ABSTRACT
Two genera from the tribe Ballini (Araneae, Salticidae), Pachyballus Simon, 1900 and Peplometus Simon, 1900, are remarkable for their resemblance to beetles. Their biology is, however, poorly known and taxonomy has hitherto been rarely analysed. Thirteen species are included in this taxonomic revision of the two genera. Six of them are new to the science: Pachyballus caelestis sp. nov. (ââ, Congo D.R.), Pachyballus miniscutulus sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), Pachyballus mombasensis sp. nov. (ââ, Kenya), Pachyballus ornatus sp. nov. (ââ, Congo D.R. and Tanzania), Peplometus congoensis sp. nov. (ââ, Congo and Congo D.R.), and Peplometus nimba sp. nov. (â, Guinea). One species (Pachyballus cordiformis Berland et Millot, 1941) and a subspecies (P. flavipes aurantius Caporiacco, 1949) are recognised as synonyms of Pachyballus flavipes Simon, 1910. One new combination is proposed: Peplometus oyo (Wesolowska et Russell-Smith, 2011) comb. nov. (ex Pachyballus). The previously unknown females of Pachyballus transversus Simon, 1900 and Peplometus chlorophthalmus Simon, 1900, along with the males of Pachyballus castaneus Simon, 1900 and Peplometus biscutellatus (Simon, 1887) are newly diagnosed and described. Neotypes for Pachyballus castaneus and P. flavipes are designated. Numerous new data on the distribution are provided here and a key to Pachyballus females and to the males of Peplometus is presented. Identity of one species remains doubtful, Pachyballus gambeyi (Simon, 1880).
ABSTRACT
We review the known information on the distribution and habitat affinities of the Micrargus herbigradus-species group in Poland. The analysis is based on a thorough literature survey, our own materials, and verification of some older collections. We give new diagnostic drawings and review the characters that are useful in identification of species within the group. Three species are present in Poland: M. herbigradus (Blackwall, 1854), M. apertus (O.-P. Cambridge, 1870) and M. georgescuae Millidge, 1976. The latter is recorded for the first time in the country, and we add numerous new localities for the two former species. Micrargus herbigradus is common and widespread in Poland, living in various habitats, with only a slight preference to forests. In contrast, M. apertus is widely distributed but rarely found, while its affinity to forests is the highest within the group. The records of this species are most numerous in lowland forests (up to c. 300 m a.s.l), but it can also be found at higher altitudes. M. georgescuae is found only in montane habitats, both in the Sudetes and the Carpathian Mountains, from above 650 m a.s.l. The adults of all three species occur the whole year round, but seem to be most abundant in May and June.
ABSTRACT
Basing on the collection of Åke Holm, we provide new data on African Myrmarachninae from Kenya: Belippo elgonensis sp. n. (â) and B. terribilis sp. n. (â) are described, as well as the previously unknown female of Myrmarachne giltayi. Belippo calcarata, B. milloti and M. dundoensis are recorded from Kenya for the first time and new records for Myrmarachne kiboschensis, M. lawrencei and M. marshalli are given.
Subject(s)
Spiders/anatomy & histology , Spiders/classification , Animals , Female , Kenya , MaleABSTRACT
Two new genera, Rumburak gen. nov. and Yimbulunga gen. nov., of euophryine jumping spiders are established from the Afrotropical Region. Thirty three new species included in this subfamily are diagnosed and described: Chinophrys trifasciata sp. nov. (â, South Africa), Euophrys bifida sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), E. cochlea sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), E. elizabethae sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), E. falciger sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), E. gracilis sp. nov. (ââ, Lesotho, South Africa), E. griswoldi sp. nov. (â, Namibia), E. limpopo sp. nov. (â, South Africa), E. maseruensis sp. nov. (â, Lesotho), E. meridionalis sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), E. miranda sp. nov. (â, South Africa), E. nana sp. nov. (â, South Africa), E. recta sp. nov. (â, South Africa), E. subtilis sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), Rumburak bellus sp. nov. (â, South Africa), R. hilaris sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), R. lateripunctatus sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), R. mirabilis sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), R. tuberatus (â, South Africa), R. virilis (ââ, South Africa), Tanzania parvulus sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), T. striatus sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), Thyenula alotama sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), T. cheliceroides sp. nov. (â, South Africa), T. clarosignata sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), T. dentatidens sp. nov. (â, South Africa), T. haddadi (ââ, South Africa), T. montana sp. nov. (â, Lesotho), T. rufa sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa), T. tenebrica sp. nov. (â, South Africa), T. virgulata sp. nov. (â, South Africa), T. vulnifica sp. nov. (ââ, South Africa) and Yimbulunga foordi sp. nov. (â, South Africa). Two species names are newly synonymized: Thyenula hortensis Wesolowska & Cumming, 2008 with T. munda (Peckham & Peckham, 1903) and Thyenula nelshoogte Zhang & Maddison, 2012 with T. laxa Zhang & Maddison, 2012. Three new combinations are proposed: Heliophanus kittenbergeri (Caporiacco, 1947) (ex Euophrys), Rumburak laxus (Zhang & Maddison, 2012) (ex Thyenula) and Thyenula munda (Peckham & Peckham, 1903) (ex Saitis). Two names are recognized as nomina dubia: Euophrys nigrescens Caporiacco, 1940 and Saitis magnus Caporiacco, 1947. The first member of the genus Chinophrys Zhang & Maddison, 2012 is reported from Africa. The males of Euophrys leipoldti Peckham & Peckham, 1903 and Thyenula sempiterna Wesolowska, 2000 are described for the first time. Tanzania minutus (Wesolowska & Russell-Smith, 2000) is recorded from South Africa for the first time. A list of valid species of Afrotropical Euophryinae with data on their distribution in the region is provided. A key is supplied for the known genera of the region (based on males).
