Baalzebub Coddington, 1986

Baalzebub Coddington, 1986 View in CoL

Baalzebub Coddington, 1986: 71 View in CoL .

Type species Baalzebub baubo Coddington, 1986:72 View in CoL .

Diagnosis

Males of Baalzebub can be distinguished from those of other theridiosomatid genera by the massive retrolateral tegulum (i.e., almost half the size of the bulb) extending posteriorly ( Figs 49E View Fig , 51E View Fig , 53E View Fig , 55E View Fig , 58E View Fig ; see also Coddington 1986) (in contrast with extending retrolateraly in Epeirotypinae, and no massive tegulum in most genera), and a deep trough (i.e., cleft) in the median apophysis (absent in other genera), forming a posterior serrated border and an anterior acute border ( Figs 49E View Fig , 51E View Fig , 53E View Fig , 55E View Fig , 58E View Fig ; see also Coddington 1986). Females of Baalzebub can be distinguished from those of other genera by the backward-pointed triangular epigynal plate (i.e., not a scape) with a deep central pit ( Figs 50D View Fig , 52D View Fig , 54D View Fig , 56D View Fig , 57D View Fig ; see also Coddington 1986) (absent in other genera), and the distally connated spermathecae ( Figs 50D View Fig , 52D View Fig , 54D View Fig , 56D View Fig , 57D View Fig ; see also Coddington 1986) (in contrast with separated or fully connated spermathecae in other genera).

Description

Males and females of Baalzebub may have the first tibiae curved (i.e., sinuated) and prolateral rows of strong macrosetae on the first metatarsi ( Figs 50B View Fig , 52B View Fig , 55C View Fig ). Females of Baalzebub have irregular membranous copulatory ducts that insert ventromedially posteriorly into the spermathecae ( Figs 50D View Fig , 52D View Fig , 54D View Fig , 56D View Fig , 57D View Fig ). For genus description and further details, see Coddington (1986) and Labarque & Griswold (2014).