Abstract
Detailed examination of the spinning organs and legs of Archoleptoneta schusteri Gertsch (1974) has revealed a cribellum and calamistrum, which represents the discovery of the first cribellate member of the Leptonetidae. Subsequent examination of all other described Archoleptoneta species has confirmed the presence of a rectangular colulus similar to other leptonetids. A comparative review of the characters used to support the Leptonetidae is presented, including a discussion of their phylogenetic implications. The distribution of several features of the spinning organs, respiratory system, and genitalia suggests that the phylogenetic position of the Leptonetidae needs to be reevaluated, and makes their position within the Haplogynae uncertain. Illustrations and detailed discussion of characters in the Archoleptonetinae and Leptonetinae are provided. Archoleptoneta schusteri Gertsch is redescribed including detailed images of its spinning organs and genitalia. All ecribellate archoleptonetines are transferred to the new genus Darkoneta gen. nov. based on the loss of the cribellum, giving the following new combinations: Darkoneta arganoi (Brignoli, 1974). comb nov., Darkoneta garza (Gertsch, 1974) comb nov., Darkoneta obscura (Gertsch, 1974) comb nov., and Darkoneta stridulans (Platnick, 1994) comb nov. Three new species are described: Archoleptoneta gertschi sp. nov. from Eastern California, Darkoneta reddelli sp. nov. from Puebla, Mexico, and Darkoneta quetzal sp. nov. from San Lorenzo, Guatemala. Dichotomous keys are provided with a discussion of problems with the diagnosis of females. Distribution maps for each species are shown with a discussion of areas that require additional sampling in order to resolve species limits.References
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