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Research article

um:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AC69F89F-CllB-49Bl-8EEE-183286EDA755

Pholcid spiders from the Lower Guinean region of Central Africa: an

overview, with descriptions of seven new species (Araneae, Pholcidae)

Bernhard A. HUBER'^ Philippe LE GALL^ ", Jacques Francois MAVOUNGOU^ '* ’

^ Alexander Koenig Researeh Museum of Zoology, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany

E-mail: b.huber@7fmk de

^ Eaboratoire Evolution, Genomes et Speeiation, UPR 9034, Centre National de la Reeherehe

Seientifique (CNRS), 91198 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, Franee and Universite Paris-Sud 11,

91405 Orsay Cedex, Franee. E-mail: [email protected]

^ Institut de Reeherehe en Eeologie Tropieale, BP: 13354, Eibreville, Gabon

Email: [email protected]

Universite des Seienees et Teehniques de Masuku, Franeeville, Gabon.

^ um:lsid:zoobarLk.org:author:33607F65-19BF-4DC9-94FD-4BB88CED455F

^ um:lsid:zoobank.org:author:13F0CC41-6013-49FD-B4C2-0A455C9F8D82

^ um:lsid:zoobank.org:author:E990D817-154C-4B8A-BD6D-740B05879DA0

Abstract. This paper summarizes eurrent knowledge about Central Afriean pholeids. Central Afriea

is here defined as the area between 10°N and 7°S and between 6°E and 18°E, ineluding mainly the

Eower Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian eenter of endemism. This ineludes all of Gabon,

Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Prineipe, most of Cameroon and Congo Republie, and parts of the

neighboring eountries. An annotated list of the 14 genera and 79 speeies reeorded from this area is given,

together with distribution maps and an identifieation key to genera. Seven speeies are newly deseribed:

Anansus kamwai sp. nov., Leptopholcus gabonicus sp. nov., Ninetisfaro sp. nov., Pholcuspunu sp. nov.,

P. rawiriae sp. nov., Spermophora abibae sp. nov., and S. awalai sp. nov. Additional new reeords are

given for 16 previously deseribed speeies, ineluding 17 new eountry reeords. Distribution and diversity

patterns are eompared with data on West and East Afriea. While West Afriea eontains a similar set of

genera it is signifieantly less diverse than Central Afriea. East Afriea is taxonomieally more distinet. It

has similar levels of diversity as Central Afriea, but appears to be less undersampled.

Keywords. Pholeidae, Central Afriea, Eower Guinea, taxonomy, identifieation key

Huber B.A., Le Gall P. & Mavoungou J.F. 2014. Pholcid spiders from the Lower Guinean region of Central Africa:

an overview, with descriptions of seven new speices (Araneae, Pholcidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 81:

1-46. http://dx.doi.org/lQ.5852/ejt.2014.81

Introduction

Central Afriea is home to the world’s seeond largest moist tropieal forests, exeeeded in area only by the

Amazon Basin forests. In eontrast to West and East Afriea, where only about 10% of the original tropieal

moist forests remain (Naughton-Treves & Weber 2001; Norris et al. 2010), Central Afriean forests may

still extend over about half the original area (59.3% in 1992; Naughton-Treves & Weber 2001). While

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

a high diversity of organisms otherwise eoneentrated in the tropies is thus expeeted for Central Alfiea,

available data often fail to refleet this, probably for laek of exploration. Even relatively well-studied

groups sueh as mammals, birds, and amphibians are poorly studied in parts of Afriea, in partieular in

Central Afriea (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2001; Grubb 2001; Lawson & Klemens 2001), where

eryptie diversity is probably more frequent than previously thought (Voelker et al. 2013).

Pholeid spiders are among the groups known to be most diverse in tropieal and subtropieal regions

(Huber 2011a, 2011b), with a wide range of body shapes and eolors related to different mierohabitats

(Figs 1-18). However, tropieal Afriea has long remained poorly explored (Huber 2005). No more than 18

eurrently valid speeies had been deseribed from the Lower Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian

Figs 1-9. Leaf-dwelling Central Afrieanpholeids. 1. Leptoholcus gabonicus sp. nov., 3 from Mayebout,

Gabon. 2-3. Pholcus baka Huber, 2011, S from Sahoue (2) and $ with juveniles from Mayebout (3),

Gabon. 4. Smeringopus cylindrogaster (Simon, 1907), $ with eggsae from Loum, Cameroon. 5-6.

Spermophora awalai sp. nov., pair from Nyasoso (5) and a $ with eggsae from Attuleh (6), Cameroon.

7. Spermophora akwamu Huber & Kwapong, 2013, $ from NE Makokou, Gabon. 8-9. Quamtana oku

Huber, 2003, $ $ with eggsaes from Mt. Oku, Cameroon. Photos BAH.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

center of endemism until 2002, and numbers were similarly low for West Africa (19) and East Africa

(29). This situation has changed dramatically within the last decade. Focused arachnological collecting

campaigns by a number of individuals from various institutions have resulted in an increase of available

Figs 10-18. Litter, bark and ground-dwelling Central African pholcids. 10. Anansus kamwai sp. nov., $

with eggsac from near Bamenda, Cameroon. 11. Pholcus woca Huber, 2011, S from nearNdjole, Gabon.

12-13. Pholcuspunu sp. nov., pair from between Mimongo and Yeno (12) and S from Moudouma (13),

Gabon. 14-15. Pholcus mwiriae sp. nov., $ with eggsac (14) and (J from Mohoba, Gabon (15). 16.

Smeringopina fang Huber, 2013, $ with eggsac from Mayebout, Gabon. 17. Smeringopina belinga

Huber, 2013, S from Monts de Belinga, Gabon. 18. Smeringopus lesserti Kraus, 1957, S from Mayebout,

Gabon. Photos BAH.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

material by about two to three orders of magnitude. Revisions of all major and most minor pholeid

genera present in Afriea have more than tripled the number of deseribed Afriean speeies (Huber 2003a,

b, e, 2007,2009,2011b, 2012,2013). Even though pereentages of new speeies eolleeted during intensive

sampling trips suggest hundreds of undeseribed speeies in tropieal Afriea (Huber in press), Afriean

pholeids ean probably be eonsidered fairly well known at the generie level. At least a framework is now

available that roughly eireumseribes eaeh group in terms of morphology, distribution, and relationships,

and that allows old speeies to be identified and new speeies to be reeognized as sueh.

Two reeent overviews of the Pholeidae from East Afriea and West Afriea have summarized the available

information for eaeh of these regions, ineluding deseriptions for speeies that had not been ineluded in

taxonomie revisions (Huber & Wami 2012; Huber & Kwapong 2013). The present paper is the last in

this trilogy, eoneentrating of the third part of mainland tropieal Afriea that has reeeived intensive reeent

attention both by eolleetors and in taxonomie revisions.

Material and methods

A large part of the material studied herein was eolleeted during expeditions to Cameroon (2009) and

Gabon (2011). This material is eurrently deposited at the Zoologisehes Forsehungsmuseum Alexander

Koenig, Bonn (ZFMK). Further material was borrowed from the following institutions: Natural History

Museum, Fondon (BMNH); California Aeademy of Seienees, San Franeiseo (CAS); Musee royal de

Figs 19-20. All pholeid reeords known from Central Afriea (19) and known distribution of the genus

Anansus Huber, 2007 in Central Afriea (20). Question marks denote uneertain identifieations (females

from Bioko and Gabon and one poorly preserved male from eastern Cameroon). E.G. = Equatorial

Guinea; S.T.R = Sao Tome andPrineipe.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

r Afrique Centrale, Tervuren (MRAC); National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. (USNM);

and Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen (ZMUC).

Format, style of descriptions, and terminology are as in recent revisions (e.g., Huber 2011b, 2012,2013).

Measurements are in mm unless otherwise noted. The precision for eye measurements is ca. 5 pm.

Epigyna were cleared in a warm NaOH solution and stained with chlorazol black. Locality coordinates

are in round brackets when copied from labels and original publications or when received directly

from collectors, in square brackets when originating from some other source (such as online gazetteers,

Google Earth, MRAC database, etc.).

The following abbreviations are used:

ALE =

anterior lateral eyes

ALS =

anterior lateral spinnerets

AME =

anterior median eyes

a.s.l. =

above sea level

L/d

length/diameter

PME =

posterior median eyes

The geographic area considered here (between 10°N and 7°S; between 6°E and 18°E; Fig. 19)

encompasses mainly the Lower Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian center of endemism (White

2001). The western and eastern limits of this subregion are somewhat controversial. In the west, the

main current gap (Dahomey Gap; ~0-3°E) is not always congruent with distribution limits of taxa,

which in many cases are further east (Cross River Basin of eastern Nigeria, ~8°E) (Dowsett-Lemaire &

Dowsett 2001; Lawson & Klemens 2001; Maley 2001). In the east, both the Gabon-Congo watershed

and the Sangha-Ubangui Rivers have been proposed as limits (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2001). For

the present overview, however, the exact western and eastern limits are fairly irrelevant since the pholcid

faunas of Nigeria and Congo Republic remain largely unknown. The southern and northern limits were

chosen to include western Congo D.R. (with the excellent collections from Luki Forest Reserve in

MRAC) and all known pholcid records from Cameroon (no record from beyond 10°N is known to us).

Results

Class Arachnida Cuvier, 1812

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757

Family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1851

Annotated list of Central African genera and species

Pholcidae described from Central Africa as defined herein, with countries, references, and new records.

Anansus Huber, 2007

Anansus is endemic and widely distributed in tropical Africa (Huber 2007; Huber & Wami 2012; Huber

& Kwapong 2013), with two nominal species currently known from Central Africa (Fig. 20). Females in

this genus are difficult to distinguish, and female specimens from Bioko (Pico Basile) in CAS and from

Gabon (Ntenkele) in ZFMK (Ar 11886) might represent further undescribed species.

1. Anansus dehakkeri Huber, 2007. Congo D.R. (Huber 2007).

New records

CONGO D.R.: Bas Congo: 4 SS, 14$$ + juvs (5 vials) in MRAC (224305-306 part, 309-311 part),

Mayombe, Luki Forest Reserve [5°37.3’S, 13°05.9’E], fogging in old secondary rainforest, 19-25 Sep.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels); 7 SS, 6 $ $ + juvs (7 vials) in MRAC (224312-315 part, 319 part,

234844-845), same locality, fogging in primary rainforest, 25 Sep.-4 Oct. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P.

Michiels); 5 (?(?, 4 ?? (6 vials) in MRAC (222190 part, 223021, 223039, 223120 part, 223457 part,

223679 part), same locality, beating in old secondary rainforest, 17-23 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P.

Michiels); 4 (?(?, 8 ?? (7 vials) in MRAC (223588 part, 223605 part, 223628 part, 223649, 223746,

223804, 223835), same locality, beating in primary rainforest, 26 Sep.-3 Oct. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P.

Michiels); 1 1 ? in MRAC (222019), same locality, sweeping along trail in primary rainforest, 11

Nov. 2006 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels); 1 (? in MRAC (222753), same locality, pitfalls in primary

rainforest, 13-23 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels).

2. Anansus kamwai sp. nov. (see below). Cameroon.

Crossopriza Simon, 1893

Only the pantropical synanthropic C. lyoni (Blackwall, 1867) occurs in Central Africa (Fig. 21). It is

common but has apparently not been recorded previously from the area considered here.

