1. INTRODUCTION

Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850, is the sixth-largest spider family, comprising 2,047 extant species in 97 genera worldwide (WSC 2025). The genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 is one of the largest genera in the family comprising 427 species across 21 species group. One of the species groups in the genus, the Pholcus phungiformes species group, which comprises 56 species in Korea, is mainly found on rock walls, in road drains, and at cave entrances in mountainous and coastal mixed forests of Korea (Kim and Lee 2004;Kim and Park 2009;Huber 2011;Seo 2014, 2018;Lee et al. 2021a, 2021b, 2024;Jang et al. 2023, 2025a, 2025b, 2025c). The mountainous regions of Korea are dominated by mixed forests (KFS 2020), within which rock walls and caves frequently provide suitable habitats for members of the P. phungiformes species group. Therefore, numerous species within this group are likely yet to be discovered in Korea, given the geographically widespread mountainous forests and rock wall systems of the Korean Peninsula. Many species in this group have extremely limited distribution ranges, and their restriction to type locality can often provide critical information for reliable identification. Five new Pholcus spiders, P. geogeumsp. nov., P. hongseongsp. nov., P. gochangsp. nov., P. jeocheonsp. nov., and P. yonginsp. nov., belonging to P. phungiformes-group, were collected during a survey of the spider fauna in mountainous mixed forest conducted between 2018 and 2024. This study provides diagnoses, detailed morphological descriptions, and taxonomic photographs of these newly described species.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

All specimens were collected by hands and preserved in 98% ethyl alcohol and external morphology was examined under a Leica S8APO stereomicroscope (Singapore). Images were captured using a Dhyana 400DC zoom digital camera (China) mounted on a Leica S8 APO and assembled with Helicon Focus 8.2.0 image stacking software (Khmelik et al. 2006). Measurements of body parts were made with an ocular micrometer and are recorded in millimeters. The internal genitalia of females were removed and treated in 10% KOH solution for two hours before being illustrated. Leg measurements are given as: total length (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus). Morphological terminology follows Huber (2011). The type materials are deposited in the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) in Incheon and Konkuk University (KKU) in Seoul, Korea. The following abbreviations are used in the descriptions: ALE=anterior lateral eye, AME= anterior median eye, PLE=posterior lateral eye, PME= posterior median eye, ALE-AME=distance between ALE-AME, ALE-PLE=distance between ALE-PLE, AME-AME=distance between AMEs, AME-PME= distance between AME-PME, PLE-PME=distance between PLE-PME, PME-PME=distance between PMEs in the eye region, L/d=length/diameter in the leg measurement.

3. TAXONOMY

Family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850

Subfamily Pholcinae C.L. Koch, 1850

Genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805

Diagnosis and detail description. See Huber (2011).

Type species. Aranea phalangioides Fuesslin, 1775.

Pholcus phungiformes species group

Diagnosis and description. See Huber (2011) and Yao et al. (2021).

Pholcus geogeum sp. nov.

거금유령거미 (신칭) (Fig. 1)

Type materials. Holotype: ♂ (NIBR, #TTQXIV000 0000284), Geogeum-do Island, Eojeon-ri, Geumsanmyeon, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea (34.454636N, 127.161697E, alt. 119 m), 15 August 2024, C.M. Jang & S.T. Kim leg. Paratypes: 1♀ (NIBR, #TTQ XIV0000000233), 1♂, 2♀♀ (KKU, #KKU-ARA_Phol_ 20230908_01-03), same data as the holotype.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Geogeumdo Island, Jeollanam- do.

Diagnosis.Pholcus geogeumsp. nov. is similar to P. gochang sp. nov. (Fig. 2E-J) but can be distinguished from the latter by the combination of the following characteristics: Males - uncus with a strongly protruding protrusion distally (Fig. 1H) versus uncus with a slightly protruding protrusion distally; procursus with two apophyses present, dorso-distal apophysis absent, ventro-distal apophysis with a strongly sclerotized spine (numbered 1 in Fig. 1H-J), prolateral apophysis membranous and triangularly pointed (numbered 2 in Fig. 1H-J) versus procursus with three apophyses present, dorso-distal apophysis claw-shaped, ventro-distal apophysis claw-shaped, prolateral apophysis sclerotized and partially membranous with a pointed bifurcated tip. Females - median epigynal plate with protruding lateral margins (Fig. 1F) versus median epigynal plate with flat lateral margins; pore plates cylindrical versus pore plates eggplant-shaped.

