[Paleontology • 2021] Priscaleclercera christae • Taxonomic Revision of Fossil Psilodercidae and Ochyroceratidae Spiders (Araneae: Synspermiata), with A New Species of Priscaleclercera from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber, northern Myanmar

 

Priscaleclercera christae

Magalhaes, Porta, Wunderlich, Proud, Ramírez & Pérez-González, 2021

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104751  

  x.com/6eyes8legs 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348281048

Highlights

• We revise the types of most known psilodercid and ochyroceratid spiders in amber.

• We describe a new Priscaleclercera species from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber.

• Priscaleclercera is a crown-group psilodercid, close to Althepus and Leclercera.

• Late Cretaceous Burmese amber contains 11 species of psilodercids.

• Arachnolithulus, preserved in Dominican amber, is an Ochyroceratinae.

Abstract

Psilodercidae contains some 200 known extant species of small spiders that live in tropical rainforests and caves and is mainly restricted to the Oriental biogeographic realm. Interestingly, at least ten different fossil species have been described from inclusions in Late Cretaceous Burmese amber. This suggests the family has been diversifying in the region for ∼100 million years. In this paper, we revise the taxonomy of fossil species of this family and the closely related Ochyroceratidae, based on the re-examination of type specimens of described species. We find that ten Cretaceous species described in the psilodercid genera Priscaleclercera and Aculeatosoma are valid, and present new illustrations of their type material. The genus Propterpsiloderces apparently does not belong to Psilodercidae, but rather to a family representing a stem lineage within Scytodoidea. Ochyroceratidae is represented in the fossil record by a single ochyroceratine genus from Miocene Dominican amber, Arachnolithulus. The original combination of the extant species Leclercera spinata Deeleman-Reinhold, 1995 is reinstated by transferring it from Priscaleclercera, leaving this latter genus as a strictly fossil taxon. Finally, we present the description of a hitherto unknown species of Priscaleclercera from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, Priscaleclercera christae sp. nov., bringing the total number of congeners to ten. By studying its morphological features, we argue that Priscaleclercera is a crown-group Psilodercidae, closely related to the Althepus–Leclercera lineage. The high species diversity of Priscaleclercera indicates that Psilodercidae was already a diverse component of the Oriental tropical forests during the Cretaceous.

Keywords: Aculeatosoma, Arachnolithulus, Cretaceous, Myanmar, Synspermiata

Priscaleclercera christae sp. nov.

 

 Ivan L.F. Magalhaes, Andrés O. Porta, Jörg Wunderlich, Daniel N. Proud, Martín J. Ramírez and Abel Pérez-González. 2021. Taxonomic Revision of Fossil Psilodercidae and Ochyroceratidae Spiders (Araneae: Synspermiata), with A New Species of Priscaleclercera from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber, northern Myanmar. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 104751. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104751 [5 January 2021]

 twitter.com/6eyes8legs/status/1346826645638946825 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348281048_Taxonomic_revision_of_fossil_Psilodercidae_and_Ochyroceratidae_spiders_with_a_new_species_of_Priscaleclercera_from_mid-Cretaceous_Burmese_amber

 

[Arachnida • 2026] Tigidia singhal • A New Species of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Tigidia Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from the Deccan Plateau, India

Tigidia singhal

 Tripathi, Bolde & Vanak, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.13156/arac.2026.20.5.15 

 Researchgate.net/publication/408253064

 

Abstract

A new species of trapdoor spider, Tigidia singhal sp. nov., is described from the semi-arid grasslands of the Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra, India. Detailed morphological descriptions, measurements, and illustrations of the holotype female are provided. This discovery marks the first record of the genus Tigidia from a semi-arid, open natural ecosystem, significantly expanding its known biogeographic range beyond the evergreen and deciduous forest habitats of peninsular India. Additionally, we document natural history observations, including burrow architecture and microhabitat preferences. This find highlights the underexplored diversity of Indian mygalomorph spiders and underscores the critical need for biodiversity surveys in open natural ecosystems.

KEYWORDS: burrowing behaviour, Mygalomorphae, range extension, semi-arid ecosystem, systematics

Tigidia singhal sp. nov., field photographs.
A collection locality; B holotype female; C excavated burrow showing silk lining; D schematic representation of burrow architecture.

