Index.Type genus Aelurillus, Asianellus , Langelurillus , Langona , Mashonarus , Microheros , Phanuelus , Phlegra , Proszynskiana , Rafalus , Stenaelurillus.

Introduction

DIAGNOSIS. Classification AELURILLINES to the super group of genera EUOPHRYOIDA is defined by presence of "movable" embolus twisted into a coil atop membranous distal haematodocha. In group of genera AELURILLINES a coil of embolus is hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Other diagnostic characters of AELURILLINES is opaque sclerotized tegulum, covering the whole bulbus, short and robust tibial apophysis is sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne with sclerotized edges or rims, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae form either a compact body, internal convoluted, or a chain, copulatory ducts are sclerotized. AELURILLINAE contains relatively robust, terrestrial forms, running or ambushing, with cryptic but diversified color pattern, either gray with dark spots or with light streaks and spots, which break spider's silhouette, camouflaged on the gray background of sands and stones. Spots and colors visible in frontal view may be more vivid and are particularly diagnostic. Cnsist of several prolific genera, containing together 247 species distributed in Palaearctics and Tropical Africa, a few in Oriental Region, but absent in Western Hemisphere.
More detailed features of the genus AELURILLINES are recognizable by opaque sclerotized tegulum, covering the whole bulbus. Only tip of embolus emerges from beneath tegulum, anteriorly, the remaining part of embolus, coiled and sitting on distal haematodocha, is hidden in a pocket between bulbus and cymbium. Tibial apophysis short, robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance more. Female epigyne with sclerotized edges or rims, spermathecae in a form of compact, sclerotized body with internal convoluted chambers, often inside , copulatory ducts sclerotized. AELURILLINES contains relatively robust, terrestrial forms, running or ambushing, with cryptic but diversified color pattern, either gray with dark spots or with light streaks and spots, which break spider's silhouette hidden on the gray background of sands and stones. Spots and colors visible in frontal view are particularly diagnostic. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

Guide to identification of genera by male palps

Guide to identification of genera by internal structure of epigyne

Guide to identification of genera by color pattern

Gen. Aelurillus Simon, 1884 (59 species)

Type species Aelurillus v-insignitus.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
More detailed features of the genus Aelurillus include short and bent sclerotized tibial apophysis, followed by triangular, fleshy protuberance. Epigyne anteriorly with sclerotized, transverse, semi arched "wings", spermathecae compact, with internal convoluted ducts. Color pattern dark gray with white streaks and spots. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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Aelurillus khorasanicus: Azarkina, G. N. & O. Mirshamsi. 2014. Zoology in the Middle East 60:
82-91. http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/ .  Article purchase price USD 48.00.

Gen. Asianellus Logunov, Heciak, 1996 (6 species)

Type species Asianellus festivus.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
More detailed features include two striking, unusual characters: in males developed longer fleshy dorsal ramus of tibial apophysis arching anteriorly to broad and short, pointed apically sclerotized ventral ramus. In females the prominent character are copulatory ducts in epigyne, sclerotized and running straight anteriorly, which turn abruptly medially after passing the mid-length of epigyne, then, making 180 turn, they produce short spermathecae, located centrally and directed posteriorly. Spermathecae consist of a few internal, convoluted chambers. That structure is comparable to those developed in Phlegra and Langona, where, however size of spermatheca and number of chambers is enormous and size of copulatory ducts reduced, in some cases to almost nil. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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Gen. Langelurillus Próchniewicz, 1994 (17 species)

Type species Langelurillus primus.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
More detailed features of the genus include broader and higher bulbus, shape of tibial apophysis more complicated, spermathecae oval, set transversally, arches of copulatory ducts arranged transversally in the mid-length of epigyne. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition. REMARK. Placement of some forms require revision.

