Currently, 77 mite species are known from Syria, including nine species of Bdellidae: Bdella lattakia Soliman and Zaher, Biscirus silvaticus (Kramer), B. simplexus Soliman and Zaher, Cyta coerulipes (Dugès), C. latirostris (Hermann), C. reticulata Soliman and Zaher, Neomolgus clypeatus (Thor), Spinibdella cronini (Baker and Balock) and Odontoscirus lapidaria (Kramer) (Barbar 2016, 2017; Hernandes et al., 2016; Zeity, 2017). Members of this family (278 valid species belong to 11 genera) have been described from all continents except Antarctica and considered as active running predators of small arthropods such as soft bodied insects, collembolans and mites (Gerson et al., 2003; Hernandes et al., 2016). In the present paper two new species are described and illustrated form Syria. Additional bdellid species are also reported.

Bdellids were collected from leaves of Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae), Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) (Rosaceae) and from ground litter at Al-ya'robiyah (35°30'24''N, 35°48'33''E) and Borj-Islam (35°39'18''N, 35°46'30''E), Latakia province, Syria. Specimens were mounted on slides in Hoyer's medium and dried in an oven at 40°C for one week. Mites were identified using Hernandes et al.'s (2016) keys to world Bdellidae. Specimens were compared with original descriptions or re-descriptions of corresponding or related species. All measurements (measured with the aid of an ocular micrometer) are given in micrometers (μm) and the holotype measurements are followed by measurements of the paratype (or the range of paratypes in parentheses). Leg length was measured from the proximal edge of the coxa to the distal end of the claw. Asymmetry in leg chaetotaxy in the same specimen, if present, is indicated in brackets.

The following abbreviations are consistent with Hernandes et al. (2016): ad = adoral seta; pvs = posterior subcapitulum ventral seta; avs = anterior subcapitulum ventral seta; des = dorsal end seta (palp); ves = ventral end seta (palp); at = anterior trichobothrium; pt = posterior trichobothrium; lps = lateral prodorsal seta; mps = median prodorsal seta; T = trichobothrium (leg); sts = simple tactile seta; asl = attenuate solenidion; bsl = blunt solenidion; pe = peg-like seta. Specimens were deposited in the Arthropod Collection of the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Albaath University, Homs, Syria.

ZOOBANK: 57D50C7B-69CD-4183-B051-83896DB5975E

Diagnosis (Figures 1−4). Coxae and subcapitulum without reticulations; subcapitulum with two pairs of prominent ventral setae; prodorsal seta mps not reaching the base of co-lateral lps; prodorsal setae at, lps and mps not longitudinally aligned; tibiae I and tarsus III each without trichobothria; coxae IV with 3 setae; trochanters I with 2 setae; basifemora III with 7 setae in female and 7 (9) in male; basifemora IV with 4 [5] setae in female and 4 setae in male; telofemora II, III and IV with 7–7–4[5] setae in female and 7–6–4 in male respectively; genu IV with 7 setae; trichobothrium present only on tibia IV.

Female (n = 3). Color dark red in life. Body length (including gnathosoma) 712 (855 – 860), body length (excluding gnathosoma) 550 (695); width 342 (460 – 470).

