First record of Pandava Lehtinen, 1967, in the Middle East, with a new record of Nurscia albomaculata (Lucas, 1846) (Araneae: Titanoecidae) from Iraq
Abstract
We report the first record of the titanoecid spider genus Pandava Lehtinen, 1967, from the Middle East, represented by P. hunanensis Yin & Bao, 2001, a species previously known only from southern China. Additionally, Nurscia albomaculata (Lucas, 1846) is recorded for the first time from Iraq. These records fill a knowledge gap of more than 110 years regarding the representation of the family Titanoecidae in Iraq. The occurrence of Pandava in Iraq represents a remarkable westward and northward range extension of approximately 3000 km from its nearest previously known natural distribution.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
Study of Mite Species
Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Ecologica Montenegrina
- Volume
- 94
- Pages
- 254–263
- Publication date
- 11 February 2026
- Language
- EN