Alireza Zamani

University of Turku | UTU · Biodiversity Unit / Zoological Museum

Recently, Meierotto et al. (2019) proposed a ‘revolutionary’ protocol for the description of understudied hyperdiverse taxa. The premise of their study was to champion exclusively DNA-barcode-based species descriptions (=diagnoses), which would dramatically increase the rate of description and provide a ‘human-readable record in the literature’ (un...

Earth’s biodiversity is still so poorly known that only about two million (Bánki et al., 2021) of the estimated nine million or more eukaryotic species (Larsen et al., 2017; Mora et al., 2011) have been described. This puts taxonomists in a race against time to discover biodiversity before it is lost as a result of the Anthropocene mass extinction....

Although spiders constitute a highly diversified group of animals, the knowledge regarding their geographic distribution (i.e., the so-called Wallacean shortfall) and diversity patterns is incipient on a global scale; while attempts to explore such patterns have been made for the highly diversified Neotropical fauna, several Old World regions are h...

Spiders (Araneae) are the largest order of Arachnida and the sixth most speciose order of Animalia, comprising more than 50,000 extant species as well as over 1,400 species known from fossils. Despite this immense diversity that has been estimated to comprise 120,000–200,000 species, our knowledge of their systematics and distribution remains rathe...

Guedes and colleagues’ call to eliminate taxonomic eponyms stems from intense ongoing debates. The International Code on Zoological Nomenclature Commission has categorically stated that it will not do this; doing so would eliminate the stability that the code provides and would sow chaos at a time when scientists must work together to mitigate the...

A new genus, Turanobius gen. n. (Araneae: Oecobiidae: Oecobiinae), is described from Iran and Central Asia, comprising the following four species: T. ferdowsii (Mirshamsi, Zamani and Marusik, 2017) comb. n. (♂; Iran, Kazakhstan), T. hissaricus sp. n. (♂; Tajikistan), T. leptonychus sp. n. (♂♀; Tajikistan), and T. tadzhikus (Andreeva and Tyshchenko,...

New faunistic and taxonomic data are provided for 18 families of Iranian spiders. Four species, Cryptodrassus liyanicus Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♀, Bushehr Province; Gnaphosidae), Mesiotelus khorasanicus Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♂♀, Razavi Khorasan Province; Liocranidae), Nurscia minuscula Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♀, West Azerbaijan Province; Ti...

This paper reviews little-known species of the dysderid spider genera Dysdera Latreille, 1804, and Dysderella Dunin, 1992 based on specimens collected in the Caucasus, Middle East, and Central Asia. After combining molecular phylogeny of five mitochondrial and three nuclear genes with morphological evidence, Dysderella is proposed as a junior synon...

Supp. file 3. List of partition schemes and corresponding preferred evolutionary models used in the analyses.

Supp. file 1. Specimen and sequence information.

Supp. file 2. Supplementary figures. SFig. 1. Maximum likelihood tree inferred with bet partion scheme and models in IQTREE2. Numbers on nodes refer to ultrafast bootstrap values. SFig. 2. Majority rule consensus tree inferred with MrBayes with the best partion scheme and models as selected by PartionFinder. SFig. 3. Strict consensus tree of most p...

Pitfall traps are commonly used to sample epigeal arthropods, but they are not ideal in areas where soil disturbance is restricted or not possible. Ramp traps are a less well known alternative that does not require excavation. To compare the performance of the two trap types in capturing epigeal arthropods, both ramp (n = 12) and pitfall traps (n =...

In this paper, we provide new taxonomic and faunistic data on the dysderid spider genera Dysdera Latreille, 1804 and Harpactea Bristowe, 1939 based on material collected in the Caucasus region. We identified a total of seventeen species, of which D. atabekia sp. n. (♂♀; Goychay and Ismayilli districts, Azerbaijan), H. abasgiana sp. n. (♂♀; Republic...

The first case of an abnormality in the development of the male palp in Dictynidae is reported, based on a specimen collected in Northeastern Siberia. Both palps of this specimen exhibit an abnormality in the conductor, with the shape differing between each palp. This marks the first occurrence of a malformed conductor in spiders.

New data on the oecobiid spiders of the genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846 occurring in Iran and Azerbaijan are provided. Five species are described as new to science: O. dariusi sp. n. (♀; Alborz and Tehran ‒ northern Iran), O. melanocephalus sp. n. (♀; Lorestan, Razavi Khorasan, Semnan, and Tehran ‒ south-western, northern and north-eastern Iran; hithert...

