Distributional Notes on Three Wolf Spider Species (Araneae: Lycosidae) Recorded for the First Time in Diyala Province, Iraq

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  Distributional Notes on Three Wolf Spider Species (Araneae: Lycosidae) Recorded for the First Time in Diyala Province, Iraq Abstract This study presents new distributional data for three wolf spider species (Araneae: Lycosidae) from Diyala Province in eastern Iraq. Specimens were gathered from different districts and habitats between July 2025 and June 2026. The species Arctosa tbilisiensis Mcheidze, 1946, Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876, and Wadicosa fidelis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) are recorded for the first time in Diyala, extending their known ranges within Iraq. The paper describes key diagnostic morphological features and includes information about the examined specimens and their local distributions. These findings improve knowledge of the distribution of Iraqi Lycosidae and reveal that Diyala Province, despite its habitat variety, remains insufficiently studied. The records serve as a valuable baseline for future taxonomic, faunistic, and ecological research on spiders i...

Taxonomic and Faunistic Contributions to the Spider Fauna of Iraq (Araneae)

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Taxonomic and Faunistic Contributions to the Spider Fauna of Iraq (Araneae)

Abstract

 This study provides taxonomic and faunistic contributions to the knowledge of the spider fauna of Iraq (Araneae). It documents new occurrence data for several species and expands their known distribution within the country. Enoplognatha macrochelis Levy & Amitai, 1981 (Theridiidae) is recorded from southern Iraq for the first time. Additionally, Hersiliola babylonica Zamani & Marusik, 2022 (Hersiliidae), Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (Lycosidae), Uroctea thaleri Rheims, Santos & van Harten, 2007 (Oecobiidae), and Latrodectus dahli Levi, 1959 (Theridiidae) are documented from Nineveh Province, providing updated distributional data for these species in Iraq. The study includes detailed photographic documentation of the examined specimens, including illustrations photographs of the copulatory organs of all recorded species, supporting accurate identification and facilitating future comparative studies.


Abd Alameer, R., Hussny, H. A., & Al-Khazali, A. M. (2026). Taxonomic and faunistic contributions to the spider fauna of Iraq (Araneae). Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2026.19.1.0275