Two new cave-dwelling spider species from the Moroccan High Atlas (Araneae: Liocranidae, Theridiidae)

Abstract

The araneofauna of Morocco is still only very partially known; this is all the more so with respect to cave spiders. The present work illustrates this and provides the description of two new species for science. Currently, the genus Agraecina includes seven species: A.

First description of the male of Agraecina agadirensis (Araneae: Liocranidae), an eyeless spider from the Moroccan High Atlas

“…During recent surveys (April 2021), a single male was captured from the locus typicus in the Morrocan High Atlas, where we also observed a larger number of females and juveniles in late 2019 (Lecigne et al 2020). The two-part cave system is known as Imi Ougoug.…”

“…Distribution and habitat. Only known from the type locality (Tizgui, Morocco) (see Lecigne et al 2020).…”

“…A large number of specialized (troglobiont) spider species inhabit caves, the majority of them restricted to a single cave system or small areas in mountainous regions (Mammola & Isaia 2017). The eyeless Agraecina agadirensis was recently discovered (Lecigne et al 2020) from one cave in the mountains of the Moroccan High Atlas, albeit without a male being observed at that time. Several further surveys yielded the discovery of a single male.…”

Contribution to the knowledge of the spider fauna of Morocco (Arachnida: Araneae) – First note – On new records of cave spiders

“…The ecology of the new species remains poorly known but, even if it does not show any adaptation to subterranean life (features which are not systematic for all troglobiont species), all the specimens were collected very close to the siphon (see the map of Imi Ougoug cave system, Lecigne et al 2020, fig. 3), which is far inside the cave.…”

Two new sympatric cave species of Castellanethes (Isopoda, Oniscidea, Olibrinidae) from Western High Atlas of Morocco

“…Caves of the Tamri-Tamraght Basin in the Western High Atlas, were subject to several investigations for years in term of biodiversity studies. Therefore, several species from other groups have been described; the linyphiid spider Lessertia barbara (Simon, 1884), the dysderid spider Dysdera drescoi Ribera, 1983, the liocranid spider Agraecina agadirensis Lecigne, Lips, Moutaouakil & Oger, 2020, the pholcid spider Maghreba kahfa Huber, 2022, the carabid beetles Antoinella fadriquei Mateu &Escolà, 2006 andSiagona taggadertensis Juger &Faille, 2011, the staphylinid beetles Domene cantonsi Espanol, 1972 and Apteranillus bichaini Perreau & Faille, 2012 and the paradoxosomatid millipede Jeekelosoma heptarachne Enghoff & Reboleira, 2019. However, no cave-dwelling isopod has been described to date from this region.…”