Tigidia singhal sp. nov., holotype female.
A habitus, dorsal view; B eye group, dorsal view; C fovea, dorsal view; D cephalothorax, ventral view; E spinnerets, ventral view; F chelicera, prolateral view; G close-up of cheliceral furrow showing basomesal teeth; H leg I, prolateral view; I left leg III showing preening comb on metatarsus, ventral view; J same, leg IV. Scale bars = 5 mm (A), 1 mm (B–C, E–F, I–J), 2 mm (D, H), 0.2 mm (G).

Barychelidae Simon, 1889a

Tigidia Simon, 1892

Type species: Tigidia mauriciana Simon, 1892.

Diagnosis: For description and diagnosis of the genus see Mirza (2023).

Distribution: India, Madagascar, and Mauritius Islands (Mirza 2023; World Spider Catalog 2026).

Tigidia singhal sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Females of Tigidia singhal sp. nov. are similar to T. fasciata Mirza, 2023, T. jalgaonensis Mirza, 2023, and T. tangerina Mirza, 2023 in possessing elongate, widely separated spermathecae. However, they can be differentiated by a unique combination of characters: in T. singhal the spermathecal stalks arise from the middle of the spermathecae (v. arising from the apex in T. jalgaonensis, at bottom in T. tangerina, and ...

Etymology: The species is named in honor of Sandeep Singhal for his contributions to grassland conservation in India, including this work; the species was collected from semi-arid grassland habitats, highlighting the ecological importance of these ecosystems.

Rishikesh Tripathi, Prasad Bolde, Abi Tamim Vanak. 2026. A New Species of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Tigidia Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Barychelidae) from the Deccan Plateau, India. Arachnology. 20(5); 749-752. DOI: doi.org/10.13156/arac.2026.20.5.15 [8 July 2026]

 Researchgate.net/publication/408253064_A_new_species_of_Tigidia_from_the_Deccan_Plateau_India

[Arachnida • 2026] Kwonkan elatus & K. yorkrakine • Wishbone Spiders of the Genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) in south-western Australia: Redescription of legacy species, Two New Species, and an assessment of agricultural zone diversity

Live spiders and burrows of Kwonkan.
A Juvenile K. eboracum. B Female K. wonganensis C Juvenile K. sp. ‘MYG978’ 
 Burrow entrance morphology of D K. eboracum (open); E K. wonganensis (closed); F K. sp. ‘MYG978’(open) 
G, H Burrow entrance morphology of K. turriger, showing both free-standing (G) and foliage-supported (H) burrow entrances. I Burrow entrance morphology (open) of an undescribed Kwonkan species from near Leinster, W.A. 

in Wilson, Urso, Rix, et Harvey, 2026. 

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.84.e189518 

 Photos: A, C, F, I by J. Wilson; B, E by E. Volschenk; D by V. Cruz Bedón; G, H by M. Harvey.

Abstract

The collar-door wishbone spiders of the genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 are an Australian-endemic lineage of mygalomorph spiders that often construct elaborate burrow entrances, including collars and turrets, and remain poorly documented across their range, despite museum collections indicating high local endemism and substantial undescribed diversity. Much of the existing taxonomy, including nine of the 14 currently described species, was based on limited material and lacked modern morphological or molecular approaches to species delimitation, hindering efforts to document the remaining diversity and address conservation concerns. Here, we redescribe all nine legacy species and review Kwonkan diversity within the south-western Western Australian (SWWA) agricultural region, a highly fragmented and mostly cleared landscape harbouring extensive undescribed diversity and the threatened species K. eboracum Main, 1983. In the process, we clarify species identities, present the first molecular data for several species including K. eboracum, and describe two new species (K. elatus sp. nov. and K. yorkrakine sp. nov.) that were previously attributed to legacy species. In our review of the SWWA agricultural region fauna we identify 29 putative undescribed species and a pattern of extensive sympatry, fine-scale species turnover, and extremely restricted ranges. These findings highlight the need for continued revisionary work and potential conservation listing of additional described species such as K. wonganensis (Main, 1977).

