Table Of ContentACTA ARACHNOL., 40: 1-6, June 25 , 1991
A New Genus, Shin obi us, of the
Japanese Pisaurid Spider (Araneae: Pisauridae)
Takeo YAGINUMAI~
八木沼健夫'):日 本産キシダグモ科の一・新属S勿 ηo伽s(シ ノビグモ属)
Abstract: In this paper is erected a new genus, Shinobius, for the Japanese pisaurid spider Cispius
orientalis YAGINUMA,1967, a combination which has been used for a long time. Its systematic position
as regards family and subfamily is also discussed.
More than twenty years have passed since I published a short paper on a new Japanese
pisaurid spider under the name of Cispius orientalis YAGINUMA, 1967. As I was unable to
find at that time a genus into which this spider was appropriately classed, I tentatively put it
in Cispius SIMON, 1898. since then, the genus Cispius has been adopted by many arachnologists
for placing the spider, but I have always felt responsibility for this arrangement.
The original description was based solely on a pair of the type specimens, but later I had
opportunities to examine some other specimens and was able to study the species more
profoundly. Then, I have come to the conclusion that the genus Cispius is not adequate for
placing this spider. I discussed the problem with some authorities of the related groups of spiders,
but the results were not satisfactory, only suggesting that it would belong to a new genus. However,
my preference was, and has been, that a genus had better be formed by common characteristics
of plural species. I have therefore hesitated until today to erect a new genus for the spider
concerned.
As Cispius orientalis is noted as an important species both systematically and ecologically,
it is required to give it an appropriate genus. Through this necessity, I was compelled to establish
a new genus for it, although to recognize this monotypic genus conflicted with my cherished
opinion.
Shinobius gen, nov.
(Japanese name: Shinobigumo-zoku)
1) 3-7-14, Harinakano, Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka , 546 Japan.
9546 *~ r i f a J±r 3-7-14
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T. YAGINUMA
Type species: Cispius orientalis YAGINUMA, 1967.
This genus is allied to Cispius, Rhoicinus, SIMON, 1898, Bassarica CHAMBERLIN et IVIE,
1936, etc., but the following features do not agree with these genera.
1. Height of clypeus as long as AME, while in Cispius the clypeus is much longer, about
twice or more as long as AME.
2. MOA as long as wide at base.
3. AME equal in diameter to ALE.
4. Male palpal tibia provided with a small rebordered protuberance like a ledge, and forming
a cavity between it and tibial integument. In true Cispius, the organ bears a well sclerotized
apophysis.
5. All eyes dark.
6. Upper claw of tarsus with more than ten teeth, lower claw with a long tooth salient at base.
Other characteristics are included in the description of the species.
Etymology: The generic name Shinobius is derived from the Japanese name Shinobi-gumo,
which means "a spider that has secretly invaded into Japan from somewhere". The gender
is masculine.
Redescription of Shinobius orientalis (YAGINUMA, 1967)
Though described in the original paper, the result of my subsequent study will be added
herewith and a redescription will be given in detail.
Female. Body length 7.8mm. Cephalothorax (Fig. 1) longer than wide, (12:11), convexed
and rounded on both sides. Cervical grooves indistinct, but radial furrows and long median
fovea conspicuous. Eight eyes (Fig. 2) in two rows. All eyes dark. Both eye rows recurved,
especially the posterior row more strongly so. AME separated from each other by the diameter,
from ALE by less than the diameter. Anterior eyes subequal, much smaller than posterior ones,
of which PLE is the largest, MOA narrower in front than behind, as long as broad (slightly
broader). Seen from the front, a tangent line of lower edges of ALE passes through the center
of AME. PME separated by the diameter, from PLE by twice the diameter. ALE separated
from ALE by less than half the distance from PME (3:7). Clypeus as high as the full diameter
of AME, with 5 bristles. Chelicera (Fig. 3) with a weak boss, with three teeth on each of retro-
and pro-margins. Inner surface of chelicera with a transverse row of long hairs in the middle.
