European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45

http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2016.200

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

ISSN 2118-9773

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2016 • Huber B.A. et al.

Research article

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:404329BA-FD12-4F24-ABB6-0AC78AllDE54

New leaf- and litter-dwelling species of the genus Pholcus

from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Pholcidae)

Bernhard A. HUBER 1 *, Joseph K.H. KOH 2 , Amir-Ridhwan M. GHAZALI 3 , Kamil A.

BRAIMA 4 , Olga M. NUNEZA 5 , Charles LEH MOI UNG 6 , Booppa PETCHARAD 7

l * Alexander Koenig Research Museum of Zoology, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany.

2 National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board, IB Cluny Road, Singapore 259598.

3 Centre for Research and Consultancy, Unitar International University, Malaysia.

4 University of Malaya, Kuala Fumpur, Malaysia.

5 Department of Biological Sciences, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology,

Tibanga, Iligan City 9200, Philippines.

6 Sarawak Museum, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93566 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

7 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University,

Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.

* Corresponding author: b .huber@zfmk. de

2 Email: [email protected]

3 Email: [email protected]

4 Email: [email protected]

5 Email: [email protected]

6 Email: charl 1 [email protected]

7 Email: [email protected]

1 urn: lsid: zoobank. org: author: 33607F 65-19BF-4DC9-94FD-4BB 88CED455F

2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:DA9CA194-2A90-41BD-8109-D8E536F23C0C

3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:EA038837-AA7B-49F0-8012-2B23C36F1605

4 um:lsid:zoobank.org:author:A9BD39AB-FD69-4740-AlDA-845D4F3B232B

5 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:6D14FCCC-F148-4293-9F23-0EB5A4119305

6 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:BF48A807-815E-41E4-BCC6-F3A3FAEDBC9E

7 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:E1480A4E-3FA8-441C-A803-515B8AE7860D

Abstract. We describe eight new species of the genus Pholcus , and document their microhabitats. Four

species are assigned to the previously described Pholcus ethagala group: P. tanahrata Huber sp. nov.,

P. uludong Huber sp. nov., and P. bukittimah Huber sp. nov. from the Malay Peninsula, and P. barisan

Huber sp. nov. from Sumatra. These species are all litter-dwellers that build domed sheet webs on the

undersides of large dead leaves on the ground. The other four species are assigned to newly created

species groups: the P. tambunan group with two species from northern Borneo: P. tambunan Huber

sp. nov. and P. bario Huber sp. nov.; and the P. domingo group with two species from the Philippines,

Mindanao: P. domingo Huber sp. nov. and P. matutum Huber sp. nov. These latter four species are leaf-

dwellers that build barely visible silk platforms tightly attached to the undersides of live leaves. The

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1 —45 ( 2016 )

main rationale for this paper is to provide part of the taxonomic and natural history background for

upcoming phylogenetic and evolutionary (microhabitat shifts) analyses.

Keywords. Pholcus , Southeast Asia, taxonomy, microhabitat, ultrastructure.

Huber B.A., Koh J.K.H., Ghazali A.-R.M., Braima K.A., Nuneza O.M., Leh Moi Ung C. & Petcharad B. 2016.

New leaf- and litter-dwelling species of the genus Pholcus from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Pholcidae). European

Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2016.200

Introduction

Pholcidae occupy a wide range of microhabitats, particularly in tropical forests. Some prefer leaf litter,

some live in larger sheltered spaces among rocks and logs and in caves, some build their webs freely

among vegetation, and some are found on the undersides of live leaves up to several meters above ground.

While some genera are homogeneous in this respect (e.g., all Ninetinae seem to be ground-dwellers; all

Calapnita Simon, 1892 seem to be leaf-dwellers), others include representatives from various different

microhabitats (e.g., Belisana Thorell, 1898; Mesabolivar Gonzalez-Sponga, 1998; Metagonia Simon,

1893; Modisimus Simon, 1893; Smeringopus Simon 1890; see Huber 2005, 2012, 2015 and Huber

et al. 2005, 2010). This implies that evolutionary microhabitat shifts have occurred, both among and

within genera. Several such shifts have recently been documented in some detail (e.g., Dimitrov et al.

2013; Huber et al. 2015), but our general understanding of the patterns is still rudimentary because it

requires good data about both microhabitat and phylogeny, and at least one of them is often missing or

incomplete.

Fig. 1 . Known distributions of the Pholcus ethagala group (Malay Peninsula and Sumatra; Sri Lankan

species not shown), of the P. tambunan group (Borneo) and of the P. domingo group (Philippines).

HUBER B.A. et al., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Of particular interest in this respect is the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805. Almost every microhabitat

accessible to Pholcidae in general is occupied by specific representatives of this large genus. Most species

groups in Pholcus that appear well supported are homogeneous with respect to their microhabitat, but

relationships among groups do not seem to correlate with microhabitat preferences and in some cases even

closely related species occupy different microhabitats (Dimitrov et al. 2013; Huber & Dimitrov 2014).

This suggests multiple convergent shifts of microhabitat in Pholcus alone. Preliminary phylogenetic

data suggest that the story may be even more complicated. Several genera currently considered close to

Pholcus , such as Calapnita Simon, 1892; Leptopholcus Simon, 1893; Micropholcus Deeleman-Reinhold

& Prinsen, 1987; Micromerys Bradley, 1877; Panjange Deeleman-Reinhold & Deeleman, 1983; etc.

(the Pholcus group of genera in Huber 2011) may actually be nested within a paraphyletic Pholcus

(Huber 2011; A. Valdez-Mondragon, B.A. Huber & D. Dimitrov, unpublished data). If this proves to

be correct, then these mostly leaf-dwelling taxa may represent numerous additional microhabitat shifts

within this large taxonomic group (currently comprising some 400 described species).

The present paper focuses on Pholcus in Southeast Asia (Fig. 1) and is one of several recent contributions

providing the taxonomic and natural history background for an upcoming analysis of microhabitat shifts

in Pholcidae. Of particular interest in this respect is the Pholcus ethagala group because previous cladistic

analyses (Huber 2011) have suggested a close relationship between this group (whose Southeast Asian

representatives turn out to be litter-dwelling; e.g., Figs 2-9) and the leaf-dwelling genus Panjange.

The other two species groups treated below are also ‘untypical’ Pholcus (e.g., they both lack an uncus

on the male genital bulb) and might previously have been considered to represent new genera, but

preliminary analyses of molecular data (A. Valdez-Mondragon, B.A. Huber & D. Dimitrov, unpublished

data) strongly support their inclusion in Pholcus , i.e., a close relationship with more ‘typical’ Pholcus.

We deliberately do not dwell on phylogenetic aspects in this paper as all species treated below will be

included in the comprehensive molecular phylogeny to be published in 2017.

Material and methods

Most of the material studied herein was collected during recent expeditions to the Philippines (Feb-

Mar. 2014), northern Borneo (Jul.-Aug. 2014), and the Malay Pe nin sula (Feb.-Mar. 2015). This

material is currently deposited at the following institutions: Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute

of Technology, Iligan (MSU-IIT), Philippines; Museum of Zoology, University of Malaya, Kuala

Fumpur (MZUM), Malaysia; Princess Maha Chakri Sirinthorn Natural History Museum, Prince of

Songkla University, Hat Yai (PSUZC), Thailand; Sarawak Museum, Kuching (SMK), Malaysia; and

Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn (ZFMK), Germany. Further material came

from the Am erican Museum of Natural History, New York (AMNH); and the Netherlands Centre for

Biodiversity Naturalis, Feiden (RMNH).

Methods and terminology used are as in Huber (2011). Measurements are in mm unless otherwise

specified. Eye measurements are approx. ± 5 pm. Epigyna were cleared in warm NaOH solution and

stained with chlorazol black. For SEM photos, specimens were dried in hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)

(Brown 1993), and photographed with a Hitachi S-2460 scanning electron microscope. SEM data are

presented within the descriptions but are not based on the holotype specimens described. Focality

coordinates are in round brackets when copied from labels and original publications or when received

directly from collectors, in square brackets when originating from some other source (such as online

gazetteers, Google Earth, etc.). The distribution map was generated with ArcMap 10.0.

Abbreviations

a = appendix

ATE = anterior lateral eye(s)

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

ALS

AME

a.s.l.

L/d

PME

anterior lateral spinneret(s)

anterior median eye(s)

above sea level

genital bulb

embolus

hinge

length/diameter

procursus

posterior median eye(s)

trochanter

Results

Taxonomy

Class Arachnida Cuvier, 1812

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757

Family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1851

Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805

Pholcus Walckenaer 1805: 80. Type species by (assumed) monotypy: Aranea phalangioides Fuesslin,

1775.

Pholcus -Huber 2011: 124-126.

