Holocnemus hispanicus Wiehle, 1933

Figs 4, 129–162

Holocnemus hispanicus Wiehle, 1933: 241, figs 1, 2c, 4–6, 7a–b, 8.

Holocnemus hispanicus – Senglet 1972: 315. — Timm 1976: 70, figs 3–4. — Huber 2000: figs 5, 97. — Morano 2001: 68. — Barriga et al. 2006: 135. — Cardoso et al. 2009: 54. — Benhadi-Marín et al. 2013: 75, fig. 2 (B1–3). — Ribera 2013: 59. — Breitling 2020: 352, fig. 26e–f.

Remark

Wiehle (1933) did not mention type specimens in the original description, and none of the presumed syntypes listed below is labeled as type. However, most or all of these specimens originate from the type locality, and most were collected in May 1930, which is the date mentioned in the original description. Wiehle kept and reared specimens for several generations, and some specimens listed under non-type material may actually be descendants of the specimens he collected in May 1930. Some were preserved between June and November 1930, suggesting that these may partly be specimens he collected in May 1930, partly the first reared generation that became adult in November and December 1930 (Wiehle 1933); these are listed under types. Several SMF labels seem to be erroneous: it seems very unlikely that specimens were collected in the field on exactly the same days that others were preserved after being reared in the lab (25 Apr. 1936, 15 Jun. 1936).

Diagnosis

Distinguished from nominal congeners and from representatives of Crossopriza by shape of procursus (Figs 136–138; distal prolateral transparent process, ventral sclerite proximally wide and partly membranous), by shape of distal bulbal sclerite (Figs 139–141; trapezoidal in prolateral view, with one rounded process on prolateral side), and by epigynum with anteriorly converging furrows and pair of internal sclerites usually visible in uncleared specimens (Figs 132–134); from the two only syntopic Smeringopinae ( H. pluchei, H. caudatus) also by combination of: unmodified sternum in males and females, only one modified hair on each male cheliceral apophysis (Figs 142, 150), and slender female palp.

Type material (see Remark above)

Syntypes SPAIN – Andalusia • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Granada; 37.18° N, 3.59° W; May 1930; H. Wiehle leg.; MNHH Ar 10335 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; preserved on 25 Jun. 1930; SMF 19314 • 1 ♀; presumably same collection data as for preceding; preserved on 4 Nov. 1930; SMF 19313 • 1 ♀, mislabeled as “ Crossopriza semicaudata ”; same collection data as for preceding; preserved on 5 Nov. 1930; SMF 19311 • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 1928; H. Wiehle leg.; SMF 19306 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; preserved on 19 Aug. 1930; SMF 19312 .

