Ultrastructure of Antoonops, a New, Ant-Mimicking Genus of Afrotropical Oonopidae (Araneae) with Complex Internal Genitalia

摘要

Antoonops, a new genus of the spider family Oonopidae, is described from West Africa. The genus contains four new species, all known from both sexes: A. corbulo (type species), A. bouaflensis, A. iita, and A. nebula. All species mimic ants and exhibit a pronounced sexual dimorphism. Several new ultrastructural features are reported, including putative gland pores associated with the coxal insertions, specialized cheliceral setae, and peculiarly modified male endites. The potential of these and other traits as phylogentically informative characters is discussed. SEM investigation of the internal female genitalia of A corbulo reveals the presence of two peculiarly shaped sclerites embedded in the walls of the uterus externus and a reproductive tract with an apparent flow-through design.