Arthropod diversity in Iran: Class Arachnida Lamarck, 1801 (excl. Acariformes Zakhvatkin, 1952 and Parasitiformes Reuter, 1909)

The class Arachnida comprises approximately 100,000 described species worldwide, which might represent only one-tenth of its total diversity (Agnarsson, 2023). Although their diversity and abundance are highest in tropical and subtropical regions, members of the class occur on all continents and in all terrestrial habitats, with a few groups also found in marine and freshwater environments. Currently, 16 extant orders are recognized within Arachnida, while an additional four orders, and several genera of uncertain taxonomic placement, are known exclusively from the fossil record (Dunlop et al., 2020). The superorders Acariformes and Parasitiformes include two and four orders, respectively; these were traditionally grouped together under the now-refuted “Acari,” which has been shown to be polyphyletic in most phylogenomic analyses (Bolton, 2025).

Although the study of Iranian arachnids dates back to the early 19th century, the fauna remains inadequately documented for most orders. The overall diversity and history of arachnological research in Iran were recently reviewed by Cokendolpher et al. (2019). Excluding Acariformes and Parasitiformes, members of six arachnid orders are currently known from the country, which form the focus of the present work. Images of selected representative species of these orders from Iran are presented in Figures 1, 2.

Spiders (Araneae) (Fig. 1B, C), with over 53,000 described species worldwide, represent the largest order within Arachnida and the sixth largest in the entire animal kingdom, with estimates of their total diversity ranging from 80,000 to 200,000 species (Agnarsson et al., 2013). The first scientific collection of Iranian spiders was apparently conducted in 1859, and published research on the group dates back to the early 1880s. Despite considerable advances in taxonomic research on Iranian spiders over the past two decades (e.g., Tanasevitch, 2009; Moradmand & Jäger, 2011; Zamani & Marusik, 2021; Zamani et al., 2021, 2025; Logunov, 2023), the fauna remains significantly affected by severe Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls (Zamani et al., 2023). To date, over 1,000 spider species have been recorded from Iran, all belonging to the suborder Opisthothelae. The other suborder, Mesothelae, includes a single extant family, Liphistiidae, which comprises around 200 species distributed in East and Southeast Asia (World Spider Catalog, 2025).

With over 6,800 currently known species, harvestmen (Opiliones) (Fig. 2A, B) are a large and diverse group of arachnids, with their highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Although the first Iranian species of Opiliones was described as early as 1876, the group remains extremely poorly studied in both Iran and the broader region of the Middle East. To date, only 28 species have been recorded from the country, representing three of the four suborders; Cyphophthalmi is the only one not yet documented in Iran (Snegovaya et al., 2018, 2021).

Pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) (Fig. 2C, D) comprise over 3,800 species worldwide and occur in nearly all terrestrial habitats. They are most commonly found in leaf litter, subterranean environments, and beneath tree bark or rocks. The first published record of Iranian pseudoscorpions dates back to 1918, and currently, 73 species are known from the country (e.g., Nassirkhani, 2015, 2022). Of the three suborders currently recognized within Pseudoscorpiones, only Atoposphyronida is not known from Iran.

Scorpions (Scorpiones) (Fig. 1D, E) comprise more than 2,900 species, primarily distributed in arid and subtropical regions. However, they occur in nearly all terrestrial habitats and on all continents except Antarctica; they are also absent from New Zealand. With 94 currently known species, Iran has one of the highest scorpion diversities of any country, the majority of which are regional endemics (e.g., Kovařík et al., 2019, 2022; Kovařík & Navidpour, 2020; Barahoei et al., 2020, 2022a, 2022b; Amiri et al., 2024). All extant scorpions, along with some fossil taxa, are classified within the suborder Neoscorpionina; several other proposed suborders contain only fossil species (Dunlop et al., 2020).

Camel spiders (Solifugae) (Fig. 2E, F) comprise more than 1,150 currently known species, occurring in arid regions of all continents except Australia and Antarctica; they are also absent from Madagascar and New Zealand. Research on the camel spider diversity of Iran has been very limited. The first species from Iran was described in 1895, and most of those currently known were described during the early to mid-20th century (e.g., Roewer, 1933; Birula, 1937; Kraus, 1959). Despite this, with 72 known species, the majority of which are endemics, Iran has one of the highest diversities of camel spiders of any country, and the highest in the Palaearctic. This number is expected to increase considerably once focused integrative revisions and large-scale surveys are conducted. Efforts to advance knowledge of this fauna have recently been initiated (e.g., Maddahi et al., 2017, 2022; Khazanehdari et al., 2016). Among the two suborders recognized within Solifugae (Kulkarni et al., 2024), the majority of Iranian species belong to Boreosolifugae, which is predominantly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Australosolifugae, which has a largely Gondwanan distribution, is represented in Iran by only eight species in a single family, Daesiidae.

Whip spiders (Amblypygi) (Fig. 1A) are a small order comprising around 280 species, primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in humid and sheltered habitats such as beneath bark and in caves. They occur on all continents except Antarctica; in Europe, however, they are represented by only a single parthenogenetic species, Sarax ioanniticus (Kritscher, 1959) (Charinidae), found in the eastern Mediterranean region, with a seemingly introduced population in Italy (Colla et al., 2020). They are absent from New Zealand. The group was only recently recorded in Iran (Miranda & Zamani, 2018), based on the description of an endemic species of Phrynichidae from the western part of the country. Phrynichidae belongs to Euamblypygi, one of the two suborders currently recognized within Amblypygi; the other, Paleoamblypygi, comprises only two extant species in a single family, Paracharontidae.

Here, I provide an updated and detailed classification of these orders in Iran, down to the genus level, including both regional and global diversity figures for each taxon.          

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The data presented here are based on my personal checklists of species, which have been compiled and continuously updated using all relevant publications concerning the arachnid fauna of Iran. The classification, nomenclature, and global statistics follow various online catalogues and databases (World Amblypygi Catalog, 2022; World Pseudoscorpiones Catalog, 2022; World Solifugae Catalog, 2022; World Spider Catalog, 2025; Kury et al., 2024; Bánki et al., 2025; Rein, 2025), as well as recent publications focusing on the higher systematics of each group (e.g., Benavides et al., 2019; Kulkarni et al., 2024).