Maxillae (Fig. 3) almost parallel, truncated in front, with scopula. Labium (Fig. 3) broader
than long (29:19), truncated in front, with long hairs, notched at base, reaching the middle
of maxillae. Sternum triangular, truncated in front, pointed behind, and separating coxae IV.
Leg formula 4 213. All trochanters (Fig. 5) notched. Dorsal spines 1-1 on femur, l on patella
and 1-1 on tibia. Ventral spines 2-2-2 on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus of anterior legs. Three
claws (Fig. 7); upper claw with 15 teeth, lower claw with one long tooth visible under high
magnification (more than 100 x); claw tufts absent, but a pair of false accessory claws (Fig.
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A New Genus Shinobius (Pisauridae)
Figs. 1-8 Shinobius orientalis (YAGINUMA, 1967).
1. Dorsal view (~) 2. Eye area (~) 3. Mouth parts (~) 4a. Male palp (retrolateral view) 4b. Male
palp (prolateral view) 5. Trochanter of leg (~) 6. Pedicel (!) 7. Claws and onychium (~) (uc -
upper claws, lc - lower claws, o - onychium) 8. Epigynum ()
Figs. 1-3, 5, 6 and 8 are reprinted from YAGINUMA (1967).
Figs. 4a, 4b and 7 are original figures.
7), some serrate hairs and several curved hairs present. Onychium (Praetarsus) (Fig. 7-o) present.
Lorum (Fig. 6) of pedicel divided; anterior part deeply notched to receive a projection from
posterior part; lateral plates extending beyond the suture between upper and lower parts.
Abdomen oval in shape. Colulus distinct. Epigynum (Fig. 8) as illustrated in YAGINUMA (1967).
Egg-cocoon flat globular, with the upper part different in color from the lower part, seamed
as in the Lycosidae. The egg-cocoon is carried attached to the spinnerets, and the spiderlings
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T. YAGINUMA
cluster on the empty egg-sac but never climb up the mother's abdomen.
Color in alcohol. Carapace yellowish brown with blackish brown patterns. Chelicera with
a black stripe on the dorsal surface. Legs yellowish brown, becoming darker distally. Femur
annulated with three flecks, tibia and metatarsus each with 2. The ventral surfaces of chelicerae,
maxillae and labium bright reddish brown. Sternum yellowish brown, its margin brown.
Abdomen with blackish brown flecks dorsally, yellowish brown ventrally. Anal tubercle divided.
Male. Body length 6mm. Essentially similar to female in the main portion, with the exception
of slightly longer legs. Pattern on the carapace in this individual not so clear as in the holotype.
Palp as shown in figures (Figs. 4a, 4b). Palpal tibia with a short retrolateral ledge which forms
a cavity as seen in Bassarica. Cymbium with 2 long prolateral and a long retrolateral spines.
Type series: Holotype (~ ), paratype (a ). Mie Prefecture, 4-V-1965. R. HASHIMOTO leg.
Distribution: Honshu (Akita, Aichi, Nagano, Mie, Tottori Prefectures), Shikoku (Ehime
Prefecture).
On the Systematic Position of Shinobius
Shinobius is not a lycosid but a pisaurid.
From the above description, it is evident that Shinobius orientalis does not belong to the
Lycosidae, particularly because of the following points:
1. Head not so high. Eyes arranged in two rows.
2. Both sides of labium notched at the bases.
3. Male palpal tibia with a peculiar ledge.
4. Upper claw of leg with many teeth and lower claw with one tooth.
5. No claw tufts, no scopula on metatarsus.
6. Lateral plate of lorum extending beyond the suture between upper and lower plates
(Fig. 6).
7. Colulus present.
8. Anal tubercle divided.
These characteristics do not conflict with those of the family Pisauridae.
Shinobius orientalis gives us an impression of being a lycosid in its habit, but morphologi-
cally, it should be included in Pisauridae. This problem will be discussed in the next section.
Ecology of Shinobius and Its Relatives
The ecological studies made by K. KAIHOTSU (1988) and others give us an impression that
Shinobius may belong to the Lycosidae in view of the process of egg laying, egg carrying habit
and the shape of egg-cocoon which is lental shaped and seamed.
