The selenocosmiine genus Psednocnemis gen. nov. is described from the Sundaland region of South-east Asia. The typespecies Psednocnemis davidgohi sp. nov., which the male was incorrectly identified as Coremiocnemis hoggi West &Nunn 2010, is herein described. Cladistic analyses of 46 morphological characters and 39 exemplar taxa from 12 generawere done. The genera analysed were: Reichlingia Rudloff 2001; ingroup: Chilobrachys Karsch 1891; CoremiocnemisSimon 1892; Haplocosmia Schmidt & von Wirth 1996; Lyrognathus Pocock 1895; Orphnaecus Simon 1892; PhlogiellusPocock 1897; Poecilotheria Simon 1885; Psednocnemis gen. nov.; Selenobrachys Schmidt 1999; Selenocosmia Ausserer1871 (in part: Sundaland fauna only); Yamia Kishida 1920. The results presented Psednocnemis gen. nov. as monophyleticbased on presence of a distal embolic spiral curl in males and presence of a distodorsal spiniform brush on the retrolateralsurfaces of coxa IV, as well as the reduction in density of hair type 4, located along the proximoventral abdomen of bothsexes. Two new tribes are described: Chilobrachini trib. nov. and Phlogiellini trib. nov., based upon basal nodes with stron-gest branch support that best reflected natural groups. Selenocosmiini Simon 1889 and Poecilotheriini Simon 1889 arerevised and redescribed. Yamia Kishida 1920 is placed into junior synonymy of Phlogiellus (syn. nov.); ChilocosmiaSchmidt & von Wirth 1992 and Selenobrachys Schmidt 1999 are placed into junior synonymy of Orphnaecus (syn. nov.);Selenocosmia xinping Zhu & Zhang 2008 is transferred to Phlogiellus, makng the new combination Phlogiellus xinping(Zhu & Zhang 2008) comb. nov.; Selenocosmia dichromata (Schmidt & von Wirth 1992) is transferred to Orphnaecus,making the new combination Orphnaecus dichromata (Schmit & von Wirth 1992) comb. nov.; Coremiocnemis brachyra-mosa West & Nunn 2010, Coremiocnemis gnathospina West & Nunn 2010, Coremiocnemis jeremyhuffi West & Nunn2010 and Selenocosmia imbellis (Simon 1891) are transferred to Psednocnemis gen. et comb. nov. Poecilotherinae(Schmidt 1995) is no longer considered a valid subfamily and is replaced into Selenocosmiinae as the tribe Poecilotheriini.Chilocosmia barensteinerae Schmidt et al. 2010 is considered a Selenocosmiinae species incertae sedis. Ischnocolellasenffti Strand 1907 is considered a nomen dubium. All other genera examined were retrieved as monophyletic in the firstcladistic analyses exclusive to Selenocosmiinae genera (Australo-Papuan selenocosmiines are outside the scope of thiswork and are not considered). Biogeography of all Selenocosmiinae is discussed; the group is a potential model North Gondwanan taxon. A key to Psednocnemis species is provided.

The tarantula genus Ephebopus Simon 1892 is reviewed and includes the type species, E. murinus (Walckenaer 1837), and E. uatuman Lucas, Silva & Bertani 1992, E. cyanognathus West & Marshall 2000, E. rufescens West & Marshall 2000 and Ephebopus foliatus, sp. nov., from Guyana. Ephebopus violaceus Mello-Leitão 1930 is transferred to Tapinauchenius Ausserer, where it is a senior synonym of Tapinauchenius purpureus Schmidt 1995 new synonymy. Ephebopus fossor Pocock 1903 is considered a nomen dubium. Ephebopus occurs in northeastern South America where it is known only from Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Spiders of the genus are generally fossorial; however, Ephebopus murinus has a developmental stage that is arboreal. A cladistic analysis of the Theraphosidae retrieves the Aviculariinae as monophyletic, including Avicularia Lamarck, Iridopelma Pocock 1901, Pachistopelma Pocock 1901, Tapinauchenius, Psalmopoeus Pocock, Ephebopus, Stromatopelma Karsch and Heteroscodra Pocock, having as a synapomorphy the well-developed scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi I–II that is very laterally extended.

This paper outlines a novel, non-invasive procedure to obtain DNA from Mexican tarantulas (Brachypelma spp.) using exuvia. These species are important in the pet trade and species identification is important for international wildlife law enforcement. Mitochondrial DNA sequence from the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene was used to investigate the relationship between various Brachypelma spp. This phylogeny was used as a framework to assign unknown specimens and spiderlings to species. The benefits to conservation, research, and international wildlife law enforcement that are gained by the ability to accurately identify species without the death of the specimen are explored. Our data also suggest that there is no support for the genus Brachypelmides as some authors have proposed and upholds the synonymy of Locht et al. (1999) J Arachnol 27:196-200.

