Pholcid spiders of the Pholcus phungiformes species-group (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Liaoning Province, China: an overview, with description of a new species

Fangyu Zhao; Tian Jiang; Lan Yang; Qiaoqiao He; Guo Zheng; Zhiyuan Yao

doi:10.3897/zookeys.1156.98331

Research Article

Pholcid spiders of the Pholcus phungiformes species-group (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Liaoning Province, China: an overview, with description of a new species

Fangyu Zhao^‡, Tian Jiang^‡, Lan Yang^‡, Qiaoqiao He^§‡|, Guo Zheng^‡§|, Zhiyuan Yao^‡§|

‡ Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, China

§ Liaoning Key Laboratory of Evolution and Biodiversity, Shenyang, China

| Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Evolution and Agricultural Ecology, Shenyang, China

Corresponding author: Qiaoqiao He ( heqq@synu.edu.cn )

Corresponding author: Guo Zheng ( zhengguo@synu.edu.cn )

Corresponding author: Zhiyuan Yao ( yaozy@synu.edu.cn )

Academic editor: Gergin Blagoev

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Zhao F, Jiang T, Yang L, He Q, Zheng G, Yao Z (2023) Pholcid spiders of the Pholcus phungiformes species-group (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Liaoning Province, China: an overview, with description of a new species. ZooKeys 1156: 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1156.98331

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CF00C07F-11E0-4D1C-957A-0B5EF9B2D552

Abstract

Species of the Pholcus phungiformes group exhibit high diversity in Liaoning Province of northeastern China. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on this species-group from this area. A checklist of 22 species recorded from this province is given, accompanied with a distribution map of the species. Pholcus xiuyan Zhao, Zheng & Yao, sp. nov. (♂♀) is described as new to science, and P. yuhuangshan Yao & Li, 2021 is reported from Liaoning for the first time.

Keywords

Biodiversity, daddy-long-legs spider, morphology, Northeast Asia, taxonomy

Introduction

The spider family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850 currently contains 97 genera and 1896 species (World Spider Catalog 2022) classified within five subfamilies: Arteminae Simon, 1893, Modisiminae Simon, 1893, Ninetinae Simon, 1890, Pholcinae C.L. Koch, 1850, and Smeringopinae Simon, 1893 (Huber 2011a; Dimitrov et al. 2013; Eberle et al. 2018). Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 is the most diverse genus of the family, comprising 375 described species (World Spider Catalog 2022). These species belong to 21 species-groups, of which the phungiformes group is highly diverse and contains 94 species (Huber 2011b; Wang et al. 2020; Yao et al. 2021; Lu et al. 2022). This species-group is mainly distributed in northeastern China and the Korean Peninsula. Liaoning is a province in northeastern China and lies northwest of North Korea. The exploration of pholcid spiders from Liaoning was started rather recently, especially for the phungiformes species-group. Song and Ren (1994) were the first authors to record pholcids from Liaoning, and they described two species, P. guani Song & Ren, 1994 from Beizhen County and P. gaoi Song & Ren, 1994 from Kuandian County; the latter species belongs to the phungiformes species-group. Song et al. (1999) described the second species of this species-group, P. suizhongicus Zhu & Song, 1999, from Suizhong County. Nearly 10 years later, Zhang and Zhu (2009) described two species from Fenghuangshan Mountain, namely P. fengcheng Zhang & Zhu, 2009 and P. phoenixus Zhang & Zhu, 2009. During the following decade (2010–2019), only eight species of this group have been described from Liaoning (Tong and Ji 2010; Yao and Li 2012; Peng and Zhang 2013; Liu and Tong 2015). Wang et al. (2020) estimated that a large part of the phungiformes species-group diversity likely remains undiscovered in the Changbai Mountains in northeastern China, especially in Liaoning. For this reason, a one-month-long expedition to the Changbai Mountains was undertaken, which resulted in 11 new species being reported, including eight from Liaoning (Yao et al. 2021). To date, 20 species of this species-group have been recorded from Liaoning, most of which were collected from rock walls or at cave entrances.

The present study provides a checklist of the phungiformes species-group from Liaoning and a distribution map of all of the species (Figs 1, 2). This study also describes a species new to science and reports a species from this region for the first time.

Figure 1.

