Catalog of spiders in Tunisia (Arachnida: Araneae)
Abstract
A comprehensive catalog of all kinds of Araneae’s order from Tunisia is presented, based on a set of data from all published sources to date. The catalog documents 423 species belonging to 224 genera and 45 families, including 28 endemic species. Six species are considered Nomina Dubia in the World Spider Catalog (2025), and therefore removed from the list with 18 more, with explanations provided for their separation. The total 1377 records were obtained, and each species was written by all local literature quotes. Taxonomic composition, number and distribution of country records are analyzed. The more specific families are Gnanhosidae (52 species), thridiidae (51 species), linyphiidae (45 species) and Lycosidae (29 species); Together (219 species), they represent more than half of the species present in the country. The distribution of records is not the same as taxonomicically and geographically. A striking 187 species, representing 44.1% of Tunisian spider Fauna, recorded from one place only. On the contrary, only 79 species, representing 18.6% of Tunisian spider, recorded from more than five locals. Some localities, especially large cities, loud samples, while many regions, such as desert, remain unstable. In addition to the record, this study reviews the history of Tunisia’s Araneology and emphasizes the development of research beyond tax and faunistic study. The present situation and future views of the Aranite in Tunisia are discussed, with recommendations for the advancing araneological research in the country. This work represents the most detailed and comprehensive documentation of spiders in Tunisia so far, which leads to research method and storage of arachnids in the country.
