Caloctenus Keyserling is examined and redefined to include small ground-dwelling spiders with an enhanced ventral spination beneath anterior tibiae/metatarsi -a combination of five-eight/six-seven paired-spines, pars cephalica well marked by a deep furrow, strongly convex pars thoracica, and body thickly coated with iridescent scales. As relimited, Caloctenus comprises four species from northern South America; a key to identify them is provided. Males of C. aculeatus Keyserling and C. gracilitarsis Simon are described for the first time, as are two new species, C. carbonera from Venezuela, and C. oxapampa from Peru. All other species described under this genus belong somewhere else. Caloctenus boetonensis Strand, C. celer Simon, and C. oreus Simon are transferred to Acantheis Thorell, 1891. Caloctenus fernandensis Simon is transferred to Africactenus Hyatt, 1954. Caloctenus penicilliger ...

Caloctenus Keyserling is examined and redefined to include small ground-dwelling spiders with an enhanced ventral spination beneath anterior tibiae/metatarsi -a combination of five-eight/six-seven paired-spines, pars cephalica well marked by a deep furrow, strongly convex pars thoracica, and body thickly coated with iridescent scales. As relimited, Caloctenus comprises four species from northern South America; a key to identify them is provided. Males of C. aculeatus Keyserling and C. gracilitarsis Simon are described for the first time, as are two new species, C. carbonera from Venezuela, and C. oxapampa from Peru. All other species described under this genus belong somewhere else. Caloctenus boetonensis Strand, C. celer Simon, and C. oreus Simon are transferred to Acantheis Thorell, 1891. Caloctenus fernandensis Simon is transferred to Africactenus Hyatt, 1954. Caloctenus penicilliger ...

In this paper we present an analysis of the state of knowledge and species richness of the Laniatores harvestmen from the department of Loreto, a group of little-known arachnids in the Peruvian Amazon. To do this, relevant literature was reviewed and the collection of the Natural History Museum of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru was examined. Our results show 72 species distributed in 11 families. Cosmetidae (34 spp.), Cranaidae (11 spp.) and Stygnidae (8 spp.) were the most diverse families. Although there is insufficient information, samples from Samiria River (23 species, 11 families) suggest a very high degree of local endemism, 10 species are restricted only to this locality. With this work, 52 species of Laniatores are added to 19 previously recorded for the Loreto department. Families Biantidae, Samoidae and Stygnommatidae are recorded for the first time i...