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Gen. Langona Simon, 1901 (38 species)

Type species Langona redii.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, spermathecae in form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
However, the genus Langona departs strikingly from general characters of the group of genera by the following features. In females epigyne is divided into two part parts occupying different levels. The sclerotized part is limited to anterior half of epigyne and has a form of sclerotized rim, surrounding huge, membranous, white "window". It is separated by high, vertical wall, from posterior, lower part. There is a pair of strange, sclerotized internal balloons, having no discernible connections with any other structures, possibly providing skeletal support to the elevated part. The depressed part has thinner, softer tegument, is broad oval shaped and extending towards edge of epigyne. Spermathecae in a form of bent, sausage shaped compact bodies, consisting of a maze of irregular chambers and convoluted ducts. Copulatory openings hidden under lateral rims of the "window", copulatory ducts thin walled, short, barely visible on the background of sclerotized structures. In males tibial apophysis is single, narrow, of moderate length and slightly bent, or inclined. It is accompanied by bunch of stiff, black bristles. Dorsum of cymbium with broad, scattered scales. Body of both sexes dark gray with white abdominal streak and a pair of less striking white streaks along edges of thorax. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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M Gen. Mashonarus Wesolowska, Cumming, 2002 (3 species)

Type species Mashonarus guttatus .
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
More detailed features of the genus include tibial apophysis single, short and gently bent, bulbus narrow. Epigyne different, with simple, oval spermathecae and short straight ducts, both arranged transversally, in the mid-length of epigyne. Body black, with pair of white streak on abdomen, which in the type species is broken into pairs (two or three) of round white dots, there is a pair of white streaks on carapace. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

Gen. Microheros Wesolowska, Cumming, 1999 (1 species)

Type species Microheros termitophagus.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
Placement of this genus, perhaps related to Stenaelurillus, is uncertain, due to palps modified, with tegulum shorter and with waving process anteriorly, longer part of embolus protruding under the tegulum. Epigyne very unusual, with postero-medial copulatory openings, copulatory ducts running parallel towards anterior rim of the plate, then semicircling entire epigyne laterally, their posterior half being broader, and finally joining spermathecae stretching medially along epigyne. Color pattern resembling Phlegra and Langona, with body black, striking white streak on abdomen and a pair of white streaks along the thorax. Occur in large number on termite mounds, feeding on termites (see enclosed photos). Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

Gen. Phanuelus Caleb, Mungkung, Mathai, 2015 (1 species)

Type species Phanuelus gladstone.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
Genus recognizable by striking body appearance, squat, with carapace high, dorsally square, posterior wall of thorax vertical. There is a thick line of white setae beneath ventral rim of eyes anterior median, and less striking white line above chelicerae, both separated by black clypeus, Abdomen orange, almond shaped, slightly shorter than carapace. Palps confronting AELURILLINES, with two indistinct apophyses and a bunch of long dark setae along dorsal edge of tibia. Epigyne atypical, with postero-lateral copulatory openings, ducts twisted somewhat like distorted "S", spermathecae short, pyriform, located postero-medially. Pocket long and narrow, translucent postero-medially. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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Gen. Phlegra Simon, 1876 (77 species)

Type species Phlegra fasciata.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
Phlegra departs from the above definition by shape of epigyne and spermatheca, and also by tibial apophyses. Epigyne is plate-like, with two large, oval, or distorted oval-like depressions. Copulatory openings are hidden under anterior rim of depression, ducts run ahead, often funnel-like, next passing into sclerotized spermathecae, which are bent sausage shaped, with numerous internal chambers. The ducts and spermathecae are comparable in several genera, but length of spermathecae different: in Asianellus (spermathecae short), Phlegra (spermathecae of middle length) and Langona (spermathecae very long), the number of internal chamber being proportional to the length of spermatheca. In males tibial apophysis consist of two rami separated by a narrow gap, in species in which both rami are pointed the dividing gap is narrow, "V" shaped and, incidentally, their embolus is longer and stretches outside tegulum along groove on tip of cymbium. In species in which dorsal ramus is blunt, the gap is broader, "U" shaped, its walls are parallel, tip of embolus is flattened plate-like, shorter and broader. In species with black cymbium the observation of shape of black, sclerotized tibial apophysis may be difficult and require separation of cymbium from tibia. Body color pattern includes either prominent white stripe along abdomen and two stripes along thorax, or is gray with two lines of darker spots along abdomen. The clypeus is striking by having contrasting white setae. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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Gen. Proszynskiana Logunov, 1996 (6 species)

