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The linyphiid spider Dietrichia hesperia was described from California in 1933 by Crosby and Bishop. The genus was renamed to Neodietrichia in 2008 by Özdikmen since Dietrichia was already occupied by a fossil bivalve. Until now, this rarely collected arboreal spider was the sole member of Neodietrichia. Herein we revise the genus by redescribing Neodietrichia hesperia (Crosby and Bishop, 1933), transferring Lophomma depressum (Emerton, 1882) to Neodietrichia as Neodietrichia depressum n. comb., and provide the first description of the female of this species.

Neodietrichia Özdikmen, 2008 Neodietrichia Özdikmen, 2008: 537. Type species: Dietrichia hesperia Crosby & Bishop, 1933, by monotypy. Neodietrichia Özdikmen, 2008 replacement name for Dietrichia Crosby & Bishop, 1933 preoccupied in Bivalvia by Dietrichia Reck, 1921. Etymology. The original name, Dietrichia, was a patronym in honor of Henry Dietrich, a colleague of Crosby and Bishop at Cornell University (Cameron 2005). The replacement name, Neodietrichia, literally translates to “New Dietrichia ”. Diagnosis. Neodietrichia males possess dual cephalic sulci on the sides of the carapace behind the PLE, the most anterior of which leads to a pit and the posterior sulci extend posteriorly from the median part of the anterior sulci and taper distally (Fig. 1). Neodietrichia males may also be distinguished from those of other similar erigonine genera (e.g., Mecynargus and Semljicola) by the presence of a large, anteriad, scimitar-shaped radical apophysis unlike any other erigonine genus (Figs. 2B, C, 3A, E, 4B, C, 5A, D; Crosby and Bishop 1933, fig. 202; Hackman 1954, fig. 55; Marusik et al. 2006, figs. 46 and 79). Moreover, males of Neodietrichia possess a longer tibial apophysis than any of the aforementioned genera, often accompanied by distal teeth (Figs. 2C–E, 3C, D, 4C–E, 5C, E, F; Crosby and Bishop 1933, fig. 201 and 203; Hackman 1954, fig. 53–57; Marusik et al. 2006, figs. 45, 47, 81, and 82). Unlike most erigonines, Neodietrichia females possess epigyna with a sclerotized hood (somewhat similar to Masoncus). Similar to Masoncus, a median lobe exists posterior to the hood. However, unlike Masoncus in which the hood is near the midline of the epigynum (Chamberlin 1949, figs. 95, 100, 103; Cushing 1995, fig. 5), the hood in Neodietrichia epigyna is anterior to all other epigynal parts (Figs. 2G, H, 3F, G, 4G, H, 5G, H). Moreover, the median plate in Neodietrichia epigyna is wider posteriorly and narrows anteriorly (Figs. 2G, H, 3F, G, 4G, H, 5G, H) unlike the square-shaped median plate in most Masoncus (Chamberlin 1949, figs. 95, 103; Cushing 1995, fig. 5). Description (Figs. 1–5). Medium-sized (1.38–2.83) erigonines with dusky orange to brown cephalothoraxes and gray to black abdomens. Eight eyes ringed in black. AME slightly smaller than the other subequal eyes. Posterior eye row slightly procurved, anterior eye row slightly recurved so that lateral eyes from both rows are touching. Chelicerae with 5 promarginal teeth and 4–5 retromarginal teeth; small mastidion present; cheliceral file with 8–20 ridges. Carapace oval, slightly less than half as wide as long with 2–3 hairs along midline. Males with many hairs on clypeus just below AME, between AME and ALE, between AME and PME, and some behind PME. Males also possess pits and dual elongated sulci on the carapace behind PLE; anterior sulci shallow just behind PLE and deepen as they extend posteriorly, often curving ventrally, to pit; posterior sulci extend posteriorly from median part of anterior sulci and taper distally. As in many erigonine males (Schaible et al. 1986), pits in Neodietrichia demonstrate the production of a substance that is assumed to be a nuptial gift for mating females (see arrow in Fig. 1). When viewed laterally, carapace is slightly concave from PLE to approximately 1/2 to 2/3rds towards posterior end of carapace at which point it declines to pedicel. Carapace dusky orange to brown; sternum slightly longer than wide, pointed posteriorly between coxae of leg IV. Abdomen oval, covered with simple setae, color