Pholcus ethagala species group

Diagnosis

This group (proposed in Huber 2011) includes medium-sized, long-legged spiders (body length ~3.0-

4.5, male leg 1 1 ength:~30^40); distinguished from similar species groups in Pholcus (P. minang and

P. kerinci groups proposed in Huber 2011, and P. buatong group proposed in Huber et al. 2016) by

combination of following characters: elongate abdomen slightly angular or pointed dorso-posteriorly

(Figs 5, 32); six eyes (in contrast to P. kerinci group; only the dubious P. vesculus Simon, 1901 with

eight eyes); male eye triads on stalks (Figs 39, 48, 77-80; in contrast to P. kerinci group); male chelicerae

with distinct proximal apophyses in frontal position (Figs 12, 17, 69, 74; in contrast to P. kerinci and

P. buatong groups), without distal apophyses (in contrast to P. minang group); male palpal trochanter with

short retrolateral apophysis and longer to very long ventral apophyses (Figs 11, 16, 68, 73; short only in

P. gombak Huber, 2011); male palpal patella dorsally not bulging (in contrast to P. buatong group); palpal

tarsus with dorsal elongation (Figs 11, 68; except P. phui Huber, 2011 and P. barisan Huber sp. nov.),

bulb with large and often complex appendix and weakly sclerotized embolus, without uncus; procursus

highly complex, with dorsal (sometimes rather prolateral) process and hinged distal element; epigynum

weakly sclerotized, with small ‘knob’ (Figs 13, 18, 70, 75; in contrast to P. buatong group).

Description - amendments

The original description (Huber 2011) is still largely valid. The following can be added: clypeus usually

unmodified but with pair of small processes in P. barisan Huber sp. nov. (Fig. 80); male palpal femur

ventrally very variable, from barely modified (P. barisan Huber sp. nov.; Fig. 73) to distinct processes

(P. ethagala Huber, 2011; P. phui Huber, 2011; P. ledang Huber, 2011; P. gombak Huber, 2011). Genital

bulb without uncus but in some species with small sclerite that originates from proximal bulbal sclerite

(arrows in Figs 15, 25, 67) and might be homologous to the uncus present in most other Pholcus groups.

HUBER B.A. et al., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Tibia 1 in males 6-10; tibia 1 L/d-80-105; tibia 2/tibia 4 usually about 1.05-1.15, in P. uludongHubcr

sp. nov. 1.00. Male gonopore usually with four epiandrous spigots (Figs 46, 57; the three spigots in the

specimen figured in Huber 2011: fig. 803 is probably an individual exception). Tarsus 4 comb-hairs of

the simplified Pholcus- type (cf. Huber & Fleclcenstein 2008), with four lateral tines (Figs 28, 50).

Composition

The P. ethagala group now includes ten species: two species on Sri Tanka (P. ethagala ; P. maturata

Huber, 2011), seven species on the Malay Peninsula (P. phui ; P. vesculus ; P. tanahrata Huber sp. nov.;

P. uludong Huber sp. nov; P. gombak\ P. ledang', P. bukittimah Huber sp. nov.) and one species on

Sumatra (P. barisan Huber sp. nov.). The poorly known P. vesculus is assigned tentatively and probably

misplaced (see Huber 2011). Originally, P. schwendingeri Huber, 2011 was also assigned tentatively to

this group; it has recently been transferred to the newly created P. buatong group (Huber et al. 2016).

Natural history

The seven species newly observed in the field (Malay Peninsula and Sumatra) were mostly found on

the undersides of large dead leaves on the ground. This is in contrast to the two Sri Fankan species

that supposedly live on live leaves (at least P. ethagala ; Huber 2011). Very few specimens of the

newly observed species were also found under logs (P. ledang) and in bamboo sheaths and under rocks

(P. gombak). The availability of suitable large leaves on the forest floor strongly influenced spider

abundance. Webs consisted of small domed sheets closely attached to the leaf surface. When disturbed,

the spiders barely reacted; they vibrated only for a short time at low amplitude or were not seen to

vibrate at all. Two egg-sacs (of two species) were parasitized by Idris Foerster, 1856 (Scelionidae,

Baeini) wasps (Figs 33-35, 62). For further information see individual descriptions below.

Distribution

The P. ethagala group is known from Sri Fanka (see Huber 2011; not treated herein and not shown in

Fig. 1) and from Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra; Fig. 1).

Pholcus phui Huber, 2011

Figs 2-3

Pholcus phui Huber, 2011: 178-180, figs 749-752, 779-780, 809-813 (c?$).

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on the

Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (figs 809-810 in Huber 2011; procursus with two

distinctive dorsal processes and curved distal process; large appendix distally with whitish element and

with sclerotized element set with small scales), and by details of female internal genitalia (figs 812-813

in Huber 2011; distinctive pair of anterior lateral structures; roundish pore plates close together).

New material examined

THAIFAND: 2 1 ?, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 15691), and 1 $, 1 ?, PSUZC, Narathiwat Province, Hala

Bala Wildlife Sanctuary, ‘site 3’ (5.808°N, 101.823°E), 220 m a.s.l., forest near road, leaf litter, 2 Mar.

2015 (B.A. Huber, B. Petcharad); 4 $ $, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 309), same data.

Description - amendments

Tibia 1 in three newly collected males: 9.3, 9.6, 9.7; tibia 2/tibia 4 length: 1.08.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Natural history

All specimens were collected within a small swampy area in the forest that was characterized by

numerous large dead leaves on the ground. Almost each of the largest leaves had an adult Pholcus

phui on its lower surface, while the more numerous smaller leaves were mostly either unoccupied or

occupied by juveniles. No further specimens were found during three days of collecting in various parts

of the forest.

Figs 2-9. Live specimens. 2-3. Pholcus phui Huber, 2011, Hala Bala, $ and $ with egg-sac.

4-7. P. tanahrata Huber sp. nov., Cameron Highlands, S, penultimate S, and §. 8-9. P. uludong Huber

sp. nov., Ulu Dong, <f and $.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Pholcus tanahraia Huber sp. nov.

urn: lsid: zoobank, org: act:F930688A-BB3D-4FEB-9F CE-3 AB42FDF 5 8 ID

Figs 4-7, 10-14, 77, 81-83

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on the

Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (Figs 10-11; procursus with two distinctive dorsal

processes, each with bifid tip), and by details of female internal genitalia (Figs 13, 14; pair of anteriorly

converging lateral sclerites visible through cuticle; elongate parallel pore plates).

Etymology

The species is named for Tanah Rata, the town close to the type locality; noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

MAFAYSIA: ZFMK (Ar 15692), Pahang, Cameron Highlands (4.460°N, 101.392°E), 1200 m a.s.l.,

forest along ‘trail 9\ leaf litter, 25 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber); adult 26 Feb. 2015; fixed 28 Feb. 2015.

Other material

MAFAYSIA: 1 §, ZFMK, together with holotype; 1 ZFMK (Ar 15693), same data, adult 1 Mar. 2015;

died while molting; fixed 2 Mar. 2015; 4 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 283), same data as

holotype.

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 3.9, carapace width 1.05. Teg 1: 38.5 (8.9 + 0.5 + 9.0 + 18.0 + 2.1),

tibia 2: 5.4, tibia 3: 3.3, tibia 4: 4.8; tibia 1 F/d: 103. Distance PME-PME 570 pm, diameter PME

125 pm, distance PME-AFE ~35 pm; AME absent.

Color. Carapace ochre-yellow with light brown triangular mark posteriorly, ocular area, eye stalks and

clypeus light brown, some irregular back pigment in AME area; sternum whitish, labium brown; legs

ochre-yellow with darker brown patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen ochre-gray with some

dark marks dorsally and laterally, monochromous ventrally.

Body. Habitus as in Figs 4-5; ocular area raised, each triad on long stalk (Fig. 77); carapace without

median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.76/0.52), unmodified.

Chelicerae. As in Fig. 12, with single pair of frontal proximal apophyses directed towards median;

without distal modification; without stridulatory ridges.

Palps. As in Figs 10-11; coxa unmodified; trochanter with very long curved retrolatero-ventral apophysis

and small weakly sclerotized retrolateral process; femur with indistinct retrolatero-dorsal hump

proximally and ventral hump more distally; tarsus with large rounded elongation; procursus complex,

proximal part with large ventral ‘knee’ and complex dorsal and prolateral processes; hinged distal part

with distinctive flat dorsal process and whitish areas retrolaterally and prolaterally, transparent processes

prolaterally; bulb with very large appendix, long slender embolus, with small uncus-like process partly

sclerotized as continuation of proximal bulbal sclerite (hidden by bulb in Fig. 10).

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at

3%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with apparently >30

pseudosegments, very indistinct except distally.