The tarantula genusPhlogiellus(Pocock 1897) is revised. The genus is diagnosed against all other selenocosmiine genera for the first time along with a new generic description. The tribe Yamiini (Kishida 1920) is diagnosed against all other selenocosmiine tribes. AllPhlogiellusspecies are diagnosed from all congeners; all species are mapped. Complete dichotomous keys for both sexes of all species are included. Where appropriate, intraspecific variation is discussed. Four new species are described:P. bogadekisp. nov. from Hong Kong,P. johnreylazoisp. nov. from Palawan Island, Philippines,P. moniqueverdezaesp. nov. from Ranong, Thailand, andP. pelidnussp. nov. from Sabah, Borneo. The type speciesP. atriceps(Pocock 1897) holotype male is redescribed and the maleP. baeri(Simon 1877) is described in detail for the first time. The validity ofP. inermis(Ausserer 1871) is confirmed. Relationships between all known selenocosmiine genera andPhlogiellusfrom the Philippines are discussed and several character traits are newly diagnosed. The tribe Phlogiellini (West et al. 2012) is a junior synonym of Yamiini (Kishida 1920).Selenocosmia orophila(Thorell 1897) from Myanmar,Selenocosmia insulana(Hirst 1909) from Djampea (= Jampea) Island, andSelenocosmia obscura(Hirst 1909) from Sarawak, Borneo, are transferred toPhlogiellus, altering the specific names toPhlogiellus orophilus(Thorell 1897) comb. nov.,Phlogiellus insulanus(Hirst 1909) comb. nov., andPhlogiellus obscurus(Hirst 1909) comb. nov.Phlogiellus subarmatus(Thorell 1891) is transferred toChilobrachys(Karsch 1891), becomingChilobrachys subarmatus(Thorell 1891) comb. nov.Phlogiellus kwebaburdeos(Barrion-Dupo et al., 2014) is transferred toOrphnaecus(Simon 1892), becomingOrphnaecus kwebaburdeos(Barrion-Dupo et al., 2014) comb. nov.Phlogiellus ornatus(Thorell 1897) andPhlogiellus nebulosus(Rainbow 1899) are consideredspecies inquirenda.Phlogiellus baeri(Simon 1877) is no longer consideredincertae sedis;Phlogiellus bicolor(Strand 1911) andPhlogiellus insularis(Simon 1877) are consideredincertae sedis.

BackgroundCITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Regarding spiders, all species listed in CITES are tarantulas. They are included in Appendix II, meaning that they are species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that they may become so unless trade is closely controlled.Many tarantulas are legally and illegally traded in the pet market and they are one of the most traded invertebrate groups. Originally, the CITES list published in 1995 included all the current species of the genus Brachypelma Simon, 1891 plus Aphonopelma pallidum (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897) and the so-called Aphonopelma albiceps (Pocock, 1903). After that, some taxonomic changes were done, as well as descriptions of new species in the genus Brachypelma. The objective of this paper is to assess the 21 taxonomically valid spider species listed on CITES according to the IUCN criteria, study the general patterns and trends and advise on possible future conservation actions critical for the survival of endangered species.New informationAmongst all 21 species assessed, 16 had sufficient data on their distribution, ecology and threats to properly understand their current status and suggest possible conservation measures. A decline in the area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) was inferred to almost all species, caused mostly by human activities (urbanisation, roads, agricultural and touristic activities), which often lead to the complete loss of subpopulations across their range. Hurricanes and frequent rising water, which are increasing in frequency due to climate change, can cause decline in habitat quality and consequent change in EOO and AOO of some species and should also be considered when planning conservation actions. Severe fragmentation was detected in 13 species and is therefore one of the most relevant threats to the most endangered Brachypelma species and should be made a priority aspect to deal with when proposing conservation actions for the group. Regarding the loss of individuals in wild populations, the main cause seems to be the overharvesting to meet the illegal trade.The most important conservation actions identified across species include preserving their natural habitat through protected areas, establishing management plans for both the species and their habitats and undertaking systematic monitoring to provide information about population recovery and species re-introduction programmes. In general, we propose to prioritise and support research on the population trends and distribution, as well as on the impact of land use and habitat degradation. Special attention regarding conservation actions and research plans has to be given to the central Pacific coastal area of Mexico, particularly around Guerrero State where five species of Brachypelma occur. Critically, for some of the most endangered species, such as B. baumgarteni and B. hamorii, there is no official pro...