Ghatippuspaschima, a new species and genus of plexippine jumping spider from the Western Ghats of India (Salticidae, Plexippini, Plexippina)

Abstract

We propose a new genus of plexippine jumping spiders from the Western Ghats of India based on the new species Ghatippuspaschimagen. et sp. nov. While it bears a superficial resemblance to Pancorius in body form and Hyllus in membrane-bearing embolus, our UCE phylogenomic data-the first to resolve broad relationships within the Plexippina-as well as morphological features justify its status as a new genus. In addition to the molecular data and morphological descriptions, we provide photographs of living specimens of Ghatippuspaschimagen. et sp. nov. and information on their natural history.

Keywords: Araneae; biodiversity research; classification; phylogenomics; systematics; taxonomy.