Pseudopoda namkhan Jäger, Pathoumthong & Vedel, 2006

Fig. 1

Pseudopoda namkhan Jäger et al., 2006: 222, figs 20–28, 35–40. Jäger and Praxaysombath 2009: 44.

Material examined. CHINA: Yunnan Province: 3 males, 3 females, Xishuangbanna City, Mengla County, Menglun town, secondary tropical seasonal moist forest, N 21º54.718’, E 101º16.940’, Alt: 645 m, 27 July 2007, Guo Zheng leg. (3 males, 2 females IZCAS, 1 female SMF); ditto, 1 male, 2 females, secondary tropical seasonal rain forest, N 21º55.428’, E 101º16.441’, Alt: 598 m, 5 May 2007, Guo Zheng leg. (IZCAS); ditto, 1 female, Paramichelia baillonii plantation (about 20 years) N 21º53.823’, 101º17.072’, Alt: 613 m, 10 May 2007, Guo Zheng leg. (IZCAS); ditto, 1 male, 3 females, secondary tropical montane evergreen broad-leaved forest, N 21º55.428’, E 101º16.441’, Alt: 598 m, 4 August 2007, Guo Zheng leg. (3 females IZCAS, 1 male SMF).

Distribution. China: Yunnan Prov. Laos: Luangphabang Prov.

Natural history. Most Pseudopoda species inhabit the leaf litter of humid habitats (Jäger 2001). However, P. namkhan was observed on leaves in the herbal layer as well as in the foliage of lower branches of trees. According to these observations Jäger et al. (2006) suspect that it can also occur in higher strata, e.g., the canopy. It is the first record of this species from China, which extends the distribution range approximately 250 km farther north. In Laos, spiders were collected at altidues ranging from 300 to 400 m above sea level, whereas in higher altitudes in Ban Keng Koung, i.e. 700–1000 m, another Pseudopoda species lived in the leaf litter, P. wang Jäger & Praxaysombath, 2009 (Jäger & Praxaysombath 2009) . The phenomenon of vertical partitioning and coexistence is known from Pseudopoda spp. in Nepal from many localities (Jäger 2001: 116, figs 74–75). The present specimens were collected with both trunk pitfall traps and canopy fogging, this species may live in the canopy as well as in the foliage of lower strata.