The pholcid spiders of Tunisia (Araneae: Pholcidae): new species, new records, and deep COI divergence in Holocnemus reini

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  The pholcid spiders of Tunisia (Araneae: Pholcidae): new species, new records, and deep COI divergence in Holocnemus reini Abstract Tunisia features a rapid transition between Mediterranean and Saharan biogeographical zones, resulting in a high degree of environmental heterogeneity. Despite this ecological diversity, Tunisian spiders have received limited attention compared to those of neighboring Maghreb countries. Here we combine the results of recent collections in Tunisia focusing on Pholcidae with a comprehensive review of previously published information, resulting in a total of six genera and eleven species. We present first records of the genera Micropholcus Deeleman-Reinhold & Prinsen, 1987 and Spermophorides Wunderlich, 1992 for Tunisia, represented by four new species: M. kahinae Huber sp. nov., M. echebbii Huber sp. nov., S. nabilae Huber & Kmira sp. nov., S. bchirae Huber sp. nov.; in addition, we redescribe S. huberti (Senglet, 1973) from Tunisian specimens,...

First record of a crab spider Xysticus crispabilis Song & Gao, 1996 (Araneae: Thomisidae) from Japan with the first description of a female

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First record of a crab spider Xysticus crispabilis Song & Gao, 1996 (Araneae: Thomisidae) from Japan with the first description of a female

ABSTRACT

A crab spider species, Xysticus crispabilis Song & Gao, 1996 (Araneae: Thomisidae), originally described from Anhui, China based on a single male specimen, is newly recorded from Japan. This study represents the second specimen-based record of the species since its original description. Detailed redescriptions of genital morphology, coloration and markings of the male are provided based on fresh material. The previously unknown female is described for the first time. In addition, genital images of the holotype, DNA barcoding data, preliminary molecular phylogeny, and ecological notes are presented.
Suzuki, Y., & Lin, Y. (2026). First record of a crab spider Xysticus crispabilis Song & Gao, 1996 (Araneae: Thomisidae) from Japan with the first description of a female. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2026.03.005