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 1A. Total length 5.44. Carapace: 1.86 long/1.86 wide. Eyes: AER 0.68, PER 0.73, ALE 0.18, AME 0.11, PLE 0.17, PME 0.17, ALE-AME 0.06, ALE-PLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.06, AME-PME 0.05, PLE-PME 0.04, PME-PME 0.26. Chelicera: 0.98 long/0.31 wide. Endite: 0.57 long/0.43 wide. Labium: 0.25 long/0.38 wide. Sternum: 0.81 long/1.18 wide. Legs: I 44.17 (10.95, 0.80, 10.99, 18.96, 2.47), II 30.16 (8.32, 0.73, 7.30, 12.11, 1.70), III 22.21 (6.40, 0.67, 5.38, 8.46, 1.30), IV 28.91 (8.21, 0.69, 7.13, 11.27, 1.61), tibia I L/d 53. Palp: 4.25 (0.86, 0.43, 1.22, -, 1.74). Abdomen: 3.40 long/2.03 wide. Carapace pale yellowish brown, cephalic region with pale blackish brown median and marginal bands, thoracic region with pale blackish brown radial and marginal bands (Fig. 1A). Chelicera with three apophyses; blunt proximo-lateral apophysis diagonally upward and protruding out of chelicera, short and pointed frontal apophysis protruding forward, and thick and pointed distal apophysis diagonally downward (Fig. 1C, D). Legs yellowish brown, retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia I at 5% proximally, tarsus I with 40> indistinct and irregular pseudosegments except 10 distally, leg formula I-II-IV-III. Abdomen cylindrical, pale and dull grayish brown with an elongate, longitudinal cardiac pattern and numerous faint, irregularly shaped spots (Fig. 1A). Palp (Fig. 1H-K): trochanter moderately long and slender, shorter than femur; palpal tibia with a finger like prolatero-ventral modification (Fig. 1H); bulb pale yellowish brown, cordiform, appendix absent (Fig. 1H, K); uncus dark blackish brown, almost elliptical with a strongly protruding protrusion distally, pseudoappendix absent (Fig. 1H, K); embolus unmodified, weakly sclerotized with some semi-transparent distal fringed processes (Fig. 1H, K); procursus large and brown with dark blackish brown margin, distinct ventral knee present, strongly sclerotized, two apophyses present, ventro-distal apophysis sclerotized and partially membranous with a strongly sclerotized spine (numbered 1 in Fig. 1H-J), prolateral apophysis membranous and triangularly pointed (numbered 2 in Fig. 1HJ); dorsal spine indistinct.

Female (paratype). General appearance similar to male, habitus as in Fig. 1B. Total length 5.75. Carapace: 1.74 long/1.79 wide. Eyes: AER 0.63, PER 0.68, ALE 0.18, AME 0.10, PLE 0.16, PME 0.14, ALE-AME 0.05, ALEPLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.06, AME-PME 0.08, PLE-PME 0.05, PME-PME 0.23. Chelicera: 0.87 long/ 0.28 wide. Endite: 0.61 long/0.28 wide. Labium: 0.28 long/0.37 wide. Sternum: 0.92 long/1.11 wide. Legs: I 35.19 (8.84, 0.69, 8.78, 14.61, 2.27), II 24.44 (6.57, 0.71, 6.11, 9.57, 1.48), III 18.16 (5.13, 0.62, 4.39, 6.90, 1.12), IV 24.45 (6.87, 0.65, 6.08, 9.48, 1.37), tibia I L/d 44. Palp: 1.30 (0.41, 0.17, 0.26, -, 0.46). Abdomen: 3.91 long/2.04 wide. Epigynum: 1.25 wide.