3. Crossopriza lyoni (Blackwall, 1867). Newly recorded for Cameroon, Chad, and Gabon.

New records

CAMEROON: North Region: 2 $$, 2 juvs in MRAC (148259), Touroua [9°04.7’N, 12°58.4’E], 8-9

Jan. 1976 (F. Puylaert). 4 $ $ in MRAC (221386), Faro Game Reserve [8°24’N, 12°49’E], in hut, 5 May

2007 (R. Jocque et al).

Figs 21-22. Known distributions of Crossopriza lyoni (Blackwall, 1867) and of the genus Leptopholcus

Simon 1893 [except L. tipula (Simon, 1907); see Fig. 23] in Central Africa.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

CHAD: Logone Oriental: 1 3 ??, 3 juvs in MRAC (151455), Bebedjia, near Moundou [8°40.6’N,

16°34.5’E], 1-10 Jul. 1977 (G. Ruella).

GABON: Haut Ogooue: 1 $ in ZFMK (Ar 11887), Mouanda (1°32.3’S, 13°12.6’E), 410 m a.s.L, in

building, 20 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber). 2 (?(? in ZFMK (Ar 11888), Okondja (0°39’S, 13°40.5’E), 350 m

а. s.L, in building, 17 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Moyen-Ogooue: 1 3, 1 juv. in ZFMK (Ar 11889),

Fambarene (0°42.2’S, 10°14.4’E), 30 m a.s.L, at building, 27 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber).

Leptopholcus Simon, 1893

Of the ten species of Leptopholcus currently known from mainland Africa (Huber 2011b; Huber &

Kwapong 2013), six occur in Central Africa (Figs 22-23). Of these, four are endemic to Central Africa

{L. dschangYiuhQX, 2011; L. obo Huber, 2011; Z. debakkeri Huber, 2011; Z. gabonicus sp. nov.); the fifth

[Z. tipula (Simon, 1907)] occurs throughout the entire Guineo-Congolian rainforest (Huber 2011b). The

type species Z. signifer Simon, 1893 was described from Central Africa (Cabinda, Angola) but its actual

range is dubious (Huber 2011b).

4. Leptopholcus debakkeri Huber, 2011. Congo D.R. (Huber 2011b).

5. Leptopholcus dschang Huber, 2011. Cameroon (Huber 2011b).

б. Leptopholcus gabonicus sp. nov. (see below). Gabon.

7. Leptopholcus obo Huber, 2011. Sao Tome and Principe (Huber 2011b).

Figs 23-24. Known distributions of Leptopholcus tipula (Simon, 1907), Micropholcus fauroti (Simon,

1887), md Modisimus culicinus (Simon, 1893) in Central Africa.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

8. Leptopholcus signifer Simon, 1893. Angola (Cabinda) (Simon 1893).

9. Leptopholcus tipula (Simon, 1907). Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) (Simon 1907; Huber 2009);

Cameroon, Central Afriean Republie, Congo D.R., Gabon (Huber 2009).

New records

GABON: Ngounie: 1 (J, 1 $ inZFMK (Ar 11890), near Moulandoufouala (1°38.1’S, 10°42.5’E), 110

m a.s.l., forest along road, 27 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Ogooue-Eolo: 3 SS, 3 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar

11891), forest near Eastoursville (0°48.0’S, 12°44.4’E), 300 m a.s.l., 21 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber); 1 $,

2 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 219), same data. Haut Ogooue: 1 c? in ZFMK (Ar 11892), forest

at Fekoni River (1°10.7’S, 13°32.3’E), 305 m a.s.l., 18 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 1 juv. in pure

ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 211), same data. 3 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar 111893), forest near Bongoville (1°36.7’S,

13°57.4’E), 600-650 m a.s.l., 20 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber); 1$, 2 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab

206), same data.

Micropholcus Deeleman-Reinhold & Prinsen, 1987

Only the synanthropie M. fauroti (Simon, 1887) oeeurs in Central Afriea (Huber 2011b) (Fig. 24). It is

probably more eommon than suggested by the few reeords.

10. Micropholcus fauroti (Simon, 1887). Cameroon (Huber 2011b); newly reeorded for Gabon.

New record

GABON: Ogooue-Ivindo: 9 (?(?, 2 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar 11894), Makokou (0°33.9’N, 12°50.7’E), 520 m

a.s.l., in building, 13 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber).

Modisimus Simon, 1893

Of this otherwise New World genus, only the pantropieal M. culicinus (Simon, 1893) oeeurs in Afriea.

It is probably eommon throughout the region, but rare in eolleetions due to its small size and eryptie

lifestyle.

11. Modisimus culicinus (Simon, 1893). Newly reeorded for Central Afriea [Fig. 24; Fessert’s (1938)

reeord - sub Hedypsilus lawrencei - from Kananga, Congo D.R., is outside the area eonsideredhere].

New records

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: SaoTome: 1 (? in CAS, barricade wall S of Praia duMutamba(0°23.2’N,

6°35.7’E), 3 May 2001 (J.M. Fedford).

CONGO D.R.: Bas Congo: 1 $ in MRAC (128843), Mayombe, Fuki [5°39’S, 13°04’E], in Cubitermes

[Termitidae] nest, 20 Sep. 1956 (A. Bouillon).

Ninetis Simon, 1890

This only Afriean (and probably only Old World) genus of the subfamily Ninetinae is widely distributed

from Namibia to the Arabian Peninsula, ineluding Madagascar (Huber 2000,2002; Huber & El Hennawy

2007). The new species described below is the first representative of the genus (and subfamily) recorded

from Central Africa (Fig. 25).

12. Ninetis faro sp. nov. (see below). Cameroon.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Nyikoa Huber, 2007

Nyikoa is a monotypic genus with the leaf-dwelling N. limbe Huber, 2007 widely distributed in the

western subregions of the Guineo-Congolian rainforest (Upper and Lower Guinea) (Huber 2007, 2009;

Huber & Kwapong 2013).

13. Nyikoa limbe Huber, 2007. Cameroon (Huber 2007, 2009), Congo D.R. (Huber 2007); newly

recorded for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea (Fig. 26).

New records

CAMEROON: Central Region: 1 $ in USNM, 6.5 km SSE of Yaounde (3°48.4’N, 1U32.4’E),

Mbalmayo Rd., patch of forest, 715 m a.s.L, 8 Jan. 1992 (J. Coddington et al).

EQUATORIAE GUINEA: Bioko: 2 (?(? in CAS, Pico Basile (3°41.7’N, 8°52.3’E), ca. 700 m a.s.L, at

night, 17 Oct. 1998 (D.K. Dabney, D. Ubick). 1 $ in CAS, 3.5 km N of Euba (3°28.9’N, 8°35.0’E),

swampy forest, 13 Oct. 1998 (M. Boko et al).

GABON: Ogooue-Ivindo: 6 SS, 20 $ $ inZFMK (Ar 11895), Monts de Belinga, forest near Mayebout

(1°06.7’N, 13°06.6’E), 500 m a.s.L, 13-14 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 3 $$ in pure ethanol, in

ZFMK (Gab 201), same data. 1 $ in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 204), Monts de Belinga (0°58.7’N,

13°11.5’E), 860 m a.s.L, forest with large rocks, 13 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 2 SS, 7 $$ in

ZFMK (Ar 11896), near Djidji (0°12.8’N, 11°49.3’E), 470 m a.s.L, forest, 12 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R.

Huber); 2 in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 238), same data. 2 5? in USNM, Makokou, CNRS

Figs 25-26. Known distributions of the genera Ninetis Simon, 1890 and Pehrforsskalia Deeleman-

Reinhold & van Harten, 2001, and of Nyikoa limbe Huber, 2007 in Central Africa.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

[0°30.8’N, 12°48.2’E; not 0°04’N, 12°08’E as on label], Sep.-Nov. 1976 (A.E. Rypstra). 1 ? in ZFMK

(Ar 11897), near Mohoba Mozeye (0°16.8’N, 13°20.9’E), 510 m a.s.L, forest along road, 17 Aug. 2011

(B.A. & S.R. Huber). 1 $ in ZFMK (Ar 11898), NTebe (0°02.3’S, 13°40.9’E), 550 m a.s.L, forest along

brook, 17 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Haut Ogooue: 3 SS, 3 $$, 1 juv. in ZFMK (Ar 11899),

forest at Eekoni River (1°10.7’S, 13°32.3’E), 305 m a.s.L, 18 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Ngounie:

1 5 in ZFMK (Ar 11900), Massif du Chaillu, ‘site 3’, between Mimongo &Yeno (1°38.1’S, 11°32.6’E),

570-650 m a.s.L, forest, 26 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 2 S3, 4 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11901), near

Moulandoufouala (1°38.ES, 10°42.5’E), 110 m a.s.L, forest along road, 27 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R.

Huber); 1 juv. in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 185), same data.

CONGO D.R.: Bas Congo: ~45 SS, 43 $$ +juvs (8 vials) inMRAC (parts of 224303-307, 309-311),

Euki Forest Reserve [5°37.3’S, 13°05.9’E], fogging in old seeondary rainforest, 17-25 Sep. 2007 (D.

De Bakker, J.R Miehiels); 76 SS, 47 $$ + juvs (8 vials) in MRAC (parts of 224312-319), same data

but fogging in primary rainforest, 26 Sept-4 Oet. 2007; 7 33, 11 ? $ (6 vials) in MRAC (222207, 229,

994, 223096 part, 223123, 684), same loeality, beating in old seeondary rainforest, 17-25 Sep. 2007 (W.

Hubau, D. De Bakker, J.R Miehiels); 12 SS, 13 $$, 2 juvs (9 vials) in MRAC (221533, 222026 part,

222061, 222798, 223635 part, 223587, 223732, 223819, 223831), same loeality, beating in primary

rainforest, 6-11 Nov. 2006, 26 Sep.-3 Oet. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.R. Miehiels); \3 in MRAC (221546),

same loeality, sieving, 7 Nov. 2006 (D. De Bakker, J.R. Miehiels).

Pehrforsskalia Deeleman-Reinhold & van Harten, 2001

Pehrforsskalia ineludes three deseribed speeies (Huber 2011b). Only the widely distributed E conopyga

Deeleman-Reinhold & van Harten, 2001 oeeurs in Central Afriea (Fig. 25).

14. Pehrforsskalia conopyga Deeleman-Reinhold & van Harten, 2001. Cameroon, Gabon (Huber 2009).

Walekenaer, 1805

Of the 29 operational speeies groups in Pholcus identified in Huber (2011b), only three oeeur in Central

Afriea: (1) the bamboutos group, with four of its nine speeies in Central Afriea (Fig. 27; a fifth speeies,

P kakum Huber, 2009, is likely to oeeur in Eower Guinea but has not yet been doeumented from there);

(2) the circularis group, whieh is largely endemie to the area eonsidered here (Fig. 28; only P. leruthi

oeeurs further west, in Congolia and East Afriea); (3) the debilis group, whieh is largely endemie to the

area eonsidered here (Fig. 29; only P. baka ranges into Congolia). While the monophyly of the debilis

group is well supported, the relationships within and among the other groups remain largely obseure

(Huber 2011b; Dimitrov et al. 2013).

15. Pholcus attuleh Huber, 2011. Cameroon (Huber 2011b).

New record

CAMEROON: Southwest Region: 1 $ in ZMUC, Mt. Koupe above Nyasoso (4°50’N, 9°4EE), forest,

1200-1600 m a.s.L, 16-19 Feb. 1992 (C.E. Griswold, N. Seharff, C. Wanzie, S. Eareher, Masongo).

