taxonID	type	description	language	source
03B9F53DFFC6DE02FF78FAF3FE438AFF.taxon	type_taxon	Type species: Castianeira insulicola Strand, 1916.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC6DE02FF78FAF3FE438AFF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Castianeirodes can be easily recognised from other Afrotropical Castianeirinae by the strongly myrmecomorphic appearance, which it shares with some Castianeira sensu lato and Apochinomma Pavesi, 1881. It can be distinguished from Castianeira sensu lato by 1) the procurved AER with the ALE small and the AME approximately twice their diameter (Fig. 3 C) (vs AME and ALE generally similar in size); 2) the PME separated by at least 1 ¼ diameters (Fig. 3 A, D) (vs 1 diameter or less); 3) by the dorsal scutum covering the entire abdomen in males and extending to nearly ¾ the abdomen length in females (Fig. 2 A – F) (vs not extending to the posterior half in females); and 4) by the dorsal femoral spines progressively decreasing in length distally (Fig. 5 A – D) (vs similar in length). It can be easily separated from Apochinomma by the strongly procurved vs strongly recurved PER, and by the femoral spines decreasing in length distally vs similar in length (Fig. 3 A, D vs Haddad 2013 b: fig. 4 A, B and Fig. 5 A, C, D vs Haddad 2013 b: fig. 5 A, D, respectively). A recent phylogenetic analysis of Castianeirinae based on Ultraconserved Elements (UCE) indicates that Castianeirodes is, quite surprisingly at first look, related to the lycosiform genus Echinax Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 and not to any of the other myrmecomorphic Castianeirinae genera (Kelly et al. 2025). These two genera share several distinct synapomorphies: 1) very long leg spines (Figs 2, 3 L, 4 A, B, 5 A – D; Haddad 2012 a: figs 1 – 15, 20), which are longer than in any other Afrotropical castianeirine genera; 2) the presence of a distal patellar spine that is as long as or longer than the patella (Fig. 2 A, B; Haddad 2012 a: fig. 15); 3) the presence of scattered modified thickened spatulate setae on the dorsal surface of the palpal tarsus in both sexes (Figs 4 F, I, 6 E, 7 D, 8 D; Haddad 2012 a: fig. 16); 4) the AME that are much larger than the ALE, 1.6 – 2.2 × larger in Castianeirodes (Figs 1 B, 2 C) and 2 – 3 × larger in Echinax (Haddad 2012 a), whereas less than 1.5 × larger in other genera; 5) similar bauplan of the epigynal ridges, typically forming a transverse crescent terminating in the lateral copulatory openings (Fig. 4 E; Haddad 2012 a: figs 41, 43), and the male palpal embolus with a fine, elongate, open coil, usually forming 1 ½ loops (Fig. 4 G, H, 5 F, H, J; Haddad 2012 a: figs 45 – 51); and 6) the presence of three pairs of fine pedicellate setae on the anterior edge of the abdomen in both sexes (Haddad 2012 a). The two genera can be easily distinguished by the myrmecomorphic habitus of Castianeirodes (Figs 1 A, 2) and the lycosiform appearance of Echinax (Haddad 2012 a: figs 1 – 14).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC6DE02FF78FAF3FE438AFF.taxon	description	Description. Medium-sized ant-like spiders, 4.25 – 5.30 mm in length; carapace black or dark brown with black mottling (Figs 1 A, 2); carapace surface finely tuberculate, with sparse short white feathery setae scattered over surface (Fig. 3 A – D); sometimes with several long curved erect setae on clypeus; carapace oval, dorsal surface slightly convex, without depressions, broadest at posterior of coxae II, eye region narrow, fovea short and narrow (Fig. 3 A); posterior margin slightly convex. ALE oval, others round; AER procurved, AME diameter 1.6 – 2.2 × larger than ALE diameter; AME separated by approximately ½ their diameter, nearly touching ALE (Fig. 3 C); PER strongly procurved, PLE usually slightly larger than PME; PME separated by 1.25 – 1.5 × their diameter, from PLE by 0.55 – 1.0 × their diameter; MOQ width