Pholcus noeun Lee & Lee, 2024

Lee, Jun-Gi, Lee, Jun-Ho, Choi, Doo-Yeong, Park, Sun-Jae, Baek, Min-Jeong & Kim, Sam-Kyu, 2024, Nine new species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer (Araneae: Pholcidae) from South Korea, Zootaxa 5432 (2), pp. 179-212 : 185-186

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5432.2.3
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8B157EDE-7ADB-4AC0-8C98-66D68D8EB27B
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10899094
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0387A476-7D1C-B049-FF29-2482733DFA70
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Pholcus noeun Lee & Lee
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Pholcus noeun Lee & Lee , sp. nov.

Figs 1C–D View FIGURE 1 , 2C–D View FIGURE 2 , 4, 13, 17D–F, 18

Type material. Holotype: ♂, SOUTH KOREA: Gangwon-do: Pyeongchang-gun, Pyeongchang-eup, Noeun-ri (37˚25'14"N, 128˚21'14"E, 448 m), 02 Jul. 2021, Sam-Kyu Kim leg. ( NIBR) . Paratypes: 1♀, same data as for holotype (KNU-Ar 20230042) ; 2♂♂, same data as for holotype (KNU-Ar 20230043–44) ; 3♀♀, same data as for holotype (KNU-Ar 20230045–47) ; 10♂♂ 18♀♀, same data as for holotype (KNU-Ar 20230048) .

Other material examined. 28♂♂ 23♀♀, Pyeongchang-gun , Pyeongchang-eup, Hail-ri (37˚23'34"N, 128˚20'33"E, 416 m), 02 Jul. 2021, Sam-Kyu Kim leg. ( KNU) ; 3♂♂, same locality, 28 Aug. 2021, same collector ( KNU) ; 5♂♂ 7♀♀, Wonju-si , Sillim-myeon, Songgye-ri (37˚17'31"N, 128˚12'00"E, 314 m), 03 Jun. 2016, Doo-Yeong Choi leg. (KNU-kise 652) ; 3♂♂ 3♀♀, ditto ( KNU) ; 1♂, Wonju-si , Sillim-myeon, Hwangdun-ri (37˚15'07"N, 128˚07'27"E, 496 m), 04 Jun. 2016, same collector ( KNU) .

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the type locality, Noeun-ri. Noun in apposition.

Diagnosis. Males similar to Pholcus jindongensis Seo, 2018 , having triangular prolateral process of procursus with linear sclerotized mark ( Fig. 4D View FIGURE 4 ), but can be distinguished by: 1) procursus dorso-subdistally with two or three spines as long as retrolateral ridge, pointing dorsally ( Fig. 4C–D View FIGURE 4 ) (with two spines much longer than retrolateral ridge, pointing prolaterally in P. jindongensis , see Seo 2018: fig. 2C); 2) prolateral process of procursus tip marginally serrated ( Fig. 4D View FIGURE 4 ) (without denticles in P. jindongensis , see Seo 2018: fig. 2C); 3) ventral process of procursus membranous, distally blunt ( Fig. 4C View FIGURE 4 ) (heavily sclerotized, distally pointed in P. jindongensis , see Seo 2018: fig. 2A–C); 4) uncus much smaller than genital bulb, semicircular, distally elongated and pointed ( Fig. 4F View FIGURE 4 ) (slightly smaller than genital bulb, ovoid, distally not pointed in P. jindongensis , see Seo 2018: fig. 2B). Females superficially similar to Pholcus fengcheng Zhang & Zhu, 2009 , having obtuse-triangular epigynal anterior plate, flat whitish epigynal posterior plate ( Fig. 4H View FIGURE 4 ), and bilobed anterior arch of internal genitalia ( Fig. 4I View FIGURE 4 ), but can be distinguished by: 1) posterior edge of epigynal posterior plate straight, with pair of small sclerotized areas only at lateral margin ( Fig. 4H View FIGURE 4 ) (posterior edge slightly elongated, without sclerotized areas in P. fengcheng , see Yao & Li 2012: fig. 64A); 2) anterior arch of internal genitalia emarginated with deep notch, median sclerotized area distinctly elongated posteriorly ( Fig. 4I View FIGURE 4 ) (forficate, medially not elongated in P. fengcheng , see Yao & Li 2012: fig. 64B); 3) pore plates obovate ( Fig. 4I View FIGURE 4 ) (round in P. fengcheng , see Yao & Li 2012: fig. 64B).

