Pocobletus
Simon, 1894
Species Guides
1Pocobletus is a of sheet-web weaving spiders in the Linyphiidae, first described by Eugène Simon in 1894. The genus comprises thirteen described distributed across the Neotropics, from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. Recent phylogenetic studies have established the "Pocobletus clade," which includes Pocobletus plus the genera Jalapyphantes and Selenyphantes as sister . Pocobletus has nomenclatural priority over the junior synonyms Exechopsis, Exocora, and Graphomoa.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pocobletus: //ˌpoʊkoʊˈbliːtəs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Members of the Pocobletus clade can be distinguished from other linyphiid by morphological characters supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis (16S, 18S, 28S, COI, and histone H3 markers). Specific diagnostic features for the genus Pocobletus itself are not detailed in available sources; -level identification requires examination of and reference to original descriptions by Simon (1894, 1898) and subsequent revisions by Millidge (1991) and Lemos & Brescovit (2013).
Images
Distribution
Neotropical region. Documented from the United States (type ), Mexico, Nicaragua, Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and St. Vincent. The shows highest diversity in Brazil, with seven described species.
Behavior
As sheet-web weavers ( Linyphiidae), in this construct horizontal sheet webs, often with a retreat and knock-down threads above the sheet. This is characteristic of the family but specific web architecture details for Pocobletus species are not documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- JalapyphantesSister within the Pocobletus clade; distinguished by morphological characters detailed in systematic revision
- SelenyphantesSister to Jalapyphantes within the Pocobletus clade; all three genera form a based on combined molecular and morphological data
More Details
Nomenclatural history
Pocobletus has nomenclatural priority over three junior synonyms: Exechopsis, Exocora, and Graphomoa
Phylogenetic placement
The Pocobletus clade was circumscribed based on analysis of five molecular markers (16S, 18S, 28S, COI, histone H3) combined with morphological and behavioural data
Species diversity
As of January 2022, thirteen are recognized; seven were described by Lemos & Brescovit in 2013 from Brazil, indicating significant recent taxonomic activity