Two new species of the spider genus Conifaber Opell 1982 from Argentina and Paraguay, with notes on their relationships (Araneae, Uloboridae).

GRISMADO, CRISTIAN J.

Revista Ibérica de Aracnología

Grupo Ibérico de Aracnología

Lugar: Zaragoza; Año: 2004 vol. 9 p. 291 - 306

1576-9518

Two new species of the uloborid genus Conifaber Opell are described: C. guarani and C. yasi, from northern Argentina (Misiones, Corrientes, Formosa and Salta provinces). Uloborus lactescens Mello-Leitão, type species of the genus Ponella Opell, is synonymized with Philoponella fasciata (Mello-Leitão); consequently, the genus Ponella is a junior synonym of Philoponella Mello-Leitão. The females previously assigned to Ponella (all from Paraguay) are not conspecific with the male syntype, and belong to Conifaber guarani. A sister relationship is suggested between Conifaber and Zosis Walckenaer based mainly on genital features. The webs of one of the new species are described, which show a three-dimensional structure below the orb, probably homologous to the cone built by the type species of the genus, C. parvus Opell.