Authors: Bo LIU, Feng ZHANG
A new monotypic ground spider genus, Hotwheels gen. nov., is described, with the type species H. sisyphus sp. nov. (♂♀) from southwest China. This new genus is not assigned to any of the known subfamilies of Gnaphosidae, belonging only to the Echemus group of genera. It resembles Synaphosus Platnick & Shadab, but it can be differentiated by the presence of a median apophysis. Descriptions, illustrations and a records map are provided.
The generic name refers to Hot Wheels, a collectable die-cast toy car made by Mattel, as the long, coiled embolus of this new genus resembles a Hot Wheels track; neuter in gender.
Video by Fabián Alfonso