New data on Iranian spiders is provided based on 92 specimens collected from the interiors or surroundings of 27 caves. These specimens belong to 17 species in nine families, of which five species are described as new to science: Tegenaria pallens Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♂♀; Gakal Cave, Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province) (Agelenidae); Dysdera ela...

An updated and annotated checklist of the spiders of Iraq, currently comprising 104 species in 75 genera and 29 families is presented, including six endemic and four subendemic species. Twenty-three records are considered misidentifications and therefore omitted from the checklist. Where possible, the misidentified records are attributed to other s...

Two poorly known species of the zodariid spider genus Zodariellum Andreeva & Tystshenko, 1968 – Z. spasskyi (Charitonov, 1946) and Z. zebra (Charitonov, 1946) – are redescribed based on type specimens from eastern Uzbekistan. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for the former species.

New data on the tarantula genus Chaetopelma Ausserer, 1871 are provided. A new species, Ch. persianum sp. nov., is described based on a single female specimen collected in northwestern Iran, which represents the easternmost record of the genus within its entire known range. Additionally, the correct publication date of Ch. olivaceum C.L. Koch, 1842...

New data are provided on dysderid spiders of Armenia and Iran. Dysdera haykana sp. nov. is described based on male specimens collected in Kotayk and Lor provinces, central and northern Armenia. The female of Dysdera nakhchivanica Beydizade, Shafaie & Guseinov, 2018 is described for the first time, and the species is newly recorded from Armenia. Fur...

The dysderid spider genus Dysderella Dunin, 1992 is surveyed. The genus currently comprises two species: D. caspica (Dunin, 1990) from Azerbaijan and North Caucasus and D. transcaspica (Dunin & Fet, 1985) from Turkmenistan and north-eastern Iran. Herein, D. elburzica sp. nov. is described based on male specimens collected in Tehran Province, northe...

Anatextrix monstrabilis sp. nov. (Araneae: Agelenidae) is described and illustrated, based on male and female specimens collected from Adana Province, Türkiye. The new species has an L-shaped male palpal femur bearing multiple apophyses, which is a rare trait in spiders. Anatextrix monstrabilis sp. nov. is the second species of the recently describ...

This book includes the main groups of terrestrial and freshwater arthropods of Iran, comprising their large and interesting families from the perspective of nature tourism. It is based on the available basic information and the personal experiences of the authors and is the result of the efforts and cooperation of many colleagues and enthusiasts. T...

Türkiye is known to have the highest diversity of the spider family Agelenidae in the Western Palaearctic and the highest diversity of the subfamily Ageleninae globally. The new agelenid genus Anatextrix gen. nov. (Ageleninae, Textricini) and its type species, A. spectabilis sp. nov. (♂♀; Mersin and Adana provinces, southern Türkiye), are described...

The blattid cockroach Periplaneta arabica (Bey-Bienko, 1938) has been poorly understood since its original description. In this study, male and female (including nymph) of P. arabica are paired using DNA barcoding, and their morphological characters (including both external characteristics and genitalia) are described. A detailed comparative morpho...

Interspecific genetic divergence of distances calculated by K2P model method using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences in MEGA

Genetic divergence of distances calculated by K2P model method using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences in MEGA

The eresid spider genus Loureedia (Miller et al., 2012) was described a decade ago, despite its type species being described in the mid-19th century, which illuminates the difficulties in obtaining specimens. The genus was initially described as monotypic. Ever since, four other species have been assigned to Loureedia, including three newly discove...

The taxonomy of the Iranian species of the dysderid spider genus Dysdera Latreille, 1804 is revised. Currently, the only species of this genus known from Iran is D. pococki Dunin, 1985, albeit on the basis of a doubtful record. The following 14 species are described as new to science in this paper: D. achaemenes sp. nov. (♀; Fars), D. bakhtiari sp....

Figure S1. Raw count numbers of records of plants and animals, all animals, arthropods and spiders, and spider species richness in Iran. Figure S2. Density of records of spiders and roads in Iran.

The results of a recent collection effort on the island of Seili (located in the Archipelago Sea, off the southwest coast of Finland in the Baltic Sea, Swedish name Själö) are reported herein. Out of 709 specimens collected at two sites using four different collection methods, 173 were adults (26 males, 147 females) and identifiable to species-leve...

The araneid spider Gibbaranea gibbosa (Walckenaer, 1802) is reported from Finland for the first time, based on a single male specimen collected in Oriketo, Turku, June 2022. The new finding represents the northernmost record of the species in its whole known range.

