A new African arboreal genus and species of theraphosid spider (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Stromatopelminae) which lacks spermathecae

Abstract

Summary A new monospecific genus and species of arboreal theraphosid, Xenodendrophila gabrieli, is described from mountains near Arusha, northern Tanzania. This new genus is related to the West/Central African genera Stromatopelma and Heteroscodra, but differs from these in the form of its genitalia, coloration and appendage setation. The new taxon represents the second record of a spermathecaelacking theraphosid and is described from the female only. The systematic position of Xenodendrophila, Stromatopelma and Heteroscodra is discussed.