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 1C View FIGURE 1 . Total length 6.2. Prosoma 1.8 long, 1.8 wide. Carapace round, pale yellow, with dark brown radial marks and marginal band on thoracic area. Eye area slightly elevated, posteriorly with dark brown marks laterally and medially. Diameter of AME 115 µm, ALE 164 µm, PME 166 µm, PLE 166 µm. AME–AME 41 µm, PME–PME 234 µm, PME–ALE 28 µm. Clypeus with large indistinct brown mark, without process. Chelicera ( Fig. 2C–D View FIGURE 2 ) with thumb-like proximo-lateral apophysis, triangular and distally blunt frontal apophysis pointing upwardly, and ventrally curved, notched triangular distal apophysis longer than proximo-lateral apophysis. Sternum longer than wide, shield-like, pale yellow with brown marks laterally and posteriorly. Opisthosoma 4.0 long, 2.1 wide, cylindrical, pale yellow, without cuticular patterns, with cardiac pattern and many black granular spots dorsally and laterally. Leg femora and tibiae yellowish brown with two whitish and two dark brown bands distally, two dark brown bands proximally; patellae, metatarsi, tarsi dark brown, without bands; leg Ⅰ femur distinctly darker. Leg Ⅰ 57.7 (15.3 + 0.6 + 14.9 + 24.6 + 2.4), leg II 39.6 (11.2 + 0.8 + 10.1 + 15.8 + 1.7), leg III 26.3 (7.8 + 0.7 + 6.6 + 10.0 + 1.2), leg IV 34.9 (10.3 + 0.8 + 8.8 + 13.5 + 1.5). Ratio of leg Ⅰ (26.8: 1.0: 26.1: 43.2: 4.2), leg II (14.3: 1.0: 12.9: 20.3: 2.2), leg III (12.0: 1.0: 10.2: 15.3: 1.9), leg IV (13.7: 1.0: 11.8: 18.0: 2.0). Leg formula 1243. Tibia Ⅰ L/d 71. Tibiae, metatarsi, tarsi with short vertical setae, tibiae and metatarsi Ⅰ, II with long curved hairs. Tibiae with three trichobothria, except tibia Ⅰ (prolaterally absent). Retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia Ⅰ at 5% proximally. Tarsus I with 29 pseudosegments, mostly irregular. Palp ( Fig. 4A–G View FIGURE 4 ). Trochanter apophysis ( Fig. 4A–B View FIGURE 4 ) about one quarter as long as femur, straight, slender, distally blunt, ventro-subdistally with single curved hair longer than apophysis, proximo-retrolaterally with tubercle; femur ventrally swollen; tibia with prolatero-ventral tubercle; procursus ( Fig. 4A–E View FIGURE 4 ) brown, sinuated dorsally, ventral knee indistinct; dorso-subdistally not swollen, with three long spines medially, hidden by retrolateral procursus ( Fig. 4C–E View FIGURE 4 ); procursus tip ( Fig. 4C–E View FIGURE 4 ) with three ridges and curved whitish line retrolaterally ( Fig. 4E View FIGURE 4 ), wide prolateral process with two plates [dorsal plate triangular, weakly sclerotized, medially with curved longitudinal sclerotized mark and strongly sclerotized pointed tip, distal margin serrated (arrowed in Fig. 4D View FIGURE 4 ), ventral plate membranous (arrowed in Fig. 4C View FIGURE 4 )], and short blunt ventral process (arrowed in Fig. 4E View FIGURE 4 ); genital bulb ( Fig. 4A View FIGURE 4 ) oval, pale yellow; uncus ( Fig. 4F–G View FIGURE 4 ) about 0.6 times as long as genital bulb, dark brown, semicircular with long pointed projection distally, outer margin with tiny scales; pseudoappendix ( Fig. 4G View FIGURE 4 ) tiny, slightly sclerotized, triangular, hidden by uncus prolaterally; embolus ( Fig. 4F–G View FIGURE 4 ) slender, distally fringed, weakly sclerotized, slightly longer than uncus.

