The taxonomic position of Linyphia palilis L. Koch, 1870 (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

Abstract

Linyphia palilis L. Koch, 1870 was mentioned in several papers based only on material identified by L. Koch from Galicia and Bukovina (parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire). A revision of the type material of this species from Galicia, which is preserved in the collection of the Museum of Natural History in Vienna, and the additional material in the collection of the State Museum of Natural History of the NAS of Ukraine shows that these series exclusively consist of specimens of Neriene emphana (Walckenaer, 1841). Based on the review of these specimens and analysis of the original description we consider that Linyphia palilis L. Koch, 1870 is a younger synonym of Neriene emphana. The specimen deposited in Vienna can be considered a syntype. A lectotype is designated for Koch's name. Simon (1929) misinterpreted Koch's description and applied the combination Pityohyphantes palilis to a dark morph of P. phrygianus (C. L. Koch, 1836); this is not identical to Linyphia palilis L. Koch, 1870. Therefore, Pityohyphantes palilis Simon 1929 cannot be currently recognized as a synonym of Neriene emphana owing to its questionable status as a species.