Keywords: short-range endemism, conservation systematics, mygalomorph spiders, south-western Australian biodiversity hotspot, Wheatbelt

Live spiders and burrows of Kwonkan.
A Juvenile K. eboracum from near Kellerberrin, Western Australia (W.A.). B Female K. wonganensis from near Wongan Hills, W.A. C Juvenile K. sp. ‘MYG978’ from the Avon Wheatbelt, W.A.
D Burrow entrance morphology (open) of K. eboracum from near Kellerberrin, W.A. E Burrow entrance morphology (closed) of K. wonganensis from near Wongan Hills, W.A. F Burrow entrance morphology (open) of K. sp. ‘MYG978’ from the Avon Wheatbelt, W.A.
G, H Burrow entrance morphology of K. turriger, showing both free-standing (G) and foliage-supported (H) burrow entrances. I Burrow entrance morphology (open) of an undescribed Kwonkan species from near Leinster, W.A. 

 Photos: A, C, F, I by J. Wilson; B, E by E. Volschenk; D by V. Cruz Bedón; G, H by M. Harvey.

 Jeremy D. Wilson, Arianna Urso, Michael G. Rix, Erich S. Volschenk, Valentina Cruz Bedón and Mark S. Harvey. 2026. Wishbone Spiders of the Genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) in south-western Australia: Redescription of legacy species, Two New Species, and an assessment of agricultural zone diversity. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 84: 510-547.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.84.e189518 [08-07-2026]

[Arachnida • 2026] Latrodectus lucacha • A New Andean Species of Widow Spider (Araneae: Theridiidae: Latrodectus)

Latrodectus lucacha  

 Miller, Kratzer & Griswold, 2026

DOI:  doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1281.185973 

 

Abstract

We describe a new species of widow spider (Araneae, Theridiidae, Latrodectus) from the Andean region. DNA barcode sequences are provided. The species is documented from museum specimens across Peru and identified from photographs on iNaturalist, extending its inferred distribution into Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile. We integrate specimen and citizen-science occurrences to generate a species distribution model using WorldClim bioclimatic variables, predicting highest suitability along temperate to high-elevation Andean regions. We discuss the utility and limitations of citizen-science imagery for delimiting and mapping species and summarize available information on clinical aspects of envenomation in Peru associated with the local “lucacha” widow spider.

Key words: Andes, citizen-science, DNA barcode, iNaturalist, Latrodectus lucacha, new species, Peru, species distribution model, taxonomy

Observations of Latrodectus lucacha Miller, Kratzer & Griswold, sp. nov., from iNaturalist.
A. Female, male and egg case, from Arica, Arica y Parinacota, Chile; iNaturalist.org (by ferru, CC-BY-NC); B. Female with two egg cases, note parasitoid wasps on egg case, from Nabón, Azuay, Ecuador; iNaturalist.org (by kabirbosques, CC-BY);
C. Female feeding on a beetle, from Lima, Peru; iNaturalist.org (by ruthgo, CC0); D. Female feeding on a damselfly, from Lima, Peru; iNaturalist.org (by Mathieu_fr, CC-BY-NC).

Latrodectus lucacha Miller, Kratzer & Griswold, sp. nov.
A–C. From Pantanos de Villa Om, Lima, Peru (MUSM-ENT 051958), microphotographs of adult male; D. From Pachacayo, Junin, Peru (MUSM-ENT 0519569), schematic illustration of female reproductive structures; A, D. Dorsal; B. Lateral; C. Ventral.

Abbreviations: CD copulatory duct, FD Fertilization duct, SP Spermathecae. 

Scale bars: 1.0 mm (A–C), 0.5 mm (D).

Latrodectus lucacha Miller, Kratzer & Griswold, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Female with three loop copulatory ducts (Figs 2D, 3D–F), distinguishing it from L. geometricus C. L. Koch, 1841 and L. quartus Abalos, 1980 (Abalos 1980: figs 39, 66), which have more loops (ca 4), and from L. antheratus (Badcock, 1932) and L. variegatus Nicolet, 1849 (Abalos 1980: figs 49, 58), which have fewer (2). With dorsal longitudinal opisthosomal stripe variable in both width and length (Figs 4, 5), resembling several South American species, but not exhibiting oblique vertical stripes on the posterior quarter ...

Etymology. Lucacha is a common name for widow spiders in Peru (Pickard-Cambridge 1902; Maguiña Vargas et al. 2017).

