On a desmitracheate “micronetine” Nippononeta alpina (Li & Zhu, 1993), comb. n. (Araneae, Linyphiidae)

Abstract

The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data demonstrate that all “micronetine” species of a desmitracheate system form a monophyly. Macrargus Dahl, 1886 is a “micronetine” genus, the species of which have a haplotracheate system in general, while Macrargus alpinus Li & Zhu, 1993 was found to have a desmitracheate system; this makes its generic placement problematic. According to the results of phylogenetic analysis, we transfer M. alpinus to another genus as Nippononeta alpina (Li & Zhu, 1993), comb. n., and provide a redescription of its genital characters and somatic features. Comparisons with other “micronetine” species with a desmitracheate system are provided. Putative synapomorphies for Nippononeta, the clade Nippononeta + Agyneta, and for the “desmitracheate micronetines” clade, as well as their relationship with Helophora, are provided and discussed.