First catalog of spiders of Egypt (Araneae)

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  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...

Possible estimate of litter size in palaeoburmesebuthid scorpions from Early Cretaceous Burmite (Chelicerata: Scorpiones)

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Possible estimate of litter size in palaeoburmesebuthid scorpions from Early Cretaceous Burmite (Chelicerata: Scorpiones)

Abstract 

In previous studies concerning litter size in extant buthoid species of scorpions it was suggested that a number of factors could directly be associated with litter size variation. Litter size should be directly proportional to the size of adult females but inversely proportional to the size of the embryos and pro-juveniles. The large body size of pro-juveniles at birth should be directly associated with a more complete embryonic development, leading to post-embryonic developments including smaller numbers of instars but with higher values ​​for the morphometric growths. For fossil scorpions and in particular those from Early Cretaceous nothing could be presumed until now. An original observation of pro-juvenile aggregation for Betaburmesebuthus suggests that for micro-buthoid fossil scorpions litter size was extremely reduced but composed of large embryos and pro-juveniles. 

Lourenço WR & Velten J., 2024. – Possible estimation of litter size in palaeoburmesebuthid scorpions from Early Cretaceous Burmite (Chelicerata: Scorpiones). Faunitaxys , 12(49): 1 – 4. 

https://hal.science/hal-04719088 - https://zoobank.org/5F279A52-DBD0-48CC-8BF4-F32BCF868CD6