Comaroma

Levi, H. W., Levi, L. R., 1962, The genera of the spider family Theridiidae, Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 127 (1), pp. 1-71 : 62-63

COMAROMA Bertkau Figures 292-294

Carapace as in Steatoda , but heavily sclerotized. Six eyes, or if eight, then diameter of anterior medians less than radius of posterior eyes. Chelicerae strong with three anterior teeth and posterior denticles. First and fourth legs subequal. First patellatibia slightly short er than carapace. Tarsus slightly longer than metatarsus. Abdomen very heavliy sclerotized. Large colulus.

Small size, less than 1.5 mm total length.

Epigynum with openings indistinct. Palpus with paracymbium on rim of cymbium, median apophysis reduced in size and not functional in holding bulb against cymbium; embolus of complex shape (Fig. 294).

Separated from Phoroncidia and Pholcomma by large colulus, from Robertus by heavy selerotization of abdomen and reduced anterior median eyes. This genus may be close to Symphytognathidae .

Two species known from southeastern Europe, one from California and one or two from Japan.

Archerius mendocino Levi (from California) differs from Comaroma simoni Bertkau (found in Europe) in being smaller and in details of the genitalia.