Figure 1. Selected representative species of Amblypygi (A), Araneae (B, C), and Scorpiones (D, E) from Iran. A. Phrynichus persicus Miranda & Zamani, 2018; B. Loureedia phoenixi Zamani & Marusik, 2020; C. Raveniola niedermeyeri (Brignoli, 1972); D. Anomalobuthus talebii Teruel et al., 2014; E. Hemiscorpius enischnochela Monod & Lourenço, 2005. Photos by Alireza Zamani.

Figure 2. Selected representative species of Opiliones (A, B), Pseudoscorpiones (C, D), and Solifugae (E, F) from Iran; A. Calathocratus caucasicus (Šilhavý, 1966); B. Egaenus oedipus (Thorell, 1876); C. Minniza (?) sp.; D. Parolpium litoreum Nassirkhani & Zamani, 2018; E. Paragaleodes melanopygus Birula, 1905; F. Rhagoduja finnegani Roewer, 1933. Photos by Alireza Zamani.

The list of taxa is arranged alphabetically. Among non-major taxonomic ranks, only subphylum, suborder, and infraorder are considered. For each parent taxon, the numbers of species, genera, families, infraorders, and suborders are indicated. Global statistics for each taxon are provided in brackets. Fossil taxa and subspecies are excluded from the statistics.

RESULTS

Taxonomic hierarchy

Phylum Arthropoda Gravenhorst, 1843

Subphylum Chelicerata Heymons, 1901

Class Arachnida Lamarck, 1801

Order Amblypygi Thorell, 1883 – (1[2] suborders, 1[4] families, 1[18] genera, 1[278] species).

Suborder Euamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996 – (1[3] families, 1[16] genera, 1[276] species).

Family Phrynichidae Simon, 1892 – (1[7] genera, 1[35] species).

Genus Phrynichus Karsch, 1879 – (1[18] species).

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757 – (1[2] suborders, 59[138] families, 330[4,466] genera, 1,003[>53,200] species).

Suborder Opisthothelae Pocock, 1892 – (2[2] infraorders, 59[137] families, 330[4,458] genera, 1,003[>53,000] species).

Infraorder Araneomorphae Simon, 1892 – (54[107] families, 324[4,063] genera, 990[49,400] species).

Family Agelenidae C.L. Koch, 1837 – (8[97] genera, 27[>1,455] species).

Genus Agelena Walckenaer, 1805 – (2[44] species).

Genus Asiascape Zamani & Marusik, 2020 – (1[1] species).

Genus Azerithonica Guseinov, Marusik & Koponen, 2005 – (2[2] species).

Genus Benoitia Lehtinen, 1967 – (1[10] species).

Genus Brignoliolus Ovtchinnikov, 1999 – (1[9] species).

Genus Persilena Zamani & Marusik, 2020 – (1[1] species).

Genus Persiscape Zamani & Marusik, 2020 – (6[7] species).

Genus Tegenaria Latreille, 1804 – (13[138] species).

Family Amaurobiidae Thorell, 1870 – (2[27] genera, 2[208] species).

Genus Amaurobius C.L. Koch, 1837 – (1[67] species).

Genus Ecurobius Zamani & Marusik, 2021 – (1[1] species).

Family Anyphaenidae Bertkau, 1878 – (1[59] genera, 1[>650] species).

Genus Anyphaena Sundevall, 1833 – (1[110] species).

Family Araneidae Clerck, 1757 – (21[198] genera, 56[>3,150] species).

Genus Aculepeira Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942 – (3[26] species).

Genus Agalenatea Archer, 1951 – (1[2] species).

Genus Araneus Clerck, 1757 – (6[535] species).

Genus Araniella Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942 – (6[18] species).

Genus Argiope Audouin, 1826 – (6[86] species).

Genus Cercidia Thorell, 1869 – (1[3] species).

Genus Cyclosa Menge, 1866 – (3[178] species).

Genus Cyrtophora Simon, 1864 – (1[44] species).

Genus Gibbaranea Archer, 1951 – (3[12] species).

Genus Hypsosinga Ausserer, 1871 – (4[20] species).

Genus Larinia Simon, 1874 – (1[62] species).

Genus Larinioides Caporiacco, 1934 – (3[7] species).

Genus Leviellus Wunderlich, 2004 – (1[6] species).

Genus Mangora O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1889 – (1[190] species).

Genus Neoscona Simon, 1864 – (7[112] species).

Genus Nuctenea Simon, 1864 – (1[3] species).

Genus Poltys C.L. Koch, 1843 – (1[42] species).

Genus Singa C.L. Koch, 1836 – (4[25] species).

Genus Siwa Grasshoff, 1970 – (1[2] species).

Genus Zilla C.L. Koch, 1834 – (1[4] species).

Genus Zygiella F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1902 – (1[8] species).

Family Argyronetidae Thorell, 1869 – (4[12] genera, 7[74] species).

Genus Argenna Thorell, 1870 – (2[6] species).

Genus Argyroneta Latreille, 1804 – (1[1] species).

Genus Devade Simon, 1885 – (3[14] species).

Genus Paratheuma Bryant, 1940 – (1[12] species).

Family Caponiidae Simon, 1890 – (1[21] genera, 1[157] species).

Genus Iraponia Kranz-Baltensperger, Platnick & Dupérré, 2009 – (1[1] species).

Family Cheiracanthiidae Wagner, 1887 – (1[15] genera, 11[379] species).

Genus Cheiracanthium C.L. Koch, 1839 – (11[231] species).

Family Cicurinidae F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1893 – (1[4] genera, 1[179] species).

Genus Brommella Tullgren, 1948 – (1[22] species).

Family Cithaeronidae Simon, 1893 – (1[2] genera, 2[10] species).

Genus Cithaeron O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872 – (2[8] species).

Family Clubionidae Simon, 1878 – (2[18] genera, 12[>670] species).

Genus Clubiona Latreille, 1804 – (9[529] species).

Genus Porrhoclubiona Lohmander, 1944 – (3[13] species).

