Mesabolivar eberhardi Huber, 2000

Figs 597–598, 1021-1022, 1025, 1048

Synonymy, see Huber 2018: 34.

Mesabolivar pseudoblechroscelis (misidentification) – González-Sponga 1998: 27, figs 40–41 (♀ only).

Notes

Mesabolivar eberhardi is a common inhabitant of native and disturbed habitats in much of northern South America and one the most ubiquitous pholcids in Venezuela . Variation in the details of genitalic shape has been noted long ago (Huber 2000), but this referred to specimens from Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, far from the type locality in Venezuela (Monagas) . All Venezuelan specimens seen in this and previous studies (Huber 2000, 2018) are unproblematic representatives of this species. This is also true of the six species described by González-Sponga (2011a) under Blechroscelis Simon, 1893 . They have been synonymized with M. eberhardi before (Huber et al. 2014a), and the reexamination of all types in Nov. 2018 confirmed the synonymies. However, a few errors in González-Sponga’s (2011a) work remain to be corrected:

For “ Blechroscelis araguanus ”, only 1 ♂ holotype is mentioned in the original description, but the female is also described and illustrated. We assume that this is based on MAGS 1393 (MIZA 105765), 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs from the same locality (La Montañita; corrected coordinates: 10.213° N, 67.176° W).

The coordinates of the type locality of “ Blechroscelis blechroscelis ”, Cerro Guaiquinima, are approximately 5.758° N, 63.567° W (instead of 10.758°N).

The coordinates of the type locality of “ Blechroscelis copeyensis ”, Cerro Copey National Park, are probably 11.047° N, 63.891° W (rather than 11.033°N).

Most of the measurements are probably correct, but some are obviously wrong, casting doubt on the precision in general. For example, metatarsus 4 is given as shorter than metatarsus 3 in the holotype of “ B. blechroscelis ”; femur 3 is given as longer than femora 2 and 4 in the female of “ B. andinensis ”; and carapace shape is given as highly variable among ‘species’ (width =1.0–1.7 × length), while in fact is it highly consistent but heavily dependent on the angle of view.

