Peter J. Schwendinger

The systematics of the south-east Asian genus Fangensis Rambla (Opiliones : Cyphophthalmi : Stylocellidae)

The hitherto monotypic opilionid genus Fangensis Rambla, 1994 is re-evaluated from new material collected in northern, western and southern Thailand. The original description of F. leclerci Rambla (type material not traceable) was based on specimens belonging to at least three distinct species. Fangensis leclerci is thus redefined and the binomen restricted to specimens from a cave in northern Thailand only. Three new species are described, F. spelaeus, sp. nov. and F. cavernarus, sp. nov. from two caves in western Thailand and F. insulanus, sp. nov. from forests on two islands in southern Thailand. Taxonomic characters are discussed and relationships among Fangensis species and between Fangensis and other cyphophthalmids are evaluated using morphological data and ~4 Kb of molecular data from three loci, two nuclear ribosomal genes and a mitochondrial coding gene. Overall, data indicate monophyly of Stylocellidae and morphological and ribosomal data suggest monophyly of Fangensis, which is in turn divided into two clades, one composed of the three species from northern and western Thailand and the other represented by the species from southern Thailand. Observations on mating in F. leclerci are provided.

A remarkable new cave-dwelling Stylocellus (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi) from peninsular Malaysia, with a discussion on taxonomic characters in the family Stylocellidae

A new opilionid species, Stylocellus globosus, is described from limestone caves near Ipoh (peninsular Malaysia). This is the third cave-dwelling species known in the genus Stylocellus; it shows various degrees of eye reduction and, due to the presence of anal glands in males, occupies a systematic position between the genera Stylocellus Westwood and Fangensis Rambla. Other characters, such as the presence of a smooth anal crest and details of gonopore complex of the penis, suggest relationship to Stylocellus sumatranus Westwood from Sumatra and to S. gryllospecus Shear from Borneo, respectively.

PENIS MORPHOLOGY IN ONCOPODIDAE (OPILIONES, LANIATORES): EVOLUTIONARY TRENDS AND RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract An interim report on our ongoing revisional study is given together with a short summary of the current knowledge on the systematics and distribution of the family Oncopodidae (Opiliones, Laniatores). An exceptionally high diversity in male genitalia is shown and its possible evolution is discussed. Four major penis types are distinguished in the Oncopodidae and compared with similar forms in other laniatorean families.

A synopsis of the genus Atypus (Araneae, Atypidae)

Twelve of sixteen Atypus species previously described, and one undescribed, are examined. Atypus javanus Thorell is re‐diagnosed and the male is described. The vulva of this species, and of A. coreanus Kim and A. karschi Dönitz, arc illustrated for the first time. The taxonomic characters given by Kraus & Baur [Verh, naturw. Ver. Hamb. 17: 85–116(1974)] and additional details of male‐and female genital organs are discussed. A granular texture on male chelicerae and front legs, presumably a stridulatory apparatus, is noted and used for distinguishing species. A deep cymbial pit of unknown function is illustrated and discussed. Specific character combinations for the species examined are presented in a table. Notes on relationships, habitat, zoogeography, web, phenology and development are given.

New Liphistius species (Araneae, Mesothelae) from western and eastern Thailand

Eight new Liphistius species, L. erawan from western Thailand, L. tenuis, L. nesioticus from southeastern Thailand and L. dangrek, L. suwat, L. thoranie, L. pusohm, and L. onoi from northeastern Thailand, are described together with the male of L. ochraceus Ono and Schwendinger. Natural history, zoogeography and relationships between species are discussed. Two superspecies are distinguished.

Five new Liphistius species (Araneae, Mesothelae) from Thailand

In Schwendiger’s (1998) paper on new liphistiid trapdoor spiders from Thailand the illustrations were produced in unusually poor quality. Due to unaccountable technical problems during printing, morphological details given in the illustrations were lost and the overall appearance of the paper became grossly unsatisfactory. To correct this, all figures in that article are reprinted on the following pages.

Three new Prothemenops species (Araneae: Idiopidae) from central Thailand

Prothemenops irineae sp. n., P. khirikhan sp. n. and P. phanthurat sp. n. are described from males and females collected in the Thai provinces of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi. The diagnosis of the genus Prothemenops is emended to include these three species and others to be described later. Notes on variation of morphological characters, biology and phenology are given.