A Study On The Spider Fauna Of Dargaz And Kalat Counties In Razavi Khorasan Province

A Study on the Spider Fauna of Dargaz and Kalat Counties in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran (Arachnida: Araneae)

Authors: Hussein SADEGHI1, Malihe AHMADI2, Alireza ZAMANI3, Isa JABALEH2

1-Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

2-Higher education Institute of Jihad-e Daneshgahi, Kashmar Branch.

3- Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology and Centre of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms in Iran, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Corresponding author's email: [anonimizat]

Running title: Spider Fauna of Dargaz and Kalat Counties, Iran

A Study on the Spider Fauna of Dargaz and Kalat Counties in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran (Arachnida: Araneae)

Abstract: In a survey investigating the spider fauna of Dargaz and Kalat counties in Razavi Khorasan Province of Iran, 13 families and 21 species were recognized, of which three are new to Iran: Minosia simeonica Levy, 1995, Nomisia negebensis Levy, 1995 and Thanatus atratus Simon, 1875. Also, genus Minosia Dalmas, 1921 is recorded for the first time in Iran. Data on collection localities and distribution of each species, as well as diagnostic morphological characters and figures for the newly recorded ones are provided.

Key words: New records, Thanatus, Minosia, Nomisia, Iran.

Introduction

Spiders (Araneae), with over 45000 recognized species in world (World Spider Catalog 2015). Reviewing the literature, Zamani et al. (2015) gave a checklist of spiders of Iran with about 540 species. Considering the geographic position of the country as a land bridge joining the Palaearctic, Afrotropical and Oriental zones, and its diverse climate conditions and the known spider fauna of adjacent countries, it seems that this number must be much higher than known at present. Recently, more small faunistic studies have been organized (Marusik et al. 2014; Zamani 2014; Sadeghi et al. 2014; Zamani et al. 2014; Mirshamsi et al. 2015; Zamani et al. in press). However, still many parts of the country have not been explored in terms of taxonomic and large scale faunistic surveys. The present study aimed to investigate the spider fauna of Dargaz and Kalat regions in bordering areas of Iran and Turkmenistan, where no similar studies have been carried out so far.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted during seasonal growth of 2014, from early July to late October. Specimens were collected mainly inside and surroundings of different agroecosystems. The study areas, Dargaz and Kalat are located in Northeastern Iran, in the bordering areas of Iran and Turkmenistan (Figures 1, 2, 3). A variety of collection methods including hand collecting, pitfall trapping and sweeping were used. Specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol and transferred to the laboratory. Digital images were captured using a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III camera, which was attached to a Nikon SMZ-1000 stereomicroscope.

Identification of most specimens was made according to Almquist (2006), Levy (1995), Le Peru (2011), Logunov (1996), Nentwig et al. (2015), Prószyn'ski (2003). Global and local distribution data are given according to World Spider Catalog (2015) and Zamani et al. (2015), respectively. Studied specimens were deposited at the Jalal Afshar Zoological Museum of University of Tehran (JAZM).

Results

A total number of 431 spider specimens were collected, from which only 99 adult specimens were identifiable to the species level. Overall, 13 families and 21 species were recorded and identified:

Family Araneidae Clerck, 1757

Genus Argiope Audouin, 1826

Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA95), Salamanshahr (36°41′40.92″N, 51°11′43.80″E), 16.8.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Chahar Mahal & Bakhtiary, Eastern or Western Azarbayjan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Razavi Khorasan, Zanjan.

Global distribution: Palaearctic.

Family Corinnidae Karsch, 1880

Genus Castianeira Keyserling, 1879

Castianeira arnoldii Charitonov, 1946

Material examined: 3 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA20), Ghazan Beig (37°15´52.67"N, 59°18´21.04"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi); 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA103), Seyyed Abad (37°26´35.55"N, 59°08´06.47"E), 1.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi); 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA15), Ghazan Beig (37°15´52.67"N, 59°18´21.04"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Golestan, Razavi Khorasan (new provincial record).

Global distribution: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran.

Family Gnaphosidae Pocock, 1898

Genus Gnaphosa Latreille, 1804

Gnaphosa leporina (C. L. Koch, 1866)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA11), Ghazan Beig (37°15´52.67"N, 59°18´21.04"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan.

Global distribution: West Palaearctic.

Genus Minosia Dalmas, 1921

Minosia simeonica Levy, 1995 (Figs. 4b, 5a, 5b)

Material examined: 2 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA64), Nokhandan (37°1´16.85"N, 58°59´2.38"E), 12.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Diagnosis: Males are similar to Minosia spinosissima (Simon 1878), from which they can be separated by the form of the tibial apophysis, which winds slightly beyond cymbium, and by the embolus, which is widened at the distal end. Females are easily distinguishable from all other species of the genus by the wrinkled median septum and the small depression along the epigastric furrow of the epigynum (Levy 1995).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan (new country record).

