Porrhomma microphthalmum

This was in a pitfall trap (in propylene glycol, so no live photos) in the margin of an arable field. I struggled to find a match for the pedipalps in Roberts at first and tried comparing a range of common species with the diagrams at the Spiders of Europe website. Although Porrhomma microphthalmum was the closest I didn't think it was quite right and continued searching some scarcer species especially those in 2-3 genera that seemed relatively close (including Porrhomma). Part of the challenge was that on both pedipalps a membranous sac near the base of the pedipalps had bloated forcing the mass of complex elements away from the cymbium so they weren't lying in quite the same orientation as shown in the diagrams. Eventually I resorted to clearing one of the pedipalps in KOH to get a clearer view and took a closer look at microphthalma. The embolic division didn't seem to be oriented in the same direction as in the diagrams but it did look exactly like the diagrams, as did the paracymbium and the bulbal apophysis. In the end I concluded that this must be the correct ID. Apparently it's a very common species so hopefully the next ones will be quicker to resolve.

male Porrhomma microphthalmum showing pedipalps (8 views plus close-ups of the bulbal apophysis and paracymbium), Wendling Beck Environment Project (Norfolk, UK), 29th to 31st March 2024