Leptopholcus kandy Huber, 2011

Huber, Bernhard A., 2019, The pholcid spiders of Sri Lanka (Araneae: Pholcidae), Zootaxa 4550 (1), pp. 1-57 : 12

Leptopholcus kandy Huber, 2011

Figs 42–44

Leptopholcus kandy Huber, 2011: 91 , figs 269–270, 369–372 (♂ ♀, Sri Lanka, India). Eberle et al. 2018 (molecular data).

Description (amendments; see Huber 2011). Carapace in males and females usually with slightly darkened lateral margins. Leg femora also in males with some dark marks dorsally, slightly less distinct than in females. Tibia 1 length (including measures in Huber 2011) in 6 males: 6.6–8.2 (mean 7.6); in 10 females: 6.6–8.0 (mean 7.1).

New records. SRI LANKA: 2♂ 1♀ 2 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 20024–25), and 4 juvs in pure ethanol, ZFMK ( SL108 ), Central Province, Kandy, Dunumadallawa Forest (7.282°N, 80.643°E), 600–680 m a.s.l., 8.iii.2017 (B.A. Huber) (males molted to adults on 8/ 13.iii.2017) . 1♂ 1♀ 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 20026), and 2♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK ( SL112 ), North Western Province, Kurunegala, at base of Ethagala (Athugala) Mountain (7.490°N, 80.369°E), 170 m a.s.l., 9.iii.2017 (B.A. Huber) . 1♀, ZFMK (Ar 20027), Southern Province, Kottawa Forest (6.097°N, 80.308°E), 60 m a.s.l., 17.iii.2017 (B.A. Huber) . 1♂, ZFMK (Ar 20028), Sabaragamuwa Province, near Kitulgala (6.985°N, 80.430°E), 170 m a.s.l., 7.iii.2017 (B.A. Huber) (molted to adult: 17.iii.2017) . 1♀ in pure ethanol, NIFS (Pho-070), Central Province, Matale District, Bowatenna Reservoir area (7.660°N, 80.688°E), 250 m a.s.l., 10.ii.2016 (S.P. Benjamin et al.) . 1♂ in pure ethanol, NIFS (Pho-071), Southern Province, Galle District, Hiyare, Kombala- Kottawa Forest Reserve (6.065°N, 80.302°E), 250 m a.s.l., 24/ 26.v.2016 (N. Atukorala et al.) . 2 juvs, ZFMK (Ar 20029), and 3 juvs in pure ethanol, ZFMK ( SL161 ), Sabaragamuwa Province, Mapalena Ella (6.774°N, 80.460°E), 270 m a.s.l., forest below waterfall, 19.iii.2017 (B.A. Huber) . 3 juvs in pure ethanol, ZFMK ( SL156 ), Southern Province, Viharekele Forest (6.099°N, 80.594°E), 120 m a.s.l., 17.iii.2017 (B.A. Huber).

Distribution. Widely distributed in southwestern Sri Lanka ( Fig. 222 ). From two localities (Mapalena Ella, Viharekele), only juvenile specimens are available. Since no similar species seems to exist in Sri Lanka, I consider the identification of these juveniles very likely to be correct. The species may also occur in India (a single female specimen from Karnataka, see Huber 2011).

Figures

FIGURES 42–46. Leptopholcus, live specimens. 42–44. L. kandy Huber, 2011, male from Ethagala, female from near Belilena Cave, and male from Kitulgala. 45–46. L. podophthalmus (Simon, 1893), male from Kandy, and male from Mapalena Ella sharing web with cecidomyiid flies.

FIGURES 222–223. Known distributions of Leptopholcus (222) and of the Pholcus ceylonicus species group (223) in Sri Lanka.