Search

The following items are included: A alignment comprised of ultra-conserved elements (UCEs), with subsets inferred for this alignment using the SWSC-EN algorithm in PartitionUCE (Tagliacollo & Lanfear 2018) and these subsets used as input for partitioning with ModelFinder (Kalyaanamorthy et al. 2017) in IQ-Tree v. 2.1.2 (Chernomor et al. 2016; Minh et al. 2020). The .txt file specifying these subsets for partitioned maximum-likelihood phylogenetic inference in IQ-Tree. Maximum-likelihood phylogram inferred from this alignment using IQ-Tree, using the subsets inferred with PartitionUCE as input and a partitioning scheme inferred with ModelFinder in IQ-Tree v. 2.1.2. Output by IQ-Tree including SH-aLRT values for the inferred phylogram. Output from ExaBayes, including output for all continuous parameters. Partitioning scheme for input into ExaBayes v. 1.5.1 (Aberer et al., 2014), inferred in IQ-Tree using ModelFinder as above. Bayesian phylogram inferred in ExaBayes inferred using the above partitioning scheme, with GTR+G imposed across all partitions.

Mogrus larisae Logunov, 1995 Mogrus larisae Logunov 1995: 596, figs 1-4, 7, 18-30 (♂♀). Material examined. 1 ♀ (ZMUI 35142), IRAN: Isfahan Province: Natanz county, Matin Abad, 33.75277��N, 51.9925��E, Jun. 2016 (leg. A. Sadeghi). Distribution. This species has been recorded from eastern Europe (Ukraine) and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan) and herein recorded in the gap in the Middle East (Iran) for the first time, which represents the southernmost record in the whole range (WSC 2020)., Published as part of Zamani, Alireza, Hosseini, Marzieh Sadat & Moradmand, Majid, 2020, New data on jumping spiders of Iran, with a new species of Salticus (Araneae: Salticidae), pp. 63-66 in Arachnology Letters 59 on page 63, DOI: 10.30963/aramit5908, http://zenodo.org/record/3754507, {"references":["Logunov DV 1995 The genus Mogrus (Araneae: Salticidae) of Central Asia. - European Journal of Entomology 92: 589 - 604","WSC 2020 World Spider Catalog. Version 21.0. Natural History Museum Bern. - Internet: http: // wsc. nmbe. ch (2. Feb. 2020) - doi: 10.24436 / 2"]}

Phlegra yaelae Pr��szyński, 1998 Phlegra yaelae: Pr��szyński 2003: 136, figs 536-542 (♂♀). Material examined. 1 ♀ (ZMUI 35126), IRAN: Ilam Province: Ilam county, Manesht Mountains slope, 33.68722��N, 46. 44527��E, Jun. 2011 (leg. M. Moradmand). Distribution. This species was previously recorded from Israel (type locality) and Tunisia, and now it is recorded from its easternmost distribution in western Iran (WSC 2020)., Published as part of Zamani, Alireza, Hosseini, Marzieh Sadat & Moradmand, Majid, 2020, New data on jumping spiders of Iran, with a new species of Salticus (Araneae: Salticidae), pp. 63-66 in Arachnology Letters 59 on pages 63-64, DOI: 10.30963/aramit5908, http://zenodo.org/record/3754507, {"references":["Proszynski J 2003 Salticidae (Araneae) of the Levant. - Annales Zoologici (Warszawa) 53: 1 - 180","WSC 2020 World Spider Catalog. Version 21.0. Natural History Museum Bern. - Internet: http: // wsc. nmbe. ch (2. Feb. 2020) - doi: 10.24436 / 2"]}

Chalcoscirtus platnicki Marusik, 1995 (Figs 1-2) Chalcoscirtus platnicki: Logunov & Marusik 1999: 217, figs 55-56, 59-61 (♂♀). Material examined. 1 ♀ (ZMUI 35136), IRAN: Isfahan Province: Chadegan county, Rozveh, Dalan-Kouh Protected Area, 33.63111��N, 50.56861��E, May 2016 (leg. S. Alimohammadi). Distribution. This species was hitherto known from several localities in Kazakhstan (WSC 2020); thus, our record from Isfahan is the southernmost in the whole range., Published as part of Zamani, Alireza, Hosseini, Marzieh Sadat & Moradmand, Majid, 2020, New data on jumping spiders of Iran, with a new species of Salticus (Araneae: Salticidae), pp. 63-66 in Arachnology Letters 59 on page 63, DOI: 10.30963/aramit5908, http://zenodo.org/record/3754507, {"references":["Logunov DV & Marusik YM 1999 A brief review of the genus Chalcoscirtus Bertkau, 1880 in the faunas of Central Asia and the Caucasus (Aranei: Salticidae). - Arthropoda Selecta 7: 205 - 226","WSC 2020 World Spider Catalog. Version 21.0. Natural History Museum Bern. - Internet: http: // wsc. nmbe. ch (2. Feb. 2020) - doi: 10.24436 / 2"]}

