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The genus Wuliphantes Irfan, Wang & Zhang, 2023 is a small genus in the family Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859, with only three species: W. guanshan (Irfan, Wang & Zhang, 2022), W. tongluensis (Chen & Song, 1988) and W. trigyrus Irfan, Wang & Zhang, 2023, all distributed in China.A new species: Wuliphantes yaan sp. nov. from Sichuan Province, China is reported. In addition, we re-described the type specimens of W. tongluensis (Chen & Song, 1988) that is similar to W. yaan sp. nov.

Tapinocyba subula Seo 2018 is newly recorded in Japan. This species was described on the basis of the specimens collected in Korea. Specimens collected at several sites in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, were identified as T. subula. This species was redescribed in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Troxochrus cirrifrons (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871) is a junior synonym of Troxochrus scabriculus (Westring, 1851). Moreover, Troxochrus scabriculus is a species with dimorphic males, the nominate form is referred to as T. scabriculus forma scabriculus, and the second morph as T. scabriculus forma cirrifrons. No significant differences are present in the male palps or any sexual characters of these two forms. Likewise, the accompanying females of different populations exhibit no significant differences in general appearance or genitalia. We provide data on the taxonomic history, national checklists, habitat and distribution, as well as phenology to support the synonymy and to verify male dimorphism in Troxochrus scabriculus.

Background: The genus Wuliphantes Irfan, Wang & Zhang, 2023 is a small genus in the family Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859, with only three species: W.guanshan (Irfan, Wang & Zhang, 2022), W.tongluensis (Chen & Song, 1988) and W.trigyrus Irfan, Wang & Zhang, 2023, all distributed in China., New Information: A new species: Wuliphantesyaan sp. nov. from Sichuan Province, China is reported. In addition, we re-described the type specimens of W.tongluensis (Chen & Song, 1988) that is similar to W.yaan sp. nov., (Lan Yang, Zhiyuan Yao, Shuqiang Li.)

We conducted systematic sampling to examine the microhabitat distribution of the Nearctic linyphiid Drapetisca alteranda Chamberlin 1909; adults are found almost exclusively on tree trunk surfaces. Sampling was conducted in a 1 ha plot in which all trees over 10 cm dbh had previously been identified, mapped, and measured. Tree trunks were sampled for D. alteranda by brushing spiders into beating sheets. We sampled equal trunk surface areas (0.5-2.0 m) of the four most abundant tree species on the plot: Quercus alba, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Tilia americana, and Carya ovata. We measured tree bark furrowing depth at 15 locations around each tree. We analyzed the data with a General Linear Mixed Model, assuming Poisson distribution. Tree species and furrowing depth, but not tree size, were significant predictors of total number of D. alteranda collected. Eighty-four percent of the spiders were collected on T. americana, and the relationship between spider abundance and furrowing depth was negative. As a separate test for D. alteranda vertical distribution, we divided the lower 3 m of selected tree trunks into six 0.5 m sections, sampling each separately. Regardless of tree species, height above ground was a significant predictor of female (but not male) D. alteranda occurrence, with 52% of the females found 0.5-1.0 m above the forest floor. These results suggest that the microhabitat distribution of D. alteranda is broadly similar to that of the Eurasian species D. socialis, a species that matures in leaf litter and migrates mostly to the lower regions of tree boles to forage as adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]