On species group Chira G. W. Peckham & E. G. Peckham, 1896: taxonomy and distribution updates (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina)

Abstract

Salticidae is the largest family of spiders in terms of described species. Chira Peckham & Peckham, 1896 is a genus with a Neotropical distribution, with 13 described species, but only six have both sexes known. Among the described species, 10 occur in Brazil, including Chira simoni Galiano, 1961 that has only the male described. The main objective of this work is to redescribe Chira simoni, 1961 and describe the female for the first time. The species Chira distincta Bauab-Vianna, 1983 is synonymized with Chira spinosa (Mello-Leitão, 1939), syn. nov. and Chira reticulata (Mello-Leitão, 1943) is synonymized with Chira thysbe Simon, 1902, syn. nov. A discussion about the groups of Chira species is presented, as well as new diagnoses and an update on the distribution of the genus Chira in the Neotropical region.