taxonID	type	description	language	source
341287C5866DFFD61402F88EFC48EA28.taxon	type_taxon	Type species Aranea tarantula Linnaeus, 1758 from Puglia Region, Italy ..	en	Ballarin, Francesco, Marusik, Yuri M., Pantini, Paolo, Nadolny, Anton A. (2026): From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 244-286, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3221, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3221/14275
341287C5866FFFC51423FB0EFD7FE8D4.taxon	description	Figs 1 – 16	en	Ballarin, Francesco, Marusik, Yuri M., Pantini, Paolo, Nadolny, Anton A. (2026): From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 244-286, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3221, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3221/14275
341287C5866FFFC51423FB0EFD7FE8D4.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Note: the diagnosis is limited by the general lack of detailed morphological information, such as photos or drawings, for most of the other Lycosa s. str. species closely related to L. tarantula. Males of L. tarantula can be identified from males of other Lycosa s. str. species by the general shape of the palp and particularly by the different shape of the tegular apophysis (Ta). A narrower Ta, with shorter or sturdier distal process is present in L. fasciiventris, L. bedeli, and in other eastern Mediterranean congeners (cf. Figs 2 A – B, 4 A, 5 A – G vs Guy 1966: fig. 13; Barrientos 2004: fig. 6; Armiach Steinpress et al. 2022: fig. 2 A – E). The shape of the synembolus and the course of the embolus are probably also good diagnostic characters to separate closely related congeners, but these structures have not yet been illustrated in most of the other Mediterranean Lycosa species. Females of L. tarantula are distinguished from those of other Lycosa s. str. species by the general shape of the septum (Sm), which is relatively long, gradually narrowing in the central-distal part, and ending with a barbed arrowhead-like basal part (Sb) with small and narrow pockets of the copulatory openings (Co). In other congeners these structures differ, e. g., with a shorter, longer, or wider septum, a sudden narrowing in the central part or lacking a central narrowing, with a different shape of the basal part and, often, with larger and differently shaped copulatory openings (cf. Figs 3 A – D, 4 C – D vs Nadolny & Zamani 2020: figs 18 – 31; Armiach Steinpress et al. 2022: fig. 9 A – M). Other diagnostic characters are the relatively small, rounded or slightly oval head of the receptacle (Hr) and the relatively narrow and long stalk (Sr) with a characteristic course. Other species have larger, longer, or a differently shaped Hr, with a wider, shorter, or differently shaped stalk (cf. Figs 3 E, 4 E – F, 7 G – H vs Nadolny & Zamani 2020: figs 33 – 35; Armiach Steinpress et al. 2022: fig. 10 A – M). Additionally, the dorsal and ventral pattern and in particular the width and shape of the black ventral abdominal stripe, the annulation of legs, as well as the size of PME, may also help to separate L. tarantula from congeners. For example, a wider black stripe is present in L. baulnyi Simon, 1876, L. fasciiventris, L. hispanica (Walckenaer, 1837), and L. oculata (cf. Figs 9 A, D, 12 B, D vs Simon 1876 b: figs 4, 13, 18, 20; Barrientos 2004: fig. 5). The lack of black marks on femurs is reported in L. bedeli (see Simon 1876 b: 82). Wider PMEs are found in some species like L. oculata, and L. macrophthalma Nadolny & Zamani, 2020 (cf. Fig. 8 C vs Nadolny & Zamani 2020: fig. 2).	en	Ballarin, Francesco, Marusik, Yuri M., Pantini, Paolo, Nadolny, Anton A. (2026): From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 244-286, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3221, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3221/14275
341287C5866FFFC51423FB0EFD7FE8D4.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Neotype (designated here) ITALY – Puglia • ♀; Taranto, Foggiano, San Crisperi; 40.40788 ° N, 17.4104 ° E; 150 m a. s. l.; 2 Nov. 2021; F. Milazzo leg.; dry meadow; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53211; GenBank accession number: PX 470703 (n. b. a female neotype was designated due to its better overall preservation compared to the other male specimens available from the type locality). Other material examined ITALY – Lombardia • 1 ♂ (sub Tarentula apuliae); Pavia, Varzi, Pietragavina, Gerbidi di Pietragavina; 20 Jul. 1885; F. Mazza leg.; MSNP, MSNP-Ar-jar 431. – Toscana • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Livorno, Pianosa