Dorsum — (Figure 1A). Dorsal idiosoma with broken striae, central region of prodorsum (between setae at and mps) with oblique and irregular striae. Prodorsum with five eyes, diameters of unpaired median eye 15 (18 – 20), anterior lateral eye 20 (22), and posterior lateral eye 22 (18), distance between two lateral eyes 40 (62), with oblique and irregular striae between each pair. Dorsal setae smooth to faintly serrate. Hysterosomal region with three pairs of cupules (ia, im and ip) at level of setae d1, e1 and posterolateral to f1. Striae between setae c1, d1, e1, f1, f2, h1, and h2 transverse, broken and become oblique and irregular laterally. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: at 138 (150 – 195), lps 45 (52 – 58), mps 48 (48 – 53), pt 195 (200 – 230), c1 38 (42 – 52), c2 32 (37 – 47), d1 35 (43 – 47), e1 35 (40 – 43), f1 35 (38 – 52), f2 38 (48 – 58), h1 42 (35 – 48), h2 38 (35 – 55). Distance between dorsal setae: at–at 102 (110); lps–lps 215 (254 – 270); at–lps 84 (102 – 110); pt–pt 220 (265 – 275); mps–pt 75 (115 – 120); mps–mps 68 (85 – 115); at–pt 102 (128 – 135); at–mps 110 (100 – 135); c1–c1 102 (105 – 140); c1–c2 55 (80 – 87); d1–d1 88 (124 – 126); e1–e1 85 (112 – 122); f1–f1 50 (52 – 70); f2–f2 126 (104 – 156); h1–h1 50 (38 – 60); c1–d1 65 (80); d1–e1 56 (58 – 68); e1–f1 52 (65 – 75); f1–h1 68 (70 – 100); h1–h2 50 (62).

Venter — (Figure 1B). Anterior to coxa I with transverse broken striae; between coxae I–IV with continuous longitudinal striae except central area between coxae II and III with oblique and irregular striae; aggenital region surrounded with oblique and irregular striae; aggenital region with six pairs of setae (ag1–6) (seven pairs in one paratype female) and genital valves each with eight setae (g1–8) (nine pairs in one paratype female); anal region with three pairs of smooth para-anal setae (ps1–3), ps1 30 (30 – 38), ps2 30 (30 – 32) and ps3 37 (27 – 32); anal region at level of seta ps2 with one pair of cupules; one unpaired seta anterior to genital opening.

Gnathosoma — (Figure 2). Subcapitulum with transverse striae at base and longitudinal anterior to setae pvs, 160 (162) long, width at base 120 (95 – 112), with two pairs of long ventral setae, pvs 73 (62 – 65), avs 30 (37 – 40); distance pvs–avs 52 (48 – 50); two pairs of short adoral setae near tip of subcapitulum, ad1 20 (20) and ad2 17 (17) (Figure 2A). Chelicerae inflated, 165 (175 – 190) long and 70 (75 – 80) wide, with two dorsal setae, proximal seta 60 (60 – 65), distal seta 23 (28 – 37), distance between proximal and distal setae 105 (100 – 112); movable digit with one tooth and fixed digit with two teeth; striation transverse and broken from cheliceral base to level of proximal seta and then longitudinal toward chelae (Figure 2A). Palp trochanter nude, basifemur with six setae; telofemur with one seta, genu with four setae; tibiotarsus with four setae, one solenidion and two long terminal setae, des and ves 132 (152 – 170) and 105 (112 – 130) respectively; measurements of palp segments as follows: trochanter 15 (20), basifemur 90 (118 – 120), telofemur 36 (45 – 50), genu 24 (25 – 27), tibiotarsus 68 (77 – 80) (Figure 2B).

Ovipositor — (Figure 3A). Ovipositor tube-shaped, with 10 dorsal setae and 7 ventral setae.

Legs — (Figure 4). Measurements of legs as follows: leg I 485 (550 – 575), leg II 440 (530 – 568), leg III 490 (500 – 600), leg IV 605 (612 – 680); setal formulae of leg segments as follows: coxae I–IV 5–4–6[5 setae on right coxa III of holotype; 4 setae on paratypes]–3; trochanters I–IV 2–2–2–2; basifemora I–IV 9–9[10 on right basifemur II of holotype]–7–4[5 setae on right basifemur IV of holotype]; telofemora I–IV 7–7–7–4 [5 setae on right telofemur IV of holotype]; genua I–IV 7sts,1asl–7sts,1asl–7sts,1asl–7sts; tibiae I–IV 9sts,3asl–9sts,1asl,1bsl–9sts,1bsl–8sts,1 T; tarsi I–IV 30sts,2asl,2bsl,1pe–27sts,1bsl,1pe–25sts–23sts,1asl; only tibia IV with a trichobothrium.