nearly equal anteriorly and posteriorly, longer than wide. Chilum indistinct, triangular, usually retracted behind clypeus; cheliceral promargin and retromargin with two teeth each; shaggy seta absent; curved setae on cheliceral promargin pectinate in females, finely plumose in males; endites strongly convex laterally (Fig. 3 E), with distinct serrula comprising sharp, ventrally curved denticles, with dense maxillar hair tuft on mesal margins; labium trapezoidal, almost twice wider than long. Pleural bars sclerotised, isolated; sternum shieldshaped, slightly longer than broad, slightly narrowed anteriorly, broadest at posterior of coxae II; surface smooth, sparsely covered in long erect setae (Fig. 3 F); precoxal triangles and intercoxal sclerites absent. Leg formula 4312 in females, 4312 or 4123 in males, legs I – III only differing slightly in length; legs strongly spined, femora, patellae, tibiae and metatarsi covered in feathery setae with long shafts and short brachia (Figs 3 H – L, 4 A), feathery setae sparse on tarsi; femora I and II slightly swollen dorsally, III and IV more slender, with dorsal spines decreasing in length distally (Fig. 5 A – D); patellae usually all with single long fine dorsal spine distally, approximately as long as patella (Figs 2 A, B, 3 I); patellar indentation narrow, broad at proximal end, with distinct lyriform organ (Fig. 3 J, K); ventral tibial and metatarsal spines increasing in length distally; metatarsi III and IV distally with weak scopula, tarsi weakly scopulate; tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi with several dorsal and lateral trichobothria with sunken distal plate (Fig. 4 C, D); metatarsal stopper short (Fig. 4 B); tarsal organ broadly oval, very slightly elevated from integument, surface finely wrinkled, opening oval, distal (Fig. 4 C); paired tarsal claws short, with five teeth, situated lateral of very dense claw tufts (Fig. 4 D). Abdomen pyriform, narrow anteriorly, broadest in posterior half, with large dorsal scutum covering most of abdomen in both sexes, without any dorsal constrictions; anterior margin with short collar, with three pairs of pedicellate setae on anterior margin above it; sigilla indistinct; dorsum densely covered in short, compact black and white feathery setae with short brachia, not forming distinct markings; epigastric region heavily sclerotised, not fused to dorsal scutum; venter of females with two paired rows of tiny sclerites from epigastric furrow to spinnerets, of males with rectangular to hourglass-shaped ventral sclerite; inframamillary sclerite present, distinct, densely covered in short setae; venter covered in scattered short feathery setae. Epigyne with curved, crescent-shaped epigynal ridges, with simple copulatory openings laterally (Fig. 4 E, 5 E, G, I); copulatory ducts narrow, curving mesally then anteriorly, entering ST II on posterior margin; ST II oval or rhomboidal, with short broad connecting ducts mesally, twice as broad as long, entering posterior ST I on their anterior margin; both ST often with multiple folds. Male palpal segments without apophyses; dorsal surface of cymbium with several stout spatulate setae with bent tips (Fig. 4 F); tegulum pear-shaped (Fig. 4 G); embolus finely coiled, ending in sharp tip; width and angle of base, and length and curvature of distal coil variable (Figs 4 H, 5 F, H, J). Female palpal tarsus longer than femur, tarsus with several thickened spatulate setae dorsally (Fig. 4 I), sometimes with shallow dorsal depression distally.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE03FF78FF5FFC9F8E75.taxon	description	Figs 1, 6 A	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE03FF78FF5FFC9F8E75.taxon	materials_examined	(♀ holotype: D. R. CONGO: Lake Kivu, Kwidjwi Island [Idjwi Island, 02 ° 10 ' S, 29 ° 03 ' E], IX. 1907, leg. A. F. Herzog, ZMB 27151 — examined); Roewer 1955: 610; World Spider Catalog 2025.