Lyrognathus Pocock 1895

(Figs 1–114)

Lyrognathus Pocock 1895: 170, 175, 1900: 187, 202; Simon 1903: 954, 956; Gravely, 1915a: 415; 1915b: 284; 1935: 83, Roewer, 1942: 6; Raven 1985: 38, 118; Smith 1986, 1987: 121; Platnick, 2009.

Diagnosis: Lyrognathus differs from other Selenocosmiinae genera in having dense penicillate retrolateral setal brushes along tibiae and metatarsi IV (Figs 3, 20, 54, 71, 98), very incrassate tibiae IV (Figs 8, 21, 53, 71, 99), retrolateral surface of coxae IV entirely hirsute (except L. robustus) and undivided metatarsi IV scopula in females (Figs 19, 54, 74), except L. robustus, which shows a possibly unique form of division of the metatarsi IV scopula by extremely stout, spiniform setae (Fig. 98). Lyrognathus further differs in that the male embolus is entirely lanceolate with a singular prolateral keel extending ventrally and proximally (Figs 5, 40, 89, 90). Differs from Selenocosmia from Java and Sumatra and from Coremiocnemis from Malaysia (males and females) in the above traits, in the large size of posterior sternal sigilla and that the clavate trichobothrial field on tarsi I–IV occur in distal 1/2 (in Malaysian, Javan and Sumatran species of Selenocosmia and Coremiocnemis, clavates extend to distal 3/4 of all tarsi), and general leg morphology as diagnosed above.

Type species: Lyrognathus crotalus Pocock 1895, by original designation and monotypy.

Description: A selenocosmiine theraphosid genus with incrassate leg IV combined with penicillate retrolateral setal brushes in both sexes (except in male L. robustus), leg length formula IV, I, II, III (both sexes), leg width formula IV, III, I, II (females), circular ocular tubercle–higher posteriorly, with fovea of equal width, clypeus absent, retrolateral surface of coxae IV entirely hirsute (except in L. robustus),>2 DV, 1DPV, 1DRV, 1DD metatarsal III/IV spine arrangement, no basofemoral spines, retrolateral basomedial spine cluster on chelicerae (present/absent), keeled/terete lanceolate embolus with small basoventral projection present/absent, intercheliceral peg or spiniform setae, bilobular spermathecae with lateral lobes at 2/3 to 3/4 length of medials (most species) or unilobular spermathecal receptacles ( L. crotalus), spermathecae heavily sclerotized distally, grading to clear shafts proximally, metatarsi IV scopula divided ( L. robustus) or undivided, metatarsi IV scopula in distal 1/3 ( L. robustus) or for full length, unarmed paired claws, third claw on leg IV present ( L. robustus) or absent (all other species) and clavate trichobothria on distal 1/2 of all tarsi, very long. No dorsal carapace thorns.

Species included:

Lyrognathus crotalus Pocock 1895

Lyrognathus achilles sp. nov.

Lyrognathus fuscus sp. nov.

Lyrognathus lessunda sp. nov.

Lyrognathus robustus Smith 1988

Lyrognathus saltator Pocock 1900

Distribution: Northeastern India, West Malaysia, Borneo and Lombok Island, Indonesia (Fig. 114)