Plator soastus sp. nov. of the spider family Trochanteriidae Karsch, 1879 is described and illustrated on the basis of female specimens collected in the Swat Valley, representing the first record of the genus in Pakistan and its (north) westernmost record for the whole known range. Material of both sexes of P. pandeae Tikader, 1969 from northern In...

The new zodariid genus Spinozodium gen. nov. is described, comprising two species from Tajikistan: the type species S. denisi (Spassky, 1938) comb. nov. (ex. Zodarion Walckenaer, 1826) and the new species S. khatlonicum sp. nov.; the female of the type species, displaying highly reduced receptacles, is described for the first time. Both species are...

The results of an investigation on a small collection of spiders from Najaf Province in southern Iraq are reported. Four species are described: Hersiliola babylonica sp. n. (♂♀; Hersiliidae), Liocranoeca deserticola sp. n. (♂; Liocranidae), Talanites sumericus sp. n. (♀; Gnaphosidae) and Zelotes jakesi sp. n. (♀; Gnaphosidae). Two families (Liocran...

New taxonomic considerations in the zodariid spider genus Zodariellum Andreeva & Tyshchenko, 1968 are proposed. On the basis of male specimens collected in Turkmenistan, Z. turanicum sp. n. and Z. turkmenicum sp. n. are described as new to science. Six species, namely Z. hunanense (Yin, 2012) comb. n., Z. planum (Zhang & Zhang, 2019) comb. n., Z. s...

In the internet era, the digital architecture that keeps us connected and informed may also amplify the spread of misinformation. This problem is gaining global attention, as evidence accumulates that misinformation may interfere with democratic processes and undermine collective responses to environmental and health crises. In an increasingly poll...

New faunistic data are provided on the ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) of Iraq. Three genera (Haplodrassus Chamberlin, 1922; Minosiella Dalmas, 1921; Odontodrassus Jézéquel, 1965) and six species (Haplodrassus dalmatensis (L. Koch, 1866); Minosiella intermedia Denis, 1958; Odontodrassus aravaensis Levy, 1999; Odontodrassus mundulus (O. Pickar...

New faunistic and taxonomic data are provided for 27 families of Iranian spiders. Two lycosid species, Lycosa elymaisa sp. nov. (♂; Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad, southwestern Iran) and Pardosa zagrosica sp. nov. (♂♀; Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari and Hamedan, southwestern to northwestern Iran) are described as new to science, three genera (Amaurobius C. L. K...

New cases of abnormalities in the development of the copulatory organs in several species of wolf spiders are described: three specimens with side by side duplicated epigynes, one gynandromorph, four intersexes, and one with pathologically asymmetric epigyne. The potential causes of such disorders are discussed.

New taxonomic considerations on several species of the zodariid spider subfamily Zodariinae Thorell, 1881 occurring in Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan are presented. Three species, Trygetus cyrus sp. n. (♀; Fars, south-central Iran), T. nakhchivanicus sp. n. (♂; Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan) and Zodarion sharurensis sp. n. (♂♀; Nakhchivan, Aze...

New faunistic and taxonomic data are provided for 15 families of Iranian spiders. Two lycosid species, Alopecosa murphyorum sp. n. (♂, Semnan Province) and Alopecosa robertsi sp. n. (♂, Zanjan Province), are described as new to science. Nine species are recorded from Iran for the first time, and 182 new provincial records are provided for 53 specie...

Roughly 18,000 species are described annually as new to science, while estimated extinction rates are comparable to or even exceeding these new discoveries. Considering the estimates of up to 15 million extant eukaryotic species on Earth, of which only about 2 million have been described so far, there has been a recent 'boom' of new potential appro...

Mass media plays an important role in the construction and circulation of risk perception associated with animals. Widely feared groups such as spiders frequently end up in the spotlight of traditional and social media. We compiled an expert-curated global database on the online newspaper coverage of human-spider encounters over the past ten years...

In the Internet era, the digital architecture that keeps us connected and informed may collaterally amplify the spread of misinformation and falsehood1,2. The magnitude of this problem is gaining global relevance3, as evidence accumulates that misinformation interferes with democratic processes and undermines collective responses to environmental a...

Taxonomic monographs synthesize biodiversity knowledge and document biodiversity change through recent and geological time for a particular organismal group, sometimes also incorporating cultural and place-based knowledge. They are a vehicle through which broader questions about ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes can be generated an...