Figs 10-14. Pholcus tanahrata Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15692). 10-11. Left male palp, prolateral and

retrolateral views. 12. Male chelicerae, frontal view. 13-14. Cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal

views. Scale bars: 10-11, 13-14 = 0.5 mm; 12 = 0.3 mm.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Male (variation)

Tibia 1 in other male: 9.7; this second male died while molting and is thus very pale; genitalia identical

to holotype.

Female

In general similar to male but eye triads not on stalks and much closer together than in male (PME-PME

distance: 230 pm); clypeus and ocular area frontally dark brown. Tibia 1 in 1 female: 6.7. Epigynum

weakly sclerotized (Fig. 81), ‘knob’ at posterior rim also weakly sclerotized; distinctive internal sclerites

converging anteriorly (Fig. 13); internal genitalia as in Figs 14, 82, 83.

Natural history

All specimens were found under large dead leaves on the ground. Such leaves were very rare at the type

locality, which explains the low number of specimens despite several hours of intensive search.

Distribution

Known from type locality in Malaysia only (Fig. 1).

Pholcus uludong Huber sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B379B03A-5BA0-4FEF-816D-DE9C3E6068A9

Figs 8-9, 15-31, 78, 84-86

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on the

Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (Figs 15-16; procursus with large flat dorsal process;

large appendix distally with two rounded sclerotized elements set with small scales; relatively straight

trochanter apophysis similar only to P. phui ), by large anterior square-shaped structure in female internal

genitalia, and by elongate anteriorly converging pore plates (Figs 18-19).

Etymology

The species name is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

MALAYSIA: 3, ZFMK (Ar 15694), Pahang, Ulu Dong, ‘site 2’ (3.937°N, 102.032°E), 190 m a.s.l.,

forest near river, leaf litter, 21 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M. Ghazali, K.A. Braima).

Other material

MALAYSIA: 7 SS, 6 5 ?, ZFMK (Ar 15695-96), and 1 3, 1 $, MZUM, same data as holotype; 1 juv.

in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 261), same data; 2 33, 2 ZFMK (Ar 15697), Ulu Dong, ‘site

V (3.942°N, 102.027°E), 190 m a.s.l., forest near river, leaf litter, 20 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M.

Ghazali, K.A. Braima); 2^5,1 juv., in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 250).

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 3.7, carapace width 1.05. Leg 1: 32.4 (7.6 + 0.4 + 7.7 + 14.8 + 1.9),

tibia 2: 4.3, tibia 3: 2.9, tibia 4: 4.3; tibia 1 L/d: 88. Distance PME-PME 520 pm, diameter PME 115 pm,

distance PME-ALE ~35 pm; AME absent.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Color. Carapace ochre-yellow with light brown median V-mark, clypeus light brown, ocular area not

darkened; sternum ochre-yellow with slightly darker margins; legs ochre-yellow with darker brown

patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen ochre-gray with small black marks dorsally and laterally.

Figs 15-19. Pholcus uludong Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15695-96). 15-16. Left male palp, prolateral

and retrolateral views; arrow points at uncus-like process of proximal bulbal sclerite. 17. Male

chelicerae, frontal view. 18-19. Cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. Scale bars: 15-16,

18-19 = 0.5 mm ; 17 = 0.3 mm

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 8; ocular area raised and each triad on long stalk (Figs 20, 78); carapace without

median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.70/0.54), unmodified. AFS with one

widened, one pointed, and six smaller cylindrically-shaped spigots (Fig. 29).

Chelicerae. As in Fig. 17, with single pair of frontal proximal apophyses; without distal modification;

without stridulatory ridges.

Palps. As in Figs 15-16, 22; coxa unmodified; trochanter with very long straight retrolatero-ventral

apophysis and small retrolateral apophysis; femur with dorsal and ventral rounded processes; procursus

Figs 20-25. Pholcus uludong Huber sp. nov., SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15695-96). 20-21. Male

and female prosomata, frontal views. 22. Right male palp, retrolateral view. 23. Right procursus and

bulb, dorsal view. 24-25. Feft bulb with appendix and embolus, prolateral and prolatero-dorsal views;

arrow points at uncus-like process of proximal bulbal sclerite. Scale bars: 20, 22 = 300 pm; 21, 23 = 200

pm; 24-25 = 100 pm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

very complex, proximal part with large dorsal flat process with serrated rim (Figs 23, 27); with hinged

distal elements; bulb with large appendix (Figs 24-25), long slender embolus, and two rounded processes

at base of appendix, one partly sclerotized as continuation of proximal bulbal sclerite.

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with ~30 pseudosegments,

indistinct and apparently irregular. Tarsus 4 comb-hairs as in Fig. 28.

Figs 26-31. Pholcus uludong Huber sp. nov., SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15695-96). 26. Male ocular

area, dorsal view. 27. Dorsal process of right procursus. 28. Comb-hairs on male tarsus 4. 29-30. Male

and female ALS. 31. Epigynum, ventral view. Scale bars: 26, 31 = 200 pm; 27 = 60 pm; 28-30 = 20 pm.

HUBER B.A. et al., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Male (variation)

Tibia 1 in 9 other males: 6.3-7.8 (mean 7.1).

Female

In general similar to male (Fig. 9) but eye triads not on stalks and much closer together than in male

(Fig. 21; PME-PME distance: 195 pm); clypeus darker brown. Tibia 1 in 9 females: 5.3-5.7 (mean 5.5).

Epigynum weakly sclerotized and strongly bulging plate (Fig. 84), only posterior rim slightly more

sclerotized, with small elongate ‘knob’ (Figs 18, 31); internal genitalia with large anterior square-shaped

sclerite visible through cuticle and pair of weakly sclerotized folds more laterally (Figs 19, 85-86). AES

as in male (Fig. 30).

Natural history

All specimens were found under large dead leaves on the ground. They barely reacted to disturbance.

Distribution

Known from type locality in Malaysia only (Fig. 1).

Pholcus gombak Huber, 2011

Figs 32-35, 39M7

Pholcus gombak Huber, 2011: 180-183, figs 757-760, 784-785, 819-822 ((?$).

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on the

Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (figs 819-820 in Huber 2011; short ventral trochanter

apophysis; procursus proximal part with prolateral rather than dorsal process, with large retrolatero-

ventral whitish area, with distinctive complex tip), and by details of female internal genitalia (figs 821-

822 in Huber 2011; pore plates widening anteriorly).

New material examined

MAFAYSIA: 3 9 ? ?, ZFMK (Ar 15698-99), and 1 $, 1 $, MZUM, Selangor, Kemensah (3.222°N,

101.793°E), 230 m a.s.l., forest along stream, leaf litter, 19 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M. Ghazali,

K.A. Braima, M. Muslimin); 1 $, 4 $ $, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 247), same data; 2 $$, 2 $ §,

ZFMK (Ar 15700), Selangor, Fraser’s Hill (3.660°N, 101.743°E), 730 m a.s.l., forest near road, leaf

litter, 21 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M. Ghazali, K.A. Braima); 1 $, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK

(Mai 262), same data; 8 $$, 8 $ §, ZFMK (Ar 15701-02), and 1 $, 1 $, MZUM, Perak, Gunung Fiang

(3.795°N, 101.533°E), 250 m a.s.l., forest along river, leaf litter, 22 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, A.R.M.

Ghazali, K.A. Braima); 3 $ $, 2 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 267), same data; 1 $, in absolute

ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 305), same data, with parasitized egg-sac, wasps eclosed on 1 Mar. 2015.

Description - amendments

Whitish area on procursus set with many small cuticular pointed processes (Fig. 45), procursus proximal

part with prolateral rather than dorsal process (asterisk in Fig. 41). Appendix with prolateral groove and

dense cover of small scales (Figs 42M3). Male gonopore with four epiandrous spigots (Fig. 46). AES

with one large widened, one pointed, and six smaller cylindrically-shaped spigots (Fig. 44). Tibia 1 in

13 males: 6.8-8.6 (mean 7.8); in 17 females: 5.4-6.6 (mean 6.1).

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1 —45 ( 2016 )

Natural history

Most specimens were found under large dead leaves on the ground. At Kemensah, they also lived in

bamboo sheaths and in sheltered spaces under rocks. The egg-sac of one female from Gunung Liang was

parasitized by Idris wasps (Figs 33-35).

Figs 32-38. Live specimens. 32-35. Pholcus gombak Huber, 2011, Kemensah (32) and Gunung Liang

(33-35), S, $ with parasitized egg-sac seven days before eclosion of wasps (33), one day before eclosion

(34), and at eclosion (35). 36-38. P. ledang Huber, 2011, Gunung Ledang, S and $ with egg-sac.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Figs 39^7. Pholcus gornbak Huber, 2011, SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15701-02). 39-40. Male and

female prosomata, frontal views. 41. Left procursus; asterisk marks large prolatero-dorsal process. 42-

43. Right appendix and embolus, prolateral and prolatero-distal views. 44. Female ALS. 45. Cuticular

processes on whitish retrolateral area of left procursus. 46. Male gonopore. 47. Epigynum, ventral view.