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE03FF78FF5FFC9F8E75.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Females can be easily distinguished by the shape of the epigynal ridges, which are comma-shaped and strongly curved vs crescent-shaped and less strongly curved in C. jocquei sp. nov., C. kakamega sp. nov. and C. natalensis sp. nov.. Additionally, the mesal section of the epigynal ridges is broadened whereas it is narrowed in the other three species (cf. Fig. 6 A and 6 B, 7 A, 8 A). Male unknown. Female (holotype, Idjwi Island, ZMB 27151). Measurements: CL 2.20, CW 1.33, AL 2.70, AW 2.12, TL 4.90, FL 0.17, SL 0.98, SW 0.85, AME 0.11, ALE 0.05, PME 0.10, PLE 0.09, AME – AME 0.08, AME – ALE 0.03, ALE – ALE 0.37, PME – PME 0.14, PME – PLE 0.10, PLE – PLE 0.43, PERW 0.56, MOQAW 0.40, MOQPW 0.33, MOQL 0.38. Length of leg segments: I 1.65 + 0.49 + 1.10 + 0.99 + 0.62 = 4.85; II 1.39 + 0.49 + 1.05 + 1.00 + 0.64 = 4.57; III 1.28 + 0.50 + 1.05 + 1.06 + 0.60 = 4.49; IV missing.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE03FF78FF5FFC9F8E75.taxon	description	General appearance as in Fig. 1 A; specimen somewhat faded, colour described based on current condition. Carapace brown, with black mottling and striae radiating from fovea to palps and coxae; eyes with black rings. Clypeus height equal to 2 × AME diameter at AME, 4 × ALE diameter at ALE; AME separated by 0.71 × their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.63 × ALE diameter; PME separated by 1.5 × their diameter; PME separated from PLE by PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.38: 1. Chelicerae yellow-brown, creamy-brown mesally and posteriorly; endites yellow-brown, white along mesal margin; labium yellow-brown, white distally; sternum yellow-brown, with faint grey mottling. Coxae I brown, II – IV creamy-yellow; femora brown, with white patches dorsally and ventrally in distal 1 / 3; all patellae brown laterally, white dorsally and ventrally; tibiae to tarsi I – III yellow-brown, with faint grey mottling laterally, white stripes along entire length dorsally and ventrally, IV uniform yellow-brown. Leg spination (both legs IV missing): femora: I pl 2 do 3, II pl 1 do 3, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2; patellae: spineless; tibiae: I pl 2 plv 3 rlv 3, II pl 2 plv 3 rlv 3, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2, II plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2; patellae: pl 1 do 1; tibiae: pl 1 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 plv 1. Abdomen with broad orange-brown dorsal scutum extending to 0.81 × abdomen length, covered in black mottling; short white feathery setae covering most of dorsum; venter creamy-grey, with faint grey mottling. Epigyne with strongly curved, comma-shaped ridges just behind midpoint of epigyne, with copulatory openings situated laterally in ridges; epigynal ridges broadened mesally; in external view, ST II oval, with distinct oblique fold; ST I subtriangular (Figs 1 C, 6 A); internal structure not examined.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE03FF78FF5FFC9F8E75.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Only known from the type locality (Fig. 9).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE0DFF78FA5FFC9F88AA.taxon	description	Figs 2 A, B, 5 A – F, 6	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE0DFF78FA5FFC9F88AA.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species is named for Rudy Jocqué, one of the collectors of the type specimens, in recognition of his massive contribution to arachnology over a career spanning more than five decades.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE0DFF78FA5FFC9F88AA.