MYSMENIOLA THALER, 1995

FIGS 134D, 142M, N

Mysmeniola Thaler, 1995: 429 .

Type species

Mysmeniola spinifera Thaler, 1995 by original designation and monotypy, holotype in MHNG, examined.

Familial placement and composition

Our working phylogenetic hypothesis places Mysmeniola within the mysmenine clade C128 ( Brasilionata, Mysmeniola, Microdipoena, and MYSM-019-MAD), as sister to the clade including Brasilionata and Microdipoena (clade C126; Fig. 161B). Mysmeniola is here represented by its type and only species M. spinifera .

Monophyly and diagnosis

This singular Venezuelan monotypic genus, only known by males (see male palp drawing on Fig. 134D), is here diagnosed by the following combination of autapomorphies: six eyes (anterior median eyes absent; Fig. 142M); prolateral cymbium with a prolateral basal expansion surrounding the entire basal bulb and with minute setae at tip, male palpal tibia with prolateral apical process and irregular rim setal conformation, median trichobothrium on metatarsus I, tarsus I with prolateral row of setae distributed along tarsus, and minute but distinct dorsal–posterior abdominal hump (Fig. 142M, N). The presence of a cluster of strong setae at the base of the clypeus seems to be autapomorphic for the genus (see Fig. 142M; also Thaler, 1995: figs 1, 2). Previously proposed diagnostic features for Mysmeniola are in agreement with the diagnostic features suggested here.