A survey of Hersilia spiders (Araneae, Hersiliidae) from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China.

Abstract

Background: Hersilia Audouin, 1826 is the largest genus of the Hersiliidae Thorell, 1869, currently including 80 extant species that are widespread throughout most of forests of the Tropical realm. The tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna is one of the most biodiversity-rich regions in China. However, Hersilia can be regarded as being poorly represented in Xishuangbanna, with only two recorded species so far.

New information: A survey was undertaken to study the hersiliids in Xishuangbanna. A total of four species are here addressed, raising from two to four the number of species of the genus Hersilia known to the area: H.striata Wang & Yin, 1985 and H.lelabah Rheims & Brescovit, 2004 that were recorded previously and H.asiatica Song & Zheng, 1982 (as well as the new record from Yunnan) and H.sumatrana (Thorell, 1890) that are recorded for the first time. Hersilialelabah is re-described, based on new materials and the male is described and illustrated for the first time. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations for both sexes of H.lelabah are provided. The distribution map of these four species in Xishuangbanna is given.