Palicanus caudatus Thorell, 1897

Saaristo, Michael I., 2002, New species and interesting new records of spiders from Seychelles (Arachnida, Araneaea), Phelsuma 10, pp. 1-32 : 16-17

Palicanus caudatus Thorell, 1897 ( Figs. 41-46 )

Palicanus caudatus Thorell, 1897a: 227 (Dm) .

-"-, Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001:220, f. 266-271 (m,Df).

Material examined: Aride, 1juv., 18.08.1975, M. Mühlenberg leg. ( MZT AA 2.333 ) ; Silhouette, La Passe, rocky slope behind Gerlachs, coconut leaves , 2f, 13.01.1999, M. Saaristo leg. ( MZT AA 0.433 ) , La Passe “chicken house” Pandamus & coconut leaves, 1subad. f 11.01.1999, M.Saaristo leg., Michael Saaristo det. ( MZT AA 0.434 ) , La Passe, lumber pile near Gerlachs , subad. 1m, 08.01.1999, M. Saaristo leg., Michael Saaristo det. ( MZT AA 0.435 ) , and La Passe , pile of coconut hulls near Gerlachs , 1m 1subad. m, 07.01.1999, M. Saaristo leg., Michael Saaristo det, ( MZT AA 0.436 ) .

Diagnosis: This rather large (TL= ca. 8.0), mouse-grey species is easily recognized from all other ground-living Seychellian spiders by the conically elongated apical segments of the posterior spinnerets. Male palp characterized by the long and thin, slightly crooked tibial apophysis. In the middle ofepigyne a small triangular depression; its dark sides form an anteriorly pointing chevron.

Description: The species has been well described by Deeleman-Reinhold (2001).

Distribution: Recorded from Myanmar, S China and E Indonesia ( Deeleman-Reinhold 2001). From Seychelles known only from Silhouette ( Saaristo 1999: Miturgidae : Gen. sp. ign.) and Aride (*).

Discussion: Palicanus was transferred to Miturgidae from the Clubionidae by Lehtinen, 1967: 255. Removed from Clubionidae : Systariinae by Deeleman-Reinhold (2001:219) but retained in Miturgidae by Platnick (2002).

Figures

Figs. 41 - 46. Palicanus caudatus Thorell, 1897.41: - Right male palp laterally. - 42: Right male palp mesially. - 43: Epigyne ventrally. - 44: Apex of left chelicer from behind. - 45: Left chelicer laterally, - 46: Carapace and abdomen dorsally. - Scale bars = 0.2 mm. Orig.