GENUS PHRICOTELUS SIMON, 1895

(FIGS 135C, 144B)

Phricotelus Simon, 1895a: 919 .

Type species by original designation and monotypy: Phricotelus stelliger Simon, 1895a: 919 (type specimen examined);

Levi, 1972: 534 (transferred from Theridiosomatidae to Symphytognathidae); Brignoli, 1980: 731, 1981: 14 (provisional transfer to Mysmenidae).

Familial placement: Araneoidea incertae sedis. Alternative equally parsimonious placements of Phricotelus imply various relationships to Synaphridae, Anapidae, or Symphytognathidae; therefore, its placement becomes unresolved in the strict consensus cladogram. In the resulting three MPTs, Phricotelus is placed as the most basal species of Anapidae, Anapidae + Symphytognathidae, or Synaphridae . Although much of the morphology for P. stelliger needs to be properly scored, the type species of this genus, only known by females, was not placed within or closely related to Mysmenidae . Furthermore, its placement within symphytognathoids also remains uncertain. Morphologically, Phricotelus has none of the synapomorphic features that diagnose Mysmenidae, and thus its placement in a different family was expected. Although females have long scape, no epigynal plate (Fig. 135C), no pore-bearing depression on lateral edges of the carapace, and a narrow posterior respiratory spiracle located in front of the spinnerets, the species differs from Mysmenidae in the absence of femoral spots, two pairs of spermathecae, and abdomen extremely projected posteriorly (see Figs 135C, 144B; further morphological details not observed).