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Eridantes diodontos new species (Figures 1 –8, 10– 15) Type material. HOLOTYPE MALE: U.S.A.: Arizona: Yavapai County; E of Prescott off Hwy 169 (~ 8.7 km (5.4 mi) W of Interstate 17), 2.25 km (1.4 mi) NNE on W Cherry Creek Rd, 4.18 km (2.6 mi) E from road junction; Elev. 1446 m (4744 ft) [(NAD 27 datum) 34 º 32 ' 53 "N 112 º02' 20 "W] 7 Jan 2002; extracted from: red willow, Arizona ash, apple, scrub oak leaf litter; Coll.: T.R. Prentice (CAS 18696). ALLOTYPE FEMALE: same data as holotype (CAS). OTHER PARATYPES: same data as holotype, 23 (13, CAS; 13, definitive molt 24 Jan 2002, AMNH). Other material examined. Same data as holotype: 43 (def. molts: 20 Jan 13, 24 Jan 13, 28 Jan 2002 13), 8 Ƥ (def. molts: 19 Jan 2 Ƥ, 20 Jan 1 Ƥ, 22 Jan 2 Ƥ, 29 Jan 2002 1 Ƥ); U.S.A.: Arizona: Cochise County; Southwestern Research Station, ~ 8.4 km (5.2 mi) SW (road miles) of Portal; Elev. 1646 m (5400 ft) [31 º 53 '00"N 109 º 12 ' 24 "W] (mileage and lat/long data generated by authors) 1 Ƥ, 10 Aug 1976, Coll.: Steve Johnson; Mexico: San Luis Potosí; San Luis Potosí (city), 6.4 km (4 mi.) W; Elev. 1990 m (6530 ft) (Google Earth elevation shown for given lat/long) [22 º 10 ' N 101 º04' W] 13 1 Ƥ, 7 June 1941 (2 nd label in vial with coordinates states collection date as 7 July; presumed not to be original label); Coll.: A. M. & L. I. Davis (specimens in AMNH). Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek language and is masculine in gender in accordance with the genus name, the prefix di meaning two and odontos meaning tooth, referring to the two distal teeth (dorsal and ventral) of the male palpal tibial apophysis. Diagnosis. Males are easily distinguished from E. erigonoides by the more elevated cephalic lobe (Fig 1), higher position of the prosomal pits in relation to the PLE (Fig 1), angular (Fig 2) rather than rounded anterior margin of the cephalic lobe, and shape and position of the two distal projections of the tibial apophysis (Figs 6–8) (see Crosby & Bishop 1933, figs 150–153, 155 for comparisons) and from E. utibilis by the more elevated position of the prosomal pits, anterior margin of cephalic lobe and clypeal margin more in line (Fig 1), recessed area between the lateral sulci much more expansive (Fig 1), shape of the tibial apophysis with two terminal teeth (Figs 4–6) versus a pointed triangular apophysis (see Crosby & Bishop 1933, figures 159–161, 163 for comparisons), and slender tip of the embolus (Fig 5) versus a flattened bifurcate tip (see Paquin & Dupèrrè 2006, fig 25). Females are separated from those of E. erigonoides by the inverted (seemingly) T-shaped transverse posterior portion of the median plate and posteriorly directed ectal arms of the m-shaped internal carinae (Figs 15, 16; see Crosby & Bishop 1933, figs 158 and Paquin & Dupérré 2003, fig 957 for comparison) and from E. utibilis by the presence of the inverted T-shaped transverse portion of the median plate and visible m-shaped internal carinae (Figs 15, 16), both lacking in the latter species (see Paquin & Dupérré 2006, figure 28 for comparison). Description. Holotype male: total length 1.7. Carapace: length 0.78, width 0.61, cephalic width/carapace width 0.7, cephalic lobe present, carrying the PME (Figs 1, 2), PME 1.0 diameters (long diameter) from the anterior margin of lobe, lobe width 0.28, widest at anterior ectal margin, lobe width/cephalic width 0.6,yellowishorange, more yellowish toward posterior, darker in the cephalic region, infuscated between posterior mid-line seta and base of cephalic lobe, margin with dark gray or black encircling band; in dorsal outline (Fig 2) a slight constriction at the cephalic groove, from groove anterior margin evenly curved; anterior margin of cephalic lobe broadly angulate (rounded in E. erigonoides), anterior corners more or less in line with posterior margin of ALE, PLE barely visible; lateral margins of lobe (dorsal sulci) parallel, dorsal setae on lobe procurved, anterior setae (from mid-line) curved ectally downward, margin with black encircling band, reduced in width anterior to level of coxa of palp; carapace in lateral view (Fig 1) rising from posterior in nearly straight line to the level of the long posterior seta (anterior end of dorsal groove), then slightly and narrowly flattened to base of lobe, continuing in straight rise and then gently curving from level of posterior end of cavity toward highest point just posterior of PME, cephalic height 0.39, gently curving downward, most anterior point slightly overhanging concave portion which continues to AME (AME visible from above), one long dorsal mid-line setae, anterior socket with seta missing (in males with both setae present, anterior is also long but slightly shorter than posterior), length of posterior 0.16; cephalic lobe with small prosomal pit slightly above and behind PLE (more or less in line with PE group), pit at anterior end of relatively large cavity, surface smooth and shiny and bounded by lateral sulci, cavity widest near mid-length; clypeus slightly convex, single clypeal seta midway between AME and ventral margin of clypeus, clypeal height 0.15; clypeus, lower edge of pars cephalica, and pars thoracica with fine squamate microsculpture. Chelicerae: relatively stout, similar to color of anterior thoracic region, with clearly visible stridulatory striae, striae overlapping and auxiliary striae present (Fig 10); inner anterior surface with three small setulose tubercles, one additional between the distal two on anteromesal face near cheliceral teeth; anterior margin with five teeth, second proximal largest, posterior margin with four large denticles. Eyes: PME 0.05; ALE largest 1.2 X PME diameter, PLE only slightly larger than AME, AME smallest 0.04, separated from each other by approximately the radius of one and from the ALE by approximately one diameter; both eye rows procurved (AER viewed from in front); AME and LE groups and each PME encircled in black. Sternum and pedicel: both width and length of sternum 0.48, posterior extension between coxae IV broad, width slightly less than coxal width; setae relatively long and oriented toward mid-line, 0.4–0.5 X length of posterior dorsal mid-line seta; color yellowish orange, similar to that of cephalic region, margin narrowly infuscated; sternite and pleurites of pedicel juxtaposed. Abdomen: color black without pattern, seta on dorsal and ventral surfaces reclined and relatively dense, epigastric plates over booklungs yellowish, similar in color to posterior portion of carapace; stridulatory striae not visible at 125 X but SEM images reveal squamate striae (Fig 11); spinnerets whitish. Legs: leg formula IV-I-II-III, dorsal tibial spines 1 - 1 - 1 - 1, respectively, TmI 0.46, TmIV absent, TiI l/d 5.3; leg I length/carapace length 2.45; tarsal claws pectinate (visible at 200 X), superior claws of tarsi I & II with tines throughout length of claws, decreasing in length toward claw base, tines on tarsal claws III & IV fewer in number, only on basal portion of claws. Pedipalp: length femur/length femur I 0.66; tibia widest medially, tibial apophysis widest near half-length, with two teeth, darkened dorsal tooth bluntly pointed on mesal side, squared off on ectal side, the longer black ventral tooth extending in a tapering fashion from level of squared off ectal edge of dorsal tooth toward ectal edge of the tibia and with the more ectally angled distal end tapering abruptly to a point (Figs 6–8); tibial trichbothria: one prolateral, one retrolateral (Fig 8). Bulb: cymbium small only slightly longer than patella, cymbium length/femur length 0.56; paracymbium fully visible only in ventral view (similar in shape to that of E. erigonoides; see Kaston 1948; fig 571), narrowly underlying proximoventral margin of mesal side of cymbium (Fig 5: P); tegulum ventrally protuberant (Figs 6, 7: T), in mesal and mesoventral views distal margin on mesal side of protegulum appearing carinate (Fig 5, 7); protegulum small, not well developed (Fig 6: PT); terminus of tailpiece (Fig 5:TP) angularly rounded at sclerotized margin of suprategulum near cymbial margin, angled at dorsal transition to narrowed visible part, narrowed sclerite split into ventral and dorsal components between which lies membranous region of the radix (Fig 5: R) into which sperm duct passes through membranous column (Fig 5: SD, CL), dorsal and ventral sclerites merge into single sclerite distal to entry point of sperm duct, single sclerite continuing toward ectal side of bulb as a wide flattened embolic division (Fig 5: ED; with a membranous component) which tapers as it coils back to mesal side of bulb where slender tip (Fig 5: E) is supported by tegulum just inside of carinate apical margin on mesal side of bulb, sperm duct carried by membranous constituent (Figs 5–7: M) to ectoventral point of embolic curve where duct enters sclerotized portion; suprategulum sclerotized dorsally (Fig 5: SPT), terminal portion of DSA supports coiled embolus on ectal to ectoventral portions of embolus (Fig 6: DSA). Description. Allotype female: total length 1.9. Carapace: length 0.81, width 0.65, cephalic width/carapace width 0.75; coloration dark yellowish-orange in cephalic region, clypeus and area between eye rows lightly infuscated, more yellowish posteriorly; in lateral view (Fig 3) rising steeply from base to approximately the level of posterior face of coxa II, then more-or-less rising in even arc, to highest point just posteriad of PME, height 0.34, then dropping in even arc to AME; clypeus relatively straight, sloping anteriorly to most anterior point at ventral margin of clypeus, height 0.12, single clypeal seta at about 0.55 X distance between ventral margin of clypeus and AME; three long setae between dorsal groove and PME, from posterior to anterior decreasing in length, posterior seta 0.16; clypeus, ventral margin of pars cephalica, and pars thoracica with squamate microsculpture; in dorsal view (Fig 4) with slight constriction (gently concave) near cephalic groove, cephalic region evenly rounded in front, width greatest at about level of anterior face of coxa II. Chelicerae: coloration as in pars cephalica, moderately stout with clearly visible stridulatory striae, striae overlapping (Fig 12), medial striae (central striae between anterior and posterior cheliceral margins) more interrupted than in male, auxiliary striae present (Fig 12), margins of fang furrows equipped with five teeth on anterior margin and four relatively large denticles on posterior margin, two small setose tubercles on inner face of anterior surface, 1 additional tubercle on dorsomesal face close to proximal tooth on the anterior margin. Eyes: PME 0.05, separated from each other by 0.9 X the diameter, ALE subequal to PME, AME smallest, separated by 0.50–0.6 X the diameter of one, PLE slightly smaller than ALE, PME–PLE 1.3 X PME diameter, PME–AME 1.5 X PME diameter, AME–ALE 1.5 X AME diameter, both eye rows procurved (AER viewed from in front), PE and AME groups, and each PME encircled in black. Sternum and pedicel: coloration yellowish orange as in cephalic region, length and width 0.50, margin and extension between coxae IV infuscated; sternite and pleurites of pedicel separated by membrane (juxtaposed in male). Abdomen: setation, coloration of abdomen, spinnerets, and booklung plates (Fig 13) as in holotype. Legs: leg formula IV-I-II- III, dorsal tibial spines 1 - 1 - 1 - 1, respectively, TmI 0.49, TmIV absent, TiI l/d 4.9, leg I length/ carapace length 2.41; pectination of tarsal claws as in male holotype. Pedipalp: tibial trichobothria, two retrolateral, one prolateral. Epigynum: width 0.23, length 0.17; median plate forming an inverted (seemingly) T-shaped structure (Figs 14, 16:MP; true shape (Fig 15: MP; furrow defining division between median and ventral plates not visible at 125 X magnification); copulatory openings at junction of median and ventral plates at anterior termini of transverse component of median plate (Figs 14–16: CO, MP, VP, respectively); longitudinal component of median plate with sides appearing roughly parallel (Figs 14, 16: MP); darkened lateral carinae (Fig 14: IC) of median plate (stemming from anterior end of longitudinal component) loop laterally and extend posteriorly, together with carinae of the longitudinal component of median plate forming an m-shaped pattern (Figs 14–16); spermathecae kidney-beanshaped (Figs 14, 16: S) with dorsolateral orientation, posterolaterally positioned, just anterior of and lateral to termini of transverse arm of median plate. Variation. Males (n= 7). Total length 1.55–1.7. Carapace: length 0.69–0.78, width 0.55–0.61, cephalic height 0.34–0.39; clypeal height 0.13–0.15, coloration varying from dark yellowish orange to yellow, but darker in cephalic region becoming more pale toward base of cephalothorax, area between eyes and clypeus often with light infuscation, one or both of long mid-line dorsal setae sometimes missing but sockets always visible, posterior seta longest 0.14–0.16, position of single seta above ventral margin of clypeus 0.5–0.7 X total distance from ventral margin to AME. Chelicerae: anterior teeth four right, five left in one male. Eyes: size of eyes varies in diameter but ALE usually the largest followed by PME, PLE generally intermediate between PME and AME, AME smallest separated by a quarter to a half AME diameter, PME–PME 1.2–1.8 X PME diameter, AME–ALE 1.0– 1.4 X AME diameter, lateral eyes contiguous. Sternum: length and width 0.43–0.48. Legs: varying from yellowish orange to pale yellow; TmI 0.45–0.50, TiI l/d 4.7–5.3. Pedipalp: palpal femur 0.63–0.67 X length of femur I (mean 0.65) and half the length of carapace. Female s (n= 11). Total length 1.6–2.1. Carapace: length 0.71–0.86, width 0.55–0.66, cephalic height 0.30–0.38, clypeal height 0.11–0.13, coloration varying as in males, one or more of the 3 long mid-line dorsal setae sometimes missing but sockets always visible, decreasing in length from posterior to anterior, posterior 0.16–0.21, position of single seta above ventral margin of clypeus 0.60–0.75 X total distance from ventral margin to AME. Eyes: variation in diameter and relative size as in males, AME–AME 0.3–0.9 X AME diameter, AME–ALE 0.8–1.4 XAME diameter, PME–PME 0.7–1.1 X PME diameter, PME–PLE 1.2–1.6 X PME diameter, PME–AME 1.4 –2.0. Sternum: length and width 0.45–0.52. Legs: coloration varies as in males; TmI 0.44–0.55, TiI l/d 4.4–5.2. Epigynum: width greater than length, length/width 0.70–75; under microscope (125 X): width of (apparent) horizontal component of median plate varying in length (anterior to posterior), vertical component of median plate with internal carinae usually parallel, occasionally with anterior portion narrower than posterior, spermathecae elliptical, or kidney-bean-shaped (medial surface concave), usually oriented anterolaterally occasionally somewhat less laterally and more dorsally. Distribution. Eridantes diodontos n. sp. has been collected from two localities in Arizona, the Southwestern Research Station near Portal in Cochise County and the type locality north of State Highway 169 in Yavapai County, and from one locality in Mexico west of the city of San Luis Potosí (Fig 17). In Arizona the species was taken from mixed leaf litter consisting of red willow, Arizona ash, apple, scrub oak. Phenology. Collection dates and definitive molts of both sexes (from Arizona) suggest that individuals mature in December, January, and probably early February. Males can be still be found at least as late as early June and females as late as August. FIGURE 17. Distribution map of the three known Eridantes species: E. erigonoides,; E. utibilis,; E. diodontos,Ǻ.