Scale bars: 39—40 = 300 pm; 41, 47 = 200 pm; 42, 43 = 100 pm; 44 = 20 pm; 45 = 10 pm; 46 = 30 pm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Pholcus ledang Huber, 2011

Figs 36-38, 48-58

Pholcus ledang Huber, 2011: 180, figs 753-756, 781-783, 814-818 ($$).

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on the

Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (figs 814-815 in Huber 2011, Fig. 54; procursus with

Figs 48-53. Pholcus ledang Yluber, 2011, SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15704-05). 48-49. Male and

female prosomata, frontal views. 50. Comb hairs on male tarsus 4. 51-52. Right appendix and embolus,

prolateral and distal views. 53. Female ALS. Scale bars: 48 = 300 pm; 49 = 200 pm; 50 = 10 pm;

51-52 = 100 pm; 53 = 20 pm.

HUBER B.A. et al ., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

distinctive pair of retrolateral ridges and complex distal elements), and by details of female internal

genitalia (figs 817-818 in Huber 2011; large U-shaped anterior sclerite; small oval pore plates far apart).

New material examined

MALAYSIA: 5 7 ??, 2 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 15703-05), and 1 S, 1 ?, MZUM, Johor, Gunung

Ledang, forest near Puteri Falls (2.355°N, 102.635°E), 110 m a.s.l., leaf litter, 17-18 Feb. 2015 (B.A.

Huber); 1 <$, 4 5 ?, 1 juv., in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Mai 237, Mai 242), same data.

Description - amendments

Whitish area on procursus set with many small cuticular pointed processes (Fig. 56). Appendix with

prolateral groove and dense cover of small scales (Figs 51, 52). Male gonopore with four epiandrous

spigots (Fig. 57). ALS with one large widened, one pointed, and six smaller cylindrically-shaped spigots

(Fig. 53). Tibia 1 in 5 males: 6.6-7.7 (mean 7.1); in 8 females: 5.0-6.0 (mean 5.5). Tarsus 4 comb-hairs

as in Fig. 50.

Natural history

Specimens were found under tree logs and under dead leaves on the ground. They barely moved when

disturbed, other than a short burst of low-amplitude vibration.

Figs 54-58. Pholcus ledang Huber, 2011, SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15704-05). 54. Left procursus,

retrolateral view. 55. Right procursus, distal view. 56. Cuticular processes on whitish retrolateral

area of left procursus. 57. Male gonopore. 58. Epigynum, ventral view. Scale bars: 54, 58 = 200 pm;

55 = 100 pm; 56 = 10 pm; 57 = 30 pm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Pholcus bukittimah Huber sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:93CDF3AF-2A6D-4AFE-926B-3FE43BBD495E

Figs 59-62, 67-71, 79, 87-89

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (other species of the P. ethagala group on

the Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (Figs 67-68; extremely long curved male palpal

trochanter apophysis; procursus with slender dorsal process and long whitish retrolateral area), and by

details of female internal genitalia (Figs 70-71; anterior triangular sclerite; semicircular pore plates;

posterior rectangular structure).

Figs 59-66. Live specimens. 59-62. Pholcus bukittimah Huber sp. nov., Dairy Farm, penultimate

and $ with partly parasitized egg-sac. 63-66. P. barisan Huber sp. nov., Bukit Barisan, f and $ $ with

variably expanded abdomens.

HUBER B.A. et al ., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Etymology

The species is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

SINGAPORE: 3, ZFMK (Ar 15706), Bukit Timah, Dairy Farm Nature Park (1.360°N, 103.778°E),

50 m a.s.l., leaf litter near Wallace Trail, 15 Feb. 2015 (B.A. Huber, J.K.H. Koh).

Other material

SINGAPORE: 1 3, 1 ?, ZFMK (Ar 15707), same data as holotype; 2 §§, in absolute ethanol,

ZFMK (Mai 212, Mai 256), same data.

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 3.5, carapace width 0.95. Teg 1: 29.5 (6.9 + 0.4 + 7.0 + 13.4 + 1.8),

tibia2: 4.0, tibia 3: 2.5, tibia4: 3.9; tibia 1 F/d: 84. Distance PME-PME 440 pm, diameter PME 115 pm,

distance PME-AFE ~35 pm; AME absent.

Color. Carapace pale ochre-yellow with light brown median V-mark posteriorly, clypeus light brown,

ocular area not darkened; sternum whitish; legs ochre-yellow with darker brown patellae and tibia-

metatarsus joints; abdomen gray with some black marks dorsally and laterally.

Body. Habitus as in Figs 59-60; ocular area raised and each triad on long stalk (Fig. 79); carapace

without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.62/0.48), unmodified.

Chelicerae. As in Fig. 69, with single pair of frontal proximal apophyses; without distal modification;

without stridulatory ridges.

Palps. As in Figs 67-68; coxa unmodified; trochanter with very long curved retrolatero-ventral apophysis

and small weakly sclerotized retrolateral process; femur with indistinct ventral humps proximally and

distally; tarsus with large rounded elongation; procursus complex, proximal part with distinctive dorsal

process; hinged distal part with large whitish area retrolaterally and transparent fringed processes

prolaterally; bulb with very large appendix, long slender embolus, and small uncus-like process partly

sclerotized as continuation of proximal bulbal sclerite.

Fegs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at

2%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 pseudosegments very

indistinct, apparently irregular.

Male (variation)

Tibia 1 in other male: 7.7.

Female

In general similar to male (Fig. 62) but eye triads not on stalks and much closer together than in male

(PME-PME distance: 200 pm); clypeus and ocular area frontally dark brown, with pair of small black

marks in area of AME (but without lenses). Tibia 1 in 1 female: 5.8. Epigynum weakly sclerotized

(Fig. 87), only posterior rim slightly more sclerotized, with small dark ‘knob’ (Fig. 70); large anterior

triangular internal sclerite visible through cuticle; internal genitalia as in Figs 71, 88-89.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

fa'***'

a vV

' m

.. -V

: fa

Figs 67-71. Pholcus bukittimah Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15706-07). 67-68. Left male palp, prolateral

and retrolateral views; arrow points at uncus-like process of proximal bulbal sclerite. 69. Male chelicerae,

frontal view. 70-71. Cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. Scale bars: 67-68,70-71 = 0.5 mm;

69 = 0.3 mm

HUBER B.A. et al ., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Natural history

All specimens were found in an area of the forest where large dead leaves on the ground were abundant.

They built their domed webs closely attached to the undersides of the leaves. A few eggs in an egg-sac

of one female were parasitized by Idris wasps (Fig. 62).

Distribution

Known from type locality in Singapore only (Fig. 1).

Pholcus barisan Huber sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:20779D81-A780-4FBD-92F6-78BD201FE319

Figs 63-66, 72-76, 80, 90-92

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relatives (representatives of the P. ethagala group on the

Malay Peninsula) by morphology of male palps (Figs 72-73; very long dorsal process of procursus;

relative straight male palpal trochanter apophysis similar to P. uludong Huber sp. nov. and P. phui but

shorter; shape of relatively small appendix), by modified male clypeus (pair of small dark processes;

Fig. 80), by male eye stalks directed more towards lateral (Fig. 80), and by details of female internal

genitalia (Figs 75, 76; anterior undulating sclerite; large posterior semicircular structure).

Etymology

The species name is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

INDONESIA: $, ZFMK (Ar 15708), Sumatra, Fampung, Bukit Barisan (5.528°S, 104.424°E), 550-

600 m a.s.l., forest near road, leaf litter, 24 Oct. 2009 (S. Sutono).

Other material

INDONESIA: 6 $¥, 3 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 15709), same data as holotype; 4 55, 1 juv., in absolute

ethanol, ZFMK (Ind 153), same data.

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 3.3, carapace width 0.9. Teg 1: 33.2 (7.6 + 0.4 + 7.7 + 15.6 + 1.9),

tibia2: 4.5, tibia 3: 2.6, tibia4: 4.0; tibia 1 F/d: 96. Distance PME-PME 510 pm, diameter PME 100 pm,

distance PME-AFE ~30 pm; AME absent.

Color. Carapace pale ochre-yellow with large dark brown mark posteriorly, dark median line, ocular

area, stalks and clypeus also dark brown; irregular black marks in place of AME; sternum whitish; legs

ochre-yellow with darker brown to black patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen ochre-gray with

some darker marks dorsally and laterally.

Body. Habitus as in Figs 63-64; ocular area raised, each triad on long stalk directed laterad and dorsad

(Fig. 80); carapace without median furrow; clypeus with pair of small dark processes at rim; sternum

wider than long (0.60/0.53), unmodified.