Is., Campo nell’Elba, Torretta San Marco; 14 Jun. 1966; P. Tongiorgi leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar-AR- 53760. – Marche • 2 ♂♂; Macerata, Mt Sibillini, Pintura di Bolognola; 1300 – 1500 m a. s. l.; 25 Jun. 1995; S. Ruffo and Biancheri leg.; MSNV, MSNV-Ar-jar 6. – Umbria • 2 ♂; Perugia, Lippiano; Jul. – Aug. 1923; A. Andreini leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53744 • 1 ♂; same locality as for preceding; Sep. 1929; A. Andreini leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53745 • 2 ♂♂; Perugia, Mt Sibillini, Piana di Castelluccio; 1300 m a. s. l.; 29 Jun. 1967; G. Papini leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53752 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Assisi, Mt Subasio; 10 Jun. 2007; A. Trotta and A. Pesce leg.; dry meadow; ATPC. – Abruzzo • 2 juvs; L’Aquila, road toward Collepietro village; 800 m a. s. l.; 11 Jun. 1971; unknown leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53754. – Lazio • 1 juv.; Rieti, Amatrice, Capricchia, Sacro Cuore; 1500 m a. s. l.; Sep. 1968; G. Osella leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53753 • 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Roma, Subiaco, Mt Simbruini, Monte Livata; 6 Jul. 2009; F. La Casella leg.; MSNB, MSNBAr- 11601. – Campania • 1 ♀, 1 juv.; Avellino, Mt Piacentini, Valle Piana; 13 Jun. 1956; S. Ruffo leg.; MSNV, MSNV-Ar-jar 15 • 1 ♂ subad.; same locality as for preceding, Piano Laceno; 16 Jun. 1956; S. Ruffo leg.; MSNV, MSNV-Ar-jar 15. – Puglia • 2 ♀♀; Brindisi, Ostuni; Oct. 1950; unknown leg.; under stones; MSNV, MSNV-Ar-jar 21 • 10 ♀♀, 5 juvs; Foggia, Tremiti Islands, San Domino Is.; 23 Sep. 1965; P. Tongiorgi leg.; cattle pasture; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53742 • 3 ♀♀; same locality as for preceding; 16 Apr. 1966; unknown leg.; cattle pasture; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53747 • 5 ♀♀, 5 juvs; same locality as for preceding, Piana Piccola; 24 Sep. 1965; unknown leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53746 • 1 ♀, 1 juv.; same locality as for preceding, Punta Diamante; 25 Sep. 1965; S. Ruffo leg.; MSNV, MSNV-Ar-jar 24 • 1 ♀; same locality as for preceding; 21 Apr. 1966; unknown leg.; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53748 • 1 ♂; same data as for neotype; collected juv., adulthood reached on 11 Aug. 2022; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53741. – Calabria • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Cosenza, Frascineto, Petrosa; 39.8414 ° N, 16.2563 ° E; 541 m a. s. l.; 24 Jun. 2022; P. Rizzo leg.; dry meadow; MSNB, MSNB-Ar- 53212. SLOVENIA – Littoral • 1 ♂; Brje [Carso Triestino, Berje]; Jun. 1913; Müller leg.; syntype of L. tarentula carsica; MSNT, MSNT-Ar 743.	en	Ballarin, Francesco, Marusik, Yuri M., Pantini, Paolo, Nadolny, Anton A. (2026): From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 244-286, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3221, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3221/14275
341287C5866FFFC51423FB0EFD7FE8D4.taxon	description	Description Female neotype MEASUREMENTS. Total length 24.0. Carapace 14.2 long, 9.5 wide. CARAPACE. Brown, with faint lighter radii at center and yellowish marginal borders; well-defined, winding whitish-yellowish marginal stripes starting from lateral sides of cephalic area and bordering whole carapace; central longitudinal stripe of same color on posterior half, enlarging in fainter, light-brownish wider stripe in anterior half (Fig. 8 D – E). Cephalic area not elevated, covered with numerous whitish setae (Fig. 8 D – F). Paturon distally black, proximal half covered with yellowish setae (Fig. 8 F), 3 teeth on both promargin and retromargin. Promarginal central tooth larger than others. All retromarginal teeth of same size, as long as promarginal central tooth. Sternum brownish with 8 whitish marks, 1 at center, others all around with radial pattern; maxillae and labium uniformly black. Palps uniformly yellowish with darker femora and tip of metatarsi. