Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

  Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) have several morphological and behavioral antipredator traits. For example, the soft larvae accumulate their feces and exuviae from previous instars to create a so-called “fecal shield” (Engel 1936; Kosior 1975), which functions as a defense against many predator guilds (Eisner and Eisner 2000; Eisner et al. 1968; Vencl et al. 1999, 2005; Vencl and Srygley 2013). Adults are characterized by their explanate and well-sclerotized pronota and elytra, which cover all soft parts of the body, thereby forming a tortoise-shaped shield (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Jolivet 1997; Jolivet and Verma 2002; Selman 1988; Windsor et al. 1992) (Fig. 1A). Furthermore, the adults are known for their ability to grip firmly to surfaces with both tarsal claws and pads, which renders them difficult to capture (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Joliv...

Seven new species of the segmented spider genus Liphistius (Mesothelae, Liphistiidae) in Thailand and Myanmar

 


Seven new species of the segmented spider genus Liphistius (Mesothelae, Liphistiidae) in Thailand and Myanmar

Abstract

Seven new species of the primitive segmented spider genus Liphistius are described and assigned to species groups based on characters of the male palp and vulva plate. The bristowei group includes L. dawei Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀) from southeastern Myanmar, L. choosaki Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♀) from northwestern Thailand, and L. lansak Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♀) from western Thailand; the trang group (Complex A) contains L. kaengkhoi Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀), L. hintung Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀), L. buyphradi Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀), and L. champakpheaw Sivayyapram & Warrit, sp. nov. (♂♀) from central Thailand.

Sivayyapram V, Kunsete C, Xu X, Smith DR, Traiyasut P, Deowanish S, Aung MM, Ono H, Li D, Warrit N (2024) Seven new species of the segmented spider genus Liphistius (Mesothelae, Liphistiidae) in Thailand and Myanmar. ZooKeys 1189: 203-229. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1189.115850