Afraflacilla | |
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An undescribed Afraflacilla species, Tennant Creek NT Australia | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Salticidae |
Subfamily: | Salticinae |
Genus: | Afraflacilla Berland & Millot, 1941 |
Type species | |
Afraflacilla bamakoi Berland & Millot, 1941 | |
Species | |
42, see text |
Afraflacilla is a genus of the spider family Salticidae (jumping spiders). [1] [2] [3] Most species are distributed in Eastern to Northern Africa (including the Middle East) and Australia, with two species (A. epiblemoides and A. tarajalis) found in Europe. This genus was for a time included in the genus Pseudicius , and the boundaries between both genera are disputed. In 2016 Jerzy Prószyński erected the genus Psenuc for some borderline species. [1] [4] The name Afraflacilla is combined from Africa, where most earlier described species were found, and FlacillaSimon, 1901, an obsolete salticid genus now called Flacillula Strand, 1932. This genus name is in turn derived from Aelia Flaccilla, wife of Roman Emperor Theodosius I. Afraflacilla, Pseudicius , Festucula and Marchena are close relatives and form a monophyletic group.
Afraflacilla species have tubercles and bristles (on the sides of the carapace near the eyes and on their legs) which they rub together to make sounds used in courtship and possibly defence. The line of small tubercles (sharp knobs) under the eyes on the side of the carapace are usually visible to the naked eye. [5]
Afraflacilla species in Australia include A. grayorum, A. gunbar, A.huntorum, A.milledgei, A.stridulator, A.vestjensi and A.yeni. In Australia they occupy tree trunks in deserts, savanna woodland and in open sclerophyll forests from south west Western Australia to Cape York Queensland, mostly in warmer regions. There are many undescribed Australian species. Afraflacilla grayorum Grays' stridulating jumping spider, found in northern Australian deserts, was named in honour of Michael and Greta Gray. [6]
The male palpal organ of many Australian Afraflacilla species has a large, circling embolus (inseminating sclerite) and retro-lateral tibial apophysis (side spike). Some undescribed Australian Afraflacilla species have greatly enlarged segments of the first pair of legs, and sometimes massive spurs coming from underneath the tibia and metatarsus (third and second last leg segments). Enlarged leg-one segments are also a feature of Pseudicius , a genus widespread outside Australia. [6]
As of April 2022 [update] , the World Spider Catalog accepted the following species: [1]
Aelurillus is a genus of spiders in the family Salticidae.
Bianor is a genus of boreal jumping spiders that can grow to 3 and 4 mm. The robust shiny body and northerly distribution are distinctive. Males can be easily recognized by his swollen forelegs and females have orange legs. It was first described by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1886, who names it after the mythical son of Hercules.
Evarcha is a genus of spiders in the family Salticidae with 85 species distributed across the world.
Habrocestum is a genus of jumping spiders first described in 1876. They mostly occur in Eurasia and Africa, though one species has been found in Australia and another on the Solomon Islands.
Heliophanus is a genus of the spider family Salticidae. Most of the almost 170 described species occur in Africa, with many others found in the Palearctic region from Europe to Japan.
Icius is a genus of jumping spiders described by Eugène Simon in 1876, belonging to the Order Araneae, Family Salticidae.
Menemerus is a genus of jumping spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1868. They are 4 to 10 millimetres long, flattened in shape, and very hairy, usually with brown and grayish hairs. Most species have white edges on the thorax. The abdomen is often oval, or sometimes elongated or rounded.
Mogrus is a genus of jumping spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1882.
Pellenes is a genus of jumping spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1876. It is considered a senior synonym of Hyllothyene.
Phlegra is a genus of jumping spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1876. The name is a reference to a mythical location in both Greek and Roman mythology.
Plexippus is a genus of jumping spiders that was first described by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1846. It is considered a senior synonym of Hissarinus and Apamamia.
Pseudicius is a genus of the jumping spiders first described by Eugène Simon in 1885. The name is combined of Greek pseudo "false" and the salticid genus name Icius. The small genus Wesolowskana should possibly be included in this genus. There is some dispute whether Afraflacilla is a distinct genus or should be included in Pseudicius. Festucula and Marchena are other close relatives, these genera form a monophyletic group.
Rhene is a spider genus of the family Salticidae.
Thyene is a genus of jumping spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1885. It is a junior synonym of Mithion, and senior synonym of Paramodunda and Gangus.
Tusitala is a genus of jumping spiders that was first described by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1902. The name is Samoan, meaning "writer of stories". It is considered a senior synonym of Blaisea.
Psenuc is a genus of spiders in the family Salticidae. It was first described in 2016 by Prószyński. As of 2017, it contains 11 species.
Afraflacilla arabica is a jumping spider species in the genus Afraflacilla that lives in Afghanistan. Egypt, Iran, and Yemen.
Heliophanillus fulgens is a jumping spider species in the genus Heliophanillus that can be found in a large distribution that extends from Greece to Central Asia.
Pseudomogrus is a genus of jumping spiders first described by Eugène Simon in 1937.