DNA barcoding of scorpions from Kosovo, with the first record of Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)

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  DNA barcoding of scorpions from Kosovo, with the first record of Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) ABSTRACT This study presents DNA barcoding data for Alpiscorpius dinaricus (Di Caporiacco) and Euscorpius hadzii Caporiacco. Barcode sequences were compared with publicly available reference data to support species identification, together with the evaluation of diagnostic morphological characters. Alpiscorpius dinaricus is recorded from Kosovo for the first time, representing a new national record and contributing to the knowledge of euscorpiid diversity in the region. Diagnostic illustrations of A. dinaricus are provided to facilitate reliable identification and to support future faunistic, taxonomic, and biogeographic studies. Euscorpius hadzii , previously known only from Prizren district, is now reported also from Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains (Western Kosovo). Geci, D., Ibrahimi, H., Bilalli, A., Musliu, M., Strohmeier, T., Koblmüller, S., … S...

An integrative study of a new species of Melloina Brignoli: an additional support for Melloinidae new family (Araneae: Mygalomorphae)

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An integrative study of a new species of Melloina Brignoli: an additional support for Melloinidae new family (Araneae: Mygalomorphae)

ABSTRACT

Melloina is a genus that has long occupied an unstable taxonomic position, fluctuating between the families Paratropididae and Theraphosidae. The most recent proposal, in 2020, placed it within Theraphosidae. Alternatively, the phylogenetic relationships among Paratropididae and Theraphosidae have been controversial and subject to revision over time. Early studies suggested Paratropididae as the sister group of Theraphosidae, but recent molecular analyses have revealed that Barychelidae is more closely related to Theraphosidae than Paratropididae (Paratropis). In this study, we describe a new species, Melloina condesa sp. n., based on a morphological and multilocus approach. Phylogenetic results, using a total evidence framework, recovered Melloina as an independent lineage more closely related to Theraphosidae and Barychelidae. Based on these findings and on the comparison of diagnostic characters among the taxa under discussion, we propose a new family, Melloinidae, to include all species of Melloina.

Perafán, C., Montes de Oca, L., & Pérez-Miles, F. (2025). An integrative study of a new species of Melloina Brignoli: an additional support for Melloinidae new family (Araneae: Mygalomorphae). Journal of Natural History, 59(37–40), 2337–2353. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2555445