Phyxioschema Simon, 1889

Phyxioschema Simon, 1889: 385 . Type species by monotypy: Phyxioschema raddei Simon, 1889: 385 (female holotype in Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France examined).

Afghanothele Roewer, 1960: 32 . Type species by original designation: Afghanothele lindbergi Roewer, 1960: 33 . Placed in synonymy by Raven (1985: 148).

Emended diagnosis: This genus was first revised by Raven (1981); for a subsequent characterization and diagnosis, see Raven & Schwendinger (1989: 55). In the light of new material, three emendments are necessary: (1) the tip of the ventral tibia II spur in males is bilobed and spatulate only in some species (most distinctly so in the type species), (2) the apical article of the posterior lateral spinnerets is always pseudosegmented (in some P. suthepium specimens indistinctly so) and (3) all Phyxioschema species possess foveal setae. A diagnostic character has previously been overlooked: all Phyxioschema species possess a row of modified spines retroventrally (below the membranous retrolateral inlet) on patella I of males (Figs 3L, 6F, 10F, 13F, 16F, 19F). These spines were mentioned by Raven (1981: 227; "several closely spaced spines") in his re-description of the male of P. raddei . They are variable in number, usually short, thick and sigmoid; only in P. s a y a m e n s e sp. n. are they fairly long (Fig. 13F) and their sigmoid shape is visible only in ventral view (Fig. 13G). The row of stiff bristles at the same position on patella II of males are unmodified, long, thin and only slightly curved. During copulation, the retroventral side of patella I (carrying sigmoid spines) is in close contact and seemingly interlocked with the prolateral-proximal side of tibia II (carrying elongated spinules) (see Fig. 22H–I). This, in combination with the opposing bands of hooked spinules on femora I and II (see Coyle 1986), locks legs I and II of the male together firmly and stabilizes the grip on the female during copulation.

Included species and distribution: Phyxioschema raddei Simon, 1889 (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran), Phyxioschema sp. or spp. (Uzbekistan, Pakistan; this or these undescribed species will be treated in part II of this revision); P. suthepium Raven & Schwendinger, 1989 (northern half of Thailand); P. e r a w a n sp. n. (northern and western Thailand); P. huberi sp. n. (northern part of southern Thailand); P. s a y a m e n s e sp. n. (southern Thailand); P. eripnastes sp. n. (southern Thailand); P. spelaeum sp. n. (southern Thailand).