Eridantes Crosby & Bishop, 1933 Type species. Lophocarenum erigonoides Emerton, 1882 by original designation. Diagnosis. Eridantes is distinguished from those of all other similar linyphiid genera (Crosbyarachne Charitnov, Dismodicus Simon, Baryphyma Simon, and Satilatlas Keyserling) by the following two male characters: the mesal rather than ectal position of the paracymbium (narrowly underlying the proximomesal edge of the cymbium; Figs 5, 9: P) and the broadly divided dorsal and ventral sclerites of the largely membranous radix (Figs 5, 9: R). We propose that the above character states are synapomorphies of Eridantes. Females are most likely to be confused with those of Pocadicnemus Simon (P. pumilla (Blackwall), P. americana Millidge, and P. occidentalis Millidge) but can be readily distinguished by the flattened epigynum (ventrally protruding in Pocadicnemus), the medially positioned metatarsal trichobothrium (distally positioned in Pocadicnemus), and the absence of TmIV (present in Pocadicnemus). Description. Length 1.5���1.9. Dorsal tibial spines 1 - 1 - 1 - 1, Tm IV absent, tarsal claws pectinate, both eye rows procurved (AER viewed from in front), cheliceral and abdominal stridulatory structures present (Figs 10���13). Males: presence of PME cephalic lobe, prosomal pits, and lateral sulci (Figs 1, 2); absence of spine on palpal patella; sternite and pleurites of pedicel juxtaposed; paracymbium narrowly underlying proximomesal edge of cymbium (Figs 5, 9: P) but dorsoectally articulated with base of cymbium (this portion of paracymbium not visible in unexpanded bulb); sperm duct with sudden constriction prior to entry into suprategulum, protegulum weakly developed, tailpiece flattened and bent near ventral edge of sclerotized portion of suprategulum (Figs 5, 9: TP), column membranous (Figs 5, 9: CL), both distal (Fig 6: DSA) and marginal suprategular apophyses (Fig 9: MSA) present (the latter very difficult to see in E. diodontos n. sp. but distinguishable in many males; presence undetermined in E. utibilis), radical division largely membranous with sclerites broadly divided around membranous portion of radix (Figs 5, 9: R), embolic division (Figs 5, 9: ED) in the form of an apical attenuate semicircularly curved sclerotized structure winding from the thickened dorsomesal portion toward dorsoectal edge and back toward the ventromesal edge (Figs 5, 9: E), slender embolic tip (flattened and bifurcate in E. utibilis) lying inside the distomesal edge of the tegulum, true embolic membrane (see Hormiga 1994) absent but sperm duct leaving radix and entering embolic division within a membranous sheath prior to entering the sclerotized portion of embolus, membrane (Figs 5, 9: M) articulated with sclerotized portion throughout length of embolus (membranous condition undetermined in E. utibilis). Females: epigynum of E. erigonoides and E. diodontos n. sp., with mshaped internal carinae visible in ventral view (refer to Crosby & Bishop 1933: fig 158; Figs 14, 16, respectively); epigynum of E. utibilis with an elongate, triangular structure, posteriorly broad and bluntly pointed anteriorly with spermathecae closely adjacent near posterior margin (refer to Paquin & Duperre 2006: fig 28)., Published as part of Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2013, A new species of the spider genus Eridantes Crosby & Bishop from the southwestern United States and mainland Mexico with a revised diagnosis of the genus (Araneae, Linyphiidae, Erigoninae), pp. 357-366 in Zootaxa 3616 (4) on page 358, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3616.4.4, http://zenodo.org/record/220399

Prentice, Thomas R., Redak, Richard A. (2013): A new species of the spider genus Eridantes Crosby & Bishop from the southwestern United States and mainland Mexico with a revised diagnosis of the genus (Araneae, Linyphiidae, Erigoninae). Zootaxa 3616 (4): 357-366, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3616.4.4

Esophyllas vetteri new species (Figures 1 ���20, 38��� 41) Type material. HOLOTYPE MALE: U.S.A.: California: Riverside County: San Jacinto Mountains, E Canyon Cedar Springs Trail (4 E 17) off Morris Ranch Rd. off Hwy 74: 1790.1 m [33 �� 39 ' 39.2 "N 116 �� 34 ' 48.2 "W] 31 Dec 2003, oak leaf litter, R. Vetter (CAS 18596) ALLOTYPE FEMALE: same data as holotype (CAS, in vial with holotype). ADDITIONAL PARATYPES: same data as holotype, 23 (CAS: 13; UCRC 51392: 13); San Jacinto Mountains, E Canyon Cedar Springs Trail (4 E 17) off Morris Ranch Rd. off Hwy 74, 1755.3 m [33 �� 39 ' 30 "N 116 �� 34 ' 51 "W] 23, 20 Jan 2004, oak leaf litter along running creek, E. F. Drake (CAS: 13; AMNH: 13). Other material examined. U.S.A.: California: Riverside County: San Jacinto Mountains: E Canyon Cedar Springs Trail (4 E 17) off Morris Ranch Rd. off Hwy 74: 1755.3 m [33 �� 39 ' 30 "N 116 �� 34 ' 51 "W] 113 55 ��, 20 Jan 2004, oak leaf litter along running creek, E. F. Drake (CAS: 1 ��; AMNH: 1 ��); 1740.1 m [33 �� 39 ' 26.8 "N 116 �� 34 ' 55.7 "W] 13 6 ��, 1���6 Jan 2004, oak leaf litter along running creek, S of switchbacks, C. Hartley & S. Fitzgerald; 1790.1 m [33 �� 39 ' 39.2 "N 116 �� 34 ' 48.2 "W] 123 23 ��, 31 Dec 2003 (CAS: 1 ��; UCRC 51393: 1 ��); 1828.8 m [33 �� 39 ' 42 "N 116 �� 34 ' 41 "W] 3 ��, 29 Mar 2001; 2063.5 m [33 �� 40 '00"N 116 �� 34 ' 31 "W], 2 ��, 29 Mar 2001, oak leaf litter; 1706.8 m [33 �� 39 ' 20.1 "N 116 �� 35 '07.3"W] 13 ��, 11 Mar 2001, under snow and oak leaves; ~ 1860 m [33 �� 39 ' 42 "N 116 �� 34 ' 38 "W] 1 ��, 7 Jan 2001, in sharp-leafed oak duff, R. Vetter; James Reserve (Lake Fulmor area): 0.5 km NE of Hwy 243, E side of bridge over tributary to upper Indian Creek, 1634.3 m [33 �� 48 ' 28 "N 116 �� 46 ' 37 "W] 13, 8 Oct 2001, T. R. Prentice & R. A. Redak, in oak and pine litter; 23, 8 Oct 2001, R. Vetter, Quercus kelloggi and Ponderosa leaf litter; 1631 m [33 �� 48 ' 26 "N 116 �� 46 ' 39.7 "W] 23, 25 Sept 1981, oak litter, J. A. Moore; Lake Fulmor, ~ 1632 m [~ 33 �� 48 ' 19 "N 116 �� 46 ' 48 "W] 113 19 ��, Nov 1967, collector unknown; Fobes Ranch Rd. off Hwy 74, 1464.9 m [33 �� 39 ' 24.8 "N 116 �� 38 '01.2"W] 13 1 ��, 31 Dec 2001, in Neotoma nest, R. Vetter; San Bernardino Mountains, N of Cabazon near Kitching Peak trailhead: 1351.2 m (1745.9 m on original label with given coordinates) [33 �� 59 ' 40 "N 116 �� 45 ' 52 "W] 13 5 ��, 6 Mar 2004; 10 ��, 29 Feb 2004, in oak leaf duff, E. F. Drake; 1288.7 m [33 �� 59 ' 44.4 "N 116 �� 45 ' 45.1 "W] 13 2 ��, 4 Jan 2004, in oak/box elder duff, C. S. Hartley & S Fitzgerald; Joshua Tree National Park (Monument in 1977), Covington Flats, 1550 m [34 ��01' 30 "N 116 �� 19 ' 33 "W] 1 ��, 17 Jun 1977, in packrat nest, K.W. Cooper; San Bernardino County: San Bernardino Mountains: 7.6 km E of Angelus Oaks general store on Hwy 38, 1867.8 m [34 ��09' 38 "N 116 �� 55 ' 26 "W] 5 ��, 26 Apr 2004, very dry oak duff, R. Vetter; 0.8 miles E of Angelus Oaks general store on Hwy 38, 1858.1 m [34 ��09' 24.2 "N 116 �� 55 ' 52.9 "W] 33 10 ��, in Quercus kelloggi duff; 6.4 km E of Angelus Oaks general store, Forsee Creek, 1834.6 m [34 ��09'26.0"N 116 �� 55 ' 52.7 "W] 2 ��, 1 Feb 2004, in oak duff, R. Vetter; Forest Falls area: ~ 4.5 km E on Valley of the Falls Rd. from junction with Hwy 38, N of road and Mill Creek, near creek bed just E of Alger Creek tributary, 1670.6 m [34 ��05' 17.8 "N 116 �� 54 ' 48.8 "W] 13 (def. molt 18���20 Dec 2001), 28 May 2001; 1 ��, 17 Apr 2001; 1830 m [34 ��05' 17.8 "N 116 �� 54 ' 48.8 "W] 1 ��, 17 Apr 2001, live oak leaf litter, T. R. Prentice & R. A. Redak; 23 12 ��, 25 Mar 2001, Quercus kelloggi leaf litter, R. Vetter; near Vivian Creek trailhead (1 E08), 1828.8 m [34 ��04' 48.5 "N 116 �� 53 '38.0"W] 6 ��, 25 Mar 2001, in dry oak duff, R. Vetter; 4.5 miles E on Valley of the Falls Rd. from junction with Hwy 38, falls recreation area, S of road to parking area between Vivian and Falls creeks, 1831.8 m [34 ��04' 48.5 "N 116 �� 53 '38.0"W] 1 ��, 28 May 2001; between road and Mill Creek, 1656.9 m [34 ��05' 17.8 "N 116 �� 54 ' 59.1 "W] 2 ��; 17 Apr 2001, live oak leaf litter, T. R. Prentice & R. A. Redak; off Hwy 38 W end of Camp Metoche, near Seven Oaks, 1645.9 m [34 �� 10 ' 54 "N 116 �� 53 ' 27 "W] 1 ��, 8 June 2003, N facing slope in oak/pine duff, R. Vetter; off Hwy 38 on Glass Rd. toward Seven Oaks, 1674.6 m [34 �� 10 ' 27 "N 116 �� 54 '01"W] 1 ��, 5 Oct 2001, in oak duff, R. Vetter; off Hwy 38, 0.8 km E of Glass Rd. on Seven Oaks Rd., big oak tree E of 1 st bridge, 1660.6 m [34 �� 11 '07"N 116 �� 53 ' 55 "W] 3 ��, 5 Oct 2001, in oak duff, R. Vetter; �� 1.6 km off Hwy 38 on Glass Rd. toward Seven Oaks, 1816.6 m [34 �� 10 ' 29 "N 116 �� 54 '00"W] 1 ��, 6 Jun 2003, in oak duff; 6 ��, 6 May 2001, in deciduous oak leaf duff (Q. kelloggi), R. Vetter; Hwy 38, 0.97 km E of E turnoff to Jenks Lake Rd., 1980.6 m [34 �� 10 ' 14 "N 116 �� 50 ' 29 "W] 3 ��, 6 May 2001, in oak duff, R. Vetter; Hwy 38, Fish Creek tributary of Santa Ana River, 200 m W of creek, 250 m S of Hwy 38, 1976.6 m [34 �� 10 '06.5"N 116 �� 49 '09.8"W] 2 ��, 7 Apr 2002, in oak and Ponderosa pine leaf litter, T. R. Prentice; Hwy 38, 1 km (0.6 mi) E of Heartbar campground turnoff, 2055 m [34 ��09' 48 "N 116 �� 47 ' 35 "W] 1 ��, 6 May 2001, scrub oak duff, R. Vetter; 6.4 km N of Yucca Valley, 1207.6 m [34 ��09'09"N 116 �� 29 '02"W] 4 ��, 21 May 1982, packrat nest, K. W. Cooper; San Diego County: Mount Laguna: Desert View picnic area, 1812 m [32 �� 52 ' 10.9 "N 116 �� 24 ' 51.8 "W] 13 1 ��, 19 Oct 2001, oak leaf litter; 4 ��, 4 Apr 2001 in Manzanita/ oak (Q. kelloggi) leaf duff; Mt. Laguna fire station, 1822.4 m [32 �� 51 ' 27.3 "N 116 �� 25 ' 21.9 "W] 1 ��, 4 Apr 2001, in oak duff, L. Merrill & R. Vetter. Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Richard S. Vetter who collected the majority of the specimens and amassed additional specimens collected by various fellow workers. Diagnosis. Males are easily distinguished from those of E. synankylis n. sp. by the shorter embolus division and parallel sided embolus proper (Fig 6: E; compare with Fig 26), the long attenuate tibial apophysis (Fig 10) with shorter acutely reflexed barb (Figs 7���9; compare with Figs 27���29), and shorter legs relative to carapace length, leg I length/carapace length ratios of 2.29���2.50; in E. synankylis n. sp. the tibial apophysis is in the form of a narrow ectally angled apical arm with longer and stouter acutely reflexed barb (Figs 28, 29) and leg I length/carapace length ratios of 2.58���2.81. Females are usually easily distinguished by the larger and more narrowly separated spermathecae (Fig 11: S; compare with Fig 30), separation less than spermathecal diameter (long diameter if elliptical rather than circular), in E. synankylis n. sp., separation is usually greater than diameter of spermathecae (Fig 30) except in specimens from the San Gabriel Mountains in which separation is often equal to or less than diameter; in such cases, when direct comparison is not possible, dorsal view of the cleared epigynum will easily distinguish the respective female (Fig 12; compare with Fig 31). Description. Holotype male. Total length ~ 1.2. Carapace: length 0.54, width 0.41, tannish-yellow, more faded toward posterior and toward top of cephalic lobe, margin with narrow encircling black band, lightly infuscated behind cephalic lobe, AME and LE groups, and PME encircled in black; pars thoracica, lower edge of pars cephalica, and clypeus with fine squamate microsculpture (Fig 17), cuticular pores present but not abundant (Figs 17, 18); egg shaped in dorsal view, narrower in front (Fig 2), prosomal pit (Fig 1) subequal to AME diameter, cephalic sulci most easily viewed from above (Fig 2), cephalic height 0.35, anterior setae near apex of lobe directed anteroventrally, clypeus 0.25 X cephalic height, single recurved seta below AME, cephalic width 0.20, cephalic width/carapace width 0.49. Chelicerae: yellowish-orange, 4 promarginal teeth and 2 retomarginal denticles; stridulating striae ridged (Fig 13), cuticular plectra at base of palpal femur on medial face. Eyes: ALE largest ~ 1.2 X PME diameter, PME further from each other than from contiguous LE group, AME smallest, close together, both eye rows recurved with line through center of PMEs extending across anterior border of ALE (dorsal view). Sternum & pedicel: sternum lighter than carapace, narrowly infuscated around margin, length 0.33, width 0.30, widest between coxae I & II, extended broadly between coxae IV, posterior width subequal to width of coxa IV, ventral surface highly convex, with sparse recumbent setae directed toward center; pedicel with sternite and pleurites separated by membrane at least distally. Abdomen: pattern