Unraveling the mysteries of Goeldia Keyserling, 1891: revision, description of seven new species and first record from USA (Araneae: Titanoecidae)

Abstract

The spider genus Goeldia Keyserling is revised, seven new species are described, two species are revalidated and new synonyms are proposed. Goeldia patellaris (Simon, 1892) is removed from the synonymy with Goeldia obscura Keyserling, 1891 and considered a senior synonym of G. arnozoi (Mello-Leitão, 1924). This resulted in a secondary homonymy with Goeldia obscura Keyserling, 1878, which was resolved with the proposal of G. leechi Almeida-Silva & Brescovit nomen novum for the type species (Goeldia obscura Keyserling, 1891). Goeldia funesta (Keyserling, 1883) is removed from the synonymy with G. obscura (Keyserling, 1878) and revalidated. Goeldia munda (Chamberling, 1916) is removed from the synonym with Goeldia patellaris (Simon, 1892) and placed as synonym of G. funesta. Calleva paupercula Simon, 1892 is removed from the synonym with Goeldia patellaris (Simon, 1892) and placed as junior synonym of G. luteipes (Keyserling, 1891). Newly described species are: G. bagumbubu sp. nov., Goeldia diva sp. nov., G. gauderio sp. nov., G. goytacazes sp. nov., and G. mirim sp. nov., all from Brazil, G. portenha sp. nov. from Argentina and G. utcuyacu sp. nov. from Peru. Here we also include the first descriptions of the male of Goeldia obscura (Keyserling, 1878), G. funesta (Keyserling, 1883), and G. nigra (Mello-Leitão, 1917) and first description of the female G. guayaquilensis (Schmidt, 1971). Detailed examination of Goeldia tizamina (Chamberlin & Ivie, 1938) types shows that they are adult specimens, but not congeneric with species of Goeldia and will be treated in another publication. Other discoveries include the placement of Amaurobius thoracicus Mello-Leitão, 1945 as junior synonym of Goeldia luteipes (Keyserling, 1891), first record of Goeldia funesta to USA and new distribution records for several species.