ranges from light gray to black, sometimes mottled with four points of muscle attachment darker. Venter color and pattern similar to dorsal side. Epiandrous fusules absent; colulus approximately twice as long as wide; anterior spinnerets longer and wider than posterior ones, cone-shaped. Legs slightly lighter than carapace color, concolorous, relative length 4, 1, 2, 3; femur I approximately 3/4 as long as carapace; metatarsi I–III each with a single trichobothrium; metatarsus IV lacking trichobothrium; paired tarsal claws and median claw without teeth. Tibia I–III each with a single trichobothrium; tibia IV with 1–4 trichobothria of varying lengths; trichobothrium on metatarsus I distal (n = 68, min = 0.52, max = 0.85, median = 0.75). TmI (n=67), 0.52–0.85 (mean = 0.74). Tibial macrosetae 2221 (1 distal and 1 proximal on legs I–III) with distal macrosetae on legs I–III greatly reduced. Patellar macrosetae 2222 (1 distal and 1 proximal) with the proximal macrosetae greatly reduced. Male palp simple, possessing a large, anteriad, scimitar-shaped radical apophysis; embolus often curved and directed towards central radical apophysis from retrolateral edge; tegulum with distal protegulum retrolateral to radical apophysis; large prolateral radix; palpal tibial apophysis long, pointed, and occasionally with spines in various arrangements (Figs. 2B–E, 3A, C–E, 4B–E, 5A, C–F, Crosby and Bishop 1933, fig. 201 and 203; Hackman 1954: figs 53–54 and 56–57; Marusik et al. 2006, figs. 45, 47, 81, and 82). Epigynum (Figs. 2G, H, 3F, G, 4G, H, 5G, H, Crosby and Bishop 1933, fig. 204) with median plate that widens posteriorly; concave anterior hood either single (N. hesperia) or doubled (N. depressum n. comb.); both spermathecae visible ventrally, present medially, either directed anteriorly, lateral to median plate (N. depressum n. comb.) or directed centrally, underneath median plate (N. hesperia); dual copulatory openings located centrally lateral to median plate. Distribution. California and British Columbia east to Nova Scotia and south to South Carolina; likely exists throughout North America (Fig. 7). Natural History. May be found on the trunks, under the bark, or on upper branches (~ 5m) of various species of trees within undisturbed forests with deep leaf litter. Specimens have also been found in the leaf litter of older forests, agricultural fields, in lichen, bird nests, on buildings, and in swamps. There is strong evidence that this species frequently balloons as many examined specimens were captured in malaise traps, flight intercept traps, and Lindgren traps. In fact, one specimen was collected after it ballooned onto the shirt of the wife of a prominent linyphiid-specializing arachnologist (Dr. Michael Draney, U. Wisconsin Green Bay)., Published as part of Milne, Marc A., O'Neil, Caylie & Bertaux, James, 2023, A taxonomic revision of Neodietrichia (Araneae: Linyphiidae), a rarely encountered but widespread spider taxon, pp. 31-44 in Zootaxa 5296 (1) on pages 33-35, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5296.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7970083, {"references":["Ozdikmen, H. (2008) Neodietrichia nom. nov., a replacement name for the genus Dietrichia Crosby & Bishop, 1933 (Araneae: Linyphiidae) non reck, 1921. Munis Entomology & Zoology Journal, 3 (1), 537 - 538.","Crosby, C. R. & Bishop, S. C. (1933) American spiders: Erigoneae, males with cephalic pits. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 26, 105 - 172. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / aesa / 26.1.105","Cameron, H. D. (2005) An entomological dictionary of North American spider genus names. In: Ubick, D., Paquin, P., Cushing, P. E. & Roth, V. (Eds.), Spiders of North America: an identification manual. American Arachnological Society, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 274 - 330.","Hackman, W. (1954) The spiders of Newfoundland. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 79, 1 - 99.","Marusik, Y. M., Gnelitsa, V. A. & Koponen, S. (2006) A survey of Holarctic Linyphiidae (Aranei). 