consisting of eight chevron-shaped or recurved gray-black to black bands (Fig 5: generalized abdominal pattern), densely covered with caudally directed decumbent setae; epigastric plates over booklungs with grooved stridulatory striae (Figs 14), cuticular plectra on distal retrolateral corners of hind coxae. Legs: leg formula IV-I-II-III, length femur I 0.39, leg lengths I���IV: 1.30, 1.18, 1.02, 1.36, respectively, leg I length/carapace length 2.41, TiI l/d 5.2, TmI 0.31. Pedipalp: femur only slightly longer than cymbium, length 0.23, 0.19, respectively, and ~ 0.6 X length femur I, patella slightly over half as long as femur, tibia with single attenuate apophysis nearly twice as long as basal width, apex black, acutely reflexed, forming sharp-tipped barb, barb directed ventrally with very slight ectal twist (Figs 7���9: PTA), trichobothria: 0 prolateral, 1 retrolateral (Fig 8). Bulb: J-shaped paracymbium relatively large and strongly curved (Fig 8: P), dorsal triangular projection just basad hooked terminus, ~ 10 stout, short setae on wide basal portion; orientation of tegulum to subtegulum is distal so axis of spiraled seminal duct is proximal to distal (Fig 10: SD); through mesal aspect of apically flattened tegulum sperm duct bisinuate (Fig 7: T, SD), duct entering radix on mesal side at notch where short somewhat quadrate tailpiece angles off mesally (Figs 6, 16: SD, R TP), short embolus heavily sclerotized, black and parallel sided, spirally ridged and grooved terminus bent and tapered apically to ejaculatory opening at tip (Fig 16: E); suprategulum sclerotized, distal suprategular apophysis terminating as spear-like structure with subapical triangular projection (Fig 8: DSA); membrane attached only to mesal face of distal suprategular apophysis (Figs 6, 16: M, DSA). Allotype female. Total length ~ 1.40. Carapace: length 0.56, width 0.38, general coloration and other markings (Fig 4) and microsculpture (Fig 17) as in holotype, profile (Fig 3: typical profile), row of 4 forward directed setae along midline posteriad PME, single recurved seta below AME. Chelicerae: coloration as in holotype, chelicerae and fangs well developed, fangs equipped with 5 promarginal teeth, 3 (left) and 2 (right) retromarginal denticles; ridged stridulatory striae slightly weaker than in holotype (Fig 19). Eyes: ALE largest, ~ 1.4 X PME diameter, both eye rows recurved with line through center of PMEs extending between LE (dorsal view), otherwise as in holotype. Sternum & pedicel: length 0.35, width 0.30; pedicel with sternite and pleurites separated by membrane, otherwise as in holotype. Abdomen: pattern as in holotype (Fig 5: generalized abdominal pattern). Legs: leg formula as in holotype, femur I length 0.41, leg lengths I���IV: 1.30, 1.18, 1.04, 1.45, respectively, leg I length/carapace length 2.32, TiI l/d 4.6, TmI 0.36. Epigynum: distinctly wider than long, dorsal plate triangular in shape (Fig 11: DP, VP); spermathecae circular, separated by less than the diameter of one, posterior margin at level of anterior margin of dorsal plate, copulatory openings in very shallow depressions at anterior margin of dorsal plate at junction of dorsal and ventral plates (Fig 11: S, DP, CO, VP); from copulatory openings ducts travel dorsally then curve apicoventrally to level of spermathecal center, then loop and enter spermathecae mesally (Fig 12; CD, S); posterior orientation of fertilization duct (Fig 12: FD). Variation. Males (n= 14). Total length ~ 1.10���1.25; coloration of carapace, chelicerae, sternum, and appendages varies greatly in shade but generally appears as a admixture of tan, light yellow, and light orange (tannish-yellow to orangish-yellow) with dark narrow margin and often light infuscation just behind lobe, legs often more pale than various parts of cephalothorax. Carapace: length 0.52���0.59 (mean 0.54), width 0.38���0.44 (mean 0.41), apex of cephalic lobe often slightly lighter than remainder of carapace, cephalic height 0.30���0.36, cephalic width 0.17���0.21 (over cephalic pit between outer margins of dorsal sulci), cephalic width/carapace width 0.40���0.51, clypeal height 0.20���0.26 X cephalic height; profile of carapace varies slightly (Fig 1: generalized profile), midline row of procurved setae posterior of cephalic pit varying in number, often missing (presumed broken off). Chelicerae: 3���5 promarginal teeth (4 most common, 1���3 retromarginal denticles (2 most common). Abdomen: banding pattern fairly consistent (Fig 5 for generalized pattern), width of bands varying either reducing or expanding pale regions between bands, base pale but often infuscated above and below pedicel. Legs: TiI l/d 4.7���5.2, TmI 0.31���0.38; tibial spines of legs I & II very small and occasionally lacking (presumed to be broken off). Pedipalp: palpal femur length/femur I length 0.53���0.61 (mean 0.58). Bulb: paracymbial setae varying in number, usually �� 10. Females (n= 14). Total length ~ 1.15���1.60; coloration of carapace, chelicerae, sternum, and appendages as in males. Carapace: length 0.53���0.59 (mean 0.57), width 0.38���0.41 (mean 0.39), cephalic height 0.20���0.25, clypeus height 0.24���0.34 X cephalic height; dorsal profile line varies slightly (Fig 3: generalized profile). Chelicerae: 4���6 promarginal teeth (5 most common, 4 common), 2���3 retromarginal denticles (equally common). Abdomen: pattern variation as in males. Legs: TiI l/d 4.3���4.8, TmI 0.31���0.39; tibial spines of legs I & II stronger than in males, less frequently missing. Epigynum: spermathecae round to slightly elliptical, varying slightly in distance between mesal margins; posterior corners of furrow between dorsal and ventral plates generally acute (very narrowly rounded) but infrequently more broadly rounded. Distribution. The species is known only from Southern California. Specimens have been collected from Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties (Fig 38). Habitat. The vast majority of specimens were collected from leaf litter, primarily oak litter (both live and deciduous), but also from mixed leaf litter including Ponderosa pine and box elder. A few of our specimens were taken from plant debris within packrat middens. Specimens have been collected at elevations between 1207.6 m (3962 ft) and 2055 m (6742 ft). Phenology. Esophyllas vetteri n. sp. is primarily a winter active species with peak activity occurring from mid-November through late January. Males have been collected as early as late September and as late as the end of March. The first females were found in early October and continued activity at least through mid-June., Published as part of Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2012, Esophyllas, a new genus of erigonine spiders from southern California (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Erigoninae), pp. 1-21 in Zootaxa 3265 on pages 4-10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.213135

Esophyllas synankylis new species (Figures 21���41) Type material. HOLOTYPE MALE: U.S.A.: California: San Diego County, Julian, 4839 Pine Ridge Ave., 1291.7 m [33 ��02' 34 "N 116 �� 37 ' 49 "W] 31 Mar 2002, in Quercus kelloggi and Quercus sp. leaf litter, R. Vetter (CAS 18597). ALLOTYPE FEMALE: San Diego County, Palomar Mountain, ~4.0 km NW of junction S 6 & S 7 off S 6 toward Observatory, W side of road just N of campground, 1534.1 m [33 �� 20 ' 45 "N 116 �� 52 ' 46 "W] 31 Jan 2004, scrub/deciduous oak & Ponderosa leaf litter, T. R. Prentice (CAS). ADDITIONAL PARATYPES: same data as allotype, 23 (CAS: 13; AMNH: 13); Riverside County, San Jacinto Mountains, Hwy 74 nr. mile marker 56.8, 1219 m [33 �� 34 ' 48.4 "N 116 �� 28 ' 22.1 "W] 13, 28 Nov 2004, oak duff, R. Vetter (UCRC 51394). Other material examined. U.S.A.: California: Riverside County: San Jacinto Mountains: Hwy 74 nr. mile marker 56.8, 1219 m [33 �� 34 ' 48.4 "N 116 �� 28 ' 22.1 "W] 43 1 ��, 28 Nov 2004, in oak duff (UCRC 51395); 0.8 km S of Carrizo Rd. off Hwy 74, 1072 m [33 �� 36 '05"N 116 �� 25 '07"W] 4 ��, 20 Jan 2001, in oak leaf duff, R. Vetter; Lake Vail, Road to marina 2.7 km W near Dripping Springs Forestry Station, 460.5 m [33 �� 28 ' 28.2 "N 116 �� 59 '06.1"W] 23 2 ��, 14 Mar 1983; 63 2 ��, 14 Feb 1981, in oak litter, J. A. Moore; Bautista Canyon: ~ 6.4 km SE of Valle Vista, 800 m [33 �� 41 ' 52.4 "N 116 �� 51 ' 33.3 "W] 23 2 ��, 19 Feb 1978, (probably from packrat midden); ~ 27.4 km SE of Valle Vista, 1199 m [33 �� 36 '08"N 116 �� 44 '02"W] 2 ��, 30 Apr 1977, (probably from packrat middens), K. W. Cooper; San Bernardino County: San Gabriel Mountains: San Antonio Canyon, between Manker Flats and Icehouse Canyon, 1630.7 m [34 �� 15 ' 16 "N 117 �� 38 ' 17 "W] 1 ��, in Quercus and laurel duff; Manker Flats near Mt. Baldy, 1836.1 m [34 �� 15 ' 56 "N 117 �� 37 ' 54 "W] 33 7 ��, in oak duff, 22 Mar 2003; 0.8 km E of Wrightwood, 1697.4 m [34 �� 21 ' 32 "N 117 �� 36 ' 25 "W] 1 ��, in oak duff, 30 Mar 2003, R. Vetter; Emerson Oaks Reserve (adjacent to Agua Tibia Wilderness), ~ 8 km SE of Temecula off Hwy 79 S, ~ 472.4 m [33 �� 27 ' 57 "N 117 ��02' 28 "W] 1 ��, 24 Feb 2002, Coast Live Oak leaf litter, A, Lindahl; Los Angeles County: San Gabriel Mountains: Golden Cup Oak Plantation, 274.3 m E of Crystal lake turnoff on Hwy 39, 1532.3 m [34 �� 18 ' 48.5 "N 117 �� 50 '03.0"W] 1 ��, 30 Apr 2002, oak leaf litter, R. Vetter; Inspiration Point, W of junction Hwy 2 & N 4, 2137.6 m [34 �� 22 ' 34 "N 117 �� 42 ' 32 "W] 2 ��, 30 Mar 2003, in Quercus kelloggi oak duff, R. Vetter; San Diego County: Palomar Mountain: 4.0 km NW of junction S 6 & S 7 off S 6 toward observatory, W side of road just N of campground, 1534.1 m [33 �� 20 ' 45 "N 116 �� 52 ' 46 "W] 33 8 ��, 31 Jan 2004, scrub/deciduous oak & Ponderosa leaf litter, T. R. Prentice (CAS: 13, 1��; AMNH: 1 ��); 8.0 km W of Lake Henshaw on Hwy 76, 0.5 km W of La Jolla Indian Reservation boundary, picnic area off S side of Hwy, above N bank of San Luis Rey River, 716m [33 �� 16 ' 21.7 "N 116 �� 49 ' 51.5 "W] 1 ��, 25 Jan 2004, oak & deciduous leaf litter, T. R. Prentice & R. A. Redak; ~ 8.9 km W of Hwy 76 off S 7 W of Lake Henshaw toward Palomar Mtn, 25 m downslope off E side of S7, 1229 m [33 �� 17 '04.5"N 116 �� 47 ' 30.2 "W] 1 ��, 4 Jan 2004, oak & deciduous leaf litter, T. R. Prentice & R. A. Redak; Julian, 4839 Pine Ridge Avenue, 1291.7 m [33 ��02' 34 "N 116 �� 37 ' 49 "W] 33 12 ��, 31 Mar 2002, in Quercus kelloggi and Quercus sp. leaf litter, R. Vetter (CAS: 1 ��); Mission Trail Regional Park, N of Jackson Drive, Staging Area, 90.2 m [32 �� 49 '13.0"N 117 ��03' 12.3 "W] 2 ��, 20 Feb 2002, oak litter, M. C. Hedin; 2.1 km W of Guatay (country store) on Old Hwy 80, 1142.4 m [33 �� 51 ' 14.82 "N 116 �� 34 ' 31.44 "W] 13 2 ��, 24 Mar 2002, under rocks, berlese, M. C. Hedin (MCH02-045; Hwy 79 W of Descanso near junction with Wildwood Glen Lane, 1023.5 m [33 �� 50 ' 13.43 "N 116 �� 37 ' 50.8 "W] 13 1 ��, 26 Jan 2002, in leaf litter, M. C. Hedin. Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek language and is feminine in gender, the prefix synmeaning ���with��� and ankylis meaning ���hook��� or ���barb���, referring to the presence of a barb-like structure at the distal end of the male palpal tibial apophysis. Diagnosis. Refer to Diagnosis section for E. vetteri n. sp. Description. Holotype male. Total length ~ 1.2. Carapace: length 0.54, width 0.41; microsculpture (refer to Fig 17), cuticular pores (refer to Figs 17, 18; type species SEM), general outline of carapace in dorsal view, coloration and most dark markings as in E vetteri n. sp. holotype although general coloration slightly darker, marginal band somewhat faded, infuscated area behind lobe lacking, and cephalic lobe more angular in front (Fig 22), not rounded as in E vetteri n. sp. (Fig 2), profile (Fig 21: typical profile); prosomal pits and lateral sulci as in E. vetteri n. sp. (Figs 21, 22), cephalic height 0.35, clypeus 0.27 X cephalic height, cephalic width/carapace width 0.46; anterior setae near apex of lobe directed anteroventrally (Fig 21), seta below AME recurved, 3 forward directed setae on mid-line (1 seta slightly offset) behind lobe. Chelicerae: 4 promarginal teeth, 2 retromarginal denticles; stridulatory striae ridged (Fig 32). Eyes: ALE largest, ~ 1.1 X PME diameter, both eye rows recurved with PME and ALE in alignment (dorsal view), otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. Sternum & pedicel: length 0.33, width 0.32, otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. Abdomen: abdominal pattern (refer to Fig 25 for generalized abdominal pattern); epigastric plates over booklungs with reticulate stridulatory striae (Fig 33). Legs: coloration as in E. vetteri n. sp.; leg formula IV-I-II-III, femur I length 0.45, leg lengths I���IV; 1.47, 1.35, 1.12, 1.50, respectively, leg I length/carapace length 2.72, TiI l/d 5.3, TmI 0.32. Pedipalp: femur only slightly longer than cymbium, 0.22, 0.19, respectively, and 0.51 X femur I length, tibial apophysis arising at ectally directed angle from approximate center of subdistal margin of tibia, terminus forming darkened acutely reflexed attenuate barb with tip directed mesally (Fig 29). Bulb: paracymbium (Fig 28: P) as E. vetteri n. sp. except distal tip not as enlarged or as strongly curved, with ~ 10 strong setae scattered on wide basal portion; conformation and orientation of embolus (Figs 26 ���28, 34, 35) as in E. vetteri n. sp. except with darkened embolus proper (Figs 26, 35: E) longer, attenuate, with terminal spirally ridged and grooved portion dorsally offset and slightly tapering toward terminal ejaculatory opening; tailpiece short, quadrate, directed dorsomesally (Figs 26, 35: TP); margin of fan-shaped distal suprategular apophysis irregular (Figs 28, 34: DSA); form and articulation of membrane as in E. vetteri n. sp. (Fig 35: M; compare to Fig 16). Allotype female. Total length 1.40. Carapace: length 0.58, width 0.41, general coloration, texture and dark pigmentation around eyes as in holotype; profile (Fig 23: typical profile), row of 5 forward directed setae along midline behind PME (Figs 23, 24). Chelicerae: coloration as carapace, otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. except retrolateral margin of fang furrow equipped with 3 retromarginal denticles on both sides, stridulatory striae also ridged (Fig 36). Eyes: ALE largest, ~ 1.4 X PME diameter, both eye rows recurved with line through center of PME extending between LE (Fig 24), otherwise as in E. vetteri n. sp. females. Sternum & pedicel: sternum length 0.36, width, 0.32, otherwise as in holotype; pedicel as in E. vetteri n. sp. allotype. Abdomen: pattern (refer to Fig 25: generalized pattern). Legs: coloration and leg formula as in holotype; femur I length 0.43, leg lengths I���IV: 1.37, 1.26, 1.11, 1.50, respectively, leg I length/ carapace length 2.36, TiI l/d 4.5, TmI 0.31. Epigynum: wider than long, dorsal plate triangular as in E. vetteri n. sp. (Fig 30: DP, VP); spermathecae slightly elliptical, separated by more than diameter of one, posterior margin anterior to copulatory, openings in shallow depression (more pronounced than in E. vetteri n. sp.) at anterior junction of dorsal and ventral plates (Fig 30: S, CO, DP, VP); copulatory duct forming loop at about level of center of spermathecae and entering spermathecae at mesal margin (Fig 31: CD, S); posterior orientation of fertilization ducts (Fig 31: FD) Variation. Males (n= 14). Total length 1.05���1.25; coloration of cephalothorax, chelicerae, and appendages varies as in the type species. Carapace: length 0.49���0.59 (mean 0.53), width 0.34���0.43 (mean 0.39); apex of lobe often lighter in color, cephalic height 0.28���0.35, cephalic width 0.16���0.22, cephalic width/carapace width 0.45���0.51, clypeal height 0.21���0.27 X cephalic height, profile of cephalothorax varies slightly (Fig 21; typical profile), midline row of procurved setae posterior of prosomal pit varying in number, often missing (presumed broken off). Chelicerae: 4���5 promarginal teeth (4 most common), 2���3 retromarginal denticles (2 most common). Abdomen: variation in banding pattern as in E. vetteri n. sp. Legs: TiI l/d 5.1���5.6, TmI 0.30���0.33; leg formula usually IV-I-II-III, occasionally I-IV-II-III (3 / 14 specimens), infrequently legs I and IV equal in length (1 / 14 specimens). Pedipalp: palpal femur length/femur I length 0.46���0.55. Bulb: paracymbial setae �� 10. Females (n= 14). Total length 1.15���1.40; coloration of cephalothorax, chelicerae, and appendages varies as in males. Carapace: length 0.51���0.59 (mean 0.55), width 0.34���0.41 (mean 0.39), cephalic height 0.22���0.24 (mean 0.23), clypeus height 0.27���0.32 X cephalic height; as in females of E. vetteri n. sp. dorsal profile line varies slightly (Fig 23: typical profile). Chelicerae: 5���6 promarginal teeth (5 most common), 2���4 retromarginal denticles (3 most common). Abdomen: variation as in males. Legs: TiI l/d 4.3���4.9, TmI 0.31���0.40. Epigynum: refer to ���Diagnosis section��� of E. vetteri n. sp. Distribution. The species is known only from Southern California. Specimens have been collected from Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties (Fig 38). Habitat. As with E. vetteri n. sp., the vast majority of specimens were collected primarily from live and deciduous oak litter, and secondarily from mixed leaf litter including Ponderosa pine and laurel sumac. Six of our specimens were probably taken from plant debris within packrat middens (the local collector, K. Cooper, was involved with packrat midden invertebrates although collection labels did not indicate such). Three specimens were taken from beneath rocks but were extracted using a Berlese funnel, indicating that they were probably separated from leaf litter. Specimens have been collected at elevations between 90.2 m (296 ft) and 1836.1 m (6024 ft), which suggests that the species is more tolerant of hotter and drier climate regimes than E. vetteri n. sp. Phenology. Similar to the type species, E. synankylis n. sp. is active during the California winter months although males and females can be found together in relatively even numbers from late November through late March, which coincides with the first appearance of both males and females and last appearance of males. Females, on the other hand, continued to be found through the end of April., Published as part of Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2012, Esophyllas, a new genus of erigonine spiders from southern California (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Erigoninae), pp. 1-21 in Zootaxa 3265 on pages 10-15, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.213135

Esophyllas new genus Type species. Esophyllas vetteri new species Etymology. The name is derived from the Greek language and is feminine in gender, the prefix eso- meaning ���within��� and phyllas meaning ���bed of leaves���, referring to the habitat from which almost all specimens were collected, more specifically, oak leaf litter. Diagnosis. Esophyllas n. gen. is composed of two small desmitracheate (taenidia absent; Blest 1976) species with short emboli and is distinguished from all genera in the ��� Tapinocyba group��� (Millidge 1977; following current placement: Tapinocyba, Phlattothrata, Crosbyarachne Charitonov 1937, Ceratinops Banks, Mecynargus Kulczin���ski, Semljicola Strand, Thyreosthenius Simon, Acartauchenius Simon, Trichopternoides thorelli (Westring), and Erigonoplus Simon) and Scirites by the following male characters: presence of post-PME cephalic lobe (also in Phlattothrata and Tapinocyba prima Dup��rr�� & Paquin 2005), absence of the protegulum, a strong proximal to distal contraction of the tegulum (Figs 8, 28: T), a tubular sclerotized column (Figs 6, 26: CL; also present in P. parva), sperm duct looped over the embolic division (ED) prior to entering the radix on the proximomesal side of the ED (Figs 7, 27: R), entry further posteriad and closer to the middle of the bulb (Figs 6, 26; loop and entry similar in Crosbyarachne silvestris (Georgescu 1973) but column is membranous and carries an embolic membrane), tibial spine arrangement of 2 - 2 - 1 - 1 (vs. 1 - 1 - 1 -1, 2- 2 - 2 - 1, or in Erigonoplus, 2 - 2 - 1 - 1), proximal to distal orientation of the paracymbium (length greater than width, Figs 8, 28: P; similar in P. parva), and presence of a flat triangular process projecting from the dorsal edge of the paracymbium (Figs 8, 28: P) and a heavily sclerotized refexed barb forming the terminus of the tibial apophysis (Figs 7, 8, 27, 28: PTA). The latter two characters are considered to be synapomorphies of Esophyllas n. gen. Males are further separated from those of four of the above genera (Tapinocyba, Phlattothrata, Crosbyarachne, Scirites), with which Esophyllas n. gen. is believed to be more closely related, by the following: from Tapinocyba by the absence of pectinate tarsal claws, a dorsal seta on the palpal patella, a prolateral trichobothria on the palpal tibia, and a sudden constriction in the diameter of the sperm duct; from P. p ar v a by the absence of an anterior radical process, an embolic membrane (SEM imaging necessary to confirm attachment points in P. pa r v a; not a permitted option for borrowed material), pectinate tarsal claws, and a prolateral trichobothria on the palpal tibia (Figs 7, 27), and by the position of the lateral sulci and prosomal pits (Figs 1, 21; compare to Paquin & Dup��rr�� 2003; fig 1273, P. flagellata (Emerton)); from Crosbyarachne by the presence of a short straight embolus (vs. long and coiled), absence of an embolic membrane, a sudden constriction in the diameter of the sperm duct, pectinate tarsal claws, and a prolateral trichobothrium on the palpal tibia, and by the patterned abdomen; from Scirites by the absence of a row of strong megaspines on metatarsus I and papillae on the tegulum, pleurites and sternite of the male pedicel not juxtaposed, the presence of lateral sulci, prosomal pits, and patterned abdomen (Figs 1, 5, 21, 25). Females are most easily confused with Spirembolus pusillus Millidge and S. novellus Millidge (refer to Millidge 1980 b) that have similar epigynal morphology, abdominal patterning and distributions (either overlapping or closely adjacent) and can be distinguished by the smaller size, greater width between the ectal margins of the spermathecae than the width of the dorsal plate (Figs 11, 30: S, DP), convolution of the copulatory ducts only on the mesal side of the spermathecae (Figs 12, 31: CD), copulatory ducts with only a single loop prior to entering the spermathcae on the mesal side (Figs 12, 31: CD), TmI 0.30���0.40, and tibial spine arrangement of 2 - 2 - 1 - 1. Description. Small desmitracheate (taenidia absent; Blest 1976) erigonines with males ranging in total length from 1.05���1.25 and females from 1.15���1.60, TmI 0.31���0.41, TmIV absent, tibial spines 2 - 2 - 1 - 1, stridulatory mechanisms on both the chelicerae (Figs 13, 19, 32, 36) and booklung plates (Figs 14, 20, 33, 37), yellowishorange color of the carapace, chelicerae, sternum, and legs, and a dark abdominal herringbone pattern (Figs 5, 25). Males are further recognized by the post-PME cephalic lobe with lateral sulci and prosomal pits (Figs 1, 21), the ED consisting of a short straight embolus with spiraled and grooved terminus (Figs 16, 35: E), very short tailpiece (Figs 6, 26: TP), with the sperm duct looped over the ED through a sclerotized tubular column prior to entering the radix on the mesal surface of the ED near the middle of the bulb (Figs 7, 27: CL, R). The tegulum strongly is compressed between proximal and distal margins (Figs 8, 28: T) and both the protegulum and embolic membrane are absent; the membrane that is present is articulated with only the distal suprategular apophysis (Figs 6, 16, 26, 35: M, DSA) and not considered an embolic membrane (see Hormiga 1994). The tarsal claws are smooth and not pectinate, the orientation of the flattened inverted J-shaped the paracymbium (Figs 8, 28: P) is proximal to distal (longer than wide), a flat triangular process projects from the dorsal surface of the paracymbium (Figs 8, 28: P), and the palpal tibial apophysis terminates in a heavily sclerotized refexed barb (Figs 7, 8, 27, 28, 29: PTA). Females are further recognized by relatively large clearly visible orangish-yellow spermathecae with posterior margins positioned anterior to the copulatory openings and by the greater width between the ectal margins of the spermathecae than the greatest width of the triangular dorsal plate (Figs 11, 30: S, CO, DP)., Published as part of Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2012, Esophyllas, a new genus of erigonine spiders from southern California (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Erigoninae), pp. 1-21 in Zootaxa 3265 on pages 3-4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.213135, {"references":["Blest, A. D. (1976) The tracheal arrangement and the classification of linyphiid spiders. Journal of Zoology, London, 180, 185 - 194.","Millidge, A. F. (1977) The conformation of the male palpal organs of linyphiid spiders, and its application to the taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of the family (Araneae: Linyphiidae). Bulletin of the British arachnological Society, 4, 1 - 60.","Charitonov, D. E. (1937) Contribution to the fauna of Crimean spiders. Festschrift Strand, 3, 127 - 140.","Duperre, N. & Paquin, P. (2005) A new species of Tapinocyba (Araneae, Linyphiidae) with a redescription of Tapinocyba minuta (Emerton). Zootaxa, 1069, 33 - 45.","Georgescu, M. (1973) La position systematique des genres Tapinocyba E. Simon et Aulacocyba E. Simon. La description d'une nouvelle espece: Tapinocyba silvestris. Travaux de L'institut Speologie \" Emile Racovitza \", 12, 127 - 134.","Paquin, P. & Duperre N. (2003) Guide d'identification des araignees de Quebec. Fabreries, Supplement, 11, 1 - 251.","Millidge, A. F. (1980 b) The erigonine spiders of North America. Part 2. The genus Spirembolus Chamberlin (Araneae: Linyphiidae). The Journal of Arachnology, 8, 109 - 158.","Hormiga, G. (1994) Cladistics and the comparative morphology of linyphiid spiders and their relatives (Araneae, Araneoidea, Linyphiidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 111, 1 - 71."]}