Distribution of the Pholcus phungiformes species-group in Liaoning, China: 1 = P. decorus, 2 = P. fengcheng, 3 = P. foliaceus, 4 = P. gaizhou, 5 = P. gaoi, 6 = P. guanshui, 7 = P. hamatus, 8 = P. jiguanshan, 9 = P. jiuwei, 10 = P. longxigu, 11 = P. luoquanbei, 12 = P. phoenixus, 13 = P. shenshi, 14 = P. suizhongicus, 15 = P. tianmenshan, 16 = P. tongi, 17 = P. wangi, 18 = P. wangtian, 19 = P. xianrendong, 20 = P. yaoshan, 21 = P. yuhuangshan, 22 = P. xiuyan sp. nov.

Figure 2.

Pholcus xiuyan sp. nov., living specimens and habitat A, B females and juveniles on rock walls C habitat, arrow indicates collecting site.

Materials and methods

Specimens were examined and measured with a Leica M205 C stereomicroscope. The left male palp was photographed. The epigyne was photographed before dissection. The vulva was treated in a 10% warm solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to dissolve soft tissues before illustration. Images were captured with a Canon EOS 750D wide zoom digital camera (24.2 megapixels) mounted on the stereomicroscope mentioned above and assembled using Helicon Focus v. 3.10.3 image stacking software (Khmelik et al. 2005). All measurements are given in millimeters (mm). Leg measurements are shown as: total length (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus). Leg segments were measured on their dorsal side. The distribution map was generated with ArcGIS v. 10.2 (ESRI Inc.). The specimens studied are preserved in 75% ethanol and deposited in the College of Life Science, Shenyang Normal University (SYNU) in Liaoning, China.

Terminology and taxonomic descriptions follow Huber (2011b) and Yao et al. (2015, 2021). The following abbreviations are used in the descriptions: ALE = anterior lateral eye, AME = anterior median eye, PME = posterior median eye, L/d = length/diameter ratio; used in the illustrations: b = bulb, da = distal apophysis, e = embolus, fa = frontal apophysis, pa = proximo-lateral apophysis, pp = pore plate, pr = procursus, u = uncus.

Taxonomic accounts

Family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850

Subfamily Pholcinae C.L. Koch, 1850

Genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805

Type species

Aranea phalangioides Fuesslin, 1775.

Pholcus phungiformes species-group from Liaoning Province

Diagnosis and description. See Huber (2011b) and Yao et al. (2021).

1. Pholcus decorus Yao & Li, 2012

Pholcus decorus Yao & Li, 2012: 14, figs 55A–D, 56A–E, 57A–E, 58A–D (♂♀).

Pholcus decorus Yao et al., 2021: S6, fig. 2B.1 (♂).

Distribution

China (Anshan in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

2. Pholcus fengcheng Zhang & Zhu, 2009

Pholcus fengcheng Zhang & Zhu, 2009: 28, fig. 11A–I (♂♀).

Pholcus fengcheng Yao & Li, 2012: 16, figs 63A–D, 64A–C (♂♀). Yao et al. 2021: S7, fig. 2B.2 (♂).

New material examined

1♂ (SYNU-Ar00001F), roadside of G304 (40°24.667'N, 124°3.067'E, 139 m), near Fenghuangshan Mountain, Fengcheng, Dandong, Liaoning, China, 13 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Fengcheng in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

3. Pholcus foliaceus Peng & Zhang, 2013

Pholcus foliaceus Peng & Zhang, 2013: 75, figs 1A–G, 2A–F (♂♀).

Pholcus foliaceus Yao et al., 2021: S7, figs 2B.3, S4A–D (♂♀).

New material examined

2♂ (SYNU-Ar00002F, Ar00003F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00004F, Ar00005F), roadside of S202 (41°44.117'N, 124°36.867'E, 119 m), near Houshi National Forest Park, Muqi Town, Xinbin County, Fushun, Liaoning, China, 23 June 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Qingyuan County and Xinbin County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

4. Pholcus gaizhou Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus gaizhou Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S8, figs 2B.4, S5A–D, S6A–H (♂♀).

New material examined

2♂ (SYNU-Ar00006F, Ar00007F) and 3♀ (SYNU-Ar00008F–Ar00010F), roadside (40°1.167'N, 122°12.050'E, 257 m), near Xuemaoshan Scenic Spot, Jiuzhai Town, Gaizhou, Yingkou, Liaoning, China, 16 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Gaizhou in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

5. Pholcus gaoi Song & Ren, 1994

Pholcus gaoi Song & Ren, 1994: 20, figs 1–7 (♂♀).

