New species of Pholcus and Spermophora (Pholcidae, Araneae) from Iran and Afghanistan, with notes on mating mechanisms

Abstract

The anchoring devices employed by some Pholcinae during mating are explained. 15 Pholcus and 3 Spermophora species are currently known from Iran and Afghanistan. These include the following new species: Pholcus afghanus sp. n., P. arsacius sp. n., P. caspius sp. n., P. cophenius sp. n., P. djelalabad sp. n., P. elymaeus sp. n., P. hystaspus sp. n., P. kandahar sp. n., P. parthicus sp. n. and P. velitchkovskyi Kulczynski. Iranian Spermophora are 5. senoculata Dugès, S. senoculatoides sp. n. and S. persica sp. n.