Family Corinnidae Karsch, 1880 – (1[76] genera, 1[>870] species).

Genus Castianeira Keyserling, 1879 – (1[123] species).

Family Cybaeidae Banks, 1892 – (1[24] genera, 1[303] species).

Genus Mastigusa Menge, 1854 – (1[4] species).

Family Desidae Pocock, 1895 – (1[63] genera, 3[323] species).

Genus Paracedicus Fet, 1993 – (3[8] species).

Family Dictynidae O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871 – (7[44] genera, 12[338] species).

Genus Ajmonia Caporiacco, 1934 – (1[14] species).

Genus Archaeodictyna Caporiacco, 1928 – (2[14] species).

Genus Brigittea Lehtinen, 1967 – (3[6] species).

Genus Dictyna Sundevall, 1833 – (2[60] species).

Genus Kharitonovia Esyunin, Zamani & Tuneva, 2017 – (1[1] species).

Genus Marilynia Lehtinen, 1967 – (1[1] species).

Genus Nigma Lehtinen, 1967 – (2[12] species).

Family Dysderidae C.L. Koch, 1837 – (2[24] genera, 23[>660] species).

Genus Dysdera Latreille, 1804 – (20[326] species).

Genus Harpactea Bristowe, 1939 – (3[220] species).

Family Eresidae C.L. Koch, 1845 – (3[9] genera, 11[>110] species).

Genus Eresus Walckenaer, 1805 – (8[32] species).

Genus Loureedia Miller et al., 2012 – (1[6] species).

Genus Stegodyphus Simon, 1873 – (2[19] species).

Family Filistatidae Simon, 1864 – (5[18] genera, 16[192] species).

Genus Filistata Latreille, 1810 – (4[14] species).

Genus Microfilistata Zonstein, 1990 – (1[3] species).

Genus Pritha Lehtinen, 1967 – (1[19] species).

Genus Sahastata Benoit, 1968 – (2[10] species).

Genus Zaitunia Lehtinen, 1967 – (8[30] species).

Family Gnaphosidae Banks, 1892 – (40[153] genera, 143[>2,500] species).

Genus Anagraphis Simon, 1893 – (1[10] species).

Genus Aphantaulax Simon, 1878 – (1[16] species).

Genus Berinda Roewer, 1928 – (1[10] species).

Genus Berlandina Dalmas, 1922 – (8[43] species).

Genus Callilepis Westring, 1874 – (1[20] species).

Genus Callipelis Zamani & Marusik, 2017 – (1[1] species).

Genus Civizelotes Senglet, 2012 – (2[14] species).

Genus Cryptodrassus Miller, 1943 – (3[12] species).

Genus Drassodes Westring, 1851 – (9[133] species).

Genus Drassyllus Chamberlin, 1922 – (6[92] species).

Genus Echemus  Simon, 1878 – (1[23] species).

Genus Fedotovia Charitonov, 1946 – (1[4] species).

Genus Gnaphosa Latreille, 1804 – (11[149] species).

Genus Haplodrassus Chamberlin, 1922 – (10[101] species).

Genus Iranotricha Zamani & Marusik, 2018 – (1[1] species).

Genus Kishidaia Yaginuma, 1960 – (1[3] species).

Genus Leptopilos Levy, 2009 – (1[10] species).

Genus Marinarozelotes Ponomarev, 2020 – (7[23] species).

Genus Marjanus Chatzaki, 2018 – (1[2] species).

Genus Megamyrmaekion Reuss, 1834 – (1[12] species).

Genus Micaria Westring, 1851 – (13[127] species).

Genus Minosia Dalmas, 1921 – (1[13] species).

Genus Minosiella Dalmas, 1921 – (1[7] species).

Genus Nomisia Dalmas, 1921 – (7[40] species).

Genus Odontodrassus Jézéquel, 1965 – (1[9] species).

Genus Parasyrisca Schenkel, 1963 – (1[57] species).

Genus Phaeocedus Simon, 1893 – (1[6] species).

Genus Pterotricha Kulczyński, 1903 – (5[39] species).

Genus Scotophaeus Simon, 1893 – (4[61] species).

Genus Setaphis Simon, 1893 – (1[23] species).

Genus Shaitan Kovblyuk, Kastrygina & Marusik, 2013 – (1[2] species).

Genus Sidydrassus Esyunin & Tuneva, 2002 – (1[4] species).

Genus Sosticus Chamberlin, 1922 – (2[4] species).

Genus Synaphosus Platnick & Shadab, 1980 – (5[36] species).

Genus Talanites Simon, 1893 – (4[21] species).

Genus Trachyzelotes Lohmander, 1944 – (1[1] species).

Genus Trichothyse Tucker, 1923 – (2[17] species).

Genus Turkozelotes Kovblyuk & Seyyar, 2009 – (2[7] species).

Genus Zagrotes Zamani et al., 2021 – (4[4] species).

Genus Zelotes Gistel, 1848 – (18[405] species).

Family Hahniidae Bertkau, 1878 – (1[29] genera, 3[242] species).

Genus Hahnia C.L. Koch, 1841 – (3[105] species).

Family Hersiliidae Thorell, 1869 – (5[16] genera, 13[189] species).

Genus Bastanius Mirshamsi, Zamani & Marusik, 2016 – (2[2] species).

Genus Deltshevia Marusik & Fet, 2009 – (1[3] species).

Genus Duninia Marusik & Fet, 2009 – (4[4] species).

Genus Hersilia Audouin, 1826 – (1[80] species).

Genus Hersiliola Thorell, 1869 – (5[15] species).

Family Lathyidae Cala-Riquelme et al., 2025 – (1[10] genera, 3[58] species).

Genus Lathys Simon, 1885 – (3[15] species).

Family Leptonetidae Simon, 1890 – (1[22] genera, 1[397] species).

Genus Leptonetela Kratochvíl, 1978 – (1[123] species).

Family Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859 – (47[640] genera, 88[>4,950] species).

Genus Agyneta Hull, 1911 – (7[203] species).

Genus Araeoncus Simon, 1884 – (3[38] species).