Pholcus gaoi Song et al., 1999: 57, fig. 23L–O (♂♀). Zhang and Zhu 2009: 29, fig. 12A–G (♂♀). Yao and Li 2012: 17, figs 69A–D, 70A–C (♂♀). Yao et al. 2021: S9, fig. 2B.5 (♂).

New material examined

2♂ (SYNU-Ar00011F, Ar00012F) and 1♀ (SYNU-Ar00013F), roadside of Sandaogoumen (40°53.950'N, 124°51.900'E, 431 m), Xinfeng Village, Dachuantou Town, Kuandian County, Dandong, Liaoning, China, 8 July 2020, Z Yao leg. 3♂ (SYNU-Ar00014F–Ar00016F) and 1♀ (SYNU-Ar00017F), roadside of X627 (41°0.633'N, 124°45.950'E, 520 m), Jiangjunling, Bahechuan Town, Kuandian County, Dandong, Liaoning, China, 8 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Kuandian County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

6. Pholcus guanshui Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus guanshui Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S10, figs 2B.6, S7A–D, S8A–H (♂♀).

Distribution

China (Kuandian County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

7. Pholcus hamatus Tong & Ji, 2010

Pholcus hamatus Tong & Ji, 2010: 98, figs 1a–c, j, 2a–g (♂♀).

Pholcus hamatus Yao et al., 2021: S11, figs 2B.7, S9A–D (♂♀).

New material examined

1♂ (SYNU-Ar00018F) and 3♀ (SYNU-Ar00019F–Ar00021F), roadside of G506 (41°11.733'N, 125°25.100'E, 349 m), Huanggouli Village, Yahe Town, Huanren County, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 27 June 2020, Z Yao leg. 2♂ (SYNU-Ar00022F, Ar00023F) and 3♀(SYNU-Ar00024F–Ar00026F), roadside of G506 (41°1.783'N, 125°30.000'E, 179 m), Dawudaoyangcha, Gangouzi Village, Shajianzi Town, Huanren County, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 27 June 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Huanren County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

8. Pholcus jiguanshan Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus jiguanshan Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S12, figs 2B.8, S10A–D, S11A–H (♂♀).

Distribution

China (Fengcheng in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

9. Pholcus jiuwei Tong & Ji, 2010

Pholcus jiuwei Tong & Ji, 2010: 99, figs 1d–f, k, 3a–g (♂♀).

Pholcus jiuwei Yao et al., 2021: S13, figs 2B.9, S12A–D (♂♀).

New material examined

2♂ (SYNU-Ar00027F, Ar00028F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00029F, Ar00030F), roadside (41°8.233'N, 125°42.217'E, 227 m), near Benxi Grand Canyon, Nanfen District, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 12 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Benxi and Pingshan County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

10. Pholcus longxigu Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus longxigu Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S14, figs 2B.11, S13A–D, S14A–H (♂♀).

New material examined

1♂ (SYNU-Ar00031F) and 3♀ (SYNU-Ar00032F–Ar00034F), roadside of S201 (41°20.117'N, 125°15.400'E, 291 m), Wudaohezi Village, Huanren Town, Huanren County, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 24 June 2020, Z Yao leg. 1♂ (SYNU-Ar00035F), roadside of G201 (41°14.867'N, 125°19.650'E, 294 m), Shihada Village, Yahe Town, Huanren County, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 26 June 2020, Z Yao leg. 1♂ (SYNU-Ar00036F) and 1♀ (SYNU-Ar00037F), roadside of G201 (41°11.967'N, 125°14.817'E, 276 m), near Lianhe Bridge, Lianhe Village, Yahe Town, Huanren County, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 26 June 2020, Z Yao leg. 2♂ (SYNU-Ar00038F, Ar00039F) and 1♀ (SYNU-Ar00040F), roadside of G201 (41°6.467'N, 125°7.217'E, 305 m), near Daqinggou Village, Pulepu Town, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 6 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Benxi and Huanren County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

11. Pholcus luoquanbei Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus luoquanbei Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S15, figs 2B.12, S15A–D, S16A–H (♂♀).

Distribution

China (Xiuyan County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

12. Pholcus phoenixus Zhang & Zhu, 2009

Pholcus phoenixus Zhang & Zhu, 2009: 69, figs 37A–I, 38A–I (♂♀).