Prentice, Thomas R., Redak, Richard A. (2009): A new species of Ceraticelus Simon from southern California and a redescription of Ceraticelus phylax Ivie & Barrows, its probable sister species (Araneae: Linyphiidae). Zootaxa 2233: 39-56, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.190335

Ceraticelus phylax Ivie & Barrows, 1935 (Figures 1 ���13, 29) Ceraticelus phylax Ivie & Barrows, 1935: 13, pl. 5, figs. 33���36. Types. Ceraticelus phylax Ivie & Barrows, holotype male and allotype female presumed lost or misplaced. Type locality: U.S.A.: Oklahoma, Chickasha. Male holotype, female allotype; coll. M. W. Shackleford, June 8, 1934. Originally deposited in the University of Utah collection. Material examined. U.S.A.: California: Riverside County: Riverside (coordinates indicate San Diego Co., NE of Poway), [33 ��N 117 ��W] 23, April���May 1962, coll. E. I. Schlinger (det.; V. Roth, ver.: W. Ivie, 1962) (coll. AMNH); Santa Rosa Plateau, Sylvan Meadows, 570 m [33 �� 32 'N 117 �� 17 'W] 2 ��, 7 July 1999, sweepnet, coll. C. Dunning; Santa Margarita Ecological Preserve, near north entrance, 349.3 m [33 �� 27 ' 43 "N 117 �� 10 ' 11 "W] 2 ��, 2 June 1997, vacuum sample California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice; San Diego County: Miramar Naval Air Station (now, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar): NE corner of base near W Sycamore Canyon, 290 m [32 �� 55 '03.0"N 117 ��00' 10.6 "W] 10 ��, 20 August 1998, 33 7 ��, 22 June 1998 (CAS: 13 (9032940) 1 �� (9032941); AMNH: 13 1 ��); near NE corner of base between W Sycamore Canyon & Sycamore Canyon, 300 m [32 �� 55 ' 16.6 "N 117 �� 59 ' 43.2 "W] 1 ��, 22 June 1998, vacuum samples coastal sage scrub, coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton: Alfa Two, coastal side of base, 47 m [33 �� 22 ' 49.3 "N 117 �� 33 '01.0"W] 13 3 ��, 17 May 1996, 13 1 ��, 26 August 1995; SW corner of base N of San Onofree Creek & Basilone Rd., 37.2 m [33 �� 23 ' 23.8 "N 117 �� 33 ' 17.2 "W] 23 2 ��, 13 May 1996, 13 1 ��, 21 August 1995, 13, 16 May 1995; Romeo Three, coastal side of base, 81.7 m [33 �� 21 ' 22.1 "N 117 �� 31 ' 33.7 "W] 13 1 ��, 13 May 1996; Juliette, east side of base, 138.7 m [33 �� 19 ' 31.7 "N 117 �� 17 ' 40.3 "W] 1 ��, 10 May 1996; Alfa One, 133.8 m [33 �� 24 ' 53.9 "N 117 �� 31 ' 49.3 "W] 1 ��, 26 August 1995, 13, June 1994; Uniform, coastal side of base near beach, 36.3 m [33 �� 19 ' 18.9 "N 117 �� 29 ' 11.2 "W] 1 ��, 26 August 1995; Romeo Two, coastal side of base, 81.4 m [33 �� 20 ' 58.6 "N 117 �� 30 ' 52.4 "W] 1 ��, 19 August 1995; Papa Three, S of Basilone Rd., 214.6 m [33 �� 22 ' 18.6 "N 117 �� 27 '16.0"W] 1 ��, 14 August 1995, 3��, 23 May 1995, 13, June 1994; Romeo Two, coastal side of base, 69.2 m [33 �� 21 '02.0"N 117 �� 31 '03.6"W] 1 ��, 14 August 1995; Hotel, east side of base, 206.4 m [33 �� 24 ' 13.1 "N 117 �� 17 ' 50.6 "W] 1 ��, 8 June 1995; Romeo Three, coastal side of base, 55.2 m [33 �� 21 ' 50.8 "N 117 �� 32 ' 22.4 "W] 1 ��, 30 May 1995; Romeo One, S of Basilone Rd., 246.6 m [33 �� 22 ' 36.6 "N 117 �� 26 ' 17.3 "W] 13, 23 May 1995; Alfa Two, coastal side of base, 92.7 m [33 �� 22 '03.7"N 117 �� 32 ' 26.8 "W] 1 ��, June 1994, vacuum samples coastal sage scrub, coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice. Texas: Hidalgo County: 11.3 km (7 mi) NW of Edinburg, [98 ��W 26 ��N] 2 �� (only one with epigynum), 29 December 1936, coll. Stanley Mulaik (det.: W. Ivie) (coll. AMNH). Diagnosis. Males of Ceraticelus phylax can be distinguished from those of all other species except C. limnologicus Crosby & Bishop by the height and narrowness of the steeply projecting cephalic lobe (Figs 1, 2) and from males of C. limnologicus by the small angular protrusion of the cymbium (Cap: Fig 4) which is large and rounded in C. limnologicus (Fig 62: Crosby & Bishop 1925) and the wide sigmoid shape of the paracymbium (P: Figs 5, 6, 11) which is long, slender, and tapering in C. limnologicus (Crosby & Bishop 1925: 32). Males can be further distinguished from those of C. artemisiae sp. nov. by the longer distal finger of the tegular sclerite (fg: Figs 3, 5; compare to Figs 20, 22) and absence of abdominal markings. Females can be distinguished from those lacking a dorsal scutum with similar epigynal morphology, C. atriceps (Cambridge), C. silis Dondale, C. similis (Banks), and C. artemisiae sp. nov., by the relative position and form of the spermathecae and copulatory tubes in ventral view (Fig 8; compare to Figs 799, 832, 839: Paquin & Dup��rr�� 2003 and Fig 26, respectively), and also from C. atriceps and C. artemisiae sp. nov. in dorsal view by the convolution of the copulatory tubes (Fig 10; compare to Fig 6: Levi & Levi 1955) in the former species and by the smaller loops of the copulatory ducts and the position of the anterior bends of the ducts relative to the spermathecal apex (Fig 10; compare to Fig 28) in the latter species. Females are further distinguished from those of C. artemisiae sp. nov. by the absence of abdominal markings and the entirely darkened eye region (Fig 7; compare to Fig 24). Description. Males (n= 8). Total length ~ 1.55���1.80. Carapace: length 0.81���0.86 (mean 0.83), width 0.59��� 0.63 (mean 0.62), light brownish to yellowish orange with narrow marginal black or dusky border, pars thoracica with fine reticulate microsculpture, without cervical constriction, outline continuing around lower clypeal region in circular fashion, narrower in front, somewhat egg shaped, margin interrupted in dorsal view by cephalic projection, rising flatly or slightly convexly to level of coxa I, then rising concavely to apex of lobe. Cephalic region: upper portion of cephalic lobe occasionally lighter in color than remainder of carapace, lobe steeply projecting anteriad lower anterior margin of carapace, high and narrow in profile (Fig 1; also see Fig 33: Ivie & Barrows 1935), convexly descending from apex to flattened area just anterior to PME then descending concavely below most anterior convex point to lower clypeal margin; setae on each side between AME and PME directed medially, setae below AME usually directed anterodorsally; cephalic height 0.48��� 0.52, cephalic width 0.28���0.31, cephalic width/carapace width 0.46���0.49 (mean 0.48), clypeal height 0.31��� 0.38. Eyes: ocular area situated around top of cephalic lobe, PME ~2.0��� 2.8 diameters apart, either slightly anteriad or comprising highest point of lobe, PME���PLE ~ 0.65 ���1.0X PME diameter, AME relatively close together (~ 0.5 ���1.0 diameters apart) on flattened slope of anterior descending portion of lobe, ocular region usually darkened (sometimes lightly so) with black rings surrounding eyes, PME usually slightly larger than or occasionally subequal to contiguous and subequal PLE and ALE (ALE often slightly larger), AME smallest, AER slightly to moderately recurved, PER straight to slightly recurved. Chelicerae: not robust, lateral surface usually slightly concave, stridulatory striae very weakly developed (Fig 13) (probably nonfunctional), palpal plectra not detected (striae detectable on cleared chelicerae at 400 X magnification under transmitted light), fangs well developed, promarginal teeth 4 ���6, 5 most common, retromarginal denticles 2���4. Sternum and pedicel: sternum yellowish orange, wider than long, widest between coxae I & II with margin slightly projecting between coxae, widely truncate between coxae IV, posterior width subequal to length of coxa IV, dusky around margin; pedicel sclerotized, ventral sclerite surrounding ventral, lateral, and dorsolateral surfaces, dorsal sclerite narrow, separated from ventral sclerite on each side by narrow membranous lines. Abdomen: immaculate, with yellowish orange setiferous dorsal scutum, varying greatly in degree of development (both in width and length), shorter and narrower than length and width, respectively, usually extending over anterior edge but distinctly short of reaching epigastic sclerite, setal bases in soft regions surrounded by diminutive sclerites, soft areas pale, yellowish-white, all ventral sclerites yellowish orange, epigastric sclerite heavily sclerotized, widely surrounding pedicel, laterally extending slightly distad of epigastric furrow, posterolateral edges curving mesally, epigastric plates with imbricated stridulatory striae (Fig 12) (visible after dissection and clearing using compound microscope at magnification of 200 X), cuticular stridulatory plectra on posterodistal corners of hind coxae; inframammillary sclerite more weakly sclerotized than epigastric sclerite, confined to ventral surface. Legs: lighter than carapace, more yellowish to yellowish-white, leg I longer than leg IV, length femur I (LFI) usually slightly greater than carapace width (CW), occasionally (in one male) equal, length leg I (LLI) to carapace width (LLI)/CW) 3.40���3.65, tibia I longer than metatarsus I, Tibia I (TiI) l/d 6.8���7.5, tibial spines absent, TmI 0.51���0.56, TmIV absent. Palp: patella long, more robust than femur but slightly shorter, dorsolaterally swollen in proximal third (Fig 5) resulting in a ventromedial orientation of patella, length patella 0.35���0.39, length femur 0.41���0.43, tibia short, tibial apophysis extending laterally (horizontal portion), bending apically at right angle just slightly past midpoint, more or less parallel sided until beginning of bend then attenuate (vertical portion) through bend to sharp terminus (PTA: Fig 4); tibial trichobothria not detected. Palpal bulb: cymbium with small dorsolateralsubbasal angular protrusion (Cap: Figs 4, 5), broadest mesolaterally with single transverse row of laterally curving setae (Figs 4, 5); paracymbium forming proximal half of ventrolateral outline of cymbium, with incomplete fission from cymbium (refer to introductory comments in this section), more or less widely sigmoid in shape (left palp viewed with anterior end up) (Figs 5, 6, 11) with narrow apical free darkened finger, greatly widening through curves and narrowing proximally; membrane extending from near base of finger, terminating in scale-like structure adhering to the cymbium (Pm, Psc, respectively: Figs 6, 11); suprategulum with a short sclerotized distal suprategular apophysis (DSA: Fig 3), notched on its ventroectal margin, with base of ejaculatory duct apparently lying within notch and supported by the structure; column sclerotized, somewhat more lightly so than suprategular apophysis (CL: Fig 3); radical division of bulb with long spiraled tailpiece curving into and terminating mesobasally in alveolus (TP: Fig 3); embolic division spiraling apically ~one and a quarter turns with embolic ribbon terminating dorsally at distal edge of mesal side of cymbium, ejaculatory duct spiraling off embolic ribbon preapically in ventral direction for ~one and a half turns, apex resting in cradle between tegulum and protegulum just behind base of finger of tegular sclerite (ED: Fig 3; also see Fig 35: Ivie & Barrows 1935); tegular sclerite (Tscl) with distal finger elongated (fg: Figs 3, 5; also see Figs 34, 35: Ivie & Barrows 1935). Females (n= 12). Total length ~ 1.5���1.85. Carapace: length 0.63���0.74 (mean 0.70), width 0.52���0.59 (mean 0.57), color and dusky marginal band as in male, with very slight cervical constriction at most, in profile rising most abruptly posteriorly at relatively flat incline to level between coxae II & III then gradually to highest point just behind or at level of PME (Fig 7), pars thoracica with fine reticulate micosculpture, cephalic height 0.27���0.31, ocular width/carapace width 0.44���0.50 (mean 0.46), clypeal height 0.13���0.16. Eyes: AER & PER usually straight sometimes slightly recurved, PME ~ 0.7 ���1.0 diameters apart, PME���PLE ~ 