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...

Review of the wolf spider genus Xerolycosa Dahl, 1908 from China (Araneae: Lycosidae)

 




Review of the wolf spider genus Xerolycosa Dahl, 1908 from China (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Abstract

The wolf spider of genus Xerolycosa Dahl, 1908 from China is reviewed, including four species: X. miniata (C.L. Koch, 1834), X. mongolica (Schenkel, 1963), X. nemoralis (Westring, 1861) and X. xinjiangensis sp. nov. (male). Pardosa sinensis Yin, Peng, Kim et Wang, 1995 is newly synonymized with X. miniata (C.L. Koch, 1834). Morphological illustrations, photos, and descriptions of all species are given. SEM photos of male bulbs and photos of living specimens of X. nemoralis are also presented.

Wang, L. Y., Marusik, Y. M., Peng, X. J. & Zhang, Z. S. (2024f). Review of the wolf spider genus Xerolycosa Dahl, 1908 from China (Araneae: Lycosidae). Zootaxa 5463(1): 47-62. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5463.1.3