Philisca Simon

Soto, Eduardo M. & Ramírez, Martín J., 2012, Revision and phylogenetic analysis of the spider genus Philisca Simon (Araneae: Anyphaenidae, Amaurobioidinae) 3443, Zootaxa 3443 (1), pp. 1-65 : 6-7

Philisca Simon

Philisca Simon, 1884: 129 (type species by monotypy Philisca hahni Simon, 1884 ), 1887: E21; 1897: 77–78, 82, 84, 86; 1903: 1031. Transferred from the Miturgidae by Ramírez, 1995: 381. Ramírez 2003: 176.

Liparotoma Simon, 1884: 130 , 137 (type species Liparotoma hyadesi Simon, 1884 , subsequently designated by Simon, 1897 a: 100). Ramírez, 1993: 196. Synonymized by Ramírez, 2003: 176.

Diagnosis: Most species have thin branches on the median apophysis ( Figs 4d , 8h , 16h , 20h , 26h , 30h ). Similar branches are also found in Tasata centralis Ramírez (see Ramírez 2003: 240, fig. 133A), but that species is easily distinguished by having five retrolateral cheliceral denticles, instead of the two teeth in Philisca . Several Philisca species lack those branches but have a reduced spination of the first and second tibiae and metatarsi, which may be combined with the modified male chelicerae ( Figs 34 , 35 ).

Description: Carapace wide in front, chelicerae strong; males with chelicerae similar to or larger than those of females; three teeth on promargin, one to three on retromargin. Male palpal tibia relatively long, usually two or more times longer than wide. Cymbium relatively small, narrow. Embolus with tip relatively thick, not closely associated with conductor. MA generally with one to several thin basal or medial branches. Paramedian apophysis simple, thick, elongate, pPMA present and simple. Conductor with several projections, well separated from anterior margin of tegulum by membranous band wider on prolateral side; canal of conductor vestigial or absent. Female epigyne with deep or widened anterior pouch, several species with MF heart-shaped.

Distribution: Temperate forests and shrubs in southern Chile and adjacent Argentina.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Philisca amoena Simon (MACN-Ar 14802 and MACN-Ar 14805). a–c female (a dorsal habitus; b epigyne, ventral view; c cleared epigyne, dorsal view); d–e male left bulb (d ventral view; e retrolateral view). (CD: copulatory ducts, MF: median field, S: spermathecae).

FIGURE 8. Philisca doilu Ramírez (MACN-Ar 15097). Male, a–c left palp (a prolateral view, b ventral view, c retrolateral view); d–h copulatory bulb (d prolateral view, e ventral view, f retrolateral view, g apical view, h apical–retrolateral detail view). (C: conductor, E: embolus, MA: median apophysis, PMA: paramedian apophysis, rPMA: retrolateral cusp of the paramedian apophysis).

FIGURE 16. Philisca accentifera Simon (EMS-00114 and EMS-00130). Male, a–c left palp (a prolateral view, b ventral view, c retrolateral view); d–h copulatory bulb (d prolateral view, e ventral view, f retrolateral view, g apical view, h apical– retrolateral detail view). (C: conductor, E: embolus, MA: median apophysis, PMA: paramedian apophysis).

FIGURE 20. Philisca atrata new species (MACN-Ar 28020 and EMS-00134). Male, a–c left palp (a prolateral view, b ventral view, c retrolateral view); d–h copulatory bulb (d prolateral view, e ventral view, f retrolateral view, g apical view, h apical– retrolateral detail view). (C: conductor, E: embolus, MA: median apophysis, PMA: paramedian apophysis, rPMA: retrolateral cusp of the paramedian apophysis).

FIGURE 26. Philisca pizarroi new species (EMS-00077 and EMS-00154). Male, a–c left palp (a prolateral view, b ventral view, c retrolateral view); d–h copulatory bulb (d prolateral view, e ventral view, f retrolateral view, g apical view, h apical– retrolateral detail view). (C: conductor, E: embolus, MA: median apophysis, PMA: paramedian apophysis).

FIGURE 30. Philisca viernes new species (Male Holotype: EMS-00152 and MACN-Ar 27965: EMS-00159). Male, a–c left palp (a prolateral view, b ventral view, c retrolateral view); d–h copulatory bulb (d prolateral view, e ventral view, f retrolateral view, g apical view, h apical–retrolateral detail view). (C: conductor, E: embolus, MA: median apophysis, PMA: paramedian apophysis).

FIGURE 34. Male chelicerae of Philisca species, anterior view. a P. hahni Simon (EMS-00123). b P. tripunctata Nicolet (MACN-Ar 26812). c P. amoena Simon (MACN-Ar 14805). d P.hyadesi Simon (MACN-Ar 3682). e P. doilu Ramírez (MACN- Ar 15097). f P. huapi Ramírez (MACN-Ar 14819). g P.ingensBerland (MACN-Ar 27955). h P.ornata Berland (EMS-00104).

FIGURE 35. Male chelicerae of Philisca species, anterior view. a P. accentifera Simon (EMS-00130). b P. atrata (EMS- 00133). c P. robinson (EMS-00156). d P. pizarroi (EMS-00154). e. P. viernes (EMS-00152).