Zodarion viduum Denis, 1937

Shafaie, Sepideh, Pekár, Stano & Ortiz, David, 2025, Integrative taxonomy of the Iberian Zodarion species of the rubidum and styliferum groups (Araneae: Zodariidae), Zootaxa 5624 (1), pp. 1-69 : 22-25

Zodarion viduum Denis, 1937

Figs 12 , 13P–R , 15G , 16F , 17J

Zodarion viduum Denis 1937: 16 , figs 18–20 (♂ ♀).

Zodarion viduum — Bosmans 1994: 130, figs 51–53 (♂).— Pekár et al. 2011: 31 (♂ ♀).

Type material examined. Lectotype PORTUGAL: 1♂, labeled as “ Porto and Lisboa ”, MNHN-AR1517 , MNHN-AR1518 . Paralectotypes 2♀, same collection data as for lectotype .

Other material examined. PORTUGAL: 189♂, 23♀, 5 juv., Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto , Aveiro, 28.V.2006, C. Rufino leg., CMU ; 33♂, 25♀, 3 juv., Furadouro, Ovar , 11.V.2009, J.C. Carvalho leg., CMU .

Comments: Bosmans (1994) suggested that the two paralectotype females from the type series of Z. viduum might not be conspecific with the lectotype male, and instead, they may be closely related to Z. costablancae . To test this hypothesis, we reviewed a series of males and females of both Z. viduum and Z. costablancae , including the types, from different localities (see lists of examined material). Our observations revealed noticeable consistency in the morphology of males and females from the same places and collecting events, supporting the view that the females in the type series of Z. viduum are indeed conspecific with the lectotype male, thereby confirming their correct classification as Z. viduum .

Additionally, a single non-conspecific epigyne, stored in the same vial as the Z. viduum lectotypes, lacks the rest of its specimen, and its origin remains unconfirmed. This epigyne appears to pertain to Z. fuscum and seems to be the one that Bosmans (1994: figs. 111, 112) mistakenly identified, described, and illustrated as belonging to Z. viduum . To clarify this confusion, we present a revised redescription of the female of Z. viduum below.

Diagnosis: Zodarion viduum can be distinguished from other species in the rubidum group by an exceptionally voluminous embolus, which is approximately four times wider than its subterminal tooth ( Fig. 13Q ), and a short epigyne with a broadened posterior part ( Figs 15G , 17J ).

Description: For a detailed description of males, see Bosmans (1994). For details on the female, see characerization below.

Female (specimen from Furadouro). Total length 4.77 mm, carapace 1.85 mm long, 1.3 mm wide. Prosoma ( Fig. 12C–D ): Carapace, clypeus, chelicerae, mouthparts and sternum brown. Eyes: AME 0.08, ALE=PME 0.07, PLE 0.05, AME–AME 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.2, PME–PME 0.22, PLE–PLE 0.17. Abdomen ( Fig. 12C–D ): dorsum brown, with a whitish spot behind the spinnerets, ventrally light. Spinnerets light. Legs: Cx I dark, Cx II–IV pale; Fe of all legs brownish; other leg segments pale except Ti. Leg lengths: 4.71 (1.29, 0.42, 1.02, 1.12, 0.86), II 4.26 (1.18, 0.41, 0.86, 1.05, 0.76), III 3.81 (0.73, 0.46, 0.72, 1.19, 0.71), IV 7.72 (1.97, 0.6, 1.89, 2.39, 0.87). Epigyne ( Fig. 17J ): Epigynal plate short, sub-trapezoidal, posteriorly widened, anteriorly limited by a small antero-median chitinous ridge, which accompanied by a wedge-shaped structure. Sides of the epigynal plate distinctly S-shaped. Epigyne with a longitudinal septum elongated toward the epigynal plate, accompanied by a pair of copulatory openings on antero-lateral sides of the septum. Pits invisible.

Distribution: Portugal.

The styliferum group in Iberia

Members of this group share the following characters: tibial apophysis significantly elongated, terminally blunt with a small tooth or simply tapering with a recurved tip. Median apophysis in most species angular U-shaped or crescent-shaped with elongated, tapering tip. Embolus with a subterminal tooth; subterminal tooth lanceolate-like or resembling a one-flue harpoon. Epigynal plate diverse in shape, including bell-shaped, oval, rectangular, and mushroom-shaped. Copulatory openings and pits (if visible) singular or paired.

Species included: Z. alentejanum Pekár & Carvalho, 2011 , Z. algarvense Bosmans, 1994 , Z. bacelarae Pekár, 2003 , Z. bosmansi Pekár & Cardoso, 2005 , Z. extraneum Denis, 1935 , Z. gregua Bosmans, 1994 , Z. guadianense Cardoso, 2003 , Z. jozefienae Bosmans, 1994 , Z. lusitanicum Cardoso, 2003 , Z. merlijni Bosmans, 1994 , Z. rudyi Bosmans, 1994 , Z. segurense Bosmans, 1994 , Z. styliferum .

Figures

FIGURE 12. Habitus of Z. viduum. A–B. lectotype, male. C–D. paralectotype, female. A, C. dorsal view. B, D. ventral view. Scale = 0.4 mm.

FIGURE 13. Palp shape comparison among males of rubidum group. A–C. Z. alacre, lectotype. D–F. Z. andalusiacum. G–I. Z. minutum. J–L. Z. rubidum. M–O. Z. timidum, lectotype. P–R. Z. viduum, lectotype. A, D, G, J, M, P. prolateral view. B, E, H, K, N, Q. ventral view. C, F, I, L, O, R. retrolateral view. Scale = 0.2 mm. Abbreviations: Co conductor; Em embolus; Es subterminal tooth of embolus; MA median apophysis; RTA retrolateral tibial apophysis; T tegulum. Arrow indicates the lamellar shield at the base of the embolus.

FIGURE 15. Epigyne shape comparison among females of rubidum group in ventral view.A–B. Z. alacre, paralectotype morphs. C. Z. andalusiacum. D. Z. minutum, paralectotype. E. Z. rubidum. F. Z. timidum, paralectotype. G. Z. viduum, paralectotype. H. Z. atlanticum. I. Z. costablancae. J. Z. costapratae. K. Z. fuscum, syntype. L. Z. machadoi. Scale = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 16. Vulva shape comparison among females of rubidum group in ventral view. A. Z. alacre, paralectotype morphs. B. Z. andalusiacum. C. Z. minutum, paralectotype. D. Z. rubidum. E. Z. timidum, paralectotype. F. Z. viduum, paralectotype. G. Z. atlanticum. H. Z. costablancae. I. Z. costapratae. J. Z. fuscum, syntype. K. Z. machadoi. Scale = 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 17. SEM images of epigyne among females of rubidum group (A–J) and styliferum group (K, L) in ventral view. A. Z. alacre. B. Z. atlanticum. C. Z. costablancae. D. Z. costapratae. E. Z. fuscum. F. Z. machadoi. G. Z. minutum. H. Z. rubidum. I. Z. timidum, paralectotype. J. Z. viduum. K. Z. alentejanum. L. Z. merlijni. Arrow colors represent copulatory opening (blue), lamellar shield (green), lateral pit (white), ridge (purple), septum (red), and the connecting groove (yellow). Scale = 40 µm.