4. A review of the erigonine genus Lophomma Menge, 1868. Arthropoda Selecta, 15 (2), 153 - 171.","Chamberlin, R. V. (1949) On some American spiders of the family Erigonidae. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 14, 483 - 562. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / aesa / 41.4.483","Cushing, P. E. (1995) Description of the spider Masoncus pogonophilus (Araneae: Linyphiidae), a harvester ant myrmecophile. Journal of Arachnology, 23, 55 - 59.","Schaible, U., Gack, C. & Paulus, H. F. (1986) Zur Morphologie, Histologie und biologischen Bedeutung der Kopfstrukturen mannlicher Zwergspinnen (Linyphiidae: Erigoninae). Zoologisches Jahrbuch, Abteilung fur Systematik, 113, 389 - 408."]}

Neodietrichia depressum (Emerton, 1882) new combination (Figs. 1, 4, 5, 8, 9) Lophocarenum depressum Emerton 1882: 50, fig. 6 (Description of male). Erigone depressa Marx 1890: 533. Diplocephalus depressus Simon 1894: 615. Lophomma depressum Crosby & Bishop 1933: 125, figs. 64–68. “ Lophomma ” depressum Marusik, Gnelitsa & Koponen, 2006: 166, figs. 43–48, 78–83 (misplaced in this genus). Type. Holotype male. U.S.A.: New Hampshire: 1 male, Coös County, Mount Washington, June 1874, J. H. Emerton (MCZ 21047). Diagnosis. Males of N. depressum n. comb. possess a palp with a ventrally-projecting distal portion of the embolus with most of the embolus hidden while the embolus in N. hesperia visibly projects anteriorly towards the radical apophysis (Figs. 2B, E, 3A, 4B, E, 5A). Moreover, the palpal tibial apophysis in N. depressum n. comb. is wider than that of N. hesperia and possesses a median keel in addition to smaller distal spines, which differs from the straight and flat palpal tibial apophysis in N. hesperia that possesses 1–2 large spines (Figs. 2C–E, 3C, D, 4C–E, 5C, E, F). Females of N. depressum n. comb. may be distinguished from those of N. hesperia by the epigynum, which possesses a doubly-lobed concave anterior hood versus the single hood in N. hesperia. Moreover, the epigynum in N. depressum n. comb. possesses anteriorly-directed spermathecae that are lateral to the wide median lobe whereas in N. hesperia, these spermathecae are centrally-directed underneath the thinner part of the median lobe (Figs. 2G, H, 3F, G, 4G, H, 5G, H). Description. Male (MCZ 21047, holotype; Figs. 4A–E, 5A–F). Small to medium-sized (1.38–2.42) erigonines with carapace pale yellow to dark brown with black around eyes; legs slightly lighter in color than carapace; abdomen mottled light gray to concolorous black (Fig 4A). Eyes, teeth, pits, anterior and posterior sulci, venter, and spinnerets typical of genus. Clypeus with slight anterior bulge and many microsetae (Figs. 1, 5B). Leg lengths, macrosetae, and claw teeth typical of genus. Metatarsi I–III each with single trichobothrium; metatarsus IV lacking trichobothrium; tibia I–III each with single trichobothrium; tibia IV with 1–4 trichobothria. Pedipalp with large medial radical apophysis that, when viewed ventrally, is straight and shifted prolaterally of center (Figs. 4B, 5A). Distal portion of embolus projects ventrally retrolateral of radical apophysis though much of embolus is hidden behind tegulum. Protegulum extends anteriorly adjacent to and past tip of radical apophysis (Figs. 4B, E, 5A). Paracymbium rounded at tip (Figs. 4B, E, 5A). Female (MM 6D15, Indiana: Johnson Co.; Figs. 4F–H, 5G, H). Coloration of carapace, abdomen, and legs as in male. Females lack sulci and pits (Fig. 4F). Clypeus not bulged and lacking large numbers of clypeal hairs as in male. Eyes, teeth, venter, spinnerets, chelicerae, leg lengths, macrosetae, trichobothria, and claw teeth as in male. Epigynum with single concave anterior hood and dual, ventrally-visible spermathecae. Median plate wide posteriorly and narrows anteriorly (Figs. 4G, 5G). Spermathecae directed centrally, underneath thinner part of median plate. Dual copulatory openings exist medially near narrowing of median plate. Fertilization and copulatory ducts coiled laterally to spermathecae (Figs. 4H, 5H). Measurements. Male: (n=27): Total length, 1.38–2.42 (mean=1.98); carapace length, 0.73–1.15 (mean=0.96); carapace width, 0.57–0.93 (mean=0.74); femur I