Jeremy Miller, Chris Alice Kratzer and Charles Griswold. 2026. Description of A New Andean Species of Widow Spider (Araneae, Theridiidae, Latrodectus). ZooKeys. 1281: 49-67. DOI:  doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1281.185973 

[Arachnida • 2025] Pinelema aurata, P. cavernalis, P. onganh, ... • Hidden in the Dark: Five New Species of Pinelema (Araneae: Telemidae) from Caves in northern Vietnam with Remarks on the Genus Diversity and Conservation

Pinelema spp. in life. 
[A-C] Pinelema onganh, new species;
[D-F] P. cavernalis, new species;
[G-H] P. aurata, new species; [I] P. huifengi, new species 

Ballarin, Nguyen & Eguchi, 2025

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 73: 

 Abstract 

 Five new cave-dwelling species of the genus Pinelema Wang & Li, 2012 from northern Vietnam are described based on both sexes: Pinelema onganh, new species; P. cavernalis, new species; P. huifengi, new species; and P. nagaoi, new species, from Cao Bang Province, and P. aurata, new species, from Dien Bien Province. Three of these species exhibit marked morphological adaptations to subterranean life, including the absence of eyes, depigmentation, and leg elongation. For each species, detailed images of their diagnostic characters are provided. When possible, barcode sequences of the new species are obtained and compared with published Pinelema sequences in a pairwise analysis to assess the interspecific genetic variation of the genus. The significance of Pinelema species diversity in the Southeast Asian karst regions is also briefly discussed, along with conservation challenges linked to their strict habitat requirements.

 Key words. COI barcode, conservation, diversity, Southeast Asia, subterranean environment

Pinelema spp. in life. 
A, P. onganh, new species, male holotype; B, ditto, adult female; C, ditto, juvenile;
 D, P. cavernalis, new species, male holotype; E, ditto, adult female; F, ditto, adult female with egg sac;
G, P. aurata, new species, adult female; H, ditto, adult female with egg sac; I, P. huifengi, new species, adult female.

Francesco Ballarin, Anh D. Nguyen and Katsuyuki Eguchi. 2025. Hidden in the Dark: Five New Species of Pinelema (Araneae: Telemidae) from Caves in northern Vietnam with remarks on the Genus diversity and conservation. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 73: 548–567. [17 October 2025]

[Arachnida • 2026] Orchestina nojimai & O. insulana • Taxonomic Revision of the Jumping Goblin Spider Genus Orchestina Simon, 1882 (Araneae: Oonopidae) in Japan with Descriptions of Two New Species

A–B. Orchestina flava Ono, 2005, females. 
C. Orchestina insulana sp. nov., female; D. O. sanguinea Oi, 1955;
Orchestina saltitans Banks, 1894; O. okitsui Oi, 1958, male. 

Suzuki, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1068.3293 

Abstract 

The goblin spider genus Orchestina Simon, 1882 (Araneae: Oonopidae) in Japan has been revised, recognizing nine species including two new species and four species newly recorded from Japan: O. okitsui Oi, 1958 (♂♀), O. flava Ono, 2005 (♂♀), O. sanguinea Oi, 1955 (♀), O. saaristoi Henrard & Jocqué, 2012 (♂♀, new record), O. saltitans Banks, 1894 (♂♀, new record), O. colubrina Liu, Henrard & Xu, 2019 (♂, new record), O. pavesii (Simon, 1873) (♂♀, new record), Orchestina nojimai sp. nov. (♀) and O. insulana sp. nov. (♀). A literature survey revealed errors in the correspondences between figures and captions in a pictorial book, which likely led to the misidentification of the synanthropically introduced species O. saltitans as the forest-dwelling native species O. okitsui. The misrepresentation also gave rise to the erroneous assumption that the male of O. sanguinea had been described, although no male specimen has actually been reported. In addition, Orchestina flagella Saaristo & van Harten, 2006, is here synonymized with O. saltitans (O. flagella syn. nov.). This study provides photographs and illustrations of nine Orchestina species, including the type specimens of O. okitsui, O. flava and O. sanguinea, notes on their habitats, distribution maps, supplemental molecular data, and a graphical character matrix of Orchestina species in Japan.

Keywords: Arachnida, misidentification, type material, synanthropic species, Synspermiata

Live specimens of species of Orchestina Simon, 1882.
A. Orchestina okitsui Oi, 1958, male (YSPC-Op-1). B. Orchestina saltitans Banks, 1894, male (YSPC-Op-2).

