhoclubiona is rather large, but the subtegulum is strongly reduced and located posterior to the embolus base (Figs 4h, 6a, d, 7a, d); however, it is not large and or located prolaterally as in all other Clubiona s. l. It appears that species in this genus can be separated by the shape of the sperm duct course and relative width of the sperm duct (cf. Fig. 9c and Fig. 9d).

While studying morphology of the Porrhoclubiona with SEM, we found several notable characters:

– The femur has few bald areas (Ba), not covered with a transversal furrow as other parts of the cuticle (Fig. 3d). Such bald areas are known in several unrelated families.

– The tarsal organ (To) in Porrhoclubiona is (if we recognized it correctly) slit like (Fig. 3c).

– The trichobothrial base has five transversal ridges (Fig. 3g).

– Porrhoclubiona moradmandi sp. n. has modified short setae (Ms) on the cymbium (Fig. 5d) (may also be peculiarly broken setae).

Bosmans et al. (2017) listed eight species belonging to the Clubiona genevensis-group. We establish a new combination for all of them except the generotype Porrhoclubiona decora (Blackwall, 1859), comb. n. (Madeira, Azores), P. diniensis (Simon, 1878), comb. n. (western Mediterranean), P. genevensis (L. Koch, 1866) (West Palaearctic?), P. leucaspis (Simon, 1932), comb. n. (western North Africa, Western Europe), P. minor (Wunderlich, 1987), comb. n. (the Canaries), P. pseudominor (Wunderlich, 1987), comb. n. (the Canaries), P. vegeta (Simon, 1918), comb. n. (Mediterranean or West Palaearctic) and P. wunderlichi (Mikhailov, 1992), comb. n. (Mongolia). Two species assigned to this group by Wunderlich (2011) were overlooked by Bosmans et al. (2017): P. pteronetoides (Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001), comb. n. and P. viridula (Ono, 1989), comb. n. both from SE Asia. Deeleman-Reinhold (2001) considered these two species in a separate group, the Clubiona pteronetoides-group. Males of P. pteronetoides and P. viridula have dorsal abdominal scuta unknown in other species of the group, and possibly lack modified setae on the cymbium.

Aside from the species mentioned above, we consider three more species in this genus, P. laudata (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885), comb. n., ex. Clubiona and two new species, P. bosmansi sp. n. and P. moradmandi sp. n.

Lectotype ♂ (designated here) and paralectotype ♂ (OUMNH) with a label “B[ottle] 381, v[ial] 1”, label reads “Road from Yarkand to Bursi, May 28^th to June 17^th, 1874”.

All species described by O. Pickard-Cambridge (1885) based on materials from the Second Yarkand Mission are lacking labels with species names or geographical localities. The WSC (2018) indicates that the species was described based on the male only, although Pickard-Cambridge (1885: 24) also described a female. The species distribution is indicated as China (Yarkand), although Pickard-Cambridge (1885) mentioned the species was described based on specimens collected on the road from Yarkand (lying in SW Xinjiang, China) to Bursi (lying in the Leh District of the Jammu and Kashmir, India).

Porrhoclubiona laudata differs from P. leucaspis by the conical tibial apophysis (vs. broad and rounded at the tip, Figs 4i, 6e) and thinner basal part of the embolus. Tibetan species differ from other species occurring in Central Asia by the large palp (cf. Figs 10b–d).

Male (lectotype). Carapace 2.11 long, 1.41 wide. Abdomen 1.98 long, 1.29 wide. Total length 4.10. Carapace brown, darker in head area, fovea dark-brown, thin.

Labium, maxillae, chelicerae, and sternum yellowish. Chelicerae with 2 promarginal teeth.

Leg lengths

Leg spination

Abdomen without distinct pattern.

Palp as in Figs 6a–c, 10c. Tibial apophysis gradually tapering, subconical; anterior margin of cymbium broad; base of embolus (Be) equal to ½ of tegular length, basal part of embolus (Eb) as long as approx. 2/3 of the base.

Female. Lacking among type series. Pickard-Cambridge (1885) described it as: “The female is rather larger, but resembles the male in colours and markings, except that the abdomen is less marked and streaked with rusty red; the form of the genital aperture, which is quite small, is characteristic”. Description of C. genevensis from Western China seems to refer to this species. Epigyne as long as wide.

Exact type locality is unknown and in either in southwestern Xinjiang (China) or in adjacent Northeastern Jammu and Kashmir (India). It seems that all records of C. genevensis from China (Xinjiang and Tibet) refer to this species.

Holotype ♂ and paratype ♂ (ZMMU) TAJIKISTAN, Khalton area, Dangara Distr, Sanglogh (= Sanglok), Mt. Range, above Shar-Shar Pass, 38°17.937'N, 69°13.598'E, 1700–2060 m, 29 Apr 2015 (Y.M. Marusik), 1♀ (ZMMU) TAJIKISTAN, Khalton area, environs of Khovaling, Obimazar River, 38°20.940'N, 69°58.194'E, 1413 m, gravely river shore with some bushes, 27 Apr 2015 (Y.M. Marusik).

The specific name is a patronym in honour of our friend and colleague Robert Bosmans (Gent, Belgium) who made significant contributions to the study of the Clubiona genevensis-group.