Epigynum (Fig. 1E, F): rounded triangular, longer than wide, anterior epigynal plate sclerotized, triangular, and straight posteriorly, median epigynal plate strongly recurved medially with slightly sclerotized, bulged, and protruding lateral margins, posterior epigynal plate procurved anteriorly, knob short, thick, and strongly sclerotized with a blunt tip. Internal genitalia (Fig. 1G): anterior arch recurved, pore plates elongated and cylindrical, separated far from the anterior arch, separated far from each other, both margins membranous.

Variation. Tibia I in three males (holotype and paratypes): 10.99, 10.67. Tibia I in three females (paratypes): 8.78, 8.60, 7.86 (8.41±0.49).

Habitat. The species was collected by hand on rock walls and under rocks in mountainous mixed forest valley.

Distribution. Korea (Geogeumdo Island, Goheunggun, Jeollanam-do).

Pholcus gochangsp. nov.

고창유령거미 (신칭) (Fig. 2)

Type material. Holotype: ♂ (NIBR, # TTQXIV0000000 286, Mt. Seonunsan, Samin-ri, Asan-myeon, Gochanggun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea (35.482812N, 126.566022 E, alt. 122 m), 7 August 2018, S.Y. Lee & S.T. Kim leg. Paratypes: 2♂♂ (KKU, #KKU-ARA_Phol_20240825_ 01-02) same locality data as the holotype, 25 August 2024, C.M. Jang & S.T. Kim leg., 1♀ (NIBR, # TTQXIV 0000000234) same locality data as the holotype, 25 August 2024, C.M. Jang & S.T. Kim leg., 1♀ (KKU, #KKUARA_ Phol_20240825_03) same locality data as the holotype, 25 August 2024, C.M. Jang & S.T. Kim leg.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Gochang-gun, Jeollabukdo.

Diagnosis.Pholcus gochangsp. nov. is similar to P. geodeum sp. nov. and morphological diagnosis between P. gochang sp. nov. and P. geodeum sp. nov. are discussed in the diagnosis of P. geodeum sp. nov.

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 2A. Total length 5.70. Carapace: 1.84 long/1.80 wide. Eyes: AER 0.68, PER 0.73, ALE 0.17, AME 0.12, PLE 0.17, PME 0.16, ALE-AME 0.05, ALE-PLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.06, AME-PME 0.08, PLE-PME 0.03, PME-PME 0.27. Chelicera: 0.92 long/0.29 wide. Endite: 0.54 long/0.38 wide. Labium: 0.29 long/0.36 wide. Sternum: 0.85 long/1.16 wide. Legs: I missing, II 31.14 (8.49, 0.72, 7.80, 12.58, 1.55), III 21.19 (6.22, 0.66, 5.21, 7.95, 1.15), IV 28.11 (8.12, 0.66, 6.99, 11.01, 1.33), tibia I L/d missing. Palp: 4.03 (0.79, 0.41, 1.22, - , 1.61). Abdomen: 3.75 long/2.13 wide.

Carapace yellowish brown, cephalic region with brown median and marginal bands, thoracic region with brown radial and marginal bands (Fig. 2A). Chelicera with three apophyses; blunt proximo-lateral apophysis diagonally upward and protruding out of chelicera, short and bent frontal apophysis protruding forward, and thick and pointed distal apophysis diagonally downward (Fig. 2C, D). Legs yellowish brown, leg formula maybe I-II-IV-III. Abdomen cylindrical, pale and dull yellowish brown with an elongate, longitudinal cardiac pattern, lacking any particular dorsal pattern, occasionally numerous black irregular spots present (Fig. 2A). Palp (Fig. 2H-K): trochanter short and bulged, shorter than femur; palpal tibia with an oval prolatero- ventral modification (Fig. 2H); bulb pale yellowish brown, cordiform, appendix absent (Fig. 2H, K); uncus dark blackish brown, almost elliptical with a slightly protruding protrusion distally, pseudo-appendix absent (Fig. 2H, K); embolus unmodified, weakly sclerotized with some semi-transparent distal fringed processes (Fig. 2H, K); procursus large and brown with dark blackish brown margin, distinct ventral knee present, strongly sclerotized, three apophyses present, dorso-distal apophysis claw-shaped (numbered 1 in Fig. 2H-J), ventro-distal apophysis claw-shaped (numbered 2 in Fig. 2H-J), prolateral apophysis sclerotized and partially membranous with a pointed bifurcated tip (numbered 3 in Fig. 2H-J); dorsal spine indistinct.

