A new genus of the subfamily Zelotinae (Araneae: Gnaphosidae), with descriptions of two new species from Amami-Ōshima Island, Southwest Japan

Abstract

A new gnaphosid genus of the subfamily Zelotinae is described under the name of Aponetius n. gen. The new genus is related to Zelotes in having an intercalary sclerite in the male palp, but is distinguished from the latter by the male palp with an embolar radix reduced, a long embolus arising ventrally and a curved ridge on the retrolateral side of the cymbium, and the female genitalia with internal ducts complexly winding. Three species previously assigned to Zelotes are transferred to the new genus: Aponetius gladius (Kamura 1999) n. comb., A. ryukyuensis (Kamura 1999) n. comb. and A. flexuosus (Kamura 1999) n. comb. Two new species belonging to this new genus are described under the names of A. ogatai n. sp. and A. watarii n. sp. from Amami-Ōshima Island, Southwest Japan.