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Zootaxa (11755334) 5551(1)pp. 1-50
An annotated checklist of the spiders of Afghanistan, comprising 253 species in 134 genera and 32 families, is provided. The list includes 96 and 13 currently considered endemic and subendemic species, respectively. A separate list of rejected records is also presented. © 2024 Magnolia Press.
Hajian, M. ,
Sadeghi, S. ,
Barzoki, Z.E. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Gholamhosseini, A. ,
Ebrahimi, M. Journal Of Insect Biodiversity And Systematics (24238112) 10(1)pp. 143-159
Ants (Hym., Formicidae) have been recognized as vital components of arid ecosystems. Determining the diversity patterns of ants and the ecological factors behind these patterns is expected to improve our understanding of the functioning of arid ecosystems. Here, we explored patterns of ant species diversity and community composition along an elevational gradient (800 to 2800 m) in the arid area of Central Iran. The elevational gradient in ant diversity and the effects of environmental factors on various indices of ant diversity and species composition were investigated using generalized linear mixed models and variance partitioning analysis. We recorded 34 ant species of 12 genera and 8 tribes from 120 surveyed quadrats. Climate variables were the most important predictors of ant community structure. Indices of ant alpha diversity including Hill numbers and taxonomic diversity increased with elevation. Hill numbers were negatively influenced by temperature, while they were positively affected by precipitation. The observed diversity pattern could be explained by the diversity-productivity hypothesis. In our study area, the maximum primary productivity and consequently the maximum species diversity occurred at high elevations, where precipitation is high and temperature is lower than the extremes that could limit plant productivity. Ant assemblages are expected to become increasingly composed of warm-tolerant species in response to warmer and drier conditions driven by climate change. The distribution of species with lower heat tolerance will be limited to high-elevation areas in Central Iran. These areas could act as refuges for ants and should be considered priorities for conservation. © 2024, Hajian et al.
Stothut, M. ,
Mahla, L. ,
Backes, L. ,
Weber, S. ,
Avazzadeh, A. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Krehenwinkel, H. Current Biology (18790445) 34(18)pp. 4318
Natural history collections are a priceless resource for understanding patterns and processes of biodiversity change in the Anthropocene.1 Herbaria, which house millions of historical plant records from all over the globe, are particularly valuable to study population genetics of the plants themselves and to understand the assembly of plant-associated microbial communities.2 Here we test if herbaria can serve yet another essential purpose, namely to provide information on the historical assembly of plant-arthropod interactions. The specificity and temporal stability of these associations are poorly known.3 Considering their pivotal role in the assembly of terrestrial food webs,4 this knowledge is paramount to understanding the consequences of global change. We use environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to characterize communities of plant-associated arthropods from archived herbarium specimens of different ages and origins. The herbarium specimens yield arthropod DNA across various ecological guilds and trophic levels over multiple decades. In an experiment, we also show that the typical dry storage of plants in herbaria does not alter the recovered arthropod diversity and community composition. By analyzing a time series of leaf samples from a forest monitoring project, we then characterize changes in arthropod biodiversity over two decades, showing that archived plants can also provide the time series data that are urgently needed to understand arthropod declines.5 This use of herbaria and plant archives promises unprecedented insights into plant-arthropod interactions and revolutionizes our ability to monitor spatiotemporal changes in interaction diversity. © 2024 The Author(s)
Journal Of Insect Biodiversity And Systematics (24238112) 10(1)pp. 99-109
In this study, Latrodectus revivensis Shulov, 1948 is recorded for the first time from Iran based on female specimens. This species was previously recorded from the eastern Mediterranean region. As a result, the number of Latrodectus species recorded from Iran is raised to six. A comparative diagnosis is provided for this species and other widow spiders previously recorded from the country. Latrodectus revivensis can be easily distinguished from its congeners by colouration, genitalic characters and the shape of the nest. This record represents the easternmost distribution limit of L. revivensis. An updated distribution map of Latrodectus species is also provided. © 2024, Souri et al.