Genus Archaraeoncus Tanasevitch, 1987 – (2[4] species).

Genus Bathyphantes Menge, 1866 – (2[59] species).

Genus Bolyphantes C.L. Koch, 1837 – (1[22] species).

Genus Caviphantes Oi, 1960 – (1[6] species).

Genus Centromerus Dahl, 1886 – (2[92] species).

Genus Ceratinella Emerton, 1882 – (1[28] species).

Genus Collinsia O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1913 – (1[23] species).

Genus Dactylopisthes Simon, 1884 – (1[11] species).

Genus Dicymbium Menge, 1868 – (1[10] species).

Genus Diplocephalus Bertkau, 1883 – (2[52] species).

Genus Diplostyla Emerton, 1882 – (1[1] species).

Genus Entelecara Simon, 1884 – (2[20] species).

Genus Erigone Audouin, 1826 – (2[103] species).

Genus Erigonoplus Simon, 1884 – (3[24] species).

Genus Frontinellina van Helsdingen, 1969 – (1[4] species).

Genus Gnathonarium Karsch, 1881 – (1[7] species).

Genus Gongylidiellum Simon, 1884 – (2[20] species).

Genus Lepthyphantes Menge, 1866 – (1[143] species).

Genus Linyphia Latreille, 1804 – (2[71] species).

Genus Maso Simon, 1884 – (1[6] species).

Genus Megalepthyphantes Wunderlich, 1994 – (6[20] species).

Genus Mesasigone Tanasevitch, 1989 – (1[1] species).

Genus Microlinyphia Gerhardt, 1928 – (1[13] species).

Genus Microneta Menge, 1869 – (1[15] species).

Genus Neriene Blackwall, 1833 – (4[62] species).

Genus Oedothorax Bertkau, 1883 – (2[38] species).

Genus Palliduphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 2001 – (3[75] species).

Genus Pelecopsis Simon, 1864 – (2[90] species).

Genus Piniphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 1996 – (1[10] species).

Genus Pocadicnemis Simon, 1884 – (1[6] species).

Genus Poeciloneta Kulczyński, 1894 – (1[14] species).

Genus Porrhomma Simon, 1884 – (3[26] species).

Genus Prinerigone Millidge, 1988 – (3[21] species).

Genus Scotargus Simon, 1913 – (1[6] species).

Genus Scutpelecopsis Marusik & Gnelitsa, 2009 – (2[5] species).

Genus Sengletus Tanasevitch, 2008 – (2[2] species).

Genus Silometopus Simon, 1926 – (1[19] species).

Genus Sintula Simon, 1884 – (1[17] species).

Genus Stemonyphantes Menge, 1866 – (3[24] species).

Genus Styloctetor Simon, 1884 – (2[8] species).

Genus Tenuiphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 1996 – (2[48] species).

Genus Trematocephalus Dahl, 1886 – (1[4] species).

Genus Trichoncoides Denis, 1950 – (1[3] species).

Genus Troglohyphantes Joseph, 1882 – (2[134] species).

Genus Walckenaeria Blackwall, 1833 – (3[203] species).

Family Liocranidae Simon, 1897 – (3[35] genera, 12[355] species).

Genus Agroeca Westring, 1861 – (5[36] species).

Genus Mesiotelus Simon, 1897 – (6[27] species).

Genus Sestakovaia Zamani & Marusik, 2021 – (1[2] species).

Family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833 – (18[138] genera, 83[>2,500] species).

Genus Alopecosa Simon, 1885 – (11[163] species).

Genus Arctosa C.L. Koch, 1847 – (8[165] species).

Genus Aulonia C.L. Koch, 1847 – (1[2] species).

Genus Bogdocosa Ponomarev & Belosludtsev, 2008 – (1[1] species).

Genus Draposa Kronestedt, 2010 – (1[12] species).

Genus Evippa Simon, 1882 – (6[38] species).

Genus Geolycosa Montgomery, 1904 – (1[70] species).

Genus Halocosa Azarkina & Trilikauskas, 2019 – (1[2] species).

Genus Hippasa Simon, 1885 – (1[25] species).

Genus Hogna Simon, 1885 – (2[228] species).

Genus Karakumosa Logunov & Ponomarev, 2020 – (6[17] species).

Genus Lycosa Latreille, 1804 – (7[214] species).

Genus Pardosa C.L. Koch, 1847 – (26[508] species).

Genus Pirata Sundevall, 1833 – (1[49] species).

Genus Piratula Roewer, 1960 – (2[29] species).

Genus Trochosa C.L. Koch, 1847 – (6[93] species).

Genus Wadicosa Zyuzin, 1985 – (2[20] species).

Genus Xerolycosa Dahl, 1908 – (1[5] species).

Family Mimetidae Simon, 1881 – (2[8] genera, 2[165] species).

Genus Ero C.L. Koch, 1836 – (1[13] species).

Genus Mimetus Hentz, 1832 – (1[71] species).

Family Miturgidae Simon, 1886 – (2[33] genera, 7[193] species).

Genus Prochora Simon, 1886 – (1[3] species).

Genus Zora C.L. Koch, 1847 – (6[22] species).

Family Mysmenidae Petrunkevitch, 1928 – (1[17] genera, 1[188] species).

Genus Microdipoena Banks, 1895 – (1[21] species).

Family Nesticidae Simon, 1894 – (1[16] genera, 1[292] species).

Genus Aituaria Esyunin & Efimik, 1998 – (1[4] species).

Family Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862 – (3[7] genera, 15[130] species).

Genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846 – (10[94] species).

Genus Turanobius Zamani, Marusik & Fomichev, 2024 – (1[4] species).

Genus Uroctea Dufour, 1820 – (4[23] species).

Family Oonopidae Simon, 1890 – (4[115] genera, 6[>1,960] species).

Genus Opopaea Simon, 1892 – (2[190] species).

Genus Pelicinus Simon, 1892 – (2[21] species).

Genus Triaeris Simon, 1892 – (1[15] species).

Genus Trilacuna Tong & Li, 2007 – (1[51] species).

Family Oxyopidae Thorell, 1869 – (2[9] genera, 10[447] species).

