Two New Species of the Genus Accola (Araneae, Dipluridae)

Up to the present time six species of the Genus Accola Simon have been described from parts of South America, Central America and the West Indies.. One of these, A. spinosa Petrunkevitch, has been known from both sexes since I945; two. of the others described by Simon are known only from immature specimens; the remaining three, species are known only from females, which have, very few distinguishing eatures. Dr. Petrunkevitch (I929) described a mature female of the genus Accola rom Puerto Rico and considered it to belong to the. species he originally described from Panama. Since the, publication of my brief paper on A. spinosa Petrunkevitch (I945) and of the description of a male for the first time, I have. collected a considerable number of specimens of this genus, from Panama, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. It is n,o.w quite clear that the Puerto Rican species -is not the same, as the. species common in Panama and that the species ro.m Jamaica appears to be quite, different from o.ther known species. Dr. Petrunkevitch stated that the Puerto Rican species, had been taken with a sweeping net but I have. taken all of my numerous specimens rom debris of one kind or another by shaking or sifting. In order to bring .our knowledge o,f this genus up to date I have thought it worth while, to. publish descriptions of these new species, both containing males and emales. The. types will be deposited in the NIuseum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. Female paratypes will also be. deposited in the American Museum of Natural History and in the, Museum o the Institute o Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica, W. I. ,At this time I wish to. express my appreciation to the National Science Fo.undation or Grant No. QB-8o, which made it possible for me to, collect in the West Indies and Panama for seven months. The grant also provides assistance for a period o study on my colle’ctio,as in the VIus.eum of Comparative Zoology. My gratitude and appreciation are also again expressed for the priviledge of working in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at repeated intervals over a peri,od of many years. Publication and library privileges together with continued encouragement from directors and staff members, have been indispensable for the continuation of my studies.