Phanuelus, Caleb & Mathai, 2015

Caleb, John T. D., Mungkung, Soriephy & Mathai, Manu Thomas, 2015, Four new species of jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae: Aelurillinae) with the description of a new genus from South India, Peckhamia 124 (1), pp. 1-18 : 7

Phanuelus gen. nov. Caleb & Mathai

Type species. Phanuelus gladstone sp.nov.

Etymology. The proposed name is for the late Dr. G. J. Phanuel (Professor, Dept. of Zoology, MCC) who worked extensively on the spiders of Madras in the early 1960s. His work has been of great significance for later workers. The name is masculine in gender.

Diagnosis. Small spiders characterized by short, very high cephalothorax, high and reduced thoracic region; abdomen round, nearly spherical. Leg III distinctly longer. Two RTAs (compared to usually two RTAs, sometimes with one RTA in Aelurillus , and two peaks, separated by a V or U shaped slit in Phlegra ). Differs from Langona Simon in lacking a bunch of stiff hairs projecting from the base near RTA. Differs from Stenaelurillus Simon due to the absence of an anterior tegular apophysis. Embolus longer and thinner than in Stenaelurillus . Epigynum highly sclerotized, convex surface, with copulatory openings postero-laterally (whereas these are antero-median in Aelurillus , or hidden in circular grooves in Phlegra ).

Description. Spiders with small body (3-4 mm), carapace short and very high, short longitudinal fovea in a rounded, pit-like shallow depression in the centre just behind PLE line midway ( Figs. 26 , 32 ). Carapace widest at beginning of posterior slope; posterior slope very steep. PME closer to PLE than ALE. Clypeus vertical, moderately high ( Figs. 28 , 36 ). Male chelicerae without any tooth. Leg III longer than leg IV ( Figs. 27 , 37 ). Abdomen small, rounded with pairs of white spots arranged in the median, lighter lateral regions seen on females ( Figs. 26 , 33 ). Male palp with enlarged bulbus, tegulum leathery, embolus thin, two RTA, one long and bent at tip which is inconspicuous, other conspicuous, short and thick ( Figs. 38, 39 ). Epigynum highly sclerotized, copulatory openings laterally placed apart, with meandering copulatory ducts ( Figs. 40, 43, 44 ).

Affinities. Species show clear affinity to subfamily Aelurillinae in genital structures and general morphology.

Figures

Figures 26-29. Male Phanuelus gladstone sp.nov. 26, Dorsal view. 27, Lateral view. 28-29, Front

Figures 32-37. Female Phanuelus gladstone sp.nov. 32, Dorsal view. 33, Abdomen. 34-36, Front view. 37, Lateral view.

Figures 38-46. Phanuelus gladstone sp.nov. 38, Left male palp, ventral view. 39, Left male