Pholcus phoenixus Yao & Li, 2012: 30, figs 144A–D, 145A–C (♂♀). Yao et al. 2021: S17, fig. 2B.14 (♂).

New material examined

3♂ (SYNU-Ar00041F–Ar00043F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00044F, Ar00045F), roadside of Maqing Road (40°34.483'N, 123°40.050'E, 243 m), near Qingliangshan Scenic Spot, Qingliangshan Village, Qinglingshan Town, Xiuyan County, Anshan, Liaoning, China, 13 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Fengcheng and Xiuyan County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

13. Pholcus shenshi Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus shenshi Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S18, figs 2B.15, S17A–D, S18A–H (♂♀).

New material examined

1♂ (SYNU-Ar00046F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00047F, Ar00048F), roadside of Kuanbei Road (40°42.883'N, 124°57.483'E, 315 m), Shanghaozigou Village, Hongshi Town, Kuandian County, Dandong, Liaoning, China, 7 July 2020, Z Yao leg. 1♂ (SYNU-Ar00049F) and 1♀ (SYNU-Ar00050F), roadside of Kuanbei Road (40°41.217'N, 124°51.867'E, 439 m), Shangchangyinzi Village, Shihugou Town, Kuandian County, Dandong, Liaoning, China, 7 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Kuandian County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

14. Pholcus suizhongicus Zhu & Song, 1999

Pholcus suizhongicus Zhu & Song in Song et al. 1999: 59, fig. 25A–H (♂♀).

Pholcus suizhongicus Zhang & Zhu, 2009: 89, fig. 51A–H (♂♀). Yao and Li 2012: 33, figs 167A–D, 168A–C (♂♀).

Distribution

China (Suizhong County in Liaoning; habitat: unknown).

15. Pholcus tianmenshan Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus tianmenshan Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S19, figs 2B.17, S19A–D, S20A–H (♂♀).

New material examined

2♂ (SYNU-Ar00051F, Ar00052F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00053F, Ar00054F), roadside of Beitu Road (40°9.983'N, 122°50.567'E, 345 m), Taipingzhuang Village, Kuangdonggou Town, Gaizhou, Yingkou, Liaoning, China, 15 July 2020, Z Yao leg. 1♂ (SYNU-Ar00055F) and 3♀ (SYNU-Ar00056F–Ar00058F), roadside (40°5.617'N, 122°37.050'E, 227 m), near Chishan Scenic Spot, Wanfu Town, Gaizhou, Yingkou, Liaoning, China, 15 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Gaizhou and Zhuanghe in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

16. Pholcus tongi Yao & Li, 2012

Pholcus tongi Yao & Li, 2012: 34, figs 173A–D, 174A–E, 175A–D, 176A–D (♂♀).

Pholcus tongi Yao et al., 2021: S20, fig. 2B.18 (♂).

Distribution

China (Huanren County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

17. Pholcus wangi Yao & Li, 2012

Pholcus wangi Yao & Li, 2012: 37, figs 191A–D, 192A–E, 193A–D, 194A–D (♂♀).

Pholcus wangi Yao et al., 2021: S21, fig. 2B.19 (♂).

New material examined

1♂ (SYNU-Ar00059F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00060F, Ar00061F), roadside of S309 (41°2.017'N, 124°40.667'E, 306 m), Liming Village, Shuangshanzi Town, Kuandian County, Dandong, Liaoning, China, 10 July 2020, Z Yao leg. 3♂ (SYNU-Ar00062F–Ar00064F) and 3♀ (SYNU-Ar00065F–Ar00067F), roadside of G506 (41°14.783'N, 124°42.000'E, 628 m), Dongyingfang Town, Benxi County, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 10 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Benxi County and Kuandian County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

18. Pholcus wangtian Tong & Ji, 2010

Pholcus wangtian Tong & Ji, 2010: 102, figs 1g–i, l, 4a–f (♂♀).

Pholcus wangtian Yao et al., 2021: S23, figs 2B.21, S23A–D (♂♀).

New material examined

1♂ (SYNU-Ar00068F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00069F, Ar00070F), Fenglingu Forest Park (41°7.433'N, 125°13.400'E, 392 m), Xiangyang Town, Huanren County, Benxi, Liaoning, China, 26 June 2020, Z Yao leg. 2♂ (SYNU-Ar00071F, Ar00072F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00073F, Ar00074F), roadside (40°59.683'N, 125°14.533'E, 212 m), near Manjiazhai, Qingshangou Village, Qingshangou Town, Kuandian County, Dandong, Liaoning, China, 7 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Huanren County and Kuandian County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls and a cave entrance).

