Aydın Topçu

Updated Checklist of Ground Spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) of Turkey, with Zoogeographical and Faunistic Remarks

Abstract This faunistic list of ground spider fauna from Turkey includes published records and original data. Eleven species are new to Turkish araneofauna. With this study, a total of 107 species belonging to 26 genera of Gnaphosidae have been recorded from Turkey until the present time. For each species zoogeographical distribution is given. A zoogeographical classification is constructed according to the current distribution of species. The largest groups are those of the widely distributed Palearctic and Europian-Asian.

A contribution to the cave spider fauna of Turkey (Araneae)

The geological differences and formations of Turkey have made important contributions to its biodiversity. Topcu, Demir, and Seyyar (2006) provided a checklist of 63 cave- dwelling spiders (Araneae...

A new spider of the genus Troglohyphantes (Araneae: Linyphiidae) from a Turkish cave

Abstract A new species of Troglohyphantes Joseph, 1881 is described from Turkey. Differences between the new species and related species are discussed. The morphological characters to distinguish this species from the closely related species are indicated and illustrated. Notes on the habitat and some SEM photographs of this species are also given.

Xysticus anatolicus N. Sp. (Araneae: Thomisidae), A New Species From Turkey

ABSTRACT Xysticus anatolicus n.sp. (Araneae: Thomisidae) is described in the male sex from Kayseri Province, Turkey.

SEVEN NEW RECORDS FOR THE TURKISH ARANEOFAUNA (ARACHNIDA: ARANEAE), WITH ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL REMARKS

Arachnological studies of Turkey began towards the end of the 19th century. The spider fauna of Turkey needs further study. To date, 613 species of spiders have been recorded from Turkey (Topcu et al., 2005). In this paper, we add seven species to the spider fauna of Turkey. For each taxon, the paper includes zoogeographical remarks and chorotype information. The specimens were collected from different parts of Turkey using pitfall traps and manual collection. Examined specimens are deposited in the Arachnology Museum of Nigde University (NUAM). The specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol. The identification was made with a ZX61 Olympus stereomicroscope. The keys of Heimer and Nentwig (1991) and Roberts (1995) were used to identify all specimens. General distribution of all species follows Platnick (2007). The Range section indicates the actual known distribution for each taxon. The species distribution within Turkey is summarized in Remarks. The Chorotype, or zoogeographical characterization for the species, is given following Taglianti et. al. (1999). One chorotype designation is identified for each taxon.

New records of ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Anatolia

In this study, most of the specimens were obtained from pitfall traps and from under stones in Central Turkey. The specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol. The specimens examined are deposited in the Arachnology Museum of Ni de University, Turkey (NUAM). The identification and drawings were made with a SZX9 Olympus stereomicroscope with camera lucida. For the identification of species, the papers by CHATZAKI et al. (2002–2003) and LEVY (1998, 1999) were consulted. All measurements are in millimetres.

New records of little-known species of Xysticus C. L. Koch, 1835 in Turkey (Araneae: Thomisidae)

Abstract Xysticus edax (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872), X. caperatus Simon, 1875, and X. kaznakovi Utochkin, 1968 are recorded for the first time from Turkey. The characteristic features and SEM photographs of the male palpal organs of these species are given. These records increase the number of species of the genus Xysticus found in Turkey to 40.

A new species of the genus Synema Simon, 1864 (Araneae: Thomisidae) from Turkey

Synema anatolica sp. n. (Araneae: Thomisidae) is described based on both sexes from Turkey. Differences between the new species and related species are discussed.

A New Species of Palliduphantes from Turkish Caves (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

ABSTRACT A new species of Palliduphantes Saaristo and Tanasevitch in 2001 is described from Turkey. Differences between the new species and related species are discussed.

Mimetus laevigatus (Keyserling, 1863), a species new for the araneofauna of Turkey (Araneae, Mimetidae)

The Mimetidae is a worldwide family of araneophagic spiders. Some species also feed on insect prey captured by other spiders and, rarely, on non-snared insects. The family is characterised by a distinctive row of spines on the prolateral side of the metatarsus and tibia of the first two pairs of legs in all females and most males (CUTLER 1999). More than 150 species belonging to 12 genera of Mimetidae have been described (PLATNICK 2004). Only Ero aphana (Walckenaer, 1802) has previously been recorded from this family in Turkey (KAROL 1966, BAYRAM 2002). This brief paper reports Mimetus laevigatus (Keyserling, 1863) for the first time from Turkey. Specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol. Drawings were made by means of a stereomicroscope SZX9 Olympus with camera lucida. All measurements are in millimetres. Identification was made according to SIMON (1932). All specimens are deposited in the Arachnology Museum of Ni de University (NUAM). Material: Ni de prov., Maden village (34°37’E, 37°26’N), 1 , June 2002, from shrubs. – Mersin prov., Gülek district (34°48’E, 37°11’N), 2 , July 2002, collected from annual plants. Description: Carapace yellowish-light brown, longer than wide, with median black stripe. Opisthosoma greyish, spherical, with yellow spots, transverse black lateral bands and long hairs. Chelicerae light brown, rather long, with some wide black spots. Legs yellowishbrown, with black spots. Tibiae and metatarsi of front legs with a series of long curved spines alternating with short ones. Colulus present. Anterior spinnerets longer than posterior spinnerets.