Ischnocolinae

The Ischnocolinae is a subfamily of tarantulas.^[1] Its composition was reviewed in 2014 and the number of genera included sharply reduced.

Characteristics

It was originally thought that divided tarsal scopulae was the distinguishing feature, but it is now believed that divided tarsal scopulae is plesiomorphic.^[2]

Genera

Guadanucci 2014 published analyses which indicated that the "Ischnocolinae" as previously defined were not monophyletic. A much reduced subfamily of the Theraphosidae, Ischnocolinae sensu stricto, was supported. It contains only the following genera:^[2]

• Acanthopelma - Central/South America
• Holothele - South America (Northern)/Caribbean (Note: In part, for H. rondoni, H. culebrae)
• Ischnocolus - Middle-east/Africa/Mediterranean
• Reichlingia - Belize
• Trichopelma - Caribbean plus adjacent

Genera suggested to be excluded from subfamily include:^[2]

• Catumiri - South America (Southern)/Caribbean
• Chaetopelma - Middle east and adjacent
• Dolichothele - South America (Central) (Note: As junior synonym Oligoxystre)
• Heterothele - Africa
• Plesiophrictus - India (maybe closely allied to Neoheterophrictus but not indicated - India)
• Nesiergus - Seychelles

Several genera transferred to newly created Schismatothelinae

• Euthycaelus - South America (North) (Note: Treated as Holothele, but later split, e.g. for H.colonica)
• Guyruita - South America (North)
• Neoholothele - South America (Northern) (Note: Treated as Holothele, but later split, e.g. for H.incei)
• Schismatothele - South America (North) (Note: As subsequent synonym Hemiercus)
• Sickius - South America (Central)

Further changes to genera

In the same year, Mirza, Sanap & Bhosale 2014 further revised some Indian taxa associated with the Ischnocolinae, and described the new genus Sahydroaraneus, and treated them instead as subfamily Eumenophorinae.

• Plesiophrictus - India
• Neoheterophrictus - India
• Heterophrictus - India
• Sahydroaraneus - India

References