Type species Proszynskiana starobogatovi.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
Judging from published drawings palp resembles Aelurillus, but differs by broader embolus. Epigyne resembles externally Aelurillus, with two sclerotized semiarches anteriorly, but its internal structures are different: copulatory ducts are thickwalled and run marginally along the whole length of epigyne, spermathecae small, located posteriorly, their internal structure is not clear. Species seem to differ by facial pattern of dark and light areas, eyes anterior lateral are relatively large and located just above level of anterior median ones (see figs 5-12 in the original descriptions - reproduced below). Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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Gen. Rafalus Prószynski, 1999 (15 species)

Type species Rafalus christophori.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
More detailed features of the genus include bulbus narrower than in other genera, with its posterior, triangular part longer. Tibial apophysis single, narrow with pointed tip. Cymbium and palpal tibia covered by fur of long setae, mixed white and dark. Epigyne unusual for this group of genera, with translucent posterior median pocket, openings posterior, located at ends of narrow posterior depression. Ducts broad, thinwalled, in a form of broad semiarches, or "S" like, runs laterally along posterior half of epigyne. Spermathecae anterior, arranged transversally, heavily sclerotized, their shape resembles compressed letter "C". Color pattern seem more vivid than in other genera, with areas of yellow and reddish, apart from dark ones, clypeus contrasting, anterior surfaces of patella and tibia I are black, light reflecting (see color photo of Rafalus insignitus). Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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Gen. Stenaelurillus Simon, 1885 (28 species)

Type species Stenaelurillus nigricaudus.
DIAGNOSIS. Confront to general characteristics of AELURILLINES which have the whole bulbus covered by opaque sclerotized tegulum and a coil of embolus hidden behind anterior part of tegulum, from where only its tip protrudes. Bulbus usually ends posteriorly by sharp pointed triangle, sometimes with narrow "tail". There is often also a small, conical protuberance ("bump") on tegulum. Tibial apophysis is short and robust, sometimes sclerotized and hook like, often accompanied dorsally by fleshy protuberance. Female epigyne, usually in a form of sclerotized flat plate, with indistinct, small copulatory openings, but often with sclerotized "wings" or edges, sclerotized chambers of spermathecae in a form of a pair of compact bodies with convoluted internal chambers, or a chain of irregular chambers. Copulatory ducts are sclerotized, or short and indistinct, even invisible.
Resembles other species of the genus by bulbus covered entirely by tegulum and coil of embolus hidden behind tegulum, there are some processes of bulbus emerging together with embolus from underneath of tegulum, or protuberances and fringes developed on tegulum, their structure not yet sufficiently understood. Tibial apophysis single. Appearance of epigyne not yet sufficiently understood, its internal structures consist of spherical body, or two, or elongate vessel, copulatory ducts short and indistinct. Color patter unusually rich and vivid for this group of genera: face may display vivid areas of striking colors, or light reflecting scales. Basic color of body includes striking light streaks on carapace and abdomen, the latter may have also a pair of small but distinct white round dots. Some species may be covered by light reflecting scales, this pattern should be documented by macrographs of live specimens, whenever possible. Diagnostic drawings below are integral part of definition.

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Stenaelurillus fuscus : Cao, Li & Żabka, 2016. ZooKeys 630:  100-102 , f. 40–42, 43. By courtesy.

Characters of Aelurilleae according to Simon