Genus Cladolasma Suzuki, 1963

Cladolasma Suzuki, 1963: 40 . – Suzuki, 1974: 121 (synonymisation with Dendrolasma Banks, 1894b). – Shear, 2010: 16 (revalidation of Cladolasma).

Type species: Cladolasma parvulum Suzuki, 1963 (by original designation and monotypy).

Remarks: A genus of Nemastomatidae, subfamily Ortholasmatinae, according to the present revision

Key to the currently known Asian Ortholasmatinae species (based on male characters)

1A Strongly asymmetric glans penis (in do and la views) with eight strong spines arranged in two narrow rows and a distal chaplet of four slightly smaller spines, stylus not twisted (Figs 6-8), tubercles at posterior opisthosomal margin club-shaped (Figs 2, 5); distributed in southern Japan, Shikoku................................ Cladolasma parvulum

1B Symmetric glans penis with weaker spines arranged in several separated rings (do, ve and la views, Figs 20-22, 38-40, 47-49, 78-83, 94-96, 106-108), tubercles at posterior opisthosomal margin digitiform, tapering towards tip (Figs 17, 19, 26, 31-34, 53-54, 60-61, 63, 65, 88-89, 91-92, 104-105); distributed in mainland Asia .................... 2

2A Dorsal apophysis on top of 2nd cheliceral article massive and markedly elevated, ending in a strong pointed hook (Figs 55-56, 72-75, 77, 112-114).............................................................................................................................. 3

2B Dorsal apophysis of 2nd cheliceral article represented only by a small pointed, not elevated hook (Figs 27, 35, 100)........................................................................................................................................................................... 5

3A Hook on dorsal apophysis of 2nd cheliceral article directed forward, immediately below the hook an additional blunt low apophysis (Figs 112, 114), a small pointed apophysis prolaterally-distally on pedipalpal patella (Figs 115, 117); known from southern Gansu, China ............................................................ Asiolasma billsheari sp. nov.

3B Hook on dorsal apophysis of 2nd cheliceral article directed more or less downward (Figs 55-56, 72-74), no apophysis on pedipalpal patella (Fig. 58)................................................................................................................. 4

4A Hook on a rounded and slightly angular cheliceral apophysis directed downward, more or less parallel to front of 2nd cheliceral article (Figs 55-56), a low apophysis with a short seta on dorsal side of basal cheliceral article (Figs 55-56); known from southern Yunnan ...................................................................................... Asiolasma ailaoshan

4B Hook of rounded apophysis inclined, forming an obtuse angle against front of 2nd cheliceral article (Figs 72-74, 77), a markedly elevated apophysis carrying a relatively long seta on dorsal side of basal cheliceral article (Figs 72-75); known from northern Yunnan, China ...................................................... Asiolasma juergengruberi sp. nov.

5A Body markedly globular (Fig. 26), dorsal side of scutum with several groups of pointed tubercles (Fig. 26), known from a single mountain in northern Thailand ................................................................................. Asiolasma angka

5B Body of male not globular, flat (Fig. 92), dorsal side of scutum without several groups of pointed tubercles (Fig. 34) ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6

6A Pedipalp stout, its tibia and tarsus slightly inflated, relatively short (Fig. 37), body small, about 3.1 mm (Fig. 31); known from southern Guangxi, China .................................................................................. Asiolasma damingshan

6B Pedipalp of male slender, tibia and tarsus not inflated, relatively long (Fig. 102), body relatively large, about 3.4- 3.6 mm (Fig. 32); known from northern Vietnam ................................................ Asiolasma schwendingeri sp. nov.

comprising one Asian species. The gender of the generic name is neuter.

Extended diagnosis: A genus of Ortholasmatinae with metapeltidium free, neither joined to prosoma nor to opisthosoma; medium-sized species (up to 3.5 mm body length, females larger than males); hood on prosoma short, its lateral apophyses interconnected by bridges at their bases; prosoma with one long apophysis on each side of hood at anterior border; tibia and tarsus of pedipalps with dense cover of clavate setae, not sexually dimorphic, both sexes with ve gland in palpal patella; lattice pattern of interconnected keel cells inconspicuous, the individual anvil-shaped tubercles low, often dorsally rounded and unspecialized. Apophyses at posterior margin of opisthosoma short, slightly inflated at the end, club-shaped.

Genital morphology of males: Characterized by rather unspecialized penis, rather slender, parallel-sided; muscle-containing base of penis relatively long, only slightly inflated, deeply incised, occupying about one fourth of truncus length; truncus in straight continuation of inflated base (in do/ve view). Armature of glans markedly asymmetrical, with strong spicules concentrated on do sides, slightly shorter ones near base of stylus.

Included species: Cladolasma parvulum Suzuki, 1963 .

Relationships: With regard to genital morphology, C. parvulum is separated from all mainland Asian ortholasmatine species. A dorsoventrally asymmetric glans and marked difference in size and arrangement of glans spicules makes this penis different from those of all other Asian and American species. I judge the differences to be strong enough to allot generic ranks to the sole Japanese species and to the presently known six mainland Asian species.