A revision of Afrotropical Asceua (Araneae, Zodariidae), ant-eating spiders with puzzling distributions
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The Afrotropical representatives of the zodariid spider genus Asceua Thorell, 1889 are revised. Apart from the known species A. radiosa Jocqué, 1986 (Comoros, Mayotte) and A. lejeunei Jocqué, 1991 (DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria), six new species are recognized and described: A. arborivagasp. nov. (♀, Guinea), A. foordisp. nov., (♂♀, DR Congo, Guinea, South Africa), A. incensasp. nov. (♂♀, DR Congo), A. lukisp. nov. (♂♀, DR Congo), A. palustrissp. nov. (♀, DR Congo) and A. ventrofiguratasp. nov. (♂♀, Tanzania). A key to the species is provided. Some of the species have a very large distribution, which is unusual in the Zodariidae. The phenomenon is probably linked to the canopy dwelling behaviour, which appears common in the genus but unique for this spider family.
Source: African Invertebrates
Authors: Rudy Jocqué, Arnaud Henrard
Institution: Royal Museum for Central Africa
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $404
OpenAlex ID: W4404759940