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Accepted by B. Baehr: 4 Oct. 2018; published: 4 Dec. 2018
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ISSN
1175-5334
(online edition)
Copyright © 2018 Magnolia Press
Zootaxa 4527 (1): 037
–
048
http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/
Article
37
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4527.1.3
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:981018E0-2132-433D-878E-801C97C460C9
The spider family Oecobiidae in Madagascar, including four new species and a
new record
MAYARA D.F. MAGALHÃES
1, 2
& ADALBERTO J. SANTOS
2
1
Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
2
Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo
Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. CEP 31270-901. E-mail: mayaradfm@hotmail.com, oxyopes@yahoo.com
Abstract
Four new species of Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862 are described based on specimens collected in the Madagascan provinces
of Toliara, Mahajanga and Antsiranana. Oecobius kowalskii sp. nov. and Paroecobius skipper sp. nov. are described based
on male and female specimens. Paroecobius rico sp. nov. and Paroecobius private sp. nov. are described based only on
females. A new diagnosis is proposed for the genus Paroecobius Lamoral, 1981 and a new record for the synanthropic
Oecobius marathaus Tikader, 1962 is provided for Madagascar.
Key words: Taxonomy, spider, geographic distribution
Introduction
The family Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862 currently includes 113 species in six genera (World Spider Catalog 2018).
These spiders occur on all continents, except Antarctica, and a few species are widely distributed mostly in urban
environments. They are small and usually sedentary, found under stones, cracks of walls and windows (Santos &
Gonzaga 2003). Most species belong to Oecobius Lucas, 1846, which contains 89 species worldwide (World
Spider Catalog 2018). The remaining genera of the family are much more restricted in diversity and geographic
distribution.
Oecobius is well known from seven widely distributed synanthropic species. However, endemic species
collected only on natural environments can be found in many biogeographic regions (Santos & Gonzaga 2008,
Shear 1970). Madagascar is an excellent example hence the only oecobiid species recorded from there so far is the
synanthropic Oecobius annulipes Lucas, 1846 (Shear & Benoit 1974, Griswold 2003). This is curious considering
the impressive diversity and endemism of arachnids known from this island, as well as its proximity to the African
continent (Griswold 2003, Griswold et al. 2012, Goodman & Benstead 2005). Recent discoveries of genera,
species or even families not previously recorded in Madagascar suggest that the absence of Oecobiidae in the
country could be a result of sampling deficiency (Miller 2007, Griswold et al. 2012, Agnarsson et al. 2015,
Saucedo et al. 2015, Jocque et al. 2017).
Recently, we located several samples of oecobiids from the Madagascan provinces of Toliara, Mahajanga and
Antsiranana, deposited in the California Academy of Sciences’ collection. Examination of this material resulted in
four new species, one Oecobius, and three Paroecobius species, and a new record for a synanthropic species of
Oecobius. Prior to this study Paroecobius only contained two species restricted to southern continental Africa, P.
wilmotae Lamoral, 1981 and P. nicolaii Wunderlich, 1995 (Fig. 6, World Spider Catalog 2018). The description of
these three new species expands the diversity and distribution of this genus enormously.
Material and methods
The specimens examined in this study are deposited in the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (CAS,
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curator L. Esposito). Specimens were examined and photographed immersed in 80% ethanol under a Zeiss Primo
Star microscope attached to an AxioCam ERc5s digital camera, with the aid of the program AxioVision 4.8.
Specimen measures were taken in an Olympus SZ40 stereomicroscope.
To produce digital images of female genitalia, we removed the epigynum of each specimen and cleaned it by
immersion in a pancreatin solution (following the protocol of Álvarez-Padilla & Hormiga 2008) for a few hours.
We examined and photographed the material under the compound microscope immersed in 80% ethanol in a
temporary mount, as described in Coddington (1983). The pictures were used to produce pencil drawings of male
and female genitalia. Samples for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were removed from specimens, dried at
room temperature and mounted on stubs using conductive, adhesive copper tape. The samples were sputter-coated
with 10 nm of gold-palladium and examined in a Quanta 2000 SEM at the Centro de Microscopia da UFMG. All
measurements are in millimeters. The distribution map was assembled and edited using ESRI ArcGIS software,
following the coordinates on the label of each sample.