Porrhoclubiona bosmansi sp. n. differs from P. laudata by having a smaller carapace (1.7–1.77 vs. 2.11), smaller palp (cf. Fig. 10c and Fig. 10d) and thinner tibial apophysis. The new species differs from P. moradmandi sp. n. by the smaller palps and shorter modified cymbial hairs (cf. Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b), fewer pro- and retrolateral spines on metatarsus III (2-2 vs. 3-3), and inclined anterior edge of the embolic base (vs. almost horizontal, cf. Fig. 10b’ and Fig. 10d’). Female of P. bosmansi sp. n. differs from those of P. moradmandi sp. n. by the shape of the epigynal fovea, which is more transverse and lacking posterior notch (cf. Fig. 8a–c, d–f). Females of the two species differ by the shape of the copulatory ducts and relative position of hyaline and sclerotised receptacles: sclerotised receptacles located anterior to the hyaline receptacles in P. bosmansi sp. n. and posteriorly in P. moradmandi sp. n. (cf. Fig. 9a and 9b).

Male (holotype-paratype). Total length 3.55–3.63. Carapace 1.71–1.77 long, 1.11–1.29 wide. Abdomen 1.86–1.88 long, 1.23–1.30 wide. Carapace light-brown, cephalic area darker. Labium, maxillae, chelicerae brown. Sternum yellowish. Chelicerae with one prolateral tooth, retrolateral teeth absent.

Leg lengths (paratype).

Leg spination

Abdomen yellow-reddish at dorsal part with dark-reddish cordial mark. Lateral sides of abdomen reddish, ventral side yellowish.

Palp as in Figs 4a–c, 5a, g, 7d–f, 10d. Tibial apophysis triangular, wider than long; anterior edge of cymbium almost flat (horizontal, not rounded); setae in cymbial brush not dense, approx. 1/3 of cymbial length; anterior part of tegulum (At) longer than base of embolus (Be); posterior edge (Pb) of the basal part of embolus inclined as well as anterior part of embolic base.

Female. Carapace 2.1 long, 1.43 wide. Abdomen 3.38 long, 2.4 wide. Total length 5.5. Coloration as in males, but somewhat lighter. Chelicerae with 4 prolateral and 3 retrolateral teeth.

Leg lengths

Leg spination

Epigyne as in Figs 8d, e, 9a. Fovea oval, more than twice as wide as long, posterior notch absent; translucent sclerotised receptacles (Sr) spaced by approx. one radius in intact epigyne; hyaline receptacles (Hr) located posterior to sclerotised receptacle; hyaline receptacles 1.3 times larger than sclerotised receptacles; loop of copulatory duct (Dl) directed posteriorly and spaced from each other by approximately one diameter.

Hatlon Province of Tajikistan.

Holotype ♂ and paratype ♀ (MMUM), paratypes 2♂ (ZMUI), 14 ♂ 4juv (ZMMU), IRAN, Fars Prov., Shiraz City, nearby Qur’an Gate, 29°38'08"N, 52°33'42"E, leaf and pine needle litter in small park, 19 Dec 2013 (Y.M. Marusik).

The specific name is a patronym in honour of the well-known Iranian arachnologist, Professor Majid Moradmand (Isfahan).

The new species differs from P. bosmansi sp. n. by the less intense colouration of the male (cf. Figs 1c & 1d). Males of this species can be distinguished by the larger palp (cf. Figs 7a–c & 7d–f and 10b & 10d), horizontal orientation of embolic base anterior edge and posterior edge of the basal part of the embolus (vs. inclined (cf. Figs 10b’ and 10d’)) and relatively longer tibia – length/width ratio approx. 2 (vs. shorter, ratio ca. 1.5). Females of P. moradmandi sp. n. can be distinguished from P. bosmansi sp. n. by the shape of the epigyne: epigynal fovea pentagonal (vs. oval) with distinct posterior notch (vs. lacking), anterior position of hyaline receptacles (vs. sclerotised receptacle located anteriorly), anteriorly directed loop of copulatory duct (vs. posteriorly). Porrhoclubiona moradmandi sp. n. is very similar to P. leucaspis by the abdominal pattern, palp shape, and particularly by having a filamentous extension (Fl) of the tibial apophysis, although the female differs by the shape of the copulatory ducts and receptacle proportions (cf. Fig. 8a–c and Fig. 9b and Bosmans et al. 2017: figs 45–51).

Male. Total length 3.38–4.67. Carapace 1.70–2.17 long, 1.17-1.64 wide. Abdomen 1.57–2.50 long, 1.0–1.57 wide. Carapace yellow to light brown without pattern, Labium, maxillae and chelicerae light brown. Sternum yellow. Chelicerae with one promarginal, retromarginal teeth absent.

Leg lengths (paratype with carapace 2.17 long)

Leg spination

Abdomen yellow with greyish V-shaped stripes (indistinct due to poor condition of the specimen) dorsally.

Palp as in Figs 4d–f, 5b, d, e, 7a–c, 9d, 10b. Tibial apophysis subtriangular, wider than long; tip with filamentous extension (Fl); anterior edge of cymbium rounded, with one distinct macroseta; modified setae of cymbial brush dense and long almost ½ of cymbial length; basal part of embolus ca. ½ of embolus base height, anterior edge of embolic base and posterior edge of basal part of embolus horizontal; base of embolus shorter than anterior part of tegulum.

Female. Total length 4.08. Carapace 1.93 long, 1.29 wide. Abdomen 2.07 long, 1.33 wide.

Coloration as in males. Chelicerae with 3 or 4 promarginal and 4 retromarginal teeth.

Leg lengths

Leg spination

Epigyne as in Figs 8a–c, 9b. Fovea pentagonal with deep posterior notch; translucent receptacles spaced by less than radius in intact epigyne; copulatory duct well distinct in ventral view; hyaline receptacles located anteriorly from the sclerotised receptacles; loop of copulatory duct directed anteriorly; mesal part of copulatory ducts spaced by more than 3 times their diameters.

It is known from the type locality only.