16. Pholcus baka Huber, 2011. Cameroon, Central Afriean Republie, Gabon (Huber 2011b).

New records

GABON: Ogooue-lvindo: 1 (J, 2 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11902), Monts de Belinga, forest near Mayebout

(1°06.7’N, 13°06.6’E), 500 m a.s.L, 13-14 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 1 $ in pure ethanol, in

ZFMK (Gab 196), same data. 2 SS, 2 5? in ZFMK (Ar 11903), Monts de Belinga, NE Makokou

(0°47.0’N, 13°08.3’E), 530 m a.s.L, degraded forest along road, 15 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber).

1 $ in ZFMK (Ar 11904), Ivindo N.R near Simintang (0°32.2’N, 12°41.3’E), 545 m a.s.L, forest, 16

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 1 $ in ZFMK (Ar 11905), near Djidji (0°12.8’N, 11°49.3’E), 470 m

a.s.l., forest, 12 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Haut Ogooue: 2 33, 1 ?, 2 juvs in ZFMK (Ar 11906),

forest above Canyon rose near Lekoni (1°38.6’S, 14°17.5’E), 600 m a.s.l., 19 Aug 2011 (B.A. & S.R.

Huber); 1 juv. in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 210), same data. 9 33 , 6 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar 11907), forest

at Eekoni River (1°10.7’S, 13°32.3’E), 305 m a.s.l., 18 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 1 $, 1 juv. in

pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 212), same data. 3 $ $, 1 juv. in ZFMK (Ar 11908), forest along Eekoni

River (1°34.6’S, 14°12.EE), 450 m a.s.l., 20 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Moyen-Ogooue: 1 (J, 1

$ in ZFMK (Ar 11909), S Eambarene near Tchad (0°58.ES, 10°22.7’E), 165 m a.s.l., forest, 27 Aug.

2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 3 33 , 3 ?? +juvs in ZFMK (Ar 11910), nearNdjole, ‘site E (0°09.0’S,

10°40.0’E), 120 m a.s.l., forest near brook, 11 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R Huber); 1 (J, 4 $ 1 ji^v. in pure

ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 228), same data. Estuaire: 2 33 , 4 ? 2 juvs in ZFMK (Ar 11911), forest near

Sahoue, N Eibreville (0°34.6’N, 9°20.4’E), 30 m a.s.l., 28 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 2 $ ? in pure

ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 181), same data.

17. Pholcus bakweri Huber, 2011. Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Huber 2011b).

18. Pholcus bamboutos Huber, 2011. Cameroon (Huber 2011b).

New record

CAMEROON: Northwest Region: 2 33 , 2 juvs in ZMUC, near Eake Oku (6°12’N, 10°27’E), forest at

2150 m a.s.l., 7-13 Feb. 1992 (C. Griswold, S. Earcher, N. Scharff, C. Wanzie).

Figs 27-28. Known distributions of the bamboutos and circularis species groups {sensu Huber 2011b)

of Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 in Central Africa. The question mark denotes an undescribed species

represented by a single male in USNM.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

19. Pholcus batepa Huber, 2011. Sao Tome and Prmeipe (Huber 2011b).

20. Pholcus circularis Kraus, 1957. Sao Tome and Prmeipe (Kraus 1957; Huber 2011b).

21. Pholcus debilis (Thorell, 1899). Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) (Thorell 1899; Huber 201 lb).

Note

The CAS has a single female speeimen from Bioko (Pieo Basile) that may represent an additional

(undeseribed) speeies within the debilis group sensu Huber (2011b).

22. Pholcus kribi Huber, 2011. Cameroon (Huber 2011b).

23. Pholcus luki Huber, 2011. Congo D.R. (Huber 2011b).

24. Pholcus moca Huber, 2011. Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) (Huber 2011b); newly reeorded

from Gabon.

New records

GABON: Ogooue-lvindo: 1 (?, 2 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11912), Monts de Belinga, forest near Mayebout

(1°06.7’N, 13°06.6’E), 500ma.s.L, 13-14 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 1 (? in ZFMK (Ar 11913),

near Djidji (0°12.8’N, 11°49.3’E), 470 m a.s.l., forest, 12 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 1 $, 1 juv. in

pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 240), same data. 1 5 in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 237), near Ntenkele

(0°31.4’N, 12°31.5’E), 550 m a.s.l., forest, 12. Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Moyen-Ogooue: 1 S,

25 ? in ZFMK (Ar 11914), nearNdjole, ‘site F (0°09.0’S, 10°40.0’E), 120 m a.s.l., forest near brook,

11 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 2 (?(?, 4 ? ? in ZFMK (Ar 11915), near Ndjole, ‘site 2’ (0°05.9’S,

Figs 29-30. Known distributions of the debilis speeies group {sensu Huber 2011b) of Pholcus Walekenaer,

1805 and of Physocyclus globosus (Taezanowski, 1874) in Central Afriea.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

10°52.4’E), 140 m a.s.L, forest near brook, 11 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Estuaire: 1 $ inZFMK

(Ar 11916), forest near Sahoue, N Eibreville (0°34.6’N, 9°20.4’E), 30 m a.s.L, 28 Aug. 2011 (B.A. &

S.R. Huber); 1 $, 2 juvs in pure ethanol in ZFMK (Gab 180), same data.

25. Pholcus nkoetye Huber, 2011. Cameroon (Huber 2011b).

Note

The USNM has a single male specimen of a very similar undescribed species from Cameroon, SSE of

Yaounde (Mbalmayo Road, 3°48.4’N, 11°32.4’E).

26. Pholcuspunu sp. nov. (see below). Gabon.

27. Pholcus rawiriae sp. nov. (see below). Gabon.

28. Pholcus soukous Huber, 2011. Congo D.R. (Huber 2011b).

Physocyclus Simon, 1893

Physocyclus is a New World genus. Only the pantropical synanthropic P globosus (Taczanowski, 1874)

occurs in Central Africa (Fig. 30). It seems that this widespread species has not previously been recorded

from the area considered here. Only Simon’s (1877) Pholcus claviger (transferred and synonymzed in

Huber 2011b) from “Congo” might be a previous record.

29. Physocyclus globosus (Taczanowski, 1874). Newly recorded for Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and

Gabon.

New records

CAMEROON: Southwest Region: 1 (J, 2 $$, 3 juvs (2 vials) in BMNH, Mamfe [5°45’N, 9°19’E],

in houses in clearing in forest, 13 Mar.-30 Apr. 1933 (Percy Sladen Trust Exped., I.T. Sanderson).

Unidentified locality: 1 (?, 1 ?, 2 juvs (2 vials) in CAS, “Mabete Victoria Div.”, 24 May-7 June 1949

(B. Malkin).

EQUATORIAE GUINEA: Bioko: 1 ? in CAS, Malabo [3°34.2’N, 8°46.8’E], 16-22 Sep. 1998 (D.K.

Dabney, D. Ubick). 1 (?, 1 $, 1 juv. in CAS, Euba [3°27.6’N, 8°33.0’E], around buildings, 11-15 Oct.

1998 (M. Boko et al). 1 5 in CAS, 5 km W of Euba (3°27.9’N, 8°31.8’E), cacao plantation with fig

trees, 12-14 Oct. 1998 (D.K. Dabney, D. Ubick). Centro Sur(?): 1 $ in MRAC (170225), between

Mibonde and Elon [~1.0°N, 10.0°E], rocky outcrop, by hand, 23 Jul. 1989 (M. Alderweireldt). 1 (?, 3

$$ in MRAC (169989), Micomeseng [Mecomeseng, 2°08.7’N, 10°37.0’E], in house, by hand, 8 Jul.

1989 (M. Alderweireldt); 1 1 juv. in MRAC (170155, 164), same data but 9-11 Jul. 1989, gardens.

GABON: Estuaire: 1 (?, 1 ? in ZFMK (Ar 11917), Eibreville, Bas de Guegue (0°25.8’N, 9°26.2’E), 25

m a.s.L, in building, 29 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber). Haut Ogooue: 1 1 juv. in ZFMK (Ar 11918), under

bridge over Eekoni River (1°34.6’S, 14°12.1’E), 450 m a.s.L, 19 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 2

$$ in ZFMK (Ar 11919), Okondja (0°39’S, 13°40.5’E), 350 m a.s.L, in building, 17 Aug. 2011 (B.A.

& S.R. Huber). Ngounie: 1 (?, 1 ? in ZFMK (Ar 11920), Mouila (U52.4’S, 1U03.3’E), 80 m a.s.L, in

building, 26 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Ogooue-Ivindo: 1 $ in ZFMK (Ar 11921), near Abebea

(~0°09’N, 11°08’E, 300 m a.s.L), in building, 12 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Moyen Ogooue: 1 S

in MRAC (172778), Petit-Okano [0°05’S, 10°57’E], Sep. 1985 (J.M. Weill, A. Pauly).

CONGO D.R: Bas Congo: 4 S3, 13 ??, juvs (13 vials) in MRAC (1170, 1206-13, 26833, 26835-45,

26847, 26848, 26850, 26851, 26886-89, 26916, 26917, 26918, 26920), Matadi [5°49.3’S, 13°28.0’E],

Feb. 1937 (E. Dartevelle). 1 $ in MRAC (74564), Thysville [=Mbanza-Ngungu; 5°15’S, 14°52’E, -600

m a.s.L], 1953 (J. Sion).

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Quamtana Huber, 2003

Quamtana is highly diverse in southern Afriea, but a few speeies oeeur further north in tropieal Afriea

(Huber 2003e; Huber & Wami 2012; Huber & Kwapong 2013). In Central Afriea, only Q. oku Huber,

2003 from Cameroon was previously known. The widespread Q. kitahurira Huber, 2003 (previously

known from West and East Afriea and from Angola) was expeeted to oeeur in Central Afriea and is here

newly reported for the region (Fig. 31).

30. Quamtana kitahurira Huber, 2003. Newly reeorded for Central Afriea.

New records

CONGOD.R.:Bas Congo: 19 SS, H 2 juvs (9 vials) inMRAC (219851 part, 219850 part, 219855

part, 224312 part, 224313 part, 224314 part, 224315 part, 224317 part, 224319 part), Mayombe, Luki

Forest Reserve [5°37.3’S, 13°05.9’E], fogging in primary rainforest, 4-13 Nov. 2006 and 26 Sep.^

Oet. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.R Miehiels); 1 $ in MRAC (220006), same loeality, beating along trail

near guest house, 14 Nov. 2006 (D. De Bakker, J.R Miehiels); 2 SS, 6 $ $ (3 vials) in MRAC (224305

part, 224308 part, 224310 part), fogging in old seeondary rainforest, 19-24 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker,

J.R. Miehiels). 1 6 $ $ (2 vials) in MRAC (224301 part, 224302 part), fogging in young seeondary

rainforest, 14-16 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.R. Miehiels).

31. Quamtana oku Huber, 2003. Cameroon (Huber 2003e).

Figs 31-32. Known distributions of the genera Quamtana Huber, 2003 and Smeringopina Kraus, 1957 in

Central Afriea. For detailed distribution maps of Smeringopina speeies see Huber (2013).

