Caves as a key habitat for rare and endemic species of the west coast of North America: a taxonomic revision of the spider genus Oaphantes (Araneae Linyphiidae) Author Paquin, P. Scienceinfuse Inc., 12 Chemin Saxby Sud, Shefford, Québec, J 2 M 1 S 2, Canada. Author Dupérré, N. Department of Arachnology, Centrum für Naturkunde, Universität Hamburg, Germany. Author Buckle, D. J. 16 - 3415 Calder Crescent, Saskatoon Saskatchewan, S 7 J 5 A 3, Canada. Author Ubick, D. California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA; text Zootaxa 2020 2020-07-23 4819 2 349 363 journal article 8945 10.11646/zootaxa.4819.2.7 5921c016-e858-44dc-b266-a784c514d6dc 1175-5326 4396971 CD947034-6503-4F6E-B496-4FF18DEC7AD0 Oaphantes cryophilus new species ( Figs 9–16 , 25 , 27) Oaphantes sp. 2: Paquin et al . 2009a: 51–53 , Elliott et al. , 2017: 181 . Type material.— HOLOTYPE : USA : California : Tulare Co. , Sequoia National Park , Bear Den Cave , 03.xi.2004 , in cave 1450m , hand collecting, 1♂ , D. Ubick , P. Paquin , S. Fryer (deposited at CAS 9078641). PARATYPES : CANADA : British Columbia : Mount Cain , Vancouver Island [ 50°14’N , 126°20’W ] 28.ix.1996 , pan trap , 1♂ , N. Winchester ( CDB ) ; Mount Cain , Vancouver Island [ 50°14’N , 126°20’W ] 02.ix.1996 , ground, Mal-aise, 1♀ , N. Winchester ( CDB ) . USA : California : Tulare Co. , Sequoia National Park , Bear Den Cave , 03.xi.2004 , in cave 1450m , hand collecting, 1♀ , D. Ubick , P. Paquin , S. Fryer (CAS 9078642) . Oregon : Jackson Co. , Ashland watershed (T39S, R1E, Sec 21) [ 42°08’N , 122°44’W ] 20.vii.1998 , pitfall trap 120, 1♀ , R.W. Peck et al. ( USFS ) ; Jenny Creek LSR, Medford District (T39S RO4E Sec 21) [ 41°58’N , 122°24’W ], 16-18.viii.1999 , pitfall 91-100 (BLM, LS), old-growth, 1♀ , B. Peck et al . ( USFS ) . Josephine Co. , [ 42°25’N , 123°35’W ] 06.ix.2001 , pitfall 105, 1341m [4400’], Peck & Niwa , 1♂ ( USFS ) . Other material.— CANADA : British Columbia : Big D’Arcy Island [ 48.5665 , -123.2783 ] 23.vi.1989 , pitfall , J. Bergdahl , 1♀ , ( RBCM ) ; Big D’Arcy Island [ 48.5665 , -123.2783 ] 23.vi.1989 , pitfall , J. Bergdahl , 1♀ , ( RBCM ) ; Brackman Island [ 48.7186 , -123.3864 ] 04.ix.1989 , pitfall , J. Bergdahl , 1♀ , ( RBCM ) ; Brackman Island [ 48.7186 , -123.3864 ] 04.vi.1989 , pitfall , J. Bergdahl , 1♀ , ( RBCM ) ; Central Acland Island [ 48.8302 , -123.3785 ] 03.x.1989 , pitfall , J. Bergdahl , 1♀ , ( RBCM ) ; North Acland Island [ 48.8456 , -123.3991 ] 09.vii.1989 , pitfall , J. Bergdahl , 1♀ , ( RBCM ) ; Portland Island [ 48.7241 , -123.4007 ] 04.vi.1989 , pitfall , J. Bergdahl , 1♀ , ( RBCM ) ; Victoria , Rocky Point [ 48.4432 , -123.3355 ] 15.i.1995 , pitfall , N. Winchester , R. Ring , 1♂ , ( RBCM ) . USA : California : Modoc Co. , Warner Mountains , above Cedar Pass CG , Hwy 299, along Thomas Creek [ 41.5597 , -120.2915 ] 19.viii.2006 , 1♂ , 1800 m elevation, open mixed conifer forest, M. Hedin & R. Keith ( CPAD ) ; Tulare Co. , Sequoia National Park , Bear Den Cave , 1450m , 18.vii.2003 , 1♂ 5♀ , J. Krejca , V. Loftin , C. Walck , S. Fryer (CAS 9078633, 9078634) ; same, 01.v.2004 , in cave, hand collecting, 2♂ 15♀ , J. Krejca, A. Snow, J. Snow, P. Sprouse (CAS 9078629, 9078630, 9078631, 9078632); same, 03.xi.2004 , hand collecting, 4♀ 4♂ , D. Ubick , P. Paquin , S. Fryer ( CPAD ) ; same, 1♂ 3♀ , D. Ubick ( CDU ) ; Carmoe Crevice , 05.vii.2004 , in cave, hand collecting, 1♀ , J. Krejca , A. Gluesenkamp (CAS 9078625) ; Lilburn Cave , 30.vii.2003 , in cave, hand collecting, 1♀ , J. Kre-jca, V. Loftin , D. Coons (CAS 9078626) ; Pet Cemetery Cave , 11.v.2004 , in cave, hand