An integrative taxonomy of the genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) of the Karoo with the description of nine new species and a Stasimopus maraisi Hewitt 1914 male.

Abstract

The genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 is endemic to Southern Africa, but is historically largely understudied. This paper provides a taxonomic revision for the Stasimopus species of the Karoo region of South Africa and includes the description of nine new species (S. dylani sp. nov., S. finni sp. nov., S. hamartia sp. nov., S. ignis sp. nov., S. karooensis sp. nov., S. malesociatus sp. nov., S. tera sp. nov., S. theaei sp. nov. and S. venterstadensis sp. nov.). A description of the genetically matched S. maraisi Hewitt 1914 male is provided. The original S. maraisi male is designated to its own new species (S. malesociatus sp. nov.). An identification key is provided for species occurring in the Karoo region. This is the first integrative taxonomy for the genus that includes morphological, geometric morphometric as well as genetic data.