Other material examined

SPAIN – Andalusia • 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, 2 juvs; Granada; 37.18° N, 3.59° W; Jul. 1934; M. Schröder leg.; SMF 11472–73, 19309–19310, 19315 • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 19 Jan. 1935; collector unknown; SMF 11476 • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; reared and preserved on 25 Apr. 1936; collector unknown; SMF 19307 • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; reared and preserved on 1 Apr. 1936; collector unknown; SMF 19305 • 1 ♀; Granada; 16 Aug. 1924; M.D. Leonard leg.; AMNH • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Granada, Guadix (Paulenca de Guadix); 37.293° N, 3.168° W; 18 Jul. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; Granada, La Calahora (Ferreira); 37.174° N, 3.047° W; 17 Jul. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 4 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; Granada, Huéneja; 37.176° N, 2.948° W; 16 Jul. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Granada, E of Guadix, Baza; 37.49° N, 2.79° W; field margin; 19 Feb. 1983; K. Thaler leg.; ZFMK Ar 22350 • 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Granada, Puebla de Don Fadrique; 37.958° N, 2.434° W; 1000–1200 m a.s.l.; 6 Jul. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♀; Granada, “Sierra Havana” (locality not identified); 1000 m a.s.l.; 29 Sep. 1953; collector unknown; SMF 8802 • 1 ♀; Granada, Sima Rica de Alhama; 37.055° N, 4.105° W; 1190 m a.s.l.; 10 Dec. 1983; C. Ribera leg.; CRBA 2062 • 1 ♂; Granada, Piñar, Cueva de Pagarrecio; 37.442° N, 3.416° W; 1035 m a.s.l.; 25 May 2013; “GEG” leg.; CRBA 5132 • 1 ♀; Málaga, between Periana and Ventas Zafarrayas; 36.944° N, 4.131° W; 30 Oct. 1983; A. Russell- Smith; under stones in rocky fallow; ZFMK Ar 23862 • 1 ♂, 2 juvs; Málaga, 10 km N of Málaga, Río Guadalmedina; 36.802° N, 4.435° W; 5 Apr. 1997; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in riverbed; CRB • 2 ♂♂, 15 ♀♀; Málaga, Antequera; 37.02° N, 4.56° W; 1–2 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♀; Málaga, Pizarra, along Río Guadalhorce; 36.77° N, 4.71° W; 17 Dec. 1997; R. Bosmans leg.; grassland; CRB • 1 ♀, 1 juv.; Málaga, Fuengirola; 36.54° N, 4.63° W; 26 Jul. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Málaga, San Pedro de Alcántara; 36.49° N, 4.99° W; 23 Jul. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; Málaga, Ronda; 36.74° N, 5.16° W; 20–23 Jul. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 21 Jun. 1969; MHNG • 1 ♀; Málaga, Ronda; 36.74° N, 5.16° W; 750 m a.s.l.; 12 Aug. 1991; R. Bosmans leg.; stones; CRB • 2 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Jaén, “Hinojares/Cazorla”; 37.72° N, 2.99° W–37.91° N, 3.00° W; 19 Jul. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Jaén, Sierra de Cazorla, El Sagreo; 37.946° N, 2.945° W; 22 Jul. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♀; Jaén, Cazorla, Ruta Río Borosa; 37.950° N, 2.947° W; 9 May 1919; A. Pérez leg.; ZFMK Ar 22351 • 1 ♀; Jaén, Santo Tomé, “Cueva GEV 2”; 38.031° N, 2.992° W; 31 Dec. 2006; collector unknown; CRBA 1636 • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, 1 juv.; Jaén, Navas de Tolosa; 38.285° N, 3.587° W; 400 m a.s.l.; 12 Apr. 1998; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in planted Pinus forest; CRB • 1 ♂; Jaén, Santiago de la Espada-Pontones, Cueva del Jabalí; 38.118° N, 2.647° W; 1530 m a.s.l.; 14 Apr. 2002; “GEV” leg.; CRBA 3867 • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv.; Jaén, Hornos, Sima Irene; 38.191° N, 2.784° W; 1090 m a.s.l.; 15 Feb. 2004; “GEV” leg.; CRBA 5013 • 1 ♂, 1 juv.; Jaén, Hornos, Sima SIES-71; 38.217° N, 2.711° W; 1060 m a.s.l.; 31 Oct. 2004; “GEV” leg.; CRBA 5028 • 2 ♀♀, 2 juvs; Córdoba, Villaviciosa; 38.076° N, 5.014° W; 29 Jun. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 7 ♀♀; Córdoba, Peñarroya; 38.30° N, 5.27° W; 30 Jun. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; Sevilla, Cazalla de la Sierra; 37.93° N, 5.76° W; 2 Jul. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀, 1 juv.; Sevilla, Río Viar; 37.64° N, 5.84° W; 24 Jun. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Sevilla, Alcalá del Río; 37.517° N, 5.983° W; 22 Jun. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂; Sevilla, Sevilla; 37.38° N, 5.99° W; 2 Jul. 1999; T. Lyen leg.; in building; CAS 9027125 • 1 ♂, 3 ♀♀, 1 juv.; Sevilla, E of Ronquillo, Embalse de Cala; 37.71° N, 6.13° W; 6 Apr. 1994; R. Bosmans leg.; CRB • 1 ♀; Sevilla, El Ronquillo, Embalse Minilla; 37.677° N, 6.185° W; 7 Apr. 1996; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in Quercus suber forest; CRB • 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀, 4 juvs; same locality as for preceding [ W of Ronquillo]; 5 Apr. 1994; R. Bosmans leg.; CRB • 1 ♂, 6 ♀♀; Huelva, Santa Olalla [del Cala]; 37.906° N, 6.230° W; 4 Jul. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 2 ♀♀, 1 juv.; Huelva, SW of Higuera de la Sierra; 37.83° N, 6.44° W; 400 m a.s.l.; 7 Apr. 1996; R. Bosmans leg.; litter and stones in Quercus suber forest; CRB • 18 ♂♂, 23 ♀♀ (partly used for SEM); Huelva, “Alájar/Aracena”; 37.88° N, 6.66° W–37.89° N, 6.56° W; 7 Jul. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; MMUE Murphy #12791 • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, 1 juv.; Huelva, S of Valverde del Camino; 37.555° N, 6.761° W; 270 m a.s.l.; 2 Apr. 1997; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in Eucalyptus plantation; CRB. – Region of Murcia • 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Caravaca [de la Cruz]; 38.10° N, 1.86° W; 5 Jul. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; W of Alhama de Murcia, Sierra Espuña; 37.856° N, 1.571° W; 1235 m a.s.l.; 4 Jun. 2010; S. Huber and A. Schönhofer leg.; Pinus forest, open slopes; SMF • 1 ♀; Jumilla, Sierra de las Nieves, Cueva del Portachuelo; 38.47° N, 1.32° W; 5 Apr. 1983; C. Ribera leg.; CRBA 2098 . – Castilla-La Mancha • 3 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; Ciudad Real, Fuencaliente; 38.406° N, 4.304° W; 3 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂; Ciudad Real, Caracuel (Laguna); 38.828° N, 4.063° W; 4 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, 3 juvs; Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real; 38.98° N, 3.93° W; 20 Apr. 2011; E. Morano leg.; CEM 1732 • 1 ♀; Ciudad Real, Daimiel, Tablas de Daimiel; 39.13° N, 3.70° W; 13 May 1984; C.M. Veiga and M.A. Ferrández leg.; CEM 1440 • 6 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; Ciudad Real, Ruidera; 38.975° N, 2.890° W; 7–8 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♀; Ciudad Real, Campo de Criptana; 39.40° N, 3.12° W; 650 m a.s.l.; 13 Apr. 1998; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in open Quercus suber forest; CRB • 4 ♀♀; Albacete, Almansa; 38.87° N, 1.10° W; 950 m a.s.l.; 3 Apr. 1996; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in maquis; CRB • 9 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀, 9 juvs; Toledo, Escalona del Alberche; 40.167° N, 4.400° W; 14 Jun. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♀; Toledo, near Aranjuez, Seseña; 40.10° N, 3.70° W; 10 Jun. 1952; Franz leg.; SMF 19436 • 2 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; Cuenca, Palomera; 40.067° N, 2.050° W; 27 Jun. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Guadalajara; 40.63° N, 3.15° W; Jun. 1907; collector unknown; MNHN Ar 10315 . – Extremadura • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Badajoz, Garbayuela; 39.05° N, 5.00° W; 17 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Badajoz, Puebla de Alcocer; 38.98° N, 5.26° W; 12 Apr. 1994; R. Bosmans leg.; among stones in grassland; CRB • 1 ♂; Badajoz, Peloche, Embalse de García de Sola; 39.20° N, 5.16° W; 12 Apr. 1994; R. Bosmans leg.; CRB • 4 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Badajoz, Valdecaballeros; 39.24° N, 5.19° W; 18 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 3 ♂♂, 8 ♀♀, 4 juvs; Badajoz, Monesterio, Venta de Culebrín; 38.03° N, 6.22° W; 19 Jun. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 3 ♀♀; Badajoz, SW of Zafra, valley of Río Bodión; 38.410° N, 6.425° W; 2 Apr. 1997; R. Bosmans leg.; stones; CRB • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Cáceres, Conquista de la Sierra; 39.350° N, 5.735° W; 14 Apr. 1994; R. Bosmans leg.; open Quercus suber forest; CRB • 1 ♂, 4 ♀♀; Cáceres, Jarandilla [de la Vera]; 40.126° N, 5.658° W; 22–23 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Cáceres, Jerte; 40.22° N, 5.75° W; 24 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG . – Castile and León • 2 ♀♀; Ávila, El Barco de Ávila; 40.36° N, 5.52° W; 25 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 5 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; Segovia, “Ayllon/Riaza”; ~ 41.36° N, 3.43° W (tentative coordinates between Ayllón and Riaza); 1 Sep. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; “von Timm” (possible vouchers of Timm 1976); SMF • 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Salamanca, Puente Alagón / Sequeros; 40.498° N, 5.944° W; 13 Aug. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Salamanca, Salamanca; 40.96° N, 5.66° W; 22 Aug. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀; Zamora, Zamora; 41.50° N, 5.75° W; 25 Aug. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 2 juvs; Zamora, near Sandín de Carballeda; 42.00° N, 6.48° W; 750 m a.s.l.; Jul. 1979; P. Haymoz leg.; MHNG .