Iranian Journal Of Animal Biosystematics (24234222) 19(1)pp. 13-21
Iran is a large country with diverse and unique climate and ecology; therefore, it is expected to discover an exceptional fauna with high species diversity by carefully examining the unknown areas. A few taxonomic studies have been so far conducted on the genus Pholcus in Iran. Taxonomic and preliminary phylogenetic evaluation of widespread species of the genus Pholcus from Iran is considered in the present study, based on specimens collected from northern and southwestern parts of the country. A molecular study was undertaken on some representatives of species of the Pholcus phalangioides species-group (cellar spiders) using newly designed primers with 350 bp of partial fragments of mtDNA gene, cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI). These preliminary molecular data in line with morphological identifications using characters related to the copulatory organs presented a total of five distinct clades of Pholcus that four clades were contributed with formerly identified species and one represented a distinct lineage unknown for science. © 2023 FERDOWSI UNIVERSITY OF MASHHAD, IRAN.
Salehifard, Kowsar ,
Salehifard, Kowsar ,
Keimasi, Mohammadjavad ,
Keimasi, M. ,
Salehifard, K. ,
Keimasi, M. ,
Amirsadri, M. ,
Mirshah jafar esfahani, N. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Esmaeili, F. ,
Mofid, M.R. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (16625099) 16
Excitotoxicity is a common pathological process in Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is caused by the over-activity of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptors (NMDARs). The release of neurotransmitters depends on the activity of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). Hyper-stimulation of NMDARs can enhance the releasement of neurotransmitters through the VGCCs. This malfunction of channels can be blocked by selective and potent N-type VGCCs ligand. Under excitotoxicity condition, glutamate has negative effects on the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, which ends in synaptic loss and elimination of these cells. These events leads to learning and memory elimination through the hippocampus circuit's dysfunction. A suitable ligand has a high affinity to receptor or channel and is selective for its target. The bioactive small proteins of venom have these characteristics. Therefore, peptides and small proteins of animal venom are precious sources for pharmacological applications. The omega-agatoxin-Aa2a was purified, and identified from Agelena labyrinthica specimens, as an N-type VGCCs ligand for this study. The effect of the omega-agatoxin-Aa2a on the glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rats was evaluated through behavioral tests including Morris Water Maze, and Passive avoidance. The syntaxin1A (SY1A), synaptotagmin1 (SYT1), and synaptophysin (SYN) genes expression were measured via Real-Time PCR. The local expression of synaptosomal-associated protein, 25 k Da (SNAP-25) was visualized using an immunofluorescence assay for synaptic quantification. Electrophysiological amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the input-output and LTP curves of mossy fiber were recorded. The cresyl violet staining of hippocampus sections was performed for the groups. Our results demonstrated that the omega-agatoxin-Aa2a treatment could recover the learning, and memory impairment caused by NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in rat hippocampus.
Keimasi, M. ,
Salehifard, K. ,
Keimasi, M. ,
Amirsadri, M. ,
Mirshah jafar esfahani, N. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Esmaeili, F. ,
Mofid, M.R. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (16625099) 16
In the published article, there was an error in the “Figure 1B” as published. This picture was misplaced during the submission by one of the authors. The corrected “Figure 1” appears below. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated. Copyright © 2023, Keimasi, Salehifard, Keimasi, Amirsadri, Esfahani, Moradmand, Esmaeili and Mofid.
