Salticidae Pengmarengo

Pengmarengo chelifer (Simon, 1900)

White-spotted Strong-arm Spider

Spiders of the genus Philates show a number of characteristics typical of the tribe Ballini: enlarged tibiae I, a coiled embolus in the male palp, and other microscopic features in the male and female reproductive organs that are unique among unique the Ballini.

Philates may be distinguished from related genera in Southeast Asia of the same tribe by its flat carapace, and by the dense growth of leaf-like setae on the extraordinarily robust tibiae I. Other than the differences in their reproductive organs, the males and females of P. chelifer appear almost identical. Both have four tufts of white setae on the carapace and another pair on the longish abdomen which is covered by a shiny scutum. Their femora I are slightly expanded, but are not as grossly enlarged as seen in other species of Philates.