[Monograph] West & Nunn: Revision of the genus Coremiocnemis

[Zoltan]

The first theraphosid taxonomy monograph in a while.

West, R. C. & S. C. Nunn. 2010. A taxonomic revision of the tarantula spider genus Coremiocnemis Simon 1892 (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with further notes on the Selenocosmiinae. Zootaxa 2443: 1–64

Abstract. The selenocosmiine genus Coremiocnemis Simon 1892 is revised for the first time with six new species included. Five new species are from West Malaysia: C. brachyramosa sp. nov. from Gunung Ledang, Johor; C. gnathospina sp. nov. and C. hoggi sp. nov. from Fraser’s Hill, Selangor; C. jeremyhuffi sp. nov. from Tapah, Perak, Fraser’s Hill, Selangor to Pahang and C. obscura sp. nov. from Taiping, Perak to Cameron Highlands, Pahang. C. kotacana sp. nov. is described from Aceh Teneggara, Sumatra, being the first record of this genus outside Malaysia or Australia. A lectotype and paralectotype are designated for C. cunicularia (Simon 1892). All but two of Abraham’s non-type C. valida Pocock 1895 (Abraham 1924) specimens held in both the NHM and RMBR are newly transferred to C. cunicularia. Abraham’s two remaining specimens are removed from Coremiocnemis. C. valida is redescribed, its former dubious locality is resolved. Zoogeographic considerations of all species are discussed and resolved. Ontogenetic variation within Coremiocnemis is discussed. Several new characters are introduced. Subfamilial relationships with proposed sister genera Selenocosmia Ausserer 1871 and Lyrognathus Pocock 1895 are discussed. A key to species is provided.

 

[Jeremy Huff]

Actually, it is the second this year by West & Nunn

WEST, RICK C. (Canada) & NUNN, STEVEN C. (Australia)
A taxonomic revision of the tarantula spider genus Lyrognathus Pocock 1895 (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with notes on the Selenocosmiinae
Zootaxa 2362: 1–43 (18 Feb. 2010)

Jeremy

 

[Protectyaaaneck]

C. brachyramosa = c. sp. "blue", "Genung Ledang"? Just wondering...

 

[Zoltan]

Actually, it is the second this year by West & Nunn

WEST, RICK C. (Canada) & NUNN, STEVEN C. (Australia)
A taxonomic revision of the tarantula spider genus Lyrognathus Pocock 1895 (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with notes on the Selenocosmiinae
Zootaxa 2362: 1–43 (18 Feb. 2010)

Jeremy

Hello Jeremy,

Yes, I'm aware, there is a thread about the first article here: http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=174087

I did write first monograph (at least 60 pages), as according to what Steve told me, this is the first theraphosid taxonomy monograph since Bertani's 2001 "Revision, cladistic analysis, and zoogeography of Vitalius, Nhandu and Proshapalopus &c" publication.

C. brachyramosa = c. sp. "blue", "Genung Ledang"? Just wondering...

Probably, the types are from Gunung Ledang.

 

[Martin H.]

Hi,

what about this one from the Cameron Highlands? Also a Coremiocnemis and if so, which species?

all the best,
Martin

 

[Zoltan]

Hello Martin,

Maybe you can ask Rick or Steve. From those pictures I fail to see why it's a Coremiocnemis-- I'm not saying it isn't, just that I can't see that from the pictures! Weren't you posting these pictures last year with the name Selenocosmiinae sp. "Fraise"? Who placed them in Coremiocnemis since then and based on what? Or was your post just a trick question?

 

[Martin H.]

Hello Zoltán,

yep, that's the one I used to lable Selenocosmiinae sp. "Fraise".

Last year, when I came back from Malaysia, I sent Rick these photos and got as reply that this species has been described and is being reviewed for Zootaxa.
To be honest, I only took a quick look at the paper yet, but IMHO it doesn't really match one of the new described ones, or does it?

all the best,
Martin

 

[Zoltan]

Hello Martin,

Well, the only species described in the paper from the Cameron Highlands is Coremiocnemis obscura. They do state "color forms known", but there's nothing about the first pairs of legs being differently colored than the rest. The photos are of more than one specimen, right? Have you any specimens at home? Have you checked them against the description/diagnosis of C. obscura?

 

[Martin H.]

Hello Zoltán,

yes, these photos show more than one specimen and yes, I have some at home, but as I wrote, so far, I only had a quick glance in the paper.