Keimasi, M. ,
Salehifard, K. ,
Hoseini, S.J. ,
Esmaeili, F. ,
Mirshah jafar esfahani, N. ,
Amirsadri, M. ,
Keimasi, M. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Mofid, M.R. Protein Journal (18758355) 42(5)pp. 586-595
Spider venom contains various peptides and proteins, which can be used for pharmacological applications. Finding novel therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative diseases with the use of purified peptides and proteins, extracted from spiders can be greatly precious. Neurodegenerative diseases are rapidly developing and expanding all over the world. Excitotoxicity is a frequent condition amongst neuro-degenerative disorders. This harmful process is usually induced through hyper-activation of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). The omega-agatoxin-Aa4b is a selective and strong VGCCblocker. This study aimed to investigate the effects of this blocker on the NMDA-induced memory and learning defect in rats. For this purpose, nineteen spiders of the funnel-weaver Agelena orientalis species were collected. The extracted venom was lyophilized andpurified through gel-filtration chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis techniques. Subsequently, mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) was used for identification of this bio-active small protein. Afterward, the effect of the omega-agatoxin-Aa4b (2 μg, intra-cornu ammonis-3 of the hippocampus) on the NMDA-induced learning and memory deficits in rats was evaluated. Learning and memory performances were evaluated by the use of passive avoidance test. For synaptic quantification and memory function the amount of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase ІІ (CaCdPKІІ) gene expression was measured using the Real-time PCR technique. To compare the experimental groups, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of hippocampus tissues was performed. Our results rendered that the omega-Agatoxin-Aa4b treatment can ameliorate and reverse the learning and memory impairment caused by NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in rat hippocampus. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Zootaxa (11755334) 5380(1)pp. 77-95
The taxonomy of the genus Spariolenus Simon, 1880 (Heteropodinae) is updated in its entire distribution range in South and West Asia. Newly collected specimens and historical museum material were studied, some date back to more than 124 years. Four new species are described as Spariolenus omidvarbrothers sp. n. (male, female) from southeastern Iran, S. baluchistanicus sp. n. (female) from Pakistan and, S. bakasura sp. n. (male, female) and S. kabandha sp. n. (female) from the Western Ghats and northern regions of India, respectively; specimens of the latter three species had been previously incorrectly identified as S. tigris Simon, 1880. Spariolenus lindbergi (Roewer, 1962) comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Heteropoda Latreille, 1804. We discovered and described its male for the first time, along with redescription of the female using recently collected material near the type locality from Afghanistan. Two species, Spariolenus mansourii Moradmand, 2017 (Iran) and S. secundus Jäger, 2006 (Oman) are recorded from new geographic localities. A distribution map of all extant Spariolenus species with updated records is presented. Copyright © 2023 Magnolia Press.
Keimasi, M. ,
Salehifard, K. ,
Mirshah jafar esfahani, N. ,
Esmaeili, F. ,
Farghadani, A. ,
Amirsadri, M. ,
Keimasi, M. ,
Noorbakhshnia, M. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Mofid, M.R. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences (2296889X) 10
The hippocampus is a complex area of the mammalian brain and is responsible for learning and memory. The trisynaptic circuit engages with explicit memory. Hippocampal neurons express two types of presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) comprising N and P/Q-types. These VGCCs play a vital role in the release of neurotransmitters from presynaptic neurons. The chief excitatory neurotransmitter at these synapses is glutamate. Glutamate has an essential function in learning and memory under normal conditions. The release of neurotransmitters depends on the activity of presynaptic VGCCs. Excessive glutamate activity, due to either excessive release or insufficient uptake from the synapse, leads to a condition called excitotoxicity. This pathological state is common among all neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Under these conditions, glutamate adversely affects the trisynaptic circuitry, leading to synaptic destruction and loss of memory and learning performance. This study attempts to clarify the role of presynaptic VGCCs in memory performance and reveals that modulating the activity of presynaptic calcium channels in the trisynaptic pathway can regulate the excitotoxic state and consequently prevent the elimination of neurons and synaptic degradation. All of these can lead to an improvement in learning and memory function. In the current study, two calcium channel blockers—omega-agatoxin-Aa2a and omega-Lsp-IA—were extracted, purified, and identified from spiders (Agelena orientalis and Hogna radiata) and used to modulate N and P/Q VGCCs. The effect of omega-agatoxin-Aa2a and omega-Lsp-IA on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rats was evaluated using the Morris water maze task as a behavioral test. The local expression of synaptophysin (SYN) was visualized for synaptic quantification using an immunofluorescence assay. The electrophysiological amplitudes of the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the input-output and LTP curves of the mossy fiber and Schaffer collateral circuits were recorded. The results of our study demonstrated that N and P/Q VGCC modulation in the hippocampus trisynaptic circuit of rats with glutamate-induced excitotoxicity dysfunction could prevent the destructive consequences of excitotoxicity in synapses and improve memory function and performance. Copyright © 2023 Keimasi, Salehifard, Mirshah Jafar Esfahani, Esmaeili, Farghadani, Amirsadri, Keimasi, Noorbakhshnia, Moradmand and Mofid.
