Morphometrical Variation in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia

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  Morphometrical Variation in Buthus tunetanus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Tunisia Abstract Intraspecific variation among geographical separated samples has been documented in many scorpion species. This study focuses on morphometrical variation in Buthus tunetanus from Tunisia, in order to find morphometric features that could best distinguish different populations and highlight adaptative morphometric response. Thirteen morphometric variables were measured across 180 adult specimens. Statistical analysis, mainly based on discriminant factorial analysis, showed net intraspecific variability for males and females. Metasoma and telson size represent the most discriminant factor behind the recorded variation, which makes it a great candidate of natural selection. The morphology of this part is closely linked to the assault method and venom effectiveness which are controlled by each environment’s level of risk, the size, quality, and availability of prey. The Ouled Brahim’s and Ouesl...

Analysis of Pepsis basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) taxonomy, morphology, biogeography, and potential host spider

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Analysis of Pepsis basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) taxonomy, morphology, biogeography, and potential host spider

Abstract

A first-time analysis of taxonomically relevant characters, functional morphology, geographic distribution, ecoregion preference, and hypothetical host spiders of Pepsis basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) is presented. This analysis is compared with other Nearctic species in Vardy’s (2005) Pepsis menechma species-group, particularly P. cerberus Lucas and P. elegans Lepeletier which are suspected parasitoids of trapdoor spiders. Pepsis basifusca females differ from females of these species in possessing a rounded gena-postgena in dorsal view; straight mid and hind tibial spurs; short hind tibial inner spur; and short, very stout, and backward slanted hind tibial bristles. Pepsis basifusca Level III Ecoregions comprise mountains, plateaus, highlands, and tablelands, often at high elevation (~3,000–5,000 feet (914–1,524 meters), from Utah, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri to Panama. Pepsis basifusca, the smallest Nearctic congener, should be expected to capture comparatively small mygalomorph spiders like some other species in Vardy’s (2005) Pepsis menechma species-group. Based on taxonomic, morphological, biogeographical, and potential host spider criteria, P. basifusca should probably be removed from this group and transferred to another species-group.

Kurczewski, Frank E. "Analysis of Pepsis Basifusca Lucas (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pepsinae) Taxonomy, Morphology, Biogeography, and Potential Host Spider." Insecta Mundi, no. 1031 (2024): 1-10. Accessed February 20, 2024. https://journals.flvc.org/mundi/article/view/135149.