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Females of C. jocquei sp. nov. and C. kakamega sp. nov. share a dorsal scutum that covers the entire abdomen (shorter in C. insulicola comb. nov. and C. natalensis sp. nov.) and have similarly sized and shaped epigynal ridges and copulatory ducts that follow a similar path, but they can be distinguished by the oval rather than rhomboidal ST II (cf. Figs 6 B, C and 7 A, B). Males have a similar embolus structure to C. kakamega sp. nov., but they can be distinguished by more gradual narrowing of the tegular neck, the relatively more transverse orientation of the mid-section of the embolus, and the almost straight embolus tip (clearly curved in C. kakamega sp. nov.) (cf. Fig. 5 F and H).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE0DFF78FA5FFC9F88AA.taxon	description	Female (holotype, MRAC 218289). Measurements: CL 2.30, CW 1.53, AL 2.50, AW 1.78, TL 4.80, FL 0.17, SL 1.00, SW 0.84, AME 0.14, ALE 0.09, PME 0.10, PLE 0.11, AME – AME 0.06, AME – ALE 0.01, ALE – ALE 0.33, PME – PME 0.13, PME – PLE 0.07, PLE – PLE 0.39, PERW 0.54, MOQAW 0.33, MOQPW 0.32, MOQL 0.38. Length of leg segments: I 1.52 + 0.50 + 1.20 + 1.05 + 0.70 = 4.97; II 1.48 + 0.49 + 1.10 + 1.05 + 0.68 = 4.80; III 1.52 + 0.51 + 1.18 + 1.20 + 0.60 = 5.01; IV 1.57 + 0.41 + 1.21 + 1.35 + 0.69 = 5.23. General appearance as in Fig. 2 A. Carapace dark brown, with black mottling and striae radiating from fovea to palps and coxae; eye region black; clypeus with cluster of erect setae below AMEs. Clypeus height equal to 1.56 × AME diameter at AME, 2.9 × ALE diameter at ALE; AME separated by 0.42 × their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.1 × ALE diameter, almost touching; PME separated by 1.42 × their diameter; PME separated from PLE by 0.7 × PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.83: 1. Chelicerae black, creamy-brown mesally and posteriorly; endites black, white along mesal margin; labium black, white distally; sternum dark brown, with reticulated black mottling. Coxae I black, II – IV creamy-yellow; femora I and II black, with white patches dorsally and ventrally in distal 1 / 3; femora III and IV with white stripe dorsally along entire length, narrow in basal half, three times broader in distal half, ventrally with broad white stripe distally; all patellae black laterally, white dorsally and ventrally; tibiae to tarsi I – III black laterally, with white stripes along entire length dorsally and ventrally, IV uniform black; palp black, except tarsus creamy-yellow. Leg spination: femora: I pl 2 do 3 rl 1, II pl 1 do 3 rl 2, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 1; patellae: all with do 1 spine distally; tibiae: I and II pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 3 rlv 3, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 1, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2; metatarsi: I and II pl 1 rl 1 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 1 rlv 2 vt 3, IV pl 3 rl 3 plv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora and patellae: pl 1 do 2; tibiae: pl 1 do 2 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 rl 1 plv 1. Abdomen with dark brown dorsal scutum extending to 0.75 × abdomen length, densely covered in black mottling; short white feathery setae covering most of dorsum; venter mottled black. Epigyne with crescent-shaped curved ridges just behind midpoint of epigyne, oriented almost 45 ° to body axis, with large copulatory openings situated laterally in ridges; epigynal ridges narrowing mesally; copulatory ducts directed mesally, bending 90 ° for a short distance before entering oval anterior ST II on their posterior margin; connecting ducts short and broad, entering broad kidney-shaped posterior ST I (Figs 5 E, 6 B, C). Male (paratype, MRAC 218289). Measurements: CL 2.10, CW 1.37, AL 2.35, AW 1.26, TL 4.60, FL 0.14, SL 0.92, SW 0.78, AME 0.14, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.10, AME – AME 0.06, AME – ALE 0.01, ALE – ALE 0.32, PME – PME 0.12, PME – PLE 0.06, PLE – PLE 0.37, PERW 0.52, MOQAW 0.31, MOQPW 0.32, MOQL 