Rediscovery of the enigmatic genus Pilia Simon, 1902 (Araneae: Salticidae) with the description of a new species from India

The jumping spider genus Pilia Simon, 1902, previously known from only three species and exclusively from male specimens, has remained taxonomically enigmatic due to limited material and uncertain placement within Salticidae. During recent field surveys in Chickmagaluru, Karnataka, we rediscovered the genus in the wild after 123 years and collected both male and female specimens, leading to the description of a new species, Pilia malenadu sp. nov.

This work represents the first documented female of the genus. Natural history observations are presented for the new species. Pilia albicoma Szombathy, 1915 is transferred to Simaetha Thorell, 1881 to become Simaetha albicoma (Szombathy, 1915) comb. nov.

The updated distribution of the genus Pilia and new insights into its taxonomy, and phylogenetic context within Salticidae are provided.