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

  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...

New considerations about the outstanding variability of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae) and the description of one more new species from Early Cretaceous Burmite

 


New considerations about the outstanding variability of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae) and the description of one more new species from Early Cretaceous Burmite

Abstract

One more new species of fossil scorpion belonging to the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 is described from Early Cretaceous Burmite. Chaerilobuthus muelleri Lourenço sp. n., represents the 15th species to be described for this genus confirming therefore the strong speciose characteristic of this group. The new species shows several clear morphological differences when compared to the previous known species, attesting the existence of a major variability within Chaerilobuthus. A list of the known species is presented, as well a number of comments on the variability of different morphological characters.

Wilson R. Lourenço, Jürgen Velten. New considerations about the outstanding variability of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae) and the description of one more new species from Early Cretaceous Burmite. Faunitaxys, 2026, 14 (11), pp.1-6. ⟨10.57800/faunitaxys-14(11)⟩. ⟨hal-05528828⟩