Genus Oxyopes Latreille, 1804 – (9[279] species).

Genus Peucetia Thorell, 1869 – (1[47] species).

Family Palpimanidae Thorell, 1870 – (2[20] genera, 3[182] species).

Genus Levymanus Zonstein & Marusik, 2013 – (1[3] species).

Genus Palpimanus Dufour, 1820 – (2[43] species).

Family Philodromidae Thorell, 1870 – (5[30] genera, 32[519] species).

Genus Philodromus Walckenaer, 1826 – (10[207] species).

Genus Pulchellodromus Wunderlich, 2012 – (1[13] species).

Genus Rhysodromus Schick, 1965 – (6[29] species).

Genus Thanatus C.L. Koch, 1837 – (14[93] species).

Genus Tibellus Simon, 1875 – (1[51] species).

Family Pholcidae C.L. Koch, 1850 – (7[97] genera, 23[>2,050] species).

Genus Artema Walckenaer, 1837 – (2[12] species).

Genus Crossopriza Simon, 1893 – (3[24] species).

Genus Nita Huber & El-Hennawy, 2007 – (1[1] species).

Genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805 – (12[427] species).

Genus Physocyclus Simon, 1893 – (1[38] species).

Genus Psilochorus Simon, 1893 – (1[41] species).

Genus Spermophora Hentz, 1841 – (3[45] species).

Family Phrurolithidae Banks, 1892 – (2[27] genera, 4[>420] species).

Genus Bosselaerius Zamani & Marusik, 2020 – (1[3] species).

Genus Phrurolithus C.L. Koch, 1839 – (3[374] species).

Family Pisauridae Simon, 1890 – (1[45] genera, 2[231] species).

Genus Pisaura Simon, 1886 – (2[13] species).

Family Prodidomidae Simon, 1884 – (2[24] genera, 3[195] species).

Genus Prodidomus Hentz, 1847 – (2[54] species).

Genus Zimiris Simon, 1882 – (1[2] species).

Family Salticidae Blackwall, 1841 – (40[689] genera, 128[>6,810] species).

Genus Aelurillus Simon, 1885 – (6[72] species).

Genus Afraflacilla Berland & Millot, 1941 – (1[51] species).

Genus Attulus Simon, 1889 – (7[61] species).

Genus Ballus C.L. Koch, 1850 – (1[11] species).

Genus Bianor G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1886 – (1[27] species).

Genus Carrhotus Thorell, 1891 – (1[37] species).

Genus Chalcoscirtus Bertkau, 1880 – (9[45] species).

Genus Chinattus Logunov, 1999 – (1[21] species).

Genus Cyrba Simon, 1876 – (2[9] species).

Genus Euophrys C.L. Koch, 1834 – (3[98] species).

Genus Evarcha Simon, 1902 – (5[94] species).

Genus Heliophanillus Prószyński, 1989 – (1[4] species).

Genus Heliophanus C.L. Koch, 1833 – (17[91] species).

Genus Iranattus Prószyński, 1992 – (1[2] species).

Genus Langona  Simon, 1901 – (4[46] species).

Genus Macaroeris Wunderlich, 1992 – (1[9] species).

Genus Marpissa C.L. Koch, 1846 – (1[39] species).

Genus Mendoza G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1894 – (1[9] species).

Genus Menemerus Simon, 1868 – (4[63] species).

Genus Mexcala G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1902 – (1[22] species).

Genus Mogrus Simon, 1882 – (4[29] species).

Genus Myrmarachne MacLeay, 1839 – (2[188] species).

Genus Neon Simon, 1876 – (3[28] species).

Genus Pellenes Simon, 1876 – (7[66] species).

Genus Philaeus Thorell, 1869 – (1[5] species).

Genus Phintella Strand, 1906 – (1[85] species).

Genus Phlegra Simon, 1876 – (6[76] species).

Genus Plexippoides Prószyński, 1984 – (3[27] species).

Genus Plexippus C.L. Koch, 1846 – (6[40] species).

Genus Proszynskiana Logunov, 1996 – (3[8] species).

Genus Pseudeuophrys Dahl, 1912 – (3[10] species).

Genus Pseudicius Simon, 1885 – (2[35] species).

Genus Rafalus Prószyński, 1999 – (1[9] species).

Genus Rudakius Prószyński, 2016 – (5[7] species).

Genus Salticus Latreille, 1804 – (6[45] species).

Genus Sibianor Logunov, 2001 – (2[17] species).

Genus Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886 – (1[59] species).

Genus Synageles Simon, 1876 – (2[21] species).

Genus Talavera G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1909 – (1[16] species).

Genus Thyene Simon, 1885 – (1[58] species).

Family Scytodidae Blackwall, 1864 – (2[4] genera, 6[252] species).

Genus Dictis L. Koch, 1872 – (2[8] species).

Genus Scytodes Latreille, 1804 – (4[228] species).

Family Segestriidae Simon, 1893 – (1[5] genera, 2[180] species).

Genus Segestria Latreille, 1804 – (2[22] species).

Family Selenopidae Simon, 1897 – (1[9] genera, 1[282] species).

Genus Selenops Latreille, 1819 – (1[132] species).

Family Sicariidae Keyserling, 1880 – (1[3] genera, 4[177] species).

Genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832 – (4[148] species).

Family Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872 – (6[99] genera, 20[>1,530] species).

Genus Cebrennus Simon, 1880 – (1[20] species).

Genus Eusparassus Simon, 1903 – (5[33] species).

Genus Micrommata Latreille, 1804 – (2[7] species).

Genus Olios Walckenaer, 1837 – (2[164] species).

Genus Pseudomicrommata Järvi, 1912 – (1[5] species).

Genus Spariolenus Simon, 1880 – (9[20] species).

Family Synaphridae Wunderlich, 1986 – (1[3] genera, 1[13] species).

Genus Synaphris Simon, 1894 – (1[11] species).

Family Tetragnathidae Menge, 1866 – (4[45] genera, 16[971] species).

Genus Meta C.L. Koch, 1835 – (1[33] species).

Genus Metellina Chamberlin & Ivie, 1941 – (4[16] species).