Morphological terminology and description format follows Coddington (1990) and Baum (1972) for male
pedipalps and female genitalia respectively. Coddington’s (1990) terminology adds the family name to each
pedipalp sclerite (for instance, the oecobiid tegular lobe I) as an indication of homology uncertainty between
oecobiid sclerites and those seem on the copulatory apparatus of other spider families. Although we recognize the
need of reviewing this nomenclature (which is beyond the scope of this study), we use this terminology to facilitate
comparison with previous studies (Santos & Gonzaga 2003, 2008). The description of other characters follows
Santos & Gonzaga (2003).
Taxonomy
Family Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862
Genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846
Type species. Oecobius cellariorum Dugès, 1836.
Emended genus diagnosis. Oecobius can be distinguished from Uroctea Dufour, 1820, Urocteana Roewer, 1820
and Uroecobius Kullmann & Zimmermann, 1976 by the presence of a cribellum and calamistrum. It resembles
Paroecobius in the ocular quadrangle as long as or longer than wide (Santos & Gonzaga, 2008; Chamberlin & Ivie,
1935), while in Platoecobius Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935 the ocular quadrangle is wider than long. Oecobius species
differ from Paroecobius by the eyes with approximately the same size, and only the anterior lateral eyes and the
posterior median eyes opalescent. The anterior median eyes and the posterior lateral eyes are dark with a black ring
on cuticular base (Lamoral 1981; Chamberlin & Ivie 1935: fig. 4).
Remarks. Oecobius is the largest genus of the family, comprising an impressive morphological diversity (see
illustrations in Shear 1970, Shear and Benoit 1974, Wunderlich 1987, 1992, 1995a, Santos & Gonzaga 2003,
2008). The wide distribution and high morphological diversity of the genus suggest it could not be monophyletic
and should be divided in several genera. Thus, the diagnosis presented above should be seen as provisional.
Composition and distribution. 89 species with worldwide distribution (World Spider Catalog 2018).
Oecobius kowalskii sp. nov.
(Figs 1, 4A–B, 5A–D, 6)
LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:09A6A4D7-3226-46BE-8CA6-C77C6143A454
Etymology. The specific name refers to the character Kowalski, from the American 3D, computer-animated
comedy film “Penguins of Madagascar”.
Type material. Male holotype (CASENT 9012520) from Madagascar: Toliara: Anosy: Réserve Privé Berenty,
Forêt de Bealoka, Mandraré River (24°57’S 46°16’E), 14.6 Km 329° NNW Amboasary, 3–6 February 2002, B.L.
Fisher et al. leg. (BLF5320). Two female paratypes (CASENT 9012520) from the same locality and date
(BLF5320).
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THE SPIDER FAMILY OECOBIIDAE IN MADAGASCAR
Diagnosis. Males of O. kowalskii superficially resembles Oecobius tibesti Shear & Benoit, 1974 in the long
and sinuous embolus, with a characteristic trajectory (Shear & Benoit 1974: fig. 23). It differs from the latter and
from all the remaining species of the genus by the reduced and spoon-shaped tegular apophysis and by the reduced
and finger-shaped oecobiidae embolic apophysis (Figs 1A–C, 5A–B). This species can also be recognized by the
convoluted trajectory of the sperm duct (Fig. 1A–C). Females differ from all remaining species of the genus by
having the copulatory openings located anteriorly in the atrium (Fig. 1D, arrows, 5C) and by the sinuous and very
sclerotized fertilization ducts (Figs 1E, 5D).
FIGURE 1. Oecobius kowalskii sp. nov. A–C, male palpus (CASENT 9012520). A, prolateral view. B, ventral. C, retrolateral.
D–E, female epigynum (CASENT 9012520). D, ventral view. E, dorsal, cleared. Scale bars: 0.1 mm. Abbreviations: CA,
copulatory atrium; CD, copulatory duct; E, embolus; FD, fertilization ducts; OEA, Oecobiidae embolic apophysis; OTA,
Oecobiidae tegular apophysis; OTL I, Oecobiidae tegular lobe I; S, spermathecae; ST, subtegulum; STL, subtegulum lobe; T,
tegulum; UE, uterus externus. Arrows: copulatory openings.
Description. Male (holotype). Carapace pale yellow, darker on margins, with a stripe around the cephalic area
and three faint, paramarginal dark-gray spots. Eyes equally sized, anterior laterals and anterior medians black,
surrounded by a black ring, remaining eyes translucent. Clypeal projection rounded and salient, with two black
spots (Fig. 4A). Chelicerae, labium, endites and sternum homogeneously pale yellow. Pedipalp pale yellow,
distally with black stripes surrounding the patella and tibia. Legs with an almost complete, distal black ring on
femur and with dorsal spots distally on patella, tibia and metatarsus. Opisthosoma dorsally whitish with irregular,
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paramedian and marginal gray stripes. Ventrally, the opisthosoma is pale yellow, paler in the center than in the
sides. The spinnerets are pale yellow with dark-gray spots. Oecobiidae tegular lobe I reduced and connected to the
embolus (Figs 1B–C, 5A–B). Subtegulum with a lobe seen through transparency in the tegulum (Fig. 1A, STL).
