Cispius (spider)

Cispius is a genus of African nursery web spiders that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1898.

Distribution

All species are found in Africa, from South Africa up to Tanzania and Ivory Coast.

Description

Cispius species have a total size of 7 to 8 mm. The carapace is slightly longer than wide and narrower in the eye region. The eyes are arranged in two rows, with the anterior row more or less recurved. The anterior eyes are smaller than the posterior eyes. Most species have three cheliceral teeth. The abdomen is oval and decorated with patterns. The legs are strong and frequently banded.

Taxonomy

The genus Cispius was described by Simon in 1898 and has been revised by Blandin. Blandin remarked that Charminus and Cispius are morphologically very similar.

Species

, this genus includes nine species:Cispius affinis Lessert, 1916 – TanzaniaCispius bidentatus Lessert, 1936 – DR Congo, MozambiqueCispius kimbius Blandin, 1978 – South Africa, EswatiniCispius maruanus – Ivory Coast, Cameroon, DR CongoCispius problematicus Blandin, 1978 – DR Congo, South Africa, EswatiniCispius simoni Lessert, 1915 – UgandaCispius strandi Caporiacco, 1947 – TanzaniaCispius thorelli Blandin, 1978 – DR CongoCispius variegatus Simon, 1898 – DR Congo, South Africa