Chelicerae. As in Fig. 74, with single pair of frontal proximal apophyses; without distal modification;

without stridulatory ridges.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Figs 72-76. Pholcus barisan Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15708-09). 72-73. Left male palp, prolateral

and retrolateral views. 74. Male chelicerae, frontal view. 75-76. Cleared female genitalia, ventral and

dorsal views. Scale bars: 72-73, 75-76 = 0.5 mm; 74 = 0.3 mm.

HUBER B.A. et al. , Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Figs 77-80. Male prosomata, frontal views. 77. Pholcus tanahrata Huber sp. nov. 78. P uladong Huber

sp. nov. 79. P. bukittimah Huber sp. nov. 80. P. barisan Huber sp. nov.

Figs 81-86. Epigyna, ventral views, and cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. 81-

83. Pholcus tanahrata Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15692). 84-86. P. uludong Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK,

Ar 15696).

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Palps. As in Figs 72-73; coxa with indistinct ventral hump; trochanter with very long almost straight

retrolatero-ventral apophysis and small retrolateral process; femur with indistinct retrolateral hump;

tarsus without dorsal elongation; procursus complex, proximal part with distinctive dorsal process

forming retrolateral groove distally, ventral side heavily sclerotized, dorsal side semitransparent; hinged

distal part with large prolatero-dorsal flap and weakly sclerotized prolateral process lying parallel to

procursus; bulb with rather simple appendix, long slender embolus, without uncus.

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at

3%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 pseudosegments very

indistinct, apparently irregular.

Female

In general similar to male (Figs 65-66) but eye triads not on stalks and much closer together than in

male (PME-PME distance: 240 pm); dark posterior mark on carapace smaller than in male, without

median dark line on carapace; with pair of small black marks in area of AME (but without lenses);

clypeus unmodified and only in upper third dark brown. Tibia 1 in 6 females: 6.0-6.9 (mean 6.4).

Some females (and juveniles) with laterally strongly widened abdomen (Fig. 65). Epigynum weakly

Figs 87-92. Epigyna, ventral views, and cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. 87-

89. Pholcus bukittimah Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15707). 90-92. P. barisan Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK,

Ar 15709).

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

sclerotized (Fig. 90), with small ‘knob’ at posterior rim (Fig 75); internal anterior arc undulating, visible

through cuticle; internal genitalia as in Figs 76, 91-92.

Natural history

All specimens were found under large dead leaves on the ground. They hung in domed sheet webs

closely attached to the leaf surface. They barely moved when disturbed and were not seen to vibrate.

Distribution

Known from type locality in Sumatra only (Fig. 1).

Pholcus tambunan species group

Diagnosis

The two species included in this group are medium-sized, long-legged spiders (body length ~4, male leg 1

length: -35^10), distinguished from other species groups in Pholcus by combination of the following

characters: elongate abdomen angular dorso-posteriorly (Figs 94, 98); six eyes; male chelicerae with

distinctive distal apophyses (flat sclerites without modified hairs; Figs 103, 108, 120); most palpal

structures unusually long (in particular genital bulb; Figs 101, 121); male bulb without uncus; epigynum

weakly sclerotized, scape directed towards anterior with terminal ‘knob’ (Figs 104, 123); female internal

genitalia with pair of highly distinctive three-layered telescopic tubes (Figs 105, 124).

Description

See individual descriptions of the two very similar species below.

Composition

Only the two species described below.

Natural history

Both species were found on the undersides of live leaves where they built very fine webs tightly attached

to the leaf surface. Both species were frequently seen to share their webs with cecidomyiid flies. For

further information, see descriptions below.

Distribution

The P tambunan group is restricted to northern Borneo (Fig. 1).

Pholcus tambunan Huber sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:5FD747F9-A402-4C77-BFC0-B26BDCDB10B5

Figs 93-96, 101-119, 125-127

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relative (P. bario Huber sp. nov.) by morphology of

male palps (Figs 101-102; shorter trochanter apophysis; wider femur; distinctive structures on tip of

procursus), by different shapes of frontal cheliceral apophyses (Fig. 103), and by shorter epigynal scape

(Figs 104, 119).

Etymology

The species is named for Tambunan, the town close to the type locality; noun in apposition.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1 —45 (2016)

Material examined

Holotype

MALAYSIA-BORNEO: <$, ZFMK (Ar 15710), Sabah, Crocker Range between Kota Kinabalu and

Tambunan, S-slope, forest along river (5.783°N, 116.339°E), 1430-1480 m a.s.l., on underside of leaf,

3 Aug. 2014 (B.A. Huber, S.B. Huber).

Other material

MALAYSIA-BORNEO: 4 33 ,3 $ $, ZFMK (Ar 15711-12), and 1 3 ,1 ?, SMK, same data as holotype;

2 $ J, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Bor 172), same data. 2 SS, 1 §, ZFMK (Ar 15713), Crocker

Range between Kota Kinabalu and Tambunan, N-slope, forest along river (5.834°N, 116.336°E), 1600

m a.s.l., undersides of leaves, 3 Aug. 2014 (B.A. Huber, S.B. Huber); 2 $ $, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK

(Bor 167), same data; 2 <$<$, 14 §?, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 15714-15), Mt. Kinabalu, forest along Silau

Silau Trail (6.010-6.017°N, 116.537-116.543°E), 1550-1650 m a.s.l., on undersides of leaves, 6 Aug.

2014 (B.A. Huber, S.B. Huber); 4 55, 2 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Bor 212), same data; 1 S,

Figs 93-100. Live specimens. 93-96. Pholcus tambunan Huber sp. nov., Crocker Range, c?, penultimate

S, and 5 with egg-sac. 97-100. P. bario Huber sp. nov., Bario, S and 5 with egg-sac.

HUBER B.A. et al ., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Figs 101-105. Pholcus tamhunan Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15711-12). 101-102. Left male palp,

prolateral and retrolateral views. 103. Male chelicerae, frontal view. 104-105. Cleared female genitalia,

ventral and dorsal views. Scale bars: 101-102, 104-105 = 0.5 mm; 103 = 0.3 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200 : 1—45 ( 2016 )

Figs 106-113. Pholcus tambunan Huber sp. nov., SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15711, 15715).

106-107. Male and female prosomata, frontal views. 108. Right male cheliceral apophysis. 109. Right

procursus, retrolateral view. 110. Left procursus, prolateral view. 111. Proximal parts of left appendix

and embolus. 112. Male ocular area, dorsal view. 113. Comb-hairs on male tarsus 4. Scale bars: 106—

107, 112 = 200 pm; 108 = 20 pm; 109-111 = 100 pm; 113 = 10 pm.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

1 5, AMNH, Mt. Kinabalu, 1550 m a.s.l., 24 Jul. 1980 (C.L. & RR. Deeleman); 1 RMNH, same data

but river trail, 27 Apr. 1979; 3 1 $, RMNH, same data but river trail, 21-25 Aug. 1980; 1 c?, 1 ?,

RMNH, same data but 1-5 May 1991.

Assigned tentatively

MALAYSIA-BORNEO: 1 ? (abdomen only), RMNH, Sepilok, 25 km E Sandakan [5.87°N, 117.94°E],

1 Oct. 1980 (P. Zborowski).

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 4.1, carapace width 1.0. Leg 1: 37.3 (8.8 + 0.4 + 8.8 + 17.0 + 2.3),

tibia 2: 5.6, tibia 3: 3.3, tibia 4: 5.0; tibia 1 L/d: 100. Distance PME-PME 450 pm, diameter PME 130

pm, distance PME-ALE ~35 pm; no trace of AME.

Color. Carapace whitish with dark median mark widening anteriorly and including ocular area and

clypeus in upper part and laterally; sternum whitish; legs pale ochre-yellow with dark brown patellae and

Figs 114-119. Pholcus tambunanHuber sp. nov., SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15711,15715). 114. Male

left palpal tarsal organ. 115. Tip of left embolus. 116. Male gonopore. 117. Base of trichobothrium on

male palpal tibia. 118. Female ALS. 119. Epigynum, ventral view. Scale bars: 114, 118 = 20 pm; 115 =

50 pm; 116 = 40 pm; 117 = 8 pm; 119 = 200 pm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen pale ochre-gray with black marks dorsally and laterally, monochromous

ventrally.

Body. Habitus as in Figs 93-94; ocular area slightly raised, each triad on additional short stalk directed

towards lateral (Fig. 106); carapace without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than

long (0.70/0.54), unmodified. Gonopore with four epiandrous spigots (Fig. 116).

Chelicerae. As in Fig. 103, with distinctive pair of frontal apophyses (large flat plates, distally drawn out

into small tip; Fig. 108) and rounded lateral humps; without modified hairs; without stridulatory ridges.