collecting, 2♀ , J. Krejca , S. Fryer , J. Snow , P. Sprouse (CAS 9078627) ; Ursa Minor Cave , 12.x.2006 , in cave, hand collecting, 2♂ 2♀ , J. Krejca , A.B. Tobin (CAS 9078628) ; Oregon : Jackson Co. , Ashland watershed (T39S, R1E, Sec 34) [ 42°08’N , 122°44’W ] 15.vi.1998 , pitfall trap 28, 2♀ , R.W. Peck et al . ( USFS ) ; same, pitfall trap 35, 1♀ , R.W. Peck et al. ( USFS ) ; same, 11.x.1998 , pitfall trap 72, 1♀ , R.W. Peck et al. ( USFS ) ; same, 01.ix.1998 , pitfall trap 164, 1♀ , R.W. Peck et al. ( USFS ) ; same, 15.vi.1998 , pitfall trap 9, 1♀ , R.W. Peck et al. ( USFS ) ; Jenny Creek LSR, Medford District (T40 RO4E Sec 21) [ 41°58’N , 122°24’W ] 06.–08.vii.1999 , pitfall 121-130 (BLM, LS), old-growth, 1♀ , B. Peck et al . ( USFS ) ; same, 16.–18.viii.1999 , pitfall 121-130 (BLM, LS), old-growth, 1♀ , B. Peck et al . ( USFS ) ; same, 16.–18.viii.1999 , pitfall 81-90 ( BLM ) thinned, 1♀ , B. Peck et al . ( USFS ) ; same, 2.–4.viii.1999 , pitfall 151-160 ( BLM ) thinned, B. Peck et al ., 1♀ ( USFS ) ; Josephine Co. , [ 42°25’N , 123°35’W ] 09.x.2001 , pitfall 36, 1250m [4100’], Peck & Niwa , 1♂ ( USFS ) ; Lane Co. , McKenzie Ridge , Williamette National Forest , 10.i.2007 , in or under logs, hand collecting, P. Paquin , N. Dupérré & J. Ledford , 3♀ ( CPAD ) ; Washington : Clallam Co. , Lake Aldwell , shore, west of dam [ 48.0949 , -123.5592 ] 16.i.2008 27.ii.2008 , forest, 220’ [ 67m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , R. Crawford ( BM ) ; King Co. , Seattle , Discovery Park [ 47.6580 , -122.4200 ] 19.x.1980 14.iii.1981 , 275’ [ 84m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , R. Crawford ( BM ) ; Seattle , Schmitz Park [ 47.5750 , -122.4000 ] 13.x.1985 , ex litter, mainly al-der, 175’ [ 53m ] elevation, 1♂ , R. Crawford ( BM ) ; Asahel Curtis Trail [ 47.3910 , -121.4690 ] 06.v.1995 13.ix.1995 , forest, 2170’ [ 660m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Tiger Mountain , west side [ 47.4890 , -121.9510 ] 1996– 05.iv.1997 , 2510’ [ 765m ] elevation, winter pitfall , 1♂ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Tiger Mountain , north west slope [ 47.4990 , -121.9560 ] 1996– 05.iv.1997 , 2000’ [ 610m ] elevation, winter pitfall , 1♂ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Lane Co. Lookout Ridge [ 47.2190 , -122.2100 ] 18.x.1982 09.xi.1982 , seral hemlock, 2500’ [ 762m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , G. Parsons ( BM ) ; San Juan Co. , Clark Island , S hill [ 48.6955 , -122.7596 ] 13.iv.1989 02.vi.1989 , forest, 50’ [ 15m ] elevation, pitfall , 6♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Friday Harbor Laboratories , Biological Preserve , San Juan Island [ 48.5521 , -123.0118 ] 04.v.1989 11.viii.1989 , forest, 200’ [ 61m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Friday Harbor Labo-ratories, Biological Preserve , San Juan Island [ 48.5512 , -123.0089 ] 11.viii.1989 28.vi.1990 , forest, winter pitfall , 2♂ , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Friday Harbor Laboratories , Biological Preserve , San Juan Island [ 48.5510 , -123.0060 ] 27.iv.1989 12.viii.1989 , near pond, 80’ [ 24m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; James Island , south lobe [ 48.5100 , -122.7720 ] 12.v.1989 03.vii.1989 , forest, 80’ [ 24m ] elevation, pitfall , 2♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Little Pa-tos Island [ 48.7845 , -122.9653 ] 12.vi.1989 24.ix.1989 , forest, 50’ [ 15m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Little Patos Island [ 48.7845 , -122.9653 ] ix.1989 ?– 19.ix.1990 , forest, 500’ [ 152m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Berg-dahl ( BM ) ; Matia Island [ 48.7460 , -122.8410 ] 14.iv.1989 –27.v.1989,160’ [ 49m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Patos Island [ 48.7800 , -122.9500 ] 16.iv.1989 28.v.1989 , 70’ [ 21m ] elevation, pitfall , 3♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Patos Island , central swamp edge [ 48.7832 , -122.9515 ] 28.v.1989 19.viii.1989 , 35’ [ 10m ] elevation, pitfall , 2♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Patos Island , E of Active Cove [ 48.7839 , -122.9590 ] 28.v.1989 19.viii.1989 , 40’ [ 12m ] elevation, pitfall , 2♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Ram Island (central forest) [ 48.4764 , -122.8301 ] 13.iii.1989 30.viii.1989 , forest, 40’ [ 12m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; San Juan Island , south of Point Caution [ 48.5556 , -123.0117 ] 27.iv.1989 12.viii.1989 , forest, 120’ [ 37m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) San Juan Island , stream south of Cady Mountain [ 48.5350 , -123.0990 ] 07.x.1991 02.xii.1991 , riparian woods, 90’ [ 27m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Skagit Co. , Cypress Island , above Pelican Beach [ 48.602 , -122.7065 ] 10.iv.1989 15.vi.1989 , forest, 160’ [ 49m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Cypress Island , marsh, north northeast Phebe Lake [ 48.5829 , -122.7088 ] 02.vii.1990 26.ix.1990 , by marsh, 1280’ [ 390m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♀ , J. Bergdahl ( BM ) ; Middle Cone Island [ 48.5925 , -122.8617 ] 13.vi.1989 15.xii.1989 , forest, 50’ [ 15m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♂ , J. Berg-dahl ( BM ) ; Whatcom Co. , Chuckanut Mountain [ 48.6710 , -122.4710 ] 01.xi.1975 23.xi.1975 , forest floor, 1300’ [ 396m ] elevation, pitfall , 1♂ , R. Crawford ( BM ) . FIGURES 9–16. Oaphantes cryophilus . 9, endite and chelicera of male, lateral view (arrow points to setose tubercle); 10, face of male, frontal view (arrow points to mastidion); 11, male palp, retrolateral view; 12, male palp, prolateral view (arrow points to embolus dentation); 13, embolic division of male palp, prolateral view; 14, epigynum, ventral view; 15, internal genitalia, dorsal view, 16, epigynum of female, lateral view. Scale bars for figures 9–10, 14–16 = 0.5mm; figures 11–13 = 0.1 mm. FIGURES 17–24. Oaphantes prometheus 17, face of male, frontal view (arrow points to mastidion); 18, face of female, frontal view; 19, male palp, retrolateral view (arrow points to paracymbial keel); 20, male palp, prolateral view (arrow points to embolus blunt spike); 21, embolic division of male palp, prolateral view; 22, epigynum, ventral view; 23, internal genitalia, dorsal view, 24, epigynum of female, lateral view. Scale bars for figures 17–18, 22–24 = 0.5mm; figures 19–21 = 0.1 mm. Diagnosis.— Oaphantes cryophilus n. sp. differs from O. pallidulus and O. prometheus n. sp. by their reduced tibial macrosetae, being half the tibia diameter in length, barely wider than regular setae, and abdomen covered with short semi-erect setae. Males of O. cryophilus n. sp. differ from the other species by the heavily carinated cheliceral retromargins and the endites bearing a large hook-shaped setose tubercle ( Fig. 9 ). The male palps are diagnosed by the simpler paracymbium (P) without any obvious keel ( Fig. 11 ) or proximal pockets (PPO). Females are diagnosed by the broad anterior margin of the epigynum, slightly narrowing into a large, shorter scape (SC), 1\5 of the abdomen length ( Figs 14, 16 ). Description.