Scientific Reports (20452322) 12(1)
The huntsman spiders’ genus Eusparassus are apex arthropod predators in desert ecosystems of the Afrotropical and Palearctic ecoregions. The Eusparassus dufouri and E. walckenaeri clades are two distinct taxonomic, phylogenetic, and geographic units concerning morphology, molecular phylogeny, and spatial data; but little is known about their ecological niche. We applied the maximum-entropy approach and modelled ecologic niches of these two phylogenetically closely related clades. Ecological niches of the two clades were compared using identity and background tests and two different metrics, the Schooner’s D and Warren’s I. We also predicted the impacts of climate change on the distribution of the two clades. The results of the identity test showed that the ecological niches of the two clades were different in geographic space but were similar in environmental space. While results of the background test revealed that the ecological niches of the two clades were similar in geographic and environmental space. This indicated that “niche conservatism” had an important role over the evolutionary time of allopatric diversification. However, the normalized difference vegetation index vs. topographic heterogeneity had influenced the niches of the dufouri and walckenaeri clades, respectively. The analyses recovered that the two clades’ climatically suitable habitats will increase under future climate (the year 2070). However, since the two clades are characterized by the narrow range of environmental optimum and the accordingly high limits of tolerance, they are vulnerable to climate change. © 2022, The Author(s).
Journal of Isfahan Medical School (10277595) 39(643)pp. 714-722
Background: Overactivation of P/Q type of calcium channels leads to neurological disorders. The venom of Agelena labyrinthica consists of substances which can inhibit this channel. One of the most important compounds is agatoxin. This study aimed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of total venom or agatoxin component on kainic acid-induced amnesia. Methods: The spider, Agelena labyrinthica, was collected from Mazandaran Province, Iran, and their total venom was extracted. The agatoxin fraction was purified using the fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) method. The total venom or agatoxin was injected into the rat hippocampus before or after injection of kainic acid. A week after the drug injection, the memory of animals was assessed using Morris water maze (MWM) task. Findings: Kainic acid significantly reduced the time spent in the target quadrant (TQ) in water maze compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Intra-hippocampal injection of total venom or agatoxin fraction either before or after kainic acid caused a significant increase in TQ time compared to kainic acid group (P < 0.001). Of note, their injection before the kainic acid increased the TQ time more than injection after the kainic acid. In comparison to total venom, agatoxin fraction remarkably increased the TQ time. Conclusion: Total venom and agatoxin fraction prevented the memory impairment due to the excitotoxicity of kainic acid. The effect of agatoxin was greater than total venom. These two substances showed less ameliorative effect when administered after kainic acid injection. © 2021 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.
Iranian Journal Of Toxicology (22519459) 15(1)pp. 49-56
Background: Excitotoxicity is a common pathological process in neurodegenerative diseases associated with overactivity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and P/Q type voltage-gated calcium (Cav2.1) channels. Omega-lycotoxin-Gsp2671g is a therapeutic tool to modulate overactive Cav2.1 (P/Q type) channels. Omega-lycotoxin binds to Cav2.1 channels with high affinity and selectivity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Omega-lycotoxin on the cognitive impairment induced by kainic acid in rats. Methods: The effect of pre-treatment and post-treatment trials of intra-hippocampal Cornu Ammonis-3 administration of omega-lycotoxin (0.5, 1 or 2µg) was studied on the cognitive impairment induced by kainic acid in rats. The rats’ learning and memory were assessed by the passive avoidance and a single-day testing version of the Morris water maze method. Results: Omega-lycotoxin caused a significant increase in the latency of the passive avoidance test and the duration of their presence in the target area of the Morris water maze test compared to the groups treated with kainic acid (P<0.0001). There were statistically significant differences for the effects of various doses of omega-lycotoxin. The post-treatment groups showed a greater improvement than those in the pretreatment groups. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that a single dose of omega-lycotoxin can prevent or revert the memory impairment caused by kainic acid in rats. © 2021 Arak University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Arachnologische Mitteilungen (10184171) 59(1)pp. 63-66
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 lucasisp. nov. (♀, Isfahan Province, central Iran) is described as new to science, and three species (Chalcoscirtus platnicki Marusik, 1995, Mogrus larisaeLogunov, 1995 and Phlegra yaelae Prószyński, 1998) are recorded in Iran for the first time. A further 21 species represent new provincial records.. © 2020 Arachnologische Gesellschaft e.V.. All rights reserved.