Palps. As in Figs 101-102; coxa unmodified; trochanter with strong ventral apophysis; femur cylindrical,

with indistinct prolateral hump proximally; tibia with distinctively elevated dorso-distal rim; tarsal organ

as in Fig. 114; procursus with strong ventral ‘knee’, with distinctive small prolateral sclerotized process

at 1/3 length, distal half with large whitish area retrolaterally, tip complex with distinctive sclerites

(Figs 109, 110); bulb elongated, long appendix with distinctive prolateral process provided with small

teeth, further teeth along ventral rim, proximal processes of appendix ‘guiding’ embolus between them

(Fig. Ill); embolus long and weakly sclerotized, tip as in Fig. 115.

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 2%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 pseudosegments not seen in

dissecting microscope. Tarsus 4 comb-hairs as in Fig. 113.

Male (variation)

Tibia 1 in 7 other males: 8.2-9.3 (mean 8.6).

Female

In general similar to male (Fig. 96) but carapace mark only in posterior half; ocular area dark as in

male but clypeus light. Eye triads much closer together than in male (Fig. 107; PME-PME distance:

265 pm). Dark marks on abdomen less distinct or even absent. Tibia 1 in 18 females: 6.2-7.2 (mean 6.7).

Epigynum weakly sclerotized (Fig. 125), wide transversal plate with scape directed towards anterior

(Fig. 104); dark internal arch and lateral posterior structures visible through cuticle; internal genitalia as

in Figs 105, 126, 127, with pair of highly distinctive three-layered telescopic tubes. ALS with one large

widened, one pointed, and six smaller cylindrically-shaped spigots (Fig. 118). The female from Sepilok

is assigned tentatively because no male is known from this locality.

Natural history

The spiders were found on the undersides of live leaves about 50-200 cm above the ground. They

built barely visible silk platforms directly attached to the leaf surface rather than the ‘usual’ pholcid

domes. Several webs were occupied (in addition to the spider) by large numbers of Diptera (probably

Cecidomyiidae, not collected).

Distribution

Known from three localities in northeastern Borneo (Sabah) (Fig. 1; but note that the single specimen

from Sepilok is assigned tentatively).

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Pholcus bario Huber sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D680CB67-1525-4263-B8D4-8E44E587C51E

Figs 97-100, 121-124, 128-130

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most similar known relative (P. tambunan Huber sp. nov.) by morphology of

male palps (Figs 121-122; longer trochanter apophysis; more slender femur; distinctive structures on

tip of procursus), by different shapes of frontal cheliceral apophyses (Fig. 120), and by longer epigynal

scape (Fig. 123).

Etymology

The species name is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

MALAYSIA-BORNEO: S, ZFMK (Ar 15716), Sarawak, Bario, forest along river W of town (3.736°N,

115.437-115.443°E), 1150-1250 m a.s.l., on underside of leaf, 30 Jul. 2014 (B.A. Huber, S.B. Huber).

Other material

MALAYSIA-BORNEO: 2 $$, 2 § §, ZFMK (Ar 15717-18), same data as holotype; 2 $ $, in absolute

ethanol, ZFMK (Bor 232), same data.

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 3.9, carapace width 0.9. Leg 1: 34.5 (8.1 + 0.4 + 8.2 + 15.5 + 2.3),

tibia 2: 5.3, tibia 3: 3.2, tibia 4: 4.7; tibia 1 L/d: 104. Distance PME-PME 370 pm, diameter PME 95 pm,

distance PME-ALE ~35 pm; no trace of AME.

Color. Carapace whitish with dark median mark widening anteriorly and including ocular area and

clypeus in upper part and laterally; sternum whitish; legs pale ochre-yellow with dark brown patellae and

tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen pale ochre-gray with black marks dorsally and laterally, monochromous

ventrally.

Body. Habitus as in Figs 97-99; ocular area slightly raised, each triad on additional short stalk directed

towards lateral (Fig. 120); carapace without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than

long (0.64/0.52), unmodified.

Chelicerae. As in Fig. 120, with distinctive pair of frontal apophyses (large flat curved plates) and small

rounded lateral humps; without modified hairs; without stridulatory ridges.

Palps. As in Figs 121-122; coxa unmodified; trochanter with strong ventral apophysis; femur cylindrical,

with two small retrolateral humps proximally and small ventral hump at half length; procursus with strong

ventral ‘knee’, with distinctive small prolateral sclerotized process at A length (arrow in Fig. 121), distal

half with large whitish area retrolaterally, tip complex with distinctive sclerites; bulb elongated, long

appendix with distinctive prolateral process provided with small teeth, further teeth along ventral rim,

proximal processes of appendix ‘guiding’ embolus between them; embolus long and weakly sclerotized.

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 2%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 pseudosegments not seen in

dissecting microscope.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

Figs 120-124. Pholcus bario Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15717-18). 120. Male prosoma, frontal view.

121-122. Left male palp, prolateral and retrolateral views; arrow points at prolateral finger-shaped

process of procursus. 123-124. Cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. Scale bars: 120,

123-124 = 0.3 mm; 121-122 = 0.5 mm

HUBER B.A. et al ., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Male (variation)

Tibia 1 in 2 other males: 7.8, 8.0.

Female

In general similar to male (Fig. 100) but carapace mark only in posterior half; ocular area dark as in male

but clypeus light. Eye triads closer together than in male (PME-PME distance: 230 pm). Dark marks on

abdomen less distinct. Tibia 1 in 2 females: 6.6 (both). Epigynum weakly sclerotized (Fig. 128), wide

transversal plate with long scape directed towards anterior (Fig. 123); dark internal arch and lateral

posterior structures visible through cuticle; internal genitalia as in Figs 124, 129, 130, with pair of highly

distinctive three-layered telescopic tubes.

Natural history

All specimens were found in one small section of forest along a small river. No further specimens were

found in two days of intensive search. They built barely visible webs on the undersides of live leaves,

and often shared webs with large numbers of Diptera (Cecidomyiidae, in ZFMK).

Distribution

Known from type locality in northern Borneo (Sarawak) only (Fig. 1).

Figs 125-130. Epigyna, ventral views, and cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. 125-

127. Pholcus tambunan Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15712). 128-130. P. bario Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK,

Ar 15718).

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

Pholcus domingo species group

Diagnosis

The two species included in this group are medium-sized, long-legged spiders (body length -4.5, male

leg 1 length:-3 5M-0), distinguished from similar P. kerinci group by bipartite appendix (sclerotized

retrolateral and whitish prolateral part; Figs 140, 150, 157), by shape of procursus (presence of dorsal

process; absence of distal spine-lilce process; Figs 141, 158), and by dorsal trichobothrium of male

palpal tibia in ‘usual’ position (i.e., at -45% of tibia length, versus 55-60% in R kerinci group); from

other species groups in Pholcus by combination of the following characters: elongate abdomen angular

dorso-posteriorly (Fig. 139); eight eyes; male chelicerae almost unmodified (indistinct lateral humps

proximally; Fig. 142); male genital bulb without uncus; epigynum weakly sclerotized, with numerous

transversal folds (Figs 143, 156, 159).

Description

See individual descriptions of the two very similar species below.

Composition

Only the two species described below.

Natural history

Both species were found on the undersides of live leaves where they built very fine webs tightly attached

to the leaf surface. For further information, see description of P. domingo Huber sp. nov. below.

Distribution

The P. domingo group is restricted to Mindanao (Fig. 1).

Pholcus domingo Huber sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:DE8B7640-CDlE-469F-B43B-BF319FEB156E

Figs 131-137, 140-156, 161-163

Diagnosis

Distinguished from most similar known relative (P. matutum Huber sp. nov.) by morphology of male

palps (Figs 140-141; longer procursus with shorter dorsal process; appendix with long rod-shaped main

branch); females of these two species are difficult to separate (internal genitalia relatively shorter in

P. matutum Huber sp. nov.; compare Figs 144 and 160).

Etymology

The species name is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

P HI LIPPINES: 3, ZFMK (Ar 15719), Mindanao, Bulcidnon Prov., Santo Domingo (7.782°N,

125.397°E), 560 m a.s.l., forest remnant along brook, on leaf, 8-9 Feb. 2014 (B.A. Huber, E. Mondejar).

Other material

PHILIPPINES: 9 33 , 9 55, 2 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 15720-21), and 1 (?, 1 ?, MSU-IIT, same data as

holotype; 2 33 , 5 $$, in absolute ethanol, same data, ZFMK (Phi 287); 1 $ with parasitized egg-sac,

in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Phi 286), same data; 5 33 , 4 55, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 15722), near Santo

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Domingo, Malangob (7.789°N, 125.384°E), 570 m a.s.l., forest along brook, on leaves, 9 Feb. 2014

(B.A. Huber, E. Mondejar).