length (n=26), 0.47–0.86 (mean=0.69); (n=2): TmI (n=28), 0.52– 0.82 (mean = 0.74). Female: (n=40): Total length, 1.54–2.83 (mean=2.18); carapace length, 0.7–1.21 (mean=0.98); carapace width, 0.55–0.96, (mean=0.75); femur I length (n=39), 0.44–0.92 (mean=0.71); TmI (n=35), 0.63–0.85 (mean = 0.75). Variation. Males showed some variation in their palpal tibial apophyses, especially in the number of distal small teeth present and the size and shape of the proximal keel (Fig. 8). Males also showed some variance in the shape (curvature and length) of their sulci and their embolic division (Fig. 9). Little to no morphological variation observed in the females. Distribution. Known from British Columbia east to Nova Scotia and south to South Carolina. Likely distributed throughout North America (Fig. 7). Natural history. Adults have been collected year round from a variety of habitats, including on the trunks, underneath the bark, and lichen on trees, on buildings, within leaf litter in mature forests, in wetlands, in meadows, and sand pits. It has been found associated with a variety of trees, including aspen, poplar, white spruce, American elm, crab apple, birch, oak, maple, and jack pine. Other material examined. CANADA: New Brunswick: 1 female, Kent County, Kouchibouguac National Park, in bird nest in jack pine, 10 August 1977, E.E. Lindquist (CNC 1044595); 1 male, Madawaska County, Green River, 48.3 km. N. Edmunston, 31 July 1968, T. R. Renault (CNC, 1030077); Nova Scotia: 1 male, Kings County, Kentville, 22 March 1957, unknown collector (CNC, 1030080); Quebec: 1 male, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais Regional County, Gatineau Park, 1 April 2009, L. Masner (CNC, 1044584); 1 male, Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, 26 June 1992, L. Lesage (PP, LL92-51); 1 male, Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory, 119 km. N of LaSarre, 13–20 June 1997, P. Paquin and N. Dupérré (PP, 6677); Ontario: 1 female, Thunder Bay District, Pukaskwa National Park in Heron Bay near park office, 2 June 2013, C. Harpur (UG, BIOUG09421 - D04); 1 male, Lanark County, Smith Falls Collegiate Institute, 8 May 2015, V. Currie (UG, BIOUG21961 - E03); Manitoba: 1 male, Treaty 2 Territory, Riding Mountain National Park, Wasagaming, 21 August 1979, J. & M. Redner (CNC, 1030079); 1 female, Division No. 5, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, Max Lake, 17 June - 21 August 1988, S. & J. Peck (CNC, 1044586); Saskatchewan: 1 female, Division No. 1, Moose Mountain Provincial Park, Moose Mountain, 4 June 1973, J. Redner & C. Starr (CNC, 1044591); 1 female, Division No. 15, Anglin Lake (53.73, -105.93), 4 May 1997, D. J. Buckle (DB, 7896); 1 female, Prince Albert National Park, Hwy 263, 17 May 2012, R. Thompson (UG, BIOUG03561 - E11); 1 female, Division No. 11, 12 mi. SW Saskatoon, 24 March 1973, D. J. Buckle (DB, 7900); 1 female, 30 April 1973, (DB, 7901); 1 male, Saskatoon (52.117, -106.63), 3 October 1980, D. J. Buckle (DB, 7897); 7 males, 3 females, 21 April 1993, (DB, 7898); 1 male, 12 May 1996, (DB, 7899); Alberta: 1 female, Clear Hills County (56.77, -118.37), 30 May 2006, J. Pinzon (DB, 7892); 1 female, 2 August 2008, (DB, 7893); 1 female, summer 2008, (DB, 7894); 1 female, 25 July 2008, (DB, 7895); 1 male, Lamont, Elk Island National Park, Wood Bison Trail, 2 July 2012, unknown collector (UG, BIOUG05837 - E08); 1 male, Hayburger Trail, 30 June 2012, unknown collector (UG, BIOUG12570 - H05); 1 female, Woodlands County, Whitecourt, 11 April 2012, J. Sloan (UG, BIOUG20050 - G08); 1 male, Yellowhead County, Edson, Edson Rest Stop, 5 August 2010, G. Blagoev (UG, BIOUG00511 - C04); British Columbia: 1 female, Capital Regional District, Langford, Goldstream Provincial Park, 2 January 1975, A. P. Mackie (CNC, 1044596); U. S. A.: Maine: 1 male, Washington County, Township 18 MD BPP, Field 18-HC-2A, 5 May 2003, D. T. Jennings (MCZ, 118484); 1 male, Aroostook County, New Limerick, 9 May 2008, F. M. Skinner (MCZ, 140959); 1 female, York Co., Wells, GCampground, 1 May 2007, W. Urquhart (MD); New Hampshire: 1 male, Grafton County, Grafton, Mt. Moosilauke, 4 July 