Tolkienus


Tolkienus is a genus of spiders in the family Dictynidae.

Distribution

Tolkienus is distributed across North America and Eurasia. In North America, the genus occurs in Canada and the US, with T. bellans extending into Mexico. In Eurasia, the genus is found from Eastern Europe to Iran. T. estoc is endemic to Equatorial Guinea in West Africa.

Etymology

The genus is named in honor of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Taxonomy

This genus was erected in 2025 with species formerly in genus Dictyna, and one newly described species from West Africa.

Species

, this genus includes five species and one subspecies:Tolkienus armatus – Ukraine, Russia Tolkienus bellans – United States, Mexico