Systematics of the Western Ghats endemic tarantula subfamily Thrigmopoeinae with the description of a new genus and four new species
The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot known for its high degree of endemism. The tarantula subfamily Thrigmopoeinae, with two genera and seven species, is endemic to the Western Ghats. A taxonomic account of the Western Ghats endemic tarantula subfamily Thrigmopoeinae is presented. The study is based on a re-examination of existing museum material and a fresh collection from across the Western Ghats. Rediagnosis of the genera Haploclastus Simon, 1892 and Thrigmopoeus Pocock, 1899, is presented with a description of a new genus and four new species. The genus Cilantica gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate Cilantica phsycadelicus comb. nov. and Cilantica kayi comb. nov., and a new species from the southern Western Ghats. Thrigmopoeinae, being endemic to the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, is a vital flagship for invertebrate conservation.