Genus Pachygnatha Sundevall, 1823 – (3[44] species).

Genus Tetragnatha Latreille, 1804 – (8[309] species).

Family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833 – (24[133] genera, 69[>2,570] species).

Genus Anelosimus Simon, 1891 – (2[75] species).

Genus Asagena Sundevall, 1833 – (1[9] species).

Genus Crustulina Menge, 1868 – (2[17] species).

Genus Dipoena Thorell, 1869 – (1[154] species).

Genus Enoplognatha Pavesi, 1880 – (10[75] species).

Genus Episinus Walckenaer, 1809 – (2[44] species).

Genus Euryopis Menge, 1868 – (5[82] species).

Genus Heterotheridion Wunderlich, 2008 – (1[1] species).

Genus Kochiura Archer, 1950 – (1[8] species).

Genus Lasaeola Simon, 1881 – (3[33] species).

Genus Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805 – (6[35] species).

Genus Neottiura Menge, 1868 – (1[6] species).

Genus Parasteatoda Archer, 1946 – (2[42] species).

Genus Pholcomma Thorell, 1869 – (1[11] species).

Genus Phoroncidia Westwood, 1835 – (1[82] species).

Genus Phycosoma O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1880 – (1[32] species).

Genus Phylloneta Archer, 1950 – (1[3] species).

Genus Platnickina Koçak & Kemal, 2008 – (1[11] species).

Genus Rhomphaea L. Koch, 1872 – (1[39] species).

Genus Robertus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1879 – (2[47] species).

Genus Rugathodes Archer, 1950 – (1[9] species).

Genus Simitidion Wunderlich, 1992 – (1[3] species).

Genus Steatoda Sundevall, 1833 – (11[118] species).

Genus Theridion Walckenaer, 1805 – (11[573] species).

Family Theridiosomatidae Simon, 1881 – (1[22] genera, 1[149] species).

Genus Theridiosoma O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1879 – (1[36] species).

Family Thomisidae Sundevall, 1833 – (17[171] genera, 63[>2,145] species).

Genus Bassaniodes Pocock, 1903 – (5[40] species).

Genus Diaea Thorell, 1869 – (3[45] species).

Genus Ebrechtella Dahl, 1907 – (1[13] species).

Genus Firmicus Simon, 1895 – (1[17] species).

Genus Heriaeus Simon, 1875 – (3[37] species).

Genus Misumena Latreille, 1804 – (1[37] species).

Genus Monaeses Thorell, 1869 – (1[28] species).

Genus Ozyptila Simon, 1864 – (11[102] species).

Genus Pistius Simon, 1875 – (1[7] species).

Genus Psammitis Menge, 1876 – (4[37] species).

Genus Runcinia Simon, 1875 – (2[27] species).

Genus Spiracme Menge, 1876 – (1[10] species).

Genus Stiphropus Gerstaecker, 1873 – (1[22] species).

Genus Synema Simon, 1864 – (3[123] species).

Genus Thomisus Walckenaer, 1805 – (5[137] species).

Genus Tmarus Simon, 1875 – (3[229] species).

Genus Xysticus C.L. Koch, 1835 – (17[275] species).

Family Titanoecidae Lehtinen, 1967 – (2[5] genera, 7[67] species).

Genus Nurscia Simon, 1874 – (3[5] species).

Genus Titanoeca Thorell, 1870 – (4[31] species).

Family Trachelidae Simon, 1897 – (2[29] genera, 3[300] species).

Genus Orthobula Simon, 1897 – (2[25] species).

Genus Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 – (1[93] species).

Family Uloboridae Thorell, 1869 – (2[20] genera, 3[277] species).

Genus Octonoba Opell, 1979 – (1[31] species).

Genus Uloborus Latreille, 1806 – (2[72] species).

Family Zodariidae Thorell, 1881 – (7[90] genera, 23[>1,310] species).

Genus Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966 – (11[24] species).

Genus Lachesana Strand, 1932 – (3[12] species).

Genus Parazodarion Ovtchinnikov, Ahmad & Gurko, 2009 – (1[1] species).

Genus Pax Levy, 1990 – (2[7] species).

Genus Trygetus Simon, 1882 – (2[10] species).

Genus Zodariellum Andreeva & Tystshenko, 1968 – (1[25] species).

Genus Zodarion Walckenaer, 1826 – (3[170] species).

Family Zoropsidae Bertkau, 1882 – (1[28] genera, 1[186] species).

Genus Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966 – (1[15] species).

Infraorder Mygalomorphae Pocock, 1892 – (5[31] families, 6[395] genera, 13[>3,770] species).

Family Atypidae Thorell, 1870 – (1[3] genera, 2[61] species).

Genus Atypus Latreille, 1804 – (2[38] species).

Family Cyrtaucheniidae Simon, 1889 – (1[6] genera, 1[109] species).

Genus Anemesia Pocock, 1895 – (1[15] species).

Family Euagridae Raven, 1979 – (1[14] genera, 2[87] species).

Genus Phyxioschema Simon, 1889 – (2[9] species).

Family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 – (1[10] genera, 5[195] species).

Genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 – (5[73] species).

Family Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869 – (2[176] genera, 3[>1,150] species).

Genus Chaetopelma Ausserer, 1871 – (1[8] species).

Genus Ischnocolus Ausserer, 1871 – (2[9] species).

Order Opiliones Sundevall, 1833 – (3[4] suborders, 6[65] families, 12[1,676] genera, 28[>6,800] species).

Suborder Dyspnoi Hansen & Sørensen, 1904 – (3[8] families, 4[45] genera, 7[>410] species).

Family Dicranolasmatidae Sørensen, 1873 – (1[1] genus, 1[16] species).

Genus Dicranolasma Sørensen, 1873 – (1[16] species).

Family Nemastomatidae Simon, 1872 – (2[27] genera, 5[>190] species).

Genus Mediostoma Kratochvíl, 1958 – (3[12] species).

Genus Paranemastoma Redikortsev, 1936 – (2[51] species).

Family Trogulidae Sundevall, 1833 – (1[5] genera, 1[68] species).

