Joining the dark side: waterfall spiders in subterranean habitats, with the description of a new genus and two new species from Brazil (Araneae: Trechaleidae)

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  Joining the dark side: waterfall spiders in subterranean habitats, with the description of a new genus and two new species from Brazil (Araneae: Trechaleidae) Abstract Trechaleidae is a family of spiders often recognized by its semiaquatic species, but its diversity extends beyond these well-known examples. In this study, we describe Troglotrechalea gen. nov. , a new genus with two novel species, T. faleroae spec. nov. and T. agorai spec. nov. , found exclusively in subterranean habitats within karst formations in central and southeastern Brazil. Both species exhibit pale coloration, but unmodified eyes and legs if compared to other species in the family. The slight degree of troglomorphism, along with their geographic and habitat records, suggests that these species are restricted to hypogean habitats, although they probably move through epigean habitats. Additionally, we report in detail the occurrence of the trechaleid genera Enna O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897, Heidrunea Brescovi...

Revision of the huntsman spider genus Micrommata Latreille, 1804 (Sparassidae: Sparassinae)

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Revision of the huntsman spider genus Micrommata Latreille, 1804 (Sparassidae: Sparassinae)

Abstract The genus Micrommata Latreille, 1804 is revised and two new species are described: Micrommata biggi spec. nov. (male, female; Türkiye, Armenia, Iran, Turkmenistan), and M. diesenhoff spec. nov. (male, female; Sierra Leone). Micrommata aragonensis Urones, 2004 is synonymised with M. formosa Pavesi, 1878. All known species are redescribed and illustrated, and an identification key for males and females is provided for all true Micrommata species. A distribution map is provided for all species. M. formosa is for the first time recorded from Portugal, M. ligurina (C.L. Koch, 1845) from Morocco, the latter species having been introduced into United Kingdom and Germany. Micrommata darlingi Pocock, 1901 (female; Zimbabwe) is considered misplaced and probably related to the genus Eusparassus Simon, 1903. Functional copulatory mechanics are briefly discussed using µ-CT scans.

Jäger, P. (2023). Revision of the huntsman spider genus Micrommata Latreille, 1804 (Sparassidae: Sparassinae). Zootaxa 5352(1): 1-45. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5352.1.1