Just met and already threatened? A new species of Paratrechalea Carico, 2005 from the Brazilian Cerrado (Araneae: Trechaleidae), with new distribution records for the genus

Abstract

Abstract A new species of trechaleid spider, Paratrechalea murphyi sp. n. (♂♀), is diagnosed, described. and illustrated. The species is based on the male and female specimens collected 20 years ago in a conservation unit in the Cerrado biome of Brazil. An attempt to find new specimens in the type locality and in a few nearby locations failed, raising the possibility that the species is threatened with extinction. We provide a complete picture of the distribution of Paratrechalea, including new records for all previously known species, and discuss the implications of our results in face of current threats to the Cerrado biota.