A revision of the crab spider genus Heriaeus Simon, 1875 (Araneae : Thomisidae) in the Afrotropical Region

Abstract

The genus Heriaeus Simon, 1875 is revised in the Afrotropical Region. Ten new species are described: H. allenjonesi (♂♀ South Africa), H. antoni (♂♀ Yemen), H. copricola (♂♀ South Africa), H. foordi (♂♀ South Africa), H. madagascar (♂ Madagascar), H. muizenberg (♂ South Africa), H. peterwebbi (♂♀ South Africa), H. sossusvlei (♀ Namibia), H. xanderi (♂♀ South Africa) and H. zanii (♂♀ South Africa and Tanzania). Heriaeus fimbriatus Lawrence, 1942 is redescribed and recognized as the male of H. crassispinus Lawrence, 1942, and synonymized here. Two other previously known Afrotropical species are redescribed: H. transvaalicus Simon, 1895 (including the first male description) and H. latifrons Lessert, 1919.