Male (n = 2). Similar to female. However, three differences were observed: basifemora III with 7 setae (9 setae on right leg of one male) oppose to 7 setae in female; telofemora III with 6 setae oppose to 7 in female; and tibia IV with 10 setae instead of 9 in female. Color dark red in life. Body length (including gnathosoma) 710 – 805, body length (excluding gnathosoma) 550 – 642; width 356 – 412.

Dorsum — Unpaired median eye 18, anterior lateral eye 20 – 24, and posterior lateral eye 22 in diameter, distance between two lateral eyes 45. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: at 150 – 187, lps 45 – 62, mps 48 – 60, pt 200 – 220, c1 38 – 52, c2 35 – 52, d1 38 – 52, e1 38 – 50, f1 38 – 52, f2 40 – 56, h1 40 – 50, h2 40 – 50. Distance between dorsal setae: at–at 90 – 105; lps–lps 196 – 240; at–lps 88 – 112; pt–pt 210 – 254; mps–pt 75 – 80; mps–mps 80 – 90; at–pt 105 – 135; at–mps 105 – 122; c1–c1 100 – 132; c1–c2 55 – 60; d1–d1 95 – 112; e1–e1 105 – 112; f1–f1 55; f2–f2 110 – 130; h1–h1 32 – 50; c1–d1 62 – 65; d1–e1 66 – 68; e1–f1 66 – 75; f1–h1 76; h1–h2 58 – 60.

Venter — Aggenital region with six pairs of setae (ag1–6) and genital valves each with eight setae (g1–8); anal region with three pairs of smooth para-anal setae (ps1–3), ps1 28 – 37, ps2 30 – 35 and ps3 30 – 35 long. Other parts like female.

Gnathosoma — Subcapitulum 163 – 165 long, width at base 100 – 122 with two pairs of long ventral setae, pvs 70 – 82, avs 32 – 38; distance pvs–avs 45 – 50; two pairs of short adoral setae near tip of subcapitulum, ad1 20 and ad2 17. Chelicerae 152 – 170 long and 65 – 77 wide, with two dorsal setae, proximal seta 52 – 75 and distal seta 25 – 27, distance between proximal and distal setae 90 – 110; movable digit with one tooth and fixed digit with two teeth. Palp trochanter nude, basifemur with six setae; telofemur with one seta, genu with four setae; tibiotarsus with four setae, one solenidion and two long terminal setae, des and ves 138 – 170 and 112 – 140, respectively; measurements of palp segments as follows: trochanter 12, basifemur 90 – 136, telofemur 40, genu 25, tibiotarsus 68 – 70.

Genitalia — (Figure 3B). Amphioid sclerite with eight pairs of setae.

Legs — Measurements of legs as follows: legs I 485 – 520, legs II 430 – 482, legs III 480 – 566, legs IV 560 – 615; setal formulae of leg segments as follows: coxae I–IV 5–4–4–3; trochanters I–IV 2–2–2–2; basifemora I–IV 9–9–7 [9 setae on right basifemora III of one male]–4; telofemora I–IV 7–7–6–4; genua I–IV 7sts, 1asl–7sts, 1asl–7sts, 1asl–7sts; tibiae I–IV 9sts, 3asl–9sts, 1asl, 1bsl–9sts, 1bsl–9sts, 1T; tarsi I–IV 30sts, 2asl, 2bsl, 1pe–27sts, 1bsl, 1pe–25sts–23sts, 1asl; only tibia IV with a trichobothrium.

Remarks — Cyta kreiteri n. sp. is similar to C. latirostris (Hermann, 1804) [re-described by Atyeo (1960)] and C. kurdistanicus Eghbalian et al. (2014) by having coxae and subcapitulum without reticulations; prodorsal seta mps not reaching the base of co-lateral lps; tibiae I and tarsus III each without trichobothria; only tibia IV with a trichobothrium.

