Three new species of the subterranean huntsman spider genus Spariolenus (Araneae, Sparassidae, Heteropodinae) in Iran

Abstract

The taxonomy of the genus Spariolenus Simon, 1880 in Iran is revisited by describing three new species: Spariolenus fathpouri sp. n. (male & female) from Pebdeh cave ecosystem (Khuzestan Province), S. mansourii sp. n. (male and female) a more widespread species discovered in the Pataveh and Nezel Caves entrances (Kohgiluye-va-Buyer Ahmad Province), and S. hormozii sp. n. (female) from the Geno Biosphere Reserve (Hormozgan Province). Notes on the current status of the explored caves are given. The recently erected species, S. khoozestanus is redescribed based on the examination of the holotype and an additional diagnosis is provided. The Iranian plateau can be considered as the hotspot diversity for this genus in the world by hosting 8 out of 13 known species.