Monaeses


Monaeses is a genus of crab spiders in the family Thomisidae.

Distribution

Most species are found in Asia and Africa, with a few reaching into Europe and two endemic to Australia.

Description

The genus Monaeses was described by Tamerlan Thorellin 1869 with a wide distribution represented by 28 accepted species worldwide. Nine species are known from Africa and seven from South Africa.
Females are small to medium-sized with males slightly smaller. The body colour ranges from cream to dark brown or grey with a mottled appearance, with the abdomen frequently decorated with white longitudinal lines laterally.
The carapace is elongate and usually has simple, erect setae. There are eight eyes arranged in two rows. The lateral eyes are usually on flat tubercles and the posterior eye row is evenly spaced.
The abdomen is long and slender with sides almost parallel. The caudal part varies from short and not extending beyond the spinnerets to very long and extending beyond the spinnerets. The caudal extension is covered with numerous folds and clothed with long setae, while the remainder of the abdomen dorsally has long setae arranged in rows.
The legs are laterigrade with legs I and II usually longer than III and IV. The anterior legs have series of strong spines on the tibiae and metatarsi.

Life style

Spiders in this genus are free-living plant dwellers. Their long, straw-coloured bodies provide excellent camouflage as they await their prey on grass. They are slow-moving and cling to plants with outstretched legs, with the first two pairs directed forward and the third and fourth pairs directed backwards along the axis of stems. Their robust front legs and potent venom enable them to capture and subdue prey up to twice their own size.
Females attach their egg-sacs to tufts of grass.

Taxonomy

Species in southern Africa were revised by Dippenaar-Schoeman in 1984.

Species

, this genus includes 28 species: