Free-living spiders of the genus Ariamnes (Araneae, Theridiidae) in Hawaii

This study examines species in a relatively diverse lineage of Ariamnes spiders in the Hawaiian archipelago, where they appear to have undergone adaptive radiation, with several species generally co-occurring at any one locality. The lineage was initially described by the single species A. corniger Simon 1900. The Hawaiian representatives of this lineage are characterized by variably elongate abdomens and are mostly free-living, at least as adults, although a number have been found to occur, at least facultatively, as kleptoparasites on the webs of other spiders. These spiders are all nocturnal. Their phylogenetic affinities with other representatives of the genus outside the Hawaiian Islands are unclear. Ten new species are described here: A. kahili, A. huinakolu, A. makue, A. uwepa, A. poele, A. melekalikimaka, A. alepeleke, A. laau, A. waikula, and A. hiwa. These species, together with the single described species Ariamnes corniger, include all known representatives of the lineage in the Hawaiian Islands. Different species occur in middle and high elevations and in wet and dry habitats.