Total length 1.8. Carapace 0.71 long, 0.81 wide. Tibia I length 0.43, II 0.43, III 0.43, IV 0.48. Opisthosoma 1.09
long, 0.92 wide.
Female (paratype). Coloration as in male, except for darker spots (Fig. 4B). Epigynum with a posterior groove
from the copulatory atrium to the epigastric furrow, passing through a striated field (Figs 1D, 5C). Copulatory ducts
connected anteriorly to the base of spermathecae (Fig. 1E). Uterus externus V-shaped (Fig. 1E). Total length 1.9.
Carapace 0.71 long, 0.81 wide. Tibia I length 0.48, II 0.53, III 0.48, IV 0.51. Opisthosoma 1.19 long, 1.02 wide.
Vari a t i o n. Female (paratype) total length 1.98. Carapace 0.71 long, 0.81 wide. Tibia I length 0.51, II 0.53, III
0.51, IV 0.58. Opisthosoma 1.27 long, 1.07 wide.
Distribution. Western and southern Madagascar, in the provinces of Toliara and Mahajanga (Fig. 6).
Additional material examined. Madagascar: Toliara: Anosy: Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Malaza,
Mandraré River (25°0’28’’S 46°18’22’’E, 8.6 km 314° NW Amboasary), 6.II.2002, B.L. Fisher et al. leg.
(BLF5424), 4♀ (CASENT 9012551); Réserve Privé Berenty, Forêt de Malaza, Mandraré River (24°57’25’’S
46°16’17’’E, 14.6 km 329° NNW Amboasary), 3–8.II.2002, B.L. Fisher et al. leg. (BLF5321), 2♀ 2♂ (CASENT
9012539); Atsimo-Andrefana: Forêt de Beroboka (22°13’59’’S 43°21’59’’E, 5.9 km 131° SE Ankidranoka), 12–
16.III.2002, B.L. Fisher et al. leg. (BLF6073), 1♂ (CASENT 9004911); Mahajanga: Melaky: Réserve Spéciale de
Bemarivo (16°55’30’’S 44°22’6’’E, 23.8 km 223° SW Besalampy), 19–23.II.2002, Fisher, Griswold et al. leg.
(BLF6699), 1♀ 12 juv. (CASENT 9017966).
Genus Paroecobius Lamoral, 1981
Paroecobius Lamoral, 1981: 508
Type species. Paroecobius wilmotae Lamoral, 1981.
Emended genus diagnosis. Paroecobius can be distinguished from Oecobius and Platoecobius by the anterior
median eyes dark and the largest, with a black ring on cuticular base, while all other eyes are opalescent (Fig. 4C–
D; Lamoral 1981: figs 2, 3). The calamistrum of females are in a single row, situated in proximal half of metatarsus
IV, males do not have calamistrum. The female epigynum has a blind transverse invagination (hood, Figs 2D–E,
3A–D, 5E; Lamoral 1981: fig. 6). The spermathecae have a porous and globular glandular chamber inside, with a
large external opening (Figs 2E, 3B, D; Lamoral 1981: fig. 7). The pedipalpus has a short subtegulum. The
embolus, the tegular apophysis and the Oecobiidae tegular lobe I are reduced, located in a small area of the tegulum
(Fig. 2A–C; Wunderlich 1995b: figs 2–4).
Remarks. As mentioned in this study, Paroecobius seems to be a monophyletic group supported by sharing
the epigynal hood, reduced embolus and tegular apophysis, both located in a small median area in the tegulum. The
Oecobiidae tegular lobe I also seem to be reduced, which is consistent with the reduction of the embolus and all
tegular apophysis in the genus.
We report an intriguing internal structure in the female spermathecae of two oecobiid genera. This structure
was originally reported for Uroecobius ecribellatus Kullman & Zimmermann, 1976 as a muscular attachment
surface, probably because of its wired surface as seen under SEM (Kullmann & Zimmermann 1976: figs 12–14). A
similar structure was illustrated in Paroecobius wilmotae (Lamoral 1981: fig. 7) and is present in the three
Paroecobius species described here and called the internal glandular chamber (Gl). It is currently impossible to
ascertain the presence of this structure in P. nicolaii Wunderlich, 1995 because its internal female genitalia were
not described or illustrated in detail (see Wunderlich 1995b). Although nothing is known about the function of this
structure, its shape and the presence of numerous pores on its internal surface suggest that it could be a glandular
chamber. The presence of this internal glandular chamber in the spermathecae suggest that Paroecobius could be
phylogenetically close to Uroecobius.