Global distribution: Israel, Iran (new record).

Genus Nomisia Dalmas, 1921

Nomisia negebensis Levy, 1995 (Figs. 4a, 5c, 5d)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA70), Nokhandan (37°1´16.85"N, 58°59´2.38"E), 12.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi); 2 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA40), Gol Khandan (37°29´40.83"N, 59°09´32.29"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi); 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA 24), Ghazan Beig (37°15´52.67"N, 59°18´21.04"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Diagnosis: Males of this species are similar to Nomisia excerpta (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872), from which they can be distinguished by the form of sclerites and tibial apophysis. Females are similar to N. castanea Dalmas, 1921, but can be diagnosed by the shape of the rims bordering the central depression of the epigynum (Levy 1995).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan, Iran (new country record).

Global distribution: Turkey, Israel, Iran (new record).

Family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833

Genus Hogna Simon, 1885

Hogna radiata (Latreille, 1817)

Material examined: 2 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA135), Tivan (37°25´27.72"N, 58°34´30.92"E), 2.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Fars, Golestan, Mazandaran, Razavi Khorasan, Tehran.

Global distribution: Central Europe to Central Asia, Central Africa.

Genus Lycosa Latreille, 1804

Lycosa singoriensis (Laxmann, 1770)

Material examined: 1 ♂ (JAZM-IR93-MA136), Seyyed Abad (37°26´35.55"N, 59°08´06.47"E), 1.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Eastern Azarbayjan, Mazandaran, Semnan, Razavi Khorasan (new provincial record).

Global distribution: West and Central Palaearctic.

Genus Pardosa C.L. Koch, 1847

Pardosa morosa (C. L. Koch, 1870)

Material examined: 4 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA145), Tandoreh (37°24´02.02"N, 58°54´04.75"E), 9.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan.

Global distribution: Europe to Central Asia.

Genus Trochosa C. L. Koch, 1847

Trochosa hispanica Simon, 1870

Material examined: 1 ♂ 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA22), Ghazan Beig (37°15´52.67"N, 59°18´21.04"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan.

Global distribution: Mediterranean to Central Asia.

Trochosa terricola Thorell, 1856

Material examined: 1 ♂ (JAZM-IR93-MA115), Laeen (37°08´17.93"N, 59°30´14.59"E), 5.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi); 1 ♂ (JAZM-IR93-MA26), Ghazan Beig (37°15´52.67"N, 59°18´21.04"E) (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Kerman, Razavi Khorasan (new provincial record).

Global distribution: Holarctic.

Family Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862

Genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846

Oecobius nadiae (Spassky, 1936)

Material examined: 1 ♂ (JAZM-IR93-MA6), Sangbar (37°25´53.69"N, 59°0´37.78"E), 12.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan.

Global distribution: Central Asia, China, Iran.

Genus Uroctea Dufour, 1820

Uroctea limbata (C. L. Koch, 1843)

Material examined: 2 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA63), Nokhandan (37°1´16.85"N, 58°59´2.38"E), 12.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan.

Global distribution: West Palaearctic.

Family Philodromidae Thorell, 1870

Genus Thanatus C.L. Koch, 1837

Thanatus atratus Simon, 1875 (Figs. 4c, 5e)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA101), Seyyed Abad (37°26´35.55"N, 59°08´06.47"E), 1.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi); 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA143), Golriz (37°28´12.44"N, 59°08´11.99"E), 1.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Diagnosis: This species is closely related to Thanatus vulgaris Simon, 1870. Males can be separated by the shape and size of the tegular apophysis and by the shape of the embolus. Females are distinguished by having narrower and not depressed central division of epigyne, and by the shape of the bursa copulatrix (Logunov 1996).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan (new country record).

Global distribution: Palaearctic.

Family Pholcidae C. L. Koch, 1850

Genus Artema Walckenaer, 1837

Artema transcaspica Spassky, 1934

Material examined: 1 ♂ (JAZM-IR93-MA38), Dargaz (37°26´42.62"N, 59°06´29.52"E), 12.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Semnan, Razavi Khorasan (new provincial record).

Global distribution: Central Asia, Iran.

Family Salticidae Blackwall, 1841

Genus Phlegra Simon, 1876

Phlegra fasciata (Hahn, 1826)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA62), Shamsi Khan (37°16´06.44"N, 59°20´05.18"E), 5.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Golestan, Mazandaran, Razavi Khorasan (new provincial record).

