To the Study of Spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Gazakh District of Azerbaijan

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice

UDC 595.44                                      

Gazakh district is located in the western part of Azerbaijan, extending from the slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains along the right bank of the Kura River in the eastern part of the Ganja– Gazakh plain. It borders the Republic of Georgia to the northwest (9 km) and Armenia to the southwest (168 km). The terrain is mainly flat, while the southern part is low mountainous. The elevation ranges from 300 to 800 meters above sea level.

Until 2013, the spider fauna of Gazakh district was poorly studied. Between 1982 and 2004, various researchers recorded only 13 species belonging to 5 families [1, 2, 4–7].

After 2013, studies conducted by Khasayeva significantly expanded the knowledge of the district’s spider fauna, increasing the number of recorded species to 75, representing 18 families [3]. The list of these species is presented below.

Materials and methods

The studied materials were collected in the Gazakh district during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons of 2013–2022. The specimens are currently deposited in the collection of the Institute of Zoology of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The global distribution of the species is provided based on the World Spider Catalog [8].

Results

Araneidae Clerck, 1757.

Agalenatea redii (Scopoli, 1763). Distribution: Azores, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Jordan, Irag, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China.

Araneus diadematus (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: Europe, Middle East, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Central Asia, China, Japan. Introduced to North America.

Araniella opisthographa (Kulczyński, 1905). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe) to Central Asia, Iran.

Hypsosinga pygmaea (Sundevall, 1831). Distribution: North America, Europe, Turkey, Israel, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan. Introduced to South Africa.

Mangora acalypha (Walckenaer, 1802). Distribution: Azores, Madeira, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Middle East, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China.

Singa hamata (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Russia (Europe to Far East), Caucasus to Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan.

Zygiella x-notata (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus. Introduced to North America, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, St. Helena, Reunion, Azores, China, Japan.

Cheiracanthiidae Wagner, 1887.

Cheiracanthium erraticum (Walckenaer, 1802). Distribution: Azores, Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan.

• C. mildei L. Koch, 1864. Distribution: Azores, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Middle East, Caucasus, Russia (Europe) to Central Asia. Introduced to North America, Argentina.

Clubionidae Simon, 1878.

Clubiona corticalis (Walckenaer, 1802). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus.

Dysderidae C. L. Koch, 1837.

Dysdera azerbajdzhanica Charitonov, 1956. Distribution: Caucasus (Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan).

Gnaphosidae Banks, 1892.

Aphantaulax trifasciata (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872). Distribution: Southern Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe) to Central Asia, Israel, Iran, China, Japan.

Civizelotes caucasius (L. Koch, 1866). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, China.

Gnaphosa lucifuga (Walckenaer, 1802). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Iran, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Kazakhstan, Pakistan, China.

Haplodrassus dalmatensis (L. Koch, 1866). Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Ethiopia, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle East, Russia (Europe) to Central Asia.

H. signifer (C.L. Koch, 1839). Distribution: North America, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Israel, Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Korea.

Marinarozelotes barbatus (L. Koch, 1866). Distribution: Mediterranean to Caucasus. Introduced to USA.

M. malkini (Platnick & Murphy, 1984). Distribution: Romania, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Ukraine, Russia (Europe, Caucasus), Turkey, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan.

Micaria fulgens (Walckenaer, 1802). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China.

Nomisia ripariensis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872). Distribution: Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Turkey, Caucasus (Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan), Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Iran.

Zelotes longipes (L. Koch, 1866). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Mongolia, China, Korea.

Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859.

Diplocephalus picinus (Blackwall, 1841). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to West Siberia), Iran.

Linyphia hortensis Sundevall, 1830. Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia.

Neriene peltata (Wider, 1834). Distribution: Greenland, Europe, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Iran.

Walckenaeria antica (Wider, 1834). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Kyrgyzstan, China, Korea, Japan.

Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833.

Alopecosa aculeata (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: North America, Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Central Asia, China, Japan.

• A. striatipes (C. L. Koch, 1839). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus.

Alopecosa farinosa (Herman, 1879). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Kazakhstan.

Arctosa tbilisiensis Mcheidze, 1946. Distribution: Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Caucasus (Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan), Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan.

Aulonia kratochvili Dunin, Buchar & Absolon, 1986. Distribution: Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, Caucasus (Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan), Iran, Turkmenistan.

Pardosa atomaria (C. L. Koch, 1847). Distribution: Southern Europe, Ukraine, Cyprus, Turkey, Caucasus, Iran.

P. hortensis (Thorell, 1872). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Iran, Japan.

Xerolycosa nemoralis (Westring, 1861). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan.

Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862.

Oecobius putus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1876. Distribution: South Africa, Egypt, Cyprus, Sudan to Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, India. Introduced to USA, Mexico.

Oxyopidae Thorell, 1869.

Oxyopes heterophthalmus (Latreille, 1804). Distribution: Europe, North Africa to Middle East, Turkey, Caucasus, Kazakhstan, China.

Philodromidae Thorell, 1869.

