Runcinia


Runcinia is a genus of crab spiders that was first described by Eugène Simon in 1875.

Distribution

Spiders in this genus are found mostly in Africa and Asia, with few species reaching into Europe.

Description

Spiders of the genus Runcinia are recognized by their fawn, slightly flattened bodies with eyes positioned on distinct carinae.
Females measure 4–8 mm in total length, while males are 3–6 mm.The carapace varies from as wide as long to slightly longer than wide and is flattened above. The anterior margin is straight medially with two low carinae on each side, while the posterior margin is concave. The integument is clothed with numerous short irregularly spaced setae.
The abdomen is variable in shape, being triangular, oval, or long and narrow. It is anteriorly truncated and posteriorly either truncated, rounded, or extending caudally past the spinnerets. The abdomen is decorated with longitudinal striae that follow the contour of the abdomen, with rows of setae differing in shape between species.
Legs are fawn in color with legs I and II much stronger than the hind legs. The tibia bears strong paired setae. Males resemble females but are more slender and have longer legs. Front legs have brown bands and setae replaced with a brush of hair.

Life style

Runcinia species are free-living on plants and are very common grass dwellers.

Species

, this genus includes 27 species:Runcinia acuminata – Bangladesh to Japan, New Guinea, AustraliaRuncinia aethiops – AfricaRuncinia albida – DR CongoRuncinia bifrons – India, Sri Lanka, VietnamRuncinia carae Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1983 – Botswana, KenyaRuncinia caudata Schenkel, 1963 – ChinaRuncinia depressa Simon, 1906 – Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Kenya, DR Congo, Zambia, Botswana, South AfricaRuncinia disticta Thorell, 1891 – Myanmar, Indonesia Runcinia dubia Caporiacco, 1940 – SomaliaRuncinia erythrina Jézéquel, 1964 – Ivory Coast, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South AfricaRuncinia escheri Reimoser, 1934 – IndiaRuncinia flavida – Spain, AfricaRuncinia ghorpadei Tikader, 1980 – IndiaRuncinia grammica – Europe, Middle East to Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Japan. Introduced to St. Helena, South Africa, Lesotho Runcinia insecta – Africa, Asia. Introduced to AustraliaRuncinia johnstoni Lessert, 1919 – Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South AfricaRuncinia khandari Gajbe, 2004 – IndiaRuncinia kinbergi Thorell, 1891 – Myanmar, India, Indonesia Runcinia manicata Thorell, 1895 – MyanmarRuncinia multilineata Roewer, 1961 – SenegalRuncinia roonwali Tikader, 1965 – India, NepalRuncinia sitadongri Gajbe, 2004 – IndiaRuncinia soeensis Schenkel, 1944 – Indonesia Runcinia spinulosa – PakistanRuncinia tarabayevi Marusik & Logunov, 1990 – Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, MongoliaRuncinia tropica Simon, 1907 – AfricaRuncinia yogeshi Gajbe & Gajbe, 2001 – India
In synonymy:
  • R. advecticia = Runcinia insecta
  • R. affinis Simon, 1897 = Runcinia insecta
  • R. albostriata Bösenberg & Strand, 1906 = Runcinia insecta
  • R. annamita Simon, 1903 = Runcinia insecta
  • R. cataracta Lawrence, 1927 = Runcinia insecta
  • R. cerina = Runcinia grammica
  • R. chauhani Sen & Basu, 1972 = Runcinia insecta
  • R. cherapunjea = Runcinia insecta
  • R. littorina Lawrence, 1942 = Runcinia flavida
  • R. proxima Lessert, 1919 = Runcinia flavida
  • R. proxima Millot, 1941 = Runcinia flavida
  • R. sangasanga Barrion & Litsinger, 1995 = Runcinia insecta
  • R. sjostedti Lessert, 1919 = Runcinia johnstoni Lessert, 1919
The former R. elongata is a synonym of Thomisus elongatus.