19. Pholcus xianrendong Liu & Tong, 2015

Pholcus xianrendong Liu & Tong, 2015: 32, figs 1A–J, 2A–F (♂♀).

Pholcus xianrendong Yao et al., 2021: S24, figs 2B.22, S24A–D (♂♀).

New material examined

3♂ (SYNU-Ar00075F–Ar00077F) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00078F, Ar00079F), roadside of S203 (39°50.983'N, 123°0.150'E, 96 m), Dawangtun, Sijia Village, Daying Town, Zhuanghe, Dalian, Liaoning, China, 15 July 2020, Z Yao leg.

Distribution

China (Zhuanghe in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

20. Pholcus yaoshan Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus yaoshan Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S25, figs 2B.24, S27A–D, S28A–H (♂♀).

Distribution

China (Xiuyan County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

21. Pholcus yuhuangshan Yao & Li, 2021

Pholcus yuhuangshan Yao & Li in Yao et al. 2021: S27, figs 2B.25, S1A, S29A–D, S30A–H (♂♀).

New material examined

2♂ (SYNU-Ar00080F, Ar00081F) and 1♀ (SYNU-Ar00082F), roadside of S201 (41°32.400'N, 124°54.717'E, 118 m), Chaluzi Village, Yüshu Town, Xinbin County, Fushun, Liaoning, China, 24 June 2020, Z Yao leg. (New record for Liaoning)

Distribution

China (Xinbin County in Liaoning; habitat: rock walls).

22. Pholcus xiuyan Zhao, Zheng & Yao, sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/5583C31D-4B7E-4C42-8A34-20BB8663778F

Figs 3, 4

Remarks

This new species is assigned to the phungiformes group by the following combination of characters: the male chelicerae with frontal apophyses (arrow fa in Fig. 4D), the male palpal tibia with a prolatero-ventral projection (Fig. 3A), the procursus with dorsal spines (arrows in Fig. 3D), the uncus with a “pseudo-appendix” (arrow 2 in Fig. 4C), and the epigyne with a knob (Fig. 4A).

Figure 3.

Pholcus xiuyan sp. nov., holotype male A, B palp (A prolateral view B retrolateral view) C, D distal part of procursus (C prolateral view, arrow 1 indicates spine-shaped distal apophysis, arrow 2 indicates sclerotized dorsal protrusion, arrow 3 indicates subdistal membranous process D dorsal view, arrows indicate dorsal spines). Abbreviations: b = bulb, e = embolus, pr = procursus, u = uncus. Scale bars: 0.20 mm (A, B); 0.10 mm (C, D).

Figure 4.

Pholcus xiuyan sp. nov., holotype male (C–F) and paratype female (A, B, G, H) A epigyne, ventral view, arrow indicates lateral protrusion B vulva, dorsal view C bulbal apophyses, prolateral view (the insert is retrolateral view of “pseudo-appendix”), arrow 1 indicates semicircular proximal apophysis, arrow 2 indicates “pseudo-appendix” D chelicerae, frontal view E–H habitus (E, G dorsal view F lateral view H ventral view). Abbreviations: b = bulb, da = distal apophysis, e = embolus, fa = frontal apophysis, pa = proximo-lateral apophysis, pp = pore plate, u = uncus. Scale bars: 0.20 mm (A–D); 0.05 mm (the insert in C); 1.00 mm (E–H).

Type material

Holotype : ♂ (SYNU-Ar00251), Jiaxigou (40°15.200'N, 122°54.567'E, 318 m), Taipingling Village, Shihuiyao Town, Xiuyan County, Anshan, Liaoning, China, 13 July 2022, G Zheng, L Xiang & N Li leg. Paratypes: 1♂ (SYNU-Ar00252) and 2♀ (SYNU-Ar00253, Ar00254), same data as for the holotype.

Etymology

The specific name refers to the type locality; noun in apposition.