Female (paratype). General appearance similar to male, habitus as in Fig. 2B. Total length 6.21. Carapace: 1.88 long/1.90 wide. Eyes: AER 0.63, PER 0.66, ALE 0.18, AME 0.10, PLE 0.16, PME 0.15, ALE-AME 0.05, ALEPLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.07, AME-PME 0.08, PLE-PME 0.03, PME-PME 0.23. Chelicera: 0.85 long/ 0.28 wide. Endite: 0.60 long/0.29 wide. Labium: 0.29 long/0.36 wide. Sternum: 0.87 long/1.12 wide. Legs: I 38.77 (9.57, 0.70, 9.94, 16.30, 2.26), II 25.31 (6.54, 0.68, 6.55, 10.11, 1.43), III 18.60 (5.30, 0.65, 4.55, 6.97, 1.13), IV 25.97 (7.48, 0.63, 6.57, 9.99, 1.30), tibia I L/d 52. Palp: 1.31 (0.39, 0.18, 0.25, -, 0.49). Abdomen: 4.16 long/2.57 wide. Epigynum: 1.32 wide.

Epigynum (Fig. 2E, F): almost round, slightly wider than long, anterior epigynal plate sclerotized, semicircular, and straight posteriorly, median epigynal plate strongly recurved medially with slightly sclerotized lateral margins, posterior epigynal plate procurved anteriorly, knob thick and strongly sclerotized with a blunt tip. Internal genitalia (Fig. 2G): anterior arch recurved, pore plates elongated and eggplant-shaped, separated far from the anterior arch, separated far from each other, both margins membranous.

Variation. Tibia I in three males (paratypes and other material): 10.28, 10.82, 11.21 (10.77±0.47). Tibia I in three females (paratypes): 9.94, 9.05, 9.30 (9.93±0.46). Habitat. The species was hand-collected from rocky areas, such as rock walls and beneath rocks, in mountainous mixed forests.

Distribution. Korea (Mt. Seonunsan, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do).

Pholcus hongseong sp. nov.

홍성유령거미 (신칭) (Fig. 3)

Type materials. Holotype: ♂ (NIBR, #TTQXIV0000 000285), Mt. Oseosan, Gwangseong-ri, Janggok-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea (36.470272N, 126.670082E, alt. 248 m), 7 October 2023, C.M. Jang & S.T. Kim leg. Paratypes: 1♀ (NIBR, #FELEIV0000000224), 2♂♂, 2♀♀ (KKU, # KKUARA_ Phol_20231007_01-04), same data as the holotype.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam- do.

Diagnosis.Pholcus hongseongsp. nov. is similar to Pholcus extumidusPaik, 1978 (Paik 1978: 123, f. 47-49, 52-54), but can be distinguished from the latter by the combination of the following characteristics: Males - uncus with a strongly protruding distal protrusion bearing a bifurcated and pointed tip, and a proximal kneeshaped protrusion (Fig. 3H, K) versus uncus with a strongly protruding distal protrusion bearing a pointed tip, proximal protrusion absent; procursus without a ventral process (Fig. 3I) versus procursus with a ventral membranous process. Females - Pore plates elongated and triangular (Fig. 3G) versus pore plates oval.

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 3A. Total length 5.96. Carapace: 1.76 long/1.77 wide. Eyes: AER 0.70, PER 0.74, ALE 0.19, AME 0.13, PLE 0.18, PME 0.17, ALE-AME 0.05, ALE-PLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.06, AME-PME 0.06, PLE-PME 0.03, PME-PME 0.28. Chelicera: 0.95 long/0.29 wide. Endite: 0.49 long/0.32 wide. Labium: 0.29 long/0.36 wide. Sternum: 0.84 long/1.12 wide. Legs: I 50.34 (13.11, 0.76, 13.18, 21.03, 2.26), II 33.18 (9.27, 0.77, 8.46, 13.14, 1.54), III 22.59 (6.69, 0.68, 5.59, 8.43, 1.20), IV 29.72 (8.48, 0.72, 7.60, 11.50, 1.42), tibia I L/d 68. Palp: 3.97 (0.84, 0.37, 1.22, -, 1.54). Abdomen: 4.01 long/1.86 wide.