Composition. Five species: Paroecobius wilmotae Lamoral, 1981; P. nicolaii Wunderlich, 1995, and three
species newly described below.
Distribution. Previously known only from the Afrotropical region, with two species from Botswana and South
Africa, recorded here for the first time in Madagascar (Fig. 6).
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THE SPIDER FAMILY OECOBIIDAE IN MADAGASCAR
FIGURE 2. Paroecobius skipper sp. nov. A–C, male palpus (CASENT 9009645). A, prolateral view; B, ventral. C,
retrolateral. D–E, female epigynum (CASENT 9012019). D, ventral view. E, dorsal, cleared. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.
Abbreviations: AG, anterior groove; CD, copulatory duct; CO, copulatory openings; E, embolus; FD, fertilization ducts; Gl,
internal glandular chamber; H, hood; OEA, Oecobiidae embolic apophysis; OTA, Oecobiidae tegular apophysis; OTL I,
Oecobiidae tegular lobe I; OTL II, Oecobiidae tegular lobe II; ST, subtegulum; T, tegulum; UE, uterus externus. Arrow:
Retrolateral keel.
Paroecobius skipper sp. nov.
(Figs 2, 4C–D, 5F, 6)
Etymology. The specific name refers to the character Skipper, from the American 3D, computer-animated comedy
film “Penguins of Madagascar”.
Type material. Male holotype (CASENT 9009645) from Madagascar: Toliara, Forêt de Mahavelo, Isantoria
River (24°45’S 46°9’E), 5.5 km 37° NE Ifotaka, 31 January 2002, B.L. Fisher et al. leg. (BLF5278). One female
paratype (CASENT 9009645) from the same locality and date.
Diagnosis. The males of Paroecobius skipper differ from other species of the genus by the Oecobiidae tegular
apophysis curved, hook-shaped (Fig. 2A–C) and by a prominent retrolateral keel of the tegulum (Fig. 2C). Females
of P. skipper resembles P. r i co sp.nov. in the sclerotized epigynal hood (Fig. 2D), but in P. s ki pp e r the hood is short.
The latter also differs from all species of the genus by the presence of an anterior groove on the epigynum (Fig. 2E)
and by the position of the copulatory openings, which are located anteriorly to the hood (Fig. 2D).
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Description. Male (holotype). Carapace pale yellow, darker on the margins and with a glass-shaped, posterior
black spot in the cephalic area. Anterior median eyes the largest, black and surrounded by a black ring, remaining
eyes translucent (Fig. 4C). Chelicerae, labium, endites and sternum homogeneously pale yellow. Pedipalp and legs
homogeneously pale yellow. Opisthosoma dorsally pale yellow, with black spots on the anterior and posterior
margins, and three anterior bands extending almost to the middle (Fig. 4C). The Oecobiidae embolic apophysis and
the Oecobiidae tegular lobe I are short, as long as the embolus, all emerging closely at the middle of tegulum (Fig.
2A–C). Oecobiidae tegular lobe II located posteriorly, seen through transparency prolaterally at the cymbium (Fig.
2A). Total length 1.2. Carapace 0.46 long, 0.51 wide. Tibia I length 0.25, II 0.28, III 0.25, IV 0.31. Opisthosoma
0.74 long, 0.53 wide.
Female (paratype). Color as in male, except for the following. Carapace homogeneously pale yellow, darker
only at the margins. Opisthosoma dorsally dark grey with large pairs of yellow spots, one anterior, one median and
one posterior (Fig. 4D). Epigynum translucent, with only the hood easily visible (Fig. 2D). Spermathecae presents
an internal glandular chamber. The copulatory ducts are connected to the spermatecae posteriorly. Fertilization
ducts emerging from a posterior pocket in the spermathecae (Figs 2E, 5F). Total length 1.3. Carapace 0.48 long,
0.53 wide. Tibia I length 0.28, II 0.31, III 0.28, IV 0.31. Opisthosoma 0.81 long, 0.66 wide.
Distribution. Madagascar, province of Toliara (Fig. 6).