New taxonomic considerations in the spitting spider family Scytodidae Blackwall, 1864 are proposed. Here, the family is considered to include two subfamilies: Scytodinae Blackwall, 1864, comprising the genera Scytodes Latreille, 1804 and Dictis L. Koch, 1872, and Scyloxinae subfam. n., comprising the genera Scyloxes Dunin, 1992 and Stedocys Ono, 19...

Three new species of spiders are described from different provinces in Iran: Shaitan angramainyu sp. n. (Gnaphosidae) related to Sh. elchini Kovblyuk, Kastrygina et Marusik, 2013 known from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan, Piratula raika sp. n. (Lycosidae) related to P. logunovi Omelko, Marusik et Koponen, 2011 known from Eastern Siberia, and Orthobula mi...

Two new species of Liocranidae, Agroeca angirasu sp.n. (♂, Iran) and Mesiotelus caucasicus sp.n. (♂♀, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran) are described and illustrated based on material collected in the Caucasus and Hyrcanian region in northern Iran. The distribution records of both species are mapped.

A new species of agelenid spiders, Draconarius nathiagalicus sp. nov., is described and illustrated on the basis of two male specimens collected in Nathia Gali, northeastern Pakistan. This is the fourth species of the genus reported from this country, all belonging to the venustus species-group.

New faunistic and taxonomic data are provided for 19 families of Iranian spiders. Stemonyphantes arta Esyunin et Zamani, sp. nov. (Linyphiidae) is described from a male and a female collected in the Zanjan Province. Five genera of the family Theridiidae (Pholcomma, Phoroncidia, Phycosoma, Rhomphaea and Rugathodes) and 21 species are recorded from I...

One new genus (Sestakovaia gen. nov.; Liocranidae) and 10 new species of five families of spiders are described from different provinces of Iran: Brigittea avicenna sp. nov. (♂♀, Alborz and Kurdistan provinces) (Dictynidae), Micaria atropatene sp. nov. (♂, East Azerbaijan Province), Zagrotes borna sp. nov. (♂, Hormozgan Province), Z. parla sp. nov....

Two new species of theridiid spiders are described from northern Iran: Episinus mikhailovi sp. n. (♂♀, Gilan and Mazandaran provinces) and Theridion arsia sp. n. (♀, Qazvin Province); the latter has a unique type of thread-like mating plug previously undocumented in the family. Furthermore, Enoplognatha submargarita Yaginuma & Zhu, 1992, stat. reva...

Although the morphology, biology, and behavior of spiders have been used frequently as metaphors by Iranian (Persian) poets throughout the history and the first published observation of these arachnids in this country dates back to 1656, the scientific documentation of the species composition of this group in this vast and zoogeographicaly interest...

This paper deals with some new material of Iranian harvestmen accumulated during and after 2017. These recent collections yielded 11 species from six families, including five species that had previously been known from Iran, and two families and six species which are established as being new for the fauna of the country. The latter include two newl...

One new genus, Zagrotes gen. nov., and 19 new species of ground spiders (Gnaphosidae) are described from Iran: Berinda bifurcata sp. nov. (♂, Bushehr, Khuzestan; southwestern and southern Iran), Berinda hoerwegi sp. nov. (♂♀, Fars, Ilam, Kermanshah, Kurdistan; western and southcentral Iran), Berlandina artaxerxes sp. nov. (♂ Yazd; central Iran), Cr...

Species of the spider family Zodariidae occurring in Iran and Turkmenistan are reviewed. Seventeen species of three subfamilies are described as new to science: Lachesana kavirensis sp. nov. (♂, Qom; northern Iran), L. perseus sp. nov. (♂, Alborz; northern Iran) (Lachesaninae), Pax ellipita sp. nov. (♂♀, Kermanshah and Lorestan; western Iran), P. l...

The pharmacological utility of various biochemical compounds in scorpion venom offers promise in several research fields but its potential economic value has placed pressure on scorpion populations already threatened by habitat destruction and over harvesting for the international trade in exotic pets. Since at least 2016, several countries in Afri...

The taxonomic status of the medically important spider genus Loxosceles Heineken et Lowe, 1832 (Sicariidae) in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan is revised. Two species are described as new to science: Loxosceles coheni sp. n. (♂♀, southwestern Iran) and Loxosceles turanensis sp. n. (♂♀, southern Turkmenistan and eastern Iran). Additionally, Loxo...

