Additions to the spider fauna (Araneae) of Algeria: first records of five species from the northern Sahara

Dekkoumi, Badreddine; Alioua, Youcef; Meddour, Salim

doi:10.48311/jibs.12.01.109

Additions to the spider fauna (Araneae) of Algeria: first records of five species from the northern Sahara

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Badreddine Dekkoumi ¹

Youcef Alioua ²

Salim Meddour ²

¹ Mathematics and Applied Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Ghardaïa, BP 455, 47000 Ghardaïa, Algeria

² Laboratoire de Valorisation et Conservation des Ecosystèmes Arides (LVCEA). Faculty of Natural, Life and Earth Sciences, University of Ghardaïa, BP 455, 47000 Ghardaïa, Algeria

10.48311/jibs.12.01.109

Abstract

The spider fauna of the Algerian Sahara remains poorly studied despite its vast arid landscapes and unique ecological conditions. In this study, we report five spider species newly recorded from Algeria, based on material collected in the region of El Meghaier, northern Sahara. These are Rhysodromus lepidus (Blackwall, 1870) (Philodromidae), Pellenes hedjazensis Prószyński, 1993 (Salticidae), Theridion jordanense Levy & Amitai, 1982 (Theridiidae), Ozyptila furcula (Koch, 1882), and Thomisus zyuzini Marusik & Logunov, 1990 (both Thomisidae). Additionally, O. furcula, P. hedjazensis and T. zyuzini are recorded from Africa for the first time, and the genus Rhysodromus Schick, 1965, is newly reported from Algeria. Photographs of the habitus and copulatory organs are provided, along with a distribution map illustrating both known and newly recorded occurrences, and notes on the ecological conditions of the collection sites.

Graphical Abstract

Additions to the spider fauna (Araneae) of Algeria: first records of five species from the northern Sahara

Keywords

Agroecosystem

Arid land

El Meghaier

Philodromidae

Salticidae

Theridiidae

Thomisidae

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