One more thing I stumbled over: On page 55 at the end of the description of C. obscura they wrote: "...Nothing else is known about the natural history of C. obscura. The male is unknown.". But on page 51 there is a photo labelled: "C. obscura sp. nov. mature male in life.". Why is it unknown, when they print a poto of it!?

all the best,
Martin

 

[Zoltan]

Hello Martin,

That's an interesting find and I don't understand it either. All the types are females, according to the paper and it doesn't list any male specimens. Let us know if you've successfully identified your spider(s)!

 

[Steve Nunn]

Hello,
The Gunung Ledang blue species is Coremiocnemis brachyramosa.

@ Martin,
The spider you show in your images is being described by us as Rick said (we have multiple specimens), but it is not in this paper

The image of the C.obscura male is only an image, taken some time prior to this paper. It is "not known to science" (despite a single habitus image) and as you'll note, there is no description of the male, hence the term "not known". We do plan to describe this male, along with any other taxa missing males.

3 species within the monograph are not known to the hobby, C.gnathospina, collected by Abraham originally, is only known from a singular specimen; C.kotacana is also known from a single specimen and the only Coremiocnemis species from Sumatra; C.valida has had an overhaul, we discovered the precise type locale from an original label in the type jar and then found a conspecific in the RMBR. This species is from Borneo, not W.Malaysia, all the spiders within the hobby known as this species actually belong to C.obscura.

Hope this helps,
Steve

 

[Steve Nunn]

Hi,

what about this one from the Cameron Highlands? Also a Coremiocnemis and if so, which species?

all the best,
Martin

Hello Martin,
Do you think this is the same species as the ones in your images?? (image by S.Hogg). I think it is.....this species we have examined some time ago and is distinct from all species within the Coremiocnemis work and further, was left out for a purpose




Thanks,
Steve

 

[syndicate]

Excellent work Steve and Rick!Keep it up!
-Chris

 

[Zoltan]

www.birdspiders.com was recently updated and it now includes pictures of several described Coremiocnemis.

Coremiocnemis brachyramosa
Coremiocnemis cunicularia
Coremiocnemis hoggi
Coremiocnemis jeremyhuffi
Coremiocnemis obscura (common form)
Coremiocnemis obscura (dark form)
Coremiocnemis valida

 

[Merfolk]

Coremiocnemis brachyramosa is already in collections in Europe. They have pink legs at a certain point. They don't grow very big and are notorious pet hole.
Back with more info.

 

[Martin H.]

He Steve,

Do you think this is the same species as the ones in your images?? (image by S.Hogg).

could be, but I am not sure from that photo. Where was the specimen on the photo collected? Do you have a photo of an adult male - they are distinct from the other Coremiocnemis males.

I think it is.....this species we have examined some time ago and is distinct from all species within the Coremiocnemis work and further, was left out for a purpose

because it is not a Coremiocnemis? ....the adult males do not look like a typical Coremiocnemis male to me.

all the best,
Martin

 

[gromgrom]

Coremiocnemis brachyramosa is already in collections in Europe. They have pink legs at a certain point.

:drool: oooh cant wait for them to be in the hobby i'd lik....

They don't grow very big and are notorious pet hole.
Back with more info.

erm... nevermind

 

[Steve Nunn]

Hi Martin,
They are the same, I am 100% positive Suffice to say on the other discussion, best left for a future time (as this is a thread more for the current paper), but if you would possibly donate specimens to the QM (particularly males), we would most greatfully use them as potential type material.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[GoTerps]

Coremiocnemis brachyramosa is already in collections in Europe. They have pink legs at a certain point. They don't grow very big and are notorious pet hole.
Back with more info.

:drool: oooh cant wait for them to be in the hobby (

They've been in the U.S. hobby for a number of years now. A number of WC's popped up in '07 Malaysian imports. I've got pictures of one I kept on my Flickr (link in sig).

Swifty has breed them, and I think he has slings available now.

Eric

 

[Anastasia]

They've been in the U.S. hobby for a number of years now. A number of WC's popped up in '07 Malaysian imports. I've got pictures of one I kept on my Flickr (link in sig).

Swifty has breed them, and I think he has slings available now.

Eric

Eric,
Kelly's spiders have alot of purple and donl look blue like Coremiocnemis brachyramosa on your picture
he also called them 'Malaysian Purple femurs'
I have few of them here with me, I can grab pictures