Vol. 35, pp. 129-132 October 17, 1922 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



ON SIMONELLA, A GENUS OF SALTICID SPIDERS 

 NEW TO NORTH AMERICA. 



BY EDWARD A. CHAPIN. 



Some time ago, after a collecting trip to southern Florida, 

 Dr. Alexander Wetmore presented me with a few spiders and 

 insects. Among these was a specimen of Salticidae, collected 

 in connection with an ant {Pseudomyrma sp.) and somewhat 

 resembling it. Study showed the spider to belong to the genus 

 Simonella Peckh., a genus heretofore known only from Central 

 and South America. 



Simonella petrunkevitchi, n. sp. 



(Figs. 1 and 2.) 



Color golden brown, eyes on black spots, abdomen with a short, dark 

 lozenge-shaped spot dorsally on the constriction. Legs pale. Anterior 

 median eyes very large, with a few white hairs about them. Palpus (fig. 

 3) moderately large, the penultimate segment with a large lateral plate-like 

 tooth, the distal extremity of which ends in a short, stout, heavily chitinized 

 tooth which is slightly recurved, the proximal portion is more prominent 

 but is less heavily chitinized. Chela (fig. 4) large, vertical, without teeth 

 on margin of the fang groove, and without the tooth at the base of the pro- 

 margin as in S. bicolor Peckh., fang long, becoming suddenly thinner and 

 more curved at its apical third, smooth, without tooth. Legs rather thin, 

 the femora of the leg I slightly enlarged, tibia I with stout spines 3-3, 

 metatarsus I with stout spines 2-2, leg formula' apparently 4 3 12, first 

 and third legs almost equal. Sternum elongate, narrow, pentagonal, much 

 as in S. bicolor Peckh. Chitinous portion of the venter short, narrow, 

 triangular. Spinnerets apparently ventral, a short distance before the 

 apex, though this condition may be due to shrinkage from drying. Dorsal 

 surface with a few setigerous punctures, otherwise smooth and glabrous. 

 Length of male: 5 mm. 



Habitat: Sebastian, Florida, February 11, 1919, running on fohage in 

 company with Pseudomyrma sp., A. Wetmore, collector. 



1 Specimen lacks both of the second pair of legs. 



28— Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. 35, 1922. (129) 



