Abstract
The new endemic Australian goblin spider genus Cavisternum, gen. nov., is described with 19 new species: C. bagleyae, C. barthorum, C. bertmaini, C. carae, the type species C. clavatum, C. digweedi, C. ewani, C. foxae, C. gatangel, C. heywoodi, C. hughesi, C. ledereri, C. maxmoormanni, C. mayorum, C. michaelbellomoi, C. noelashepherdae, C. rochesterae, C. toadshow, and C. waldockae. A key is provided for all Cavisternum species known to date. Males of the genus Cavisternum possess a highly modified sternum, which is strongly concave and covered with clavate setae, and the cheliceral fangs are elongate with broad tips. The genus is found in tropical northern Australia and shows high endemicity, with most species recorded from a single location.
Highlights
With over 490 described species in 72 genera and about 2500 expected species worldwide (Platnick, 2008), the Oonopidae are a megadiverse spider family
The Australian goblin spider fauna is most diverse in the tropical and subtropical regions, but species occur over the whole of mainland Australia as well as Tasmania
Our description of this new genus and the numerous species that we recognize is the first Australian goblin spider genus to be fully treated as part of the worldwide revision of the family Oonopidae conducted by the “Goblin Spider Planetary Biodiversity Inventory (PBI)” project
Summary
With over 490 described species in 72 genera and about 2500 expected species worldwide (Platnick, 2008), the Oonopidae are a megadiverse spider family. Cavisternum clavatum, new species, male metatarsi, dorsal view (PBI_OON 04906). Cavisternum clavatum, new species, male metatarsal trichobothria (PBI_OON 04906). Cavisternum clavatum, new species, male palp (PBI_OON 04906). Cavisternum clavatum, new species, female epigyne (PBI_OON 04906).
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