0.45���0.60 X PME diameter, PME and ALE usually subequal in size, PLE usually slightly smaller, PEs contiguous, AME smallest, ~ 0.45���0.70 diameters apart, black rings around eyes, eye region darkened (Fig 7). Chelicerae: more stout than in male, stridulatory striae not detected (on cleared chelicerae at 400 X magnification under transmitted light), 4���5 promarginal teeth, 5 most common, 2���4 retromarginal denticles, 3 most common. Sternum and pedicel: sternum usually as in male although length occasionally equals width, pedicel as in males. Abdomen: immaculate, lacking dorsal shield, muscle impressions with rounded sclerites distinctly larger than diminutive sclerites surrounding setal bases, soft areas pale, yellowish-white, coloration of ventral sclerites as in males, epigastric sclerite well developed widely surrounding pedicel, membranous lines separating median portion from lateral, epigastric plate stridulatory striae, coxal plectra, sclerites of pedicel, and inframammillary sclerite as in males. Legs and palps: coloration of legs as in male, length leg I less than, equal to, or greater than length leg IV, LLI/CW 3.24���3.62, LFI/CW 0.92���1.06, tibia I longer than metatarsus I, TiI l/d 5.7���6.7, tibial spines absent, TmI 0.45���0.59, TmIV absent, palpal tibia with 2 trichbothria. Epigynum: with laterally positioned spermathcae usually curved toward each other like parentheses, directed anteriad to slightly anteromediad (S: Fig 8); dorsal plate triangular in shape (DP: Fig 9), narrowing anteriorly, anterior edges forming medial borders of genital openings, in ventral view plate often appearing as an inverted ���T��� with posterior transverse portion appearing either rectangular or triangular (DP: Fig 8); copulatory openings beneath internal darkened semicircular ridges that extend from beneath anterior portion of dorsal plate to the posterolateral edges of the plate near base of spermathecae (Fig 8; also see Fig 36: Ivie & Barrows 1935); copulatory ducts leaving openings in dorsolateral direction, travelling anteriorly then turning toward the ventral surface slightly posteriad of or at level of apex of spermatheca in a tight posteromesally directed loop (CD: Fig 10), continuing posteriorly then anteriorly in a loose U-shaped loop (CD: Figs 8, 10; also see Fig 36: Ivie & Barrows 1935), forming the second tight loop (usually at the same level as the first, sometimes slightly posteriad) that curves dorsally and then proceeds posteriorly, finally emptying into base of spermatheca dorsomesally (CD: Fig 10). Distribution. Specimens are known from Riverside and San Diego counties in southern California (Fig 29), Chickasha, Oklahoma, and from near both Edinburg, Texas and Lincoln, Nebraska. The species��� known California distribution is closely aligned with that of C. artemisiae sp. nov. (see Prentice et al. 1998: 188, 195). Thus far, in all regions from which we have collected specimens, C. artemisiae sp. nov. also occurs. The earliest known specimens from California were collected in 1962 from Riverside County (although coordinates on the collection label indicate San Diego County near Poway). If the establishment of C. phylax in California is considered a range extension, it is significant given that the nearest known collection locality (Chickasha) is approximately 1830 km to the east. Lincoln, Nebraska and Chickasha, Oklahoma are separated by only 600 km and much of the area around Chickasha is very similar (Oklahoma Atlas Institute 2005) to the prairie landscape description provided by Muma & Muma (1949) for the collection locality near Lincoln. Edinburg, Texas is approximately 1030 km south of Chickasha but most of the area surrounding Edinburg is classified as cropland (Walter Geological Library 2000). Theridion llano Levi (Theridiidae) and the Argiope blanda O. P.-Cambridge (Araneidae), specimens of which were collected during our 1994���1996 study (Prentice et al. 1998), were new California species records; the nearest collection localities of both species are within 75 km of Edinburg, Texas, approximately 1960 km to the east of San Diego. Since regular and/or reserve military bases are found in relatively close proximity to collection sites of C. phylax in Nebraska and Oklahoma and to sites in Texas where all three species are found, it seems more plausible that their occurrence in California resulted from incidental introduction (and possibly of C. phylax into southern Texas) via military personnel movement than from natural dispersal events over such significant distances. Additionally, because it seems highly unlikely that two sympatric probable sibling spider species would naturally co-occur, especially in pristine vegetation communities, in the absence of complete habitat partitioning, we suggest that C. phylax is an advent to southern California and that the species is more likely endemic to the prairieland between Nebraska and Texas. Habitat. In California Ceraticelus phylax is primarily known from coastal sage scrub communities (see Prentice et al. 1998: 188, 195 ��� 96). Sixty percent (18) of the specimens collected in vacuum samples at MCBCP were from plots dominated or co-dominated by Artemisia californica and ninety-five percent (20) of those collected at MCASM were from a single plot dominated by California Broom (Lotus) and dense annual grasses. Two females were taken in vacuum samples from California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) in southwestern Riverside County (also refer back to ���Introduction���). Specimens from near Lincoln, Nebraska were collected from virgin prairieland dominated by big bluestem, blue grama, little bluestem, and Kentucky bluegrass (Muma & Muma 1949). The habitats of the type specimens from Chickasha, Oklahoma and the females collected in Edinburg, Texas are not specifically known (refer back to ���Distribution��� section). Phenology. Males have been collected in California from April to August and females from May to August (see Prentice et al. 1998: 188). One penultimate male was also taken in August samples, an indication that mature specimens are likely found in California somewhat later in the year. The two females from Edinburg, Texas were collected in late December. Adults from prairieland near Lincoln, Nebraska occurred only in July and August samples (Muma & Muma 1949)., Published as part of Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2009, A new species of Ceraticelus Simon from southern California and a redescription of Ceraticelus phylax Ivie & Barrows, its probable sister species (Araneae: Linyphiidae), pp. 39-56 in Zootaxa 2233 on pages 42-48, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.190335, {"references":["Ivie, W. & Barrows, W. M. (1935) Some new spiders from Florida. Bulletin of the University of Utah, 26, 1 - 24.","Crosby, C. R. & Bishop, S. C. (1925) Studies in New York spiders; Genera: Ceratinella and Ceraticelus. New York State Museum Bulletin, 264, 1 - 71.","Paquin, P. & Duperre, N. (2003) Guide d'identification des araignees de Quebec. Fabreries, Suppl, 11, 1 - 251.","Levi, L. R. & Levi, H. W. (1955) Spiders and harvestmen from Waterton and Glacier National Parks. The Canadian Field- Naturalist, 69, 32 - 40.","Prentice, T. R., Burger, J. C., Icenogle, W. R. & Redak, R. A. (1998) Spiders from Diegan coastal sage scrub (Arachnida: Araneae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 74, 181 - 202.","Oklahoma Atlas Institute (2005) Web atlas of Oklahoma, an extensive collection of interactive thematic maps: Game type vegetation; Potetial natural vegetation, Department of Cartography and Geography, East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma. Available from http: // www. okatlas. org / okatlas / biotic / vegetation / duckfletcher. htm (accessed 31 May 2009).","Muma, M. H. & Muma, K. E. (1949) Studies on a population of prairie spiders. Ecology, 30, 485 - 503.","Walter Geological Library (2000) Geologic maps of Texas, Texas Vegetation Cover, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin. Available from http: // www. lib. utexas. edu / geo / maps. html (accessed 31 May 2009)."]}

Ceraticelus Simon, 1884 Type species: Erigone fissiceps O.P.- Cambridge, 1874 Simon (1884) proposed the genus Ceraticelus to house most of the species that Emerton (1882) had placed within Ceratinella Emerton. Simon did not consider these species to be congeneric with Theridium breve Wider, the species he then designated as the type of Ceratinella. He later (Simon 1894) designated Ceraticelus fissiceps (O. P.-Cambridge) as the type of Ceraticelus. Essentially, the only character that then separated the two genera was the presence of a double curve of the fang of the chelicera in Ceratinella, ���first concave and then convex without��� (Crosby & Bishop 1925). Banks (1893) proposed the genus Idionella Banks for Ceratinella formosa Banks distinguishing it only ���by the position of the horny shield���. Crosby (1905) placed Idionella in the synonymy of Ceraticelus stating that Banks��� character was ���a character of less than specific value��� given that in certain species the degree of development of this sclerite varies considerably between conspecifics of the same sex. Without explanation, Ivie (1967) removed Idionella from the synonymy of Ceraticelus and transferred C. anomalus Gertsch & Ivie, C. desertus Gertsch & Ivie, C. formosus (Banks), C. guttatus Chamberlin & Ivie (= Idionella anamola (Gertsch & Ivie), C. nesiotus Crosby, C. rugosus Crosby, C. titivillitium Crosby & Bishop, C. tuganus Chamberlin, and Grammonta sclerata Ivie & Barrows to the resurrected genus. Millidge (1977) maintained that the double curvature of the cheliceral fang was probably of little significance given that Ceratinella scabrosa (Cambridge) in Europe have a single curve to the fang and that at least some of the North American species of Ceraticelus appeared to fall into Ceratinella although he did not specify to which species he was referring. Millidge further stated that in the European Ceratinella species the tibiae are armed with a single spine (also a single spine in the Nearctic species, C. brunnea Emerton) and TmIV is present. Both Idionella species that we have examined, I. sclerata and I. nesiotus, possess tibial spines but lack TmIV and examined specimens of five Ceraticelus species, C. fissiceps (O. P.-Cambridge) (both sexes), C. emertoni (O.P.-Cambridge) (female), C. alticeps (Fox) (female), C. laetus (O. P.-Cambridge) (male; species very doubtfully belongs in Ceraticelus), and C. phylax, lack tibial spines altogether as well as TmIV. In redescribing C. sibericus Eskov (= C bulbosus (Emerton)) from Poland, Kupryjanowicz (1994) stated that the species lacked tibial spines and TmIV as well as cheliceral stridulatory striae. Millidge (1993) commented that the paracymbium ���in some species of Ceraticelus Simon appears to have been produced by sclerotization of a laminar margin of the cymbium, with only a minimal degree of fission from the cymbium���; his illustration was of the cymbium of C. fissiceps, the type species. Upon examination of C. fissiceps specimens from AMNH (examined by either W. Ivie or C. R. Crosby), we found the paracymbium to be of the same form as in C. phylax and C. artemisiae sp. nov., a thin sclerite with incomplete fission from the cymbium (possibly connected by semi-membranous, weakly sclerotized tissue). In none of the species descriptions or redescriptions was there a mention of this type of paracymbium. In association with the paracymbia of C. fissiceps, C. artemisiae sp. nov., and C. phylax, there is also a very unique, previously overlooked structure in the form of a membranous bridge of tissue extending from the attachment point near the basal portion of the free distal finger-like projection of the paracymbium to the cymbium and terminating as a scale-like structure which lies on the surface of the cymbium, distad or opposite of the free hooked paracymbial tip (Pm, Psc, respectively: Figs 6, 11, 14, 23). This two-part structure (membrane and scale) may well be a synapomorphy of Ceraticelus (the function of the structure and method of the scale attachment to the cymbium are presently unknown). In the expanded bulb (expansion during preservation), the curved apex of the paracymbium of C. artemisiae sp. nov. is very slightly rotated away from the edge of the cymbium (like the minute hand on a clock rotated away from the hour hand at 12:01AM) and clear tissue that appears somewhat sclerotized can be seen between the cymbial and paracymbial margins. This slight separation of paracymbium and cymbium indicates that there is at least some degree of