An of Zelotibia (Araneae, Gnaphosidae), a spider genus with a species swarm in the Albertine Rift

By

Nzigidahera, Benoît
Jocqué, Rudy

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2009

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

13

Pages

1-28

Subjects

Albertine Rift , Central Africa , Description , Gnaphosidae , mountain rainforest , species swarm , Zelotibia

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.13.145

 

Abstract

The spider genus Zelotibia Russell-Smith & Murphy, 2005 is reviewed. Eight new species, all from forest areas in the Albertine Rift, are described: they are Z. angelica (♀), Z. curvifemur (♂♀), Z. fosseyae (♀), Z. johntony (♀), Z. kanama (♀), Z. kibira (♀), Z. lejeunei (♂♀)and Z. subsessa (♀). The unknown female of Z. major Russell-Smith & Murphy, 2005 is described. Z. similis Russel-Smith & Murphy, 2005 is synonymized with Z. paucipapillata Russell-Smith & Murphy, 2005. An illustrated key to the species of the genus is provided. The genus now contains 22 species, 19 of which are concentrated in the Albertine Rift, confirming the biodiversity hot-spot status of that area.