Assigned tentatively

PHILIPPINES, Mindanao: 1 3, 1 $, ZFMK (Ar 15723), Bukidnon Prov., CEDAR (Center for

Ecological Development and Recreation) (8.251°N, 125.034°E), 760 m a.s.l., forest along river, on

Figs 131-139. Live specimens and dorsal color patterns, Pholcus domingo group. 131-137. Pholcus

domingo Huber sp. nov., 3 and $ with parasitized egg-sac from Santo Domingo (131-132), habitus of

S3 from Santo Domingo (133) and Mt. Mupo (134), and carapace dorsal views, $ and $ from Santo

Domingo (135-136) and $ from Mt. Mupo (137). 138-139. P. matutum Huber sp. nov., Mt. Matutum,

3 and $ with egg-sac.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

leaves, 16 Feb. 2014 (B.A. Huber, E. Mondejar); 1 5,3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Phi 249),

same data; 2 SS, 3 §§, 2 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 15724), and 2 SS, MSU-IIT, same locality, 15 Nov. 2014

(E.P. Mondejar); 1 3 5?, ZFMK (Ar 15725), Davao del Sur Prov., Malagos Watershed (7.184°N,

125.415°E), 390 m a.s.l., forest along river, on leaves, 14 Feb. 2014 (B.A. Huber, E. Mondejar); 1 1 §,

Figs 140-144. Pholcus domingo Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15720-21). 140-141. Left male palp,

prolateral and retrolateral views. 142. Male chelicerae, frontal view. 143-144. Cleared female genitalia,

ventral and dorsal views. Scale bars: 140-141 = 0.5 mm; 142-144 = 0.3 mm

HUBER B.A. et al ., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

1 juv. (identity of juvenile uncertain), in absolute ethanol, ZFMK (Phi 260), same data; 1 $, ZFMK (Ar

15726), Davao City, MarilogDistr., Epol Falls, ‘site r(7.456°N, 125.237°E), llOOma.s.l., 1 Dec. 2014

(M.A. Responte); 1 S, ZFMK (Ar 15727), Fanao del Sur Prov., Marawi City, Mt. Mupo (8.018°N,

124.301°E), 20 Nov. 2014 (N.U. Elias); 2 $$, 4 §§, 6 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 15728), Maguindanao Prov.,

Dimapatoy Watershed (7.141°N, 124.202°E), 17 Dec. 2014 (N.U. Elias).

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 4.5, carapace width 0.9. Feg 1: 35.9 (8.6 + 0.4 + 8.7 + 16.6 + 1.6),

tibia 2: 5.4, tibia 3: 3.0, tibia 4: 4.5; tibia 1 F/d: 107. Distance PME-PME 250 pm, diameter PME

100><120 pm, distance PME-AFE ~30 pm; distance AME-AME 40 pm, diameter AME 15 pm.

Color. Carapace pale ochre with pair of dark marks near median line posteriorly, ocular area also dark,

clypeus pale ochre; sternum grey-brown, with light mark behind labium; legs ochre-yellow with dark

brown patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen pale ochre-gray with black marks dorsally and

laterally, monochromous ventrally except pair of small brown spots in book-lung area.

Body. Habitus as in Figs 131 and 133; ocular area slightly raised, each triad on additional short hump

(Fig. 148); carapace without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.60/0.50),

unmodified. Gonopore with four epiandrous spigots (Fig. 152).

Chelicerae. As in Fig. 142, barely modified, with indistinct lateral humps proximally, without distal

modification, without modified hairs; without stridulatory ridges.

Figs 145-147. Pholcus domingo Huber sp. nov., tips of left procursi, retrolateral views. 145. Dimapatoy

(ZFMK, Ar 15728). 146. Santo Domingo (type locality) (ZFMK, Ar 15720). 147. Mt. Mupo (ZFMK,

Ar 15727). Scale bar = 0.3 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

Figs 148-156. Pholcus domingo Huber sp. nov., SEM micrographs (ZFMK, Ar 15720-21). 148. Male

prosoma, frontal view. 149. Tip of left procursus, prolateral view. 150. Left bulb and appendix, prolatero-

distal view. 151. Right male palp, retrolatero-distal view. 152. Male gonopore. 153. Comb-hairs on male

tarsus 4. 154. Right appendix, retrolateral view. 155. Female ALS. 156. Epigynum, ventral view. Scale

bars: 148, 151 = 200 pm; 149-150, 156 = 100 pm; 152 = 30 pm; 153, 155 = 10 pm; 154 = 60 pm.

HUBER B.A. et al ., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Palps. As in Figs 140-141; coxa unmodified; trochanter with very long curved ventral apophysis;

femur with ventral and retrolatero-dorsal processes; tibia very large (relative to femur); procursus rather

simple, with strong ventral ‘knee’ and distinctive dorsal process distally (Fig. 149); bulb with long

semitransparent embolus and large sclerotized process (putative appendix) densely covered with scales

on retrolateral surface (Figs. 151, 154), with lighter prolateral branch proximally (Fig. 150).

Fegs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with >20 pseudosegments,

only distally a few fairly distinct. Tarsus 4 comb-hairs as in Fig. 153.

Male (variation)

Dorsal process of procursus varies considerably among localities: in comparison to males from type

locality (Santo Domingo; Fig. 146), it is slightly more slender in male from Malagos; considerably

stronger and longer in male from Mt. Mupo (Fig. 147; males from CEDAR intermediate between males

from type locality and male from Mt. Mupo); almost absent in males from Dimapatoy (Fig. 145). Male

from Mt. Mupo also with slightly different appendix (distal part of sclerotized main branch slightly

longer). Males from Dimapatoy with slightly shorter trochanter apophysis. All specimens other than

those from Santo Domingo are therefore assigned tentatively to this species. Sternum in most males

examined either monochromous whitish or whitish with a few darker marks posteriorly; only one male

from Malangob, male from Malagos, and male from Mt. Mupo like holotype; male from Mt. Mupo with

more complex carapace pattern (Fig. 137; similar to females from other localities). Tibia 1 in 15 other

males: 7.4-9.0 (mean 8.2).

Female

In general similar to male but sternum always dark brown and carapace pattern different: in most females

posterior half with light brown to orange pattern (Fig. 136), one female from Dimapatoy with pattern like

male holotype. Eye triads slightly closer together than in males (PME-PME distance: 200 pm). Tibia 1

in 19 females: 6.0-7.0 (mean 6.6). Epigynum very simple, weakly sclerotized (Fig. 161), with transverse

ridges and finger-shaped posterior ‘knob’ (Figs 143, 156); internal genitalia as in Figs 144, 162, 163.

AES with one large widened, one pointed, and six smaller cylindrically-shaped spigots (Fig. 155). The

single female specimen from Epol Falls is assigned tentatively because no males are known from this

locality.

Natural history

At Santo Domingo and CEDAR, the spiders were found in very fine, barely visible webs tightly attached

to the leaf surface of live leaves about 50-200 cm above the ground. The same kinds of leaves were also

occupied by two species of Calapnita , and sometimes a Pholcus and a Calapnita were seen sharing a

leaf. When disturbed, the Pholcus just remained still, with their bodies pressed against the leaf; when

disturbed with more insistence, they ran away on the leaf or even let themselves down on a silk line.

In the egg-sac of one female from the type locality, most eggs were parasitized by a parasitic wasp

(Fig. 132).

Distribution

Known from several localities in Mindanao (Fig. 1; but note that specimens from most localities are

assigned tentatively).

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

Pltolcus matutum Huber sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CCCB3C54-30E8-4792-A4AC-F8A3A80DF703

Figs 138-139, 157-160, 164-166

Diagnosis

Distinguished from most similar known relative (P. domingo Huber sp. nov.) by morphology of male

palps (Figs 157-158; shorter procursus with longer dorsal process; shorter and more pointed appendix);

females of these two species are difficult to separate (internal genitalia relatively longer in P. domingo

Huber sp. nov.; compare Figs 144 and 160).

Etymology

The species name is derived from the type locality; noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype

PHIFIPPINES: ZFMK (Ar 15729), Mindanao, Mt. Matutum, Kawit Forest, ‘site V (6.338°N,

125.104°E), 950 m a.s.l., along brook, on leaf, 13 Feb. 2014 (B.A. Huber, E. Mondejar).

Other material

PHIFIPPINES: 4 4 ??, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 15730-31), and 1 S, 1 MSU-IIT, same data as

holotype; 2 §?, 3 juvs, in absolute ethanol, in ZFMK (Phi 269), same data; 1 $, RMNH, Mindanao,

Davao, Mt. Apo Nature Reserve [~7.03°N, 125.40°E?], 800 m a.s.l., on wild coffee leaf in secondary

forest, 26 Apr. 1982 [R. Deeleman],

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 4.4, carapace width 0.9. Teg 1: 36.9 (8.8 + 0.4 + 8.8 + 17.3 + 1.6),

tibia 2: 5.4, tibia 3: 3.2, tibia 4: 4.6; tibia 1 F/d: 108. Distance PME-PME 260 pm, diameter PME

100><120 pm, distance PME-AFE ~30 pm; distance AME-AME 50 pm, diameter AME 15 pm.

