Revision and cladistic analysis of the jumping spider genus Onomastus (Araneae: Salticidae): REVISION AND CLADISTICS OF ONOMASTUS

The jumping spider genus Onomastus Simon, 1900 is revised. Four new species: Onomastus indra sp. nov., Onomastus kaharian sp. nov., Onomastus pethiyagodai sp. nov., and Onomastus rattotensis sp. nov. are described. Parsimony analysis of 26 morphological characters supported the monophyly of Onomastus. Lyssomanes is sister to Onomastus. Onomastus separates into two clades: the widespread South-East Asia clade and the South Asia clade. The South Asia clade is restricted to the Sri Lanka–Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Species of the South Asia clade appear to be spot endemics, highly in danger of extinction because of habitat loss and climate change. Male palps are complex and species-specific, suggesting rapid divergent evolution. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, ••, ••–••.