However, it differs from C. latirostris by having: (1) coxa IV with three setae in C. kreiteri instead of two in C. latirostris; (2) telofemur III of female with seven setae in C. kreiteri but 4–6 setae in C. latirostris; (3) genu IV with seven setae in C. kreiteri but six setae in C. latirostris; (4) tibiae IV of male with 10 setae (including trichobothrium) in C. kreiteri but 9 setae in C. latirostris; (5) total number of setae on tarsi I–IV 35–29–25–24 in C. kreiteri but 34–25–23–17 in C. latirostris; (6) ovipositor with 17 setae in C. kreiteri but 20 in C. latirostris.

Cyta kreiteri differs from C. kurdistanicus by having: (1) trochanter I with two setae in C. kreiteri instead of one in C. kurdistanicus; (2) basifemur II, III and IV with 9[10]–7–4[5] setae in C. kreiteri but 8–5–3 setae in C. kurdistanicus; (3) telofemur II, III and IV with 7–7–4[5] setae in C. kreiteri but 6–6–3 setae in C. kurdistanicus; (4) genu I, III and IV with 8–8–7 setae in C. kreiteribut 7–7–6 setae in C. kurdistanicus; (5) tibiae II and III with 11–10 setae in C. kreiteri but 10–9 setae in C. kurdistanicus; (6) total number of setae on tarsi I–III is 35–29–25 in C. kreiteri but 33–28–22 in C. kurdistanicus; (7) diameter of eyes of C. kreiteri 2.0–2.5 times longer than those in C. kurdistanicus [unpaired median eye 15 (18 – 20), anterior lateral eye 20 (22), and posterior lateral eye 22 (18) in C. kreiteri opposite to 6 (5 – 6), 8 (8 – 9) and 7 (7 – 8) in C. kurdistanicus]; (8) ovipositor with 17 setae in C. kreiteri but 20 in C. kurdistanicus.

Type material — One holotype female and two paratypes (one female and one male) were collected from S. melongena leaves planted in an open field at Al-ya'robiyah (35°30'24''N, 35°48'33''E), Latakia Province, Syria, 17 April 2016, (Coll. Barbar, Z.). Two paratypes (one female and one male) were collected from soil litter in the same locality, 7 April 2017 (Coll. Barbar, Z.).

Etymology — This species was named for Prof. Serge Kreiter of Montpellier SupAgro, UMR CBGP (SupAgro/CIRAD/INRA/IRD), Montpellier, France, in recognition of his contribution to Acarology.

ZOOBANK: 470834C1-A96B-4C65-8116-D6506FF3355F

Diagnosis (Figures 5−8) — Two cheliceral setae present; proximal cheliceral seta not reaching the base of distal seta; lateral prodorsal seta (lps) absent; proximal cheliceral seta longer than 1/3 the length of distal seta; palp tibiotarsus with 10 setae (including des, ves); setal formula of coxae I–IV 5-3-4-2; trochanters I–IV 1-1-1-1; basifemora I-IV 13(15)-14(15)-8(9)-3; telofemora I–IV 7-8(9)-6-6(7); movable digit with six to seven teeth and fixed digit with two teeth.

Female (n = 2). Color pale orange in life. Ganthosoma, legs and propodosoma well sclerotized. Body length (including gnathosoma) 1590 (1500), body length (excluding gnathosoma) 1265 (1162); width 625 (634).

Dorsum — (Figure 5A). Dorsal idiosoma with broken striae, central region of prodorsum (anterio-median to setae mps) with oblique and irregular striae. Prodorsum with four eyes, diameter of anterior lateral eye 26 (26), and posterior lateral eye 20 (20), distance between two lateral eyes 62 (76), with oblique and irregular striae between each pair. Dorsal setae smooth to faintly serrate. Hysterosomal region with three pairs of cupules (ia, im and ip) at level of setae d1, e1 and f1. Hysterosomal striae transverse broken and sometimes oblique and irregular. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: at 125 (120), mps 80 (broken), pt 127 (125), c1 62 (58), c2 68 (68), d1 62 (broken), e1 broken (62), f1 broken (50), f2 55 (52), h1 55 (55), h2 55 (60). Distance between dorsal setae: at–at 62 (60); pt–pt 155 (157); mps–pt 38 (37); mps–mps 98 (100); at–pt 160 (162); at–mps 170 (177); c1–c1 142 (175); c1–c2 90 (87); d1–d1 162 (205); e1–e1 137 (162); f1–f1 48 (78); f2–f2 180 (240); h1–h1 50 (64); c1–d1 155 (160); d1–e1 120 (112); e1–f1 115 (112); f1–h1 136 (145); h1–h2 112 (100).

