Tenuiphantes aff. aequalis ( Tanasevitch, 1987 )

Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2011, On linyphiid spiders (Araneae) from the Eastern and Central Mediterranean kept at the Muséum d’histoire naturelle, Geneva, Revue suisse de Zoologie 118 (1), pp. 49-91 : 81-82

Tenuiphantes aff. aequalis ( Tanasevitch, 1987) Figs 93-97

MATERIAL: 1 Ƌ, Turkey, Artvin Province, above Artvin, 1500 m a.s.l., under stones, 9. VI.1986, leg. C. Besuchet, I. Löbl & D. Burckhardt [11a].

COMPARATIVE MATERIAL EXAMINED: T. aequalis , 3 Ƌ ( CAT), Russia, Caucasus, Republic of Adygeya, environs of Guzeripl’, Caucasian Nature Reserve, Mt Abago, Abies, Fagus, Acer, Betula etc. forest, up to timberline and in subalpine meadows, 1700-1850 m a.s.l., 24.- 26. V.1985, leg. S. Golovatch. – 1 Ƌ, 1 ♀ ( CAT), same locality, 2000 m a.s.l., 27.VII.1974, leg. V. Ovtsharenko. – 1 Ƌ, 2 ♀ ( CAT), same locality, 8.VIII.1974, leg. V. Ovtsharenko. – 1 Ƌ, 2 ♀ ( ZMMU), Russia, Caucasus, Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia, near Teberda (ca 43°27’N, 41°44’E), Teberda Nature Reserve, Mt Malaya Khatipara, IX.2008, leg. F. Martynovchenko.

REMARKS: A single male from Artvin, Turkey has the palpal conformation almost identical to that of the Caucasian T. aequalis . The main difference lies in the shape of the terminal apophysis: compare Figs 95, 96 with Figs 98, 99. The examination of material from the Caucasus (see below) has shown that shape of the terminal FIGS 93-103

Tenuiphantes aff. aequalis ( Tanasevitch, 1987) , Ƌ specimen from Artvin, Turkey (93-97), and Tenuiphantes aequalis ( Tanasevitch, 1987) , Ƌ specimens from Mt Abago, Russia (98-103). (93) Right palp, retrolateral view. (94) Paracymbium, lateral view. (95, 98) Embolic division. (96, 99) Lamella characteristica and terminal apophysis. (97, 100) Embolus. (101-103) Basal part of embolus.

apophysis in T. aequalis is quite stable, but only the number (from three to four) and shape of its teeth on the embolus base are slightly variable (Figs 100-103). In the absence of conspecific female and additional male material, the taxonomic position of the specimen from Artvin is unclear.