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

New records

CAMEROON: West Region: 13 (?(?, 24 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar 11922), near Mbouda, Bamboutos (5°37.3 ’N,

10°06.7’E), 2100 m a.s.L, underside of leaves, 19 Apr. 2009 (B.A. & J.C. Huber); 1 c? in ZFMK (Ar

11923), same data, had died; 5 $ $, 6 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 153), same data. Northwest

Region: 3 33, 9 1 juv. in ZFMK (Ar 11924), nearBamenda, at Fake Awing (5°51.7’N, 10°12.0’E),

2100 m a.s.L, underside of leaves, 15 Apr. 2009 (B.A. & J.C. Huber); 1 (?, 3 $ $, 5 juvs in pure ethanol,

in ZFMK (Cam 109), same data. 1 (?, 8 ?? in ZFMK (Ar 11925), near Oloi (6°14.2’N, 10°31.5’E),

-2200 m a.s.L, underside of leaves, 17 Apr. 2009 (B.A. & J.C. Huber); 1 (? in ZFMK (Ar 11926), same

data, had died; 9 $$, 8 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 85), same data. 1 $ in pure ethanol, in

ZFMK (Cam 118), near Oku, ‘site 2’ (~6°15’N, 10°30’E), -1800 m a.s.L, underside of banana leaves,

17 Apr. 2009 (B.A. & J.C. Huber). 1 5 in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 88), at Fake Oku (6°12.1’N,

10°27.6’E), 2300 m a.s.L, underside of leaf, 16. Apr. 2009 (B.A. Huber). 1 $ in pure ethanol, in ZFMK

(Cam 121), near Fake Oku (6°11.2’N, 10°27.9’E), 2400 m a.s.L, underside of leaf, 16 Apr. 2009 (B.A.

& J.C. Huber). 1 (J, 2 5 ? (2 vials) in ZMUC, forest near Fake Oku (6°12’N, 10°27’E), 2150 m a.s.L,

7-13 Feb. 1992 (Griswold, Farcher, Scharff, Wanzie).

Smeringopina Kraus, 1957

The Guineo-Congolian genus Smeringopina has its highest diversity in Central Africa (Huber 2013).

Any Central African forest seems to contain one to three representatives of the genus, and places without

known records have most probably never been searched adequately (Fig. 32). Of the 44 currently known

species, 37 occur in the area considered here. Except for S. fan Huber, 2013 (which ranges into West

Africa) all of them are endemic to Central Africa.

32. Smeringopina africana (Thorell, 1899). Cameroon (Thorell 1899; Huber 2013).

33. Smeringopina armata (Thorell, 1899). Cameroon (Thorell 1899; Huber 2013).

34. Smeringopina attuleh Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

35. Smeringopina bamenda Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

36. Smeringopina bayaka Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

37. Smeringopina belinga Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

38. Smeringopina bioko Huber, 2013. Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) (Huber 2013).

39. Smeringopina bwiti Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

40. Smeringopina camerunensis Krms, 1957. Cameroon (Kraus 1957; Huber 2013).

41. Smeringopina chaillu Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

42. Smeringopina cornigera (Simon, 1907). Cameroon (Simon 1907; Huber 2013).

43. Smeringopina djidji Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

44. Smeringopina ebolowa Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

45. Smeringopina essotah Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

46. Smeringopina etome Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

47. Smeringopina Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

48. Smeringopina fan Huber, 2013. Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe (Huber 2013).

49. Smeringopina iboga Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

50. Smeringopina kala Huber, 2013. Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (Huber 2013).

51. Smeringopina kikongo Huber, 2013. Congo D.R. (Huber 2013).

52. Smeringopina kinguele Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

53. Smeringopina kribi Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

54. Smeringopina lekoni Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

55. Smeringopina luki Huber, 2013. Congo D.R. (Huber 2013).

56. Smeringopina mayebout Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

57. Smeringopina mbouda Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

58. Smeringopina mohoba Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

59. Smeringopina moudouma Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

60. Smeringopina ndjole Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

61. Smeringopina ngungu Huber, 2013. Congo D.R. (Huber 2013).

62. Smeringopina nyasoso Huber, 2013. Cameroon (Huber 2013).

63. Smeringopina ogooue Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

64. Smeringopina sahoue Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

65. Smeringopina simintangHuhQY, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

66 . Smeringopina simplex Kxmxs, 1957. Cameroon (Kraus 1957; Huber 2013).

67. Smeringopina tchimbele Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

68 . Smeringopina tebe Huber, 2013. Gabon (Huber 2013).

Smeringopus Simon, 1890

Smeringopus is eurrently the most speeies-rieh Afriean pholeid genus (55 speeies). It is widespread in

Central Afriea (Fig. 33), but only seven speeies are known from the area: the pantropieal synanthropie

S. pallidus (Blaekwall, 1858), whieh is eommon in the area but whose previous reeords from Central

Afriea are all dubious; the widespread S. cylindrogaster (Simon, 1907), whieh eovers at least the western

subregions of the Guineo-Congolian rainforest (Upper and Lower Guinea) (Huber 2012), and its elose

relative S. luki Huber, 2012; the widespread S. lesserti Kraus, 1957, whieh eovers at least the eastern

subregions of the Guineo-Congolian rainforest (Lower Guinea and Congolia) (Huber 2012); and the

three speeies of the thomensis group {S. thomensis Simon, 1907; S. mayombe Huber, 2012; S. principe

Huber, 2012), all of whieh are small seale endemies (Huber 2012).

69. Smeringopus cylindrogaster (Simon, 1907). Cameroon (Huber 2009), Gabon (Huber 2012). Newly

reeorded for Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) and Central Afriean Republie.

New records

EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Bioko: 1 ? in CAS, Arena Blanea, 7 km N of Luba (3°31.3’N, 8°35’E), 14

Oet. 1998 (M. Boko et al).

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Sangha-Mbare: 3 ??, 1 juv. in CAS (9027099), Pare National

Dzanga-Ndoki (2°22.2’N, 16°10.3’E), 360 m a.s.L, rainforest, beating low vegetation, 20-28 May 2001

(B.L. Fisher).

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

70. Smeringopus lesserti Kraus, 1957. Congo D.R. (Lessert 1930; Kraus 1957; Huber 2012), Cameroon,

Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe (Huber 2012).

71. Smeringopus luki Huber, 2012. Congo D.R. (Huber 2012).

72. Smeringopus mayombe Huber, 2012. Congo D.R. (Huber 2012).

73. Smeringopus pallidus (Blackwall, 1858). Congo D.R. (Simon 1877, sub Pholcus excavatus; see

Huber 2011b); Congo R. (Lawrence 1958; doubtful record, only juveniles); newly recorded for

Cameroon and Gabon.

New records

CAMEROON: Adamawa: ~5 SS, 20 $$, juvs (2 vials) in MRAC (141342, 343), Galim [7°05.8’N,

12°28.5’E], 13-20 Aug. 1971 (F. Puylaert). ~8 33, 13 ??, juvs (2 vials) in MRAC (141390, 392),

Djohong [6°50.2’N, 14°41.6’E], 1-5 Sep. 1971 (F. Puylaert). West Region: 1 (? in MRAC (148377X

Kounden [5°42.2’N, 10°40.0’E], 28 Dec. 1975 (F. Puylaert).

GABON: Haut Ogooue: 1 (? in ZFMK (Ar 11927), Mouanda (1°32.3’S, 13°12.6’E), 410 m a.s.L, in

building, 21 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber). 3 (?(?, 5 ??, 1 juv. in ZFMK (Ar 11928), Okondja (0°39’S,

13°40.5’E), 350 m a.s.L, in building, 17 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). Ogooue-Ivindo: 1 (?, 2 $ ? in

ZFMK (Ar 11929), Makokou (0°33.9’N, 12°50.7’E), 520 m a.s.L, in building, 15 Aug. 2011 (B.A. &

S.R. Huber); 1 $, 1 juv. in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 218), same data.

Figs 33-34. Known distributions of the genera Smeringopus Simon, 1890 and Spermophora Hentz, 1841

in Central Africa. For detailed distribution maps of Smeringopus species see Huber (2012). Question

marks denote uncertain identifications (females from Cameroon; one pair from Principe Island).

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

CONGO D.R.: Kinshasa: 13 in MRAC (25673), “Leopoldville” [=Kinshasa, 4°20’S, 15°19’E], Jul.

1945 (Bureau); 2$?, 1 juv. in MRAC (59225-30), same loeality, Feb. 1947 (E. Dartevelle). 1$ in

MRAC (26834), Matadi [5°49.3’S, 13°28.0’E], Feb. 1937 (E. Dartevelle).

74. Smeringopusprincipe Huber, 2012. Sao Tome and Prineipe (Prineipe) (Huber 2012).

75. Smeringopus thomensis Simon, 1907. Sao Tome and Prineipe (Sao Tome) (Simon 1907; Huber

2012 ).

SpermophoraUQntz, 1841

With eurrently 25 speeies, Spermophora is quite diverse in sub-Saharan Afriea and Madagasear, but

only the widespread S. kyambura Huber & Wami, 2012 has previously been reported from Central

Afriea (Huber & Wami 2012). Three additional speeies are here reported from Central Afriea (Fig. 34).

Of these, S. abibae sp. nov. and S. akwamu Huber & Kwapong, 2013 are very similar to eaeh other

and to the West Afriean S. dieke Huber, 2009. Spermophora awalai sp. nov. appears most similar to a

group of East Afriean speeies (node 5 in Appendix 4 in Huber 2003a). A further undeseribed speeies

seems to oeeur on Sao Tome and Prineipe (NW of Santo Antonio, 1 (?, 1 ? deposited in CAS). Females

from Cameroon (Mt. Etinde, 1 $ in USNM; near Oku, 1 $ in pure ethanol in ZFMK, Cam 117) might

represent further undeseribed speeies.

76. Spermophora abibae sp. nov. (see below). Congo D.R.

77. Spermophora akwamu Huber & Kwapong, 2013. Newly reeorded for Central Afriea.

New record

GABON: Ogooue-lvindo: 3 33, 6 $ $ 3 juvs in ZFMK (Ar 11930), Monts de Belinga, NE ofMakokou

(0°47.0’N, 13°08.3’E), 530 m a.s.l., degraded forest along road, 15 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber);

same data, 4 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 222).

Note

The new speeimens are tentatively assigned to this speeies beeause the palps appear identieal and the

elypeus apophyses are at most minimally different (Figs 95-96). There is some slight differenee in the

eolor pattern but this has also been found among different populations in Ghana (Huber & Kwapong

2013).

78. Spermophora awalai sp. nov. (see below). Cameroon.

79. Spermophora kyambura Huber & Wami, 2012. Cameroon, Congo D.R. (Huber & Wami 2012).

Identification key to Central African pholcid genera

Referenees to figures in upper ease (“Fig.”) refer to illustrations herein; figures in lower ease (“fig.”)

have been published previously and are freely aeeessible online (at http://www.pholeidae.de/ l. Artema

atlanta Walekenaer, 1837 is ineluded as it probably oeeurs in Central Afriea, even though we know of

no reeords.

1 Abdomen worm-shaped (>10 x longer than wide; Figs 1, 44); male ehelieerae with one pair of

small projeetions in latero-distal position (Fig. 51) . Leptopholcus Simon, 1893

- Abdomen not worm-shaped (<10 x as long as wide); male ehelieerae different .2

2 Six eyes (AME absent).3

- Eight eyes .7

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

3 Sternum with characteristic pattern of radiating lines (Fig. 36); abdomen dorsally with dark heart-

mark (Fig. 35). Anansus Huber, 2007

- Sternum without or with different pattern; abdomen dorsal pattern different .4

4 Carapace with 2-3 pairs of dark lateral spots; ocular area (especially in males) strongly elevated,

in male with frontal hairy pocket; male chelicerae without proximal lateral projections (figs 2-4

in Huber 1996) . Modisimus culicinus (Simon, 1893)

- Carapace without lateral spots; ocular area not elevated; male chelicerae with proximal lateral

projections.5

5 Male palpal bulb with three processes: embolus, uncus, appendix (Fig. 69). Epigynum sclerotized

(at least posterior rim), with knob-shaped structure (Fig. 64) . . .Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 (part)

- Male palpal bulb with only one or two processes (embolus, bulbal apophysis); epigynum

unsclerotized, without knob-shaped structure .6

6 Procursus with highly complex system of transparent lamellae (fig. 14 in Huber 2007); male

chelicerae narrowing distally, with pair of simple frontal apophyses close to median line (fig.

