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 (tubercles).
Females measure 4âÂÂ8 mm in total length, while males are 3âÂÂ6 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 <small>(Thorell, 1881)</small> â Bangladesh to Japan, New Guinea, Australia
- Runcinia aethiops <small>(Simon, 1901)</small> â Africa
- Runcinia albida <small>(Marx, 1893)</small> â DR Congo
- Runcinia bifrons <small>(Simon, 1895)</small> â India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam
- Runcinia carae <small>Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1983</small> â Botswana, Kenya
- Runcinia caudata <small>Schenkel, 1963</small> â China
- Runcinia depressa <small>Simon, 1906</small> â Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Kenya, DR Congo, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa
- Runcinia disticta <small>Thorell, 1891</small> â Myanmar, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java)
- Runcinia dubia <small>Caporiacco, 1940</small> â Somalia
- Runcinia erythrina <small>, 1964</small> â Ivory Coast, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa
- Runcinia escheri <small>Reimoser, 1934</small> â India
- Runcinia flavida <small>(Simon, 1881)</small> â Spain, Africa
- Runcinia ghorpadei <small>Tikader, 1980</small> â India
- Runcinia grammica <small>(C. L. Koch, 1837)</small> â Europe, Middle East to Iran, Russia (Europe to West Siberia), Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Japan. Introduced to St. Helena, South Africa, Lesotho (type species)
- Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small> â Africa, Asia. Introduced to Australia
- Runcinia johnstoni <small>Lessert, 1919</small> â Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa
- Runcinia khandari <small>Gajbe, 2004</small> â India
- Runcinia kinbergi <small>Thorell, 1891</small> â Myanmar, India (Nicobar Is.), Indonesia (Java)
- Runcinia manicata <small>Thorell, 1895</small> â Myanmar
- Runcinia multilineata <small>Roewer, 1961</small> â Senegal
- Runcinia roonwali <small>Tikader, 1965</small> â India, Nepal
- Runcinia sitadongri <small>Gajbe, 2004</small> â India
- Runcinia soeensis <small>Schenkel, 1944</small> â Indonesia (West Timor)
- Runcinia spinulosa <small>(O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885)</small> â Pakistan
- Runcinia tarabayevi <small>Marusik & , 1990</small> â Russia (Europe, Urals), Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia
- Runcinia tropica <small>Simon, 1907</small> â Africa
- Runcinia yogeshi <small>Gajbe & Gajbe, 2001</small> â India
In synonymy:
- R. advecticia <small>(Simon, 1909, T from Plancinus)</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. affinis <small>Simon, 1897</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. albostriata <small> & Strand, 1906</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. annamita <small>Simon, 1903</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. cataracta <small>Lawrence, 1927</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. cerina <small>(C. L. Koch, 1845)</small> = Runcinia grammica <small>(C. L. Koch, 1837)</small>
- R. chauhani <small>Sen & Basu, 1972</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. cherapunjea <small>(Tikader, 1966, T from Thomisus)</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. littorina <small>Lawrence, 1942</small> = Runcinia flavida <small>(Simon, 1881)</small>
- R. proxima <small>Lessert, 1919</small> = Runcinia flavida <small>(Simon, 1881)</small>
- R. proxima <small>Millot, 1941</small> = Runcinia flavida <small>(Simon, 1881)</small>
- R. sangasanga <small>Barrion & , 1995</small> = Runcinia insecta <small>(L. Koch, 1875)</small>
- R. sjostedti <small>Lessert, 1919</small> = Runcinia johnstoni <small>Lessert, 1919</small>
The former R. elongata is a synonym of Thomisus elongatus.
See also
References
External links