Larinioides ixobolus (Thorell, 1873)

Figs 2, 8 B, 9B, 10B, 17, 18, 25A, 27

Epeira ixobola Thorell 1873: 545 (D♂); Simon 1874: 106 (♂D♀). Araneus multiplicatus Roşca 1935: 241, figs 1–2 (D♀).

Nuctenea ixobola: Levi 1974: 312, figs 89–92, 95, 109, 116–117, 129 (♂♀).

For a complete list of references see Platnick (2014).

Misidentifications:

Araneus ixobolatus: Zhu & Shi 1983: 74, figs 61a–c (♂): Refers to L. cornutus.

Material examined (selected localities): SLOVAKIA: 1♂ (30 September 2011): Bratislava, in the building, 48°9’N 17°4’E, 161 m, A. Šestáková (AS); 2♀♀ (30 May 2008): Šúr, in the building, 48°13’N 17°12’E, 134 m, A. Šestáková (AS); 2♀♀ (1 September 2008): Vozokany, 48°5’N 17°41’E, 125 m, E. Énekesová (AS); 1♀ (26 June 2008): Senica, Kunov, on the fence near pond, 48°42’N 17°25’E, 227 m, A. Šestáková (AS); 1♀ (10 May 2008): Nitrianske rudno, near pond, 48°48’N 18°29’E, 324 m, V. Jánsky (LC); 1♂ (19 July 2007): Gortva, railway station, 48°18’N 20°1’E, 189 m, Ľ. Černecká (L.C); KAZAKHSTAN: Uralsk Province: 2♂♂ 1♀ (summer 1982): Dzhanybek, K.G. Mikhailov (ZMMU). Kustanai Province: 1♂ 1♀ (1982): Kustanai Town, S. Udalov (IBPN). East Kazakhstan Province: 1♂ 5♀ (1983): environs of Ust’–Kamenogorsk, L.G. Savelyeva (IBPN).

Diagnosis. Habitus is similar to those of L. jalimovi and L. sericatus, from which L. ixobolus differs by a large terminal apophysis with a small terminal spike and an extremely wide conductor (Fig. 9 B). Epigyne of L. ixobolus differs from that of L. sericatus by rounded shape and reduced lateral lamellae (Fig. 27).

Description. Brown carapace with a dark pattern, chelicerae spotted and sternum uniformly brown. Abdomen dorsally brown with indistinct pale cross (Figs 2 A, C). Legs yellow, darkly annulated, femur ventrally spotted. Male. Total length 8.8–12.0. Carapace 5.2–5.4 long, 4.5–4.7 wide. Length of the first patella + tibia 8.0–11.8. Tibia II unmodified (Fig. 8 B). Palp as in Figs 9 B, 10B, 17, 18, 25A; bulbus with massive terminal apophysis having short pointed spur; rounded subterminal apophysis 1; slightly serrated subterminal apophysis 2, embolus with a flat shield covering thin bent tip; median apophysis with flat rounded lower part and narrow upper one; conductor considerably wider then high.

Female. Total length 9.4–13.5. Carapace 5.6–6.5 long, 4.5–5.3 wide. Length of the first patella + tibia 7.8–10.4. Epigyne as Figs 8 B, scapus straight; median plate rounded; lateral lamellae indistinct, anteriorly folded into rounded lobes covering copulatory openings; basal lamellae present.

Distribution. Platnick (2014) indicated the distribution as Palaearctic, but it restricted to the Western Palaearctic and is found only from Western Europe to Central Asia (cf. Mikhailov 2013b); it is unknown east of Xinjiang.