fission between the structures. The flattened paracymbial scale (Psc: Figs 11, 14) becomes detached from the cymbium in the expanded bulb of C. artemisiae (presumably also in C. phylax and C. fissiceps). Further examination of the bulb of C. fissiceps (at 200 X) revealed a sclerotized column and what was presumed to be a rather short sclerotized distal suprategular apophysis which appeared to support the embolus somewhere near the break point of the ejaculatory duct from the embolic ribbon. The tip of the ejaculatory duct, as in C. phylax, was found to rest in the cradle formed between the tegulum and protegulum. We detected neither an embolic membrane nor the white membranous lobe (conductor) that Crosby & Bishop (1925) mentioned as lying just inside the tip of the (bezel) protegulum (a more detailed examination involving dissection of the male bulb was not a provided option for the borrowed material). The unique form of the paracymbium, with the associated paracymbial membrane and scale, and strong similarity in bulb conformation, chaetotaxy, and arrangement of abdominal sclerites shared by C. fissiceps, C. phylax, and C. artemisiae sp. nov., indicate that the species are congeneric. The presence in C. fissiceps of cuticular plectra on coxae IV, the apparent lack of functional cheliceral striae (viewed at 200 X), and an elongated palpal patella further support the taxonomic placement of C. phylax and C. artemisiae sp. nov. We postulate that C. phylax and C. artemisiae sp. nov. are probable sibling species based on the nearly identical conformation of the male bulbs and respective morphologies of the tibial apophysis, cymbium, and paracymbium, the states of the latter three characters differing from all other congeneric males, and on the identical convolution of the female copulatory ducts. Diagnosis. The incomplete fission of the cymbium and paracymbium, with the associated paracymbial membrane and scale (which may be synapomorphic for the genus) separates Ceraticelus from those genera with which it has been confused, Ceratinella and Idionella, which have intersegmental, ���J��� shaped paracymbia (Hormiga 2000) without associated structures. Characters in combination which then provisionally define the genus are the incomplete fission of the cymbium and paracymbium (P: Figs 11, 14), with the associated paracymbial membrane and scale (Pm, Psc, respectively: Figs 11, 14), male bulb with a spiraling type of embolus with the ejaculatory duct breaking away from the embolic ribbon preapically and spiraling ventrally, long tailpiece, sclerotized distal suprategular apophysis which apparently supports basal portion of the ejaculatory duct, sclerotized column, similarity in arrangement of abdominal sclerites (especially in male), an elongated palpal patella and short palpal tibia (usually with a long tibial apophysis) in males, and the lack of tibial spines (or extreme reduction of) and TmIV in both sexes and cephalic sulci in males., Published as part of Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2009, A new species of Ceraticelus Simon from southern California and a redescription of Ceraticelus phylax Ivie & Barrows, its probable sister species (Araneae: Linyphiidae), pp. 39-56 in Zootaxa 2233 on pages 40-42, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.190335, {"references":["Simon, E. (1884) Les arachnides de France. Paris, 5, 180 - 885.","Cambridge, O. P. (1874) On some new species of Erigone from North America. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1874, 428 - 442.","Emerton, J. H. (1882) New England spiders of the family Theridiidae. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 6, 1 - 86.","Simon, E. (1894) Histoire naturelle des araignees. Paris, 1, 489 - 760.","Crosby, C. R. & Bishop, S. C. (1925) Studies in New York spiders; Genera: Ceratinella and Ceraticelus. New York State Museum Bulletin, 264, 1 - 71.","Banks, N. (1893) Notes on spiders. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 1, 123 - 134.","Crosby, C. R. (1905) A catalogue of the Erigoneae of North America, with notes and descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 57, 301 - 343.","Ivie, W. (1967) Some synonyms in American spiders. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 75, 126 - 131.","Millidge, A. F. (1977) The conformation of the male palpal organs of linyphiid spiders, and its application to the taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of the family (Araneae: Linyphiidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society, 4, 1 - 60.","Kupryjanowicz, J. (1994) Ceraticelus sibiricus Eskov, 1987, a spider species new to Poland (Araneae: Linyphiidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society, 9, 298 - 299.","Millidge, A. F. (1993) Further remarks on the taxonomy and relationships of the Linyphiidae, based on the epigynal duct confirmations and other characters (Araneae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society, 9, 145 - 156.","Hormiga, G. (2000) Higher level phylogenetics of erigonine spiders (Araneae, Linyphiidae, Erigoninae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 609, 1 - 160."]}

Ceraticelus artemisiae sp. nov. (Figures 14���29) Ceraticelus sp. # 1: Prentice et al. 1998: 188, 194, 196; Prentice et al. 2001: 96, 108. Type material. HOLOTYPE MALE: U.S.A.: California: San Diego County: Miramar Naval Air Station (now, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar), SW corner of base, San Clemente Canyon, 93.0 m [32 �� 51 '02.6"N 117 ��09' 33.2 "W] 31 May 1995, vacuum sample from coastal sage scrub, coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice (CAS 9032932). ALLOTYPE FEMALE: same data as for holotype (CAS 9032933). PARATYPES: California: San Diego County: Miramar Naval Air Station (now, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar), NE corner of base near W Sycamore Canyon, 290 m [32 �� 55 '03.0"N 117 ��00' 10.6 "W] 23, 22 June 1998 (CAS 9032934, 9032935), SW corner of base, San Clemente Canyon, 88.4 m [32 �� 50 ' 55.1 "N 117 �� 10 ' 30.4 "W] 13, 19 May 1996 (AMNH), 13, 23 August 1995 (AMNH); SW corner of base, San Clemente Canyon, 93 m [32 �� 51 '02.6"N 117 ��09' 33.2 "W] 13, 31 May 1995 (UCRC 51332), vacuum samples from coastal sage scrub, coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice. Other material examined. U.S.A.: California: Riverside County: Santa Rosa Plateau, Sylvan Meadows, 570 m [33 �� 32 'N 117 �� 17 'W] 23 4 ��, 7 July 1999 (CAS: 13 (9032936) 1 �� (9032937)), 63 5 ��, 30 June 1999, 1��, 25 June 1999, sweepnet, coll. C. Dunning; Southwestern Riverside Multispecies Reserve, Lake Skinner, 143.3 m [33 �� 36 '05.4"N 117 ��01' 58.7 "W] 1 ��, 5 December 1997, 143 m [33 �� 36 ' 10.7 "N 117 ��01' 21.8 "W] 13, 12 June 1996, vacuum samples coastal sage scrub, coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice; Santa Margarita Ecological Preserve, near N entrance, 349.3 m [33 �� 27 ' 43 "N 117 �� 10 ' 11 "W] 53 11 ��, 3 June 1997, 6��, 2 June 1997 (CAS: 1 �� (9032938)), vacuum samples California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice; San Diego County: Miramar Naval Air Station (now, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar), NE corner of base near W Sycamore Canyon, 290 m [32 �� 55 '03.0"N 117 ��00' 10.6 "W] 1 ��, 20 August 1998, 183 3 ��, 22 June 1998 (AMNH: 1 ��)); near NE corner of base between W Sycamore Canyon & Sycamore Canyon, 300 m [32 �� 55 ' 16.6 "N 117 �� 59 ' 43.2 "W] 1 ��, 20 August 1998, 23 4 ��, 22 June 1998; SW corner of base, San Clemente Canyon, 88.4 m [32 �� 50 ' 55.1 "N 117 �� 10 ' 30.4 "W] 153 32 ��, 19 May 1996, 42��, 12 December 1995 (AMNH: 1 ��), 23 151 ��, 23 August 1995 (CAS: 1 �� (9032939)), 193 33 ��, 24 May 1995, 193, June 1994; SW corner of base, San Clemente Canyon, 93 m [32 �� 51 '02.6"N 117 ��09' 33.2 "W] 33 17 ��, 7 May 1996, 3��, 1 December 1995, 28��, 16 August 1995, 283 40 ��, 31 May 1995, 158��, June 1994; SW corner of base, San Clemente Canyon, 99.7 m [32 �� 51 '0 4.3 "N 117 ��0 8 ' 50.2 "W] 1 ��, 5 December 1995, 105.5 m [32 �� 51 '0 6.3 "N 117 ��08' 42.2 "W] 183 47 ��, 16 May 1995, vacuum samples coastal sage scrub, coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Alfa Two, coastal side of base, 47 m [33 �� 22 ' 49.3 "N 117 �� 33 '01.0"W] 3 ��, 17 May 1996, 1��, 26 August 1995; SW corner of base N of San Onofree Creek & Basilone Rd., 37.2 m [33 �� 23 ' 23.8 "N 117 �� 33 ' 17.2 "W] 23 2 ��, 13 May 1996, 5��, 21 August 1995, 33 7 ��, 16 May 1995; Romeo Three, coastal side of base, 81.7 m [33 �� 21 ' 22.1 "N 117 �� 31 ' 33.7 "W] 13 1 ��, 13 May 1996, 33 2 ��, 15 May 1995; Alfa One, western side of base, 133.8 m [33 �� 24 ' 53.9 "N 117 �� 31 ' 49.3 "W] 6 ��, 26 August 1995; Juliette, east side of base, 138.7 m [33 �� 19 ' 31.7 "N 117 �� 17 ' 40.3 "W] 1 ��, 21 August 1995; Romeo Two, coastal side of base, 81.4 m [33 �� 20 ' 58.6 "N 117 �� 30 ' 52.4 "W] 33 19 ��, 19 August 1995; Romeo Two, coastal side of base, 69.2 m [33 �� 21 '02.0"N 117 ��03.6'"W] 3 ��, 14 August 1995; Papa Three, S of Basilone Rd., 214.6 m [33 �� 22 ' 18.6 "N 117 �� 27 '16.0"W] 7 ��, 14 August 1995, 13 19 ��, June 1994; Romeo Two, coastal side of base, 100.3 m [33 �� 20 ' 23.7 "N 117 �� 29 ' 52.5 "W] 23 16 ��, 14 August 1995, 83 12 ��, 7 June 1995, 13 1 ��, 8 June 1995; Delta, northwest side of base, 160.9 m [33 �� 28 '02.9"N 117 �� 28 ' 26.1 "W] 33 5 ��, 26 May 1995; Romeo One, S of Basilone Rd., 246.6 m [33 �� 22 ' 36.6 "N 117 �� 26 ' 17.3 "W] 33 5 ��, 23 May 1995, vacuum samples coastal sage scrub, coll. R. Redak lab & T. Prentice Etymology. The specific name is taken from the genus name of California sagebrush, Artemisia californica, the only plant species yet known from which specimens have been collected. Diagnosis. Males of Ceraticelus artemisiae sp. nov. are distinguished from males of all other species except C. phylax by the right-angled narrow shape of the tibial apophysis (PTA: Fig 21) which lacks an inferior process as in C. emertoni (Fig 33: Crosby & Bishop, 1925) and C. tibialis (Fig 104: Crosby & Bishop, 1925) and has both vertical and horizontal components narrower and more equal in length than in C. limnologicus (Figs 61, 62: Crosby & Bishop, 1925), C. creolus (Figs 27, 28: Crosby & Bishop, 1925), and C. crassiceps (Fig 54: Chamberlin & Ivie, 1939), by the small dorsolateral-subbasal angular protrusion of the cymbium (Cap: Fig 21) which is much less developed than in C. limnologicus (Figs 61, 62: Crosby & Bishop, 1925) and C. crassiceps (Fig 54: Chamberlin & Ivie, 1939), and the wide sigmoid shape of the paracymbium (P: Figs 14, 22, 23) which is much narrower in all similar species. Males are distinguished from those of C. phylax by the shorter and much wider cephalic lobe (Figs 17, 18, respectively) the shorter distal finger of the tegular sclerite (fg: Figs 20, 22), and usually by the patterned abdomen (Fig 19). Although the patterning of the abdomen distinguishes C. artemisiae sp. nov. from all other species it is occasionally absent (more often in males than in females) and is therefore not considered to be a reliable character. Females can be distinguished from those of all other species lacking dorsal scuta except C. bryantae Kaston by the anterior position of the mesal loop of the copulatory ducts relative to the spermathecal apex (CD: Figs 26, 28), and from C. bryantae by the outline of the spermathecae and copulatory ducts in ventral view (Fig 40: Kaston, 1945) and usually by the patterned abdomen (Fig 25) which is immaculate in C. bryantae. In cases when the abdominal pattern of C. artemisiae sp. nov. and the cephalic infuscation of C. phylax have faded completely in alcohol or are otherwise lacking, dissection may be necessary to confirm identity (Fig 28; compare to Fig 10) if the ventral view of the epigynum is obscured in either species. Description. Holotype male. Total length ~ 1.55. Carapace: length 0.79; width 0.60, light brownishyellowish orange with narrow marginal black or dusky border, upper portion of cephalic region lighter in color, pars thoracica with fine reticulate microsculpture, without cervical constriction, carapace rapidly rising in relatively flat incline to level between coxae II & III, then in low convex arc to base of cephalic lobe. Cephalic region: lobe wide and low, rising convexly in steep arc to highest point posterior of PME, convexly descending to flattened area just anterior to PME, concavely descending below most anterior convex point to clypeal border (refer to Fig 17); setae on each side between AME and PME directed medially; cephalic height 0.41, cephalic width 0.36, cephalic width/carapace width 0.61, clypeal height 