Abstract
Herein we describe Ocrepeira klamt sp. n. (Araneae: Araneidae), a new orb-weaving spider species from a Colombian páramo, which was formerly inaccessible for scientific studies due to decades long armed conflicts. Both, phenotypic and molecular data are used to confirm genus affiliation, and the new species is placed into phylogenetic context with other araneid spiders. Morphological characteristics and ecological notes of Ocrepeira klamt sp. n. are reported together with the sequence of the barcoding region of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) to provide a comprehensive description of the spider, facilitating future identification beyond taxonomic experts. With this study we contribute to the taxonomic knowledge that is required to inventory the hyper diverse yet threatened ecosystem of the Colombian páramos.
Highlights
Biodiversity hotspots, priorities for conservation efforts due to their high number of endemic species, are thought to harbour most of undescribed organisms [1, 2]
Located in the Tropical Andes are the Colombian paramos, neotropical alpine grassland ecosystems situated between the timberline and permanent snow fields
We describe a new spider of the genus Ocrepeira Marx, 1883 [24] (Araneidae: Araneinae), and provide notes concerning its ecology from the Paramo Las Hermosas (Colombia), an area formerly inaccessible due to armed conflicts
Summary
Biodiversity hotspots, priorities for conservation efforts due to their high number of endemic species, are thought to harbour most of undescribed organisms [1, 2]. Colombia is distinguished by accommodating two hotspots, Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena and Tropical Andes, the latter being recognized for hosting the highest species richness and most endemics worldwide [1]. Located in the Tropical Andes are the Colombian paramos, neotropical alpine grassland ecosystems situated between the timberline and permanent snow fields. Characterized by swamps and wet grassland, conspicuous frailejones (Espeletia) and small shrub and forest patches, they are often referred to as ‘grassland isles within a sea of cloud forests’ [5,6,7].
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