Rhagodes eylandti (Walter, 1889) Rhax eylandti Walter, 1889: 1101–1103, fig. 3; Birula 1890: 76–78. Rhagodes plumbescens (Walter, 1889): Kraepelin 1901: 32, 36; Roewer 1933: 267; Birula 1938: 35–36, pl. 5; Gromov 1998: 180 (New synonymy). Rhagodes eylandti (Walter, 1889): Kraepelin 1901: 33, 38; Birula 1905: 274; Roewer 1933: 270; Birula 1938: 25–27, fig. 10; Gromov 1998: 180; Maddahi et al. 2015: fig. 2; Maddahi et al. 2017: 1-10, fig. 2M. Rhagodes melanochaetus Heymons, 1902: Birula 1905: 272–274; Roewer 1933: 269-270; Birula 1938: 32–34; Roewer 1941: 101; Zilch, 1946: 120; Lawrence 1956: 116; Roewer 1960: 5–6; Gromov 1998: 180; Khazanehdari et al. 2016: 608-612, fig. 2E; Maddahi et al. 2017: 1-10, fig. 2N (New synonymy). Rhagodes melanopygus nigricans Birula, 1905: 275–276 (New synonymy). Rhagodes eylandti melanogaster Birula, 1905: 274–275 (synonymized by Birula, 1938: 25). Rhagodes melanogaster Roewer, 1933: 269, 270 (synonymized by Birula, 1938: 25). Rhagodes birulae Roewer, 1933: 268 -270 (synonymized by Birula, 1938: 25). Rhagodorta melanula Roewer, 1933: 275 (synonymized by Birula, 1938: 25). Rhagodira transcaspica Roewer, 1933: 280 (synonymized by Birula, 1938: 25)., Published as part of Maddahi, Hassan, Aliabadian, Mansour, Moradmand, Majid & Mirshamsi, Omid, 2019, New insights to the taxonomy of Rhagodes eylandti (Walter, 1889): A remarkable sexually dimorphic species (Solifugae: Rhagodidae), pp. 494-510 in Zootaxa 4648 (3) on page 500, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4648.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/3356382, {"references":["Walter, A. (1889) Transkaspische Galeodiden. Zoologische Jahrbe`ucher, Abteilung fur Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere, 4, 1094 - 1109.","Birula, A. (1890) Materialien zur Fauna der Solpugen Russlands. Travaux de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de St. Petersbourg, 21, 53 - 83. [in Russian]","Kraepelin, K. (1901) Palpigradi und Solifugae. Tierreich, 12, 1 - 159.","Birula, A. A. (1938) Arachnides, Ordo Solifuga. In: Fauna SSSR. 1 (3). L'Academie des Sciences de l'URSS, Moscow, Leningrad, pp. i-vii. [in Russian]","Gromov, A. V. (1998) Solpugids (Arachnida: Solifugae) of Turkmenistan. Arthropoda Selecta, 7, 179 - 188.","Birula, A. (1905) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Solifugen-Fauna Persiens. Bulletin de l'Academie Imperiale des Sciences de St- Petersbourg, Series 5, 22, 247 - 286.","Maddahi, H., Kami, H. G., Aliabadian, M. & Mirshamsi, O. (2015) Redescription of the solifug Rhagodes eylandti (Walter, 1889) (Arachnida: Solifugae) with notes on its morphological variation and geographic distribution. Zoology in the Middle East, 61, 278 - 284. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 09397140.2015.1058450","Maddahi, H., Khazanehdari, M., Aliabadian, M., Kami, H. G. Mirshamsi, A., Mirshamsi, O. (2017) Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of camel spiders (Arachnida: Solifugae) from Iran. Mitochondrial DNA, Part A, 28 (6), 909 - 919. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 24701394.2016.1209194","Heymons, R. (1902) Biologische Beobachtungen an asiatischen Solifugen, nebst Beitragen zur Systematik derselben. Abhandlungen der Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschafen zu Berlin, 1901, 1 - 65.","Roewer, C. F. (1941) Solifugen 1934 - 1940. Veroffentlichungen des Deutschen Kolonial Ubersee-Museums, Bremen, 3, 97 - 192.","Zilch, A. (1946) Katalog der Solifugen (Arach.) des Senckenberg Museums. Senckenbergiana, 27 (4 / 6), 119 - 154.","Lawrence, R. F. (1956) Solifugae (Chelicerata) from Afghanistan. Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra Danske Naturhistorisk Forening i KJObenhavn, 118, 115 - 140.","Roewer, C. F. (1960) Solifugen und Opilioniden, Araneae Orthognathae, Haplogynae und Entelegynae (contribution a l'etude de la faune d'Afghanistan 23). Goteborgs Kungliga Vetenskaps- och Vitterhetssamhalles Handlingar, 6 B, 8 (7), 1 - 57.","Khazanehdari, M., Mirshamsi, O. & Aliabadian, M. (2016) Contribution to the solpugid (Arachnida: Solifugae) fauna of Iran. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 40 (4), 608 - 614. https: // doi. org / 10.3906 / zoo- 1507 - 34"]}

The surprising discovery of a new species of grass huntsman spider, Pseudomicrommata mokranica sp. nov. (♂♀), belonging to "the African clade", is reported and described from south-eastern Iran, more than 4000km away from the nearest recorded locality of the genus in Kenya. Similar vicariant occurrences of other sparassid taxa in Africa and Asia are discussed.