0.37. Length of leg segments: I 1.52 + 0.45 + 1.14 + 1.02 + 0.70 = 4.83; II 1.48 + 0.45 + 1.12 + 1.07 + 0.70 = 4.82; III 1.40 + 0.64 + 1.14 + 1.17 + 0.62 = 4.97; IV 2.03 + 0.58 + 1.52 + 1.87 + 0.72 = 6.72. Habitus as in Fig. 2 B; morphology and markings as in female, except the following: Clypeus height equal to 1.53 × AME diameter at AME, 3.13 × ALE diameter at ALE; AME separated by 0.45 × their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.13 × ALE diameter, almost touching; PME separated by 1.25 × their diameter; PME separated from PLE by 0.6 × PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.63: 1. Leg spination: femora: I – III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 1; patellae: all with do 1 spine distally; tibiae: I and II pl 2 do 1 rl 1 plv 3 rlv 3, III and IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2; metatarsi: I and II pl 1 rl 1 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 1 rlv 1 vt 3, IV pl 3 rl 3 plv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2 rl 1; patellae: pl 1 do 2; tibiae: pl 1 do 1 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 plv 1 vt 2. Abdomen narrower than that of female. Palp: embolus with narrow basal section directed retrolaterally at ca. 30 ° to palpal axis, midsection directed prolaterally at ca. 60 ° to palpal axis, embolus tip very slightly curved, almost straight (Figs 5 F, 6 D, E).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE0DFF78FA5FFC9F88AA.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype ♀: GHANA: Kakum Forest, 05 ° 20 ' N, 01 ° 23 ' W, 22. XI. 2005, leg. R. Jocqué, D. de Bakker & L. Baert (canopy fogging, secondary forest) (MRAC 218289). Paratypes: together with holotype, 24. XI. 2005, 4 ♂ 1 ♀ (MRAC 218289).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFC0DE0DFF78FA5FFC9F88AA.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Only known from the type locality (Fig. 9).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCEDE0FFF78FC16FC9F8A53.taxon	description	Figs 2 C, D, 5 G, H, 7	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCEDE0FFF78FC16FC9F8A53.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name is a noun in apposition of the type locality.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCEDE0FFF78FC16FC9F8A53.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Females of C. kakamega sp. nov. closely resemble those of C. jocquei sp. nov. in having similarly sized and shaped epigynal ridges and similar copulatory ducts, but they can be distinguished by the rhomboidal rather than oval ST II (cf. Figs 7 A, B and 6 B, C). Males have a similar embolus structure to C. jocquei sp. nov., but they can be distinguished by the more slender basal section of the embolus, the relatively more longitudinal orientation of the mid-section and the curved embolus tip (almost straight in C. jocquei sp. nov.) (cf. Figs 5 H and F).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCEDE0FFF78FC16FC9F8A53.taxon	description	Female (holotype, ZFMK Ar 1167). Measurements: CL 2.42, CW 1.55, AL 2.78, AW 2.12, TL 5.30, FL 0.16, SL 1.00, SW 0.87, AME 0.17, ALE 0.08, PME 0.12, PLE 0.13, AME – AME 0.08, AME – ALE 0.01, ALE – ALE 0.37, PME – PME 0.15, PME – PLE 0.06, PLE – PLE 0.44, PERW 0.63, MOQAW 0.37, MOQPW 0.41, MOQL 0.46. Length of leg segments: I 1.56 + 0.48 + 1.20 + 1.05 + 0.68 = 4.97; II 1.52 + 0.48 + 1.15 + 1.05 + 0.65 = 4.85; III 1.44 + 0.51 + 1.55 + 1.18 + 0.62 = 5.30; IV 2.02 + 0.58 + 1.55 + 1.87 + 0.68 = 6.70. General appearance as in Fig. 2 C. Carapace dark brown, almost black, with purplish iridescence. Clypeus height equal to 1.36 × AME diameter at AME, 3.6 × ALE diameter at ALE; AME separated by 0.45 × their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.1 × ALE diameter, almost touching; PME separated by 1.27 × their diameter; PME separated from PLE by 0.53 × PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.46: 