Carapace pale yellowish brown, cephalic region with pale blackish brown median and marginal bands, thoracic region with pale blackish brown radial and marginal bands (Fig. 3A). Chelicera with three apophyses; blunt proximo-lateral apophysis diagonally upward and protruding out of chelicera, short and pointed frontal apophysis protruding forward, and thick and pointed distal apophysis diagonally downward (Fig. 3C, D). Legs yellowish brown, retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia I at 6% proximally, tarsus I with 30> indistinct and irregular pseudosegments except 15 distally, leg formula I-II-IV-III. Abdomen cylindrical, dull grayish brown with an elongate, longitudinal cardiac pattern and numerous black irregular spots (Fig. 3A). Palp (Fig. 3H-K): trochanter short and bulged, shorter than femur; palpal tibia with a rectangular prolatero- ventral modification (Fig. 3H); bulb pale yellowish brown, cordiform, appendix absent (Fig. 3H, K); uncus dark blackish brown, almost rectangular with a strongly protruding distal protrusion bearing a bifurcated and pointed tip, and a proximal knee-shaped protrusion, margin coarsely serrated distally and finely serrated proximally, pseudo-appendix absent (Fig. 3H, K); embolus unmodified, weakly sclerotized with some semi-transparent distal fringed processes (Fig. 3H, K); procursus large and brown with dark blackish brown margin, distinct ventral knee present, strongly sclerotized, two apophyses present, dorso-distal apophysis claw-shaped (numbered 1 in Fig. 3H-J), prolateral apophysis strongly sclerotized with a pointed tip, curved ventrally (numbered 2 in Fig. 3H-J); one dorsal spine, black, short, and rigid (arrowed in Fig. 3I).

Female (paratype). General appearance similar to male, habitus as in Fig. 3B. Total length 5.55. Carapace: 1.77 long/1.69 wide. Eyes: AER 0.63, PER 0.66, ALE 0.18, AME 0.10, PLE 0.16, PME 0.16, ALE-AME 0.03, ALE-PLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.07, AME-PME 0.07, PLE-PME 0.03, PME-PME 0.21. Chelicera: 0.79 long/0.27 wide. Endite: 0.45 long/0.28 wide. Labium: 0.28 long/0.35 wide. Sternum: 0.72 long/1.04 wide. Legs: I 34.37 (8.44, 0.72, 8.69, 14.29, 2.23), II 23.78 (6.34, 0.66, 5.95, 9.36, 1.47), III 17.19 (4.82, 0.59, 4.13, 6.49, 1.16), IV 23.34 (6.58, 0.59, 5.82, 8.90, 1.45), tibia I L/d 42. Palp: 1.22 (0.37, 0.18, 0.22, - , 0.45). Abdomen: 3.45 long/2.28 wide. Epigynum: 1.10 wide.

Epigynum (Fig. 3E, F): almost round, slightly longer than wide, anterior epigynal plate sclerotized, triangular, and slightly recurved posteriorly, median epigynal plate strongly recurved medially with strongly sclerotized lateral margins, posterior epigynal plate procurved anteriorly, knob thick and strongly sclerotized with a blunt tip. Internal genitalia (Fig. 3G): anterior arch almost straight, pore plates elongated and triangular, separated far from the anterior arch, separated far from each other, both margins sclerotized.

Variation. Tibia I in three males (Holotype and paratypes): 13.18, 13.69, 12.98 (13.28±0.37). Tibia I in three females (Paratypes): 8.69, 7.98, 8.55 (8.41±0.38). Habitat. The species was hand-collected from rocky areas, such as rock walls and beneath rocks, in mixed forests of mountainous valleys.

Distribution. Korea (Mt. Oseosan, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do).

Pholcus jecheon sp. nov.

