Genus Melychiopharis Simon, 1895

Melychiopharis Simon 1895: 907 . Type species by monotypy, M. cynips Simon, 1895 .

Diagnosis. This genus can be distinguished from other araneids by the long and granulated carapace in males and females (Figs. 1, 2; Santos et al. 2005: figs. 1–3). The male pedipalp is distinctive in the embolus arising from a large, rounded base and in the filiform, long and proximally directed median apophysis (Figs. 3, 4, 7, 8; Santos et al. 2005: figs. 6–8). Epigynum is relatively simple, with a rounded median plate and copulatory ducts laterally visible by transparency through the tegument (Figs. 5, 6, 9; Santos et al. 2005: fig. 9).