15 in Huber 2007) . Nyikoa limbe Huber, 2007

- Procursus and male chelicerae different. Spermophora Hentz, 1841

7 Carapace with median indentation (furrow or pit) .8

- Carapace evenly domed, without median indentation .12

8 Abdomen globular, oval, or higher than long .9

- Abdomen elongated .10

9 Procursus with prominent distal spine; female carapace with posterior median cone

acting against frontal plate on abdomen; epigynum with median anterior process

. Physocyclus globosus (Taczanowski, 1874)

- Procursus short, without distal spine; female carapace without posterior cone; epigynum without

median anterior process . Artema atlanta Walckenaer, 1837

10 Legs with many small black marks; abdomen angular in lateral view (posteriorly high)

. Crossopriza lyoni (Blackwall, 1867)

Legs without small black marks, abdomen not angular in lateral view (posteriorly tapering) ... 11

11 Male chelicerae with proximal lateral projections, either without or with several modified hairs

on each side . Smeringopina Kraus, 1957

Male chelicerae without proximal lateral projections, with single modified hair on each distal

apophysis (fig. 47 in Huber 2009). Smeringopus Simon, 1890

12 Abdomen globular or oval .13

Abdomen elongated.15

13 Procursus very short and simple (Fig. 58), male chelicerae without proximal lateral apophyses

(Fig. 60); epigynum sclerotized. Ninetis Simon, 1890

Procursus long and/or complex, male chelicerae with proximal lateral apophyses; epigynum

barely sclerotized.14

14 Procursus with long dorsal hinged process, female genitalia with internal U-shaped structure visible

through cuticle anteriorly (figs 83-89 in Huber 2011b) . . .Micropholcus fauroti (Simon, 1887)

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Procursus widely curved, without long dorsal process (figs 200, 205 in Huber 2003c); epigynum

weakly sclerotized, no internal structure visible through cuticle . Quamtana Huber, 2003

15 Abdomen drawn into cone dorso-posteriorly (fig. 29 in Huber 2011b); male chelicerae with

pair of lateral unsclerotized projections in distal position (fig. 130 in Huber 2009); epigynum

weakly sclerotized . Pehrforsskalia conopyga Deeleman-Reinhold & van Harten, 2001

Abdomen rounded posteriorly; male chelicerae with pair of lateral unsclerotized projections in

proximal position (Fig. 82); epigynum strongly sclerotized at least at rim, with knob-shaped

structure (Figs 76, 83) . Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 (part)

Taxonomy

Anansus kamwai Huber sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:716ECD2B-4969-4FF5-9A36-FA7CD47F9B08

Figs 10, 20, 35-43

Diagnosis

Distinguished from known congeners by shape of procursus (Figs 40, 41; distinctive distal elements);

from A. atewa also by unpaired process on male clypeus (Figs 36, 42; paired in A. atewa); from other

species also by more pointed apophyses frontally on male chelicerae (Fig. 42). Females in this genus are

difficult to distinguish (except 4. atewa, which has the epigynal pockets more anteriorly).

Figs 35-39. Anansus kamwai sp. nov. 35. S, dorsal view. 36. S sternum, ventral view. 37-38. Left S

palp, prolateral and retrolateral views. 39. $ epigynum, ventral view.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Figs 40-43. Anansus kamwai sp. nov. 40-41. Left S' palp, prolateral and retrolateral views. 42. S ocular

area, clypeus and chelicerae, oblique frontal view. 43. Cleared $ genitalia, dorsal view, b = bulb; e =

embolus; p = pocket; pr = procursus. Scale lines: 0.3 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Etymology

Named for Cameroonian filmmaker Daniel Kamwa (bom 1943), direetor of the 1981 film Notre Fille.

Type material

Holotype S, in ZFMK (Ar 11931).

Type locality

CAMEROON, Northwest Region, near Bamenda, under trash and logs at roadside (6°00.5 ’N, 10° 18.1 ’E),

1750 m a.s.L, 16 Apr. 2009 (B.A. Huber).

Other material examined

CAMEROON: Northwest Region: 1 (5^, 1 $ in ZFMK (Ar 11931), same data as and together with

holotype; 1 (?, 1 ?, 2 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 76), same data.

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 1.6, earapaee width 0.60. Eeg 1: 6.00 (1.50 + 0.20 + 1.63 + 1.90 +

0.77), tibia 2: 1.07, tibia 3: 0.80, tibia 4: 1.20; tibia 1 E/d: 23. Distanee PME-PME 45 pm, diameter PME

60 pm, distanee PME-AEE 20 pm; AME absent.

CoEOR. Carapaee oehre-yellow with irregular internal blaek pigment, sternum light brown with median

dark line and four pairs of posteriorly diverging lines (Fig. 36); legs oehre-yellow without distinet dark

rings; abdomen oehre-gray, with distinet dark heart-mark and thin dark line above spinnerets, dorsally

with some white internal spots.

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 35; oeular area not elevated; earapaee without median furrow; elypeus with

rounded median proeess at rim (Fig. 42); sternum wider than long (0.48/0.36), unmodified. Chelieerae

as in Fig. 42, with pair of lateral proeesses proximally and pair of pointed distal frontal apophyses

without modified hairs; without stridulatory ridges.

Paeps. As in Figs 37-38 and 40-41, eoxa unmodified, troehanter with short ventral apophysis, femur

small, with prominent distal apophysis prolaterally, tibia very large, proeursus eomplex, with pointed

ventral proeess, selerotized retrolateral area set with several stronger hairs, distinetive tip; bulb with only

one proeess (embolus, eurved in dorsal view towards prolaterally).

Eegs. Without spines and eurved hairs, few vertieal hairs; retrolateral triehobothrium on tibia 1 at 27%;

prolateral triehobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with ~10 pseudosegments.

Variation. Tibia 1 in two other males: 1.37, 1.67.

Female

In general similar to male but elypeus unmodified; one female with darker ehelieerae, elypeus, and

sternum; tibia 1: 1.63 (missing in seeond female). Epigynum simple wide plate with pair of tiny poekets

elose together near posterior rim (Fig. 39), internal struetures visible through eutiele; internal genitalia

as in Fig. 43.

Distribution

Known from type loeality in Cameroon only (Fig. 20). A poorly preserved male speeimen from eastern

Cameroon (Mbam near Koupoupi, MRAC 167.984) may also belong to this speeies.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Leptopholcus gabonicus Huber, sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3CA8906E-7688-405E-AEDE-0A365C40281A

Figs 1, 22, 44-52

Diagnosis

Distinguished from only other Leptopholcus species known from Gabon [L. tipula (Simon, 1907);

c£ figs 82-86 in Huber 2009] by shapes of uncus (Fig. 49; much wider in L. tipula, with narrower

semitransparent flap), appendix (Fig. 49; short and wide in L. tipula), and procursus (Fig. 50; wider

tip in L. tipula)', females of these two species are not easily distinguished. Distinguished from L. obo

Huber, 2011 (Sao Tome and Principe) by shapes of trochanter apophysis, procursus, uncus, appendix,

and longer epigynum (cf flgs 324-327 in Huber 2011b); from other Central African species {L. dschang

Huber, 2011; E. signifer Simon, 1893; L. debakkeri Huber, 2011) by absence of clypeus modiflcation in

male (Fig. 45).

Etymology

Named for the country of Gabon, where this species is endemic.

Type material

Holotype (?, in ZFMK (Ar 11932).

5 IS

' ^ ■*** M

. \

t %

Figs 44-48. Leptopholcus gabonicus sp. nov. 44. S, dorsal view. 45. S prosoma and palps, dorsal view.

46-47. Feft S palp, prolateral and retrolateral views. 48. $ epigynum, ventral view.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Type locality

GABON, Ogooue-lvindo, Monts de Belinga, forest near Mayebout (1°06.7’N, 13°06.6’E), 500 m a.s.L,

13-14 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber).

Figs 49-52. Leptopholcus gabonicus sp. nov. 49-50. Left 3 palp, prolateral and retrolateral views. 51.

(f ehelieerae, frontal view (arrow points at lateral apophysis). 52. Cleared $ genitalia, dorsal view, a =

appendix; b = bulb; e = embolus; pr = proeursus; u = uneus. Seale lines: 49-50, 52 = 0.3 mm; 51 = 0.2 mm.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Other material examined

GABON: Ogooue-Ivindo: 3 33, 4 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11933), same data as holotype; 2 3 juvs in

pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 160, 200), same data. 1 c? in ZFMK (Ar 11934), near Mohoba Mozeye

(0°16.8’N, 13°20.9’E), 510 m a.s.L, forest along road, 17 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 1 juv. in pure

ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 170), same data. Moyen-Ogooue: 1 c? in ZFMK (Ar 11935), near Ndjole, ‘site

2’ (0°05.9’S, 10°52.4’E), 140 m a.s.L, forest near brook, 11 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 1 $ in

ZFMK (Ar 11936), near Ndjole, ‘site E (0°09.0’S, 10°40.0’E), 120 m a.s.L, forest near brook, 11 Aug.

2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 1 juv. in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 229), same data. Estuaire: 2 33 , 1 ?

in ZFMK (Ar 11937), Monts de Cristal, near Kinguele (0°27.8’N, 10°16.7’E), 100 m a.s.L, forest, 10

Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 2 $ $ in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 190), same data.

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 6.0, carapace width 0.77. Eeg 1: 33.4 (8.5 + 0.4 + 7.7 + 13.3 + 3.5),

tibia2: 5.8, tibia3: 3.8, tibia4: 6.4; tibia 1 E/d: 116. DistancePME-PME 290 pm, diameterPME 80 pm,

distance PME-AEE 25 pm, AME absent.

CoEOR. Entire animal pale whitish to ochre-yellow, only patella area and tibia-metatarsus joints darker.

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 44; ocular area not elevated, each triad on low hump; carapace without median

furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.64/0.46), unmodified. Chelicerae as in Fig. 51,

with pair of small lateral processes barely visible in dissecting microscope; without stridulatory ridges.

Paeps. As in Figs 46-47 and 49-50, coxa unmodified, trochanter with ventral apophysis with serrated tip,

femur with large ventral hump and small retrolateral process proximally, procursus rather simple, with

two membranous ventral processes, one arising from ventral ‘knee’, the other more distally; bulb with

weakly sclerotized embolus, rod-shaped appendix with small scales, uncus consisting of sclerotized part

with small scales and lighter dorsal fiap.

Eegs. Without spines and curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 pseudosegments not seen.

Variation. Tibia 1 in 6 other males: 7.1-7.7 (mean 7.3).

Female

In general similar to male; tibia 1 in 6 females: 6.2-7.0 (mean 6.6). Epigynum very simple, weakly

sclerotized plate, without ‘knob’, internal structures visible through cuticle (Fig. 48); internal genitalia

as in Fig. 52.

Natural history

All specimens were found on the undersides of leaves.

Distribution

Known from various localities in Gabon (Fig. 22).

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Ninetis faro Huber, sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C0D5E7FB-BB45-4921-BCBE-75FC4197FF02

Figs 25, 53-62

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most known eongeners (espeeially from N. subtilissima Simon, 1890 whieh

has a similar male palp) by shape of male ehelieeral apophyses (Figs 60-61); from#, russellsmithi Huber,

2002 (whieh has similar male ehelieerae) by shorter embolus and presenee of proeursus (Figs 58-59).