Global distribution: Palaearctic.

Genus Plexippus C. L. Koch, 1846

Plexippus devorans (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872)

Material examined: 1 ♂ (JAZM-IR93-MA41), Golkhandan (37°29´40.83"N, 59°09´32.29"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Golestan, Kerman, Tehran, Razavi Khorasan (new provincial record).

Global distribution: Greece to Central Asia.

Family Sicariidae Keyserling, 1880

Genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832

Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA104), Dargaz (37°26´2.62″N, 59°06´29.5"E), 10.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Fars, Hormozgan, Razavi Khorasan, Tehran.

Global distribution: Cosmopolitan.

Family Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872

Genus Olios Walckenaer, 1872

Olios sericeus (Kroneberg, 1875)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA125), Kalat (36°59´30.34"N, 59°46´58.72"E), 3.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi); 2 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA146), Tandoreh (37°24´02.02"N, 58°54´04.75"E), 9.9.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Isfahan, Razavi Khorasan, Tehran.

Global distribution: Caucasus, Central Asia, Iran.

Family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833

Genus Steatoda Sundevall, 1833

Steatoda paykulliana (Walckenaer, 1805)

Material examined: 4 ♀♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA14), Ghazan Beig (37°15´52.7"N, 59°18´21.04"E), 1.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Ardebil, Fars, Golestan, Mazandaran, Razavi Khorasan, Semnan, Tehran.

Global distribution: Europe, Mediterranean to Central Asia.

Family Titanoecidae Lehtinen, 1967

Genus Nurscia Simon, 1874

Nurscia albomaculata (Lucas, 1846)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA139), Kor Cheshmeh (37°27´48.17"N, 59°07´08.07"E), 31.8.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Razavi Khorasan, Tehran.

Global distribution: Europe, Egypt to Central Asia.

Family Zodariidae Thorell, 1881

Genus Parazodarion Ovtchinnikov, Ahmad & Gurko, 2009

Parazodarion raddei (Simon, 1889)

Material examined: 1 ♀ (JAZM-IR93-MA7), Sangbar (37°25´53.69"N, 59°0´37.78"E), 12.10.2014 (M. Ahmadi).

Distribution in Iran: Qom, Razavi Khorasan, Western Azarbayjan, Yazd.

Global distribution: Iran, Tajikistan, Pakistan

Discussion

Recent studies have shown that the spider fauna of Iran is far from being completely known, as there has been much information accumulated during the recent years. This argument is supported when Iran is compared with its neighboring countries that are located in similar geographic areas. For example, spider fauna of Azerbaijan, which its area is much smaller than that of Iran (86,600 km2 vs. 1,648,195 km2) is comprised of 714 species (Otto 2014).

Although the results of this study added one new genus and three new species to the Iranian fauna and nine species to the fauna of the province, the total number of spider species presented here was less than it was expected. As an explanation, more than half of the collected specimens were immature. Because of the difficulty of identifying juveniles, only adults were identified, thus a lot of specimens were left unidentified. The problem of determination of immature stages of spiders indicates a great need of applying other methods of taxonomy, especially exploring the molecular techniques. Also, the present study was performed during a seasonal growth inside and surroundings of agroecosystems, so the results can not represent a complete list of spider fauna of the study areas. A collection schedule that includes a range of day and night-time hours, as well as seasons and even microhabitats would contribute to a more accurate picture of spider diversity of the study areas and the country.

Acknowledgments

The supports provided by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Higher Education Institute of Jihad-e Daneshgahi, Kashmar Branch are acknowledged. Also, the authors wish to extend their sincere gratitude towards Dr. Yuri M. Marusik and Dr. Anton Nadolny for their invaluable comments on some of the specimens. The third author is thankful toward the National Museum of Natural History and Genetic Resources for providing him with research supplements.

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Figure Captions:

Fig. 1 Map of Iran, showing the collecting sites (Dargaz and Kalat counties) in northeastern part.

Fig. 2 A view of Zo-e derongar, a sampling site in 55 km west of Dargaz.

Fig. 3 A view of Tiwan, a sampling site in 90 km southwest of Dargaz

Fig. 4 Habitus of the three newly recorded species, dorsal view. A: Nomisia negebensis Levy, 1995 B: Minosia simeonica Levy, 1995 C: Thanatus atratus Simon, 1875.

Fig. 5 Ventral view of epigyne (A, C, E) and dorsal view of vulvae (B, D) of the three newly recorded species. A, B: Minosia simeonica Levy, 1995 C, D: Nomisia negebensis Levy, 1995 E: Thanatus atratus Simon, 1875.

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