Sittiflor Prószynski, 2017,

Prószyński, Jerzy, 2017, Revision of the genus Sitticus Simon, 1901 s. l. (Araneae: Salticidae) *, Ecologica Montenegrina 10, pp. 35-50 : 43

Gen. Sittiflor Prószynski, 2017 gen. n.

Figures 1 A-D, 3E-H

Type species Euophrys floricola C. L. Koch, 1837 = Sittiflor floricola (C. L. Koch, 1837) comb. n.

Etymology. Name coined of the type species names SITTI-cus-FLOR-icola.

Documentation studied. Original research published by Prószyński (1980) and literature data, summarized in Prószyński (2016a, b).

Diagnosis. Bulbus almost round, with "S"-like loop located near center, differs from Sitticus terebratus by tip of cymbium not expanded laterally and by smaller tibial apophysis. Spermathecae differs from those "C"- shaped in Attulus , by unequal development of both rami, the anterior one is shorter, the posterior longer and developed along longitudinal axe of epigyne. Ducts long, running around anterior half of spermathecae, in some species very long, extending like flattened loop along the whole spermatheca, they can be inserted to either ramus ( Figs 1 A-D).

Description. Body about 4-6 mm long, for detailed measurements - see Prószyński (1980). Dark colored - from light brownish to almost black, with ringed legs. Majority of species have a pair white spots in the posterior half of abdomen, either round or rectangular, there is also irregular, light abdominal streak. Carapace with thin white lines, median one and lateral along edges of dorsal surface, also along ventral edge of carapace. The white dots and lines pattern is to some extent variable, variously developed in some species, and possibly varying geographically, in some species ( S. caricis ) it is absent entirely. Frontal color pattern seems to be important for identification, but was little used. Enclosed illustrations are integral part of description. There are some environmental differences among related species: S. floricola builds large white retreats atop of Juncus ( Fig. 1D ), along water shores and on wet meadows, S. caricis living on the same meadows is rarely seen because keeps low on tussock of grasses, just above their roots (personal communication from A. Kajak), microhabitat preferences of S. inexpectus found on the same meadows are not yet known. Sitticus rupicola is a mountain dweller, moving about rock surface, always nearby vegetation, it builds nests between surfaces of rocks and stones laying on them.

More diagnostic documentation of ALL recognizable species - see at: http://www.peckhamia.com/salticidae/q29-Sit-flo.html.

Distribution. Mainly Eurosiberian, with several species colonizing Northern America, S. caricis extends ranges to Russian Primore (Maritime Province).

Composition. The following species are included: Sittiflor atricapillus (Simon, 1882) comb. n., S. caricis (Westring, 1861) comb. n., S. cutleri ( Prószynski, 1980) comb. n., S. dudkoi (Logunov, 1998) comb. n., S. floricola (Koch C.L., 1837) comb. n., S. floricola palustris (Peckham, Peckham, 1883) comb. n., S. inexpectus ( Logunov, Kronestedt, 1997) comb. n., S. magnus (Chamberlin, Ivie, 1944) comb. n., S. monstrabilis ( Logunov, 1992) comb. n., S. pulchellus ( Logunov, 1992) comb. n., S. rupicola (Koch C.L., 1837) comb. n., S. striatus (Emerton, 1911) comb. n., S. sylvestris (Emerton, 1891) comb. n., S. zimmermanni (Simon, 1877) comb. n.

Corrections to list of synonyms

Sitticus rivalis: Logunov, 2004

Sitticus rivalis: Logunov, 2004 a: 35 , f. 10-12, 17-21 = Sitticus striatus: Prószyński, 1980: 27 , f. 91- 93 - removal of S. rivalis from synonymy of S. striatus is rejected because of misjudged importance of diagnostic characters: spermathecae and ducts, which are identical, are the most reliable indicator of relationships in Sitticus . The only visible difference between drawings of palps is bulbus rotation by about 35 degrees, but bulbus is rotatable, especially during copulation and possibly in other situations. Palps in Sitticus are poor indicator of species differences. Documentation of color differences is based on preserved, bleached specimens, insufficient and unreliable. Therefore (pending studies on more specimens):

Sitticus rivalis Simon, 1937 = Sittiflor striatus (Emerton, 1911) - reinstated synonym, contra Logunov, 2004 a: 35.

Sitticus floricola palustris (Peckham & Peckham, 1883) and S. floricola (Koch C.L., 1837) were described as separate species on different continents, but their alleged morphological differences seems to be insignificant and they were never compared in a professional way, their split distribution resemble several Eurosiberian relatives being recent immigrants to North America. Solving of uncertain status of Sittiflor floricola palustris seems to be desirable.

Figures

Figure 1. Diversity of palps and epigyne in Sitticus and related genera: A - C - Sittiflor zimmermanni cleared bulbus showing course of spermophor, palp, spermatheca with duct, epigyne; D - Sittiflor floricola palp, spermatheca with duct, retreat atop meadow Juncus, with cocoon inside; E - G - Sitticus terebratus tooth, palp, knot of copulatory ducts [simplified!]; H - Sitticus fasciger knot of copulatory ducts, epigyne, palp; I - Attulus distinguendus type: palp, epigyne, spermatheca and duct; J - its synonym Attulus cinereus = A. helveolus) type specimen: spermatheca and duct, K - Attulus saltator (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1868); L - N - are these forms synonyms?: Attulus ammophilus: spermatheca and ducts [L - syntype drawn by Prószyński, M - specimen from Turkmenistan drawn by Wesołowska], N - Attulus vilis- syntype specimen from Armenia Goktscha [Sevan] Lake, by Prószyński; O - Attulus penicillatus; P - Sittilong longipes, Q - Sittipub pubescens. SOURCES: Drawings by J. Prószyński in ©Annales zoologici: 26: 239- 247; 1973a. 30; 1980: 36: Atlas:...:1987a: 89; 94-95, except M - Wesołowska 1996: Arthropoda Selecta 5(1/2): 17-5341-43, f. 33A- C; Q - Żabka (1997). Fauna Polski 19: 92, f. 346-351.All ©copyrights are retained by the original authors and copyright holders, used by their courtesy.