Venter — (Figure 5B). Anterior to coxa I with transverse broken striae, some striae with lobes; between coxae I–II with longitudinal broken striae and oblique, irregular posteriorly; aggenital region with three pairs of setae (ag1–3) and genital valves each with seven setae (g1–7); anal region without para-anal setae, with two pairs of anal setae and with one pair of cupules; one unpaired pore-like structure anterior to genital opening.

Gnathosoma — (Figure 6). Subcapitulum with transverse striae at basal third and rest longitudinal, 325 (337) long, width at base 128 (140), with six or seven pairs of ventral setae (asymmetry present in the same specimen); adoral setae not visible (Figure 6A). Chelicerae 305 (365) long and 95 (88) wide, with two dorsal setae, proximal seta 45 (42) and distal seta 60 (75), distance between proximal and distal setae 65 – 68; movable digit with six to seven teeth and fixed digit with two teeth; striation longitudinal and broken (Figure 6A). Palp trochanter nude, basifemur with six setae; telofemur with one seta, genu with four setae; tibiotarsus with ten setae: 7 sts, one terminal solenidion and two long terminal setae, des 152 (160) and ves 145 (158); measurements of palp segments as follows: trochanter 15 (18), basifemur 190 (210), telofemur 32 (35), genu 24 (26), tibiotarsus 172 (190) (Figure 6B).

Ovipositor — (Figure 7). Ovipositor with 20 (20) setae.

Legs — (Figure 8). Measurements of legs as follows: leg I 805 (805), leg II 715 (790), leg III 792 (890), leg IV 1110 (1150); setal formulae of leg segments as follows: coxae I–IV 5-3-4-2; trochanters I–IV 1-1-1-1; basifemora I–IV 13(15)-14(15)-8(9)-3; telofemora I–IV 7-8(9)-6-6(7); genua I–IV 7(6)sts, 6asl–6sts, 4asl–6sts, 3asl–6sts,3asl; tibiae I–IV 12(13)sts, 4asl, 1bsl, 1pe, 1T–12sts(10), 2bsl, 1T–12(11)sts, 1bsl–12(13)sts, 1T; tarsi I–IV 34sts, 2asl, 2bsl, 1pe–32sts, 1asl, 2bsl, 1pe–35sts, 1T–31sts, 1T.

Remarks — Odontoscirus tixieri n. sp. is similar to O. dubitatus (Womersley, 1933), O. asiaticus (Kuznetsov and Barilo, 1984) and O. alpinus (Atyeo, 1960) by having two cheliceral setae; proximal cheliceral seta not reaching the base of distal seta; lateral prodorsal seta (lps) absent; proximal cheliceral seta longer than 1/3 the length of distal seta.

However, it differs from O. dubitatus [re-described by Atyeo, 1963] by having: (1) coxae II and III setal formula 3–4 in O. tixieri instead of 4–5 in O. dubitatus, respectively; (2) basifemora III and IV setal formula 8(9)–3 in O. tixieri instead of 10–8 in O. dubitatus; (3) telofemur III with 6sts in O. tixieri and 7sts in O. dubitatus; (4) genu I with 6asl in O. tixieri and 5asl in O. dubitatus; (5) tibiae I and III with 4asl,1bsl–1bsl in O. tixieri and 3asl–1asl in O. dubitatus, respectively; (6) palp basifemur with six setae in O. tixieri but with nine setae in O. dubitatus (as illustrated by Atyeo, 1963) (7) chelicerae striated in O. tixieri and nonstriated in O. dubitatus.

