Oskoron spinosus (Banks) 1894. Figs. 127–141, Map 8 Taracus spinosus Banks 1894, p. 51; 1904, p. 362. Cokendolpher & Lee, 1993, p. 7 (in list). Taracus malkini Goodnight & Goodnight 1945, p. 242. New synonymy. Type: Oskoron spinosus was described (in Taracus) by Banks from an unspecified locality in California. The holotype, an immature specimen, is held in the collection of the MCZ (examined 1971 and 2012; label confusingly says “Colo 1890”). Despite its immaturity, the holotype of O. spinosus has a distinctive appearance that made it recognizable when mature specimens turned up. The abdomen is densely covered with even-sized, conical tubercles, each of which is tipped by a stout, curved seta, the metipeltidium is marked by a row of eight such setae, and the ocularium has similar prominent tubercles and setae. The species epithet “ spinosus ” is quite apt. The holotype of Taracus malkini could not be located in the collections of the AMNH. It was described from Manzanita Lake, Lassen National Volcanic Park, Shasta Co., California. From the measurements and description (Goodnight and Goodnight 1945), the type probably was (or is) immature. In describing malkini, the Goodnights made comparisons to (then Taracus) spinosus, but from the context we doubt these comparisions were based on an examination of the type of spinosus, which closely resembles their illustration of malkini. Their uncharacteristically detailed illustration of the malkini holotype, said to be a female but probably immature, shows strong, curved setae over the eyes and scattered, curved setae on the abdomen without any other sclerotization. The metapeltidium is shown as distinct and with a prominent single row of eight setae. These are characters of Oskoron spinosus. The AMNH collection contains a single female specimen of spinosus from Manzanita Lake, collected in 1965, that fits the description well (but is mature), and specimens from surrounding counties likewise are referable to spinosus. Therefore we consider malkini a synonym of ...