Helpis Simon, 1901

Żabka, Marek & Patoleta, Barbara M., 2014, New species of Helpis Simon, 1901 from Australia (Araneae: Salticidae), with a new definition of the genus, Zootaxa 3873 (5), pp. 571-589 : 572-573

Genus Helpis Simon, 1901

Helpis Simon, 1901: 432 , 436–438; Wanless 1988: 81 –84, 94–102; Davies & Żabka 1989: 206, 212; Gardzińska 1996: 299 –304; Patoleta & Żabka 1999: 230, 232–234; Żabka 2002: 259–261; Żabka & Pollard 2002: 75 ; Maddison et al. 2008: 53 –59; Gardzińska & Żabka 2010: 45 –47, 51–52.

Astia [part] Koch, 1880: 1160, 1163; Wanless, 1988: 89 –90.

Type species: Astia minitabunda Koch, 1880 , by original designation.

List of valid species: Helpis minitabunda ( L. Koch, 1880) ; H. occidentalis Simon, 1909 ; H. colemani ( Wanless, 1988) comb. nov., H. gracilis Gardzińska, 1996 ; H. kenilworthi Żabka, 2002 ; H. risdonica Żabka, 2002 ; H. tasmanica Żabka, 2002 ; H. longipalpis Gardzińska & Żabka, 2010 , H. wisharti sp. nov., H. merriwa sp. nov., H. wanlessi sp. nov., H. foelixi sp. nov. and H. staregai sp. nov.

The placement of Astia colemani Wanless, 1988 in the genus Helpis is based on the analysis of the male genitalic structures: the embolus in neither long nor hooked, and has no outgrowth (see Wanless 1988: 87, fig. A; Davies & Żabka 1989: 208, fig. 14).

Helpis longichelis Strand, 1915 belongs in the Euophryinae (as suggested by Wanless 1988) and we think it is related to Palpelius Simon, 1903 . For the formal placement, however, the study of the type and comparative material is necessary.

Diagnosis. The genus is distinguished by the combination of the following genitalic characters: male palpal organ with cymbial flange, embolus rather short and robust, tegulum more or less ovoid, sometimes with lobe, seminal duct not meandering, tibial apophysis single and simple; female epigyne of most species with large posterior pouch and median guides, copulatory openings oriented towards each other, except in H. wanlessi .

Definition. Pluridentate spiders, 4–9 mm long. Sexes similar in appearance, although males of some species (e.g. H. minitabunda , H. occidentalis and H. kenilworthi ) have a transverse fringe (“brows”) above the anterior eyes (see Wanless 1988, Davies & Żabka 1989, and here). Cephalothorax often pear-shaped, with gentle posterior slope. Eye field widening posteriorly (trapezoid), its length 40–50% of CL. PME closer to ALE than PLE. Fovea located just behind PLE. Endites, labium and sternum not distinctive. Abdomen elongate or ovoid, without scutum, with pattern of light and dark markings and patches, often with translucent guanine spots. Clypeus narrow (12–21% of AME diameter). Chelicerae inclined forwards, with plurident teeth on anterior and posterior margins. Legs rather long and slender, in males first pair more hairy than in females. Leg formula: I–IV–II–III or I–IV–III–II (males) and IV–I–II–III or IV–I–III–II (females). First and second tibiae with 2–4 pairs of distinctive ventral spines. Palpal organ with cymbial flange, tegulum ovoid with ( H. minitabunda , H. occidentalis , H. gracilis , H. longipalpis , H. colemani ) or without tegular lobe ( H. foelixi , H. kenilworthi ). Seminal duct distinctive ( H. colemani , H. longipalpis , H. minitabunda , H. occidentalis ) and/or tegulum with dark patches ( H. foelixi , H. kenilworthi ). In most species embolus hook-like with broad base, except H. foelixi and H. kenilworthi , in which it arises from underneath the tegulum in ventral view. Tibial apophysis single, usually slightly bent or hooked. Epigyne usually with large posterior pouch and caudal lobe, except in H. kenilworthi and H. risdonica , in which the lobe is missing and the pouch makes a form of an anterior pocket. Median guides of different width, missing only in H. risdonica and H. wanlessi . In H. kenilworthi a transverse anterior ridge is present ( Fig. 64 ). Copulatory openings from very wide ( H. staregai ) to small and indistinctive (e.g. H. gracilis , H. merriwa , H. occidentalis ). The area of copulatory openings sometimes strongly sclerotized ( H. merriwa , H. wisharti ). Copulatory openings oriented toward each other, except in H. wanlessi (laterally) and H. kenilworthi (anteriorly). Insemination ducts straight or wavy, their mutual position from widely V-shaped ( H. colemani , H. staregai ) to almost parallel ( H. merriwa ), with distinctive accessory glands. Spermathecae either distinctive and ovoid ( H. staregai ) or appear as pear-shaped extensions of insemination ducts.

Relationships. The first modern discussion on Helpis relationships was presented by Wanless (1988), who noticed distinctive genitalic similarities between Helpis and Astia L. Koch, 1879 . After several decades and many new species described, some genitalic characters of Helpis (as defined by Wanless) are missing in particular species or are present in other genera. Nevertheless, we agree with Wanless’ original view about the close relationship between Astia and Helpis . In a phylogenetic reconstruction of astioids based on molecular data, Helpis was found closely related to Arasia Simon, 1901 and Sondra Wanless, 1988 , but the authors did not include any member of Astia ( Maddison et al. 2008) . It would be interesting to know the results based upon more comprehensive material of Astia , Helpis and other Astieae genera.

Distribution. Most species of the genus Helpis are distributed in eastern parts of mainland Australia, in Tasmania and on some offshore islands and are recorded from single localities. Only H. minitabunda and H. occidentalis are common and also found in New Guinea (historically part of the Australian plate), and in New Zealand—as introduced. The comprehensive analysis of relationships and distribution of Helpis will be presented in separate publication (in prep.).

Figures

FIGURES 60 – 65. Helpis kenilworthi. 60 female, dorsal view; 61 same, ventral view; 62 same, chelicerae, endites and labium, ventral view; 63 same, first leg; 64 same, epigyne; 65 same, frontal view; (p: pouch, tr: transverse ridge). Scale: 1 mm.