First record of the genus Falconina (Araneae, Corinnidae) from Mexico, with a description of a new species and observations on its interactions with ants

Abstract

Falconina cafetera sp. nov. (Araneae, Corinnidae) is described based on specimens of both sexes. Specimens were collected in shaded coffee agro-ecosystems and in a suburban cacao orchard in Chiapas, Mexico. This new species is the first Falconina recorded from Mexico and the northernmost species of the genus in continental America, with the exception of F. gracilis (Keyserling, 1891) introduced to the USA and Cuba. F. cafetera sp. nov. differs from all other Falconina species by having most of its opisthosoma light-colored with some dark patches and by the characteristics of the male palp and female epigynum. Observations are included about one sclerite found in the male palp of this species, not mentioned for other species in this genus. The key of Falconina species by García and Bonaldo (2023) is modified to include this species. Furthermore, field observations and laboratory rearing of juveniles indicate that F. cafetera sp. nov. spiders are able to feed on ants.