Pardosa mirzakhaniae sp. n. Figs 1���2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13���14, 17, 19 Pardosa pontica: Marusik et al. 2012: 117 (♂♀, in part, specimens from Golestan Province). Pardosa pontica: Ballarin et al. 2012: 179, figs 8, 17, 27, 37, 48, 61, 67, 73, 79, 85, 99, 104, 113, 122, 125 (♂♀, misidentified specimens from Turkmenistan). Etymology. The sPeCies name is a Patronym, honouring the late Professor Dr. Maryam Mirzakhani of Stanford University in Stanford, California. Dr. Maryam Mirzakhani (1977���2017) beCame the first woman and the first Iranian to be honoured with the Fields Medal in mathematiCs. Material examined. Holotype ♂ and allotyPe ♀ (MMUM), IRAN, Mazandaran Province: North Savadkuh, Kalijkhil Village, 36��19'19"N 52��50'9"E, Elev.: 90 m, 16.VII.2016 (S. Shafaie). ParatyPes: IRAN: Mazandaran Province: 2♂, 6♀ (ZMFUM), Kiakola (Simorgh), 36��35'4"N 52��48'16"E, Elev.: - 3 m, 15.VII.2016 (S. Shafaie); 8♂, 4♀ (ZMFUM), Neka, 36��39'32"N 53��19' 39"E, Elev.: 43 m, 14.VII.2016 (S. Shafaie); 4♂, 7♀ (ZMFUM), North Savadkuh, KalijKhil Village, 36��19'N 52��50'09"E, Elev.: 90 m, 16.VII.2016 (S. Shafaie); Golestan Province: 4♂ (ZMFUM), Karimabad, 6.VIII.2010 (R. Kashefi); North Khorasan Province: 3♂, 4♀ (ZMFUM), Bojnurd, Do Barar Jungle Park, 37��28'19.1"N 57��16'13.1"E, 15.VIII.2013 (M. Khalilnejad). TURKMENISTAN: Balkan Wela��aty: 1♂, 1♀ (ZMMU) Garryqala, West KoPetdagh Mountain Range, 38��25'50.46"N 56��16'49.69"E, 29.III.1993 (S.V. OvtChinnikov). Diagnosis. The new sPeCies is very similar to P. pontica and almost undistinguishable by the shaPe of CoPulatory organs. Males of the new sPeCies differ from that of P. pontica by having dark metatarsi IV (yellow in P. pontica), a smoky sternum (blaCk in P. pontica), a taPering anteriorly median band (taPering Posteriorly in P. pontica), a broken sub���marginal band (Continuous in P. pontica) (Figs 1���4) and a larger CaraPaCe size (Fig. 21). Females of the new sPeCies differ from P. pontica by laCking blaCk sPots between the yellow sub���marginal and dark marginal striPes (vs. Present in P. pontica) (Figs 17���18) and having light annulations on femora���tibia of all legs (P. pontica has blaCk and distinCt annulations on femora���metatarsi of all legs). EPigynes of the two sPeCies differ also in the ratio of the width of thinnest/widest Part of sePtum and the ratio of the length/widest width of sePtum ProPortions (Figs 22���23). The two sPeCies also differ in sPination (Tables 4���5, 7���8). Description. Male (holotyPe). Total length 10.9. CaraPaCe 5.0 long, 3.7 wide. Prosoma. CaraPaCe blaCk with anteriorly taPering yellow median band; sub���marginal striPes yellow, narrow and broken. Marginal striPes blaCk and two times wider than sub���marginal striPes. ThoraCiC Part Covered with short dark hairs and yellow Parts with whitish hairs. Endites and labium greyish. CheliCerae and ClyPeus blaCk. Sternum uniformly greyish (Figs 1���2). Abdomen. Dorsum dark with whitish yellow sPots, eaCh sPot with a dark dot in the Centre. LanCeolate striPe yellow in the anterior half and greyish Posteriorly. Venter greyish with some whitish yellow sPots. SPinnerets greyish (Figs 1���2). Legs. Coxae, troChanters and femora I���IV greyish. Patellae, tibiae and metatarsi of all legs yellow. TiPs of tarsi blaCk in all legs. Measurements and sPination as in Tables 3���4. Palp. PalP as in Figs 5, 7, 9, 11. Endites greyish. Femur, Patella and tibia yellow with blaCk hairs. Cymbium blaCk with 1 Claw. Tegular aPoPhysis thumb-shaPed, short and broad. Terminal aPoPhysis short, wide and round. Embolus unmodified. Female (allotyPe). Total length 11.7. CaraPaCe 5.3 long, 4.2 wide. Prosoma. CaraPaCe blaCk. Median band yellow with rhombiC field Covered by white setae and as wide as sub��� marginal striPes. ThoraCiC Part Covered with dark hairs. Sub���marginal striPes yellow, broad and ending at the oCular area (Fig. 17). Sternum, endites, labium, CheliCerae and ClyPeus yellow (Figs 13���14). Abdomen. Dorsum blaCk with yellow marks and with a dark dot in the Centre of eaCh, ventrally yellow. SPinnerets yellow (Figs 13���14). Legs. Coxae I���II, troChanters, femora, Patellae and tibiae I���IV with light brown annulations dorsally and laterally. Tarsi and metatarsi of all legs yellow. All legs yellow ventrally. Measurements and sPination as in Tables 3, 5. Epigyne. EPigyne as in Fig. 19. SePtum slightly longer than wide and rounded Posteriorly. ProPortions of sePtum as shown in Figs 22-23. SePtum 4.1 long, 3.7 wide. Anterior PoCkets seParated by about one width. Variation. Total length varies from 9.7 to 11.4 in males and 9.8���11.9 in females. CaraPaCe length/width 4.5��� 5.6/ 3.6���4.9 in males and 4.8���5.7/ 3.9���4.7 in females. Colour and Pattern: sternum in males and females varies from uniformly greyish to blaCk with a yellow mark in Centre. SPinnerets in males vary from greyish to yellow. Distribution. Pardosa mirzakhaniae sp. n. is known from the Mazandaran, Golestan and North Khorasan ProvinCes from Iran and Turkmenistan (Fig. 24)., Published as part of Shafaie, Sepideh, Mirshamsi, Omid, Aliabadian, Mansour, Moradmand, Majid & Marusik, Yuri M., 2018, A new Pardosa species from northern Iran (Araneae, Lycosidae), pp. 350-364 in Zootaxa 4387 (2) on pages 353-355, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/1187506