— Male (n=3) : Total length: 2.13–2.50; carapace length: 0.90–1.04; carapace width: 0.72–0.94; carapace, smooth, shiny, light yellow orange (130M), carapace slightly elevated in cephalic region, bearing 5–6 erect setae along midline. Sternum light yellow orange (130M). Chelicerae light yellow orange (130M), promargin with 2–3 teeth and bearing a large mastidion ( Fig. 10 ), retromargin carinated with 3–5 sharp denticles, presence of setae-tipped tubercles on cheliceral surface. Cheliceral stridulatory organ visible with 20 striae. Endite light yellow orange (130M) with a single large setose hook-shaped tubercle ( Fig. 9 ). Abdomen off-white (7500M), subcylindrical, pointed apically, covered with short semi-erected setae; ventral surface of abdomen bearing oval striated epigastric plates. Legs long and slender, light yellow orange (130M), formula 1-4-2-3; tibia I–IV with 2 short dorsal macrosetae; metatarsus I with dorsal trichobothrium, Tm I 0.52, Tm IV absent; coxae IV with stridulatory pick. Palpal femur with stridulatory pick. Male palp with a simple paracymbium (P) without obvious keel or proximal pocket, but bearing a proximal protuberance with three short setae, and 2 long setae on its apical part ( Fig. 11 ); embolus (E) straight, long, dentate and extending beyond the cymbium ( Figs 12, 13 ); embolic membrane (EM) long ( Figs 12, 13 ); lamella characteristica (LC) reduced and spine-like ( Figs 12, 13 ); terminal apophysis (TA) absent; 2 teeth on distal suprategular apophysis (SA) ( Figs 11, 13 ); reduced retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA) ( Fig. 11 ). Female (n=5) : Total length: 2.23–2.31; carapace length: 0.86–0.90; carapace width: 0.71–0.80; carapace smooth, shiny, colouration as in male, carapace not elevated in cephalic region, bearing 4–5 erect setae along midline. Colouration of sternum and chelicerae as in male, promargin with 4 medium sized teeth, retromargin with 4–5 denticles, presence of setae-tipped tubercles on cheliceral surface. Cheliceral stridulatory organ visible with 16 striae. Endite colouration as in male, without a setose tubercle. Abdomen colouration as in male, sub-cylindrical, pointed apically, covered with short semi-erect setae; ventral surface of abdomen bearing oval striated epigastric plates. Legs long and slender, light yellow orange (FFD700), formula 1-4-2-3; tibia I–IV with 2 short dorsal macrosetae; metatarsus I with dorsal trichobothrium, Tm I 0.51, Tm IV absent; coxae IV with stridulatory pick. Palpal femur with stridulatory pick. Epigynum defined by the broad, anterior margin of the scape, slightly narrowing toward the apex, creating a short, broad scape (SC), 1\5 of the abdomen length ( Figs 14, 16 ); coiled spermathecae (S), secondary spermathecae (SS) elongate, curved and directed anteriorly ( Fig. 15 ); copulatory openings located on the underside of the scape near the apex and associated with terminal pockets (TP) ( Fig. 15 ); copulatory ducts long (CD) ( Fig. 15 ); fertilization ducts (FD) short and sinuous ( Fig. 15 ). Distribution.— Restricted to the West Coast of North America from the southern Sierra Nevada of California to southwestern British Columbia . Habitat.—The species is troglophilic with many records from caves in Sequoia National Park, the southern limit of its distribution. Interestingly, the northern records are only from the surface, particularly conifer forests (hemlock). This species has also been collected in a conifer forest in January, under snow manually and by pitfall, and is believed to be active in winter. Etymology.— The epithet cryophilus refers to the presumed affinities of the species for colder conditions.