Additional material examined. Madagascar: Toliara: Anosy: Parc National d'Andohahela, Forêt de
Manantalinjo (24°49’1’’S 46°36’36’’E, 33.6 km 63° ENE Amboasay, 7.6 km 99° E Hazofotsy), 12–16.I.2002, B.L.
Fisher et al. leg. (BLF4810), 1♀ (CASENT 9012019); ditto (BLF4815), 1♀ (CASENT 9014484).
Paroecobius rico sp. nov.
(Figs 3A–B, 6)
Etymology. The specific name refers to the character Rico, from the American 3D, computer-animated comedy
film “Penguins of Madagascar”.
Type material. Female holotype (CASENT 9014210) from Madagascar: Toliara, Forêt de Mahavelo,
Isantoria River (24°45’S 46°9’E), 28 January–1 February 2002, B.L. Fisher et al. leg. (BLF5239).
Diagnosis. The females of Paroecobius rico differ from all the species of the genus by the epigynum more
sclerotized and by the elongated copulatory openings and hood (Fig. 3A–B).
Description. Male. Unknown.
Female (holotype). Carapace pale yellow, darker on the margins and suffused in dark gray. Anterior median
eyes the largest, dark, surrounded by a black ring, remaining eyes translucent. Clypeal projection evenly rounded,
with dark gray spots. Chelicerae, labium, endites, and sternum homogeneously pale yellow. Pedipalp and legs pale
yellow. Opisthosoma dorsally and ventrally pale yellow, dorsum with anterior black spots and dark gray,
longitudinal and transverse stripes. Spinnerets pale yellow, darker apically. Spermathecae presents an internal
glandular chamber. The epigynum is covered with copulatory plugs, which obscures the boundary of the
copulatory openings (Fig. 3A). Copulatory ducts are connected at the base of the spermathecae (Fig. 3B). The
fertilization ducts seem to be connected inside of a little pocket in the spermatheca (Fig. 3B). Total length 1.47.
Carapace 0.48 long, 0.53 wide. Tibia I length 0.28, II 0.28, III 0.25, IV 0.28. Opisthosoma 0.99 long, 0.76 wide.
Natural history. There is no information on the habitat or habits of this species. However, the copulatory
openings of the female holotype are filled with a hard substance, which is consistent with a copulatory plug
deposited by the male after copulation (see Uhl et al. 2010).
Distribution. Madagascar, province of Toliara (Fig. 6).
Additional material examined. None, known only from the type material.
Paroecobius private sp. nov.
(Figs 3C–D, 5E, 6)
Etymology. The specific name refers to the character Private, from the American 3D, computer-animated comedy
film “Penguins of Madagascar”.
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FIGURE 3. Paroecobius spp. A–B, Paroecobius rico sp. nov., female epigynum (CASENT 9014210). A, ventral view. B,
dorsal, cleared. The dashed line on the right of the spermatheca represents a reconstruction of this structure, which has been
damaged during the manipulation. C–D, Paroecobius private sp. nov., female epigynum (CASENT 9013402). C, ventral view.
D, dorsal, cleared. Scale bars: 0.1 mm. Abbreviations: CD, copulatory duct; CO, copulatory openings; FD, fertilization ducts;
Gl, internal glandular chamber; H, hood; UE, uterus externus. Arrows: copulatory openings.
Type material. Female holotype (CASENT 9013402) from Madagascar: To liar a , Atsimo-Andrefana, Parc
National de Tsimanampetsotsa (24°6’S 43°45’S), 6.7 km 130° SE Efoetse, 23.0 km 174° S Beheloka, 18–22 March
2002, B.L. Fisher et al. leg. (BLF6160).
Diagnosis. Females of Paroecobius private differ from other species of the genus by the wide hood of the
epigynum. The hood is also thin, not covering the atrium (Fig. 3C). Internally, the spermathecae differ from those
of all other species of Paroecobius by having the fertilization and copulatory ducts connected to a constricted,
wrinkled projection of the spermathecae (Figs 3D, 5E).
Description. Male. Unknown.
Female (holotype). Carapace homogeneously pale yellow. Anterior median eyes the largest, black and
surrounded by a black ring, remaining eyes translucent. Clypeus pale yellow, with projection evenly rounded.
Chelicerae, labium, endites, sternum, pedipalps, legs and spinnerets homogeneously pale yellow. Opisthosoma
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dorsally pale yellow, evenly covered with white spots, ventrally pale yellow. Epigynum are very translucent, the
hood is slightly sclerotized (Fig. 3C). Total length 1.22. Carapace 0.46 long, 0.51 wide. Tibia I length 0.25, II 0.28,
III 0.25, IV 0.25. Opisthosoma 0.76 long, 0.61 wide.
