Zimiris Simon

PLATNICK, NORMAN I. & PENNEY, DAVID, 2004, A Revision of the Widespread Spider Genus Zimiris (Araneae, Prodidomidae), American Museum Novitates 3450, pp. 1-12 : 5-8

Zimiris Simon

Zimiris Simon, 1882: 240 (type species, by monotypy, Zimiris doriai Simon ; Simon indicated that the generic name is based on a ‘‘Nom. geogr.’’, probably took it from the Natural History of Pliny the Elder, who referred to a city called Zimiris in a ‘‘sandy region of Ethiopia’’ [which for Pliny meant any desert region to the south, per Dr. H. D. Cameron, pers. commun.], and apparently considered it feminine in gen­ der).

DIAGNOSIS: The combination of a prodidomine eye pattern, plus small posterior median and posterior lateral spinnerets that are widely separated from elongated, widely separated anterior lateral spinnerets bearing elongated piriform gland spigots (fig. 2), is diagnostic for the genus. Females can be distinguished from those of Prodidomus , Neozimiris , and Zimirina by their normal, unshortened palpal tarsi (compare figs. 8–11). The pair of enlarged and darkened setae found at the base of the claw tufts (figs. 14, 15) may also be diagnostic.

DESCRIPTION: Small to medium­sized spiders, total length 3–6. Carapace oval, narrowed in front to half its maximum width, with lateral margins heavily sclerotized only in clypeal area, posterior margin invaginated at pedicel, not reflexed; surface coated with recumbent, light setae, without tubercles; thoracic groove short, shallow, longitudinal. Eight eyes in two rows, anterior medians circular, dark, other eyes oval, light, posterior medians largest, flat, triangular; from above, anterior eye row slightly recurved, posterior row very strongly procurved, from front, anterior row slightly, posterior row very strongly procurved; anterior medians separated by about their diameter, almost touching anterior laterals; posterior medians separated by about their maximum width, almost touching posterior laterals; anterior and posterior laterals separated by much less than their radius; median ocular quadrangle slightly wid­ er in back than in front and than long. Chelicerae vertical, divergent, paturon without boss, promargin with row of long, curved setae, seta closest to fang base greatly elongat­ ed, distinctly bent toward midline at about one­eighth its length; promargin and retromarginal teeth absent, fang long, arched; chilum small, unipartite, triangular. Labium wider than long, widened at one­fourth its length, producing pentagonal outline, tip of pentagon at middle of anterior margin. Endites long, convergent anteriorly, bent and obliquely depressed near anterior margin of labium; serrula apparently absent (but absence not confirmed by scanning electron microscopy). Sternum shield­shaped, flat, with strongly rebordered margins except along distinct posterior protrusion between coxae IV, not expanded anteriorly, with only indistinct extensions between coxae but with large, triangular extensions to middle of coxae; surface smooth, with long setae at lateral margins between coxae, posterior margin with numerous long setae, widely separating coxae IV. Single epimeric sclerite on each side, above coxae, not extending between coxae, not fused to carapace. Pedicel composed of two dorsal sclerites (anterior sclerite deeply excavated anteriorly) and weak, triangular ventral sclerite almost reaching posterior tip of sternum.

Abdominal dorsum without anterior scutum in males; cuticle with long, recumbent setae; epigastric scutum weakly sclerotized, without postepigastric sclerites, booklung covers not ridged; colulus apparently absent but wide, straight posterior spiracle apparently present at level of anterior lateral spinneret insertions. Six spinnerets, anterior laterals greatly elongated, widely separated, advanced anteriorly (fig. 16), originating at position about four­fifths of distance between epigastric furrow and anal tubercle, with elongate ventral tubercle arising from cuticle of basal segment, bearing major ampullate gland spigot, soft portions of cuticle bearing greatly elongated piriform gland spigots almost as long as basal segment (fig. 17); posterior medians small, narrow, contiguous with only slightly larger posterior laterals, each with at least one minor ampullate gland spigot, one aciniform gland spigot, and one cylindrical gland spigot (fig. 18); posterior laterals each with at least two aciniform gland spigots and one cylindrical gland spigot (fig. 19).

Leg formula 4123, legs elongate, coated with recumbent, dark setae; coxae and trochanters without dorsal tubercles, fourth trochanters elongated, twice as long as others; anterior coxae without protuberant postero­ lateral corners; trochanters not notched; metatarsi I, II with weak prolateral scopula composed of short, straight setae; posterior metatarsi without distal preening brushes; tarsi elongated, without cuticular cracks, with two long claws bearing no ventral teeth, strong claw tufts composed of distally widened setae, accompanied ventrally by pair of thick, darkened, almost spiniform bristles (figs. 14, 15); dorsal surface of tarsi with unmodified proximal margin; trichobothria present dorsally on all tarsi and metatarsi, evenly spaced along segments, bases ridged (fig. 12); tarsal organ capsulate (fig. 13). Female palpal femur, tibia, and tarsus with few, long spines, tarsus long, not enlarged distally, with weak distodorsal pad of setae. Anterior legs without spines, but tibiae with weak proventral bristle at distal tip; posterior tibiae and metatarsi with few long, ventral spines.

Male palpal tibia wider distally than proximally, with distal, bent retrolateral apophysis; embolus originating prodistally, accompanied by narrow conductor, median apophysis apparently obsolete. Epigynum with conspicuous midpiece and anterior openings; spermathecae small, situated posteriorly.