Pachymerium ferrugineum

Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes. Pachymerium ferrugineum vosseleri Verhoeff, 1902 is here recognized as a junior synonym of Pachymerium ferrugineum (Koch, 1835) (n. syn.). Doubts on the validity of the subspecies vosseleri have been already expressed by Zapparoli (1991). After re-assessing all information provided by Verhoeff (1902 1925 1934) and after examining specimens of P. ferrugineum from the type locality of P. ferrugineum vosseleri (Jerusalem) and other sites in Israel, we found no evidence for any significant difference between Israeli populations of P. ferrugineum and populations from other parts of the species range. All the few characters described by Verhoeff (1902) for the two syntypes of the subspecies vosseleri (almost exclusively: body size, number of denticles and setae on the mouth parts, and number of legs) are within the range of variation reported in typical P. ferrugineum by other authors. With respect to the number of legs, we found that it is highly variable between specimens from different sites in Israel (47 – 69 pairs), but without any obvious geographic or environmental pattern, and with all possible intermediate values recorded.

Distribution in Israel: the species has been found in a wide range of habitats, throughout the country, from the Dead Sea and the Negev desert up to the Upper Galilee and Mt. Hermon. Average annual temperatures are between 16 – 24 ˚ C and annual precipitations are between 50 – 1250 mm (Figure 3 C). Global distribution: the species is widespread in the western Palearctic, but it has been introduced elsewhere.

New records: Arad (4 specimens 1964); Beer Sheva (1 specimen 2011); Bteha (1 specimen 1934); Ein Tamar (1 specimen 1963); Ezuz (1 specimen 2011); Hermon, Emek HaMan (1 specimen 2011); Jerusalem (1 specimen 1934); Jerusalem - Deir Es Sheikh (3 specimens 1944); Jerusalem - Talpiot (1 specimen 1957); Kalanit (3 specimens 2011); Ma’ale Adumim (2 specimens 2011); Ma’ale Efraim (1 specimen 2011); Magenim Forest (1 specimen 2011); Nahal Afik (1 specimen 2010); Nahal Oren (3 specimens 2011); Tel Gezer (1 specimen 2011); Upper Nahal Deragot (1 specimen 2011); Yerucham (3 specimens 1963);