Zamani, A. ,
Dimitrov, D. ,
Weiss, I. ,
Alimohammadi, S. ,
Rafiei-jahed, R. ,
Esyunin, S.L. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Chatzaki, M. ,
Marusik, Y.M. Arachnology (20509936) 18(6)pp. 569-591
Abstract 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 rossiiBrignoli, 1977, Haplodrassus rhodanicus (Simon, 1914), and Mastigusa arietina (Thorell, 1871)) are recorded for the first time from Asia. Additionally, the previously unknown males of Tegenaria erosZamani & Marusik, 2019and H. rossii are described, and 119 new provincial records are provided for 70 species. © 2020 British Arachnological Society. All rights reserved.
Arthropoda Selecta (0136006X) 29(2)pp. 211-218
Rhagodes ahwazensis Kraus, 1959, an Iranian endemic solifuge, known from the original description only based on a single male, is diagnosed and revised here. R. ahwazensis is redecribed herein on the basis of a new material from terra typica, the female is described for the first time. © 2020 K M K Scientific Press Ltd. All rights reserved.
Montemor, V.M. ,
West, R.C. ,
Zamani, A. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Wirth, V.V. ,
Wendt, I. ,
Huber, S. ,
Guadanucci, J.P.L. Zoology in the Middle East (09397140) 66(1)pp. 76-90
Spider material collected from Oman and Iran revealed a new species of the genus Ischnocolus Ausserer, 1871, which is described as I. vanandelaesp. 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. vanandelaesp. n. and I. jickelii is described and the rather unusual colour polymorphism of the latter is discussed. The genus now includes eight species, whose distribution is mapped. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E5DBC693-8B29-4E80-BB82-938C20E19640. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis.
Zoology in the Middle East (09397140) 65(3)pp. 274-279
Nine species and four genera of Philodromidae are identified and recorded from various parts of Iran including Pulchellodromus medius (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) (genus and species new to Iran) and Thanatus setiger (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) (new to Iran). The male of Rhysodromus hierosolymitanus (Levy, 1977), which was previously known only from females, is described and diagnosed here. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis.
Revue Suisse de Zoologie (0035418X) 126(2)pp. 249-256
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 are discussed. © 2019 Museum d'Histoire Naturelle de Geneve. All rights reserved.
Zootaxa (11755334) 4648(3)pp. 494-510
The taxonomy of the widespread camel spider, Rhagodes eylandti (Walter, 1889), is herein updated and revised by proposing three nominal taxa as its junior synonyms. These are based on data from males of two taxa, Rhagodes melanopygus nigricans Birula, 1905 and R. plumbescens (Walter, 1889), and a female of R. melanochaetus Heymons, 1902. Consequently, both sexes of R. eylandti are re-described and the validity of their morphological diagnostic characters is evaluated. Detailed morphological and morphometrical characters, as well as data on sexual dimorphism and intraspecific variations, are provided. The illustrations of type material are given for the first time. Moreover, a distribution map and ecological notes are presented. Copyright © 2019 Magnolia Press
Shafaie, S. ,
Mirshamsi, O. ,
Aliabadian m., M. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Marusik, Y.M. Zootaxa (11755334) 4387(2)pp. 350-364
A study of Pardosa pontica (Thorell, 1875) in Iran indicates two distinct morphospecies. A detailed comparison of these morphospecies and types of P. pontica reveals that populations from Mazandaran, Golestan and North Khorasan Provinces of Iran and Balkan Welaýaty of Turkmenistan belong to a newly described species, P. mirzakhaniae sp. n., and populations in western and easternmost Iran belong to P. pontica. Although the two morphospecies differ in colour, size and spination, no molecular differences in 16S rRNA and COI were detected. Copyright © 2018 Magnolia Press.