From other speeies by shapes of bulbal projeetions (both projeetions of same length in N. toliara Huber

& El Hennawy, 2007) or by shape of proeursus (larger and not pointed in N. minuta (Berland, 1919)

and N. namibiae Huber, 2000). Females are not easily distinguished (epigynum wider in N. namibiae,

narrower in N. minuta, similar in other speeies).

Etymology

The name is a noun in apposition, derived from the type loeality.

Type material

Holotype S, in MRAC (221178).

Type locality

CAMEROON, North Region, Faro Game Reserve [8°24’N, 12°49’E], pitfall in gallery forest, 5 May

2007 (R. Joeque, K. Foosveldt, F. Baert, M. Alderweireldt).

Figs 53-57. Ninetis faro sp. nov. 53-54. S, dorsal and lateral views. 55-56. Feft S palp, prolateral and

retrolateral views. 57. $, ventral view.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Figs 58-62. Ninetisfaro sp. nov. 58-59. Left S palp, prolateral andretrolateral views. 60-61. S chelicerae,

frontal and lateral views. 62. Cleared $ genitalia, dorsal view, ba = bulbal apophysis; e = embolus; pr

= procursus. Scale lines: 0.2 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Other material examined

CAMEROON: North Region: 1 (J in MRAC (221178), same data as and together with holotype; 2

SS, 1 ? (2 vials) in MRAC (221136, 221208), same data but pitfall in wooded savanna, 3-4 May

2007. 1 5 in MRAC (221401), same data but sieving in gallery forest, 17 Apr. 2007. 2 SS, 4 $$ in

MRAC (221463), Hossere Gare [8°30’N, 13°08’E], sieving of litter among roeks, 4 May 2007 (Joeque,

Eoosveldt, Baert, Alderweireldt).

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 1.2, earapaee width 0.50. Eeg 1: 2.96 (0.80 + 0.20 + 0.80 + 0.73 +

0.43), tibia 2: 0.67, tibia 3: 0.50, tibia 4: 0.80; tibia 1 E/d: 12. Distanee PME-PME 35 pm, diameter PME

40 pm, distanee PME-AEE 25 pm, diameter AME 20 pm, distanee AME-AME 20 pm.

CoEOR. Entire a nim al oehre-yellow to oehre-grey.

Body. Habitus as in Figs 53-54; oeular area not elevated; earapaee without median furrow; elypeus more

selerotized at rim and medially slightly protruding; sternum about as wide as long (0.38/0.37), with

distinet humps near leg eoxae 1. Chelieerae as in Figs 60-61, with distinetive pair of frontal apophyses;

with very fine stridulatory ridges.

Paeps. As in Figs 55-56 and 58-59, eoxa and troehanter unmodified, femur with small retrolatero-ventral

apophysis, tarsus with small pointed proeursus; bulb with long ventral proeess and short membranous

dorsal embolus.

Eegs. Without spines and eurved hairs, few vertieal hairs; retrolateral triehobothrium on tibia 1 at

67%; prolateral triehobothrium apparently absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with ~6

pseudosegments.

Variation. Tibia 1 in 5 other males: 0.63-0.73 (mean 0.69).

Female

In general similar to male but elypeus, sternum, and ehelieerae unmodified; tibia 1 in 5 females: 0.50-

0.60 (mean 0.53). Epigynum simple oval selerotized area eonsisting of large anterior and smaller

posterior plate; internal struetures poorly visible through eutiele (Fig. 57); unelear if eomplex internal

struetures are part of anterior plate (as appears in dorsal view; Fig. 62) or posterior plate (as appears in

ventral view); anterior plate with transversal ridge apparently eonneeted to median poeket. Pore plates

not seen (Fig. 62).

Distribution

Known from two loealities in the North Region of Cameroon (Fig. 25).

Pholcus punu Huber, sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:aet:C721A4A8-5D18-467B-A433-7E526A641082

Figs 12-13, 27, 63-74

Diagnosis

Distinguished from P. moca Huber, 2011 (the most similar speeies and probably elosest known relative)

by shape of proeursus (longer retrolateral proeess; absenee of distinet ridge between retrolateral proeess

and tip; eompare Fig. 70 with fig. 946 in Huber 2011b); also by shape of uneus (not bilobed as in

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

R moca), presence of proximal frontal processes on male chelicerae and slightly different shape of

epigynal plate (narrower in P. moca; compare Fig. 64 with fig. 921 in Huber 2011b).

Etymology

Named for the Punu (or Bapunu, Bapounou), one of the four major peoples of Gabon; noun in apposition.

Type material

Holotype 3, in ZFMK (Ar 11938).

Type locality

GABON, Haut Ogooue, forest above Canyon rose near Lekoni (1°38.6’S, 14°17.5’E), 600 m a.s.L, 19

Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber).

Other material examined

GABON: Haut Ogooue: 2 SS, 10 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar 11939), same data as holotype; 2 $ 2 juvs in pure

ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 209), same data. 1 (? in ZFMK (Ar 11940), forest at Lekoni River (1°10.7’S,

13°32.3’E), 305 m a.s.L, 18 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 1 ?, 1 juv. in pure ethanol, in ZFMK

Figs 63-68. Pholcus punu sp. nov. 63. S, dorsal view. 64. Epigynum, ventral view. 65. Cleared $

genitalia, dorsal view. 66-68. Left S palp, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

1 t <2

1 ^

MvS: ■: .^gaiWr

A . iJWBfl /

■»

' vl^'>

Figs 69-74. Pholcuspunu sp. nov. 69-70. Left S palp, prolateral and retrolateral views. 71. Extended palp

with rotated bulb. 72. S ehelieerae, frontal view. 73-74. Cleared $ genitalia, ventral and dorsal views,

a = appendix; b = bulb; e = embolus; pr = proeursus; u = uneus. Seale lines: 69-71, 73-74 = 0.5 mm;

72 = 0.3 mm.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

(Gab 213), same data. 1 3 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11941), forest near Bongoville (1°36.7’S, 13°57.4’E),

600-650 m a.s.L, 20 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber); 2 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 207), same data.

Ogooue-Ivindo: 5 S3, 4 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11942), near Mohoba Mozeye (0°16.8’N, 13°20.9’E), 510

m a.s.L, forest along road, 17 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 2 $ 3 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK

(Gab 169), same data. Ogooue-Eolo: 1 1 ? in ZFMK (Ar 11943), forest at brook near Eastoursville,

nearGrottedePahonPira(0°48.8’S, 12°45.2’E), 290 m a.s.L, 22-23 Aug. 2011 (B.A. Huber). 2 1 ?

in ZFMK (Ar 11944), forest near Eastoursville (0°48.0’S, 12°44.4’E), 300 m a.s.L, 21 Aug. 2011 (B.A.

Huber); 3 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 221), same data. 1 (5, 1 ? in ZFMK (Ar 11945), near

Moudouma (1°23.5’S, 12°09.6’E), 475 m a.s.L, forest along brook, 24 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber);

1 juv in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 157), same data. Ngounie: 2 33, 4 5? in ZFMK (Ar 11946),

Massif du Chaillu, ‘site 2\ near Moukabou (1°36.6’S, 11°40.7’E), 560 m a.s.L, forest, 25 Aug. 2011

(B.A. & S.R. Huber); 3 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 174), same data. 4 33 , 7 $$ in ZFMK

(Ar 11947), Massif du Chaillu, ‘site 3’, between Mimongo & Yeno (1°38.1’S, 11°32.6’E), 570-650 m

a.s.L, forest, 26 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 3 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 233), same data.

1 3 in ZFMK (Ar 11948), Massif du Chaillu, ‘site 4’, between Yeno andMouila (1°43.7’S, 11°18.4’E),

650 m a.s.L, forest along river, 26 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber). 3 33 , 7 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar 11949),

near Moulandoufouala (1°38.1’S, 10°42.5’E), 110 m a.s.L, forest along road, 27 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R.

Huber); 4 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 184), same data. Moyen-Ogooue: 3 33 in ZFMK (Ar

11950), S of Eambarene near Tchad (0°58.ES, 10°22.7’E), 165 m a.s.L, forest, 27 Aug. 2011 (B.A. &

S.R. Huber).

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 3.0, carapace width 0.9. Eeg 1: 27.0 (6.4 + 0.4 + 6.5 + 11.5 + 2.2),

tibia 2: 4.5, tibia 3: 2.7, tibia 4: 4.1; tibia 1 E/d: 82. Distance PME-PME 265 pm, diameter PME 95 pm,

distance PME-AEE 45 pm, AME absent (only black spots without lenses).

CoEOR. Carapace ochre-orange with large brown median mark, ocular area also brown, sternum medially

slightly darkened; legs with dark rings on femora subdistally, patellae plus tibiae proximally, and tibiae

subdistally; abdomen grey with internal black and whitish spots dorsally and laterally.

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 63; ocular area slightly elevated, each triad on short hump directed laterally;

carapace without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.66/0.52), unmodified.

Chelicerae as in Fig. 72, with pair of lateral processes proximally, pair of frontal apophyses proximally,

and pair of frontal apophyses distally provided with two modified hairs each; without stridulatory ridges.

Paeps. As in Figs 66-71, coxa unmodified, trochanter with short and wide retrolatero-ventral apophysis,

femur with short retrolatero-dorsal process proximally, procursus complex, with distinctive sclerotized

and membranous elements; bulb with large uncus, simple weakly sclerotized embolus, and hooked

appendix.

Eegs. Without spines and curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 3%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with >20 pseudosegments,

only distally fairly distinct.

Variation. Tibia 1 in 22 other males: 6.7-8.8 (mean 7.9). Clypeus variably dark; AME spots sometimes

fused. In most males the palps are extended and the bulbs rotated as in Fig. 71.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Female

In general similar to male; tibia 1 in 36 females: 5.3-7.1 (mean 6.3). Epigynum with distinet plate and

‘knob’, anterior area weakly selerotized, ‘valve’ and other internal stmetures visible through eutiele

(Fig. 64); internal genitalia as in Figs 65 and 73-74.

Natural history

The spiders were mostly found in the leaf litter and in eavities in the ground (Fig. 12), sometimes sharing

the mierohabitat with a representative of Smeringopina (e.g. S. moudouma Huber, 2013 in forest near

Fastoursville; S. fang Huber, 2013 between Yeno and Mouila; S. lekoni Huber, 2013 at Fekoni River).

The two speeimens from Moudouma were found at the roek surfaee (Fig. 13) elose to a small brook.

Distribution

Known from various loealities in Gabon south of the Ogooue-lvindo Rivers (Fig. 27; the elosely related

P. moca Huber, 2011 seems to be eonfined to the north of these rivers).

Pholcus rawiriae Huber, sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:aet:54111E6C-353C-45DC-B72C-AC7D01382709

Figs 14-15, 28, 75-83

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from known eongeners by morphology of male palp (large troehanter apophysis;

ventral femur apophyses; proeursus with distal hinged selerite strongly bent towards prolateral; bent

embolus with spine-like proeesses; shape of appendix; Figs 80-81); from putative elose relatives

(bamboutos and circularis speeies groups) also by distinetive pattern on earapaee (Fig. 75; transversal

band on earapaee; eompare with figs. 892-918 in Huber 2011b), and by female external and internal

genitalia (narrow selerotized rim and distinetive shape of‘valve’; long pore plates; Figs 76, 83).

Etymology

Named for Gabonese novelist Angele Ntyugwetondo Rawiri (1954-2010).