Diagnosis

The new species resembles P. brevis Yao & Li, 2012 (Yao and Li 2012: 12, figs 39A–D, 40A–E, 41A–D, 42A–D) with similar bulbal apophyses (Fig. 4C) and epigynal plate (Fig. 4A), but it can be easily distinguished by the procursus with a sclerotized dorsal protrusion (arrow 2 in Fig. 3C; a flat dorsal sclerite in P. brevis), the strong male cheliceral frontal apophyses (arrow fa in Fig. 4D; frontal apophyses indistinct in P. brevis), the epigyne with a pair of lateral protrusions (arrow in Fig. 4A; absent in P. brevis), the wavy vulval anterior arch (Fig. 4B; slightly curved anterior arch in P. brevis), and the male clypeus without frontal apophysis (Fig. 4E; present in P. brevis); also distinguished from all of its known congeners in Xiuyan County by the following combination of characters: the procursus with sclerotized, raised prolateral edge bearing a spine-shaped distal apophysis (arrow 1 in Fig. 3C) and a sclerotized dorsal protrusion (arrow 2 in Fig. 3C), the semitransparent “pseudo-appendix” (arrow 2 in Fig. 4C), the strong male cheliceral frontal apophyses (arrow fa in Fig. 4D), the epigyne with a pair of lateral protrusions (arrow in Fig. 4A), and the wavy vulval anterior arch (Fig. 4B).

Description

Male (holotype, SYNU-Ar00251): total length 6.60 (6.73 with clypeus), prosoma 2.00 long, 2.15 wide, opisthosoma 4.60 long, 1.88 wide. Leg I: 49.82 (12.37, 0.91, 12.63, 20.90, 3.01), leg II: 34.84 (9.62, 0.85, 8.78, 13.65, 1.94), leg III: 19.07 (7.40, 0.73, 6.22, 3.33, 1.39), leg IV: 33.13 (9.62, 0.80, 8.46, 12.69, 1.56); tibia I L/d: 66. Eye interdistances and diameters: PME–PME 0.29, PME 0.17, PME–ALE 0.06, AME–AME 0.08, AME 0.11. Sternum width/length:1.43/1.08. Habitus as in Fig. 4E, F. Dorsal shield of prosoma yellowish, with brown radiating marks and marginal brown bands; ocular area yellowish, with median and lateral brown bands; clypeus and sternum yellowish, with brown marks. Legs overall yellowish, dark brown on patellae and whitish on distal parts of femora and tibiae, with darker rings on subdistal parts of femora and proximal and subdistal parts of tibiae. Opisthosoma yellowish, with dorsal and lateral black spots. Chelicerae (Fig. 4D) with pair of proximo-lateral apophyses, pair of distal apophyses with two teeth each (invisible in frontal view; cf. P. tianmenshan, fig. S20D in Yao et al. 2021), and pair of frontal apophyses.

Palp as in Fig. 3A, B; trochanter two times longer than wide, retrolaterally swollen; femur with small retrolatero-proximal protrusion and indistinct ventral protrusion; tibia with prolatero-ventral protrusion; procursus slender, simple proximally but complex distally, with sclerotized, raised prolateral edge bearing spine-shaped distal apophysis (arrow 1 in Fig. 3C), sclerotized dorsal protrusion (arrow 2 in Fig. 3C), subdistal membranous process (arrow 3 in Fig. 3C), and two strong and one slender dorsal spines (arrows in Fig. 3D); uncus curved, with scales and semicircular proximal apophysis (arrow 1 in Fig. 4C); “pseudo-appendix” short and semitransparent (arrow 2 in Fig. 4C); embolus weakly sclerotized, with some transparent distal projections (Fig. 4C). Retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia I at 3% proximally; legs with short vertical setae on tibiae, metatarsi, and tarsi; tarsus I with 38 distinct pseudosegments.

Female (paratype, SYNU-Ar00253): habitus as in Fig. 4G, H. Total length 5.80 (5.96 with clypeus), prosoma 1.72 long, 2.00 wide, opisthosoma 4.08 long, 1.78 wide; tibia I: 10.05; tibia I L/d: 57. Eye interdistances and diameters: PME–PME 0.22, PME 0.15, PME–ALE 0.04, AME–AME 0.06, AME 0.09. Sternum width/length: 1.22/0.94. Coloration generally as in male, except for dark brown clypeus.

Epigyne (Fig. 4A) postero-medially strongly curved, with median brown marks, short knob and pair of lateral protrusions (arrow in Fig. 4A). Vulva (Fig. 4B) with wavy, medially and laterally sclerotized anterior arch and pair of nearly triangular pore plates.

