First record of the genus Berlandina Dalmas, 1922 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from India, with notes on B. plumalis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) and its synonymy

Authors

  • Subhash I. Parmar 1 Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001, India; Department of Environment and Life Sciences, Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001, India; Department of Zoology, R.R. Lalan College, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6781-0399
  • Dhruv A. Prajapati Sardar Patel Zoological Park, Statue of Unity Road, Ektanagar, Gujarat 393151, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4500-9434
  • Pranav J. Pandya Department of Zoology, R.R. Lalan College, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10348.18.6.29106-29113

Keywords:

Arachnida, Arid habitat, Biodiversity, distribution, ground spider, Gujarat, Kachchh, morphology, range extension, taxonomy

Abstract

The ground spider genus Berlandina Dalmas, 1922 is reported for the first time from India with the record of B. plumalis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) in the Kachchh region of Gujarat. Previously known from western Africa through the Mediterranean to central Asia, including Iran and Afghanistan, B. plumalis is here recorded for the first time from India, extending its known distribution eastwards into the Indian subcontinent. Also, B. afghana Denis, 1958 syn. rest. is once again proposed as a junior synonym of B. plumalis. A detailed diagnosis is provided to distinguish B. plumalis from other congeners, supported by comprehensive illustrations of the male and female copulatory organs.

References

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Published

26-06-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 6 (2026)

Section

Communications

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Copyright (c) 2026 Subhash I. Parmar, Dhruv A. Prajapati, Pranav J. Pandya

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