Archerius Levi 1957, gen. nov.

Archerius, * gen. nov.

Small theridiid spiders. Carapace slightly longer than wide, highest behind eyes. Only six small eyes present. Posterior eye row slightly recurved as seen from above. Chelicerae strong with three large teeth on anterior margin, denticles on posterior margin. Sternum convex: truncate between posterior coxae. Legs short, first and fourth subequal; third shortest. A small tubercle on retrolateral face of each patella A large tarsal comb on fourth tarsus. In only species known, abdomer heavily sclerotized, with sclerotized spots on dorsum of female, a scutum covering dorsum of male. Colulus large, bearing setae (Fig. 42). Leaver of lungs, usually square-shaped in theridiid spiders, are about six timei longer than wide in Archerius and there are only about four leaves or each side.

Female genitalia with one pair of seminal receptacles. Palpus with paracymbial hook (P in Fig. 47) on side of cymbium (Y) and non¬ functional. Conductor (C) and two sclerites present. It is assumed thai one is the remains of the median apophysis (M); the other, the radi (R). Conductor supports tip of embolus.

The structure of the genitalia suggests a close relationship between Ctenium and Archerius. Archer his differs from Mysmena which also has a relatively large colulus, by having a more complex palpus, from Pholcomma and Paidisca by the large colulus, and from these genera as well as Ctenium and most other theridiid genera, by having only six eyes.

*Named after my colleague A. F. Archer.

The type species of Archerius (masc.) is Archerius mendocino, new species.