Nine new spider species of Belisana Thorell, 1898 (Araneae, Pholcidae) from karst caves, with a list of species of the genus from Guizhou, southwestern China

Abstract

Species of the spider genus Belisana Thorell, 1898 exhibit high diversity in Guizhou, southwestern China. Previously, only eight species of Belisana were recorded in Guizhou. In this study, nine new species are described from karst caves: Belisana bijie Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., B. liupanshui Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., B. majiang Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., B. nayong Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., B. qixingguan Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., B. xiuwen Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., B. yongcong Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., B. zhouxi Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov., and B. zunyi Wang, S. Li & Yao, sp. nov. Belisana zhangi Tong & Li, 2007 is reported from Guizhou for the first time. In addition, a list of all species of Belisana from Guizhou is provided.