1912, J. H. Emerton (MCZ, 154467); Massachusetts: 1 male, Middlesex County, Pepperell, October 1978, H. W. Levi, L. R. Levi, and F. Levi (MCZ, 47522); North Carolina: 1 male, Jackson County, Cullowhee, Cane Creek, 7 January 1984, R. G. Bennett (CNC, 1030078); Indiana: 3 males, 18 females, Johnson County, Blossom Hollow Nature Preserve, litter sift, 15 December 2017, M. A. Milne (MM, 6 D 15); 7 males, 13 females, sticky traps on Fagus grandifolia, 22 February - 15 March 2020, M. A. Milne, C. Wimmersberger, E. Mullins, and C. Venable (MM, 12 A 8); South Carolina: 1 male, Aiken Co., Jackson, 110 Cowden St., 24 November 1993, M. Draney and V. L. Medland (MD)., Published as part of Milne, Marc A., O'Neil, Caylie & Bertaux, James, 2023, A taxonomic revision of Neodietrichia (Araneae: Linyphiidae), a rarely encountered but widespread spider taxon, pp. 31-44 in Zootaxa 5296 (1) on pages 37-41, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5296.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7970083, {"references":["Emerton, J. H. (1882) New England spiders of the family Theridiidae. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 6, 1 - 86. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. part. 7410","Marx, G. (1890) Catalogue of the described Araneae of temperate North America. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 12, 497 - 594. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00963801.782.497","Simon, E. (1894) Histoire naturelle des araignees. Deuxieme Edition. Tome Premier. Roret, Paris, pp. 489 - 760.","Crosby, C. R. & Bishop, S. C. (1933) American spiders: Erigoneae, males with cephalic pits. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 26, 105 - 172. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / aesa / 26.1.105","Marusik, Y. M., Gnelitsa, V. A. & Koponen, S. (2006) A survey of Holarctic Linyphiidae (Aranei). 4. A review of the erigonine genus Lophomma Menge, 1868. Arthropoda Selecta, 15 (2), 153 - 171."]}

Neodietrichia hesperia (Crosby & Bishop, 1933) (Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7) Dietrichia hesperia Crosby & Bishop 1933: 160, figs. 199–204 (Description of male and female). Dietrichia hesperia Hackman 1954: 17, figs. 51–57. Neodietrichia hesperia Özdikmen 2008: 537 (transferred from Dietrichia). Types. Holotype male. U.S.A.: California: 1 male, Madera County, North Fork, 1 March 1920, H. Dietrich (AMNH ID AMNH _ IZC 00328051). Paratype.— U.S.A.: California: 1 female, same data as holotype [lost, see type data remarks]; Type data remarks. Holotype and paratype originally deposited in the collection of Cornell University and then transferred to the American Museum of Natural History. Female paratype not examined, missing from collection, presumed lost during transfer (Draney 1998). Diagnosis. Males of N. hesperia differ from N. depressum n. comb. in that the embolus of N. hesperia visibly projects anteriorly behind the protegulum towards the central radical apophysis while in N. depressum n. comb., much of the embolus is not visible but possesses a distal portion that projects ventrally (Figs. 2B, E, 3A, 4B, E, 5A). Moreover, the palpal tibial apophysis in N. hesperia is thinner than in N. depressum n. comb. and is relatively straight and flat except for the existence of one to two spines whereas in N. depressum n. comb. it possesses a median keel in addition to smaller distal spines (Figs. 2C–E, 3C, D, 4C–E, 5C, E, F). The female epigynum in N. hesperia possesses spermathecae that are directed centrally, underneath the median plate whereas in N. depressum n. comb. they are lateral to the median septum and directed anteriorly. Moreover, the epigynum in N. hesperia possesses a single concave anterior hood whereas in N. depressum n. comb. a dual-lobed concave anterior hood is present (Figs. 2G, H, 3F, G, 4G, H, 5G, H). Description. Male (AMNH_IZC 00328051, holotype; Figs. 2A–E, 3A–E). Smaller sized (1.38–1.70 total length) erigonines with carapace dusky dark orange to light brown, black around eyes, legs dark yellow in color, and abdomen dark gray to black, often with lighter mottling. Eyes, teeth, pits, anterior