SPAIN – no further locality data • 2 ♂♂ (in pure ethanol), vouchers of Ávila Herrera et al. 2021; ZFMK Kra4 = G116, Kra7 • 2 ♂♂; 25 Apr. 1936 and 15 Jun. 1936; collector(s) unknown; SMF 11474, 11475 • 1 ♂ (reared specimen); killed on 15 Jun. 1936, no further data; SMF 19308.

PORTUGAL – Faro • 1 ♂; Quarteira; 37.07° N, 8.10° W; Aug. 1982; J. Murphy leg.; MMUE Murphy #10374 • 4 ♀♀; Silves, Norinha; 37.20° N, 8.40° W; 14 Sep. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 3 ♂♂, 9 ♀♀; Barragem do Arrade; 37.238° N, 8.376° W; 16 Feb. 2006; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in Pinus forest; CRB • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Monchique; 37.32° N, 8.55° W; 13 Sep. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♀; Odiaxere; 37.15° N, 8.66° W; 13 Feb. 2006; R. Bosmans leg.; stones in wet grassland; CRB • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Salema, Boca do Rio; 37.066° N, 8.825° W; 14 Feb. 2006; R. Bosmans leg.; stones around castle ruins; CRB. – Beja • 1 ♀; Moura, Sobral da Adiça; 38.03° N, 7.29° W; 27 Mar. 2013; J. Dolansky leg.; CJL 8784 • 3 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Serpa, [Rio] Guadiana; 37.98° N, 7.65° W; 1 Aug. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Mértola; 37.64° N, 7.66° W; 30 Mar. 2013; J. Dolansky leg.; CJL 8776 • 1 ♂, 1 juv.; São Teotónio W; 37.51° N, 8.72° W; 16 Apr. 2011; R. Bosmans leg.; CRB . – Sétubal • 3 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀; Santiago, Azinheira dos Barros; 38.07° N, 8.42° W; 2 Aug. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG . – Leiria • 1 ♀; near Grutas de San António; 39.537° N, 8.742° W; 1–3 May 1991; V.D. Roth leg.; CAS 9027123 • 1 ♀; Mira de Aire, near Gruta de Pena; 39.45° N, 8.71° W; 19 Apr. 2011; R. Bosmans leg.; CRB . – Guarda • 2 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Fornos de Algodres, Maceira; 40.69° N, 7.47° W; 9 Aug. 1971; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG . – Bragança • 6 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; [Torre de] Moncorvo; 41.17° N, 7.05° W; 27 Aug. 1969; A. Senglet leg.; MHNG .

Redescription

Male (10 km N of Málaga, CRB)

MEASUREMENTS. Total length 3.9, carapace width 1.4. Distance PME–PME 105 µm; diameter PME 100 × 130 µm; distance PME–ALE 30 µm; diameter AME 80 µm; distance AME–AME 40 µm. Leg 1: 31.2 (9.0 + 0.6 + 8.1 + 11.4 + 2.1), tibia 2: 5.6, tibia 3: 4.2, tibia 4: 5.0; tibia 1 L/d: 54; femora 1–4 diameters: 0.21, 0.19, 0.17, 0.18.

COLOR (in ethanol). Carapace ochre-yellow; ocular area, carapace pit and posterior median area slightly darker, with brown V-mark behind ocular area; sternum brown, with dark brown radial marks; legs ochre-yellow, without darker rings, with black lines on femora and tibiae; abdomen ochre-gray, with some dark marks dorsally and laterally; ventrally with distinct black median band, partly disrupted, with three parallel longitudinal marks behind gonopore.

BODY. Habitus similar to H. caudatus (cf. Fig. 7) but abdomen less elongated above spinnerets (rather as in Crossopriza tiwi sp. nov.; cf. Fig. 394). Ocular area slightly raised. Deep thoracic pit and pair of shallow furrows diverging from pit toward posterior margin (cf. Fig. 148). Clypeus unmodified but rim more sclerotized than in female. Sternum wider than long (1.00/0.70), unmodified, without indentations as in H. caudatus and H. reini . Abdomen slightly elongated, dorso-posteriorly angular. Gonopore with six epiandrous spigots (Fig. 161); ALS with one widened spigot and one pointed spigot (Fig. 159).

CHELICERAE. As in Figs 142–143, with pair of frontal lateral apophyses, each with one large modified cone-shaped hair (Fig. 150); distance between tips of modified hairs: 310 µm; without proximal frontal protrusion; lateral stridulatory ridges distinct (Fig. 149); distances between ridges proximally ~14 µm, distally ~6 µm.

