Ninetinae in Brazilian Caatinga and Cerrado: Kambiwa and Sertana
Published in European Journal of Taxonomy, 2026 - https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1054.3276

Ninetinae have long been rare in collections, due to their small size, cryptic and reclusive life in dry and arid environments, and quick escape. They are rarely collected as byproducts of general collecting but need focused search in specific microhabitats. The genus Kambiwa exemplifies this: it previously contained only two nominal species, each known from a single locality. During a focused field campaign in 2022, limited to four weeks and to the Brazilian states of Bahia, Pernambuco, and Minas Gerais, we found ‘Kambiwa-like’ spiders at 38 of the 64 visited localities, often in high abundances. As a result of this and similar trips, we assembled more than 1000 specimens, which are the basis of this monograph. Our study suggests that focused search in neglected regions is likely to uncover a rich diversity of these tiny spiders. Despite of their small size, males are fairly easy to distinguish, mainly by their palpal strctures (above). Females, on the other hand, are partly indistinguishable morphologically. We used CO1 barcodes to support species limits. In addition, we evaluated the potential effects of future climate change on the environmental niche occupied by three selected Kambiwa species. Our results show an altitude-mediated response to climate change. For a highland species, areas of high habitat suitability almost disappear under more severe climate change scenarios. For two species with lowland records, the areas with high habitat suitability increase significantly. This contribution concludes a series of publications on the subfamily Ninetinae. We use this opportunity to summarize current knowledge about the subfamily, to discuss open questions and knowledge gaps, and to suggest further research topics focusing on these tiny but exceptional pholcids. .