96 
Psyche 
[September 
bands and spots of white plumose hairs extends over the abdominal 
dorsum (Figs. 5-7 and 9). Venter lighter than dorsum. Epigastric 
sclerite red-brown with light yellow lung covers. Anterior dorsal 
abdominal setae absent. 
Sternum shield-shaped with extensions between all coxae and ex- 
tremely narrowed between the fourth pair of coxae (Fig. 1). 
Chelicerae with two moderate retromargin teeth and three pro- 
margin teeth, the distal one much smaller, the median one slightly 
larger and the proximal slightly smaller than the retromargin teeth. 
Trochanter IV notch absent. Pedipalp in female thin and long. 
Legs thin and long with long spines and sparce, long thin setae. 
Tibia I ventral spines very long and moderately thin with spination 
formulae variable but usually 4 ( prolateral) -4 ( retrolateral) , 5-4 
or 5-5* 
External epigynum with two moderately large semicircular open- 
ings directed laterally (Fig. 13). Internal structure with large an- 
terior and posterior spermathecal bulbs (Fig. 12). Male pedipalp 
with no tibial apophysis. Tarsus with a small globose genital bulb 
drawn out into an extremely long neck with a sclerotized embolus," 
a setae covered cymbium with a long medially directed spine near 
its base. 
Diagnosis: Psellocoptus can be distinguished from the two other 
South American genera in the Castianeirinae having indented cara- 
paces - — Myrmecium and Sphecotypus — by its rounded anterior 
end and the relatively “unsegmented” carapace. Sphecotypus has a 
distinct cephalic region squared off in front whereas the carapace of 
Myrmecium is highly modified with a rounded head region, narrow 
thoracic region and a long pedicel. Of these three genera only 
Myrmecium has the anterior portion of the abdomen narrowed to 
form a short, distinct petiole. 
Range: Northern South America, apparently restricted to the 
Cordillera de la Costa of northern Venezuela. 
Key to the Males of Psellocoptus 
1 a. Front of chelicerae with large, medial outgrowths (Fig. 2) ; 
Genital Index (embolus length/bulb length X 100) greater 
than 14 prodontus 
ib. Front of chelicerae smooth; Genital Index less than 14 2 
2a. Tibia I ventral spination 4 (prolateral) -4 (retrolateral) ; femur 
IV length equal to or greater than carapace length; carapace 
length less than 5 mm.; abdominal white hairs in continuous 
longitudinal bands on sides of dorsal sclerite (Fig. 6) 
flavostriatus 