Live specimens of species of Orchestina Simon, 1882.
 A–B. Orchestina flava Ono, 2005, females (TKPM-AR, voucher specimen numbers not specified). C. Orchestina insulana sp. nov., female (TKPM-AR 3489). D. Orchestina sanguinea Oi, 1955, female (TKPM-AR 3491).

 

Yuya SUZUKI. 2026. Taxonomic Revision of the Jumping Goblin Spider Genus Orchestina Simon, 1882 (Araneae: Oonopidae) in Japan with Descriptions of Two New Species. European Journal of Taxonomy.  1068: 1–49. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1068.3293 [2026-06-12]

[Arachnida • 2026] Trogloraptor tulishpun • A New northern Species of Trogloraptor (Araneae: Trogloraptoridae), Genetic Diversity and Natural History

 

 Trogloraptor tulishpun Jones & Binford,

in Jones, Watson, Hedin et Binford, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.1.5 

photos by M. Hedin

Abstract

We present a morphological description of a recently discovered species of spider in the family Trogloraptoridae from the Columbia River Gorge in northwestern Oregon. The family was previously monotypic (Trogloraptor marchingtoni) and only known from populations near the southwestern Oregon—northern California border. Trogloraptor tulishpun sp. nov. retains the key family synapomorphy, distinctive subsegmented raptorial tarsi, and an oblique membranous division of the basal segment of the anterior lateral spinnerets. Trogloraptor tulishpun is distinguished from T. marchingtoni by its color pattern, clypeal height, vulvar and palp structure. We have found T. tulishpun in four localities in the Columbia River Gorge, which show little mitochondrial sequence divergence from one another, but are highly genetically distinct from T. marchingtoni. Trogloraptor tulishpun is found in basalt features, including lava tubes and shallow talus caves, and has been observed to eat arachnids and moths, making them top predators in these environments.

Araneae, arachnophagy, caves, invertebrate conservation, mitochondrial divergence, subterranean biodiversity

Habitus of live Trogloraptor tulishpun from Herman Creek Talus Cave.
A male in captivity, B female in captivity,
C male in Herman Creek Talus Cave, D female in Herman Creek Talus Cave on sparse web,
 E male on non Trogloraptor web, F female in Herman Creek Talus Cave.

(all photos by M. Hedin)

Habitus of male Trogloraptor tulishpun (holotype, USNMENT02418340) from Herman Creek Talus Cave.
A, B dorsal views, C, E ventral views, D anterior view.

Trogloraptor tulishpun, Jones and Binford, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. Trogloraptor tulishpun resembles T. marchingtoni (Griswold et al., 2012) by its similar carapace and abdominal shape and coloration, its subsegmented raptorial tarsi, and the partly sclerotized genital region (Figs 2, 3, 5, 7). It is clearly distinguished by its conspicuous scalloped patterning along the lateral and posterior edges of the carapace which is absent in T. marchingtoni. The abdominal patterning is different from the chevron pattern of T. marchingtoni, with oval-shaped spots down the center of the dorsal side that have a thin line of beige down the ...

Etymology. Tulishpun (pronounced too-lish-pun) is a word, simplified for ease of pronunciation, from the Sahaptin River dialect meaning “cave predator, owner of the domain”. The Sahaptin River dialect is from the Columbia River area, the type locality of this species, and the name was given to us by elders from the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. The specific epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

 

MADELINE M. JONES, FINN WATSON, MARSHAL HEDIN and GRETA J. BINFORD. 2026. Beneath the Surface: A New northern Species of Trogloraptor (Araneae: Trogloraptoridae), Genetic Diversity and Natural History.  Zootaxa. 5828(1); 103-116. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.1.5 [2026-06-08]

[Arachnida • 2026] Kambiwa itacarambi, K. maracas, Sertana capivara, S. sagarana, ... • Ninetine Spiders in Brazilian Caatinga and Cerrado: Revision of Kambiwa and Description of Sertana gen. nov. (Araneae: Pholcidae), with analyses of predicted range shifts due to climate change

A–B. Kambiwa itacarambi Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from NW of Itacarambi.
E–F. K. coribe Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from E of São Felix do Coribe.
G–H. K. maracas Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from S of Contendas do Sincorá.
K–L. K. mucuge Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ from NE of Mucugê.

in Huber, Meng, Král, Herrera et Carvalho., 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1054.3276 

