Less is more: eight new synonyms in Mediterranean spiders (Araneae), with a new Pelecopsis species from Tunisia (Linyphiidae)

Abstract

At present 49089 species of spider are known (WSC 2021), and nearly every day new species are described. Species described in previous centuries often remain unstudied. Redescriptions of such taxons are necessary and ultimately increase the knowledge of the arachnofauna. If synonyms are discovered this leads to fewer valid species, but, in this case: less is more.In the early days of spider systematics, the number of described genera was very limited and authors, all to the best of their knowledge, described species in large genera, such as Araneus, Clubiona, Drassus (= Drassodes), Erigone, Linyphia, Melanophora (= Zelotes), etc. The definitions and limitations of these genera have changed and improved considerably nowadays. During revisions it is difficult to assess these older species because many of them were never illustrated. The logical thing to do is to examine the type material, if avail able. Here, species from the Mediterranean region described by Caporiacco (1928), Denis (1951, Karsch (1881), Lucas (1846), Pavesi (1880, 1884) and Simon (1909) are reconsidered. Fortunately, type material from almost all of them was available for study. An examination of the material and original descriptions led to several new synonyms and overall fewer valid species in the region, but also increased our knowledge of the remaining species. Materials and methodsSpecies were examined using a Nikon SMZ1270 stereo microscope. Details of male palps and female epigynes were studied with an Olympus CH-2 microscope with a drawing tube. Photographs were taken with a Moticam 5MP camera attached to a Realux stereoscopic microscope.Structures of the left palpus are depicted. All morphological measurements are given in millimetres. Somatic morphology measurements were taken using a scale reticule in the eyepiece of the stereo microscope. Measurements of the legs are taken from the dorsal side.Male palps were detached and transferred to glycerol for examination under the microscope. Female genitalia were excised using sharpened needles and then transferred to clove oil for examination under the microscope. Later, palps and epigynes were returned to 70% ethanol.

Survey of the Moroccan arachnids (Araneae, Scorpiones & Solifugae) in the collections of the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgaria

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