Spelaeus Irfan, Zhang & Peng, gen. n.

(ȇmeø)

Type species: Spelaeus cicatrix sp. n.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin noun “ Spelaeum ” meaning “cave” referring to the type specimens collected from Niujiao Cave . Gender masculine

Diagnosis. Spelaeus gen. n. can be distinguished from all the other Erigoninae genera by the radix longer than wide, tailpiece absent, anterior radical process strongly sclerotized with serrated margin (Figs 231A–D, 232A–C). Female can be distinguished by the epigynal plate broad, anteriorly with a septum containing copulatory opening underneath (Figs 233A–C).

Description. Same as for type species.

Remarks. Spelaeus gen. n. closely resembles the genus Scotinotylus and Spirembolus in having the similar long spiral embolus and tibial with long dorsal tibial apophysis in male palp (Figs 231A–D, 232A–C; Figs 208, 209, 212, 213; Tanasevitch 2013, figs 111–117; Millidge, 1980, figs 1–3) and transverse chitinous epigynal plate with long sinuous copulatory ducts in epigyne (Figs 210A–C, 214A–C; Millidge, 1981, figs 22, 23; Millidge, 1980, figs 11, 17), and can be distinguished by the radix longer than wide and tailpiece absent in Spelaeus gen. n. (Figs 231A–C, 232A–C; vs. radix with tailpiece present both in Scotinotylus and Spirembolus); embolic division with a strongly sclerotized anterior radicalapophysis in Spelaeus gen. n. (Figs 231A–C, 232A–C; vs. absent both in Scotinotylus and Spirembolus); epigynal plate widest at middle and posteriorly narrow with a shallow depression in Spelaeus gen. n. (Figs 233A–C; vs. epigynal plate as long as wide and widest posteriorly both in Scotinotylus and Spirembolus); scapoid absent both in Spelaeus gen. n. (Figs 233A–C) and Spirembolus; vs. present in Scotinotylus).

Composition. Spelaeus gen. n. belongs to the subfamily Erigoninae and here erected monotypic genus to accommodate S. cicatrix sp. n. .

Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 310).