The resurrection and redefinition of Roewer’s Eremospina with description of three new species of Mexican-distributed solifuges (Solifugae: Eremobatidae)

Abstract Eremospina is revived with a new diagnosis to accommodate a subset of solifuges currently placed in Eremobates and Eremorhax. Phylogenomic analyses employing ultraconserved elements consistently recovers a strongly supported monophyletic clade comprising Eremobates acuitlapanensis, Eremobates aztecus, Eremorhax fuscus, Eremobates minamoritaana, Eremobates toltecus, and three putative new species, Eremospina mixteca sp. nov., Eremospina tachi sp. nov., and Eremospina ngiwa sp. nov. described herein. Consequently, we elevate members of this clade to take the name of Eremospina to recognize the contributions of Carl Roewer to North American solifuge systematics and as one step in adjusting eremobatid taxonomy in response to the apparent paraphyly of Eremobates in recent molecular phylogenies. In line with the unified species concept, we use morphological and genetic analyses to corroborate species limits within Eremospina. Eremobates toltecus is revived from nomen dubium status to take the name Eremospina tolteca and be the senior synonym of Eremobates durangonus, Eremobates hystrix, and Eremorhax montezuma. We also describe the female Eremospina minamoritaana and propose a hypothesis alternative to that of Muma for the female Eremospina fusca. A key to the species of Eremospina is provided herein.