Two new species of Vitalius (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from the restingas of the states of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia and Sergipe, Brazil

Brazil is the country with most diverse tarantula (Theraphosidae) fauna, having 215 described species. Vitalius Lucas, Silva Júnior & Bertani, 1993 one of and common genera in Southern, Southeastern Central-West regions ten Individuals species are large widespread areas Brazilian Atlantic Forest. A single known to occur Cerrado vegetation. Herein, two new from restinga, coastal typically low vegetation sandy soil, coast states Rio de Janeiro (Vitalius restinga sp. nov.), Bahia Sergipe sapiranga nov.). Males females these have a much longer than wide sternum. short apical keel male palpal bulb. The can be distinguished by embolus width, slender V. nov. thicker Females spermathecae shape, broader These first theraphosids endemic Coast restingas. Biological data indicate maybe commonly use bromeliads as retreats. It herein hypothesized they sister occupying similar habitats coast, but separated ca. 1,000 kilometers.