Molecular and morphological analysis of tropical jumping spiders of the genus Maltecora Simon, 1909.

Abstract

Commonly known as jumping spiders, Salticidae are distinguished from other spider groups by their superb eyesight. Spiders with such excellent visual abilities frequently have bright colours, which are often used in sexual selection. The genus Maltecora is such a jumping spider group, where the males have bright colours. Despite their conspicuous appearance, the genus is rather poorly known and they have only been found so far in São Tomé and Príncipe, two small volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. During my research, I illustrated several Maltecora specimens and sorted them into morphospecies. I was able to find all the three species that are already known, and two more distinct groups.