Four new spider species discovered in UAE, researchers say

Scientists in the UAE have identified four previously unknown spider species, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah has announced.

In a discovery that highlights the country’s biodiversity, the EPAA) isaid the species were found across mountainous and valley regions, including Wadi Shees, Wadi Al Helo and Masafi.

The research was carried out by a team based at the Al Dhaid Wildlife Museum, led by entomologist Professor Mostafa Sharaf, alongside a group of UAE-based researchers.

Officials say the findings underline the ecological diversity of the UAE, with some habitats still largely unexplored.

Two of the newly identified species have been named after the region, including Leptopilos hajarensis, referring to the Hajar Mountains, and Prodidomus emiratus, in reference to the UAE. The remaining species were named based on their physical characteristics.

The team also recorded several spider groups and species in the UAE for the first time.

The findings have been published in the scientific journal 'ZooKeys' as part of an international collaboration involving researchers from multiple countries.

The EPAA said the discovery forms part of ongoing efforts to document wildlife and better understand ecosystems across the UAE, with further research expected to reveal more species in the future.