0.24. Eyes: AER recurved, PER very slightly recurved, PME separated by ~ 2.4 diameters, PME���PLE 1.2 X PME diameter, PME, PLE, and ALE subequal in size, laterals contiguous, AME smallest, separated by ~ 0.5 diameters, positioned in middle of flattened region of lobe, black rings surrounding eyes. Chelicerae: relatively weak, outer margin slightly concave, cheliceral stridulatory stiae present but weakly developed (refer to Fig 16), fangs well developed, 5 promarginal teeth, 2 nd largest, 3 retromarginal denticles. Sternum and pedicel: as in C. phylax males. Abdomen: setiferous dorsal scutum yellowish orange, narrower than abdomen, covering approximately 65 percent of length, more or less bilobed posteriorly (abnormal condition); setal bases surrounded by diminutive sclerites; two oblique and three transverse dark stripes present, connecting ventrolaterally on posterior half of abdomen, not connecting dorsally (refer to Fig 19), oblique stripes visible through scutum, transverse stripes distad of posterior edge of scutum, non-patterned membranous parts pale yellowish white; all ventral sclerites yellowish orange, epigastric scutum heavily sclerotized widely surrounding pedicel, not divided as in female, laterally extending slightly distad of epigastric furrow, posterolateral edges curving mesally, epigastric stridulatory striae and cuticular plectra (refer to Fig 15) as in C. phylax; inframammillary sclerite more weakly sclerotized, confined to ventral surface; non-sclerotized central region of venter pale yellowish white, only very lateral portions darkened. Legs: coloration yellowish-white, leg I length 1.82, leg II length 1.74, leg III length 1.40, leg IV length 1.80, femur I slightly shorter than carapace width, LLI/CW 3.08, tibia I longer than metatarsus I, TiI l/d 6.1, tibial spines absent, TmI 0.51, TmIV absent. Palps: patella and femur as in C. phylax but respectively shorter, length patella 0.26, length femur 0.32; tibia with apophysis (refer to Fig 21) very similar to that of C. phylax except proximal two setae on anterior surface of proximal shaft of apophysis separated by about length of each; tibial trichobothria not detected. Palpal bulb: cymbium with small dorsolateral-subbasal angular projection (refer to Figs 21, 22: Cap), not as broad mesolaterally as in C. phylax but also with single transverse row of laterally curving setae, otherwise nearly identical; paracymbium (refer to Figs 14, 22, 23: P) as in C. phylax, also with paracymbial membrane and scale-like structure (refer to Figs 14, 23: Pm, Psc). Conformation of palpal bulb nearly identical to that of C. phylax except for the less expansive, less longitudinally rugose tegular sclerite and much shorter distal finger (refer to Figs 21, 22: Tscl, fg, respectively). Allotype female. Total length ~ 1.50. Carapace: length 0.69, width 0.57, color and dusky marginal band as in male, with very slight cervical constriction, rising most abruptly posteriorly at flat incline to level between coxae II & III then to highest point just behind PME, in profile outline slightly flattening in posterior cephalic region before rise toward PME, pars thoracica with fine reticulate micosculpture, cephalic height 0.29, ocular width/carapace width 0.51, clypeal height 0.15. Eyes: PME ~1.0 diameter apart, PME and ALE subequal in size, PLE slightly smaller, PEs contiguous, AME smallest, ~ 0.3 diameters apart, black rings around eyes, eye region not darkened as in C. phylax, AER straight, PER very slightly recurved. Chelicerae: more stout than in male, stridulatory striae not detected, 5 promarginal teeth, 3 retromarginal denticles. Sternum and pedicel: as in holotype. Legs: coloration as in holotype, leg I length 1.78, leg II length 1.68, leg III length 1.41, leg IV length 1.80, femur I slightly shorter than carapace width, LLI/CW 3.12, tibia I longer than metatarsus I, TiI l/d 5.6, tibial spines absent, TmI 0.59, TmIV absent. Abdomen: dark markings more pronounced than in male, six distinguishable bands darker and much more broadly developed, especially oblique bands (refer to Fig 25), all bands broadly converging laterally; imbricated stridulatory striae (refer to Fig 15) and cuticular stridulatory plectra as in holotype; coloration and arrangement of abdominal sclerites as in C. phylax females except epigastric plates over book lungs darker than remainder of epigastric sclerite. Epigynum: (refer to Fig 26; compare to Fig 8) very similar to that of C. phylax, convolution of copulatory tubes identical (refer to Fig 28; compare to Fig 10), with laterally positioned spermathecae directed anterolaterally and both mesal and lateral loops extending anterior to level of spermathecal apex (refer to Fig 26). Variation. Males (n= 18). Total length ~ 1.50���1.85. Carapace: length 0.69���0.83 (mean 0.75), width 0.54��� 0.63 (mean 0.58), in profile (Fig 17) from base to base of lobe varying only slightly in convex contour. Cephalic region: upper portion of cephalic lobe often slightly lighter in color than the rest of carapace, cephalic height 0.37���0.46, cephalic width 0.32���0.42, cephalic width/carapace width 0.57���0.69 (mean 0.64), clypeal height 0.20���0.26; setae below AME usually directed anteriad to anterodorsad. Eyes: both AER and PER straight to slightly recurved, PME���PME ~2.0���3.0 diameters apart, PME���PLE ~1.0��� 1.5 X PME diameter, PME, PLE, and ALE subequal in size, lateral eyes contiguous, AME smallest, subcontiguous to separated by ~ 0.75 diameters. Chelicerae: equipped with 3���5 promarginal teeth, 5 most common and 2���4 retromarginal denticles, 4 least common, stridulatory striae (striae detectable on cleared chelicerae at 400 X magnification under transmitted light) very weakly developed (Fig 16), probably nonfunctional; palpal plectra not detected. Abdomen: as in C. phylax, dorsal scutum varying greatly in shape and degree of development in both width and length but always present; dark patterned markings usually lighter and less broadly developed than in female, usually 5-7 bands present, often very faint, less often not visible; epigastric plates over book lungs often darker than remainder of scutum; imbricated stridulatory striae (Fig 15) and coxa IV plectra as in C. phylax. Legs: leg I more often longer than, occasionally equal to, and rarely shorter than leg IV, LFI/CW 0.93 ��� 1.00 (femur I and CW equal in one male), LLI/CW 3.08���3.39, tibia I longer than metatarsus I, TiI l/d ~6.0��� 7.0, tibial spines absent, TmI 0.50���0.60, TmIV absent. Palps: patella long, slightly shorter than femur but more robust, both segments shorter than in C. phylax, length patella 0.23���0.31, length femur 0.29���0.36, tibia short, horizontal portion of tibial apophysis to beginning of bend usually more or less parallel sided (Fig 21) but occasionally posterior surface slightly bulging proximally, proximal two setae on anterior surface of horizontal portion of shaft varying in position but usually separated by approximately their length; tibial trichobothria not detected. Palpal bulb: distal finger of tegular sclerite (fg: Figs 20, 22) varying in degree of development but short in comparison to that of P. p h y l a x (fg: Figs 3, 5). Females (n= 18). Total length ~ 1.45���1.80. Carapace: length 0.63���0.74 (mean 0.69), width 0.52���0.60 (mean 0.57), in profile (Fig 24) rising most abruptly posteriorly at relatively straight incline to level between coxae II & III then gradually to highest point just behind PME, outline relatively straight to slightly concave just anteriad steep rise, cephalic height 0.27���0.33, ocular width/carapace width 0.47���0.53 (mean 0.51), clypeal height 0.12���0.17. Eyes: AER straight, PER straight to very slightly recurved, PME���PME ~ 0.7���1.3 diameters apart, PME���PLE ~ 0.4���0.8 X PME diameter, PME and ALE usually subequal, PLE usually very slightly smaller, occasionally PME and lateral eyes subequal, lateral eyes contiguous, PME smallest, subcontiguous to separated by 0.75 X AME diameter. Chelicerae: stridulatory striae not detected (cleared chelicerae at 400 X magnification), 3���5 promarginal teeth, 5 most common, 2���4 retromarginal denticles, 3 most common. Abdomen: pattern as described for allotype but often broken into to six or seven bands (Fig 25), most anterior oblique band broadest and usually converging more ventrally than other bands, occasionally not converging, bands sometimes indistinct due to more pronounced lateral convergence, occasionally pattern indistinct or rarely absent (possibly an effect of preservation); epigastric plates over book lungs occasionally darker than remainder of sclerite. Legs and palps: length leg I usually less than, occasionally greater than or equal to length leg IV (16 /18, 1/18, 1/ 18 females, respectively), LLI/CW 2.95��� 3.32, LFI/CW 0.87���0.97, tibia I longer than metatarsus I, TiI l/d 5.3���6.1, tibial spines absent, TmI 0.46���0.61, TmIV absent, palpal tibia with 2 trichbothria. Epigynum: very similar to that of C. phylax (duct convolution identical) except mesal loop of the copulatory ducts always extending anteriad level of spermathecal apex (CD, S: Figs 26, 28), lateral loop either at the same level (CD: Fig 28) or anteriad level of the spermathecal apex. Distribution. Specimens are known only from Riverside and San Diego counties in Southern California (Fig 29) (also refer to ���Distribution��� section for C. phylax). Habitat. Ceraticelus artemisiae sp. nov. is known primarily from coastal sage scrub communities (see Prentice et al. 1998: 188, 194; Prentice et al. 2001: 96). Both males and females have been collected in vacuum samples from California Sagebrush, Artemisia californica (also refer to ���Introduction��� and Habitat section for C. phylax). Phenology. Males have been collected from early May to August, females from May to December (see Prentice et al. 1998: 188, 194). Several penultimate and a few antepenulimate males were taken in August samples, indicating that males are probably active at least into fall. Two males were collected by hand about mid-day in early May at MCBCP, which suggests that the species is most likely diurnal., Published as part of Prentice, Thomas R. & Redak, Richard A., 2009, A new species of Ceraticelus Simon from southern California and a redescription of Ceraticelus phylax Ivie & Barrows, its probable sister species (Araneae: Linyphiidae), pp. 39-56 in Zootaxa 2233 on pages 48-54, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.190335, {"references":["Prentice, T. R., Burger, J. C., Icenogle, W. R. & Redak, R. A. (1998) Spiders from Diegan coastal sage scrub (Arachnida: Araneae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 74, 181 - 202.","Prentice, T. R., Burger, J. C., Icenogle, W. R. & Redak, R. A. (2001) Spiders from Riversidian coastal sage scrub with comparisons to Diegan scrub fauna (Arachnida: Araneae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 77, 90 - 122.","Crosby, C. R. & Bishop, S. C. (1925) Studies in New York spiders; Genera: Ceratinella and Ceraticelus. New York State Museum Bulletin, 264, 1 - 71.","Chamberlin, R. V. & Ivie, W. (1939) Studies on North American spiders of the family Micryphantidae. Verhandlungen VII. Internationaler Kongress fur Entomologie Berlin, 1, 56 - 73.","Kaston, B. J. (1945) New Micryphantidae and Dictynidae with notes on other spiders. American Museum Novitates, 1292, 1 - 14."]}

We erect a new genus, Esophyllas n. gen., to place two litter dwelling species of erigonine spiders from southern Califor-nia the type species, E. vetteri n. sp. and E. synankylis n. sp. A detailed genus diagnosis is presented as well as compre-hensive morphological descriptions, artist illustrations, and SEM images for each species. We also provide data on habitataffinities, phenology, and distribution, including a distribution map figure. For tentative phylogenetic placement both spe-cies were scored for the characters in the data matrix of Miller & Hormiga (2004) and subsequently entered into the ex-panded matrix of Frick et al. (2010). The analysis places Esophyllas n. gen. within the “distal erigonines” as sister toScirites Bishop and Crosby in a polytomy with Tapinocyba Simon 1884 and Abacoproeces (L. Koch). Data from morpho-logical comparisons with taxa not included in the expanded matrix do not strongly support these relationships but insteadsuggest that Esophyllas n. gen. is more closely related to Phlattothrata parva (Kulczyn’ski 1926). However, in light ofthe extent of character divergence from the above genera we contend that the true sister group to Esophyllas n. gen. either has not yet been described or is among the vast number of phylogenetically untested taxa.