Scytodes velutina Heineken & Löwe, 1832

Keer, Johan Van & Bosmans, Robert, 2014, A new species of Scytodes from Algeria (Araneae: Scytodidae), with a review of the species from the Maghreb, Zootaxa 3894 (1), pp. 131-140 : 137-138

Scytodes velutina Heineken & Löwe, 1832

Figs 23, 26, 31, 34

Scytodes velutina: Simon 1910: 305 ; Caporiacco 1928: 82; Denis 1937: 1033; Denis 1947: 25; Denis 1961: 164; Brignoli 1976: 151.

Scytodes velutina delicatula: Simon 1909: 13 ; Simon 1910: 305; Denis 1961: 164.

Previous records. ALGERIA: Without precise locality ( Simon 1910); Jijel, Forêt de Zouagha ( Denis 1937). LIBYA: Al Jaghbub, Giarabub ( Caporiacco 1928). MOROCCO: Grand Casablanca, Aïn-es-Sebâa (Denis 1961); Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Marrakech, rochers du Gueliz (Denis 1961), Mogador (= Essaouira; Simon 1909; Denis 1961); Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër, Oued Cherrat (Denis 1961); Souss-Massa-Drâa, Amzou near Ouled Teima (Denis 1961). TUNISIA: Kairouan, Cherichera ( Brignoli 1976).

New records. ALGERIA: Bordj Bou arreridj, El Mehir, 900 m, pitfalls in recent plantation of Pinus halepensis , 1 ♀ (CRB), 21.VI.1990; Boumerdes, Reghaia, 10 m, pitfalls in Olea maquis, 2♂♂, 1♀ (CRB), 13.VI.1988, Djelfa, Djebel Senalba, 1400 m, pitfalls in Pinus plantation, 2♂♂ 2♀♀ (CRB), 23.II.1990; Mostagenem, La Stidia, 25m, herbs in dunes, 1 ♂ (CRB), 25.V.1990; Oran, Mouley Ismaël, 150 m, pitfalls in young Pinus plantation, 2♂♂ 1 ♀ (CRB), 25.V.1990; Saida, Cascades de Tifrit, 825 m, herbs at foot of waterfall, 1 ♂ (CRB), 4.V.1984, Guettara, 850 m, pitfalls along rivulet, 2♂♂ (CRB), 23.V.1990, Saida, recreation area, 840 m, pitfalls in Pinus halepensis forest, 2♂♂ 1♀, 24.V.1990, Djebel Tenfelt, 850 m, pitfalls in Pinus halepensis forest, 1♀ (CRB), 23.V.1990. MOROCCO: Chaouia-Ouardigha, Mechra Bennabbou, 400 m, stones in mixed forest plantation, 3♀♀ (CRB), 9.II.1996, Oued Zem 10 km S., 760 m, pitfalls in young Pinus plantation, 14♂♂ 2♀♀ (CRB), 14.VI.1984; Fès-Boulemane, Missour, 900 m, pitfalls in steppe, 1♂ 1♀ (CRB), 30.VII.2002; Marrakech- Tensift-Al Haouz, Diabat S., 5m, litter under Tamarix trees, 1 ♂ (CRB), 8.VI.1999, Oued Tensift near Marrakech, 1 female 2 subadult ♀♀ (CRB), 9.II.1996, Ounara E., 235m, stones in Argania spinosa steppe, 1 ♂ (CRB), 8.VI.1999, Tamelelt NE, 590 m, stones in wasteland, 1 ♀ (CRB), 16.IV.2012 (CRB); Meknes-Tafilalt, road Ifrane- Mischlifen, 1750 m, stones in grassland along rivulet, 1 ♂ 1♀ (CRB), 18.IV.2012; Souss-Massa-Drâa, Agadir, Ida Outanane, road Cap Rhir-Taghazout, 55 m, stones near the sea, 1 ♀ (CRB), 28.IV.2012, Aglou plage, 25m, stones in steppe, 1 ♀ (CRB), 26.IV.2012, Tiguermine E., 1600 m, stones in steppe with almond trees, 2 ♀♀ (CRB), 24.IV.2012, Tizi n’ Tichka E., 1800 m, grassland along rivulet, 1 ♀ (CRB), 6.VII.1989, Telouet S., 1880 m, stones in Juncus grassland, 1 ♀ (CRB), 6.VII.1999, Barrage Youssef-Ben-Tachfine, 100 m, stones in steppe, 1 ♀ (CRB), 27.IV.2012; Tanger-Tetouan, Zinat N., 190 m, abandoned garden along Oued Hadjera, 1 ♀ (CRB), 20.IV.1984; Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate, Dar Caid Medboh, 950 m, sieving litter in Pinus halepensis forest, 1 ♂ (CRB), 15.XII.2013, Issaguen S., 1450 m, stones in Cedrus atlantica forest, 1♀ (CRB), 16.XII.2013. TUNISIA: Ben Arous, Jebel Ressas, 95m, stones in olive grove, 2♀♀ (CRB), 28.I.2003; Medenine, Djerba, Houmt Souk E., 5m, litter in salt marsh, 2♀♀ (CRB), 15.XII.1999; Sidi Bouzid, Djebel Bou Hedma National Park, 1 ♀ (CRB), Moldrzyck, 25.III.2001.

Diagnosis. Scytodes velutina can normally be separated from other Scytodes species by its darkened carapace and legs. There are, however, pale forms, and these differ from S. seppoi sp. n. by the uniformly coloured femora, as well as by the straight distal part of the bulb and the more separated scutula in the female.

Comments. Scytodes velutina is the commonest Scytodes species in the Maghreb, occurring all over the region.