A New Genus, Shinobius, of the Japanese Pisaurid Spider (Araneae:Pisauridae)

Abstract

In this paper is erected a new genus, Shinobius, for the Japanese pisaurid spider Cispius orientalis YAGINUMA, 1967, a combination which has been used for a long time. Its systematic position as regards family and subfamily is also discussedMore than twenty years have passed since I published a short paper on a new Japanese pisaurid spider under the name of Cispius orientalis YAGINUMA, 1967. As I was unable to find at that time a genus into which this spider was appropriately classed, I tentatively put it in Cispius SIMON, 1898. since then, the genus Cispius has been adopted by many arachnologists for placing the spider, but I have always felt responsibility for this arrangement. The original description was based solely on a pair of the type specimens, but later I had opportunities to examine some other specimens and was able to study the species more profoundly. Then, I have come to the conclusion that the genus Cispius is not adequate for placing this spider. I discussed the problem with some authorities of the related groups of spiders, but the results were not satisfactory, only suggesting that it would belong to a new genus. However, my preference was, and has been, that a genus had better be formed by common characteristics of plural species. I have therefore hesitated until today to erect a new genus for the spider concerned. As Cispius orientalis is noted as an important species both systematically and ecologically, it is required to give it an appropriate genus. Through this necessity, I was compelled to establish a new genus for it, although to recognize this monotypic genus conflicted with my cherished opinion. © 1991, Arachnological Society of Japan. All rights reserved.