Pardosa pontica (Thorell, 1875) Figs 3‒4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15‒16, 18, 20 Lycosa pontica Thorell, 1875a: 100 (♂♀); Thorell 1875b: 142 (♂♀). Pardosa caraiensis Mcheidze, 1946: 288, figs 4–5 (♀); Mcheidze 1997: 239, figs 511‒512 (♀). Pardosops pontica: Roewer 1955b: 197. Pardosa pontica: Tongiorgi 1966: 351, figs 10–11, 24 (♂♀); Fuhn & Niculescu-Burlacu 1971: 118, fig. 53a–c (♂♀); Zyuzin 1979: 434, figs 17, 20 (♂♀; Zyuzin & Logunov 2000: 316, figs 40–42 (♂♀); Marusik et al. 2012: 117, figs 4‒6, 12‒13, 18‒19, 23, 35, 41 (♂♀, in part, except specimens from Golestan Province). Types. Lectotype ♂ and ParaleCtotyPe ♀ (ZMUH), Ukraine, Crimea: Biyuk‒Lambat [=Malyi‒Mayak in Alushta], Alma River, designated by Tongiorgi 1964. No. 61.031, examined. Material examined. IRAN: West Azerbaijan Province: 3♂ (ZMFUM), Newlu Village, 37°45'44"N 45°04'20"E, Elev.: 1280 m, 30.VI.2016 (S. Shafaie); 6♀ (ZMFUM), Dizaj Takieh Village, 37°25'21"N 45°10'22"E, Elev.: 1300 m, 05.VIII.2016 (S. Shafaie); 2♀ (ZMFUM), Chubtarash Village, 37°17'55"N 45°06'02"E, Elev.: 1341 m, 06.VIII.2016 (S. Shafaie); 7♂ (ZMFUM), Takieh Ordushahi Village, 37°26'31"N 45°13'37"E, Elev.: 1332 m, 01.VIII.2016 (S. Shafaie). AZERBAIJAN: Zuvand Area: 1♂ (ZMUT), East of DivagatCh Village, 38°41'05"N 48°23'E, 26.IV.2003 (Yu.M. Marusik); Absheron Peninsula: 3♂, 4♀ (ZMUT), Bakı, Ganly‒ Gyol Lake, 40°21'46"N 48°48'36"E, 06.VII.2003 (Yu.M. Marusik). Diagnosis. See diagnosis for P. mirzakhaniae sp. n. Description. Male (from Ordushahi). Total length 9.1; CaraPaCe 4.3 long, 3.5 wide. Prosoma. CaraPaCe dark brown. Median band yellow and Covered with white setae. Sub‒marginal striPes yellow and 2 times wider than median band. Marginal striPes blaCk. Endites, labium, CheliCerae and ClyPeus blaCk. Sternum blaCk (Figs 3‒4). Abdomen. Dorsum blaCk with yellow sPots, eaCh sPot with a dark dot in Centre. Venter yellow with blaCk marks. SPinnerets blaCk with yellow tiPs (Figs 3‒4). Legs. Coxae, troChanters and femora I‒IV yellow with blaCk annulations. Patellae‒metatarsi of all legs yellow. Tarsal tiPs blaCk. Measurements and sPination as in Tables 6‒7. Palp. PalP as in Figs 6, 8, 10, 12. Endites blaCk. Femur‒Patella yellow. Tibia and Cymbium dark. Cymbium blaCk with 1 Claw. Tegular aPoPhysis short and stumPy. Terminal aPoPhysis short, stumPy and square-shaPed. Embolus unmodified. Female (from Ordushahi). Total length 11.3; CaraPaCe 5.4 long, 4.5 wide. Prosoma. CaraPaCe blaCk. Median band yellow with rhombiC field Covered by white setae. Sub‒marginal striPes yellow and two times wider than median band. Marginal striPes blaCk. BlaCk sPots between marginal and sub‒marginal striPes (Fig. 18). Endites, CheliCerae and ClyPeus yellow. Labium blaCk. Sternum yellow with blaCk marginal marks (Figs 15‒16). Abdomen. Dorsum blaCk with indistinCt marks. Venter grey. SPinnerets grey (Figs 15‒16). Legs. Coxae‒metatarsi I‒IV with dark annulations. Tarsi of all legs yellow. Measurements and sPination as in Tables 6, 8. Epigyne. EPigyne as in Fig. 20. SePtum 4.2 long, 3.3 wide. SePtum slightly longer than wide and rounded Posteriorly. Anterior PoCkets seParated. Variation of specimens from Iran. Total length varies from 7.9 to 10 in males and 9.7‒11.3 in females. CaraPaCe length/width 3.9‒5/ 3.2‒3.8 in males and 4.8‒5.5/ 3.6‒4.5 in females. ProPortions of sePtum as shown in Figs 22‒23. Notes. Males from Ordushahi village have a ComPletely blaCk sternum and the smallest body size. Some of the females from the Dizaj takieh PoPulation have blaCk tiPs on tarsi I and IV and also one female has yellow tarsi tiPs. One male from Dizaj takieh has no retrolateral sPine on femur I. Distribution. Pardosa pontica is known to be distributed from Bulgaria to Razavi Khorasan ProvinCe of Iran. Previous reCords of this sPeCies from Golestan ProvinCe refer to P. mirzakhaniae sp. n. The reCord of this sPeCies from Razavi Khorasan ProvinCe is the southeasternmost in the entire range (Fig. 24). Notably, in Bulgaria, this sPeCies was rePorted by Drensky (1936, 1942) from a single loCality south of Varna. SinCe then, the sPeCies has not been ColleCted again in Bulgaria (Deltshev, Pers. Comm.). The reCord of P. pontica from the Lugansk Area of Ukraine (see PolChaninova & ProkoPenko 2013) aPPears doubtful beCause all other reCords of this sPeCies from Ukraine are exClusively from the seashore (Fig. 24). Genetic analysis. Thirty two 16S rRNA and thirty seven COI sequenCes were inCluded in the moleCular analysis. Pardosa sPeCies belong to seven sPeCies grouPs were used in the genetiC analysis are as follow: falcata: P. falcata Marusik, Guseinov & KoPonen; falcifera: P. falcifera F.O. PiCkard-Cambridge; lapidicina: P. sierra Banks; paludicola: P. astrigera C.L. KoCh; proxima: P. hortensis (Thorell), P. morosa (C.L. KoCh), monticola: P. agrestis (Westring), P. mirzakhaniae, P. plumipes (Thorell), P. pontica; saltauria: P. californica Keyserling and Alopecosa virgata (Kishida) used as outgrouP. The neighbor joining trees for both genes were generated using K2P distanCes. As shown in the tree obtained from COI barCode region, all monticola -grouP members (P. mirzakhaniae, P. pontica and P. agrestis) are genetiCally similar (Fig. 26). Values for intrasPeCifiC distanCes within P. mirzakhaniae for COI ranged between 0% and 0.29% and values for intersPeCifiC distanCes between P. mirzakhaniae and other sPeCies ranged between 0% and 8.6%. The tree generated by 16S rRNA sequenCes showed that falcata -grouP and falcifera -grouP are grouPed in the same Clade with two distinCt monticola -grouP Clades (Fig. 25). Values for intrasPeCifiC distanCes within P. mirzakhaniae for 16srRNA ranged between 0% and 0.15% and values for intersPeCifiC distanCes between P. mirzakhaniae and other sPeCies ranged between 0% and 0.7%.The results of these two genes are inComPatible with the relative effiCienCy of DNA barCoding., Published as part of Shafaie, Sepideh, Mirshamsi, Omid, Aliabadian, Mansour, Moradmand, Majid & Marusik, Yuri M., 2018, A new Pardosa species from northern Iran (Araneae, Lycosidae), pp. 350-364 in Zootaxa 4387 (2) on pages 355-358, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4387.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/1187506, {"references":["Thorell, T. (1875 a) Verzeichniss sudrussischer Spinnen. Horae Societatis Entomologicae Rossicae, 11, 39 - 122.","Thorell, T. (1875 b) Descriptions of several European and North African spiders. Bihang till Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps- Akademiens Handlingar, 13 (5), 1 - 203.","Mcheidze, T. S. (1946) New species of spiders in Georgia [Nov'e vid' paukov v Gruzii]. Bulletin du Museum de Georgie, 13 (A), 285 - 302. [in Georgian and Russian]","Mcheidze, T. S. (1997) Spiders of Georgia: Systematics, Ecology, Zoogeographic Review. Tbilisi University Publishing House, Tbilisi, 390 pp. [in Georgian]","Roewer, C. F. (1955 b) Katalog der Araneae von 1758 bis 1940. Natura, Bremen, Bruxelles, 1751 pp.","Tongiorgi, P. (1966) Wolf spiders of the Pardosa monticola - group (Araneae: Lycosidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College, 134, 335 - 359.","Fuhn, I. E. & Niculescu-Burlacu, F. (1971) Fauna Republicii Socialiste Romania. Vol. V. Fascicula 3. Arachnida: Familia Lycosidae. Academia Republicii Socialiste Romania, Bucuresti, 253 pp.","Zyuzin, A. A. (1979) A taxonomic study of Palaearctic spiders of the genus Pardosa (Aranei, Lycosidae). Part 1. The taxonomic structure of the genus. Entomologicheskoe Obozrenie, 58 (2), 431 - 447. [in Russian]","Zyuzin, A. A. & Logunov, D. V. (2000) New and little-known species of the Lycosidae from Azerbaijan, the Caucasus (Araneae, Lycosidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society, 11, 305 - 319.","Drensky, P. (1936) Katalog der echten Spinnen (Araneae) der Balkanhalbinsel. Opis na Paiatzite ot Balkanikia polouostrow. Spisanie na Beulgarskata Akademia na Naoukite, 32, 1 - 223.","Drensky, P. (1942) Die Spinnenfauna Bulgariens V. Mitteilungen aus den Koniglichen Naturwissenschaftlichen Instituten in Sofia, 15, 33 - 60.","Polchaninova, N. Y. & Prokopenko, E. V. (2013) Catalogue of the spiders (Arachnida, Aranei) of Left - Bank Ukraine. Arthropoda Selecta, 1 - 268."]}

