First catalog of spiders of Egypt (Araneae)

Posted by
  First catalog of spiders of Egypt (Araneae) Abstract This study provides a comprehensive catalog of the spider fauna of Egypt, comprising 389 species assigned to 197 genera and 40 families. For each species, all published locality records are compiled and accompanied by complete bibliographic references. The dataset has been carefully reviewed and critically evaluated in light of the most recent taxonomic and faunistic information. Among the recorded species, 55 (14.13%) are currently known only from Egypt and are thus considered endemic. Based on the World Spider Catalog (2026), 28 species are treated as nomina dubia, 23 species lack confirmed records from Egypt, which is not correct, 10 have to be omitted from the Egyptian list and 8 are species inquirenda. Despite the relatively high number of documented species, the Egyptian araneofauna remains insufficiently explored. Given the country’s ecological diversity and biogeographical position, further research is expected to signi...

Sexual Size Dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia

Posted by

 


Sexual Size Dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia

Abstract

Scorpions are known to exhibit sexual size dimorphism, but data is still lacking from a large number of species throughout the world. Such information is nonetheless essential for a better understanding of the factors and processes shaping scorpion morphology. In this work, we investigated sexual size dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus, a common scorpion species in Tunisia. Using morphometric data on a sample of 100 females and 142 males, we assessed sexual differences in body parts and investigated allometric relationships. Results showed significant sexual size dimorphism in weapon systems, namely the metasoma and chelae. More specifically, there was male-biased dimorphism in metasoma size but female-biased dimorphism in chela size. Increased body size was associated with an exaggerated increase in metasoma size in males and chela size in females. These patterns are in agreement with those previously reported in other scorpion species and highlight the roles of sexual differences in mating behavior and ecological requirements in shaping the morphology of weapon systems in scorpions.

Sarra Hajri, Babay, J., Selmi, S. et al. Sexual Size Dimorphism in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia. Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359024607730