First record of Poltys nagpurensis (Araneae: Araneidae) from Iran

Abstract

<p>A female specimen of <i>Poltys</i> (Araneidae) is reported from southern Iran, representing the first record of the genus for the whole Middle East and its westernmost record in the entire Asian region. The specimen was identified as <i>Poltys nagpurensis</i> Tikader, 1982, previously known only from central and western India. Since the Iranian specimen differs in habitus morphology (but not in the epigyne), a brief description and comparison to the holotype with photos of the habitus and copulatory organs are provided.</p>