Tigidia Simon 1892

Mirza, Zeeshan A., 2023, Notes on the trapdoor spider genus Tigidia Simon 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae: Barychelinae) with the description of three new species from India, Journal of Natural History 57, pp. 159-174 : 161-162

Genus Tigidia Simon 1892

Forsythula Pocock 1903: 244 ; Benoit 1965: 28.

Tructicus Strand 1907: 550 ; Benoit 1965: 30.

Cestotrema Simon 1902: 551 ; Raven 1985: 112.

Nossibea Strand 1907: 550, 1985: 113 .

Acropholius Simon 1902: 598, 1985: 112 .

Type species. Tigidia mauriciana Simon, 1892 , based on a female specimen. The holotype is deposited at the Museum National d̍Histoire Naturelle, Paris. Type not examined.

Diagnosis. The genus Tigidia resembles the genus Diplothele in having two spinnerets, superior tarsal claw of legs I and II clearly smaller than on legs III and IV and bilobed spermathecae. Tigidia can be distinguished from Diplothele by preening comb present on metatarsi III–IV (in Diplothele , preening combs absent). The genus differs form Pisenor in haing superior tarsal claw of legs I and II clearly smaller than on legs III and IV (vs superior tarsal claw of all legs of similar size) and in the presence of preening comb present on metatarsi III–IV (vs absent in Pisenor ) ( Raven 1985).

Distribution. India, Madagascar and Mauritius Islands.