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Abstract: Traditional taxonomy, the most widely used method for examining and naming species, relies primarily on morphological characteristics, it has long served as the foundation of biological systematics and remains a vital tool in biodiversity research for species identification and classification. In the Philippines, there are currently 17 valid species of tarantulas distributed across five genera. This paper will morphologically describe the tarantulas collected and comprehensively provide their distinct characters from five sampling areas in Mindanao. The Unified Species Concept was applied as the criterion for classifying and identifying tarantula species. The specimens were preserved and examined using a standardized protocol. The findings revealed five distinct species under the subfamily Selenocosmiinae, Selenocosmiinae gen. sp. 1 “JRMPL,” Selenocosmiinae gen. sp. 2 “Cinchona,” Selenocosmiinae gen. sp. 3 “Jamboree,” and Selenocosmiinae gen. sp. 4 “Kalagonoy,” including a newly described species, Orphnaecus mimbilisanensis sp. nov., which is morphologically distinct from other known Mindanao species. The five species possessed a unique spermathecal morphology with distinct formations among congeners. The palpal bulb of two species (O. mimbilisanensis and Selenocosmiinae gen. sp. 1 “JRMPL”) varied in embolus and tegulum measurement. O. mimbilisanensis sp. nov. exhibited a distinct high carapace profile and is the largest in size among its congeners. This study underscores the importance of morphological taxonomy in resolving species relationships and refining classifications, contributing to a deeper understanding of biodiversity. This highlights the Philippines’ rich yet vulnerable tarantula diversity; this work reinforces the need for targeted conservation efforts and continued scientific exploration to safeguard these unique species.
Key Words: Morphology, Orphnaecus, Selenocosmiinae, spermathecae, Unified Species Concept
