Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

Posted by
  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

A revalidation and redescription of the orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze 1997) (Araneae: Araneidae)

Posted by

 


A revalidation and redescription of the orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze 1997) (Araneae: Araneidae)

Abstract

Based on the female lectotype from the D.E. Kharitonov’s collection, we provide a re-evaluation and redescription of an orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze, 1997). Following an examination of Araniella villanii Zamani et al., 2020 paratypes, we considered this a junior synonym of A. tbilisiensis. Additionally, the photographs of the epigyne of a female specimen from D.E. Kharitonov’s collection, originally assigned to A. tbilisiensis, are presented as an unknown Araniella sp.

Tiunov A, Ustinova AL (2025) A revalidation and redescription of the orb-web spider Araniella tbilisiensis (Mcheidze 1997) (Araneae: Araneidae). Caucasiana 4: 195-201. https://doi.org/10.3897/caucasiana.4.e173656