Joining the dark side: waterfall spiders in subterranean habitats, with the description of a new genus and two new species from Brazil (Araneae: Trechaleidae)

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  Joining the dark side: waterfall spiders in subterranean habitats, with the description of a new genus and two new species from Brazil (Araneae: Trechaleidae) Abstract Trechaleidae is a family of spiders often recognized by its semiaquatic species, but its diversity extends beyond these well-known examples. In this study, we describe Troglotrechalea gen. nov. , a new genus with two novel species, T. faleroae spec. nov. and T. agorai spec. nov. , found exclusively in subterranean habitats within karst formations in central and southeastern Brazil. Both species exhibit pale coloration, but unmodified eyes and legs if compared to other species in the family. The slight degree of troglomorphism, along with their geographic and habitat records, suggests that these species are restricted to hypogean habitats, although they probably move through epigean habitats. Additionally, we report in detail the occurrence of the trechaleid genera Enna O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897, Heidrunea Brescovi...

Predation of spiders (Araneae) on amphibians and reptiles (Anura, Squamata) in Panama

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Predation of spiders (Araneae) on amphibians and reptiles (Anura, Squamata) in Panama

Abstract 

The records of spider predation on amphibians or reptiles in Panama are scarce. We present seven cases of this intra-guild predator-prey interaction, with photographic records, thus improving the knowledge in this field for our country with six first reports and one previously documented report. Predación de arañas (Araneae) sobre anfibios y reptiles (Anura, Squamata) en Panamá Resumen: Los registros de depredación de arañas sobre herpetofauna en Panamá son escasos. Aquí presentamos siete casos de esta interacción intragremial depredador-presa, con registros fotográficos, ampliando de esta manera el conocimiento en este ám-bito para nuestro país mediante seis primeros reportes y un reporte previamente documentado.

Fuentes Magallón, Rogemif. (2023). Predation of spiders (Araneae) on amphibians and reptiles (Anura, Squamata) in Panama. Revista Ibérica de Aracnología. 43. via ResearchGate