Shinobius orientalis carries the egg-cocoon attached to the spinnerets, but the spiderlings
cluster on the empty egg-sac and never climb up mother's abdomen. It is, however, reported
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A New Genus Shinobius (Pisauridae)
that the same habit is found in some lycosid spiders, e.g., Arctosa fujiii TANAKA,1985, Arctosa
ebicha YAGINUMA, 1960 and Hygrolycosa umidicola TANAKA, 1978 in Japan.
On the other hand, a similar habit is found in South American spiders; for instance,
Trechalea manauensis CARICO, 1985 (Pisauridae) carries the egg-cocoon by the spinnerets, and
the progeny concentrates mainly on the empty egg-sac but may also be found on the mother's
abdomen. Some of the Rhoicininae are known to carry the egg-cocoon by the spinnerets, but
where the spiderlings gather is unknown. Morphological specialization does not always accord
with ecological evolution. In some groups, there may be a parallelism in their habits.
Tentative Arrangement of Shinobius in the Subfamily Rhoicininae
When I first described this species, I regarded it as one of the Pisaurinae. According to
my recent study, however, it seems better to be arranged in the Rhoicininae because of the
possession of many characteristics mentioned in the redescription of Shinobius orientalis.
Although all the other known species of the Rhoicininae are found only in the Pacific coastal
countries of South America, I consider them not to be restricted to the Neotropical Region.
This subfamily has been classified into different families, Agelenidae, Lycosidae or Pisauridae,
and even now it is arranged either in the Pisauridae or Amaurobiidae. In this paper, I have
regarded it as belonging to the Pisauridae in accordance with EXLINE's opinion (1950, 1960),
but since this conclusion is not definite, different opinions may be offered in the future. The
final decision will be made when embryological, karyological and ultra-microscopical data are
accumulated and added to the morphological and ecological evidences now available.
Acknowledgement
I express my sincere gratitude to Drs. J.E. CARICO, C.D. DONDALE, N.I. PLATNICK and
P. SIERWALD who gave me valuable suggestion. My thanks also go to Messrs. Y. CHIKUNI,
A. FUKUSHIMA, K. KAIHOTSU, Y. NISHIKAWA and H. TANAKA for offering or loaning
materials. Particular thanks are due to Dr. S.-I. UENO who gave me kind guidance and read
the original manuscript of my paper.
摘 要
八木沼健夫(大 阪市住吉区針中野3-7-14)・ 日本産キシダグモ科の1新 属S雇 ηo∂嬬(シ ノビグモ属)
シノビグモは,原 記載以来,暫 定的な属のもとにαsカゴ%s碗θ蛎π1JsYAGINUMA,1967と して長らく用いられ
てきた.本 属への編入処置は不満足であったので,外 国の学者とも論議したが適当な属を見出せなかった.そ
の後多くの材料を検し,ま た諸文献に当たって検討した結果,シ ノビグモをC露伽sと して扱うのは妥当でない
ことを認めた.新 属とすべきだと感じたが,1種 で新属をたてることをためらいつつ今日に及んだ.し かし本
種は,生 態的にも分類学的にも重要種であるため,正 確な分類上の位置の決定が要求されてきたので,こ の際,
単基準であり,ま た筆者の持論には反するが,新 属S痂 ηo伽sを たてることにした.産 卵行動や卵のう保持行動
からはコモリグモ科Lycosidaeを 思わせるが,形 態的にはキシダグモ科Pisauridaeで ある.ま た,本 種は
一5一
T.YAGINUMA
Rhoicininaeの 諸属に近似する点が多い.Rhoicininaeは 今 日まで種々の科(タ ナグモ科Agelenidae,キ シダ
グモ科Pisauridae,コ モリグモ科Lycosidae,ガ ケジグモ科Amaurobiidae)に 置かれ,今 なおこの問題は解
決 していない.今 回はEXLINE(1950,1960)の 意見に賛同し,キ シダグモ科Pisauridaeと して扱った.
Rhoicinaeの 正 しい位置づけについては今後,genitaliaの 分析,核 学的研究,発 生学的研究,電 顕による形
態学的研究などの総合により明らかにされることを期待する.
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