Odontoscirus tixieri n. sp. differs from O. asiaticus by having (1) palp tibiotarsus with 10 setae in O. tixieri but with 9 setae in O. asiaticus (setal counts include des, ves); (2) coxa II with 3 setae in O. tixieri but with 2 setae in O. asiaticus; (3) basifemora I–III setal formula 13(15)–14(15)–8(9) in O. tixieri but 11–12–6 in O. asiaticus; (4) telofemur II with 8(9) setae in O. tixieri but with 7 setae in O. asiaticus; (5) genu I and IV setal formula 7(6)sts,6asl–6sts,3asl in O. tixieri but 5sts,5asl–6sts,2asl in O. asiaticus.

Odontoscirus tixieri n. sp. is very close to O. alpinus but differs from this species by having (1) palp tibiotarsus with 10 setae in O. tixieri but with 9 setae in O. alpinus (setal counts include des, ves); (2) basifemora I and II 13(15)–14(15) respectively in O. tixieri but 11–13 in O. alpinus; (3) telofemur III with 6 setae in O. tixieri but with 7 setae in O. alpinus; (4) movable digit with 6–7 teeth and fixed digit with two teeth in O. tixieri but movable digit 4–5 teeth and fixed digit with one tooth in O. alpinus; (5) cheliceral striation longitudinal and broken in O. tixieri but reticulated in O. alpinus.

Type material — One holotype female and one paratype female were collected from soil litter at Al-ya'robiyah (35°30'24''N, 35°48'33''E), Latakia Province, Syria, 5 April 2017 and 9 April 2017 (Coll. Barbar, Z.).

Etymology — This species was named for Prof. Marie-Stéphane Tixier of Montpellier SupAgro, UMR CBGP, Montpellier, France, in recognition of her contribution to Acarology.

Male (n= 2). Color dark red in life. Body length (including gnathosoma) 1185 – 1500, body length (excluding gnathosoma) 815 – 1050; width 530 – 680.

Dorsum — Prodorsum with an oval unpaired median eye present anteriorly on propodosoma just posterior to the base of chelicerae, its diameter 35 – 45; central region of prodorsum with regular transverse broken striae; striae oblique irregular and broken between setae mps, and oblique irregular laterally. Anterior lateral eye 22, and posterior lateral eye 20 – 25 in diameter, distance between anterior and posterior lateral eyes 12 – 15. Dorsal setae faintly serrate. Hysterosomal region with three pairs of cupules (ia, im and ip) at level of setae d, e and f1. Striae between setae c1, d1, e1, f1, f2, h1 and h2 transverse and become oblique and irregular laterally. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: at 180, mps 62, pt 185 – 187, c1 50, c2 50, d1 55, e1 55, f1 68, f2 58, h1 65, h2 65. Distance between dorsal setae: at–at 70 – 87; pt–pt 230 – 260; mps–pt 90 – 108; mps–mps 50 – 55; at–pt 175 – 185; at–mps 152 – 162; c1–c1 88; c1–c2 142 – 162; d1–d1 120 – 140; e1–e1 105 – 140; f1–f1 65 – 75; f2–f2 138 – 142; h1–h1 35; c1–d1 128 – 168; d1–e1 132 – 165; e1–f1 100 – 160; f1–h1 40.

Venter — Between coxae I–IV with continuous longitudinal striae except central area between coxae II and III with oblique and irregular striae; aggenital and anal regions surrounded with oblique and irregular striae; aggenital region with 12 pairs of setae and genital valves each with 15–16 setae; anal region with three pairs of para-anal setae (ps1–3).