제천유령거미 (신칭) (Fig. 4)

Type materials. Holotype: ♂ (NIBR, #TTQXIV00000 00287), Jeommaldonggul Cave, Pojeon-ri, Songhakmyeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea (37.196389N, 128.223889E, alt. 423 m), 19 September 2023, C.M. Jang & S.T. Kim leg. Paratypes: 1♀ (NIBR, #FELEIV0000000223), 2♂♂, 2♀♀: KKU, #KKUARA_ Phol_20230919_01-04), same data as the holotype.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk- do.

Diagnosis.Pholcus jecheonsp. nov. is similar to P. simbokHuber, 2011 (Huber 2011: 484, f. 2145-2146, 2289-2291) but can be distinguished from the latter by the combination of the following characteristics: Males - uncus with a closely located bifurcated tip (Fig. 4H, K) versus uncus with a distantly located bifurcated tip; procursus with a blunt and membranous dorso-distal apophysis (numbered 1 in Fig. 4H-K) and straight ventrodistal apophysis (numbered 2 in Fig. 4H-K) versus procursus with a claw-shaped dorso-distal apophysis (numbered 1 in Fig. 4H-K) and strongly curved ventrodistal apophysis; three black dorsal spines present (indicated by an arrow labeled 1, 2 in Fig. 4I-J) versus two black dorsal spines present. Females - median epigynal plate almost straight medially (Fig. 4E) versus median epigynal plate almost strongly recurved; pore plates elongate and carrot-shaped (Fig. 4G) versus pore plates elliptical.

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 4A. Total length 5.42. Carapace: 1.91 long/1.77 wide. Eyes: AER 0.67, PER 0.72, ALE 0.18, AME 0.12, PLE 0.17, PME 0.16, ALE-AME 0.05, ALE-PLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.07, AME-PME 0.08, PLE-PME 0.06, PME-PME 0.25. Chelicera: 0.91 long/0.29 wide. Endite: 0.53 long/0.44 wide. Labium: 0.27 long/0.36 wide. Sternum: 0.88 long/1.20 wide. Legs: I 48.52 (12.28, 0.74, 12.27, 20.69, 2.54), II 32.39 (9.10, 0.71, 8.16, 12.76, 1.66), III 22.15 (6.51, 0.70, 5.44, 8.30, 1.20), IV 29.75 (8.71, 0.75, 7.39, 11.36, 1.54), tibia I L/d 65. Palp: 3.22 (0.77, 0.35, 0.99, -, 1.11). Abdomen: 3.32 long/2.36 wide.

Carapace pale reddish brown, cephalic region with pale blackish brown median and marginal bands, thoracic region with pale blackish brown radial and marginal bands (Fig. 4A). Chelicera with three apophyses; blunt proximo-lateral apophysis diagonally upward and protruding out of chelicera, rather long and blunt frontal apophysis protruding forward, and thick and pointed distal apophysis diagonally downward (Fig. 4C, D). Legs yellowish brown, retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia I at 6% proximally, tarsus I with 30> indistinct and irregular pseudosegments except 8 distally, leg formula I-II-IV-III. Abdomen cylindrical, pale reddish yellow with an elongate, longitudinal cardiac pattern and many black irregular spots (Fig. 4A). Palp (Fig. 4HK): trochanter short and bulged, shorter than femur; palpal tibia with trapezoidal prolatero-ventral modification (Fig. 4H); bulb pale yellowish brown, cordiform, appendix absent (Fig. 4H, K); uncus dark blackish brown with a strongly protruding distal protrusion, bifurcated with pointed tips closely located, and a noseshaped proximal protrusion, pseudo-appendix absent (Fig. 4H, K); embolus unmodified, weakly sclerotized with some semi-transparent distal fringed processes (Fig. 4H, K); procursus large and brown with dark blackish brown margin, distinct ventral knee present, two distal apophyses present, dorso-distal apophysis blunt and membranous (numbered 1 in Fig. 4H-K), ventro-distal apophysis straight membrabous with a strongly sclerotized spine (numbered 2 in Fig. 4H-K); three black dorsal spines present, one short and very slender (indicated by an arrow labeled 1 in Fig. 4I, J), two thick and rigid (indicated by an arrow labeled 2 in Fig. 4I, J).

