On a new genus of dwarf tarantulas (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) endemic from Peru: evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny, with description of three new species

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  On a new genus of dwarf tarantulas ( Araneae : Mygalomorphae : Theraphosidae ) endemic from Peru: evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny, with description of three new species Abstract Recent field campaigns conducted in Peru along with the examination of museum specimens allowed us to identify small tarantulas that do not fit with any known Theraphosidae genera. Morphology and additional molecular evidence from the mitochondrial gene COI led us to propose Kiskalla gen. nov . from southern Peru, at Puno region. Three new species of Kiskalla gen. nov . ( K. ignacioi sp. nov ., K. yeisoni sp. nov . and K. zukuapasanka sp. nov .) are herein described, diagnosed and illustrated. Kiskalla gen. nov . differs from the known Theraphosinae genera in the presence of lateral stripes on the abdomen and a small dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch of type III urticating setae, presence of a large number of spines on all legs, short and stout setae on the dorsal metatarsi encirc...

Taxonomy of Linyphiidae (Arthropoda, Araneae) in Théniet El Had National Park with new records for Algeria

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Taxonomy of Linyphiidae (Arthropoda, Araneae) in Théniet El Had National Park with new records for Algeria

Background

Cedrus atlantica, a species of coniferous tree in the Pinaceae family, is endemic to Algeria and Morocco. It originated in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, hence the name Atlas Cedar. Cedar forests are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Yet despite their importance as a rich reservoir of fauna, very few faunistic studies have been carried out in Algeria in this type of ecosystem, particularly for the Araneae. Théniet El Had National Park (34.25 km2) is a unique national park in the western part of Algeria with centuries-old cedars. The present work is the first of its kind, consisting of establishing a preliminary list of Lyniphiidae in this typical ecosystem.

New information

A preliminary checklist of Linyphiidae of the National Park is provided, following a sampling period between January and December 2019. A total of 24 species were collected belonging to 15 genera of which Pelecopsis is the richest genus with six species. Pelecopsis oujda Bosmans & Abrous, 1992 and Walckenaeria heimbergi Bosmans, 2007, only known from Morocco so far, were collected for the first time in Algeria. Their distribution area is, thus, more extensive than present.


Saadi A, Bakhouche B, Djemadi I, Beladjal L, Kherbouche-Abrous O (2024) Taxonomy of Linyphiidae (Arthropoda, Araneae) in Théniet El Had National Park with new records for Algeria. Biodiversity Data Journal 12: e125331. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e125331