Abstract

Among daddy long-legs spiders (Pholcidae), Ninetinae is a distinctive subfamily that comprises short-legged, fast-running spiders. Most species are small or tiny, lead reclusive lives, and are largely restricted to semiarid regions, which together has made them poorly collected and poorly known. Here, we build on focused recent collections in the Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, two of the World’s richest tropical savanna, xeric shrubland and thorn forest regions. Our focus is on the taxonomy of the genus Kambiwa Huber, 2000 that previously contained only two nominal species, each known from a single locality. Combining morphological and molecular (CO1 barcode) data, we describe six new species in Kambiwa (K. brumado Huber sp. nov.; K. coribe Huber sp. nov.; K. ibo Huber sp. nov.; K. itacarambi Huber sp. nov.; K. maracas Huber sp. nov.; K. mucuge Huber sp. nov.), redescribe the type species K. neotropica (Kraus, 1957), and synonymize the monotypic genus Pemona Huber, 2019 with Kambiwa, resulting in the new combination K. sapo (Huber, 2019) comb. nov. In addition, we describe a new genus of superficially Kambiwa-like spiders from the same geographic region: Sertana Huber gen. nov., with five new species (S. bumba Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. capivara Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. igapora Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. lapa Huber gen. et sp. nov.; S. sagarana Huber gen. et sp. nov.). In line with previous efforts to explore the processes underlying the geographical distribution of Ninetinae, we also evaluate the potential effects of future climate change on the environmental niche occupied by three selected species of Kambiwa. Our results corroborate previous findings that demonstrate an altitude-mediated response to climate change. For a highland species, areas of high habitat suitability almost disappear under more severe climate change scenarios. For two species with lowland records, the areas with high habitat suitability increase significantly. Finally, we analyze the male karyotype of K. ibo which consists of 28 chromosomes including a X1X2X3Y system. All chromosomes are biarmed except for the Y chromosome. This contribution concludes a series of publications on the subfamily Ninetinae. We use this opportunity to summarize current knowledge about the subfamily, to discuss open questions and knowledge gaps, and to suggest further research topics focusing on these tiny but exceptional pholcids.

Keywords: CO1 barcodes, climate change, karyotype, niche modeling, taxonomy

Kambiwa Huber, 2000; live specimens from Brazil; all at same scale.
A–B. Kambiwa itacarambi Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from NW of Itacarambi. C–D. K. ibo Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from NE of Lagoa Grande. E–F. K. coribe Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from E of São Felix do Coribe.
G–H. K. maracas Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from S of Contendas do Sincorá. I–J. K. brumado Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ with egg sac from W of Marcolino Moura. K–L. K. mucuge Huber sp. nov., ♂♀ from NE of Mucugê.

Kambiwa Huber, 2000 spp., typical habitats; all localities are in Brazil.
A. Bahia, between Ibó and Curaçá; Kambiwa sp. aff. neotropica. B. Bahia, E of São Felix do Coribe; type locality of Kambiwa coribe Huber sp. nov. 
C. Bahia, NE of Brumado; type locality of K. brumado Huber sp. nov. D. Bahia, SW of Maracas; type locality of K. maracas Huber sp. nov.
E. Bahia, NE of Mucugê; type locality of K. mucuge Huber sp. nov. F. Minas Gerais, NW of Itacarambi; type locality of K. itacarambi Huber sp. nov.

Kambiwa brumado Huber sp. nov.

 K. coribe Huber sp. nov.

K. ibo Huber sp. nov.

K. itacarambi Huber sp. nov.

 K. maracas Huber sp. nov.

 K. mucuge Huber sp. nov.

K. sapo (Huber, 2019) comb. nov.  

 Sertana Huber gen. nov. 

S. bumba Huber gen. et sp. nov. 

 S. capivara Huber gen. et sp. nov. 

 S. igapora Huber gen. et sp. nov.

S. lapa Huber gen. et sp. nov.

 S. sagarana Huber gen. et sp. nov. 

 

Bernhard A. Huber, Guanliang Meng, Jiří Král, Ivalú M. Ávila Herrera, Leonardo S. Carvalho. 2026. Ninetine Spiders in Brazilian Caatinga and Cerrado: Revision of Kambiwa and Description of Sertana gen. nov. (Araneae, Pholcidae), with analyses of predicted range shifts due to climate change. European Journal of Taxonomy. 1054(1), 1–126. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1054.3276 [2026-05-14]

