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| FIGURES 1. Sicariomorpha maschwitzi, comb. nov., participates in ant emigrations by performing a “tandem-running”-like behavior.
doi: 10.1206/3843.1
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Abstract
A new genus of oonopid spider, Sicariomorpha Ott and Harvey, is named for the type and only known species, Gamasomorpha maschwitzi Wunderlich from Malaysia. The most striking feature of the spider is the eyes, which are arranged in two widely separated triads. Besides taxonomic description, we summarize the biology of Sicarimorpha maschwitzi, which is a kleptoparasite of the Southeast Asian army ant Leptogenys distinguenda (Emery) and one among only few well-studied myrmecophilous spiders. Its morphology, behavior and life history seem to be well adapted for the life with its predatory army ant host.
SYSTEMATICS
Family Oonopidae Simon, 1890
Subfamily Oonopinae Simon, 1890
Sicariomorpha Ott and Harvey, new genus
Type Species: Gamasomorpha maschwitzi Wunderlich, 1995.
Etymology: The generic name is a contraction of the spider generic names Sicarius and Gamasomorpha and refers to the unusual carapace shape and eye arrangement, which is remi-niscent of the genus Sicarius. The gender is feminine.
Sicariomorpha maschwitzi (Wunderlich), comb. nov.
Ricardo Ott, Christoph Von Beeren, Rosli Hashim, Volker Witte and Mark S. Harvey. 2015. Sicariomorpha, A New Myrmecophilous Goblin Spider Genus (Araneae, Oonopidae) Associated with Asian Army Ants. American Museum Novitates. 3843: 1-14. doi: 10.1206/3843.1
