Transfer of two Indian Idiops spp. to the genus Heligmomerus Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Idiopidae) with redescription of H. barkudensis (Gravely, 1921)

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M. Siliwal
S. Molur
R. Raven

Abstract

The genus Heligmomerus Simon, 1892 of the trapdoor spider family Idiopidae is represented by a single species, H. prostans Simon, 1892 in India. Idiops biharicus Gravely, 1915 and I. barkudensis Gravely, 1921 were found to be misplaced in the genus Idiops and transfer to the genus Heligmomerus based on a dorsal saddle-shape depression on tibiae III. The Heligmomerus barkudensis (Gravely, 1921) was previously known only from the type locality but during the recent surveys in Orissa it was sampled from several locations on the mainland in Orissa as well as other islands of Chilika Lake. H. barkudensis is redescribed and natural history notes are provided based on the new specimen collections from the type locality, Barkuda Island and other new localities in Orissa.

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Communications
Author Biographies

M. Siliwal

Manju Siliwal is an arachnologist working with Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society since 2002. She is working on ecology, taxonomy and conservation of mygalomorph spiders of India.

S. Molur

Sanjay Molur is the Founder Secretary of WILD and Executive Director of ZOO. He is currently involved in studies on rodents and bats in Coorg. He is also involved in trade and ecological studies of mygalomorph spiders in India since 2000.

R. Raven

Robert Raven is Head of Terrestrial Biodiversity at Queensland Museum. He is one of the leading arachnologists of the world. His main interest lies in studying mygalomorph spiders.

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