[Arachnida • 2026] Langelurillus sahyadri & L. udaipurensis • Further Notes on Indian Langelurillus Próchniewicz, 1994 (Araneae: Salticidae), with the Description of Two New Species

 

Langelurillus sahyadri Sanap, Tripathi, Thackeray & Caleb, 

in Sanap, Tripathi, Caleb, H. Koli, V.K. Koli, Intodia et Thackeray, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5792.1.11

Abstract

We describe two new species, Langelurillus sahyadri Sanap, Tripathi, Thackeray & Caleb sp. nov. (♂♀) from Maharashtra and Langelurillus udaipurensis Tripathi, Sanap & Caleb sp. nov. (♂) from Rajasthan. Additionally, the previously unknown females of L. lacteus Sanap, Joglekar & Caleb, 2017 and L. onyx Caleb, Sanap, Joglekar & Prajapati, 2017 are described for the first time. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, diagnostic comparisons of the studied species, and a distributional map for all Indian species are provided.

Araneae, Aravalli hills, distribution, jumping spider, taxonomy, Western Ghats

 Langelurillus sahyadri Sanap, Tripathi, Thackeray & Caleb sp. nov. 

Langelurillus udaipurensis Tripathi, Sanap & Caleb sp. nov. 

Langelurillus lacteus Sanap, Joglekar & Caleb, 2017 

L. onyx Caleb, Sanap, Joglekar & Prajapati, 2017

RAJESH V. SANAP, RISHIKESH TRIPATHI, JOHN T.D. CALEB, HEMLATA KOLI, VIJAY KUMAR KOLI, ANJANA INTODIA and TEJAS THACKERAY. 2026. Further Notes on Indian Langelurillus Próchniewicz, 1994 (Araneae: Salticidae), with the Description of Two New Species. Zootaxa. 5792(1); 183-199. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5792.1.11 [2026-04-10]

[Arachnida • 2026] Theridion himalayana • On the Discovery of A New polymorphic Happy-Face Spider (Araneae: Theridiidae) from the Western Himalayas, India, with notes on its natural history

Theridion himalayana Priyadarshini & Tripathy, 

in Tripathy et Priyadarshini, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.10.174338 

Abstract

A new species of Theridion is reported here from Uttarakhand, India which resembles and exhibits polymorphism like the Happy-face spiders reported from the Hawaiian Islands, Theridion grallator. The species is polymorphic in both sexes and exhibits patterns of a smiling face with dots in colours of red, black and white arranged differently. 32 different morphs of the species have been reported here which have been collected from three different locations in the northwestern state of India, Uttarakhand. This Theridion species also builds webs to hang upside down like the other polymorphic spiders T. californicum and T. grallator. The phylogenetic position of the species is also reported here which was compared against some of the Asian and Neotropical species across the world using the COI marker. A genetic variation of around 8.5% is observed from the Hawaiian Happy-face spider which indicates a separately evolved species in Asia where several morphs have been found. Despite moderate overall divergence, T. himalayana appears to be phylogenetically isolated from both its Palearctic and Nearctic congeners. This supports its distinctiveness within the genus and raises broader questions about lineage dispersal, parallel evolution of colour polymorphism and independent evolution of species in montane forests. A dichotomous key to the Theridion species described form India is also presented here.

Key Words: Happy-face spider, polymorphism, dichotomous key, Phylogeny, Theridiidae, Uttarakhand, India

Theridion himalayana Priyadarshini & Tripathy, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis. Theridion himalayana sp. nov. can be readily distinguished from other Indian congeners by the unique configuration of the copulatory ducts (CD) and fertilisation ducts (FD). In T. himalayana sp. nov., the CD is elongate, strongly curved, and prominently protruding forward, with both ducts running almost parallel before terminating downward. The CD which is longer than the spermathecae exhibits a distinctive sew-hook–like appearance, which is not observed in any other examined species. The fertilisation ducts are short, narrow, and directed upwards, diverging away from each other to form a V-shaped orientation. The FD arises below the spermatheca, with each duct directed opposite to the CD. This configuration clearly separates T. himalayana sp. nov. from T. odisha, which has a S-shaped, coiled CD that terminates in oval loops and FD inclined towards each other; T. bengalensis, where CD is short, slender, and directed away from each other, while FD appears tapering distally and directed away from spermatheca; T. melanostictum, characterized by extremely long, highly coiled CD and downward-directed, sickle-shaped FD; T. zonulatum, which possesses short, uncoiled CD and looped FD directed upwards.