Cebrennus sp. Figs 3 A–D Cebrennus kochi (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872): Zamani et al. 2014: 365 (misidentification). Material examined. IRAN: Bushehr Province: 1 female, Bushehr, Chah-Kutah, 29 °03'N 51 °08'E, November 2013, M. Jahan leg (JAZM). Remarks. The shape of the female copulatory organ (Figs 3 A, B) is indeed similar to that of C. kochi (cf. Jäger 2014, figs 1–6), however both species differ in some traits, including the eye arrangement. For instance, the posterior row of eyes is straight in the Iranian species (Fig. 3 C), whereas it is strongly recurved in C. kochi. Moreover, the epigynal septum of the Iranian specimen lacks the characteristic transversal ridge in the posterior half (cf. Jäger 2014: figs 1, 4). Since characters of the female copulatory organs are not sufficiently diagnostic, the species cannot be fully assigned to any described species or be described as new to science until the conspecific male would be sampled and studied. Distribution and habitat preferences. The single specimen was collected during daytime from a sandy dune habitat in southern Iran (Fig. 4), with the majority of plants belonging to Acacia.

Cebrennus rambodjavani sp. nov. Figs 1 B, 2 A–F Type material: Holotype: male, IRAN: Qom Province: Dasht-e-Kavir, Qom-Garmsar Freeway, surroundings of Deyr-e-Gachin Caravansary, 35 °03' 29.6 "N, 51 ° 25 ' 12.5 "E, 23 October 2014, P. Beyhaghi leg. (SMF). Etymology. This species is named after Mr Rambod Javan, an Iranian actor, director and comedian in recognition of his invaluable movements seeking to improve and protect natural environments and wildlife of Iran, especially via his most popular TV-program, "Khandevaneh". Noun in genitive case. Diagnosis. This new species is unique in having a distad embolus kink and short proximad DE. Male palp of this new species is similar to that of C. logunovi Jäger, 2000 and C. kochi (cf. Jäger 2000: figs 7 –9, 17, 18) in having a relatively short embolus and a retrolaterad RTA with hump. It can be distinguished from both by the RTA hump situated proximally and the embolus with broad well developed proximal part (Figs 2 A–D); in C. logunovi and C. kochi RTA hump is situated medially and embolus without well-developed proximal part. Description. Male: Habitus as in Fig. 1 B. Measurements. Small-sized Sparassidae; total length 8.8, carapace length 4.1, width 3.6, anterior width 2.3, opisthosoma length 4.7, width 3.0. Anterior and posterior eye row slightly recurved, AME largest, PLE smallest (Fig. 2 E). Chelicerae. With 2 anterior and 3 posterior basally fused teeth, the right chelicerae with an additional small bump (might be relict of fourth teeth), subequal posterior teeth, cheliceral furrow without denticles; retromargin with three bristles at base of fang (Fig. 2 F). Legs. Leg formula: II I IV III. Palp 6.1 [1.8, 0.7, 1.0, 1.7], I 24.8 [7.5, 2.5, 6.1, 7.0, 1.7], II 26.6 [8.0, 2.4, 6.8, 7.6, 1.8], III 20.3 [6.3, 2.0, 5.1, 5.3, 1.6], IV 23.6 [7.6, 2.4, 6.4, 6.5, 1.7]. Spination. Palp 131, 0 0 1, 100 (one spine and the rest stiff setae); Legs: Femur I 323 / 423, II 333 / 423, III 323, IV 322 / 323 (left/right); Patella I 0 0 1, II–IV 000; Tibia I–IV 2024; Metatarsus I–III 2024, IV 3036. Palp. As in diagnosis, with cymbium two times longer than tibia, distal half of cymbium with dorsal scopula. RTA shorter than tegulum, barely extending beyond distal margin of tibia, distally pointed with its tip distoventrad, RTA with distinct hump proximally. Embolus with swollen proximal part, kink situated at distal margin of alveolus, distal part of embolus relatively short, proximo-retrolaterad, proximal part of embolus partially embedded in distal alveolus. Conductor hyaline and reduced in size. Sperm duct retrolaterally slightly S-shaped (Figs 2 A–C). Female: Unknown. Distribution and habitat preferences. Known only from the type locality in the Central Desert of Iran (Fig. 4) with a sandy steppe as habitat with dominant vegetation of Tamarix L. species (Fig. 1 A). The holotype specimen was collected during daytime, while it was sitting on a rock facing downward (as Fig. 1 B).