Genus Calathocratus Simon, 1879 – (1[12] species).

Suborder Eupnoi Hansen & Sørensen, 1904 – (2[6] families, 7[251] genera, 20[>1,810] species).

Family Phalangiidae Latreille, 1802 – (6[56] genera, 19[>430] species).

Genus Egaenus C.L. Koch, 1839 – (1[14] species).

Genus Graecophalangium Roewer, 1923 – (1[9] species).

Genus Homolophus Banks, 1893 – (1[29] species).

Genus Opilio Herbst, 1798 – (7[36] species).

Genus Phalangium Linnaeus, 1758 – (5[43] species).

Genus Rilaena Šilhavý, 1965 – (4[22] species).

Family Sclerosomatidae Simon, 1879 – (1[159] genera, 1[>1,250] species).

Genus Goasheer Snegovaya, Cokendolpher & Mozaffarian, 2018 – (1[1] species).

Suborder Laniatores Thorell, 1876 – (1[2] infraorders, 1[44] families, 1[1,334] genera, 1[>4,310] species).

Infraorder Grassatores Kury, 2002 – (1[35] families, 1[1,191] genera, 1[>3,770] species).

Family Biantidae Thorell, 1889 – (1[30] genera, 1[138] species).

Genus Biantes Simon, 1885 – (1[32] species).

Order Pseudoscorpiones de Geer, 1778 – (2[3] suborders, 14[26] families, 35[475] genera, 73[>3,800] species).

Suborder Heterosphyronida Chamberlin, 1929 – (1[2] families, 2[57] genera, 7[>870] species).

Family Chthoniidae Daday, 1888 – (2[51] genera, 7[>820] species).

Genus Chthonius C.L. Koch, 1843 – (2[120] species).

Genus Ephippiochthonius Beier, 1930 – (5[122] species).

Suborder Iocheirata Harvey, 1992 – (2[2] infraorders, 13[22] families, 33[410] genera, 66[>2,880] species).

Infraorder Hemictenata Balzan, 1892 – (2[7] families, 4[87] genera, 15[>930] species).

Family Ideoroncidae Chamberlin, 1930 – (1[14] genera, 1[85] species).

Genus Shravana Chamberlin, 1930 – (1[14] species).

Family Neobisiidae Chamberlin, 1930 – (3[34] genera, 14[>660] species).

Genus Acanthocreagris Mahnert, 1974 – (3[45] species).

Genus Neobisium Chamberlin, 1930 – (7[270] species).

Genus Roncus L. Koch, 1873 – (4[162] species).

Infraorder Panctenata Balzan, 1892 – (11[15] families, 29[323] genera, 51[>1,950] species).

Family Amblyolpiidae Harvey, 2023 – (1[3] genera, 3[20] species).

Genus Amblyolpium Simon, 1898 – (3[17] species).

Family Atemnidae Kishida, 1929 – (2[20] genera, 2[>170 species]).

Genus Atemnus Canestrini, 1884 – (1[8] species).

Genus Diplotemnus Chamberlin, 1933 – (1[9] species).

Family Cheiridiidae Hansen, 1894 – (2[7] genera, 2[>70] species).

Genus Apocheiridium Chamberlin, 1924 – (1[28] species).

Genus Cheiridium Menge, 1855 – (1[22] species).

Family Cheliferidae Risso, 1827 – (7[59] genera, 13[>270] species).

Genus Beierochelifer Mahnert, 1977 – (1[4] species).

Genus Dactylochelifer Beier, 1932 – (7[48] species).

Genus Ellingsenius Chamberlin, 1932 – (1[8] species).

Genus Gobichelifer Krumpál, 1979 – (1[1] species).

Genus Hysterochelifer Chamberlin, 1932 – (1[13] species).

Genus Rhacochelifer Beier, 1932 – (1[34] species).

Genus Strobilochelifer Beier, 1932 – (1[1] species).

Family Chernetidae Menge, 1855 – (7[119] genera, 12[>680] species).

Genus Allochernes Beier, 1932 – (4[35] species).

Genus Chernes Menge, 1855 – (1[22] species).

Genus Dinochernes Beier, 1933 – (1[3] species).

Genus Lamprochernes Tömösváry, 1883 – (2[10] species).

Genus Megachernes Beier, 1932 – (1[23] species).

Genus Nudochernes Beier, 1935 – (1[23] species).

Genus Pselaphochernes Beier, 1932 – (2[15] species).

Family Garypinidae Daday, 1888 – (2[18] genera, 2[>75] species).

Genus Garypinus Daday, 1889 – (1[5] species).

Genus Serianus Chamberlin, 1930 – (1[21] species).

Family Geogarypidae Chamberlin, 1930 – (1[2] genera, 2[>70] species).

Genus Geogarypus Chamberlin, 1930 – (2[53] species).

Family Hesperolpiidae Hoff, 1964 – (1[12] genera, 2[>60] species).

Genus Cardiolpium Mahnert, 1986 – (2[5] species).

Family Menthidae Chamberlin, 1930 – (1[5] genera, 1[12] species).

Genus Paramenthus Beier, 1963 – (1[2] species).

Family Olpiidae Banks, 1895 – (4[24] genera, 9[>200] species).

Genus Calocheiridius Beier & Turk, 1952 – (2[30] species).

Genus Minniza Simon, 1881 – (4[23] species).

Genus Olpium L. Koch, 1873 – (2[33] species).

Genus Parolpium Beier, 1931 – (1[4] species).

Family Withiidae Chamberlin, 1931 – (1[38] genera, 3[>150] species).

Genus Withius Kew, 1911 – (3[41] species).

Order Scorpiones C.L. Koch, 1837 – (1[1] suborder, 4[24] families, 20[238] genera, 94[>2,900] species).

Family Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837 – (17[94] genera, 83[>1,290] species).

Genus Androctonus Ehrenberg, 1828 – (6[43] species).

Genus Anomalobuthus Kraepelin, 1900 – (1[6] species).

Genus Apistobuthus Finnegan, 1932 – (1[2] species).

Genus Buthacus Birula, 1908 – (1[36] species).

Genus Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 – (7[57] species).

Genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908 – (12[62] species).

Genus Iranobuthus Kovařík, 1997 – (1[1] species).

Genus Kraepelinia Vachon, 1974 – (1[1] species).

Genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 – (1[1] species).

Genus Mesobuthus Vachon, 1950 – (16[31] species).

Genus Odontobuthus Vachon, 1950 – (8[12] species).

Genus Olivierus Farzanpay, 1987 – (3[18] species).

Genus Orthochirus Karsch, 1891 – (19[58] species).

Genus Polisius Fet, Capes & Sissom, 2001 – (1[1] species).

Genus Razianus Farzanpay, 1987 – (1[4] species).

Genus Sassanidotus Farzanpay, 1987 – (2[2] species).

Genus Vachoniolus Levy, Amitai & Shulov, 1973 – (1[4] species).

Family Diplocentridae Karsch, 1880 – (1[10] genera, 1[141] species).

Genus Nebo Simon, 1878 – (1[10] species).

Family Hemiscorpiidae Pocock, 1893 – (1[1] genus, 8[20] species).

Genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 – (8[20] species).

Family Scorpionidae Latreille, 1802 – (1[19] genera, 2[204] species).

Genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 – (2[28] species).

Order Solifugae Sundevall, 1833 – (2[2] suborders, 5[15] families, 23[144] genera, 72[>1,150] species).

Suborder Australosolifugae Kulkarni et al., 2023 – (1[9] families, 6[93] genera, 8[>580] species).

Family Daesiidae Kraepelin, 1899 – (6[28] genera, 8[>190] species).

Genus Biton Karsch, 1880 – (3[68] species).

Genus Daesiola Roewer, 1933 – (1[1] species).

Genus Gluviola Roewer, 1933 – (1[1] species).

Genus Gluviopsilla Roewer, 1933 – (1[1] species).

Genus Gluviopsis Kraepelin, 1899 – (1[11] species).

Genus Gluviopsona Roewer, 1933 – (1[3] species).

Suborder Boreosolifugae Kulkarni et al., 2023 – (4[6] families, 17[51] genera, 64[>570] species).

Family Galeodidae Sundevall, 1833 – (4[9] genera, 36[>200] species).

Genus Galeodes Olivier, 1791 – (29[174] species).

Genus Galeodopsis Birula, 1903 – (2[5] species).

Genus Paragaleodes Kraepelin, 1899 – (4[12] species).

Genus Roeweriscus Birula, 1937 – (1[1] species).

Family Gylippidae Roewer, 1933 – (1[2] genera, 3[24] species).

Genus Gylippus Simon, 1879 – (3[23] species).

Family Karschiidae Kraepelin, 1899 – (2[4] genera, 7[45] species).

Genus Eusimonia Kraepelin, 1899 – (3[16] species).

Genus Karschia Walter, 1889 – (4[36] species).

Family Rhagodidae Pocock, 1897 – (10[27] genera, 18[98] species).

Genus Rhagodes Pocock, 1897 – (7[27] species).

Genus Rhagodia Roewer, 1933 – (1[4] species).

Genus Rhagodista Kraus, 1959 – (1[1] species).

Genus Rhagoditta Roewer, 1933 – (2[6] species).

Genus Rhagodixa Roewer, 1933 – (1[1] species).

Genus Rhagodoca Roewer, 1933 – (2[17] species).

Genus Rhagodopa Roewer, 1933 – (1[4] species).

Genus Rhagodorta Roewer, 1933 – (1[1] species).

Genus Rhagoduja Roewer, 1933 – (1[1] species).

Genus Rhagoduna Roewer, 1933 – (1[4] species).

DISCUSSION

Excluding Acariformes and Parasitiformes, a total of six orders, 89 families, 421 genera, and 1,271 species of arachnids are currently known from Iran. Considering the global diversity of each order and the extent of regional research, the best-studied arachnid group in Iran is Scorpiones, which has been the focus of extensive taxonomic and faunistic studies, particularly over the past two decades, likely due in part to their medical significance (e.g., Barahoei et al., 2020, 2022a, 2025; Kovařík & Navidpour, 2020; Kovařík et al., 2022; Saman et al., 2025); the current total number of 94 species exceeds that recorded for any neighboring country in the region. The least-studied order in Iran is Opiliones, which has received very limited and mostly scattered taxonomic attention, and is currently represented by only 28 species, a very low number compared to neighboring Turkey, where 89 species have been documented (Al-Khazali & Kachel, 2024). The order Amblypygi was only recently reported from the country and is currently represented by a single species from western Iran (Miranda & Zamani, 2018), although the occurrence of additional species in the western and southern parts of the country is likely.

Among the orders not yet recorded from Iran, the presence of micro whip scorpions (Palpigradi) is somewhat plausible, particularly in the relatively unexplored subterranean ecosystems of the Elburz Range forest steppe and Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests ecoregions in northern and northwestern Iran. A single Caucasian species of Palpigradi is known from a cave in Abkhazia (Christian, 2014). One species of short-tailed whip scorpions (Schizomida) has also been reported from southern Oman (Harvey, 2006), which might suggest their potential presence in the southern regions of Iran; however, this is considered unlikely given the strictly tropical distribution of the order. Whip scorpions (Uropygi) and hooded tick-spiders (Ricinulei) are likewise restricted to tropical regions and are entirely absent from the region. To date, no fossil arachnids have been reported from Iran. three sets of arthropod trackways preserved in a siltstone slab discovered in the Middle Jurassic Dansirit Formation (ca. 170 Mya) in northern Iran, have been suggested to possibly represent an early species of Mygalomorphae, if the origin of the sediment is terrestrial (Abbassi & Mustoe, 2018). This, however, seems unlikely, as the morphology of the trackways is inconsistent with those produced by mygalomorph spiders (Clendenon & Brand, 2023).

AUTHOR′S CONTRIBUTION

The author confirms that the entire work was solely written by himself.

FUNDING

This work received no specific grant from any funding agencies.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIAL

All data used are listed in the Material and Methods.

ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE

Not applicable.

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

Not applicable.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Article View: 496

PDF Download: 203