Subterranean Biology (17681448) 24pp. 11-25
The taxonomy of the genus Spariolenus Simon, 1880 in Iran is revisited by describing three new species: Spariolenus fathpouri sp. n. (male & female) from Pebdeh cave ecosystem (Khuzestan Province), S. mansourii sp. n. (male and female) a more widespread species discovered in the Pataveh and Nezel Caves entrances (Kohgiluye-va-Buyer Ahmad Province), and S. hormozii sp. n. (female) from the Geno Biosphere Reserve (Hormozgan Province). Notes on the current status of the explored caves are given. The recently erected species, S. khoozestanus is redescribed based on the examination of the holotype and an additional diagnosis is provided. The Iranian plateau can be considered as the hotspot diversity for this genus in the world by hosting 8 out of 13 known species. © Majid Moradmand.
Zamani, A. ,
Mirshamsi, O. ,
Rashidi, P. ,
Marusik, Y.M. ,
Moradmand, M. ,
Bolzern, A. Arthropoda Selecta (0136006X) 25(1)pp. 99-114
The paper is the third contribution in the series devoted to spider species new to the fauna of Iran. The family Miturgidae, seven genera (Agelescape, Dictyna, Firmicus, Paracedicus, Poecilochroa, Prochora, Sidydrassus) and 30 species are recorded from Iran for the first time. The hitherto doubtful Iranian record of Benoitia lepida (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1876) (Agelenidae) is confirmed by the specimens newly collected from Khorasan-e Razavi Prov. A map of collecting localities is provided and 15 species are illustrated by digital photos. © ARTHROPODA SELECTA, 2016.
Zootaxa (11755334) 4121(2)pp. 187-193
The taxonomic knowledge on the desert-dwelling sparassid genus Cebrennus Simon, 1880 in Iran is updated by describing a new species, Cebrennus rambodjavani sp. nov. (male) from northern Qom in Iran's Central Desert, and reviewing the material of the previous Iranian record of the genus [sub C. Kochi (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)] from Bushehr, southern Iran, which is found to be a misidentification. A revised definition of the term "embolus kink", a male copulatory structure in Cebrennus, is given. A comparative discussion of this structure between several representatives of the genus Cebrennus is included. Copyright © 2016 Magnolia Press.
Zoology in the Middle East (09397140) 61(1)pp. 76-80
Two species of the spider genus Olios are recorded for the first time from the Middle East, namely O. sericeus (Kroneberg, 1875) from Afghanistan and Iran, and O. iranii (Pocock, 1901) from Iraq. Previously recorded species of Olios are shown to be mis-identifications. A comparative diagnosis is provided for these two newly recorded-species. © 2014 Taylor and Francis.
