Contribution to the knowledge of the spider fauna of Morocco (Arachnida: Araneae) - Third note. On sixteen new species, and noteworthy records. Author LECIGNE, Sylvain 406, rue d’Aubencheul 59268 Fressies, France. lecigne.sylvain@bbox.fr Author MOUTAOUAKIL, Soumia Laboratoire d’Amélioration de la Production Agricole, Biotechnologie et Environnement (LAPABE), Faculté des Sciences Oujda, Université Mohammed Premier, Morocco. moutaouakil.soumia@gmail.com Author LIPS, Josiane Fédération Française de Spéléologie (FFS) – Groupe d’Étude de Biospéologie (GEB), France. josiane.lips@free.fr Author HÉNON, Nicolas Eco & Sols, INRAE, IRD, CIRAD, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, Montpellier, France. nicolas.henon@inrae.fr text European Journal of Taxonomy 2026 2026-06-11 1067 1 88 https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3292/14507 journal article 315652 10.5852/ejt.2026.1067.3292 b848c4f9-4b24-46a2-a846-ed9e4f233cc8 2118-9773 20729743 2A65CAB2-523D-4906-9C5A-8989DBA94841 Gorbiscape hichamelguerrouji Lecigne sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: AC3B9FA0-B0C9-42AE-945C-DC57DAB360D5 Figs 1 , 7–8 , Table 1 Diagnosis The male of Gorbiscape hichamelguerrouji Lecigne sp. nov. resembles that of G. amazighus but the tegular apophysis of the new species does not bear any basal outgrowth and only its tip is curved ventrally (vs tegular apophysis evenly curved ventrally with long, digitiform basal outgrowth in G. amazighus ) (cf. Fig. 7G , TeA vs Fig. 5C and Zamani & Marusik 2025: 325 , fig. 3C, Ob). Furthermore, the dorsal margin of the patellar apophysis of G. hichamelguerrouji sp. nov. is concave at the base (vs evenly convex in G. amazighus ) (cf. Fig. 7G , PA vs Fig. 5D ). The female of the new species can be distinguished by their subcircular spermathecae widely spaced, i.e., 1.25 times their horizontal diameter ( Fig. 8H , Sp). Etymology In naming this species, the first author wished to pay special tribute to one of the greatest athletic champions of all time, for his abnegation, for the image he has given to his sport, and for the generations of young athletes he has and will continue to inspire. To Mr. Hicham El Guerrouj. Material examined Holotype MOROCCO – Berkane Prov . • ♂ ; Berkane , Ifrane Yaâcoube , Takerbouste , Jbel Tamajjout , Zegzel road; 34.86460° N , 2.36360° W ; 430 m a.s.l. ; 23 May 2025 ; S. Lecigne leg.; arid , stony grassland , under stone , by hand ; CSL MOR_2286 ; SMF . Remarks: left pedipalp detached. Paratype MOROCCO – Berkane Prov. • 1 ♀ ; same data as for holotype; SMF . Remarks: immature specimen raised to maturity. Epigyne detached. Fig. 7. Gorbiscape hichamelguerrouji Lecigne sp. nov. , holotype, ♂ (CSL MOR_2286). A . Dorsal view. B . Ventral view. C . Palp, retrolateral view. D, H . Idem, ventral views. E . Idem, prolateral view. F . Idem, dorsal view. G . Idem, retrolateral view (dotted arrow: small, blunt dorso-retrolateral tibial tubercle). Photos: S. Lecigne. Abbreviations: C = conductor; E = embolus; PA = patellar apophysis; RTA = palpal retrolateral tibial apophysis; SD = sperm duct; TeA = tegular apophysis. Scale bars: A–B = 2.0 mm; C–H = 0.2 mm. Other material examined MOROCCO – Al Haouz Prov. • 1 ♀ ; Oukaïmeden ; 31.22789° N , 7.82222° W ; 2330 m a.s.l. ; 31 Mar. 2023 ; S. Lecigne and S. Moutaouakil leg.; wooded mountain slope , under stone , by hand ; CSL MOR_0809 . Remarks: epigyne detached . – Berkane Prov. • 1 ♂ ; same data as for holotype . Description Male holotype ( Fig. 7 ) MEASUREMENTS. Total