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.54; ALE 0.56; PME 1.26; PLE 1.05; AME – AME 0.25; AME – ALE 0.12; ALE – ALE 1.4; AME – PME 0.36; ALE – PME 0.4; PME – PME 0.98; PME – PLE 1.42; PLE – PLE 2.75. LEGS. Brown, covered with numerous whitish setae on dorsal side; ventral coxa and trochanter uniformly dark brown; patella uniformly yellowish. Ventral femur and tibia with clear yellowish and black annulations: femur with 3 black marks, 1 small at proximal tip, 1 large at central and distal parts (Fig. 11 D); tibia with 2 large black marks at proximal and distal tips (Fig. 9 H – J). Tarsi and metatarsi uniformly brown with ventral scopula (Sc) and spinules, ventral basal part of tarsus with narrow, yellowish annulation (Fig. 9 L). Setae of scopula with whitish bristles. Spinules (Sp) black, without bristles. Number of scopula setae decreasing from leg I to leg IV, while number of spinules increasing. Tarsus I with well-developed scopula and small group of spinules on the distalmost part. Tarsus IV with spinules along entire length and with poorly developed scopula forming two lateral groups of setae. OPISTHOSOMA. Dorsally brownish with dark brown chevrons bordered posteriorly with white setae (Fig. 9 C). Ventrally uniformly yellow with darker areas covering lungs at both sides of epigyne and well-defined black transversal stripe, shaped as inverted trapezoid with angles of shorter side slightly protruding posteriorly (Figs 9 D, 11 A). Spinnerets brownish. EPIGYNE (Figs 3 A – D, 4 C – D, 7 A – F). Epigynal plate with arrow-like septum (Sm), strongly sclerotized, ca 2.5 times as long as wide, with anterior elevation (Ae), gradually narrowing toward septal base in central part. Median furrow (Mf) well-defined, covering ⅔ of septum. Septal base (Sb) shaped as barb arrowhead, ca as wide as anterior part of septum, ending with rounded tip. Copulatory openings (Co) at lateral corners of septal base (= barbs of arrowhead), opening at end of small and narrow pockets. Vulva as in Figs 3 E, 4 E – F, 7 G – H. Copulatory ducts (Cd) strongly sclerotized, with sinuous course (Fig. 4 F); enlarging in spherical anterior outgrowth (Ao) and continuing with long and relatively narrow stalk (Sr) until reaching base of head of receptacle. Head of receptacle (Hr) oval or subspherical, ca 2 times as wide as stalk, separated from each other ca 2.5 times their width; fertilization ducts (Fd) short, membranous, headed ventrally. COLORATION IN VIVO. General coloration more vivid, with dorsal and ventral patterns more clearly visible (Figs 12 D – F, 13 A – E). Carapace dark brown; lateral and longitudinal stripes of carapace bright yellow (Figs 12 D – E, 13 A – C). Sternum light brown-greyish; basal half of chelicera, central segments of palps, and dorsal side of legs dark orange (Fig. 13 C – D). Ventral legs annulations and ventral opisthosoma with clearly visible pattern. Annulation of ventral femur, and tibia bright yellow and shining black, patella bright yellow, tarsus and metatarsus bright black; ventral opisthosoma bright yellow or orange, sometimes light grey in some individuals, with bright black transversal stripe (Figs 12 F, 13 E). Male MEASUREMENTS. Total length: 21.0. Carapace 10.5 long, 7.5 wide. CARAPACE. General pattern and coloration as in female but lighter, more greyish, and with more distinct pattern (Fig. 8 A – C). Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.42; ALE 0.36; PME 0.92; PLE 0.74; AME – AME 0.17; AME – ALE 0.11; ALE – ALE 1.05; AME – PME 0.32; ALE – PME 0.36; PME – PME 0.75; PME – PLE 1.02; PLE – PLE 2.01. LEGS. General coloration, development of scopula and spinules, and other characters as in female. Ventral annulation of femur and tibia more greyish rather than yellowish like in female (Fig. 9 E – G). Tibia and metatarsus as in female but slimmer (Fig. 9 K). Scopula and spinules as in Fig. 10 A – E. OPISTHOSOMA. Coloration and pattern similar to female but chevrons larger, darker, and partially merged to each other (Fig. 9 A). Ventral coloration yellowish as in female but lighter and with wider black transversal stripe (Fig. 9 B). PALP (Figs 1 A – G, 4 A). Femur length / width 3.2, patella length / width 1.7, tibia 2 times as long as wide. Femur dark brown; patella, and tibia yellowish, covered with long dark setae, particularly numerous on retrolateral side; dorsal side covered with numerous short whitish adpressed setae. Cymbium asymmetric, with bulge on retrolateral side (Figs 1 B, E – F, 4 A); 1.6 times as long as wide, more than 2 times as wide as tibia. Dorsal basal part of cymbium covered with dense, long, white setae, anterior half brown covered with brownish relatively short setae (Fig. 1 E). Tip of cymbium about 0.4 times as long as cymbium, bearing 2 short claws hidden among short setae (Fig. 1 G). Bulb as in Figs 2 A – D, 5 A – D. Bulb (excluding tegular apophysis) oval, slightly longer than wide; subtegulum (St) postero-prolateral, partly visible in ventral view; tegulum (Tg) hemispheric, length / width in ventral view 1.5. Tegular stalk (Ts) clearly distinct. Tegular