1. Chelicerae black, with irregular dark brown oval patches in basal half of anterior surface, mesal and posterior margins cream; endites black, white along mesal and distal margins; labium black, white distally; sternum dark brown with dense black mottling, forming network of irregular small patches. Coxae I black; II – IV creamy-yellow, with proximal and distal black rings linked on both sides by narrow black strip; femora I – III black, with white patches dorsally and ventrally in distal quarter; IV uniform black; patellae to tarsi I – III black laterally, with white stripes along entire length dorsally and ventrally; patella IV black, with creamy-yellow patches on both sides; tibiae and metatarsi IV uniform black, tarsi dark brown. Leg spination: femora: I pl 2 do 3, II pl 1 do 3 rl 2, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 1; patellae: all with do 1 spine distally; tibiae: I pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 3 rlv 3, II pl 2 do 1 rl 1 plv 3 rlv 3, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2; metatarsi: I pl 1 plv 2 rlv 2, II plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 1 rl 1 plv 1 rlv 1 vt 3, IV pl 3 rl 3 plv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2 rl 1; patellae: pl 1 do 2; tibiae: pl 1 do 1 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 plv 1. Abdomen with deep red-brown dorsal scutum extending to 0.93 × abdomen length; short white feathery setae covering most of dorsum; sides and venter creamy-grey, with dense black mottling. Epigyne with crescent-shaped ridges in posterior half of epigyne, oriented almost 45 ° to body axis, with small copulatory openings situated laterally in ridges; epigynal ridges narrowing mesally; copulatory ducts directed slightly anteromesally, gradually bending before entering rhomboidal anterior ST II on their posterior margin; connecting ducts short and broad, entering bean-shaped posterior ST I (Figs 5 G, 7 A, B). Male (paratype, Kakamega, MRAC 212734). Measurements: CL 1.94, CW 1.23, AL 2.33, AW 1.35, TL 4.25, FL 0.10, SL 0.85, SW 0.73, AME 0.13, ALE 0.06, PME 0.09, PLE 0.10, AME – AME 0.06, AME – ALE 0.01, ALE – ALE 0.30, PME – PME 0.12, PME – PLE 0.05, PLE – PLE 0.35, PERW 0.49, MOQAW 0.30, MOQPW 0.30, MOQL 0.35. Length of leg segments: I 1.23 + 0.40 + 1.02 + 0.90 + 0.65 = 4.20; II 1.20 + 0.39 + 0.95 + 0.88 + 0.61 = 4.03; III 1.14 + 0.37 + 0.92 + 1.02 + 0.55 = 4.00; IV 1.60 + 0.41 + 1.15 + 1.38 + 0.62 = 5.16. Habitus as in Fig. 2 D; morphology and markings as in female, except the following: Clypeus height equal to 1.38 × AME diameter at AME, 3.5 × ALE diameter at ALE; AME separated by 0.44 × their diameter; AME separated from ALE by <0.1 × ALE diameter, almost touching; PME separated by 1.29 × their diameter; PME separated from PLE by 0.55 × PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.51: 1. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 3, II pl 1 do 3 rl 1, III pl 2 do 3 rl 1, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 1; patellae: I and II spineless, III and IV: do 1 distally; tibiae: I pl 1 plv 3 rlv 3, II pl 2 plv 3 rlv 3, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 vt 1; metatarsi: I plv 2 rlv 2, II plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 1 rl 1 plv 1 rlv 1 vt 3, IV pl 2 rl 3 plv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 2; patellae: pl 1 do 1; tibiae: pl 1 plv 1; tarsi: plv 2 rlv 1. Abdomen narrower than that of female. Palp: embolus with narrow basal section directed retrolaterally at ca. 30 ° to palpal axis, midsection directed prolaterally at ca. 45 ° to palpal axis, embolus tip thin and curved (Figs 5 H, 7 C, D).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCEDE0FFF78FC16FC9F8A53.