African Invertebrates (16815556) 56(2)pp. 425-443
The grass huntsman spider genus Pseudomicrommata Järvi, 1914 is revised in the Afrotropical Region, resulting in the recognition of four valid species. The type species, P. longipes (Bösenberg & Lenz, 1895) is redescribed and recorded from Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. Pseudomicrommata vittigera (Simon, 1897) stat. rev. (from South Africa and Namibia) is revalidated and its male described here for the first time. Two new species are described: P. mary sp. n. (male and female) from Guinea and Ivory Coast, and P. schoemanae sp. n. (female) from Cameroon. © FUNPEC-RP.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (10959513) 74(1)pp. 48-65
The phylogeny of the spider family Sparassidae is comprehensively investigated using four molecular markers (mitochondrial COI and 16S; nuclear H3 and 28S). Sparassidae was recovered as monophyletic and as most basal group within the RTA-clade. The higher-level clade Dionycha was not but monophyly of RTA-clade was supported. No affiliation of Sparassidae to other members of the 'Laterigradae' (Philodromidae, Selenopidae and Thomisidae) was observed, and the crab-like posture of this group assumed a result of convergent evolution. Only Philodromidae and Selenopidae were found members of a supported clade, but together with Salticidae and Corinnidae, while Thomisidae was nested within the higher Lycosoidea. Within Sparassidae monophyly of the subfamilies Heteropodinae sensu stricto, Palystinae and Deleninae was recovered. Sparianthinae was supported as the most basal clade within Sparassidae. Sparassinae and the genus Olios were found each to be polyphyletic. Eusparassinae was not recovered monophyletic, with the two original genera Eusparassus and Pseudomicrommata in separate clades and only the latter clustered with most other assumed Eusparassinae, here termed the "African clade". Further focus was on the monophyletic genus Eusparassus and its proposed species groups, of which the dufouri-, walckenaeri- and doriae-group were confirmed as monophyletic with the two latter groups more closely related. According to molecular clock analyses, the divergence time of Sparassidae and Eusparassus was estimated with 186 and 70 million years ago respectively. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.
Zootaxa (11755334) 3675(1)pp. 1-108
An overview on the systematics of the stone huntsman spider genus Eusparassus Simon, 1903 and an identification key to the known species are presented. Six species-groups are proposed: the walckenaeri group (3 species, Eastern Mediterranean to Arabia and parts of North-Eastern Africa), dufouri group (8 species, Iberian Peninsula to parts of North-western Africa), vestigator group (3 species, Central to Eastern Africa and an isolated area in India), jaegeri group (4 species, Southern and South-Eastern Africa), tuckeri group (2 species, South-Western Africa) and doriae group (7 species, Middle East to Central and South Asia). Two species, E. pontii Caporiacco, 1935 and E. xerxes (Pocock, 1901) could not be placed in any of the above groups. The species from Africa and Arabia are revised. The following ten species are re-described: Eusparassus barbarus (Lucas, 1846), E. atlanticus Simon, 1909 stat. nov., E. syrticus Simon, 1909, E. oraniensis (Lucas, 1846), E. letourneuxi (Simon, 1874), E. fritschi (Koch, 1873) stat. rev., E. walckenaeri (Audouin, 1826), E. vestigator (Simon, 1897) comb. nov., E. laevatus (Simon, 1897) comb. nov. and E. tuckeri (Lawrence, 1927) comb. nov. The latter three species are transferred from Olios Walckenaer, 1837. Seven new species are described: Eusparassus arabicus spec. nov. (male, female) from Arabian Peninsula, E. educatus spec. nov. (male, female) from Namibia, E. reverentia spec. nov. (male, female) from Burkina Faso and Nigeria, E. jaegeri spec. nov. (male, female) from South Africa and Botswana, E. jocquei spec. nov. (male, female) from Zimbabwe, E. borakalalo spec. nov. (female) from South Africa and E. schoem-anae spec. nov. (male, female) from South Africa and Namibia. Three taxa, E. dufouri maximus Strand, 1906 syn. nov., E. rufobrunneus Caporiacco, 1941 syn. nov. and Olios furcatus Lawrence, 1927 syn. nov. are proposed as junior synonyms of E. oraniensis, E. vestigator comb. nov. and E. tuckeri comb. nov. respectively. Males of E. atlanticus stat. nov. and E. fritschi stat. rev. are described for the first time as in the female of E. vestigator comb. nov. Neotypes are designated for E. barbarus, E. oraniensis and E. letourneuxi (all from Algeria). The male and female of Cercetius perezi Simon, 1902, which was known only from the immature holotype, are described here for the first time. This resulted in recognizing the monotypic and little used generic name Cercetius Simon, 1902 as a synonym of the widely used name Eusparas-sus. Nearly all the species are illustrated for the first time. Eusparassus concolor Caporiacco, 1939 is transferred to Olios and the replacement name Olios quesitio is proposed because of secondary homonymy. For the majority of the species, new geographical records are presented. The systematics and zoogeography of the currently known species and species groups are discussed. A brief note on the copulation process of E. walckenaeri is presented. Copyright © 2013 Magnolia Press.