Gnathosoma — Subcapitulum with transverse striae at basal part and longitudinal forward, 375 – 450 long, width at base 130 – 138, with two pairs of long ventral setae, pvs 108 – 110, avs 63 – 65; distance pvs–avs 100 – 135; two pairs of short adoral setae near tip of subcapitulum, ad1 20 and ad2 18. Chelicerae with longitudinal striae, 330 – 380 long and 40 – 50 wide, with two dorsal setae, proximal seta 60 and distal seta 40 – 48, distance between proximal and distal setae 110 – 125; movable digit with two denticles, fixed digit without teeth and shorter than movable digit. Palp tibiotarsus with 1sts, 1 solenidion and two long terminal setae, des and ves 250 and 180 respectively; trochanter nude, basifemur with two setae; telofemur with one seta, genu with two setae; measurements of palp segments as follows: trochanter 10 – 12, basifemur 230, telofemur 35, genu 68, tibiotarsus 145.

Genitalia — Amphioid sclerite with 9–10 pairs of simple setae.

Legs — Measurements of legs as follows: legs I 655 – 837, legs II 650 – 805, legs III 720 – 915, legs IV 840 – 1080; setal formulae of leg segments as follows: coxae I–IV 4–3–5–4; trochanters I–IV 1–1–1–1; basifemora I–IV 10–10(9)–8–4; telofemora I–IV 5–5–4–4; genua I–IV 5sts, 4asl–5sts, 1asl–5sts, 1asl–4sts, 1asl; tibiae I–IV 11(13)sts, 4(3)asl, 1bsl, 1pe, 1T–12sts, 1asl, 1bsl–10(11)sts, 1asl–11(12)sts, 1T; tarsi I–IV 27(29)sts, 2asl, 2bsl, 1pe–28(29)sts, 2bsl–27(28)sts, 1T–24(26)sts, 1asl,1T.

Remarks — This is the first record of this species from Syria and the first international record. It was recorded for the first time from Iran (Paktinat-Saeej et al., 2015a). The Syrian B. iranensis specimens are similar to the Iranian specimens, except for a few small morphological differences, namely: (1) cheliceral setae separated by distance 2.60 – 2.75 times length of distal seta in Syrian specimens but this distance equal to 1.8 – 2.1 times length of distal seta in Iranian specimens (Paktinat-Saeej, Personal communication by Edward A. Ueckermann); (2) tarsi II with 27(29) sts setae in Syrian specimens against 30 sts in Iranian specimens; (3) coxae III with 5 setae in Syrian specimens rather than to 6(7) setae in Iranian specimens (Paktinat-Saeej et al., 2015a).

The two specimens were collected from soil litter at Al-ya'robiyah (35°30'24''N, 35°48'33''E), Latakia Province, Syria, 17 April 2016 and 7 April 2017.

Male (n = 2; Figure 9). Color red in life. Body length (including gnathosoma) 735 – 738, body length (excluding gnathosoma) 532 – 535; width (275 – 295).

Dorsum — Central region of prodorsum (between setae at and mps) with longitudinal striae (Figure 9A). Setae lps equidistant from setae at and pt. Prodorsum with five eyes, diameters of unpaired median eye 18 – 20 (Figure 9A), anterior lateral eye 15 – 12, and posterior lateral eye 10 – 14, distance between two lateral eyes 17 – 20. Dorsal setae smooth. Hysterosomal region with three pairs of cupules (ia, im and ip) at level of setae d1, e1 and posterolateral to f1. Striae between setae c1, d1, e1, f1, f2, h1 and h2 transverse continuous and become oblique and irregular laterally. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: at 130 – 138, lps 43 – 47, mps 52 – broken, pt 175 – 188, c1 50 – broken, c2 50 – 53, d1 46 – 50, e1 50 – 53, f1 54 – broken, f2 45 – 50, h1 55 – broken, h2 43 – 45. Distance between dorsal setae: at–at 43 – 48; lps–lps 102 – 105; at–lps 44 – 45; pt–pt 118 – 120; mps–pt 25; mps–mps 68 – 70; at–pt 85 – 90; lps–pt 42 – 45; at–mps 83 – 85; c1–c1 92 – 92; c1–c2 43 – 48; d1–d1 85 – 90; e1–e1 83 – 85; f1–f1 50 – 52; f2–f2 92 – 107; h1–h1 27 – 30; c1–d1 70 – 73; d1–e1 65 – 68; e1–f1 67 – 68; f1–h1 45 – 48; h1–h2 30 – 35.