Type material

Holotype S, in ZFMK (Ar 11951).

Type locality

GABON, Ogooue-lvindo, near Mohoba Mozeye (0°16.8’N, 13°20.9’E), 510 m a.s.L, forest along road,

17 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber).

Other material examined

GABON: Ogooue-lvindo: 2 $ $ in ZFMK (Ar 11951), same data as and together with holotype. 2 SS, 3

$ 5 in ZFMK (Ar 11952), Monts de Belinga, forest near Mayebout (1°06.7’N, 13°06.6’E), 500 m a.s.L,

13-14 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber); 2 $ 5 in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 199), same data. Estuaire:

1 $, 3 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Gab 191), Monts de Cristal, between Tehimbele and Kinguele

(0°33.8’N, 10°18.8’E), 520 m a.s.L, forest near river, 10 Aug. 2011 (B.A. & S.R. Huber).

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 5.0, carapace width 1.4. Leg 1: 39.1 (9.6 + 0.5 + 9.3 + 17.5 + 2.2),

tibia2: 6.4, tibia 3: 4.2, tibia4: 6.0; tibia 1 L/d: 62. Distance PME-PME 365 pm, diameter PME 140 pm,

distance PME-ALE 45 pm, diameter AME 90 pm, distance AME-AME 70 pm.

CoEOR. Carapace ochre-yellow with distinctive dark pattern, clypeus not darkened, sternum with darker

brown margins; legs with distinct dark rings on femora subdistally, patellae plus tibiae proximally, tibiae

subdistally, and metatarsi proximally, tips of femora and tibiae lighter; abdomen dorsally and laterally

with internal black marks.

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 75; ocular area slightly elevated, each triad on short hump directed laterally;

carapace without median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.92/0.70), unmodified.

Chelicerae as in Fig. 82, with pair of small lateral processes proximally, directed slightly towards

posterior, pair of low frontal humps, and pair of distal frontal apophyses provided with two modified

hairs each; without stridulatory ridges.

Figs 75-79. Pholcus rawiriae sp. nov. 75. 3 , dorsal view. 76. $ epigynum, ventral view. 77-79. Eeft S'

palp, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Figs 80-83. Pholcus rawiriae sp. nov. 80-81. Left 3 palp, prolateral and retrolateral views. 82. 3

ehelieerae, frontal view. 83. Cleared $ genitalia, dorsal view, a = appendix; b = bulb; e = embolus;

pr = proeursus; ps = proximal selerite of bulb. Seale lines: 0.5 mm.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Palps. As in Figs 77-81, coxa unmodified, trochanter with very large ventral apophysis, weakly

sclerotized and distally curved towards prolateral, femur with one small and one larger distinctive

ventral projection, procursus with distinctive hinged process distally strongly curved towards prolateral;

bulb with long proximal sclerite, strongly bent embolus provided with several spine-like processes and

distal fringes, without uncus, appendix with weakly sclerotized basal process.

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 4%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae; tarsus 1 with >20 pseudosegments,

only distally fairly distinct.

Variation. Not seen. Tibiae 1 missing in other males.

Female

In general similar to male; tibia 1 in 5 females: 6.6-8.1 (mean 7.2). Epigynum with narrow sclerotized

rim posteriorly, median ‘knob’, anterior area weakly sclerotized, ‘valve’ visible through cuticle (Fig.

76); internal genitalia as in Fig. 83.

Natural history

Most specimens were found at tree trunks, with their bodies and legs tightly pressed against the bark and

thus barely visible (Figs 14-15).

Distribution

Known from three localities in northern Gabon (Fig. 28).

Spermophora abibae Huber, sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:85A657B7-245E-4943-881F-A86BEC8B934A

Figs 34, 84-96

Diagnosis

Distinguished from the very similar S. dieke Huber, 2009 and S. akwamu Huber & Kwapong, 2013 by

bifid process on male clypeus (Figs 85, 92; only one median process in S. dieke; two processes in S.

akwamu; cf Figs 94-96), and by pore plates in female internal genitalia (Fig. 93; longer and in different

position than in S. dieke and S. akwamu).

Etymology

The species name commemorates the 11-year old girl, who was purchased for six handkerchiefs by

James Jameson, a member of Henry Stanley’s Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, who gave her to cannibals

so he could watch her being killed, cooked and eaten. Her name is not known. Abiba is an African name,

meaning beloved.

Type material

Holotype S, in MRAC (separated from 224303).

Type locality

CONGO D.R., Bas Congo, Mayombe, Euki Forest Reserve [5°37.3’S, 13°05.9’E], fogging in old

secondary rainforest, 17 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels).

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Other material examined

CONGO D.R.: Bas Congo: 7 S3, 9 $$ in MRAC (224303 part), same data as holotype; 80 SS, 107

juvs (8 vials) in MRAC (224304-11 part), same data but 18-25 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.R

Miehiels). 18 SS, 29 juvs (11 vials) in MRAC (219850 part, 219852-54 part, 224312-17 part.

Figs 84-91. Spermophora abibae sp. nov. 84. 3 , dorsal view. 85. 3 oeular area and elypeus, dorsal view.

86-88. Left 3 palp, prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral views. 89-90. 3 and $ prosomata, ventral views.

91. $ epigynum, ventral view.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

224319 part), same locality, fogging in primary rainforest, 4-12 Nov. 2006 and 26 Sep.-4 Oct. 2007 (D.

De Bakker, J.P. Michiels). 1 5 in MRAC (219999), same locality, beating along trail near guest house,

14 Nov. 2006 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels). 4 (?(?, 5 ? ? (7 vials) in MRAC (222026 part, 222062,

223589, 223605 part, 223616, 223628 part, 223635 part), same locality, beating in primary rainforest,

6-10 Nov. 2006 and 27 Sep.-3 Oct. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels). 4 33, 9 $$, juvs (5 vials) in

MRAC (222167, 222190 part, 222994 part, 223457 part, 223679 part), same locality, beating in old

secondary rainforest, 18-23 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels). 1 (?, 3 $$ in MRAC (221619),

same locality, beating along trail in planted and regenerated forest near guest house, 9 Nov. 2006 (D. De

Bakker, J.P. Michiels). 2 juvs in MRAC (223113 part), same locality, beating in young secondary forest,

16 Sep. 2007 (D. De Bakker, J.P. Michiels).

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 2.1, carapace width 0.7. Leg 1: 4.7 + 0.3 + 4.8 + 7.9, tarsus missing,

tibia 2: 2.7, tibia 3: 1.8, tibia 4: 2.7; tibia 1 L/d: 68. Distance PME-PME 135 pm, diameter PME 80 pm,

distance PME-ALE 25 pm, AME absent.

CoEOR. Carapace pale ochre-yellow with narrow black margins and indistinct median line (Fig. 84),

ocular area and clypeus with dark pattern, sternum whitish (Fig. 89), legs ochre-yellow, with indistinct

Figs 92-96. Spermophora abibae sp. nov. and putative close relatives. 92-93. Spermophora abibae sp.

nov. 3 ocular area and clypeus, dorsal view (92) and cleared $ genitalia, dorsal view (93). 94-96. 3

ocular area and clypeus, dorsal view of S. dieke Huber, 2009 (94) and of S. akwamu Huber & Kwapong,

2013 (95: Ghana; 96: Gabon). Scale line: 93 = 0.3 mm.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

dark rings subdistally on femora and tibiae, abdomen mostly pale gray, with distinet dark pattern dorsally

and laterally, ventrally only pair of marks at booklung eovers.

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 84; oeular area slightly elevated, eaeh triad on low hump; earapaee without

median furrow (only dark line); elypeus with distinetive bifid proeess, about 120 pm long (Figs 85,

92); sternum wider than long (0.52/0.44), unmodified. Chelieerae as in S. dieke and S. akwamu (ef fig.

89 in Huber & Kwapong 2013), with pair of weakly selerotized proeesses proximally, distally without

modifieation, without stridulatory ridges.

Palps. As in Figs 86-88, apparently indistinguishable from S. dieke and S. akwamu; eoxa with indistinet

ventral proeess, troehanter with long ventral and shorter retrolateral apophyses, proeursus with ventral

selerotized fiap, prolatero-dorsal hinged proeess and thin distal fiagellum; bulb with hooked apophysis

and long weakly selerotized embolus.

Legs. Without spines and eurved hairs, few vertieal hairs; retrolateral triehobothrium on tibia 1 at 10%;

prolateral triehobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae.

Variation. Tibia 1 in 30 other males: 4.8-5.9 (mean 5.3), in one exeeptional but otherwise indistinguishable

male: 3.0.

Female

In general similar to male but sternum in most females dark brown or blaek (Fig. 90), elypeus unmodified,

earapaee with small median proeess aeting against indistinet selerotized plate above pedieel. Tibia 1 in

30 females: 3.7-4.9 (mean 4.3). Epigynum simple reetangular plate, anteriorly with dark transversal

internal strueture, without poekets (Fig. 91); internal genitalia as in Fig. 93.

Relationships

Judging from the very similar morphology (ineluding the most probably derived median proeess on

the female earapaee), this speeies is probably elosely related to S. dieke from Guinea and the Guineo-

Congolian S. akwamu.

Distribution

Known from type loeality in Congo D.R. only (Fig. 34).

Spermophora awalai Huber, sp. nov.

um:lsid:zoobank.org:aet:0F2AB0B0-5E64-4F4E-9C10-D62EBE8BEAFA

Figs 5-6, 34, 97-107

Diagnosis

Easily distinguished from most eongeners by proeursus (Figs 102-103; strongly bent towards ventral;

with large hinged ventral proeess); from similar (East Afriean) speeies (S. morogoro Huber, 2003;

S. usambara Huber, 2003; S. masisiwe Huber, 2003; ef figs 222, 239, 245 in Huber 2003b) by long

apophyses on male ehelieerae (Figs 104-105); from these and other eongeners also by distinetive pair of

round struetures with eoneentrie rings in female internal genitalia (Figs 98, 106).

Etymology

Named for the Cameroonian writer Alexandre Biyidi Awala (1932-2001), known as Mongo Beti.

Type material

Holotype 3, in ZFMK (Ar 11953).

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Type locality

CAMEROON, Southwest Region, near Dschang, Attuleh, ‘site 2’ (5°27.9’N, 9°56.5’E), 1800 m a.s.L,

underside of leaves, 20 Apr. 2009 (B.A. & J.C. Huber).

Other material examined

CAMEROON: Southwest Region: 7 SS, 3 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11954), same data as holotype; 1 $

in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 125), same data. 5 33, 4 5? in ZFMK (Ar 11955), near Dschang,

Attuleh, ‘site E (5°27.7’N, 9°56.5’E), 1880 m a.s.L, underside of leaves, 20 Apr. 2009 (B.A. & J.C.

Huber); 1 $ in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 128), same data. 1 1 $ in ZFMK (Ar 11956), Mt. Koupe

above Nyasoso (4°49.6’N, 9°41.FE), -1600 m a.s.L, near ground, 23 Apr. 2009 (B.A. Huber); 3 $ $ in

pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 145), same data. Centre Region: 1 (J, 3 $$ in ZFMK (Ar 11957), near

Yaounde, Mt. Kala (3°51.0’N, 11°20.3’E), 730 m a.s.L, underside ofleaves, 14 Apr. 2009 (B.A. Huber);

2 $ 2 juvs in pure ethanol, in ZFMK (Cam 106), same data.

