Distributional Notes on Three Wolf Spider Species (Araneae: Lycosidae) Recorded for the First Time in Diyala Province, Iraq

Authors

  • Manar Abdulrahman Al-Khailanه Department of Science, College of Basic Education, University of Sumer, Thi Qar, Iraq.
  • Azhar Mohammed Al-Khazali Department of Science, College of Basic Education, University of Sumer, Thi-Qar, Iraq

Keywords:

Araneae, distribution, new provincial records, Lycosidae, Diyala.

Abstract

This study presents new distributional data for three wolf spider species (Araneae: Lycosidae) from Diyala Province in eastern Iraq. Specimens were gathered from different districts and habitats between July 2025 and June 2026. The species Arctosa tbilisiensis Mcheidze, 1946, Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876, and Wadicosa fidelis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) are recorded for the first time in Diyala, extending their known ranges within Iraq. The paper describes key diagnostic morphological features and includes information about the examined specimens and their local distributions. These findings improve knowledge of the distribution of Iraqi Lycosidae and reveal that Diyala Province, despite its habitat variety, remains insufficiently studied. The records serve as a valuable baseline for future taxonomic, faunistic, and ecological research on spiders in Iraq.   

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Published

2026-09-30

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (Special Issue) (2026): Vol. 5 No. 2 (Special Issue) (2026)

Section

Biology