Venter — Anterior to coxa I with transverse striae; between coxae I–IV with continuous longitudinal striae except central area between coxae II and III with faintly transverse striae; aggenital region surrounded with oblique and irregular striae; aggenital region with 22 pairs of setae and genital valves each with 13–16 setae; anal region with one pairs of smooth anal setae, two pairs of para-anal setae and one pair of cupules; one unpaired seta anterior to genital opening.

Gnathosoma — Subcapitulum with transverse striae at base and longitudinal toward the lips 200 long, width at base 80 – 86, with two pairs of long ventral setae, pvs 40 – 43, avs 35; distance pvs–avs 45; two pairs of short adoral setae near tip of subcapitulum, ad1 10 and ad2 10. Chelicerae 173 – 177 long and 20 – 26 wide, with two dorsal setae, proximal seta 48 – 50 and distal seta 38 – 43, distance between proximal and distal setae 60; movable and fixed digits straight; a small seta (5) seems present at the basal part of the digits in one specimen (Figure 9B); chelicerae striation longitudinal. Palp tibiotarsus with four setae, one solenidion and two long terminal setae, des and ves 180 – 185 and 110 – 112, respectively; trochanter nude, basifemur with seven setae; telofemur with one seta, genu with four setae; measurements of palp segments as follows: trochanter 10 – 12, basifemur 112, telofemur 20 – 23, genu 18, tibiotarsus 32 – 35.

Genitalia — Amphioid sclerite with nine pairs of setae.

Legs — Measurements of legs as follows: leg I 310 – 333, leg II 300 – 338, leg III 350 – 375, leg IV 420 – 440; setal formulae of leg segments as follows (asymmetry in leg chaetotaxy in the same specimen is indicated in brackets): coxae I–IV 7[8,9]–6[7,8]–6[7]–6[5]; trochanters I–IV 1–1–2–1; basifemora I–IV 7[6]–7[6]–5–3; telofemora I–IV 5–5–4–4; genua I–IV 5–5–5–6; tibiae I–IV 11(12)sts, 1 asl, 1pe, 1T–10sts, 1bsl–10(11)sts, 1asl–13(14)sts, 1T; tarsi I–IV 22sts, 2bsl–20sts, 2bsl–22(23)sts, 1T–23(24)sts, 1T.

Remarks — The Syrian males are identical to females described by Atyeo (1960) and Paktinat-Saeej et al. (2015b) and also to a description of the male amphioid sclerite by Wallace and Mahon (1972) except for the presence of a small seta at the basal part of the cheliceral digits in one Syrian specimen. According to the key of Spinibdella (Hernandes et al., 2016), unpaired median eye was considered absent based on data available from literature. However, this eye is probably present according to pictures made by Hernandes of the type specimens of this species deposited at USNM (Personal communication by Edward A. Ueckermann, 2017). We decided not to depict this species as the Syrian specimens were not adequate for his purpose but included photos of a few distinguishing characters of this species, e.g. median eye, striae in the center of the prodorsum and chelicerae.

Two males and one female (in bad shape) of this species were collected from soil litter at Al-ya'robiyah (35°30'24''N, 35°48'33''E.), Latakia Province, Syria, 5 April 2017 and 9 April 2017; one nymph was collected from S. spinosum at Borj-Islam (35°39'18''N, 35°46'30''E.), Latakia Province, Syria, 25.V.2016. This species has been already reported from Syria (Hernandes et al., 2016).

Authors wish to thank Drs Fabio A. Hernandes and Saeid Paktinat-Saeej for supplying data concerning species described in this paper. This work is based on research supported in part by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (UID) 85288. Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the authors and therefore the NRF does not accept any liability in regard thereto.

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