Porrhomma microcavense Wunderlich, 1990

Figs. 29A–F.

Porrhomma microcavense Wunderlich, 1990 — Wunderlich (1990): p. 164, Figs. 1–5 (descr. ♂ ♀). P. microcavense — Helsdingen & IJland (2011): p. 23, Figs. 4, 6–8 (♂); ♀ (Figs. 1–3, 5) is misidentified, it refers to P. microps .

Material examined. Holotype ♂, GERMANY: Bielefeld, 2–5 Aug 1989, leg. S.T. Zähle (SMF no. 37173-124) ; paratype ♀, Bielefeld, 25–28 May 1989, leg. S.T. Zähle (SMF no. 37174-124).

Other material examined. CZECHIA: Střemy-Lhotka, 10 Apr –1 Jun 2000, 1 ♀, leg. L. Beran (NMP). Jablonec nad Nisou, Lukášov, 8 Jul–8 Aug 2016, 1 ♀, leg. P. Vonička (CAK). Mladečské Caves, 1 Apr 2009, 1 ♀, leg. R. Mlejnek. Hranice-Drahotuše, 12 Jun 2005, 1 ♀, leg. J. Bezděk (IECA) . SLOVAKIA: Nitra-Báb, 3 Aug 1995, 1 Ƌ, 26 Jun 1996, 1 ♀, leg. O. Žitňanská (WSM) . POLAND: Klucze, 19 Jun 2000, 1 ♀, leg. E. Kula (IECA) . RUSSIA: Perm Area, Kungur env., Spasskaya Gora Nature Reserve, 15 Sep 1988, 1 Ƌ 2 ♀, leg. S.L. Esyunin (PSU, No. 4071).

Diagnosis. Males of P. microcavense (Fig. 29B) and P. cavernicola are easily identified by the sickle-shaped and extremely thick AP. P. microcavense in native in Europe, P. cavernicola in North America. Female of P. microcavense can be recognised by epigynum with translucent typically curved copulatory ducts (Fig. 29C) and spermathecae reaching deep into the abdomen (Figs. 5B, 29E).

Description. ♀ (from Nitra, Báb, Slovakia, 26 Jun 1996). Carapace brown, 0.75 mm wide, eyes reduced, PME–PME = 1.7 (Fig. 29A). Abdomen grey. Fe I–II with one dorsal spine, Fe I with one prolateral spine. Ti I with one prolateral spine, Ti I–II with one retrolateral spine. Tm Mt I = 0.27, Mt I/CW = 1.04.

Epigynum with translucent typically curved copulatory ducts (Fig. 29C). Spermathecae reach deep into the abdomen (Figs. 5B, 29D–F).

Ƌ (from Nitra-Báb, Slovakia, 3 Aug 1995). Embolus of middle length with a narrow velum. The sickle-shaped AP is extremely thick (Fig. 29B).

Variation. ♂ ♀. Carapace 0.59–0.87 mm wide; the female from Mladečské Caves is the smallest. Fe I–II, and sometimes also III–IV with one dorsal spine. Tm Mt I = 0.27–0.32, Mt I/CW = 0.90–1.16 (n = 5).

Ecology. Only single specimens have been recorded, e.g. in heathland, among shrubs, on forest margins, in alluvial habitats. Has not been recorded in shallow subterranean habitats; only one has been collected in a karst cave.

Global distribution. Europe after Thaler et al. (2003), Esyunin (2007), Helsdingen & IJland (2011), Arachnologische Gesellschaft (2017), Hajdamowicz (in litt.) and this paper. See Fig. 30.