Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

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  Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from southern Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae) Abstract A new scorpion species, Cicileus derradji sp. nov., is described from Tin Zaouatine District, In Guezzam Province, southern Algeria. The description is based on an adult male holotype, an adult female paratype and a juvenile specimen, and is supported by detailed morphological analyses, including colouration, morphometrics, carination patterns and trichobothrial arrangement. This discovery extends the known distribution of the genus Cicileus approximately 500 km southwestward within Algeria. With the addition of this species, the number of recognised species in the genus increases to six. The new species is compared with all previously known species of Cicileus , and detailed colour photographs, including images taken under ultraviolet illumination, are provided. Derradj, L., Aydın Yağmur, E., Benali, N., & Bikada, M. (2026). Cicileus derradji sp. nov., a new species from south...

A new species of the trapdoor spider genus Titanidiops Simon (Araneae: Idiopidae) from western Maharashtra, India

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A new species of the trapdoor spider genus Titanidiops Simon (Araneae: Idiopidae) from western Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

A new species, Titanidiops kolhapurensis sp. n., is described on the basis of six adult female and three adult male specimens collected from the outskirts of Kolhapur City, western Maharashtra, India. Specimens of both sexes are described in detail and they are distinguished from all other known peninsular Indian congeners of Titanidiops and Idiops in several non-overlapping morphological characters. Notes on natural history, and on intraspecific variation of genital characters, as well as measurements and meristic data of the new species are provided. Additionally, we present preliminary observations on occurrence of the new species and other sympatric habitat specialist taxa in natural and altered/modified habitats from the type locality and nearby localities. We emphasise the urgent need to halt further alteration or modification of the natural habitat of T. kolhapurensis sp. n. and to implement habitat restoration measures to safeguard the new species and other habitat specialists from the imminent risk of local extinction.

Gangalmale, S., Thackeray, T., Khandekar, A., & Gaikwad, S. M. (2026). A new species of the trapdoor spider genus Titanidiops Simon (Araneae: Idiopidae) from western Maharashtra, India. Journal of Natural History, 60(5–8), 399–419. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2603654