Stagetillus Simon, 1885

Prószyński, Jerzy, 2017, Pragmatic classification of the World's Salticidae (Araneae), Ecologica Montenegrina 12, pp. 1-133 : 26-29

Stagetillus Simon, 1885 and Padillothorax Simon, 1901

Described 132 - 90 years ago, only three species of these genera were subject of revision 33-30 years ago by Prószyński (1984 c[a]: 95, 1987: 104-105), which resulted in morphological definitions of species and transfer of the type species of Padillothorax to Stagetillus , leaving one species - Padillothorax elegans apart ( Fig. 56L). That minute progress was nullified by nomenclatorical correction by Editor of the Catalog (apparently Dr. N. I. Platnick), changing combination of that species to Stagetillus elegans , in agreement with current interpretation of relevant rule of the International Code on Zoological Nomenclature, but reducing in fact chance of future classification of that distinctly unrelated species (compare epigyne of Padillothorax elegans (Reimoser, 1927) with Stagetillus semiostrinus (Simon, 1901) - Fig. 56 L). Future researcher would presumably be satisfied checking type species of Stagetillus opaciceps Simon, 1885 ( Fig. 11T), without bothering on diversity of remaining species. Alternative solution, describing Padillothorax elegans as a new genus would be premature - no matching male known, insufficient background of related species, no data for placement among related genera. Better solution would be leaving " Padillothorax" elegans as a temporary combination, pending discovery of related genus, or more species, and responsible erection of a new genus, housing them.

History of research on genera Stagetillus and Padillothorax illustrates, in a nut shell, seemingly unimportant problems of taxonomy of 4800 species of Salticidae . There are at least several hundreds of similar cases hidden among synonyms in the WSC, leading to loss of time and efforts of researchers, and a chaos in the system. It is obvious, that application of ICZN rules in such cases was wrong, or that rules themselves are wrong. Any choice of action taken should not obliterate the already established facts.

Therefore:

Stagetillus elegans (Reimoser, 1927) = " Padillothorax" elegans Reimoser, 1927 (reinstatement of

original combination, pending future revision of placement)

Stagetillus taprobanicus (Simon, 1902) = " Padillothorax" taprobanicus Simon, 1902 (reinstatement

of original combination, pending future redescription of existing type specimens, presumably

preserved in one of the following Museums: KOBENHAVN, OXFORD, PARIS).

SOURCES: A - Andreeva, Heciak, Prószyński 1984 Annales Zoologici 3, 13: 350, f. 1-5; B, D, G - Prószyński 1984 a Annales Zoologici, 37, 16: 401, f. 3-4; 153; 35; C, F, J, Q, T - Prószyński 1987 Atlas ... Salticidae . Zeszyty Naukowe WSRP, Siedlce 2-3, 20, 77, 103 (f. unnumbered); E - Wesołowska 1999a. Arnoldia Zimbabwe 10(15): 147, f. 1-4; H - Żabka 1988b Annales Zoologici 41 (14): 443, f. 59-61 and Szüts 2002b Folia Entomologica Hungarica 63: 26-29,f. 1-4, 6-9, 11-18; I - Żabka, Waldock 2012 Annales zoologici 62(1): 134-135, f. 58C, D;; L - Prószyński 1976 Rozprawy Wyższej Szkoły Pedagogicznej, 6, Siedlce: 186,f. 373-382; M - Żabka, Gray 2004 Annales zoologici 54(3): 587-590, f. 1-14; N - Prószyński 1983b Folia entomologica hungarica XLIV, 2: 284-287, f. 7-10; O - Prószyński. 1992b Annales Zoologici 44, 9: 182, f. 67-71; P - Ruiz, Brescovit, Freitas 2007 Revista brasileira de Zoologia 24: 772, f. 1-9; S - Prószyński 1968 b Annales Zoologici 26: 217-221, f. 1-9; U - Żabka 1988b Annales zoologici 41 (14): 471, f. 137, 141; V - Prószyński Internet (det. by J.A. Beatty) and Marples 1955l; W - Wesołowska, Cumming 2008 Annales Zoologici 58: 204, f. 199, 203. All ©Copyrights are retained by the original authors and copyright holders, used by their courtesy.

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SOURCES: A - Photo E. Nieuwenhuys; B - Photo R. Kaldari; C - Photo A.Tanikawa; D-E - Photo R. Whyte; F - Maddison 2015 Journal of Arachnology 43: 231–292, f. 101; F, K - Wesołowska, Haddad 2009 African Invertebrates 50(1): 101-104; G -Photo B. Knoflach; H - Photo A. Weinstein; I -J - Photo J. Lissner. All ©Copyrights are retained by the original authors and copyright holders, used here by their courtesy.

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Group of genera HELIOPHANINES Prószyński, 2016 Figures 12 G-K, 13 Database contains 7 recognizable genera, 182 species

Type subgenus Heliophanus Koch C.L., 1833 ( Heliophanus ) Wesolowska, 1986, of which type species is Heliophanus (Heliophanus) cupreus (Walckenaer 1802) [syn. Aranea cuprea ) Walckenaer 1802].

Documentation studied. Survey of diagnostic drawings in Prószyński (2016a) and in original literature.