apophysis (Ta) as in Figs 2 A – B, 4 A, 5 A – G, trapezoidal, large, as wide as tibia, flat, slightly longer than wide, folded on itself forming an internal furrow (Tf) (Fig. 5 E – G); crest of tegular apophysis (Ct) well developed, forming a wide rounded lobe on antero-retrolateral corner of tegular apophysis; distal process of tegular apophysis (Tp) thin and sharp, slightly bent postero-retrolaterally. Conductor (Cn) ribbon-like, transparent, distal part ending with a sharp tip bent ventrally. Embolic division as in Figs 2 E – F, 4 B, 6 A – D. Palea (Pl) almost twice as wide as long with short and stumpy, trapezoidal terminal apophysis (Tr) on retrolateral side; synembolus (Se) well-developed, basal part following curvature of embolus, terminal part hook-like, tip thin and sharp, headed dorsally. Pars pendula (Pp) transparent, attached at basal part of embolic division and base of synembolus, following course of embolus (detached from embolus in the photographed sample); embolus (Em) long and filamentous originating at ca 11 o’clock position when observing embolic division anteriorly (Fig. 6 A – D). COLORATION IN VIVO. General coloration more grayish, pattern more clearly visible (Figs 12 A – B, 13 F). Carapace light brownish, lateral and longitudinal stripes light grey (Fig. 12 A – B); sternum light orange, proximal part of chelicera faint yellowish (Fig. 13 F). Palp light grey. Dorsal side of tibia, metatarsus, and tarsus light grey, ventral annulations with light grey and bright black marks, clearly visible. Ventral opisthosoma bright orange, transversal stripe bright black (Fig. 12 C). Habitat The species primarily inhabits arid meadows (Fig. 15). See ecological remarks in the discussion.	en	Ballarin, Francesco, Marusik, Yuri M., Pantini, Paolo, Nadolny, Anton A. (2026): From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 244-286, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3221, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3221/14275
341287C5866FFFC51423FB0EFD7FE8D4.taxon	distribution	Distribution The presence of L. tarantula is currently confirmed only in Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Southern France (Fig. 16). See remarks in the discussion.	en	Ballarin, Francesco, Marusik, Yuri M., Pantini, Paolo, Nadolny, Anton A. (2026): From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 244-286, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3221, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3221/14275
341287C5866FFFC51423FB0EFD7FE8D4.taxon	discussion	Remarks on variation Size variation: males (n = 7): carapace length 10.5 – 11.0 and width 7.5 – 8.5, length of femur I 7.8 – 8.6; females (n = 10): carapace length 10.5 – 17.1 and width 7.3 – 11.4, length of femur I 6.8 – 10.4. There is intraspecific variation in the shape of the epigyne. Particularly, the median furrow of the epigynal septum can be more or less distinct and is sometimes absent (Fig. 3 A−C). The heads of the receptacles may also slightly vary in shape, appearing more or less rounded or oval, and the copulatory ducts can be more or less closely spaced. In both sexes, different populations and sometimes even single individuals, show variation in the ventral pattern, particularly in the width and shape of the transverse black stripe of the opisthosoma and of the lung marks (Fig. 11 A – C). The number and shape of black marks on the ventral side of the femora are also highly variable (Fig. 11 D – H). In contrast, the tibial pattern appears more consistent even among different populations. The sternum may be uniformly black or bear more or less distinct yellow-orange markings. Populations from southern France tend to have an overall darker body coloration with a black sternum, a nearly entirely black ventral opisthosoma, and black markings on the femora of variable size (Fig. 11 C, G – H). Although this darker pattern appears dominant, it is not present in all individuals, occurring in ca 80 % of the specimens (Jean-Philippe Taberlet, in litteris). Populations from Croatia also appear to have a darker venter, with a broader black stripe compared to the Italian populations (Fig. 11 B). As in females, individual males or populations may exhibit minor variation in the ventral pattern of legs and opisthosoma.	en	Ballarin, Francesco, Marusik, Yuri M., Pantini, Paolo, Nadolny, Anton A. (2026): From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1043: 244-286, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1043.3221, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3221/14275