Distribution. Madagascar, province of Toliara (Fig. 6).
Additional material examined. None, known only from the type material.
FIGURE 4. A–B, Oecobius kowalskii sp. nov. A, male holotype, dorsal. B, female paratype, dorsal. C–D, Paroecobius skipper
sp. nov. C, male holotype, dorsal. D, female paratype, dorsal. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.
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THE SPIDER FAMILY OECOBIIDAE IN MADAGASCAR
FIGURE 5. A–D, Oecobius kowalskii sp. nov. A–B, male palpus (CASENT 9004911). A, retrolateral view; B, ventral. C–D,
female epigynum (CASENT 9012520). C, ventral view; D, dorsal, digested. E, Paroecobius private sp. nov. female epigynum
(CASENT 9013402), cleared, dorsal view. F, Paroecobius skipper sp.nov. female epigynum (CASENT 9012019), digested,
dorsal view. Scale bars: 100 µm. Abbreviations: CA copulatory atrium; CD, copulatory duct; E, embolus; FD, fertilization
ducts; H, hood; OEA, Oecobiidae embolic apophysis; OTA, Oecobiidae tegular apophysis; OTL I, Oecobiidae tegular lobe I; S,
spermathecae; T, tegulum; UE, uterus externus. Arrows: copulatory openings.
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New record
Oecobius marathaus Tikader, 1962
Oecobius marathaus Tikader, 1962: 684, fig. 2a–b (female holotype and female paratype from India, Poona, Jangli Maharaj
Road, 4.IV.1961, B.K. Tikader leg., probably in National Zoological Collections, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta, not
examined). World Spider Catalog 2018 (complete citation list).
Distribution. Known from Brazil, India, Laos, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia (World Spider Catalog, 2018) and
herein newly recorded from Madagascar (Fig. 6).
Remarks. The record of this species in Madagascar is not particularly surprising, since it has been recorded
previously from the nearby Seychelles (Saaristo 1978, Santos & Gonzaga 2003) and Reunion islands (Jacquot et al.
2016). This is the second widely distributed, synanthropic species of Oecobius recorded from Madagascar.
However, the previous record of O. annulipes requires confirmation, since this species has been confounded with
O. navus in the literature (World Spider Catalog 2018, compare Shear 1970: figs 29, 50, 51 with Santos & Gonzaga
2003: figs 2–5).
Material examined. Madagascar, Antsiranana: Diana: Montagne des Français (12°19’22’’S 49°20’17’’E,
7.2 km 142° SE Antsiranana), 23–15.II.2001, L.J. Boutin leg., 1♂ 1♀ 4 juv. (CASENT 9000863).
FIGURE 6. Geographic distribution records of Oecobius Lucas, 1846 in Madagascar (red) and Paroecobius Lamoral, 1981
(yellow) in the Afrotropical region. Red circle: Oecobius marathaus Tikader, 1962; red squares: Oecobius kowalskii sp. nov.;
yellow square: Paroecobius private sp. nov.; yellow triangle: Paroecobius rico sp. nov.; yellow circles: Paroecobius skipper
sp. nov.; yellow diamond: Paroecobius wilmotae Lamoral, 1981; yellow cross: Paroecobius nicolaii Wunderlich, 1995.
Geographic coordinates for continental African Paroecobius were obtained from Wunderlich (1995) and from Google Earth,
for P. nicolaii and P. wilmotae respectively.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to L. Esposito for lending the material examined for this study, and to Charles E. Griswold for the
hospitality to AJS at the California Academy of Sciences. We also thank Leonardo S. Carvalho for assistance in the
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THE SPIDER FAMILY OECOBIIDAE IN MADAGASCAR
preparation of the distribution maps, the staff of the Centro de Microscopia da UFMG for assistance in SEM image
acquisition and Kin Master Produtos Químicos for donating a pancreatin sample for this study. MDFM was
financially supported by CAPES and by PROGRAD (PRONOTURNO) scholarships. AJS received research grants
from FAPEMIG (PPM-00605-17), CNPq (407288/2013-9, 306222/2015-9, 405795/2016-5), and Instituto
Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia dos Hymenoptera Parasitóides da Região Sudeste Brasileira (Hympar/Sudeste,
http://www.hympar.ufscar.br/, CNPq 465562/2014-0, FAPESP 2014/50940-2).
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