Pholcophora “Mex354”

Figs 3L, 30, 33G–H

This species is not formally described because no male is available. The morphology of the epigynum (Fig. 30A–B) reminds of geographically close congeners ( P. mazatlan sp. nov.; P. papanoa sp. nov.) but the main epigynal plate is not straight posteriorly but has a pair of lateral indentations, and the legs tend to be longer (tibia 1 in 10 females 1.12–1.40, mean 1.28). The female of P. mexcala is unknown, but P. mexcala seems to be a much bigger species (male tibia 1 length>4.0). The specimens were collected in a dry area, together with a second representative of Pholcophora ( P. tehuacan sp. nov.), and five further species of Pholcidae ( Physocyclus modestus Gertsch, 1971; Physocyclus sp.; Modisimus sp.; Psilochorus spp.). The spiders were usually found on the undersides of rocks, apparently in tiny webs; they did not run unless the web was damaged by turning the rock.

Material examined

MEXICO – Puebla • 5 ♀♀, in pure ethanol; ~ 35 km SE of Tehuacan, N of Calapa bridge; 18.1652° N, 97.2605° W; 1020 m a.s.l.; 24 Oct. 2019; B.A. Huber and Valdez-Mondragón leg.; thorn scrub, under rocks; two prosomata used for molecular work; ZFMK Mex 354 • 8 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; LATLAX .