A new genus (Ecurobius gen. n.) and six new species of spiders are described from Iran: Aituaria iranica sp. n. (♂, Nesticidae; Mazandaran Province), Deltshevia taftanensis sp. n. (♀, Hersiliidae; Sistan & Baluchistan Province), Ecurobius parthicus sp. n. (♀, Amaurobiidae; Semnan Province), Euryopis schwendingeri sp. n. (♀, Theridiidae; Ilam Provin...

Three new species of spiders are described from southern Iran: Filistata balouchi sp. n. (♂, Filistatidae; Sistan & Baluchistan Province), Levymanus dezfulensis sp. n. (♀, Palpimanidae; Khuzestan Province) and Scytodes kumonga sp. n. (♀, Scytodidae; Hormozgan Province). This is the first record of the genus Levymanus in Iran, and the easternmost re...

The taxonomic and faunistic status of the spider family Oecobiidae in Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan is revised. A new species, namely Uroctea gambronica sp. nov. (♂) is described from southern Iran, and the male of U. grossa Roewer, 1960 is described and illustrated for the first time. Additionally, new faunistic data are provided, including t...

New faunistic and taxonomic data are provided for 24 families of Iranian spiders. As a result, six genera (Callilepis, Leptopilos, Parasyrisca (Gnaphosidae), Mastigusa (Hahniidae), Stemonyphantes, and Styloctetor (Linyphiidae)) and 43 species are recorded from Iran for the first time; three species (Hahnia rossii Brignoli, 1977, Haplodrassus rhodan...

The status of the poorly known spider genus Eutittha Thorell, 1878 which has been overlooked for more than 60 years is investigated. Examination of the type material of Eutittha insulana Thorell, 1878 (type species of the genus, currently classified in Cheiracanthium, with new designation of lecto- and paralectotype) revealed the misidentification...

Araniella Chamberlin et Ivie, 1942 from India is surveyed. As a result, two new species, A. levii sp.n. and A. maasdorpi sp.n., are described on the basis of male specimens from high altitudes of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, northern India, and a new combination is established for Araniella nympha (Simon, 1889), comb.n. (ex. Araneus). Comments...

A large burrowing wolf spider, Lycosa macrophthalma sp. nov., is described from the holotype female from central Iran. The new species can be easily distinguished from all congeners by the presence of anterior epigynal hoods and a protrusion between their edges and the septum. Lycosa macrophthalma sp. nov., L. aragogi Nadolny et Zamani, 2017, L. pi...

New taxonomic data are provided on the ladybird spider genus Eresus Walckenaer, 1805 in Turkey and Iran. Eresus adaleari Zamani & Szűts, sp. n. is described as a new species, on the basis of a single male specimen collected in Semnan Province, northeastern Iran, and Eresus lavrosiae Mcheidze, 1997, previously known solely from the original descript...

A new species, Loureedia phoenixi sp.n., is described and illustrated on the basis of two male specimens from Alborz Province of Iran and its distribution is mapped based on the type locality and photographic records. These records represent the easternmost distribution limit of the genus.

The previously unknown female of the jumping spider Heliophanus xerxesi Logunov, 2009 from Iran is described, diagnosed and illustrated. A map showing all the collecting localities of this species is provided.

The spider family Phrurolithidae is revised in Azerbaijan, Iran and Tajikistan. The new genus Bosselaerius gen. n. is described to encompass three species: B. hyrcanicus sp. n. (type species, ♂ ♀, Azerbaijan, Iran), B. tajikistanicus sp. n. (♀, Tajikistan) and B. daoxianensis (Yin, Peng, Gong & Kim, 1997) comb. n. (♂, China). Furthermore, a new spe...

Agelenini occurring in Iran and Tajikistan are reviewed. As a result, four new genera are established: Persiscape gen. n., to include P. caspica sp. n. (♂♀, Mazandaran, northern Iran), P. ecbatana sp. n. (♂♀, Hamedan, western Iran), P. nassirkhanii sp. n. (♂, Lorestan, southwestern Iran), P. zagrosensis sp. n. (♂, Ilam, western Iran), P. caucasica...

On the basis of recently collected specimens in various regions of Iran, new data on jumping spiders (Salticidae) of this country are provided. One species, Salticus lucasi sp. nov. (♂, Isfahan Province, central Iran) is described as new to science, and three species (Chalcoscirtus platnicki Marusik, 1995, Mogrus larisae Logunov, 1995 and Phlegra y...