...

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘himalayana’ is assigned to species owing to the locality from which it was first found as an ode to the mighty Himalayan Mountain range that holds a wealth of biodiversity.

Suggested common name. Himalayan Happy-Face Spider.

 Ashirwad Tripathy and Devi Priyadarshini. 2026. On the Discovery of A New polymorphic Happy-Face Spider (Araneae, Theridiidae) from the Western Himalayas, India, with notes on its natural history. Evolutionary Systematics. 10(1): 63-84. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.10.174338 [24 Apr 2026]

[Arachnida • 2026] Androctonus tinzaouatinensis • A New scorpion Species (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from In Guezzam Province, Algeria

Androctonus tinzaouatinensis 

Yağmur, Benali, Derradj & Bikada, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2642870 

facebook.com: Lotfi Derradj

 ABSTRACT

A new scorpion species, Androctonus tinzaouatinensis sp. n. is described and illustrated from the hyperarid Saharan regions of the Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province and Timiaouine District, Bordj Badji Mokhtar Province, southern Algeria. This new species represents the first record of the genus Androctonus from the Timiaouine and Tin Zaouatine areas. It is compared with congeners from Algeria and Niger, notably A. ajjer Ythier, Sadine, Alioua & Lourenço, A. amoreuxi (Audouin), and A. eburneus (Pallary).

 

KEYWORDS: Morphology, taxonomy, Tin Zaouatine, Sahara, endemic

Androctonus tinzaouatinensis sp. n. 

 

Ersen Aydın Yağmur, Noureddine Benali, Lotfi Derradj and Manna Bikada. 2026. Androctonus tinzaouatinensis A New scorpion Species from In Guezzam Province, Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Journal of Natural History. 60(17-20); 1033-1047. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2642870 [21 Apr 2026]

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[Arachnida • 2026] “The Cordyceps Spider”: Taczanowskia waska sp. nov. (Araneae: Araneidae), A New spider Species and A Novel Case of Mimicry of an Araneopathogenic Fungus (Cordycipitaceae: Gibellula)

Taczanowskia waska

Díaz-Guevara, Bentley & Dupérré, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.5.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/401254813

Abstract 

Herein, we describe a new species of the rare spider genus Taczanowskia Keyserling, 1879 (Araneae: Araneidae), Taczanowskia waska sp. nov. (♀) from the Ecuadorian Amazon. Additionally, we discuss its unique fungal mimicry, comment on Taczanowskia ecology, and provide an updated taxonomic key for females of the genus. The importance of this discovery extends well beyond the description of a novel taxon, representing the first reported case of Arachnid mimicry of an araneopathogenic fungus. Finally, we discuss the application of citizen science to collecting ecological and biogeographical data on arachnids and its potential use for describing new taxa. 

Araneae, fungal-mimicry, arachnids, mycelium, Amazon, llanganates-Sangay Connectivity Corridor

Taczanowskia waska sp. nov., female holotype, alive.
 a, dorsal view. B, second dorsal view. C, posterior dorsalview. D, frontal view. e, posterior dorsal view with an ovisac. 

 Records of spiders with apparent fungal mimicry.
a, Taczanowskia waska sp. nov. from Pastaza, ecuador (© David R.Díaz-Guevara). B, unknown araneidae species from Huong National Park, vietnam, 2013 (© Paul Bertner).
C, D, an undescribed species of Acantharachne from uganda, 0.390, 33.113 (© Frank Deschandol).
E, Exechocentrus lancearius from Madagascar, -18.966, 48.592 (© Artur Tomaszek). F, Mastophora leucacantha from coastal Brazil, -23.959, -46.190 (© Thiago Gonçalves Coronado Antunes).

David R. DÍAZ-GUEVARA, Alexander Griffin BENTLEY and Nadine DUPÉRRÉ. 2026. “The Cordyceps Spider”: Taczanowskia waska sp. nov. (Araneae: Araneidae), A New spider Species and A Novel Case of Mimicry of an Araneopathogenic Fungus (Cordycipitaceae: Gibellula).  Zootaxa. 5760(5); 563-576. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.5.4 [2026-02-26]

 Researchgate.net/publication/401254813_Taczanowskia_waska_sp_nov_a_new_spider_species_and_a_novel_case_of_mimicry_of_an_araneopathogenic_fungus

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