Female (paratype). General appearance similar to male, habitus as in Fig. 4B. Total length 5.85. Carapace: 1.68 long/1.62 wide. Eyes: AER 0.61, PER 0.66, ALE 0.17, AME 0.11, PLE 0.17, PME 0.16, ALE-AME 0.04, ALEPLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.06, AME-PME 0.06, PLE-PME 0.05, PME-PME 0.23. Chelicera: 0.79 long/ 0.28 wide. Endite: 0.45 long/0.28 wide. Labium: 0.27 long/0.34 wide. Sternum: 0.83 long/1.09 wide. Legs: I 33.40 (8.60, 0.69, 8.46, 13.54, 2.11), II 22.97 (6.47, 0.67, 5.66, 8.76, 1.41), III 16.92 (4.95, 0.60, 4.09, 6.21, 1.07), IV 23.00 (6.89, 0.60, 5.60, 8.72, 1.19), tibia I L/d 44. Palp: 1.19 (0.36, 0.17, 0.23, -, 0.43). Abdomen: 3.92 long/2.11 wide. Epigynum: 1.06 wide.

Epigynum (Fig. 4E, F): circular, length and width approximately subequal, anterior epigynal plate sclerotized and recurved posteriorly, median epigynal plate almost straight medially with sclerotized lateral margins, posterior epigynal plate procurved anteriorly, knob thick with a blunt tip. Internal genitalia (Fig. 4G): anterior arch strongly recurved, pore plates elongate and carrot-shaped, separated far from the anterior arch, separated far from each other, both margins pointed and strongly sclerotized.

Variation. Tibia I in three males (holotype and paratypes): 12.27, 12.46, 12.17 (12.22±0.21). Tibia I in three females (paratypes): 8.46, 7.89, 7.91 (8.08±0.32).

Habitat. The species was collected by hand at cave entrance in mountainous mixed forest.

Distribution. Korea (Jeommaldonggul Cave, Jecheonsi, Chungcheongbuk-do).

Pholcus yongin sp. nov.

용인유령거미 (신칭) (Fig. 5)

Type material. Holotype: ♂ (NIBR, #TTQXIV00000 00288), Seongbok-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggido, South Korea (37.319435N, 127.075439E, alt. 174 m), 21 September 2023, C.M. Jang & S.T. Kim leg. Paratypes: 1♀ (NIBR, # FELEIV0000000225) same data as the holotype, 2♂♂, 2♀♀ (KKU, #KKU-ARA_Phol_ 20230921_01-04), same data as the holotype.

Etymology. The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Diagnosis.Pholcus yonginsp. nov. is similar to Pholcus kwangkyosanensisKim & Park, 2009 (Kim and Park 2009: 99, f. 1A-C, E, F, G-J, L; Kim and Kim 2016: 23, f. 1G-L; Jang and Kim 2024: 173, F 1E-K) but can be distinguished from the latter by the combination of the following characteristics: Males - trochanter elongated with a strongly curved and pointed tip (Fig. 5I) versus trochanter elongated with a strongly curved and blunt tip; uncus with a straight ridge (Fig. 5H) versus uncus with a depressed ridge; procursus with two apophyses (Fig. 5H-J) and versus procursus with four apophyses; three dorsal spines present (Fig. 5I, J) versus two dorsal spines present. Females - anterior epigynal plate without a posterolateral process and ridge straight (Fig. 5E) versus anterior epigynal plate with posterolateral processes and ridge rounded.

Description. Male (holotype). Habitus as in Fig. 5A. Total length 5.94. Carapace: 1.82 long/1.77 wide. Eyes: AER 0.66, PER 0.72, ALE 0.17, AME 0.12, PLE 0.16, PME 0.16, ALE-AME 0.05, ALE-PLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.07, AME-PME 0.07, PLE-PME 0.04, PME-PME 0.27. Chelicera: 0.93 long/0.30 wide. Endite: 0.50 long/0.39 wide. Labium: 0.27 long/0.36 wide. Sternum: 0.82 long/1.08 wide. Legs: I 49.80 (12.41, 0.73, 12.51, 21.81, 2.34), II 31.73 (8.69, 0.71, 7.84, 13.05, 1.44), III 20.75 (6.05, 0.62, 5.00, 8.12, 0.96), IV 28.35 (8.17, 0.68, 6.99, 11.22, 1.29), tibia I L/d 69. Palp: 3.29 (0.72, 0.34, 1.05, -, 1.18). Abdomen: 3.93 long/1.96 wide.

