MYSMENOPSINAE SUBF. NOV.

(CLADE C159)

Mysmenopsinae comprises the kleptoparasitic genera Isela (including Kilifina, see below) and Mysmenopsis . This sister-taxon relationship has been previously proposed (Griswold, 1985). Although we lacked sequence data for the representatives of this clade, this seemingly stable group is strongly supported by the morphological partition.

Monophyly

Several synapomorphies support Mysmenopsinae: the kleptoparasitic predatory strategy; females without aggregate gland spigots on PLS (Figs 6D, 58H); with between three and five palpal tibial trichobothria (Figs 2E, 62A); and with a modified (stridulatory) field on retrolateral femur I (Figs 3C, 57B–D); both sexes also have a stridulatory field on prolateral femur IV (Figs 9A–C, 54H, 59F); strong leg I (Fig. 140A, D, G; secondary similar legs in Mysmenopsis penai); tarsal organ located on the middle third of tarsus (Figs 8E, 54E, 56F), and with a teardrop-shaped opening distinctly smaller than setal sockets (Figs 3F, 9D, 54F, 62H); opisthosoma with long and thick setae interspersed among shorter and thinner setae (Fig. 140A); cylindrical gland spigots on PLS as slim as other spigots, subequal to flagelliform gland spigot; male palpal tibia with scoop-shaped rim (Figs 1A, 4A, 53B, 55A, C, 58A); large palpal tibia (i.e. about one-fifth the size of carapace in lateral view; Figs 1A, 4A, 55A, C); and cymbium as long as wide (Figs 1A, 4C, 55B). Ambiguously optimized synapomorphies for this clade include: shorter but stout and straight setae comprising the tarsal prolateral row on leg I (Figs 8F, 54G, 59D); strongly serrated distal promarginal curved seta on chelicerae; fingerprint cuticle on piriform field (Fig. 61C; rugose in Kilifina- MYSM-002- KENYA); minor ampullate (mAP) gland spigot without nubbins or tartipores (Figs 6C, G, 58F, 61D); males with palpal tibial bearing spinelike strong setae or spurs (Figs 1A, B, 4A, E, 53E, 55H, 58E, 60B); switchback I of spermatic duct close to fundus after passing through the distalmost wall of the bulb (Fig. 131C, G; distal in Isela); and metatarsal clasping spine twisted (Figs 3B, 8B, C, 140E, F) or strongly curved proximally (Figs 54D, 57I, 59B).

Diagnosis

Mysmenopsinae differs from the genera Maymena, Trogloneta, and the subfamily Mysmeninae by: their kleptoparasitic lifestyle; a stridulatory field on prolateral femur IV; strong leg I; tarsal organ located on the middle third of tarsus, and with a teardrop-shaped opening distinctly smaller than setal sockets; mAP gland spigot without nubbins or tartipores; opisthosoma with long and thick setae interspersed among shorter and thinner setae; females with between three and five palpal tibial trichobothria; without aggregate gland spigots on PLS; and with a modified (stridulatory) field on retrolateral femur I; and males with large palpal tibia bearing spinelike strong setae or spurs. The following combination of features is unique for Mysmenopsinae: females with narrow copulatory ducts of uniform diameter; males with metatarsal clasping spine twisted or strongly curved proximally; prolateral apical clasping spine on tibia I; shorter but stout and straight setae comprising the tarsal prolateral row on leg I; relatively small cymbium and bulb; palpal tibial with scoop-shaped rim; cymbium as long as wide; loss of tegular conductor; switchback I of spermatic duct close to fundus after passing through the distalmost wall of the bulb; both sexes also have femoral macrosetae; cylindrical gland spigots on PLS as slim as other spigots, subequal to flagelliform; strongly serrated distal promarginal curved seta on chelicerae; and fingerprint cuticle on piriform field.