The oldest fossils of the spider subfamily Modisiminae from the Americas: Description of a new species of the genus Modisimus Simon (Araneae: Pholcidae) from the amber of Mexico with a checklist of the extant Mexican species

Abstract We present two new records and the description of a new fossil species of daddy long-legs spiders of the genus Modisimus Simon, 1893 from the Miocene Aquitanian amber in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Of the two studied specimens, one of them is described based on adult male: Modisimus chiapanecus sp. nov. It is not possible to assign the second specimen as new species, because the epigynum it is not clearly visible, therefore we are presenting here the description of the female specimen only. Modisimus chiapanecus sp. nov. is the second fossil species of the family Pholcidae described from Mexico, and the 85th species described of the genus so far. The total number of species of Modisimus from Mexico increases to 20, including the new fossil species described herein. These species represent the oldest known fossils records of the subfamily Modisiminae from the Americas and of the genus so far (23 Mya). Additionally, an updated checklist of the extant Mexican species of the genus is provided.