Moradmand, Majid, Zamani, Alireza, Jäger, Peter (2016): On the genus Cebrennus Simon, 1880 in Iran with description of a new species from Iranian Central Desert (Araneae: Sparassidae). Zootaxa 4121 (2): 187-193, DOI: http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4121.2.9

Genus Pseudomicrommata Järvi, 1914 Micrommata Latreille, 1804 [in part]: BÖsenberg & Lenz 1895: 34, pl. 1, fig. 11; Simon 1897 a: 490; Simon 1897 b: 65, fig. 54; Lawrence 1927: 43, fig. 30; Lessert 1936: 271, figs 68–69 (misidentification). Pseudomicrommata JÄrvi, 1914: 49, 162, pl. 3, figs 4–6, 40; Lawrence 1942: 168; Levy 1989: 163; JÄger & Kunz 2005: 168, figs 255–258, 262–267. Type species: Pseudomicrommata longipes (Bösenberg & Lenz, 1895), subsequent designation of genus by Järvi (1914) using the material of Simon, 1897 b sub Micrommata vittigerum (junior synonym of P. longipes). Extended and comparative diagnosis: Pseudomicrommata (and Arandisa) are distinguishable from other Sparassidae genera by a distinct pair of epigynal pockets (EP) in females, while the median septum (MS) is clearly visible throughout the epigynal field (EF) between the EP (e.g. Figs 8, 28, 33) (pocket-like structures present in the Asian genera Sinopoda Jäger, 1999 and Bhutaniella Jäger, 2000 too, but in a different morphology: MS, if present, is not extended into the anterior half of the EF). In males, Pseudomicrommata (and Arandisa) have an enlarged embolic apophysis (EA) originating from the median point of the embolus. The presence of a median dark stripe running the length of the dorsum (Fig. 1) clearly distinguishes Pseudomicrommata from its closest relative, Arandisa. Additionally, in Pseudomicrommata spp. the anterior lateral eyes (ALE) are usually the largest, while in Arandisa spp. the posterior lateral eyes (PLE) are distinctly the largest eyes. Moreover, Pseudomicrommata is diagnosable from Eusparassus by the presence of three pairs of ventral tibial spines on legs I–IV (two pairs in Eusparassus). Redescription: Small to medium-sized Sparassidae; prosoma slightly longer than wide; opisthosoma elongated; leg formula IV II I III or IV II III I; two rows of eyes, with anterior row recurved and posterior row procurved, AME smallest, remaining eyes subequal (Fig. 6); chelicerae with two anterior and three to four posterior teeth, posterior row with first two larger and one or two smaller teeth, cheliceral furrow without denticles (Fig. 7); cheliceral basal segment (paturon) with single bristle at distal retromarginal end close to fang base (Fig. 19); male palp with embolus and tegulum forming “U”; EA well developed, embolus membrane (EM) present, conductor small and hyaline (Figs 3–5); tegulum with small projection at its transition part to embolus (Fig. 15); subtegulum not clearly visible; dorsal (dRTA) and ventral retrolateral tibial apophysis (vRTA) well developed, nearly the same length (Figs 3, 15, 23); female epigyne with epigynal EF longer than wide (Fig. 8) or as long as wide (Fig. 28); anterior bands of epigynal field (AB) mostly not (Fig. 20) or weakly developed (Fig. 11); median septum visible alongside epigynal field (e.g. Figs 8, 33); copulatory ducts (CD) elongated, a pair of parallel simple ducts comprising more than half of entire vulva; vulva in posterior half continuing with two turning loops, termed here first and second (f-, sTL), glandular pores present mostly on fTL (Figs 9, 10) or additionally on sTL (Figs 29, 30). Coloration (live): Body background is pale grey or greenish-brown, with prosoma and opisthosoma decorated mid-dorsally with a reddish-brown stripe; additional longitudinal stripes present on the legs (Fig. 1). Natural history and habitat preferences: Females construct a papery egg sac attached to grass leaves (one female specimen from NCA). The species were recorded mostly from savannah grasslands (Fig. 2), but also occur in bushes, small trees and leaf litter (male specimens in Guinea). Distribution:Widely distributed in tropical Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Species included: Pseudomicrommata longipes (Bösenberg & Lenz, 1895), P. vittigera (Simon, 1897) stat. rev., P. mary sp. n. and P. schoemanae sp. n., Published as part of Moradmand, Majid, 2015, Revision of the grass huntsman spider genus Pseudomicrommata Järvi, 1914 (Araneae: Sparassidae) in the Afrotropical Region, pp. 425 in African Invertebrates 56 (2) on pages 427-429, DOI: 10.5733/afin.056.0213, http://zenodo.org/record/7914200, {"references":["JARVI, T. H. 1914. Das Vaginalsystem der Sparassiden. II. Annales Academiae Scientiarum Fennicae 4: 132 - 248.","BOsENBERG, W. & LENZ, H. 1895. Ostafrikanische Spinnen gesammelt von Herrn Dr. F. Stuhlmann in den Jahren 1888 und 1889. Jahrbuch der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten 12 (2): 27 - 51.","SIMON, E. 1897 a. Etudes arachnologiques. 27 e Memoire. XLII. Descriptions d'especes nouvelles de l'ordre des Araneae. Annales de la Societe Entomologique de France 65: 465 - 510.","LAWRENCE, R. F. 1927. Contributions to a knowledge of the fauna of South-West Africa V. Arachnida. Annals of the South African Museum 25 (1): 1 - 75.","LEssERT, R. DE 1936. Araignees de l'Afrique orientale portugaise, recueillies par MM. P. Lesne et B. - B. Cott. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 43: 207 - 306.","LEVY, G. 1989. The family of huntsman spiders in Israel with annotations on species of the Middle East (Araneae: Sparassidae). Journal of Zoology, London 217: 127 - 176.","JAGER, P. 2000. The huntsman spider genus Cebrennus: four new species and a preliminary key to known species (Araneae: Sparassidae: Sparassinae). Revue Arachnologique 13 (12): 163 - 186."]}