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype ♀: KENYA: Kakamega Forest, 00 ° 22 ' N, 34 ° 50 ' E, IX – X. 2002, leg. W. Freund (canopy fogging, Teclea nobilis) (ZFMK Ar 1167). Paratypes: KENYA: Kakamega Forest, 00 ° 13 ' N, 34 ° 54 ' E, 13 – 20. I. 2002, leg. D. Shilabira-Smith (Malaise trap), 1 ♂ (MRAC 212688); same data, 20 – 27. I. 2002, 1 ♂ (MRAC 212734); Kakamega Forest, 00 ° 22 ' N, 34 ° 50 ' E, 1 – II. 2002, leg. W. Freund (canopy fogging Teclea nobilis, advanced secondary forest), 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (ZMFK).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCEDE0FFF78FC16FC9F8A53.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Only known from the type locality (Fig. 9).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCCDE08FF78FE7CFF678CC6.taxon	description	Figs 2 E, F, 3, 4, 5 I, J, 8	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCCDE08FF78FE7CFF678CC6.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name refers to the terra typica, KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa.	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCCDE08FF78FE7CFF678CC6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Females of C. natalensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from congeners by the almost transverse orientation of the epigynal ridges and the comparatively large copulatory openings (cf. Figs 8 A and 6 A, B, 7 A). As only a single female of this species is known, it is unclear whether the asymmetrical ST I is a consistent trait or just an anomaly in the holotype. Males can be distinguished by the generally thicker embolus, with the section from the retrolateral to prolateral bend almost transverse and the longitudinal distance from the prolateral bend to the embolus tip 2.5 × the distance from the prolateral bend to the retrolateral bend (cf. Fig. 5 J and 5 H, I).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCCDE08FF78FE7CFF678CC6.taxon	description	Female (holotype, NCA 2004 / 821). Measurements: CL 2.37, CW 1.42, AL 2.80, AW 1.92, TL 5.20, FL 0.16, SL 1.00, SW 0.67, AME 0.16, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.12, AME – AME 0.05, AME – ALE 0.01, ALE – ALE 0.34, PME – PME 0.13, PME – PLE 0.06, PLE – PLE 0.40, PERW 0.56, MOQAW 0.33, MOQPW 0.35, MOQL 0.40. Length of leg segments: I 1.40 + 0.53 + 1.11 + 0.96 + 0.68 = 4.68; II 1.42 + 0.47 + 1.07 + 1.02 + 0.67 = 4.65; III 1.35 + 0.50 + 1.12 + 1.15 + 0.62 = 4.74; IV 1.92 + 0.58 + 1.55 + 1.88 + 0.70 = 6.63. General appearance as in Fig. 2 E. Carapace dark brown, with dense black mottling; eye region black. Clypeus height equal to 1.53 × AME diameter at AME, 3.4 × ALE diameter at ALE; AME separated by 0.31 × their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.1 × ALE diameter, almost touching; PME separated by 1.23 × their diameter; PME separated from PLE by 0.62 × PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.54: 1. Chelicerae black, creamy-brown mesally and posteriorly; endites black, creamy-white along mesal margin; labium black, creamy-white distally; sternum black, without markings. Coxae I black, II – IV black dorsally and laterally, white ventrally; femora black, I – III with white patch ventrally in distal 1 / 3, absent on IV; all femora with white stripe dorsally in distal half; patellae to tarsi I – III black laterally, with white dorsal and ventral stripes along entire length of segments; patellae IV black dorsally, white laterally and ventrally; tibiae to tarsi IV uniform black throughout; palp black, except tarsus creamy-yellow. Leg spination: femora: I pl 2 do 3, II pl 1 do 3 rl 2, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 1; patellae: all with do 1 spine distally; tibiae: I and II pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 3 rlv 3, III pl 3 do 1 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2; metatarsi: I and II pl 1 rl 1 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 1 rl 1 plv 1 rlv 1 vt 3, IV pl 2 rl 2 plv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 1 rl 1; patellae: pl 1 do 2; tibiae: pl 1 do 2 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 plv 1 rlv 1 vt 2. Abdomen with broad orange-brown dorsal scutum extending to 0.83 × abdomen length, densely covered in black mottling; short white feathery setae covering most of dorsum; venter creamy-grey, with dense black mottling; inframamillary sclerite orange-brown, distinct. Epigyne with crescent-shaped curved ridges just behind midpoint of epigyne, oriented almost transverse to body axis, with large copulatory openings situated laterally in ridges; epigynal ridges narrowing mesally; copulatory ducts directed anteromesally at almost 45 ° to body axis, bending slightly before entering transversely oval anterior ST II on their posterior margin; connecting ducts short and broad, entering subtriangular posterior ST I on their anterior margin; ST I asymmetrical in holotype, may differ in other females (Figs 5 I, 8 A, B). Male (paratype, NCA 2013 / 3997). Measurements: 2.18, CW 1.40, AL 2.25, AW 1.41, TL 4.46, FL 0.17, SL 0.90, SW 0.79, AME 0.13, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.11, AME – AME 0.05, AME – ALE 0.01, ALE – ALE 0.31, PME – PME 0.13, PME – PLE 0.06, PLE – PLE 0.38, PERW 0.52, MOQAW 0.31, MOQPW 0.31, MOQL 0.38. Length of leg segments: I 1.40 + 0.48 + 1.05 + 1.00 + 0.61 = 4.54; II 1.33 + 0.45 + 1.02 + 0.95 + 0.65 = 4.40; III 1.22 + 0.45 + 1.00 + 1.12 + 0.58 = 4.37; IV 1.80 + 0.55 + 1.42 + 1.71 + 0.62 = 6.10. Habitus as in Fig. 2 F; morphology and markings as in female, except the following: Clypeus height equal to 1.65 × AME diameter at AME, 3 × ALE diameter at ALE; AME separated by 0.35 × their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.1 × ALE diameter, almost touching; PME separated by 1.33 × their diameter; PME separated from PLE by 0.67 × PME diameter; CW: PERW = 2.69: 1. Leg spination: femora: I pl 2 do 3 rl 2, II pl 1 do 3 rl 2, III pl 2 do 3 rl 2, IV pl 2 do 3 rl 1; patellae: all with do 1 spine distally; tibiae: I pl 2 do 1 rl 1 plv 3 rlv 2, II pl 2 do 1 rl 1 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 1, IV pl 2 do 1 rl 2 plv 2; metatarsi: I and II pl 1 rl 1 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 3 rl 2 plv 1 rlv 1 vt 4, IV pl 2 rl 3 plv 1 vt 3. Palpal spination: femora: pl 1 do 1 rl 2; patellae: pl 1 do 1; tibiae: pl 1 plv 1; tarsi: pl 1 plv 1 vt 2. Abdomen narrower than that of female. Palp: embolus with broad basal section directed retrolaterally at ca. 60 ° to palpal axis, midsection directed prolaterally at ca. 60 ° to palpal axis, embolus tip thick and curved (Figs 5 J, 8 C, D).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCCDE08FF78FE7CFF678CC6.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype ♀: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, Hell’s Gate, 28 ° 00 ' S, 32 ° 29 ' E, 19. I. 2003, leg. J. Esterhuizen (tsetse fly traps) (NCA 2004 / 821). Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, False Bay Park, 27 ° 55 ' S, 32 ° 16 ' E, 12. VIII. 2003, leg. J. Esterhuizen (tsetse fly traps), 4 ♂ (NCA 2004 / 770); Same locality, Mission Rocks Beach area, 28 ° 15 ' 53.3 " S, 32 ° 28 ' 52.9 " E, 82 m a. s. l., 12. V. 2012, leg. J. Neethling & C. Luwes (canopy fogging, Trichilia emetica, indigenous bush), 2 ♂ (NCA 2013 / 3997). Additional material. Same data as NCA 2013 / 3997, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (S. E. M. preparations), 6 imm. 1 ♂ (MACN, molecular analysis).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
03B9F53DFFCCDE08FF78FE7CFF678CC6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Only known from three localities in the northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa (Fig. 9).	en	Haddad, Charles R. (2026): On the arboreal Afrotropical ant-mimicking castianeirine spider genus Castianeirodes Strand, 1916 (Araneae: Corinnidae). Zootaxa 5777 (1): 139-154, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.1.6