Spider material collected from Oman and Iran revealed a new species of the genus Ischnocolus Ausserer, 1871, which is described as I. vanandelae sp. n. New records of I. jickelii L. Koch, 1875 from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and United Arab Emirates show a larger distribution of this species than previously known. The natural history of I. vanandelae sp....

New taxonomic data for species belonging to Araniella Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942 and Neoscona Simon, 1864 occurring in the Caucasus, Middle East and Central Asia are provided. Three species are described as new to science: A. mithra sp. nov. (♂♀, northwestern, central and southwestern Iran), A. villanii sp. nov. (♂♀, southwestern Iran, eastern Kazakhs...

During a survey of the gnaphosid spider fauna of Iran, two interesting species of Drassodes Westring 1851 were collected. Drassodes marusiki sp. n. (♂♀, Isfahan Province, central Iran) is described as new to science, and its relationship with the closely related D. bifidus Kovblyuk & Seyyar 2009 (Turkey) is discussed, and Drassodes robatus Roewer 1...

An overview of the Arachnida and their study in Iran is provided. Besides ancient poetry, relics (going back to 5,000 YBP), and early medical observations (at least 2,000 YBP), the first published taxonomical observations of arachnids from Iran were in 1807 about scorpions. The superorders Parasitiformes and Acariformes (mites and ticks) have recei...

Twenty-nine locations in Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Province in southwestern Iran were sampled for spiders (Araneae) in 2016-17 using different sampling methods (hand collection, pitfall traps, and aspirators). A total of 196 identifiable specimens were collected which represented 49 species belonging to 38 genera and 15 families. Six species, namely...

The surprising discovery of a new species of grass huntsman spider, Pseudomicrommata mokranica sp. nov. (♂♀), belonging to “the African clade”, is reported and described from south-eastern Iran, more than 4000 km away from the nearest recorded locality of the genus in Kenya. Similar vicariant occurrences of other sparassid taxa in Africa and Asia a...

A family (Zoropsidae), five genera (Archaeodictyna Caporiacco, 1928, Microneta Menge, 1869, Sintula Simon, 1884, Zilla C.L. Koch, 1836, Zoropsis Simon, 1878), and 26 spider species are recorded in Iran for the first time. New provincial records for 61 species are presented. Considering the new results, 746 spider species are known from Iran.

Two Tegenariini genera occurring in Iran, Azerithonica Guseinov, Marusik et Koponen, 2005 and Tegenaria Latreille, 1804 are revised. As a result, the former genus and its type species, Azerithonica hyrcanica Guseinov, Marusik et Koponen, 2005 are recorded in Iran for the first time. A new species, A. sagartia sp.n. (♀, Mazandaran) is described from...

A complete check-list of the subtribe Aelurillina Simon, 1901 of Iran is provided. A new species of Aelurillus Simon, 1884 and two new species of Proszynskiana Logunov, 1996 are described: viz., A. westi sp.n. (♂, Isfahan Province, central Iran), P. izadii sp.n. (♂♀, Lut Desert, Kerman Province, south-eastern Iran) and P. logunovi sp.n. (♂♀, Kerman...

A female specimen of Poltys (Araneidae) is reported from southern Iran, representing the first record of the genus for the whole Middle East and its westernmost record in the entire Asian region. The specimen was identified as Poltys nagpurensis Tikader, 1982, previously known only from central and western India. Since the Iranian specimen differs i...

The spider family Selenopidae is currently represented by two species in the Middle East: Selenops radiatus Latreille, 1819 and S. oculatus Pocock, 1898. We record the former species for the first time in Iran and Saudi Arabia. The latter, previously known only from the original description from Yemen, is re-described. Additionally, a new species,...

The first inventory of the spider fauna of the Lut Desert, known as one of the hottest deserts in the world, is provided. Spiders collected during the Iranian Biological Expedition in November 2016 are reported. We identified 15 species belonging to 12 families, including the new species, Oecobius fahimii sp. n. (female, Oecobiidae), which is descr...

The pseudoscorpion genus Parolpium Beier, 1931 (Olpiidae) is reported from Iran for the first time, and a new species, Parolpium litoreum sp.n. is described on the basis of two females collected in the littoral zone of the Persian Gulf in southern Iran. In addition, illustrations, measurements, and some notes on its habitat occurrence are given.

A new species, Duninia grodnitskyi sp.n., is described on the basis of the holotype female from Kurdistan Province of Iran. The generic assignment of the species is provisional, as it is likely to belong to an undescribed genus.