Phoneyusa

Phoneyusa is a genus of spiders belonging to the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas).

Taxonomy

The genus was erected by Ferdinand Karsch in 1884, based on a spider from central Africa he regarded as in some ways similar to the South American genera Avicularia and Eurypelma (now included in Avicularia), but nevertheless distinct. Karsch explained the name as meaning "murderess". (Phoneyusa is one transcription of the Greek , derived from the verb , 'murder'.)

Distribution

The species of this genus are found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Species

, the World Spider Catalog accepted the following species:

• Phoneyusa antilope <small>(Simon, 1889)</small> – Congo
• Phoneyusa belandana <small>Karsch, 1884</small> (type species) – Central African Rep.
• Phoneyusa bidentata <small>Pocock, 1899</small> – West, Central Africa
• Phoneyusa bouvieri <small>Berland, 1917</small> – Madagascar
• Phoneyusa buettneri <small>Karsch, 1886</small> – Gabon
• Phoneyusa chevalieri <small>Simon, 1906</small> – West Africa
• Phoneyusa cultridens <small>Berland, 1917</small> – Congo
• Phoneyusa gabonica <small>(Simon, 1889)</small> – Gabon
• Phoneyusa giltayi <small>Laurent, 1946</small> – Congo
• Phoneyusa gracilipes <small>(Simon, 1889)</small> – Congo
• Phoneyusa lesserti <small>Dresco, 1973</small> – Central African Rep.
• Phoneyusa manicata <small>Simon, 1907</small> – Príncipe
• Phoneyusa minima <small>(Strand, 1907)</small> – Cameroon
• Phoneyusa principium <small>Simon, 1907</small> – Príncipe
• Phoneyusa rutilata <small>(Simon, 1907)</small> – Guinea-Bissau
• Phoneyusa westi <small>Smith, 1990</small> – Angola

References