Pseudomicrommata mary sp. n. Figs 23–32 Etymology: This species is dedicated to my wife Maryam (nickname: Mary), for all her love and support; noun in apposition. Diagnosis: Males distinguished easily from other congeners by the EA narrow proximally, widened medially and pointed distally in ventral view (embolus tip is not as bifid as in P. longipes) (Figs 23, 25); in females, epigyne with PMP longer than AMP (Figs 28, 31) and vulva clearly with additional GPO on sTL (besides those on fTL) (Figs 29, 30, 32), currently unique amongst the known species. Description: Male (ranges: n =11, single measurements: holotype). Measurements (holotype largest): Medium sized; total length 10.9–12.9, prosoma length 4.5–4.8, prosoma width 4.2–4.7, anterior width of prosoma 2.0–2.2, opisthosoma length 5.4–6.1, opisthosoma width 2.5–3.2. Eye diameters:AME 0.22, ALE 0.38, PME 0.34, PLE 0.33; eye interdistances: AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PME 0.38, PME–PLE 0.34, AME–PME 0.64, ALE–PLE 0.28, clypeus height at AME 0.24, clypeus height at ALE 0.31. Chelicerae: With 2 anterior and 4 posterior teeth (first two larger with two additional smaller ones) (Fig. 27). Legs: Leg formula: IV II I III. Palp 6.1 [1.8, 0.7, 1.0, 2.6], I 17.8 [5.1, 2.4, 4.3, 4.4, 1.6], II 19.1 [5.6, 2.4, 4.7, 4.7, 1.7], III 16.9 [5.2, 2.1, 4.1, 3.9, 1.6], IV 19.3 [5.8, 1.9, 4.7, 5.2, 1.7]. Spination: Palp 131, 101, 2121/2111; Legs: Femur I–III 323, IV 321/322; Patella I–IV 000/101; Tibia I–IV 2126 /2226; Metatarsus I–III 2024, IV 3036. Palp: As in diagnosis, with cymbium nearly three times longer than tibia, dRTA distally pointed, vRTA distally hump-like, subtegulum not visible (Figs 23, 24); EA membranous and hyaline proximally, hard and sclerotized distally (Fig. 25). Female (ranges: n=8, single measurements: SD 1105). Measurements: Medium sized; total length 11.8–15.9, prosoma length 4.5–5.1, prosoma width 3.7–4.2, anterior width of prosoma 2.1–2.4, opisthosoma length 7.3–10.8, opisthosoma width 3.1–5.7. Eye diameters:AME 0.25, ALE 0.38, PME 0.36, PLE 0.34; eye interdistances: AME–AME 0.18, AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PME 0.37, PME–PLE 0.32, AME–PME 0.68, ALE–PLE 0.32, clypeus AME 0.16, clypeus ALE 0.22. Chelicerae: As in males. Legs: Leg formula: IV II I III. Measurements of palp and legs. Palp 5.3 [1.4, 0.9, 1.1, 1.9], I 15.0 [4.4, 2.1, 3.5, 3.6, 1.4], II 16.1 [4.9, 2.2, 3.8, 3.7, 1.5], III 14.2 [4.5, 1.8, 3.3, 3.2, 1.4], IV 16.2 [5.0, 1.8, 3.8, 4.1, 1.5]. Spination: Palp 131, 001/101, 2121, 1113; Legs: Femur I–III 323, IV 321/322; Patella I–IV 000/101; Tibia I–IV 1016 /2026; Metatarsus I–III 0004/2024, IV 3036. Epigyne/vulva:As in diagnosis, with EF nearly as wide as long; AMP bending posteriorly (Fig. 28), sTL extending beyond fTL in lateral view (Figs 29, 32) (for more details see the genus redescription). Holotype ♂: GUINEA: Prefecture de Lola: Mount Nimba, SE Gbakole, Plateau de Zouguépo, 07°43'N, 08°24'W, 500 m, 26.i.1952, leg. M. Lamotte, Nº 19 (SMF). Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 2♀ (SMF); Same data as holotype but 15.iii.1957, Nº 50, 4♂ 4♀ (SMF); Same data as holotype but 21.i.1957, Nº 18, 2♂ (SMF); Mount Nimba, Ga forest, 746 m, 6.ii.2012, leg. A. Henrard, C. Allard, P. Bimou & M. Sidibé, sieving soil litter, primary forest, 1♀ (MRAC 238760, SD 1105); Mount Nimba, Kpéléyi Savannah, 572 m, 7.iii.2012, leg. A. Henrard, C.Allard, P. Bimou & M. Sidibé, pitfall traps, 1♂ (MRAC 238965). IVORY COAST: Adiope Doumé (Orstom), 15–20.viii.1968, leg. J.J. van Mol, 1♀ (MRAC 134636, MM); N of Korhogo, Bandama River, iii.1980, leg. J. Everts, edge riverine forest, 2♂ (MRAC 172141-2); Bouaflé, 22.i.1981, leg. J. Everts, pitfall traps, 1♂ (MRAC 174220). Remarks: The type specimens were collected in 1952 and 1957 by mammologist Prof Dr M. Lamotte during his investigation in Mount Nimba of Guinea. A large number of spiders were donated to SMF in 1960 and kept in the collection. Mount Nimba is one of the main biodiversity hotspots in western Africa with a high level of endemicity (Lamotte & Roy 2003). It seems that P. mary sp. n. is the first of this rich collection to be described as a new species. Known geographical distribution: Recorded from Mount Nimba and surrounding areas in Guinea and Ivory Coast (Fig. 40)., Published as part of Moradmand, Majid, 2015, Revision of the grass huntsman spider genus Pseudomicrommata Järvi, 1914 (Araneae: Sparassidae) in the Afrotropical Region, pp. 425 in African Invertebrates 56 (2) on pages 436-440, DOI: 10.5733/afin.056.0213, http://zenodo.org/record/7914200, {"references":["LAMOTTE, M. & ROY, R. (eds) 2003. Le peuplement animal du mont Nimba (Guinee, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia). Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle series No. 190. Publications Scientifiques du Museum, Paris, France. (In French)"]}

Pseudomicrommata schoemanae sp. n. Figs 33–39 Etymology: This species is named in honour of Dr Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman for her significant contributions to African arachnology and her assistance to my studies on African Sparassidae; noun in a genitive case. Diagnosis: This is the only Pseudomicrommata species with a generally elongated epigyne; the enlarged epigynal pockets (EP) occupy the majority of the epigynal field (EF) space, which is unique amongst the currently known species (Figs 33, 38). Male unknown. Description: Female (ranges: n=4, single measurements: holotype). Measurements (Holotype largest): Medium sized; total length 11.4–13.2, prosoma length 4.8–5.5, prosoma width 4.1–4.7, anterior width of prosoma 2.4–2.6, opisthosoma length 6.6–7.7, opisthosoma width 3.5–4.5. Eye diameters:AME 0.21, ALE 0.43, PME 0.36, PLE 0.35; eye interdistances: AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.42, PME–PLE 0.32, AME–PME 0.71, ALE–PLE 0.36, clypeus AME 0.20, clypeus ALE 0.28. Chelicerae: Chelicerae with 2 anterior and 4 posterior teeth (two larger and two smaller ones) (Fig. 37). Legs: Leg formula: IV II I III. Measurements of palp and legs. Palp 6.4 [1.4, 0.7, 1.1, 2.2], I 17.4 [5.1, 2.5, 4.1, 4.2, 1.5], II 18.2 [5.6, 2.4, 4.4, 4.3, 1.5], III 16.2 [5.2, 2.1, 3.8, 3.7, 1.4], IV 18.4 [5.6, 2.1, 4.4, 4.8, 1.5]. Spination: Palp 131, 101, 2121, 1013; Legs: Femur I–III 323, IV 321; Patella I–IV 000/101; Tibia I–IV 1016 /2026; Metatarsus I–III 0004/1014/2024, IV 3036. Epigyne/vulva:As in diagnosis, with generally enlarged and elongated EF, posterior part of LL behind PMP small (Figs 33, 38); CD enlarged and expanded, partially covering fTLs; sTL usually extend beyond fTL laterally (Figs 34, 39), GPO present only on fTLs (Figs 34, 35). Holotype ♀: CAMEROON: North Prov.: Bossoum, 09°56'33"N 13°41'51"E, 11.iv.1914, leg. G. Tessmann (ZMB 48632). Paratypes: CAMEROON: Same data as holotype, 2♀ (ZMB 48633), 1♀ (SMF). Remarks: The type material for this study was collected by the German botanist G. Tessmann (1884–1969) during his expedition to Cameroon in 1914. Known geographical distribution: Only known from the type locality (Fig. 40)., Published as part of Moradmand, Majid, 2015, Revision of the grass huntsman spider genus Pseudomicrommata Järvi, 1914 (Araneae: Sparassidae) in the Afrotropical Region, pp. 425 in African Invertebrates 56 (2) on page 440, DOI: 10.5733/afin.056.0213, http://zenodo.org/record/7914200