Material examined

VENEZUELA – Amazonas • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MIZA 105616 (MAGS 1100), San Juan de Manapiare [5.324° N, 66.055° W], Jul. 1987 (A. González). – Anzoátegui • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 4 juvs, MIZA 105776 (MAGS 1036), near Sabana de Uchire [approximately 10.02° N, 65.52° W], 2 Mar. 1987 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.). – Aragua • 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 21966), Puerto Colombia (10.5025° N, 67.6057° W), 25 m a.s.l., 2 Dec. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 1 ♂, ZFMK (Ar 21967), between Maracay and Puerto Colombia (10.4304° N, 67.5998° W), 380 m a.s.l., 2 Dec. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs, MIZA 105765 (MAGS 1393), La Montañita, carretera Tejerias-Tiara [10.213° N, 67.176° W], 28 Feb. 1994 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González S.) • 1 ♀, 1 juv., MIZA 105642 (MAGS 161), Colonia Tovar [approximately 10.405° N, 67.303° W], 2 May 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., CAS (9027227), Henri Pittier National Park, Rancho Grande [10.349° N, 67.684° W], cloud forest, 29 Dec. 1970 (W.B. Peck). – Bolívar • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21968), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv. in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-162), Ciudad Guayana, Parque La Llovizna (8.3130° N, 62.6724° W), 50 m a.s.l., 11 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21969), and 1 ♂ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-174), same locality but 8.3112° N, 62.6742° W, 30 m a.s.l., 14 Nov. 2018 • 1 ♂, MIZA 105628 (MAGS 1369), Los Pijiguaos [approximately 6.57° N, 66.81° W], May 1992 (J.M. Ayala L.) • 1 ♂, MIZA 105696 (MAGS 1322), Guri [7.77° N, 63.04° W], 9 Oct. 1991 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 2 ♂♂, MIZA 105717 (MAGS 1191), Camp 4, Cerro Guaiquinima (Las cuevas), 980 m a.s.l., 18 Jan. 1990 (C. Toro). – Capital • 1 ♀, 1 juv., MIZA 105592 (MAGS 1028), near Hotel Humboldt [10.542° N, 66.875° W], 17 Jan. 1987 (C.E. Avila). 6 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 7 juvs, MIZA 105672 (MAGS 1167), El Ávila National Park, Quebrada Quintero [10.518° N, 66.851° W], 19 Aug. 1989 (A.R. Delgado, E. González, M.A. González-S.) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv., MIZA 105728 (MAGS 1171), El Ávila National Park, Los Venados [10.536° N, 66.898° W], 9 Sep. 1989 (E. González-S., M.A. González-S.) • 6 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, 3 juvs (with one parasitized egg-sac), MIZA 105699 (MAGS 1374), Las Canoas [10.547° N, 66.932° W], 1200 m a.s.l., 12 Oct. 1992 (E. González L., E. González S., M.A. González-S.). – Carabobo • 1 ♀, MIZA 105605 (MAGS 336), San Esteban [10.425° N, 68.013° W], 4 Aug. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 4 ♂♂, 1 juv., MIZA 105749 (MAGS 333), same data. – Falcón • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21970), and 1 ♂ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-177), Península de Paraguaná, Cueva del Guano (11.9000° N, 69.9479° W), 140 m a.s.l., 16 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21971), and 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-180), Península de Paraguaná, near Cueva del Guano (11.9026° N, 69.9456° W), 140 m a.s.l., 16 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 6 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 21972), and 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-185), Península de Paraguaná, Cerro Santa Ana (11.8177° N, 69.9468° W), 480 m a.s.l., 17 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 21973), Medanos de Coro (11.5690° N, 69.7147° W), 3 m a.s.l., 17 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 21974), and 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-191), Sierra de San Luis, E Curimagua (11.1748° N, 69.6273° W), 960 m a.s.l., 18 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♀♀, MIZA 105621 (MAGS 1132), Paraguaná, Cerro Capuchino, Montecano [approximately 11.94° N, 69.97° W], 27 Jan. 1988 (R. Ramirez) • 1 ♀, MIZA 105795 (MAGS 738), San Juan de los Cayos [11.173° N, 68.408° W], 3 Oct. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 1 ♀, MIZA 105796 (MAGS 711), Riecito [10.906° N, 68.767° W], 30 Sep. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21975), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv. in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-151), forest near Santa Cruz de La Alegría (10.8795° N, 68.4949° W), 100 m a.s.l., 15 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.). – Guárico • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MIZA 105695 (MAGS 988), El Morrito, road Altagracia de Orituco to San Francisco de Macaira [9.916° N, 66.283° W], 10 Apr. 1982 (R. Torrealba) • 1 ♀, 1 juv., MIZA 1808, Agua Salada [approximately 9.163° N, 65.775° W], 540 m a.s.l., “sistema cuevas y cañones”, 22 Nov. 1997 (O. Villarreal). – Lara • 4 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21976), and 1 ♂, 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-198), between Coro and Barquisimeto, El Rodeo (10.7240° N, 69.3008° W), 400 m a.s.l., 19 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 21977), and 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-201), between Barquisimeto and Boconó (9.5906° N, 69.8343° W), 1370 m a.s.l., 20 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.). – Mérida • 2 ♀♀, (paratypes of M. pseudoblechroscelis), MIZA 105737 (MAGS 986 part), near Mesa Bolívar [8.474° N, 71.598° W], 25 Dec. 1981 (A.R. Delgado, J.A. González D., M.A. González-S.) • 1 ♂, MIZA 105611 (MAGS 1053), Mesa Bolívar [8.474° N, 71.598° W], 21 Dec. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 2 juvs, MIZA 105744 (MAGS 835), Represa General J.A. Páez [8.900° N, 70.617° W], 5 Sep. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., MIZA 105683 (MAGS 838), Dtto Rivas Dávila, between La Playa and San Pablo [8.28° N, 71.80° W, ~1350 m a.s.l.], 4 Sep. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 21978), Las Piedras, ‘site 1’ (8.8939° N, 70.6448° W), 1710 m a.s.l., forest remnant, 7 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.) • 7 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21979–80), and 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-108), Las Piedras, ‘site 2’ (8.9002° N, 70.6279° W), 1700 m a.s.l., 7 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.) • 6 ♂♂, 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 21981), forest above Caño Azul (8.8543° N, 71.3651° W), 280 m a.s.l., 13 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.). – Miranda • 1 ♂, 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-149), El Ávila National Park, between Sabas Nieves and La Silla (10.5245° N, 66.8566° W), 1600 m a.s.l., 7 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • approximately 4 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀, 10 juvs, MIZA 105595 (MAGS 1022), Boca de Cura [10.20° N, 66.30° W], 17 Jan. 1987 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • approximately 10 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 2 juvs, MIZA 105598 (MAGS 1021), same data • 1 ♀, MIZA 105619 (separated from MAGS 1111), road Carenero-Chirimena [approximately 10.57° N, 66.15° W], 9 Feb. 1988 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 1 ♀, MIZA 105623 (MAGS 1121), Hacienda Santa Rosalia, alrededores de Arag̹ita [approximately 11.215° N, 66.458° W], 16 Jul. 1988 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 3 ♂♂, 3 juvs, MIZA 105633 (MAGS 1087), Zamora, Salmerón [approximately 10.472° N, 66.369° W], 15 Aug. 1987 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 1 ♂, MIZA 105686 (MAGS 966), 10 km N de Guatire [approximately 10.55° N, 66.58° W], Hacienda Santa Rosa, 19 Feb. 1982 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, MIZA 105697 (MAGS 845), near Tacarigua de Mamporal (“ a 1 km de Tacarigua de Mamporal en la via a Rio Chico ”) [10.382° N, 66.147° W], 31 Oct. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., M.A. González S.) • 3 ♂♂, MIZA 105747 (MAGS 1441), San Antonio de los Altos [10.369° N, 66.973° W], “Urb. Las Minas, Ed. Altair ”, 1998 (M. García) • 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, 4 juvs, MIZA 105704 (MAGS 242), El Castaño, carretera a Arag̹ita [10.283° N, 66.400° W], 27 Jun. 1981 (A.R. Delgado de G., J.A. González D., M.A. González S.) • 1 ♀, MIZA 105721 (MAGS 1093), Guatopo National Park, Macanilla, 5 Sep. 1987 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MIZA 105690 (MAGS 506), El Ávila National Park (“estribaciones del Avila”), El Paraiso [10.530° N, 66.819° W], ~1500 m a.s.l., 16 Aug. 1981 (J.A. González D.) • 1 ♂, 1 juv., MIZA 105617 (MAGS 1109), La Julia, via Pico Naiguatá [between 10.50° N, 66.81° W and 10.54° N, 66.78° W], 15 Oct. 1987 (H. Bird) • 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 21982), El Ávila National Park, near La Julia, ‘site 3’ (10.5066° N, 66.8119° W), 1090 m a.s.l., forest near dry brook bed, 22 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♂♂, ZFMK (Ar 21983), El Ávila National Park, near La Julia, trail to Rancho Grande (10.5164° N, 66.8089° W), 1460 m a.s.l., degraded forest along small stream, 22 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MIZA 105670 (MAGS 1169), Rio Aricagua [10.583° N, 66.234° W], 27 Aug. 1989 (M.A. González-S.) • 1 ♀, MIZA 105800 (MAGS 