Zoosystematics and Evolution (18600743) 88(1)pp. 63-70
The present work reports on a new collection of hermit crabs from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Five new records are presented here belonging to the family Diogenidae namely Calcinus latens (Randall, 1840), Clibanarius longitarsus (De Haan, 1849), Diogenes fasciatus Rahayu & Forest, 1995, Diogenes klaasi Rahayu & Forest, 1995, and Diogenes tirmiziae Siddiqui & McLaughlin, 2003. An updated check list of the hermit crabs known to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman is presented including an identification key to currently known genera in the North Indian Ocean. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Journal of Natural History (00222933) 46(39-40)pp. 2439-2496
The huntsman spider genus Eusparassus Simon, 1903 in Eurasia is revised to include 13 valid species. The type species is redescribed, and additional diagnostic characters are presented for the genus. Neotypes are designated for Eusparassus dufouri Simon, 1932 from Portugal, and Eusparassus walckenaeri (Audouin, 1826) from Egypt to establish their identity. Consequently, Eusparassus kronebergistat. nov. Denis, 1958 from Afghanistan and Eusparassus doriaestat. nov. (Simon, 1874) from central Iran, which were considered junior synonyms of E. walckenaeri, are re-established as valid species. Three new combinations are proposed: Eusparassus xerxes (Pocock, 1901) comb. nov. from Makran coast in Pakistan and Iran, E. maynardi (Pocock, 1901) comb. nov. from Baluchistan in Pakistan and E. pearsoni (Pocock, 1901) comb. nov. from Ghats in India (all transferred from the genus Olios Walckenaer, 1805). The latter two species are proposed as valid species and are removed from junior synonymy with E. xerxescomb. nov. Lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for: E. kronebergistat. nov., Eusparassus maynardi (Pocock, 1901) comb. nov. and Eusparassus pearsoni (Pocock, 1901) comb. nov. A new synonymy is proposed: Eusparassus nanjiangensis (Hu and Fu, 1985) as junior synonym of Eusparassus potanini (Simon, 1895) from Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region in China. One new species is described: Eusparassus mesopotamicussp. nov. (male and female) from Iraq and Iran. New geographical records are presented: Eusparassus pontii Caporiacco, 1935 and E. kronebergistat. nov. are recorded for the first time from India. Eusparassus fuscimanus Denis, 1958, Eusparassus oculatus (Kroneberg, 1846) and Eusparassus levantinus Urones, 2006 are redescribed using new material. Eusparassus lilus Strand, 1907, described from Java, is proposed as nomen dubium because the type material could not be found and no longer seems to exist. Misplaced Olios flavovittatuscomb. nov. (Caporiacco, 1935) from Karakoram is transferred from the genus Eusparassus. Almost all the species are redescribed for the first time and illustrations of male and female copulatory organs including intraspecific variations are provided using a large number of specimens. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Zootaxa (11755334) (2910)pp. 46-62
Four new species of the huntsman spider genus Spariolenus Simon, 1880 are described from Iran: S. aratta spec. nov. (female) from Jebal Barez mountains in Kerman Province, S. iranomaximus spec. nov. (male, female) from Khofash cave in Ilam Province, S. manesht spec. nov. (female) from Manesht mountain in Ilam and S. zagros spec. nov. (male, female) from Kenesht cave, Kermanshah Province. We present an extended diagnosis for the genus and information on the natural history of the new species. This is the first record of the subfamily Heteropodinae in Iran. Females of S. iranomaximus spec. nov. are larger than any spider ever found in the Middle East. All the species occurred in caves and rock crevices of the Zagros mountain range in Iran. According to the geographical distribution of currently known Spariolenus species, palaeontology perspectives and geological history of the area an evolutionary scenario of speciation associated with Zagros orogeny is proposed. Copyright © 2011.
Zoology in the Middle East (09397140) 42(1)pp. 112-114