The Neotropical crab spider genera Tobias Simon, 1895 and Epicadus Simon, 1895 comprise species with remarkable somatic morphology and confounding taxonomic history. The results of our recent cladistic analysis corroborate and extend preceding taxonomic assumptions in showing that Tobias is a junior synonym of Epicadus. In the present paper the six species recently transferred from Tobias to Epicadus are redescribed. Two new species are described based on both males and females: Epicadus dimidiaster sp. nov. and Epicadus tigrinus sp. nov.; the male of Epicadus granulatus Banks, 1909 is described for the first time. The diagnosis of the genus is revised, an identification key is provided, and information on geographical distribution is updated. Epicadus now comprises eleven species.
Here we present a revision of the Australian species of Stephanopis. The type species S. altifrons is redescribed and S. aspera, S. depressa, S. monticola, S. elongata and S. scabra are considered its junior synonyms. Males of S. altifrons, S. angulata, S. nigra, S. armata, S. fissifrons and S. longimana are described for the first time. We propose neotypes for S. nigra and S. barbipes and describe the female of the latter. Nine species are considered species inquirendae, S. thomisoides as nomen dubium and S. cheesmanae is transferred to Phrynarachne. Seven new species are described, new distribution records are provided and comments are made about the validity of the genus and its relationship with Sidymella species and other Stephanopinae genera from the Australian region.
The present paper presents a cladistic analysis of the spider genus Tobias Simon, 1895. The analyses were based on a matrix with 29 terminal taxa scored for 86 morphological characters, with a dataset tested under two methodologies for character weighting (i.e. equal and implied weighting). Both analyses supported the paraphyletic relationship of Tobias with Epicadus Simon, 1895, with the former considered a junior synonym of the latter (new synonymy). Onocolus, Epicadinus and Epicadus form a clade supported by two synapomorphies, corroborating previous taxonomic assumptions regarding the proximity of these genera. Epicadus has two lineages: the ‘pustulosus clade’, comprising bark-like individuals that camouflage themselves on tree trunks and branches, and the ‘heterogaster clade’, which consists of a group of spiders that present a wide range of polychromatism and use flowers as hunting sites. Synonymies are presented and a new combination for all species previously assigned as part of Tobias is proposed. Epicadus now comprises nine species.
Four Neotropical species of Sidymella Strand, 1942, S.furcillata Keyserling, 1880, S.longispina (Mello-Leitão, 1943), S.lucida (Keyserling, 1880), and S.kolpogaster (Lise, 1973) are redescribed from both sexes. The holotype of S.nigripes (Mello-Leitão, 1947) is lost and this taxon is considered a species inquierenda. Sidymellaobscura (Mello-Leitão, 1929), S.parallela (Mello-Leitão, 1929), and S.spinifera (Mello-Leitão, 1929) are all nomina dubia. Two new species are described: Sidymellaexcavatasp. nov. (males and females) and S.marmoratasp. nov. (female).
The males of Tobias caudatus Mello-Leitão, 1929 and Tobias pustulosus Simon, 1929 are described for the first time, females are redescribed and both sexes are illustrated. New distribution records are presented for both species. Tobias monstruosus Mello-Leitão, 1929 is considered a junior synonym of T. pustulosus. The types of Tobias albovittatus Caporiacco, 1954, and Tobias gradiens Mello-Leitão, 1929 are lost, and Tobias albicans Mello-Leitão, 1929 and Tobias corticatus Mello-Leitão, 1917 are known only from poorly preserved specimens, thus they all are considered nomina dubia.
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