The spider genus Eusparassus Simon, 1903 (Araneae: Sparassidae: Eusparassinae; stone huntsman spider) is revised worldwide to include 30 valid species distributed exclusively in Africa and Eurasia. The type species E. dufouri Simon, 1932 is redescribed and a neotype is designated from Portugal. An extended diagnosis for the genus is presented. Eight new species are described: Eusparassus arabicus Moradmand, 2013 (male, female) from Arabian Peninsula, E. educatus Moradmand, 2013 (male, female) from Namibia, E. reverentia Moradmand, 2013 (male, female) from Burkina Faso and Nigeria, E. jaegeri Moradmand, 2013 (male, female) from South Africa and Botswana, E. jocquei Moradmand, 2013 (male, female) from Zimbabwe, E. borakalalo Moradmand, 2013 (female) from South Africa, E. schoemanae Moradmand, 2013 (male, female) from South Africa and Namibia and E. mesopotamicus Moradmand and Jäger, 2012 (male and female) from Iraq, Iran and Turkey. 22 species are re-described six of them are transferred from the genus Olios Walckenaer, 1837. Six species-groups are proposed: the dufouri-group [8 species: E. dufouri, E. levantinus Urones, 2006, E. barbarus (Lucas, 1846), E. atlanticus Simon, 1909, E. syrticus Simon, 1909, E. oraniensis (Lucas, 1846), E. letourneuxi (Simon, 1874), E. fritschi (Koch, 1873); Iberian Peninsula to parts of north-western Africa], walckenaeri-group [3 species: E. walckenaeri (Audouin, 1826), E. laevatus (Simon, 1897), E. arabicus; eastern Mediterranean to Arabia and parts of north-eastern Africa], doriae-group [7 species: E. doriae (Simon, 1874), E. kronebergi Denis, 1958, E. maynardi (Pocock, 1901), E. potanini (Simon, 1895), E. fuscimanus Denis, 1958, E. oculatus (Kroneberg, 1846) and E. mesopotamicus; Middle East to Central and South Asia], vestigator-group (3 species: E. vestigator (Simon, 1897), E. reverentia, E. pearsoni (Pocock, 1901); central to eastern Africa and an isolated area in NW India], jaegeri-group [4 species: E. jaegeri, E. jocquei, E. borakalalo, E. schoemanae; southern and south-eastern Africa], tuckeri-group [2 species: E. tuckeri (Lawrence, 1927), E. educatus; south-western Africa). Two species, E. pontii Caporiacco, 1935 and E. xerxes (Pocock, 1901) cannot be placed in any of the above groups. Two species are transferred from Eusparassus to Olios: O. flavovittatus (Caporiacco, 1935) and O. quesitio Moradmand, 2013. 14 species are recognized as misplaced in Eusparassus, thus nearly half of the described species prior to this revision were placed mistakenly in this genus. Neotypes are designated for E. walckenaeri from Egypt, E. barbarus, E. oraniensis and E. letourneuxi (all three from Algeria) to establish their identity. The male and female of Cercetius perezi Simon, 1902, which was known only from the immature holotype, are described for the first time. It is recognized that the monotypic and little used generic name Cercetius Simon, 1902 — a species, which had been known only from the immature holotype — as a synonym of the widely used name Eusparassus. The case proposal 3596 (conservation of name Eusparassus) is under consideration by ICZN. The first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the family Sparassidae with focus on the genus Eusparassus is investigated using four molecular markers (mitochondrial COI and 16S; nuclear H3 and 28S). The monophyly of Eusparassus and the dufouri, walckenaeri and doriae species-groups are recovered with the latter two groups more closely related. The monophyly of the tuckeri-group is not supported and the position of E. jaegeri as the only available member of the jaegeri-group is not resolved within the Eusparassus clade. DNA samples of the vestigator-group were not accessible for this study. The origination of the genus Eusparassus around 70 million years ago (MA) is estimated according to molecular clock analyses. Using this recent result in combination with some biogeographic and geological data, the Namib Desert is proposed as the place of ancestral origin for Eusparassus and putative Eusparassinae genera. Further analyses are done on the phylogenetic relationships of Sparassidae and its subfamilies. The Eusparassinae are not confirmed as monophyletic, with the two original genera Eusparassus and Pseudomicrommata in separate clades and only the latter clusters with most other assumed Eusparassinae, here termed the "African clade". Monophyly of the subfamilies Sparianthinae, Heteropodinae sensu stricto, Palystinae and Deleninae is recovered. The Sparianthinae are supported as the most basal clade, diverging considerably early (143 MA) from all other Sparassidae. The Sparassinae and genus Olios are found to be polyphyletic. The Sparassidae are confirmed as monophyletic and as most basal group within the RTA-clade. The divergence time of Sparassidae from the RTA-clade is estimated with 186 MA in the Jurassic. No affiliation of Sparassidae to other members of the "Laterigradae" (Philodromidae, Selenopidae and Thomisidae) is observed, thus the crab-like posture of this group was proposed a result of convergent evolution. Only the families Philodromidae and Selenopidae are found members of a supported clade. Including a considerable amount of RTA-clade representatives, the higher-level clade Dionycha is not but monophyly of the RTA-clade itself is supported.