Systematics of the Western Ghats endemic tarantula subfamily Thrigmopoeinae with the description of a new genus and four new species

By

Mirza, Zeeshan

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-12-31

Original Publication

Travaux du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle "Grigore Antipa"

Volume

67

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

183--234

Subjects

Biogeography , Conservation , India , Natural history , taxonomy , Theraphosidae , Western Ghats

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

București, România Muzeul Național de Istorie Naturală "Grigore Antipa" -2009

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/travaux.67.e112517

 

Abstract

The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot known for its high degree of endemism. The tarantula subfamily Thrigmopoeinae, with two genera and seven species, is endemic to the Western Ghats. A taxonomic account of the Western Ghats endemic tarantula subfamily Thrigmopoeinae is presented. The study is based on a re-examination of existing museum material and a fresh collection from across the Western Ghats. Rediagnosis of the genera Haploclastus Simon, 1892 and Thrigmopoeus Pocock, 1899, is presented with a description of a new genus and four new species. The genus Cilantica gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate Cilantica phsycadelicus comb. nov. and Cilantica kayi comb. nov., and a new species from the southern Western Ghats. Thrigmopoeinae, being endemic to the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, is a vital flagship for invertebrate conservation.