length 9.15; carapace 3.75 long, 2.65 wide; palpal femora 1.45 long; cymbium 1.33 long. Colour in ethanol ( Fig. 7A–B ). Carapace dorsally with 3 light (one median, widened at both ends, and two marginal) and 2 dark submarginal longitudinal stripes, widened in median section. Chelicerae brown. Sternum yellowish with brown central mark; margins with broad dark band. Legs: coxae and trochanters pale yellow; femora, patellae and tibiae pale brown, metatarsi and tarsi paler; femora ventrally with vague darker marks. Abdomen: clear dorsal median stripe with small white guanine spots, its margins underlined with black undulated line; cardiac mark reddish-brown; sides pale brown with elongated dark spots; ventrally, clear median stripe with small white guanine dots, framed on each side by vague darker dotted line. Carapace. Chelicerae: fang groove with 3 teeth on outer margin and 2 subequal teeth on inner margin ( Fig. 7B ). Palp ( Fig. 7C–H ). Femora long, about 1.1 times as long as cymbium. Patella with large apophysis, thin and translucent, greyish, dorsally inclined, dorsal margin concave ( Fig. 7G , PA). Tibia with finger-like ventro-retrolateral apophysis (lateral view) and small, blunt dorso-retrolateral tubercle ( Fig. 7G , dotted arrow). Cymbium 1.9 times as long as wide; bulb about 1.4 times as long as wide, barely inclined outwards. Tegular apophysis: basal part fairly broad; upper part narrow, slightly inclined inwards ( Fig. 7H , TeA), tip directed ventrally ( Fig. 7G , TeA). Conductor: wide, almost flat, translucent lamella, longer than embolus, tip rounded ( Fig. 7H , see C). Embolus broad, gradually tapering; apical part heavily sclerotized, curved and pointing ventrally ( Fig. 7G , see E). Female paratype ( Fig. 8 ; as in male except as noted) MEASUREMENTS. Total length 10.40; carapace 4.75 long, 3.25 wide. Colour on live specimen ( Fig. 8A–B ). The three dorsal light bands on the carapace whitish in appearance; as well as ventral side ( Fig. 8B ). Colour in ethanol ( Fig. 8C ). As in male. Epigyne/vulva ( Fig. 8D–H ). Scape distinct, subtriangular ( Fig. 8D , Sc). Epigynal plate moderately sclerotized, thick; posterior margin swollen, forming a prominent transverse bulge ( Fig. 8D ). Copulatory openings: small pits located laterally, directed ventrally ( Fig. 8D , CO). Spermathecae subcircular, separated by 1.25 times their horizontal diameter ( Fig. 8H , Sp), surmounted by short membranous copulatory duct ( Fig. 8H , CD). Fig. 8 (on next page). Gorbiscape hichamelguerrouji Lecigne sp. nov. A–C, E–F, H . Paratype ♀ (CSL MOR_2286). D, G . ♀ (CSL MOR_0809). A . Dorsal view. B–C . Ventral views. D . Epigyne. E . Vulva, ventral view. F . Idem, postero-ventral view. G . Idem, posterior view. H . Idem, dorsal view. Photos: A–F, H = S. Lecigne; G = P. Oger. Abbreviations: CD = copulatory duct; CO = copulatory opening; FD = fertilization duct; Sc = scape; Sp = spermatheca. Scale bars: C = 2.0 mm; E–H = 0.2 mm . Variation MEASUREMENTS. Male (n = 2): total length 9.15–9.40; carapace 3.75–3.95 long, 2.65–2.70 wide, CL/CW 1.42– 1.46. Female (n = 2): total length 10.15–10.40; carapace 3.9–4.75 long, 2.60–3.25 wide, CL/CW 1.46–1.50. Distribution and habitat Endemic to Morocco ? To date, known from two localities in mountainous environment: the type locality near Jbel Tamajjout ( Beni-Snassen ) in the Rif Mountains, and Oukaïmeden in the High Atlas. It inhabits shrubby slope, under stone. Compiled from data in Table 1 . Morocco , Berkane , Oriental ; ( Table 1 ) .