A New Species of Scorpio from Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)

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  A New Species of Scorpio from Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)  Abstract A new species of  Scorpio  Linnaeus, 1758 is described from Al Ula Governorate, Al Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia.  Scorpio furvus  sp. nov. is distinguished from closely related congeners, including  S. fuscus ,  S. kruglovi ,  S. palmatus ,  S. jordanensis , and  S. yemenensis , by a unique combination of morphological characters notably the granulation pattern of the pedipalp chela, metasomal proportions, pectinal structure and length, and overall dark coloration. Morphometric comparisons further support its distinct status. The discovery of this species highlights the underestimated diversity of the genus  Scorpio  in the Arabian Peninsula and reinforces the view that the  Scorpio maurus  complex comprises multiple geographically restricted taxa requiring continued integrative taxonomic investigation. Aloufi, A., Afifeh, B. A., ...

Predation on the lizard Bachia heteropa (Lichtenstein & Martens 1856) (Lacertoidea, Gymnophthalmidae) by the spider Hapalopus triseriatus Caporiacco 1955 (Aranae, Theraphosidae) in Northwestern Venezuela

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Predation on the lizard Bachia heteropa (Lichtenstein & Martens 1856) (Lacertoidea, Gymnophthalmidae) by the spider Hapalopus triseriatus Caporiacco 1955 (Aranae, Theraphosidae) in Northwestern Venezuela

Abstract

Within Squamata, snakes and lizards are potential prey for many arthropods, but little has been documented about predation involving spiders in northern South America, especially Venezuela. A predation event on Bachia heteropa (Gymnophthalmidae) by a Hapalopus variegatus spider (Theraphosidae) in a semideciduous forest near the town of Licua, Lara State, Venezuela is reported. This is the first record of predation by a spider of the genus Hapalopus on a fossorial lizard of the family Gymnophthalmidae in Venezuela. This anecdotal record reinforces the argument that spiders of the Theraphosidae family have relevant roles as predators of many snakes and lizards. 

Resumen

Dentro de los Squamata, las serpientes y lagartos son presas potenciales de muchos artrópodos, pero poco se ha documentado acerca de la depredación que involucran arañas del norte de Suramérica, especialmente Venezuela. Un evento de depredación sobre Bachia heteropa (Gymnophthalmidae) por la araña Hapalopus triseriatus (Theraphosidae) en un bosque semicaducifolio cerca de la población de Licua, estado Lara, Venezuela es reportado. Este es el primer registro de la depredación de una araña del género Hapalopus sobre un lagarto fosorial del género Bachia en Venezuela. Este registro anecdótico refuerza el argumento de que las arañas de la familia Theraphosidae tienen roles relevantes como depredadores de muchas serpientes y lagartos.

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