985), Dtto. Brión, Hacienda La Maravilla, 6 Jun. 1981 (A. Utrera) • 7 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 3 juvs, MIZA 105594 (MAGS 1030), Estanque Ayala [10.505° N, 66.763° W], 25 Jan. 1987 (A.R. Delgado de G., E.S.S., E.G.L., M.A. González S.) • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 2 juvs, MIZA 105668 (MAGS 1165), old road Caracas-Charallave, Los Amarillos [10.367° N, 66.945° W], Jul. 1989 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀, CAS (9027359), Caracas, Hacienda La Trinidad [approximately 10.42° N, 66.85° W, 1100 m a.s.l.], 28 Dec. 1970 (W.B. Peck) • 1 ♀, 1 juv., MIZA, El Volcán, Topotepuy [10.417° N, 66.851° W, ~1450 m a.s.l.], 11–13 Nov. 2019 (O. Villarreal, J. Rodriguez). – Monagas • 1 ♂, 8 juvs, MIZA 105710 (MAGS 1318), Cueva del Guácharo [10.174° N, 63.552° W], 12 Oct. 1991 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs, MIZA 105752 (MAGS 1313), same locality, 14 Oct. 1991 (M. de García, A.R. Delgado, M.A. González S.). – Nueva Esparta • 1 ♀, MIZA 105780 (MAGS 1007), Cerro Copei [11.047° N, 63.891° W], Dec. 1986 (C.E. Contreras A.). – Portuguesa • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MIZA 105574 (MAGS 1400), Paez, Acarigua (Pozo Blanco) [approximately 9.52° N, 69.15° W], 7 Jul. 1995 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.). – Táchira • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 21984), and 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-123), SE Pregonero, forest near La Trampa (7.9236° N, 71.7152° W), 1300 m a.s.l., 10 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.). – Trujillo • 7 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21985–86), and 2 ♀♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-216), between Boconó and Burbusay (9.3945° N, 70.2674° W), 1820 m a.s.l., 22 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 1 ♀, 1 juv., MIZA 105762 (MAGS 1386), Boconó, Miticún [9.235° N, 70.264° W], 26 Dec. 1993 (E. González S., M.A. González S.) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, MIZA 105778 (MAGS 1011), near Boconó, Hacienda La Encomienda [9.284° N, 70.317° W], 27 Dec. 1986 (R. Manzanilla) • 1 ♂ (palps missing), MIZA 1809, route to Buena Vista via La Gira, 650 m a.s.l., 14 May 2005 (O. Villarreal M., H. Escalona) • 1 ♂, ZFMK (Ar 21987), and 1 juv. in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-140), near El Encanto (9.7562° N, 70.7418° W), 150 m a.s.l., among rocks, 13 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.). – La Guaira • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, ZFMK (Ar 21988), and 1 ♂ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven18-159), El Limón, above road Colonia Tovar-Puerto Cruz (10.4566° N, 67.2548° W), 1535 m a.s.l., 9 Nov. 2018 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 4 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs, MIZA 105742 (MAGS 993), Hacienda El Limón [approximately 10.475° N, 67.283° W], 26 Nov. 1986 (A.R. Delgado, M.A. González-S.) • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., MIZA 105777 (MAGS 983), same locality, 12 Feb. 1982 (M.A. González S.) • 2 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21989), El Limón, ‘site 1’ (10.4788° N, 67.3010° W), 600 m a.s.l., forest remnant along small stream, 21 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv., ZFMK (Ar 21990), and 1 ♀ in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-171), El Limón, ‘site 2’ (10.4774° N, 67.2819° W), 1235 m a.s.l., forest along stream, 21 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M.) • 1 ♀, 1 juv., MIZA 105583 (MAGS 1412), Galipán [approximately 10.55° N, 66.89° W], 26 Jun. 1996 (J.A. González D.). – Yaracuy • 1 ♂, MIZA 105641 (MAGS 1085), Yurubi National Park [approximately 10.48° N, 68.66° W], 11 Sep. 1986 (E. Yustiz) • 1 ♀, MIZA 1810, Minas de Aroa [approximately 10.422° N, 68.878° W], “tunel de la casa de montaña”, 22 Dec. 1998 (O. Villarreal) • 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21991), and 2 ♀♀, 1 juv. in pure ethanol, ZFMK (Ven20-157), Yurubi National Park (10.4913° N, 68.6564° W), 140 m a.s.l., forest along stream, 16 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.) • 2 ♂♂, ZFMK (Ar 21992), Guaquira, ‘site 1’ (10.2951° N, 68.6535° W), 120 m a.s.l., forest along stream, 16 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.) • 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀, ZFMK (Ar 21993), Guaquira, ‘site 2’ (10.2807° N, 68.6530° W), 150 m a.s.l., forest along stream, 17 Feb. 2020 (B.A. Huber, O. Villarreal M., Q. Arias C.) .

Distribution

This species is widespread in northern South America (cf. Huber 2018: fig. 724). The map in Fig. 1048 shows only the known Venezuelan records and those in neighboring regions.