Lokitandroka

Lokitandroka
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Lokitandroka
Pett & Agnarsson, 2025[1]
Type species
L. rinha
Pett & Agnarsson, 2025
Species

5, see text

Lokitandroka is a genus of spiders in the family Theridiidae.[2]

Distribution

Lokitandroka is endemic to Madagascar, with one species also found on the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean.[2]

Life style

All described species in this genus are kleptoparasites in the webs of larger species, similar to Argyrodes.[1]

Etymology

The genus name is a combination of the Norse god Loki and the Malagasy word "tandroka" (horns), referring to parts of the male anatomy of this genus.[1]

L. rabesahala honors Malagasy political activist Gisèle Rabesahala (1929–2011). L. ratsimanga is named after Malagasy scientist Albert Rakoto Ratsimamanga (1907–2001). L. rinha is named in honor of nature guide Harin’ Hala Rasolondalao (Rin′ha). L. tiana honors MICET employee Vololontiana Razafindratsita (Tiana).[1]

Species

As of January 2026, this genus includes five species:[2]

  • Lokitandroka minax (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1880)Madagascar, Comoros
  • Lokitandroka rabesahala Pett & Agnarsson, 2025 – Madagascar
  • Lokitandroka ratsimanga Pett & Agnarsson, 2025 – Madagascar
  • Lokitandroka rinha Pett & Agnarsson, 2025 – Madagascar
  • Lokitandroka tiana Pett & Agnarsson, 2025 – Madagascar

References

  1. ^ a b c d Pett, B. L.; Ferreira, E.; Agnarsson, I. (2025). "Megadiverse Madagascar: new species and genera of argyrodine spiders (Araneae, Theridiidae, Argyrodinae) from the eastern rainforest reserve Analamazaotra". Insect Systematics and Diversity. 9: 1–28. doi:10.1093/isd/ixaf047.
  2. ^ a b c "Gen. Lokitandroka Pett & Agnarsson, 2025". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2026-01-21.