Tunisian spider catalogue (Aracnida: Araneye)
Abstract
A comprehensive catalogue of all species of alanea from Tunisia is presented. This is based on compiling data from all published sources to the present. The catalogue records 423 species belonging to 28 genera and 45 families. Six species are considered nominadubia from the world’s spider catalogue (2025), so an exclusion explanation will be provided and removed from the list along with the other 18 people. A total of 1377 records were obtained, with various documents in all regions cited in the literature. The taxonomic composition, numbers, and distribution of national records are analyzed. The most specific families are Gunafosidae (52 species), Terididae (51 species), Linificidae (45 species), Hydrochloride (42 species), and Lycosidae (29 species). Together (219 species), they represent more than half of the species currently known in the country. The distribution of records is rather taxonomically and geographically. 187 species representing 44.1% of the Tunisian spider fauna are recorded from only a single region. In contrast, only 79 species, representing 18.6% of Tunisian spiders, have been recorded from more than five regions. Some areas, especially major cities, are concentratedly sampled, but vast areas like the deserts remain underexposed. In addition to cataloguing, this study reviews the history of Arnelogy in Tunisia and highlights the need to expand research beyond taxonomic and zoological studies. It explains its current position in Tunisia and its future perspectives, along with recommendations for furthering the country’s European studies. This work represents the most detailed and comprehensive document of Tunisian spiders so far, paving the way for future research and preservation of these arknides in the country.
