A revision of the spider genus Hispo (Araneae : Salticidae) F. R. Wanless Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD Introduction Unlike most genera of the spider family Salticidae, Hispo Simon, 1886 can be easily recognized by the characteristic form of the carapace and the presence of a constriction behind the posterior median eyes. The genus is represented in both the Oriental and Ethiopian regions and at present includes 1 1 known species. Several of these were originally described in the genera Astaenochestes Simon, 1900 or Pseudomarengo Caporiacco, 1947. The later genus was revised by Roewer (1965), however, they are here considered to be synonymous with Hispo. In this paper, the species are divided into two species groups which may be readily separated by the presence or absence of a fovea. The species included in both groups are morphologically similar and in most cases they can be distinguished from one another by the structure of the genitalia, particularly the form of the palpal tibial apophyses in males. The presence or absence of white hairs on the clypeus and the occurrence of furrows or striae on the anterior surface of the chelicerae provide useful characters for separating otherwise similar species. The degree of variation cannot be adequatey demonstrated for most species as the genus is not well represented in museum collections. The biology is virtually unknown, some species live in woodland or forest litter and could be considered ant-like, but there is no behavioural evidence to suggest a mimetic relationship with ants. The measurements were made in the manner described by Wanless (1978a). Genus HISPO Simon Hispo Simon, 1886 : 393. Type species Hispo cingulata Simon, by monotypy. Simon, 1901 : 449, 451, 452; 1903a : 1050. Petrunkevitch, 1928 : 186. Roewer, 1954 : 985. Bonnet, 1957 : 2219. Wanless (1981). Astaenorchestes Simon, 1900:397. Type species Astaenorchestes frenatus Simon, by original designation and monotypy. Simon, 1901 : 450-452. Petrunkevitch, 1928 : 185. Roewer, 1954 : 985. Bonnet, 1955 : 766. Syn. n. Pseudomarengo Caporiacco, 1947 : 228. Type species Pseudomarengo inermis Caporiacco, by original designation. Roewer, 1954 : 951; 1965 : 32. Syn. n. Although Roewer (1954) and Bonnet (1957) give the year 1885 as the publication date for the genus Hispo, the date of publication given on the title page is 'avril 1886'. The confusion arose because the part concerned was issued for the year 1885. DEFINITION. Small to large spiders ranging from about 3*5 to 8 mm in length. Sexual dimorphism not marked. Distinctive colour markings sometimes present; not hirsute. Carapace: very low to moderately high; constricted behind posterior median eyes and usually with two shallow depressions behind anterior medians; fovea present or absent; microsculpturing variable, cuticle sometimes iridescent. Eyes: anteriors contiguous, apices level or slightly procurved; posterior median eyes relatively small, closer to anterior laterals than to posterior laterals; posterior row usually narrower than anterior row with a space between the posterior lateral eyes and the lateral margins of the carapace; quadrangle length between 39 and 50 per cent of carapace length. Clypeus: very low to low. Chelicerae: small to medium, more or less vertical, anterior surface irregularly strigose or smooth, sometimes Bull. Br. Mus. nat. Hist. (Zool.)41(4): 179-198 Issued 26 November 1981 179
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