Variation

Tibia I in paratype male (SYNU-Ar00252): 11.67. Tibia I in another paratype female (SYNU-Ar00254): 9.81.

Natural history

The species was found on rock walls.

Distribution

China (Liaoning, type locality; Fig. 1).

Acknowledgements

The manuscript benefited greatly from comments by Gergin Blagoev, Alireza Zamani, Mikhail M. Omelko, Yanfeng Tong, and anonymous reviewers. Abid Ali kindly checked the English. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC-32170461, 31872193, 31970410) and the Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program (XLYC1907150, XLYC2002083). Part of the laboratory work was supported by the Shenyang Youth Science and Technology Project (RC200183).

References

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﻿Abstract

Keywords

﻿Introduction

﻿Materials and methods

﻿Taxonomic accounts

﻿Genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805

Type species

﻿1. Pholcus decorus Yao & Li, 2012

Distribution

﻿2. Pholcus fengcheng Zhang & Zhu, 2009

New material examined

Distribution

﻿3. Pholcus foliaceus Peng & Zhang, 2013

New material examined

Distribution

﻿4. Pholcus gaizhou Yao & Li, 2021

New material examined

Distribution

﻿5. Pholcus gaoi Song & Ren, 1994

New material examined

Distribution

﻿6. Pholcus guanshui Yao & Li, 2021

Distribution

﻿7. Pholcus hamatus Tong & Ji, 2010

New material examined

Distribution

﻿8. Pholcus jiguanshan Yao & Li, 2021

Distribution

﻿9. Pholcus jiuwei Tong & Ji, 2010

New material examined

Distribution

﻿10. Pholcus longxigu Yao & Li, 2021

New material examined

Distribution

﻿11. Pholcus luoquanbei Yao & Li, 2021

Distribution

﻿12. Pholcus phoenixus Zhang & Zhu, 2009

New material examined

Distribution

﻿13. Pholcus shenshi Yao & Li, 2021

New material examined

Distribution

﻿14. Pholcus suizhongicus Zhu & Song, 1999

Distribution

﻿15. Pholcus tianmenshan Yao & Li, 2021

New material examined

Distribution

﻿16. Pholcus tongi Yao & Li, 2012

Distribution

﻿17. Pholcus wangi Yao & Li, 2012

New material examined

Distribution

﻿18. Pholcus wangtian Tong & Ji, 2010

New material examined

Distribution

﻿19. Pholcus xianrendong Liu & Tong, 2015

New material examined

Distribution

﻿20. Pholcus yaoshan Yao & Li, 2021

Distribution

﻿21. Pholcus yuhuangshan Yao & Li, 2021

New material examined

Distribution

﻿22. Pholcus xiuyan Zhao, Zheng & Yao, sp. nov.

Remarks

Type material

Etymology

Diagnosis

Description

Variation

Natural history

Distribution

﻿Acknowledgements

﻿References

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Taxonomic accounts

Genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805

1. Pholcus decorus Yao & Li, 2012

2. Pholcus fengcheng Zhang & Zhu, 2009

3. Pholcus foliaceus Peng & Zhang, 2013

4. Pholcus gaizhou Yao & Li, 2021

5. Pholcus gaoi Song & Ren, 1994

6. Pholcus guanshui Yao & Li, 2021

7. Pholcus hamatus Tong & Ji, 2010

8. Pholcus jiguanshan Yao & Li, 2021

9. Pholcus jiuwei Tong & Ji, 2010

10. Pholcus longxigu Yao & Li, 2021

11. Pholcus luoquanbei Yao & Li, 2021

12. Pholcus phoenixus Zhang & Zhu, 2009

13. Pholcus shenshi Yao & Li, 2021

14. Pholcus suizhongicus Zhu & Song, 1999

15. Pholcus tianmenshan Yao & Li, 2021

16. Pholcus tongi Yao & Li, 2012

17. Pholcus wangi Yao & Li, 2012

18. Pholcus wangtian Tong & Ji, 2010

19. Pholcus xianrendong Liu & Tong, 2015

20. Pholcus yaoshan Yao & Li, 2021

21. Pholcus yuhuangshan Yao & Li, 2021

22. Pholcus xiuyan Zhao, Zheng & Yao, sp. nov.

Acknowledgements

References