and posterior sulci, venter, and spinnerets typical of genus. Chelicerae with 10–13 stridulatory ridges. Clypeus with slight anterior bulge and hairs present. Leg lengths, macrosetae, and claw teeth typical of genus. Metatarsi I–III each with single trichobothrium; metatarsus IV lacking trichobothrium; tibia I–III each with single trichobothrium; tibia IV with 1–3 trichobothria. Pedipalp with large medial radical apophysis that, when viewed ventrally, angles prolaterally and then bends inward distally. Embolus long and extends anteriorly along the retrolateral side of the palp with the point converging near the apex of the radical apophysis. Protegulum extends anteriorly, adjacent to the radical apophysis, but exterior to the distal part of the embolus. Paracymbium small and rounded at the tip (Figs. 2B, E, 3A). Palpal tibial apophysis long, thin, straight, and relatively flat with one or two distal or semi-distal spines (Figs. 2C–E, 3C, D). Female (RB, Ohio: Vinton Co.; Figs. 2F–H, 3F, G). Smaller sized (1.48–1.80) erigonines with coloration of carapace and legs as in male. Abdomen gray as in some of the lighter-colored males. Females lack sulci and pits. Clypeus not bulged and lacking large numbers of clypeal hairs as in male. Eyes, teeth, venter, spinnerets, chelicerae, leg lengths, macrosetae, trichobothria, and claw teeth as in male. Epigynum with single concave anterior hood and dual, ventrally-visible spermathecae. Median plate wide posteriorly and narrows anteriorly. Spermathecae directed centrally, underneath thinner part of median plate. Dual copulatory openings exist medially near narrowing of median plate. Fertilization and copulatory ducts coiled laterally to spermathecae (Figs. 2H, 3G). Measurements. Male: (n=3): Total length, 1.38–1.70 (mean=1.53); carapace length, 0.66–0.76 (mean=0.71); carapace width, 0.51–0.53 (mean=0.52); femur I length, 0.44–0.52 (mean=0.47); TmI (n=2), 0.59–0.63 (mean = 0.61). Female: (n=3): Total length, 1.48–1.8 (mean=1.66); carapace length (n=4), 0.62–0.72 (mean=0.67); carapace width, 0.49–0.53, (mean=0.51); femur I length, 0.42–0.45 (mean=0.44); TmI (n=3), 0.62–0.65 (mean = 0.63). Variation. The three male specimens that are known all slightly differ in the shape (width and orientation) and number and/or location of spines on the tibial apophysis (Fig. 6). There was no morphological variation seen in the four females examined. Distribution. Known from only four locations: California (holotype), Maine, Ohio, and Quebec. Likely distributed throughout North America (Fig. 7). Natural history. Adults have been collected from March - July. Adults have been collected from sweeping lowbush blueberry in agricultural fields, from flight-intercept traps placed 5m up in spruce/fir/hardwood mix forests, under the bark of trees, and from the Berlese extraction of specimens in a broom of Picea mariana. Other material examined. CANADA: Quebec: Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region, Abitibi-Ouest, coll. P. Paquin and N. Dupérré (PP, 519), 19–26 June 1994, 1 female; Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory, 87 km. N of LaSarre, coll. P. Paquin and N. Dupérré (PP, 9384), 4 July 1997, 1 female. U.S.A.: Maine: Hancock Co., Bradley Penobscot Experimental Forest, coll. J. Jaros-Su (MCZ, 104521), 1997, 1 male; Washington Co., T 30 MD BPP, EBB Survey, coll. J. Crowe (MCZ, 140958), 20 May 2008, 1 male; Cocoa Mountain, coll. J. Collins (MCZ, 151767), 14 May 1993, 1 female. Ohio: Vinton Co., Vinton Furnace near Dundas, coll. M. A. Ivie (RB), 5 March 1983, 1 female., Published as part of Milne, Marc A., O'Neil, Caylie & Bertaux, James, 2023, A taxonomic revision of Neodietrichia (Araneae: Linyphiidae), a rarely encountered but widespread spider taxon, pp. 31-44 in Zootaxa 5296 (1) on pages 35-36, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5296.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7970083, {"references":["Crosby, C. R. & Bishop, S. C. (1933) American spiders: Erigoneae, males with cephalic pits. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 26, 105 - 172. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / aesa / 26.1.105","Hackman, W. (1954) The spiders of Newfoundland. Acta Zoologica Fennica, 79, 1 - 99.","Ozdikmen, H. (2008) Neodietrichia nom. nov., a replacement name for the genus Dietrichia Crosby & Bishop, 1933 (Araneae: Linyphiidae) non reck, 1921. Munis Entomology & Zoology Journal, 3 (1), 537 - 538.","Draney, M. L. (1998) Sougambus georgiensis Chamberlin & Ivie, a junior synonym of Goneatara platyrhinus (Crosby & Bishop) (Araneae, Linyphiidae, Erigoninae). Journal of Arachnology, 26 (2), 247 - 248."]}

