Key to the Palearctic species of the Pardosa nigra group

Males (based on palpal structures)

1. Tegular apophysis with anteriorly directed branch shorter than laterally directed branch (Figs 25, 41)................ nigra

- Tegular apophysis with anteriorly directed branch longer than laterally directed branch (Figs 20–24, 26–27).............. 2

2. Embolus stout, twisted (Figs 44–47, 49–50, 55–58, 59–60, 62, 65–68, 70, 73–74)................................... 3

- Embolus narrow and thin (Figs 48, 51-52, 61, 63, 69, 71)...................................................... 6

3. Embolus broad to truncated apex (Figs 49–50, 62, 70, 79)................................................ lasciva

- Embolus apically tapering............................................................................... 4

4. Embolus twisted in proximal half, outer part long, curved anteriad and tapering to narrow tip (Figs 55–56, 73, 83).................................................................................................. paramushirensis

- Embolus twisted at about half its length, apical part narrow and curved first ventrad then inwards (Figs 46–47, 60, 68, 77–78)............................................................................................. fomichevi

- Embolus helically twisted in distal half, apical part of embolus curved anteriad-inwards (Figs 44–45, 57–58)............. 5

5. Distal part of embolus comparatively long (Figs 44–45, 59, 67, 75).......................................... eiseni

- Distal part of embolus comparatively short (Figs 57–58, 66, 74, 84)......................................... trailli

6. Embolus very long, hair-like distal part bent anteriad (Figs 51–52, 71, 81)..................................... lyrata

- Embolus of moderate length (Figs 48, 61, 69, 76)....................................................... giebeli

Females (based on epigynal structures)

1. Posterior half of epigyne with lateral elevations close (Figs 95, 108–109, 118).................................. nigra

- Posterior half of epigyne with lateral elevations diverging widely apart (Figs 90–94, 96–97).......................... 2

2. Posteriormost part of lateral elevations of epigyne with pockets slightly converging backwards (Figs 114: arrow, 120: arrow)3

- Posteriormost part of lateral elevations of epigyne without distinct pockets........................................ 4

3. Anterior narrow part of epigyne somewhat winding (Figs 90, 114), fertilization ducts proximally close to each other (Figs. 99), receptacula elongate (Figs 98–99, 121)................................................................. eiseni

- Anterior narrow part of epigyne comparatively straight (Figs 97, 120), fertilization ducts proximally quite apart (Figs 113), receptacula ovoid (Figs 112–113, 127)................................................................. trailli

4. Lateral elevations close to septum (Figs 92–94, 97)........................................................... 5

- Lateral elevations at some distance from septum (Figs 91, 96).................................................. 7

5. Wide part of septum more or less oval (Figs 92, 115).................................................... giebeli

- Wide part of septum more or less triangular (Figs 86–87, 93–94, 116–117)........................................ 6

6. Posterior part of septum drawn out into two rounded lateral lobes (Figs 86, 87, 94, 117).......................... lyrata

- Posterior part of septum not so (Figs 93, 116).......................................................... lasciva

7. Rim of lateral elevations diverging posteriorly (Fig. 91: arrow).......................................... fomichevi

- Rim of lateral elevations curved inwards posteriorly (Fig. 96: arrow)................................ paramushirensis