Carapace pale reddish brown, cephalic region with pale blackish brown median and marginal bands, thoracic region with pale blackish brown radial and marginal bands (Fig. 5A). Chelicera with three apophyses; blunt proximo-lateral apophysis diagonally upward and protruding out of chelicera, blunt frontal apophysis protruding forward, and thick and pointed distal apophysis diagonally downward (Fig. 5C, D). Legs yellowish brown, retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia I at 5% proximally, tarsus I with 30> indistinct and irregular pseudosegments except 5 distally, leg formula I-II-IVIII. Abdomen cylindrical, pale reddish yellow with an elongate, longitudinal cardiac pattern and many black irregular spots (Fig. 5A). Palp (Fig. 5H-K): trochanter elongated with a strongly curved and pointed tip, shorter than femur; palpal tibia with rectangular prolateroventral modification (Fig. 5H); bulb pale yellowish brown, cordiform, appendix absent (Fig. 5H, K); uncus dark blackish brown, almost square with a strongly protruding distal protrusion and a straight ridge, pseudoappendix absent (Fig. 5H, K); embolus unmodified, weakly sclerotized with some semi-transparent distal fringed processes (Fig. 5H, K); procursus large and brown with dark blackish brown margin, distinct ventral knee present, two distal apophyses present, dorsodistal apophysis finger-shaped (numbered 1 in Fig. 5HK), ventro-distal apophysis claw-shaped and partially membranous (numbered 2 in Fig. 5H, J); two black dorsal spines present (indicated by an arrow in Fig. 5I, J).

Female (Paratype). General appearance similar to male, habitus as in Fig. 5B. Total length 5.54. Carapace: 1.72 long/1.83 wide. Eyes: AER 0.63, PER 0.68, ALE 0.17, AME 0.11, PLE 0.16, PME 0.15, ALE-AME 0.05, ALEPLE contiguous, AME-AME 0.07, AME-PME 0.04, PLE-PME 0.04, PME-PME 0.25. Chelicera: 0.85 long/ 0.28 wide. Endite: 0.47 long/0.30 wide. Labium: 0.25 long/0.34 wide. Sternum: 0.80 long/1.06 wide. Legs: I 39.01 (9.65, 0.72, 10.01, 16.47, 2.17), II partly missing (7.26, 0.72, 6.61, 10.54, missing), III 19.08 (5.47, 0.63, 4.61, 7.25, 1.12), IV 26.41 (7.62, 0.69, 6.47, 10.19, 1.44), tibia I L/d 57. Palp: 1.27 (0.38, 0.18, 0.27, - , 0.44). Abdomen: 3.70 long/2.02 wide. Epigynum: 0.88 wide.

Epigynum (Fig. 5E, F): circular, slightly wider than long, anterior epigynal plate sclerotized medially, straight posteriorly, protruding, and coarsely wrinkled paramedianly, median epigynal plate very narrow and straight posteriorly with sclerotized lateral margins, posterior epigynal plate procurved anteriorly, knob thick with a blunt tip. Internal genitalia (Fig. 5G): anterior arch strongly recurved, pore plates semicircular, separated far from the anterior arch, separated far from each other, both margins pointed and strongly sclerotized.

Variation. Tibia I in three males (holotype and paratypes): 12.51, 14.96, 13.98 (13.82±1.23). Tibia I in three females (paratypes): 10.01, 9.09, 10.21 (9.77±0.60).

Habitat. The species was collected by hand at artificial constructions in urban hilly mixed forest.

Remark. At the type locality of this species, P. kwangkyosanensis was also found to inhabit the area.

Distribution. Korea (Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do).