Rudy Jocqué

Rudy Jocqué (born in Antwerp, Belgium) is a Belgian arachnologist and entomologist specializing in African spiders, particularly those of the family Zodariidae. He has conducted extensive fieldwork across the African continent, significantly contributing to the understanding of spider biodiversity and taxonomy in the region.

Jocqué's research focuses on the systematics, biogeography, and ecology of African spiders. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications describing new species and genera, and revising existing taxonomic classifications. He is also interested in spider behavior and the evolutionary processes that have shaped spider diversity.

Throughout his career, Jocqué has held positions at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) in Tervuren, Belgium, where he served as head of the Invertebrate Zoology Section. He has played a key role in building and maintaining the RMCA's extensive collection of African invertebrates, including a significant collection of spider specimens.

Jocqué's work has had a lasting impact on the field of arachnology, helping to advance our knowledge of African spider fauna and its conservation. He is considered a leading expert in African spider taxonomy and systematics. His contributions have been crucial for understanding the evolution and distribution patterns of these arachnids, and for informing conservation efforts in the face of habitat loss and other environmental threats.