Chilocosmia and Selenobrachys are back in Business again! ;)

[Theraphosid Research Team]

After many hours at the microscope taking pictures and doing research, our paper on the revalidation of the genera Selenobrachys and Chilocosmia, based on morphological and genetic data, has finally been published. I am very proud of the fruitful collaboration with my Philippine friends and colleagues Dr. Leonardo Guevarra and our senior author Darrell Camacho Acuña. This is the first work in the field of phylogeny of Asian tarantulas that is based on morphological AND genetic data. Many thanks also to my friends Frank Schneider, Ingo Wendt & Prof. Dr. Henrik Krehenwinkel for providing me with material for examination, ecological data and genetic data.

-> Acuña, D. C., Dumbrique, M. M. U., Ranido, M. C., Ragasa, L. R. P., Noriega, C. N. C., Mayor, A. B. R., Florendo Jr., G. A., Fadri, M. J. A., Wirth, V. von, Santiago-Bautista, M. R. & Guevarra Jr., L. A. (2025). Taxonomic revalidation of Selenobrachys Schmidt, 1999 and Chilocosmia Schmidt & von Wirth, 1992 based on morphological and molecular analyses (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with the description of a new species from Romblon Island, Philippines. ZooKeys 1233: 139-193

 

[viper69]

Genetic data is so critical. I know there are many who believe cladistics is all that is needed, but that’s not enough. Too many animals are being found as new species etc due to genetics.

Now if only someone would do a revision for Avicularia using genetics and firmly identify all the morphotypes.

My personal favorite would be if the A. sp metallica, known as M6 now, is or isn’t the same species as Avicularia sp Kwitara River. Grossly looking at them they seem to be identical except for their body background color blue vs green respectively.

There are others though that need genetics too.