Whip spiders (Arachnida, Amblypigi) from Colombian Caves: A review, new records and description of a new species

Subterranean amblypygids, or whip spiders, are important yet understudied components of cave ecosystems, playing key roles as apex predators in these fragile, nutrient-limited environments. Their restricted distributions make them particularly valuable for understanding cave ecosystem dynamics and conservation needs. However, the diversity and distribution of these arachnids in Colombian caves remain poorly documented. This study examines 53 specimens of amblypygids from 12 Colombian caves, and compiles all available literature records to provide an updated list of cave-associated species in Colombia. A new species of Charinus is described, based on females collected in a cave in Santander. The genus Heterophrynus is recorded from six Colombian caves; H. yarigui is newly recorded from Tolima, and for the first time to hypogean microhabitats from Cueva de Los Guácharos, Cunday, Tolima); H. cervinus is recorded from Boyacá, Las Cacas Cave, while H. batesii is newly recorded from Guaviare Caves in Serranía La Macarena/La Lindosa, Caquetá, and for the first time in hypogean microhabitats. The male gonopodes of H. guacharo are described from topotipic specimens from Natural National Park Los Guácharos in the Suaza River basin. Phrynus araya is recorded for two additional caves in Santander, and finally Paraphrynus laevifrons , is recorded for the first time from Providencia Island and for insular hypogean environments in Colombia from the cave (Cueva Bat Hole, Chay Hill, and Represa Freshwater Bay). These findings expand the distribution of amblypygids in Colombian caves, improve our understanding of their diversity, and provide important data for developing conservation strategies for subterranean ecosystems.