Tisamenus draconinus

Appearance

The species is elongated and is described as the spiniest of the genus. Females reach a length of 47 to 56 millimetres and vary in color between dark and light brown. Dark brown specimens sometimes only have a light median line on the thorax. Males are 32 to 42 millimetres long and are not quite as variable in color. The triangle on the mesonotum typical of the genus is flat and ends, as in ''Tisamenus lachesis'', with interposterior mesonotal spines. The two front angles of the triangle in compound spines forming a toothed crest, the largest element of which is slightly removed from the actual angles. A pair of median metanotals, that is, middle spines on the metanotum, are present. The side edges of the meso- and metanotum are reinforced with long spines. There are only four spines on each side of the mesonatal margins, while there are usually five in similar species. On each side of the metathorax there is a lateral spine and a very large supraoxal spine, i.e. a spine located above the coxa. In contrast to many other ''Tisamenus'' species, ''Tisamenus draconina'' lacks median spines on the upper surface of the anterior segments of the abdomen. Instead, there are only flat nodules or tubercles here. A spine is attached to each side of the first four abdominal segments, with the front spines being longer and more pronounced than the rear ones.

Distribution

While the first description only mentions the Philippines as a distribution area, James Abram Garfield Rehn and his son John William Holman Rehn specify this and state the sub-province of Apayao on Luzon as the locality of the eight specimens they examined. The origin of the breeding stock is in the neighboring province of Cagayan on the island of Palaui. The localities of Taiwan and Borneo seem doubtful.