Female (one of paratypes, KNU-Ar 20230042). Habitus as in Fig. 1D View FIGURE 1 . Somatic characteristics generally similar to male, but cheliceral apophyses absent, legs slightly shorter. Total length 5.2. Prosoma 1.4 long, 1.5 wide. Diameter of AME 102 µm, ALE 160 µm, PME 113 µm, PLE 143 µm. AME–AME 44 µm, PME–PME 186 µm, PME–ALE 45 µm. Opisthosoma 3.6 long, 1.7 wide. Leg Ⅰ 32.9 (8.3 + 0.6 + 8.4 + 13.2 + 2.4), leg II 23.3 (6.4 + 0.7 + 5.9 + 8.8 + 1.5), leg III 16.6 (4.9 + 0.5 + 4.1 + 6.1 + 1.0), leg IV 22.9 (6.6 + 0.6 + 5.8 + 8.6 + 1.4). Ratio of leg Ⅰ (13.4: 1.0: 13.5: 21.4: 3.8), leg II (9.7: 1.0: 8.9: 13.3: 2.3), leg III (9.7: 1.0: 8.3: 12.2: 2.1), leg IV (12.0: 1.0: 10.5: 15.6: 2.5). Leg formula 1243. Tibia I L/d 49. Epigyne ( Fig. 4H View FIGURE 4 ). Anterior plate obtuse-triangular, dark brown anteriorly and near epigynal knob; posterior plate bright ivory, as long as anterior plate, posterior edge straight, with pair of small sclerotized areas only at lateral margin; epigynal knob dark brown, thick, blunt, more than one third as long as posterior plate; posterior sclerotized cuticle yellowish brown, slightly procurved, half as long as posterior plate; interspace between posterior plate and posterior sclerotized cuticle slightly shorter than posterior plate, with pair of wide triangular yellowish brown mark anterolaterally. Internal genitalia ( Fig. 4I View FIGURE 4 ). Anterior arch bilobed with deep median indentation, median portion strongly sclerotized and protruded posteriorly; genital valve medially transverse, laterally slightly curved, hidden by anterior arch dorsally; lateral portion elongated posteriorly and laterally strongly concave; pore plates obovate, wide apart, gradually more distant posteriorly.

Variation. Males. Prosoma width: 1.6–2.0 (mean 1.8), tibia Ⅰ: 12.0–14.9 (mean 13.9) (n=10).

An intrapopulational variation was observed on the number and the length of dorso-subdistal spines and the shape of the outer distal serration of prolateral process in procursus tip ( Fig. 13A–D View FIGURE 13 ).

Females. Prosoma width: 1.5–1.8 (mean 1.6), tibia Ⅰ: 7.4–10.2 (mean 9.0) (n=10).An intrapopulational variation was observed on the size and arrangement of pore plates and the shape of anterior arch of internal genitalia ( Fig. 13I–L View FIGURE 13 ), but the epigynal shapes were largely consistent ( Fig. 13E–H View FIGURE 13 ).

Habitat information. This species was found on rock walls and crevices under rocks in streamside, under bridges, and inside road drains of mountainous regions ( Fig. 17D–F View FIGURE 17 ). Sympatry is observed between this species with Pholcus solchi Lee & Lee , sp. nov. from Hwangdun-ri, Sillim-myeon, Wonju-si, the type locality of the latter, sharing the same habitat together.

Distribution. Korea (Pyeongchang, Wonju) ( Fig. 18 View FIGURE 18 ).