Epiceraticelus Crosby & Bishop, 1931 Epiceraticelus Crosby & Bishop, 1931: 380. Type species. Epiceraticelus fluvialis Crosby and Bishop 1931, by monotypy. Diagnosis. Males may be separated from similar North American genera (e.g. Ceraticelus, Ceratinella, Grammonota, Scylaceus, and Walckenaeria) by possessing a large palpal tibial apopysis that is serrated on the medial margin (Figs. 2A, 3C, 4C, 6C). Females may be separated from other erigonines by having an epigynum split in half by two parallel copulatory grooves with copulatory openings positioned anteriorly and a widened rectangular median plate posteriorly (Figs. 2D, 3E, 4E, 6D). Males of Epiceraticelus are easily distinguished from Scylaceus pallidus by the long sinuous embolic division and by the fine serrations medially on the retrolateral tibial apophysis. Additionally, the narrow “pistol-shaped” tibial apophysis of S. pallidus is distinctive (Paquin and Dupérré 2003, Figs. 1230, 1231). Epiceraticelus and Scylaceus pallidus females are similar somatically and have a similar posteriorly-placed median plate, but in Epiceraticelus, it is triangular in shape rather than broadly rectangular (Figs. 2D, 3E, 4E, 6D). Moreover, the epigynum in S. pallidus has spermathecae that are more posteriolateral in position (Figs. 2C, 3F, 4D, 6E and Paquin & Dupérré 2003, Fig. 1232). Description. Length: 1.1–1.3. Cephalothorax: eyes eight, AME smallest, ALE and PLE equal, PME approximately two-thirds the size of PLE, posterior eye row slightly procurved, anterior eye row slightly recurved; eyes ringed with black. Chelicerae with six or seven promarginal teeth, five retromarginal denticles. Carapace oval, two-thirds as wide as long with one to two medial setae; a pair of small setae between PME and AME of each side; anterior portion of carapace three times as high as section near pedicel, clypeal modifications variable, dusky orange to tan, sternum nearly as long as wide, pointed posteriorly between coxae of leg IV. Abdomen: oval, covered with simple setae, concolorous gray, venter gray with dark gray patches around spinnerets and near epigynum; epiandrous fusules absent; colulus twice as long as wide; anterior spinnerets longer than posterior, cone-shaped. Tracheal system desmitracheate (sensu Millidge 1984). Legs: light orange, unmarked; relative length 4, 1, 2, 3; patella–tibia I three-fourths as long as carapace; metatarsi I–III each with a single trichobothrium; paired tarsal claws with eight teeth, median claw with three teeth. Trichobothrium on metatarsus IV lacking. Trichobothrium on metatarsus I at 0.4–0.5. Tibial spines 1111, often 0000. Palp of male complex (Figs. 2B, 3 A–B, 4B, 6A–B), with a well-developed retrolateral tibial apophysis which is finely serrated on medial margin; embolic division with elongate tail-piece oriented with long axis parallel to long axis of palp; tegulum with distal protegulum; distal suprategular apophysis present; long sinuous embolus present (Figs. 3 A–B, 6A–B). Epigynum (Figs. 3 EF, 6D–E) with dual sinuous median epigynal grooves widening into a posterior median plate (narrower and separated in E. fluvialis, while wider and fused in E. mandyae n. sp.), spermathecae ventrally visible, separated by more than 1.5 times their diameter; internally, spermathecae anterior of copulatory and fertilization ducts, laterally directed and partially covering spermathecae posteriorly. Distribution. New York south to Georgia, west to Texas (Fig. 1). Natural History. May be found in the leaf litter of damp forests in winter and early spring. Forests commonly consist of various species of pine and oak.