Description

Male (holotype)

Measurements. Total body length 2.2, carapace width 0.8. Feg 1: 21.5 (5.2 + 0.3 + 5.2 + 7.9 + 2.9),

tibia 2: 3.3, tibia 3: 2.0, tibia 4: 2.9; tibia 1 F/d: 73. Distance PME-PME 220 pm, diameter PME 95 pm,

distance PME-AFE 35 pm, AME absent.

Figs 97-101. Spermophora awalai sp. nov. 97. 3 , dorsal view. 98. $ epigynum, ventral view. 99. Cleared

$ genitalia, dorsal view. 100-101. Feft 3 palp, prolateral and retrolateral views.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

Figs 102-107. Spermophora awalai sp. nov. 102-103. Left 3 palp, prolateral and retrolateral views. 104-

105. 3 ehelieerae, lateral and frontal views. 106-107. Cleared $ genitalia, ventral and dorsal views, b =

bulb; ba = bulbal apophysis; e = embolus; hp = hinged proeess; pr = proeursus. Seale lines: 102-103 =

0.5 mm; 104-105 = 0.2 mm; 106-107 = 0.3 mm.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Color. Carapace ochre-yellow with black lateral margins and light brown median mark (Fig. 97), ocular

area with dark band between eye triads, clypeus with a few black spots, sternum whitish, legs ochre-

yellow, with black spots on femora proximally, black patellae and tibia-metatarsus joints, dark rings

subdistally on femora and tibiae (unusually far from tip), abdomen ochre gray with black marks dorsally

and laterally.

Body. Habitus as in Fig. 97; ocular area barely elevated, each triad on low hump; carapace without

median furrow; clypeus unmodified; sternum wider than long (0.58/0.42), unmodified. Chelicerae as in

Figs 104-105, with pair of proximal lateral apophyses and long frontal apophyses provided with three

modified hairs each at tips, without stridulatory ridges.

Palps. As in Figs 100-103, coxa unmodified, trochanter with short retrolatero-ventral apophysis, femur

unmodified, procursus strongly bent towards ventral, with complex tip and large ventral hinged process;

bulb with long, weakly sclerotized embolus and short, hooked apophysis.

Legs. Without spines and curved hairs, few vertical hairs; retrolateral trichobothrium on tibia 1 at 8%;

prolateral trichobothrium absent on tibia 1, present on other tibiae. Tarsus 1 with >20 pseudosegments,

only distally fairly distinct.

Variation. Tibia 1 in 12 other males: 4.1-5.5 (mean 4.9). Some specimens with additional indistinct dark

ring on each femur and tibia.

Female

In general similar to male; tibia 1 in 10 females: 3.6-4.6 (mean 4.2). Epigynum light brown area with

pair of distinctive internal structures with concentric rings visible through cuticle (Figs 98, 106), with

median pocket between epigynum and spinnerets; internal genitalia as in Figs 99 and 107.

Distribution

Known from several localities in Southwest and Centre Regions, Cameroon (Fig. 34).

Discussion

Distribution patterns

Except for some synanthropic and widespread species, the large majority of Central African Pholcidae

are highly endemic. Considering just the two neighboring countries that were relatively well sampled

(Cameroon and Gabon), the number of endemic species is considerably higher than the number of non¬

endemic species in each country. In Cameroon, 21 of the 35 currently recorded species (i.e. 60%) are

not known from any other country, not even neighboring Gabon. The numbers for Gabon are almost

identical (21 of 33 species endemic, i.e. 64%). Diversity and endemism are especially high in the genus

Smeringopina, with 13 of the 14 Cameroonian species and all 18 Gabonese species known from only

Cameroon and Gabon, respectively.

Most of the species listed above (62, i.e. 84% if the five synanthropic species are discounted from the

total number of 79) are endemics of the Eower Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian center of

endemism. Similar percentages of endemics have been found in West Africa (68%; value differs from

that in Huber & Kwapong 2013 because Anansus atewa is no longer considered an endemic of West

Africa) and East Africa (84%; calculated from data in Huber & Warui 2012). This is refiected in the fact

that few species (again, discounting synanthropics) are shared among these regions. Only three species

occur in all three regions: Pehrforsskalia conopyga Deeleman-Reinhold & van Harten, 2001; Quamtana

kitahurira Huber, 2003 and Spermophora kyambura Huber & Warui, 2012. Three additional species

are shared between Upper and Eower Guinea (i.e.. West and Central Africa): Smeringopina fan Huber,

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

2013; Smeringopus cylindrogaster (Simon, 1907); and Spermophora akwamu Huber & Kwapong,

2013 (a fourth, Pholcus kakum Huber, 2009, is likely to oeeur in Lower Guinea but has not yet been

doeumented from there). Two Central Afriean speeies range deeply into Congolia {Pholcus baka Huber,

2011 and Smeringopus lesserti Kraus, 1957), the latter reaehing the western limits of East Afriea (Huber

2011b, 2012).

A eomparison of the genera represented by endemie speeies in eaeh of the three regions studied (Fig. 108)

reveals signifieant differenees between East and Central Afriea but smaller differenees between Central

and West Afriea. This is mainly due to the speeies-rieh genera Buitinga Huber, 2003 and Smeringopina

Kraus, 1957, the first being endemie to East Afriea, the seeond to West and Central Afriea. By eontrast,

the pereentages of endemie speeies of Pholcus Walekenaer, 1805 are relatively homogeneous aeross

tropieal Afriea. This is noteworthy beeause Pholcus has no endemie speeies in southern Afriea or on

Madagasear (Huber 2011b).

Diversity patterns

From a simple eomparison of total speeies numbers, pholeid diversities in Central and East Afriea

appear to be similar (79 and 86 speeies respeetively), while West Afriea seems to be signifieantly less

diverse (38 speeies; Fig. 109). This is not simply a result of different surfaee areas eonsidered in eaeh

ease. The land area of West Afriea eonsidered in Huber & Kwapong (2013; ~2.3 x 10^ km^) was aetually

larger than that of East Afriea in Huber & Wami (2012; ~2.1 x 10^ km^) and that of Central Afriea

eonsidered herein (-1.6x10^ km^). On the other hand, there is some evidenee that the total numbers are

biased against Central Afriea beeause it seems most poorly eolleeted. Figure 110 shows speeies numbers

eolleeted by the first author during expeditions of very similar durations and with very similar eolleeting

efforts (West Afriea: Guinea, Ghana; Central Afriea: Cameroon, Gabon; East Afriea: Kenya, Uganda).

The mueh higher number of new speeies found in Central Afriea suggests that this region is in faet

undersampled relative to West and East Afriea. Reeent evidenee on forest-dwelling inseets suggests that

the diversity is higher in Central Afriea (and in partieular in Cameroon) than in any other part of Afriea

(P. Ee Gall, unpublished).

Diversity is also high at individual loealities (with Toeality’ roughly defined as the area that ean be

eovered in one day by walking). Few loealities worldwide are known to eontain more than 10 speeies of

Fig. 108. Pholeid genera represented by endemie speeies (total numbers of endemie speeies in

parentheses) in eaeh region (West, Central, and East Afriea), illustrating the distinetness of East Afriea

as eompared to West and Central Afriea. Data on East and West Afriea from Huber & Wami (2012)

and Huber & Kwapong (2013), respeetively. White: genera that are not represented by more than four

endemie speeies in any of the three regions.

HUBER B.A. et al.. Central African pholcid spiders

Pholcidae each, most of them inBrazil’s Atlantic Forest (Huber & Rheims 2011; BA. Huber, unpublished

data). Luki Forest Reserve in Central Africa is currently the most diverse locality in Africa for this

family. Eleven of its 13 known species (the last of which is described herein), have been described

within the last decade: Anansus debakkeri Huber, 2007; Leptopholcus debakkeri Huber, 2011; Z. tipula

(Simon, 1907); Pholcus luki Huber, 2011; P. soukous Huber, 2011; Quamtana kitahurira Huber, 2003;

Smehngopina kikongo Huber, 2013; S. luki Huber, 2013; Smeringopus luki Huber, 2012; S. mayombe

Huber, 2012; Spermophora abibae sp. nov.; S. kyambura Huber & Wami, 2012; Nyikoa limbe Huber,

2007. Since Luki Forest Reserve is probably among the best sampled African localities as far as spiders

are concerned (as a result of two major campaigns by MRAC focusing on this single forest), it is likely

that increased effort will reveal more such diverse localities in Central Africa. The fact that 10 species

were collected at Mayebout (Gabon) within two days by only two collectors (one of them inexperienced)

also points in that direction.

Outlook

Two recent expeditions to Cameroon and Gabon resulted in a total of 54 pholcid species, 42 of which

(78%) were still undescribed a decade ago. All this material and most of the Central African material

deposited in other major arachnological collections is now described. However, the high percentage of

undescribed species collected during about seven weeks in the field also illustrates the relative ease with

which new pholcid species can still be discovered in this region. This is probably a general pattern, as

suggested by recent studies on arthropods in lowland forests in Cameroon (e.g., Larsen 2005) and on

109 110

West Central East West Central East

Figs 109-110. Pholcid species from West, Central, and East Africa, divided into ‘old’ species (grey;

described before 2003) and ‘new’ species (green; described since 2003). 109. Current totals as listed in

Huber & Wami (2012), Huber & Kwapong (2013) and herein, suggesting lower diversity in West than

in Central and East Africa. 110. Species collected by the first author during six expeditions (two to each

region) of very similar durations and with very similar collecting efforts, suggesting that Central Africa

may be more severely undersampled than West and East Africa.

European Journal of Taxonomy 81: 1-46 (2014)

the biodiversity of the Voleanie Line of Cameroon (Bergl et al. 2007). Speeies distribution patterns also

suggest that even in areas relatively well sampled (western Cameroon, Gabon, western Congo D.R.),

many undiseovered speeies may remain. Of the 79 Central Afriean speeies listed above, 33 (42%) are

known from their type loealities only. Denser sampling aeross seasons and altitudes will probably reveal

not only more realistie distribution patterns, but also additional new speeies even in these areas.

On the other hand, large areas within Lower Guinea remain almost entirely unexplored with respeet to

spiders and to Pholeidae in partieular (Fig. 19). Congo Republie is among the few eountries worldwide

from whieh the first author has never seen even a single pholeid speeimen. Only a single (doubtful)

reeord seems to exist in the literature (a juvenile Smeringopuspallidus eited in Lawrenee 1958). With

large parts of its moist tropieal forests remaining (over 60% as of 1992; Naughton-Treves & Weber

2001), Congo Republie is likely to have similar numbers of speeies as neighboring Gabon (eurrently 33).

The same is true for large parts of southeastern Cameroon, eastern Nigeria, and southwestern Central

Afriean Republie (Fig. 19).

Acknowledgements

BAH thanks all the people who kindly sent speeimens used in this study: J. Beeealoni, J. Coddington,

C.E. Griswold, R. Joeque and N. Seharff BAH thanks R.A. Nkomo and R. Kamga for their invaluable

and friendly assistanee in the field. F.J. Muafor, J.C. Huber and S.R. Huber provided further help in the

field. E. Gavish-Regev and an anonymous reviewer provided helpful eomments on the manuseript. The

German Researeh Foundation provided finaneial support (DFG, HU 980/9-1).

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Manuscript received: 6 December 2013

Manuscript accepted: 1 April 2014

Published on: 25 April 2014

Topic editor: Rudy Jocque

Desk editor: Kristiaan Hoedemakers

Printed versions of all papers are also deposited in the libraries of the institutes that are members of

the EJT consortium: Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Botanic Garden Meise,

Belgium; Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Natural History Museum, Eondon,

United Kingdom; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Natural History

Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.