Emargidromus emarginatus (Schrank, 1803). Distribution: Europe, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, Mongolia, China, Korea.

Thanatus kitabensis Charitonov, 1946. Distribution: Russia (Europe to West Siberia), Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan.

T. vulgaris Simon, 1870. Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Middle East, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia.

Pholcidae C. L. Koch, 1850.

Holocnemus pluchei (Scopoli, 1763). Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Middle East. Introduced to USA, Argentina, Japan, Australia.

Salticidae Blackwall, 1841.

Asianellus festivus (C.L. Koch, 1834). Distribution: Europe, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, China, Korea, Japan.

Attulus ammophilus (Thorell, 1875). Distribution: Romania, Ukraine, Russia (Europe), Turkey, Caucasus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Afghanistan. Indroduced to Canada, USA.

Bianor albobimaculatus (Lucas, 1846). Distribution: Africa, Mediterranean to Russia (Europe), Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal.

Chalcoscirtus infimus (Simon, 1868). Distribution: Azores, Mediterranean, Central and southeastern Europe, Russia (Europe), Caucasus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia.

Cyrba algerina (Lucas, 1846). Distribution: Canary Is. to Central Asia.

Evarcha arcuata (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, China, Japan.

E. laetabunda (C. L. Koch, 1846). Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, China.

Heliophanus auratus C. L. Koch, 1835. Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to South Siberia), Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China.

H. equester L. Koch, 1867. Distribution: Italy to Azerbaijan, Iran.

H. mordax (O.Pickard-Cambridge, 1872). Distribution: Greece and Egypt to Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan.

Menemerus semilimbatus (Hahn, 1829). Distribution: Canary Is., Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Iran. Introduced to Argentina, Chile, USA.

M. taeniatus (L. Koch, 1867). Distribution: Mediterranean to Caucasus. Introduced to Argentina.

Philaeus chrysops (Poda, 1761). Distribution: Europe (not Scandinavia), North Africa to Middle East, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Afghanistan, China, Mongolia, Korea.

Phlegra fasciata (Hahn, 1826). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, India, China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan.

Pseudeuophrys obsoleta (Simon, 1868). Distribution: Europe (not Scandinavia), Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China.

Scytodidae Blackwall, 1852

Scytodes thoracica (Latreille, 1802). Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Iran, temperate Asia to China, Korea, Japan. Introduced to North America, Argentina, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand.

Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872.

Micrommata virescens (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan.

Tetragnathidae Menge, 1866.

Pachygnatha clercki Sundevall, 1823. Distribution: Azores, Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Iran, Central Asia, China.

P. degeeri Sundevall, 1830. Distribution: North America, Europe, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan.

Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833.

Asagena phalerata (Panzer, 1800). Distribution: Europe, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, China, Korea.

Enoplognatha latimana Hippa & Oksala, 1982. Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe) to Central Asia, Iran. Introduced to Canada.

• E.    oelandica (Thorell, 1875). Distribution: Europe, Caucasus, Kazakhstan, China.

• E.    ovata (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Middle Siberia), Kazakhstan, Iran, Central Asia, Korea, Japan. Introduced to North America.

• E.    quadripunctata Simon, 1885. Distribution: Mediterranean, Caucasus, Iran, Kazakhstan.

Parasteatoda tepidariorum (C. L. Koch, 1841). Distribution: Asia. Introduced to Canada, USA, South America, Europe, Morocco, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), St. Helena, South Africa, Seychelles, New Zealand, Hawaii.

Steatoda castanea (Clerck, 1757). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Russia (Europe to Far East), Caucasus, Iran, Central Asia, China. Introduced to Canada.

S. grossa (C. L. Koch, 1838). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Russia (Europe to Far East), Caucasus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan. Introduced to North and South America, Macaronesia, St. Helena, Africa, New Zealand, Hawaii.

S. paykulliana (Walckenaer, 1806). Distribution: Europe, Mediterranean to Central Asia, India.

S. triangulosa (Walckenaer, 1802). Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, India, China, Korea. Introduced to Canada, USA, Argentina, Canary Is., South Africa.

Theridion melanurum Hahn, 1831. Distribution: Macaronesia, North Africa, Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Middle Siberia), Middle East. Introduced to Canada, USA.

T. pictum (Walckenaer, 1802). Distribution: North America, Europe, North Africa, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Kazakhstan, Turkemenistan, China, Japan. Introduced to South Africa.

Thomisidae Sundevall, 1833.

Runcinia grammica (C. L. Koch, 1837). Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Middle East to Iran, Russia (Europe to West Siberia), Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Japan. Introduced to St. Helena, South Africa, Lesotho.

Synema globosum (Fabricius, 1775). Distribution: Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Far East), Israel, Iran, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan.

Xysticus kochi Thorell, 1872. Distribution: Europe, Mediterranean to Central Asia.

• X.    ulmi (Hahn, 1831). Distribution: Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Russia (Europe to Middle and South Siberia), Central Asia, China.

Zodariidae Thorell, 1881.

Zodarion caucasicum Dunin & Nenilin, 1987. Distribution: Azerbaijan.