Hippasa Simon, 1885

Wang, Lu-Yu, Li, Zong-Xu, Zhou, Ke-Xin & Zhang, Zhi-Sheng, 2015, Redescription of three Hippasa species from China (Araneae: Lycosidae), with a proposed species group-division and diagnosis, Zootaxa 3974 (2), pp. 231-244 : 232-233

Genus Hippasa Simon, 1885

Hippasa Simon 1885: 31 ; Pocock 1900: 249; Gravely 1924: 588; Dyal 1935: 142; Sinha 1951: 11; Tikader & Malhotra 1980: 272; Yin et al. 1997: 12; Alderweireldt & Jocqué 2005: 47.

Type species. Pirata agelenoides Simon, 1884 , by original designation.

Diagnosis. This genus can be distinguished from other lycosid genera by the slender body, several chevronlike yellow white markings on the dorsum of opisthosoma and two-segmented posterior spinnerets with elongated basal segments ( Figs 4 A–B, 6A–B, 8A–B). Male pedipalps have a hook-like, peaked terminal apophysis, membranous conductor, slender embolus and bifid median apophysis, of which the anterior arm is longer than the posterior one ( Figs 3 A–B, 4C–D, 5A–B, 6D–E, 7A–B, 8C–D). Epigyne thickly covered with white setae, strongly extending backwards ( Figs 4 E, 6F, 8E). A strong, posteriorly extended scape ( Figs 3 C–D, 4E–G, 5C–D, 6F–G) or an obvious epigynal atrium ( Figs 7 C, 8E–F) present. Stalk of spermathecae relatively slender and slightly curved and head of spermathecae ball-like ( Figs 3 D, 4G, 5D, 6G, 7D, 8G). Additionally, Hippasa species spin funnel-like webs, although juvenile webs are more sheet-like (pers. obs.).

Distribution. Africa and Asia.

Composition and species groups division. In total, there are 37 described species. The Japanese species, H. babai Tanikawa, 2007 is synonymised with the newly revalidated H. lingxianensis Yin & Wang, 1980 in this paper. Based on the characters of male palps and female epigynes, 30 species can be assigned to two species groups: the Hippasa greenalliae- group and the Hippasa partita- group.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Hippasa holmerae Thorell, 1895. A. Left male pedipalp, ventral view; B. Same, retrolateral view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: AA, anterior arm of median apophysis; Co, conductor; CO, copulatory opening; Em, embolus; FD, fertilization duct; HS, head of spermatheca; PA, posterior arm of median apophysis; Sc, scape; SS, stalk of spermatheca; St, subtegulum; TA, terminal apophysis (= synembolus sensu Zyuzin (1993 )); Te, tegulum.

FIGURE 4. Hippasa holmerae Thorell, 1895. A. Male habitus, dorsal view; B. Female habitus, dorsal view; C. Left male pedipalp, ventral view; D. Same, retrolateral view. E. Epigyne, ventral view, with bushy white setae; F. Same, ventral view, cleared; G. Same, dorsal view.

FIGURE 7. Hippasa lycosina Pocock, 1900. A. Left male pedipalp, ventral view; B. Same, retrolateral view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Same, dorsal view. Abbreviations: AA, anterior arm of median apophysis; At, atrium; Co, conductor; CO, copulatory opening; Em, embolus; FD, fertilization duct; HS, head of spermatheca; PA, posterior arm of median apophysis; SS, stalk of spermatheca; St, subtegulum; TA, terminal apophysis (= synembolus sensu Zyuzin (1993 )); Te, tegulum.