Callilepis (spider)

Not to be confused with Callipelis.

Callilepis
male C. schuszteri
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gnaphosidae
Genus: Callilepis
Westring, 1874[1]
Type species
C. nocturna (Linnaeus, 1758)
Species

18, see text

Callilepis is a genus of ground spiders first described by Niklas Westring in 1874.[2] Some are found from Mexico to Canada, others from Europe to India. They are most commonly found in dry areas, sandy roads and beaches.[3]

Description

Individuals of this genus is easily distinguished from other Gnaphosidae by the single translucent lamina on the cheliceral retromargin, the short, angular endites and the flattened, transverse posterior median eyes. These eyes are probably not functional due to a series of ridges. Species range in size from 2.5 to 7 mm. The lateral eyes are larger than the medians. The abdomen is dark gray, longer than wide, with a dark, shiny anterior scutum in males, sometimes with white spots.[3]

Systematics

The species belong to two groups. The nocturna group consists of C. nocturna, C. pluto, C. imbecilla, C. chisos and C. concolor; the schuszteri group of C. schuszteri, C. mumai, C. eremella, C. gertschi and C. gosoga. Although both groups occur on both sides of the Atlantic, no species is holarctic in distribution.[3]

Species

As of April 2019 it contains eighteen species:[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Callilepis.
  1. ^ a b c "Gen. Callilepis Westring, 1874". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  2. ^ Westring, N. (1874). "Bemerkungen über die Arachnologischen Abhandlungen von Dr T. Thorell unter dem Titel: 1°, On European Spiders, pts 1 et 2, Upsala, 1869-70. 2°, Remarks on Synonyms of European Spiders, Upsala, 1872-73". Göteborgs Kungliga Vetenskaps och Vitterhets Samhälles Handlingar. 14: 1–68.
  3. ^ a b c Platnick, Norman I. (1975). "A revision of the Holarctic spider genus Callilepis (Araneae, Gnaphosidae)" (PDF). American Museum Novitates (2573).