New data on the spider genus <em>Pionothele</em> (Araneae: Nemesiidae), with description of a new species from South Africa

Sergei L. Zonstein

Authors

Sergei L. Zonstein The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. E-mail: serzon56@gmail.com

Keywords:

Biodiversity, Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Nemesiidae, spiders, wishbone spiders, Afrotropical, South Africa, new species, taxonomy

Abstract

The formerly monotypic African genus Pionothele Purcell is shown to comprise two members, the type species P. straminea Purcell, 1902 and P. capensis n. sp., described here. The distribution of both sympatric species is confined to the Cape Peninsula and adjacent territories. The new species differs from P. straminea by having a noticeably better developed cheliceral rastellum, more numerous maxillary cuspules (80–90 vs 15–20) and triangular (not domed) apical segment of the posterior lateral spinnerets, as well as by the short-cylindrical (not swollen) male palpal tibia and a paddle-like embolus slightly dilated apically (thorn-like in the latter species). To compare diagnostic characters directly, the type species is also redescribed from a conspecific male. The relationships of Pionothele are briefly discussed.

Cite as: Zonstein, S. L. 2016. New data on the spider genus Pionothele (Araneae: Nemesiidae), with description of a new species from South Africa. Israel Journal of Entomology 46: 31–42.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.56928

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1AB4F448-8024-40D6-98F0-02CC7D7CC150