Color. Carapace pale ochre, without dark pattern (only small internal medio-posterior structure visible

through cuticle), ocular area also dark, clypeus pale ochre, only proximally darker; sternum whitish; legs

ochre-yellow with dark brown patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints; abdomen pale ochre-gray with black

marks dorsally and laterally, monochromous ventrally except pair of small brown spots in book-lung

area.

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 138; ocular area slightly raised, each triad on additional short hump; carapace

without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.60/0.50), unmodified.

Chelicerae. As in P. domingo Huber sp. nov. (cf. Fig. 142), barely modified, with indistinct lateral

humps proximally.

Palps. As in Figs 157-158; coxa unmodified; trochanter with very long curved ventral apophysis;

femur with ventral and retrolatero-dorsal processes (slightly different shapes than in P. domingo Huber

sp. nov.); tibia very large (relative to femur); procursus rather simple, with strong ventral ‘knee’ and

distinctive long dorsal process distally; bulb with long semitransparent embolus and large sclerotized

process (putative appendix) densely covered with scales on retrolateral surface, with lighter prolateral

branch proximally (appendix with more pointed tip than in P. domingo Huber sp. nov.; prolateral branch

with more rounded tip).

HUBER B.A. et al.. Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with >20 pseudosegments,

only distally a few fairly distinct.

Male (variation)

Some males with pair of small darker marks posteriorly on carapace (similar to P. domingo Huber

sp. nov.). Tibia 1 in 5 other males: 8.3-9.3 (mean 8.7).

Figs 157-160. Pholcus matutum Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15730-31). 157-158. Left male palp,

prolateral and retrolateral views. 159-160. Cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. Scale

bars: 157-158 = 0.5 mm ; 159-160 = 0.3 mm

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

Female

In general similar to male (Fig. 139), carapace pattern different: most females with two pairs of light

brown to orange marks, one pair near median line posteriorly, one pair laterally; one female with same

carapace pattern as P. domingo Huber sp. nov. (posterior half of carapace largely covered by light brown

to orange pattern). Eye triads slightly closer together than in males (PME-PME distance: 230 pm).

Tibia 1 in 4 females: 6.6, 6.9, 6.9, 7.2. Sternum whitish as is males (not brown as in P. domingo Huber

sp. nov. females). Epigynum very simple, weakly sclerotized (Fig. 164), with transverse ridges and

finger-shaped posterior ‘knob’ (Fig. 159); internal genitalia as in Figs 160, 165, 166.

Natural history

The spiders were found in very fine, barely visible webs tightly attached to the leaf surface of live leaves.

Distribution

Known from two localities in southern Mindanao (Fig. 1). The single female specimen from Epol Falls

assigned tentatively to P. domingo Huber sp. nov. might actually belong to this species.

Figs 161-166. Epigyna, ventral views, and cleared female genitalia, ventral and dorsal views. 161-163.

Pholcus domingo Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar 15721). 164-166. P. matutum Huber sp. nov. (ZFMK, Ar

15731).

HUBER B.A. et al., Southeast Asian leaf- and litter-dwelling Pholcus

Discussion

None of the species described above is a ‘typical’ Pholcus , i.e., none of them belongs to what has

been described as the “core group” of Pholcus (Huber 2011). Most representatives of this core

group are characterized by the combination of two characters: a heavily sclerotized epigynal plate,

and male chelicerae with proximal frontal apophyses. All species described above have very weakly

sclerotized epigyna, and they lack proximal frontal apophyses on the male chelicerae (the apophyses in

representatives of the P. ethagala group are considered homologues of the proximal lateral apophyses,

a synapomorphy of Pholcinae; Huber 2011). This requires some justification for why we assign these

species to Pholcus.

A first cladistic analysis of Pholcus (Huber 2011) has brought some structure into this large taxon (at that

time 254 species; now almost 350 species), and it provided strong support for a group of genera close

to Pholcus (the Pholcus group of ten genera). At the same time, it also highlighted some fundamental

problems with Pholcus and its closest relatives. It suggested that Pholcus is a paraphyletic group and

that at least some of the closely related genera like Panjange , Leptopholcus , Micropholcus , Micromerys ,

Calapnita , and Uthina Simon, 1893 may in fact be nested within Pholcus , more closely related to some

‘basal’ groups of Pholcus than to the core group. Taxonomic consequences (synonymization of existing

genera and/or creation of new genera) were not implemented because the cladistic analysis seemed

too preliminary to justify such formal decisions. The same reasoning lies behind our decision to place

the new species in Pholcus , especially the two new species groups (the Pholcus ethagala group was

already described in Huber 2011): these new taxa do clearly not belong to any of the nine genera closely

related to Pholcus , and creating new genera for them might unnecessarily complicate future taxonomic

decisions without adding to our current understanding of relationships. At some point a split of Pholcus

will probably be necessary, but in our view this should be based on a large phylogenetic analysis, ideally

including molecular data, all species groups of Pholcus , and a large sample of the nine closely related

genera. Such an analysis is currently in progress (A. Valdez-Mondragon, B.A. Huber & D. Dimitrov,

unpublished data).

Interestingly, the taxonomic problem with Pholcus is largely an Indomalayan problem, and it seems to be

closely related to evolutionary shifts of microhabitat. All Afrotropical species groups, the single Nearctic

species group, and all Palaearctic species groups of Pholcus are quite unambiguous representatives of

the core group of Pholcus (Huber 2011). Within this core group, the large majority of species occupy

large sheltered spaces among rocks, logs, buttresses, etc.; very few species occupy the leaf litter and

ground substrate (e.g., P. kribi Huber, 2011 in Cameroon; some members of the P. opilionoides group

in North Africa, Huber 2011) or live leaves (e.g., the P. taarab group in East Africa and the P. debilis

group in Central Africa; Huber 2011). Even these ecologically exceptional species and species groups

are unambiguous representatives of the core group of Pholcus.

By contrast, the nine species groups assigned tentatively to Pholcus are all Indomalayan: P. andulau

group, P. buatong group, P. domingo group, P. ethagala group, P. halabala group, P. kerinci group,

P. krabi group, P. minang group, P. tambunan group (Huber 2011; Huber et al. 2016; herein). Most of the

species included in these species groups occupy either the leaf litter of live leaves; exceptions are a few

cave- and rock-dwelling species such as P. hurau Huber, 2011; P. diopsis Simon, 1901; P. kuhapimuk

Huber, 2016; P. khaolek Huber, 2016; P. sudhami Huber, 2011; and P. buatong Huber, 2016 (Huber

2011; Huber et al. 2016). Three of the problematic genera possibly nested within Pholcus are also

leaf-dwelling and Indomalayan (partly reaching Australia): Calapnita , Panjange , and Micromerys. A

possible explanation to be tested in future phylogenetic analyses is that Pholcus in Southeast Asia has

a longer history of leaf-dwelling than in tropical Africa, resulting in more conspicuous deviations from

the ‘typical’ morphology of Pholcus , which in turn obscured relationships and prompted researchers to

European Journal of Taxonomy 200: 1—45 (2016)

create possibly unjustified new genera. Future large scale analyses of Pholcus should thus continue to

focus on Indomalayan taxa.

Acknowledgements

We thank David Court, Venus Saksongmuang, Mustakiza Muslimin, Eddie P. Mondejar, and Samuel

B. Huber for accompanying us in the field; Mae A. Responte, Eddie P. Mondejar, and Noray a U. Elias

for contributing specimens from their own research; our Thai drivers Usman Hayee-Aarwae, Jeerabute

Suwannatut, and Preesha Petsout and our Philippine driver Vicente Bulongon for bringing us safely to

all requested places; Bjorn Rulik for identifying the flies found in pholcid webs; Sara Bumrungsri for

supporting our permit requests in Thailand; Noraishah Mydin Abdul Aziz for facilitating field work

in Malaysia; the Sarawak Museum Department for assistance in field logistics; the National Research

Council of Thailand (NRCT), the Singapore National Parks Board (Permit No. NP/RP15-003a), the

Sarawak Forest Department (Permit No. NCCD.907.4.4 JLD. 10-211, Park Permit No. 174/2014) and

the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CARAGA, DENR Region

X, and DENR Region XI, for issuing permits; and the German Research Foundation for financial support

(DFG Project HU 980/11-1).

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Manuscript received: 25 January 2016

Manuscript accepted: 17 February 2016

Published on: 26 May 2016

Topic editor: Rudy Jocque

Desk editor: Kristiaan Hoedemakers

Printed versions of all papers are also deposited in the libraries of the institutes that are members of the

EJT consortium: Museum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France; Botanic Garden Meise, Belgium;

Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Natural History Museum, London, United

Kingdom; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Natural History Museum of

Denmark, Copenhagen, De nm ark.