PALPS. As is Figs 129–131; coxa with rounded retrolateral hump; trochanter barely modified; femur curved towards dorsal, distally widened, with rounded ventral protrusion, proximally with prolateral stridulatory pick, without retrolateral transversal line, without retrolateral proximal process; femur-patella joints slightly shifted toward prolateral side; tibia very large compared to femur, tibia-tarsus joints shifted toward retrolateral side; tarsus without macrotrichia; palpal tarsal organ capsulate (Fig. 155); procursus (Figs 136–138) straight, few dorsal hairs slightly curved upwards; proximally on prolateral side with strong hump free of hairs, with brush of hairs distal of hump, procursus tip with strong ventral sclerite slightly spiraling and proximally wide and partly semitransparent, on prolateral side with semitransparent pointed process (arrow in Fig. 137); genital bulb (Figs 139–141) with simple basal sclerite connected to distal (main) sclerite; distal sclerite large and mostly flat, with distinctive prolateral rounded process; sperm duct opening prolaterally (arrow in Fig. 154; not visible in dissecting microscope).

LEGS. Femur 1 with single row of ~26 ventral spines; without curved hairs; few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium of tibia 1 at 3.5%; prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other leg tibiae; tarsal pseudosegments indistinct except 2–3 distally.

Male (variation)

Tibia 1 in 134 males: 6.1–11.8 (mean 8.7). Most specimens with pair of brown marks behind carapace pit, close to median line. Abdomen often higher posteriorly than anteriorly; posterior elongation of abdomen variably long; abdomen usually with many whitish marks. Difference in diameter between femur 1 and other femora stronger in larger males (e.g., large male from Ronda with tibia 1 length of 10.2: femur 1 diameter 0.38; femora 2–4 diameters 0.29–0.31). Rarely with spines on femur 2 (only when leg 1 on corresponding side is missing). Distance between tips of modified hairs on cheliceral apophyses: ~285–375 µm.

Female

In general similar to male but without spines on legs, with stridulatory apparatus between carapace and abdomen consisting of pale processes posteriorly on carapace (distance ~0.66) and barely visible plates anteriorly on abdomen; with cheliceral stridulatory ridges similar to male but in much smaller file (Fig. 151; distances between ridges ~12 µm). Tibia 1 in 212 females: 4.3–10.4 (mean 7.5). Epigynum as in Figs 132–134, main epigynal plate bean-shaped, weakly protruding, with distinctive pair of furrows converging anteriorly (distance of closest/widest sections of furrows: ~240/440 µm), internal arc and pair of dark round structures usually visible in uncleared specimens; posterior epigynal plate large but simple, anterior median part usually lighter; pair of low but distinct elevations in front of epigynum. Internal genitalia (Figs 144–145) with elongate pore plates converging anteriorly, dorsal arc relatively simple [Wiehle’s (1933) “Receptaculum seminis” is just an elongated sclerotized fold along the dorsal arc], ventral arc medially widened and heavily sclerotized, with distinctive indentation posteriorly; apparently without median ventral pouch but with pair of small ventral processes.

Natural history

This species is common in wall niches, rock crevices, and under rocks, generally less exposed than H. pluchei (Wiehle 1933; Benhadi-Marín et al. 2013). The webs have a diameter of approximately 35– 40 cm and a relatively regularly-woven inner dome. They are sometimes provided with small silk puffs, closer together than in webs of H. caudatus (Wiehle 1933) . Males undergo six or seven molts before adulthood, females one more (Wiehle 1933). In southern Spain (Granada), adult males do not seem to overwinter (only females and juveniles were present in May; Wiehle 1933). Wiehle (1933) gave a brief description of copulation, and Senglet (2001) observed a case where a male almost completely destroyed the female web after mating. Egg-sacs contained approximately 20– 25 eggs; mean egg diameter was 682 µm (Wiehle 1933). In two cases, Wiehle (1933) counted nine days from copulation to egg-laying, and 37 days from egg-laying to eclosion; females produced two egg-sacs per season; Senglet (1972) observed that H. hispanicus and Spermophorides petraea (Senglet, 1972) seem to compete for the same microhabitat; in Barco de Ávila, he suspected that S. petraea had largely replaced H. hispanicus; in Jerte, S. petraea seemed to prefer piles of rocks, while H. hispanicus occupied holes in rock walls.

Distribution

Widely distributed on the Iberian Peninsula (Fig. 4). I have not seen any specimens from north of approximately ~ 42.5° N, which agrees with the observation that the species seems to be absent from the Cantabrian Range (C.E. Prieto, pers. com., 9 Feb. 2021).