CUPIENNIUS REMEDIUS NEW SPECIES (ARANEAE, CTENIDAE), AND A KEY FOR THE GENUS

A new representative of the neotropical genus Cupiennius Simon 1891 (A raneae, Ctenidae) was found in the highlands of central Guatemala. Cup iennius remedius new species is the ninth species established for the genus. Like all other species of Cupiennius, C. remedius is a hunting spider living in close association with monocotyledonous plants where it hides in a retreat during the day and is active at night. C. remedi us is of medium size (carapace length ca. 8 mm) compared to the other species of the genus and is the only Cupiennius species known to live sympatrically with C. salei. Live animals show a spotted coloration pa ttern unusual for the genus. The distinctive features of the male bulb i and female epigyna are described and an example is given of the spec ies-specific courtship vibrations. In addition, we provide a revised k ey for the genus Cupiennius.