A Review of the Australian Genra of the Mygalomorph Spider Subfamily Diplurinae (Dipluridae:Chelicerata)

Abstract

All of the Australian diplurine genera are reviewed and diagnosed. A new genus, Xamiatus, its typespecies, Xamiatus rubrifrons, sp. nov., and three other new species, X. bulburin, X. kia, and X. magnificus, are described. Aname pallida Koch, 1873, Chenistonia maculata Hogg, 1901 and Dolichosternum attenuacum Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918, all type-species of their respective genera, are redescribed or discussed. Aname is considered the senior subjective synonym of Chenistonia. Dekana Hogg, 1902, Sungenia Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918 and Dolichosternum. The Anamini Raven, 1980 are synonymized with the Dolichosternini Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918 and are redefined to include only Aname and Teyl Main, 1975. The remaining Australian Diplurinae are left in the Diplurini until more is known of related genera. Relationships within the Australian Diplurinae and with other diplurid and ctenizid groups are discussed. The significance of the absence of the maxillary serrula in all of the Australian Diplurinae except Ixamatus Simon, 1887 and Stanwellia Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918 is discussed. The tarsal organ of Kiama Main & Mascord, 1971 is intermediate between the elevated organ of Ixamatus and the low organ of Aname, Teyl and Stanwellia. Troglodiplura Main, 1969 is an essentially fossil genus and is therefore only keyed and diagnosed.