We current the primary exploratory morphological phylogeny of the spider fam ily Paratropididae Simon, 1889, providing a essential re-evaluation of its inner systematics. Our evaluation reveals seven distinct lineages, recognised right here as putative genera, three of that are newly described from Ecuador and Guyana. This research underscores the previ ously ignored diagnostic worth of each somatic and genitalic characters in genus-level delimitation throughout the household. Along with a revised idea of Paratropis Simon, 1889, we describe 11 new species primarily based on detailed genital morphology. Two species, Paratropis pasochoa Dupérré et Tapia, 2024 and Anisaspis awa Sherwood, Brescovit et Lucas, 2023, are transferred to the brand new genus Alienus gen.n., forming the brand new mixtures Alienus pasochoa comb.n. and Alienus awa comb.n., primarily based on topotypic and sort materials and their phylogenetic placement. Stormtropis celiae (Santos, Gomes, Almeida, de Morais et Bertani, 2025) comb.n. and Stormtropis manauara (Santos, Gomes, Almeida, de Morais et Bertani, 2025) comb.n. are transferred to Stormtropis from their beforehand incorrect placement in Paratropis. We additional suggest Anisaspis Simon, 1892 and its sort species A. tuberculata as nomina dubia as a result of absence of diagnostic grownup materials. Our findings spotlight the significance of utilizing strong morphological datasets to get better pure teams, offering a refined framework for future research. Moreover, we report the primary occurrences of Stormtropis Perafán, Galvis et Pérez-Miles, 2019 from Venezuela, describe the primary species and a brand new endemic genus (Yamaratropis gen.n.) from an Andean Tepui, and doc novel behaviours, together with burrow building and using anthropogenic supplies (e.g., microplastics). The invention of burrowing behaviour in a number of species provides new perception into the behavioural evolution of early Bipectina, suggesting a basal origin for open burrow entrance sorts. This work establishes a essential morphological baseline for future integrative analysis.
Acknowledgment: I want to sincerely thank Danni Sherwood for as soon as once more sharing the entire manuscript with me. I actually admire her continued generosity and thoughtfulness in forwarding the total work, which has made cautious evaluate and engagement with the fabric potential.
Peñaherrera-R, Pedro & Ríos Tamayo, Duniesky & León-E, Roberto J. & Drolshagen, Bastian & Sherwood, Danniella. (2025). On encrusted soil and dust: a preliminary phylogenetic evaluation of the mud spider household Paratropididae Simon, 1889 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) brings to gentle new species and genera. Invertzool. 22. 662-717.
