A Revision of the Selenocosmiine Tarantula GenusPhlogiellusPocock 1897 (Araneae: Theraphosidae), with Description of 4 New Species

Abstract

The tarantula genusPhlogiellus(Pocock 1897) is revised. The genus is diagnosed against all other selenocosmiine genera for the first time along with a new generic description. The tribe Yamiini (Kishida 1920) is diagnosed against all other selenocosmiine tribes. AllPhlogiellusspecies are diagnosed from all congeners; all species are mapped. Complete dichotomous keys for both sexes of all species are included. Where appropriate, intraspecific variation is discussed. Four new species are described:P. bogadekisp. nov. from Hong Kong,P. johnreylazoisp. nov. from Palawan Island, Philippines,P. moniqueverdezaesp. nov. from Ranong, Thailand, andP. pelidnussp. nov. from Sabah, Borneo. The type speciesP. atriceps(Pocock 1897) holotype male is redescribed and the maleP. baeri(Simon 1877) is described in detail for the first time. The validity ofP. inermis(Ausserer 1871) is confirmed. Relationships between all known selenocosmiine genera andPhlogiellusfrom the Philippines are discussed and several character traits are newly diagnosed. The tribe Phlogiellini (West et al. 2012) is a junior synonym of Yamiini (Kishida 1920).Selenocosmia orophila(Thorell 1897) from Myanmar,Selenocosmia insulana(Hirst 1909) from Djampea (= Jampea) Island, andSelenocosmia obscura(Hirst 1909) from Sarawak, Borneo, are transferred toPhlogiellus, altering the specific names toPhlogiellus orophilus(Thorell 1897) comb. nov.,Phlogiellus insulanus(Hirst 1909) comb. nov., andPhlogiellus obscurus(Hirst 1909) comb. nov.Phlogiellus subarmatus(Thorell 1891) is transferred toChilobrachys(Karsch 1891), becomingChilobrachys subarmatus(Thorell 1891) comb. nov.Phlogiellus kwebaburdeos(Barrion-Dupo et al., 2014) is transferred toOrphnaecus(Simon 1892), becomingOrphnaecus kwebaburdeos(Barrion-Dupo et al., 2014) comb. nov.Phlogiellus ornatus(Thorell 1897) andPhlogiellus nebulosus(Rainbow 1899) are consideredspecies inquirenda.Phlogiellus baeri(Simon 1877) is no longer consideredincertae sedis;Phlogiellus bicolor(Strand 1911) andPhlogiellus insularis(Simon 1877) are consideredincertae sedis.