Trichoncus trifidus Denis, 1965

Bosmans, Robert, Cardoso, Pedro & Crespo, Luis Carlos, 2010, A review of the linyphiid spiders of Portugal, with the description of six new species (Araneae: Linyphiidae) 2473, Zootaxa 2473 (1), pp. 1-67 : 54-55

Trichoncus trifidus Denis, 1965

( Figs 111–117)

Trichoncus scrofa ; Machado, 1949: 33 (misidentification).

Remark: Only the male was available from Portugal. The illustrations of the female are based on material from Spain.

Description: Measurements: Male: Total length 2.3; prosoma 1.03 long, 0.89 wide. Colour: Prosoma reddish brown suffused with orange brown; legs orange brown, abdomen grey, dorsally with median paler area. Prosoma unmodified. Legs: Spine formula 1111; Tb Mt I = 0.37; Tb Mt IV absent; L SpI Ti = 2. Femora and tibiae with ventral and lateral rows of spinelike hairs. Abdomen: With long, erect hairs. Palp ( Figs 111– 113): Tibia with strongly elongated, arched prolateral apophysis, terminally denticulate and triangular prolateral and anterodorsal apophyses; embolic division with rounded tailpiece, twisted anterior apophysis and threadlike embolus, describing a complete, wide circle.

Female: Measurements: Total length 2.5–3.0; prosoma 1.15–1.17 long, 0.98–1.04 wide. Epigynum ( Figs 114–116): With protruding, rounded scape, covering a rectangular median plate. Colour, spine formula and abdomen as in the male. Vulva ( Fig.117): Spermathecae separated by slightly more than their diameter; insemination ducts large, with large loop anterior to spermathecae.

Previous records: Braga: Peneda-Gerês NP, Terras de Bouro, Mata da Albergaria ( Cardoso et al. 2008b). Porto: Gondomar ( Machado 1949, sub T. scrofa ; Denis 1965); S. Pedro da Cova ( Machado 1949, sub T. scrofa ; Denis 1965); Valongo, Serra de Pias ( Machado 1949, sub T. scrofa ; Denis 1965). Viana do Castelo: Paredes de Coura ( Machado 1949, sub T. scrofa ; Denis 1965).

New records: Bragança: Douro Internacional NP, Mogadouro, Tó , 1 male, 7.III.2001 (CPC) .

Additional specimens examined: SPAIN: Zaragoza : Daroca, 3 females, 14.IV.1998, Pinus forest (CRB) .

Distribution: The species was until now only known from Portugal, and it was newly recollected in Portugal in one locality. It was also collected for the first time in Spain, and these female specimens are figured here.

Habitat type: Only found in closed forests.

Phenology: Collected from December to July ( Machado 1949).